[The value of omental pedicle flap method for postoperative intractable infection in the field of thoracic surgery].

We present a series of 8 consecutive patients who underwent the omental pedicle flap method in the field of thoracic surgery. Four of them had empyema with bronchopleural fistula and four had mediastinal infection. A pedicle of omentum containing the right gastroepiploic artery was passed through a tunnel in the diaphragm into the empyema cavity or the mediastinal abscess cavity. All eight patients were cured successfully by single-stage procedures. We think this series demonstrates the value of omental pedicle flap method which lacks in symptoms due to defected organ and offers an excellent therapeutic effect with easy operative procedure. And, this method produce a quality of life. Further active application of this method can be expected in the management of chest problems.