Split-thickness skin-grafting the post-Clagett pleurostomy cavity.

' 2004 Canadian Medical Association A the surgical complications of pulmonary resections and pneumonectomies, bronchopleural fistulae (BPF) persists as the gravest complication for the thoracic surgeon. BPF can prolong hospital stay and increase mortality to a rate of 50%. Its management is challenging and controversial. We report our recent experience with empyema and late BPF in a patient after pneumonectomy for a lung abscess. We undertook a novel management technique of Clagett pleurostomy followed by split-thickness skin-grafting of the residual pleural space. Applying splitthickness skin grafts to the granulating tissue bed accelerated epithelial migration. The technique was simple and required a short-term anesthetic. One year later, the result remains satisfactory.