[Use of the pedicled omentum in chest surgery]

The pedicled omentum finds use in chest surgery for management of complicated problems and prevention of serious complications. Nine patients have been treated with the pedicled omentum. In four patients the goal was preventive, to avoid anastomotic leakage or infection, or to provide a source of neovascularity. In five patients the pedicled omentum was used to obtain healing in the presence of infection. Bronchial fistula, esophageal fistula with pyothorax or mediastinal infections treated successfully. This series demonstrates the efficacy of the pedicled omentum in management of chest problems.