Retained Surgical "Lap- Pack" Mimicking Bronchiectasis: A Case Report

Retained surgical «lap-pack» in thoracic cavity is a rare complication of thoracic surgery, and its incidence is unknown. Because of rarity of this condition and its nonspecific clinical and radiographic presentations, the diagnosis is frequently missed. Herein we report a man who has presented by symptoms and signs of pneumonia with left upper zone consolidation on chest x -ray and bronchiectatic appearances on CT scan. He had a history of left upper lobectomy four years ago for bronchiectasis. The patient has been referred for resection of recurrent bronchiectasis. After thoracotomy, crumpled and destroyed retained abdominal lap-pack and evidence of anaerobic infection was found in pleural space. Foreign body and purulent material was removed and discovered bronchopleural fistula was closed. For chronic empyema and evidence of recurrent bronchopleural fistula, thoracoplasty was performed.