BACKGROUND: This study is an evaluation of the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy for the treatment of severe @entity281 complicating lung resection, esophageal surgery, viscera perforation, or necrotizing @entity281 . METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all @entity1 treated by intrathoracic VAC therapy between January 2005 and December 2008. All @entity1 underwent surgical debridement-decortication and control of the underlying cause of @entity281 such as treatment of bronchus stump insufficiency, resection of @entity39 lung, or closure of esophageal or intestinal leaks. Surgery was followed by intrathoracic VAC therapy until the @entity281 was controlled. The VAC dressings were changed under general anesthesia and the chest wall was temporarily closed after each dressing change. All @entity1 received systemic antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Twenty-seven @entity1 (15 male, median age 64 years) underwent intrathoracic VAC dressings for the management of postresectional @entity3509 (n=8) with and without @entity292 , @entity39 (n=7), and intrathoracic gastrointestinal leaks (n=12). The median length of VAC therapy was 22 days (range 5 to 66) and the median number of VAC changes per @entity1 was 6 (range 2 to 16). In-hospital mortality was 19% (n=5) and was not related to VAC therapy or @entity281 . Control of @entity281 and closure of the chest cavity was achieved in all surviving @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Vacuum-assisted closure therapy is an efficient and safe adjunct to treat severe @entity281 and may be a good alternative to the open window thoracostomy in selected @entity1 . Long time intervals in between VAC changes and short course of therapy result in good @entity1 acceptance.

Vacuum-assisted closure device: a useful tool in the management of severe XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity39 :: ('MESH:D009336', 'Disease') :: ['necrotic', 'necrotizing infections'] @entity3509 :: ('MESH:D004653', 'Disease') :: ['empyema'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['intrathoracic infections', 'pleuropulmonary infections', 'intrathoracic infection', 'infection'] @entity292 :: ('MESH:D005402', 'Disease') :: ['bronchopleural fistula']
@entity281 :: (MESH:D007239,Disease) :: ['intrathoracic infections']
