Bronchopleural fistula: treatment by transposition of pectoralis major muscle

The occurrence of a bronchopleural fistula continues to constitute a major therapeutic challenge for the thoracic surgeon. Successful closure of the fistula requires that the associated empyema cavity be obliterated. We describe a patient in whom the entire pectoralis major muscle was transposed into the thorax to obliterate the cavity as well as close the bronchopleural fistula.