Modified thoracoplasty using a breast implant to obliterate an infected pleural space: an alternative to traditional thoracoplasty

Abstract

Thoracoplasty is a technique used to obliterate residual intrapleural spaces after lung resection for infection or other causes. It involves multiple osteotomies on several ribs and then collapsing them into the space to be obliterated; however, this results in a distorted and asymmetrical chest wall. We report a case of a 34-year-old female with completely destroyed right upper lobe secondary to chronic Aspergillus infection. She underwent a completion right upper lobectomy and modified thoracoplasty with the use of a breast implant to obliterate the residual pleural space without any distortion of the chest wall, with an excellent outcome.