Closure of a large bronchopleural fistula by omentoplasty and free myocutaneous latissimus dorsi muscle flap

The treatment of post-pneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula requires both closure of the fistula and control of the infection usually by obliteration of the thoracic cavity. A 53-year-old man developed a large airway defect (4 × 2 cm) after right pneumonectomy performed for lung cancer. To close such a large defect a two-stage operation consisting of omentoplasty and free lattisimus dorsi muscle flap transposition was performed. This report illustrates the feasibility of overcoming this demanding complication with collaboration of plastic surgery.