Gastropleural Fistula Following A Splenectomy for Splenic Abscess: A Case Report
Prasit Wuthisuthimethawee MD*, Surasak Sangkhathat MD**, Charoenkiat Ruegklinag MD**, Sakda Patrapinyokul MD**, Kamolwish Laoprasopwathana MD***
Affiliation : * Emergency Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla ** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla *** Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla
Gastropleural fistula is a rare condition that occurs as a consequence of various thoraco-abdominal surgical procedures and septic conditions. The diagnosis is difficult, it needs a high index of suspicion and appropriate investigations. There are no previous reports of a patient developing a fistula after a splenectomy procedure. The authors report a twelve-year old boy who developed gastropleural fistula following thoraco- abdominal surgery, a splenectomy. The patient presented with the clinical condition of chronic empyema thoracis and responded well to medical and surgical treatment.
Keywords : Gastropleural fistula, Splenectomy, Tuberculosis
