Abstract
Recently we experienced nine patients of surgical treatment using a pedicled omentum for management or prevention of serious complications in thoracic surgery. In five it was used to prevent anastomotic leakage and infection, in three to treat bronchial fistula with pyothorax after pulmonary resection, in one to treat pneumothorax with pyothorax. There were no abdominal complications, although one patient complained of abdominal distension after omentopexy. Though leucocytosis persisted for a relatively long period after surgery in most cases, there were no clinical problems. In all the patients treated preventively the use of the pedicled omentum was successful. In those with complications would healing was achieved in three, but one patient had a recurrence of bronchial fistula and died. In failed case we did not use additional procedures such as muscle transposition or thoracoplasty. Omentopexy plus additional treatment may be advisable for the achievement of healing.
