P-M Huang1, S-W Kuo, J-M Lee. 1. Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery and Traumatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. e370089@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Management of hepatic hydrothorax is difficult, and no radical treatment has been established. Based on accumulating evidence that diaphragmatic defects contribute to hepatic hydrothorax, we developed a diaphragmatic repair method for the management of this complex condition. METHODS: From October 2003 to March 2005, 10 patients (age, 32 - 83 years; 6 men and 4 women) with refractory hepatic hydrothorax (Child-Pugh class B-C) underwent thoracoscopic pleura (n = 7) or mesh (n = 3) onlay reinforcement to repair the diaphragmatic defects on which this study focuses, and all patients have since been under follow-up in a prospective observation study. RESULTS: After a mean of 7.7 months of follow-up examinations, no local recurrence occurred in all patients. Two patients died of hemorrhage from esophageal varices two months postoperatively. All patients had a better postoperative pulmonary function. CONCLUSION: The use of pleura and mesh onlay reinforcement of the diaphragm is an encouraging treatment for refractory hepatic hydrothorax.
BACKGROUND: Management of hepatic hydrothorax is difficult, and no radical treatment has been established. Based on accumulating evidence that diaphragmatic defects contribute to hepatic hydrothorax, we developed a diaphragmatic repair method for the management of this complex condition. METHODS: From October 2003 to March 2005, 10 patients (age, 32 - 83 years; 6 men and 4 women) with refractory hepatic hydrothorax (Child-Pugh class B-C) underwent thoracoscopic pleura (n = 7) or mesh (n = 3) onlay reinforcement to repair the diaphragmatic defects on which this study focuses, and all patients have since been under follow-up in a prospective observation study. RESULTS: After a mean of 7.7 months of follow-up examinations, no local recurrence occurred in all patients. Two patients died of hemorrhage from esophageal varices two months postoperatively. All patients had a better postoperative pulmonary function. CONCLUSION: The use of pleura and mesh onlay reinforcement of the diaphragm is an encouraging treatment for refractory hepatic hydrothorax.