The omentum in the management of complicated cardiothoracic problems.

The pedicled omentum finds use in cardiothoracic surgery for management of complicated problems and prevention of serious complications. Its blood supply is excellent and is capable of inducing neovascularity. Based on the right gastroepiploic artery, it reaches anywhere in the thorax or neck. Its bulk helps to fill infected spaces. Thirty-seven patients have been treated with the pedicled omentum. In 16 patients the goal was preventive, to avoid bleeding, anastomotic leakage, or infection or to provide a source of fibroplasia or neovascularity. In eight patients with cervical exenteration the flap protected against innominate artery erosion and esophageal leakage, generally in an irradiated field. In six patients it permitted primary healing of heavily irradiated trachea--formerly unlikely. It was also used to provide coverage of a chest wall prosthesis in two patients. In 21 patients the omentum was used to obtain healing in the presence of infection. Bronchopleural fistulas were successfully closed in eight of nine patients. Six mediastinal infections that developed after cardiac operations were successfully treated. Four unusual vascular infections necessitated the use of omentum. Two patients had closure of esophageal perforations buttressed with omentum. This series demonstrates the efficacy of the omentum in the management of complex cardiac, vascular, esophageal, tracheal, bronchial, pleural, and chest wall problems.