Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSI) continue to be a major problem for thoracic surgery patients. We aimed to determine incidence rate (IR) and risk factors for SSI in patients with thoracic surgical procedures. Methodology: During 12 years of hospital surveillance of patients with thoracic surgical procedures, we prospectively identified SSI. Patients with SSI were compared with patients without SSI. Results: We operated 3,370 patients and 205 (6.1%) developed SSI postoperatively. We detected 190 SSI among open thoracic surgical procedures (IR 7.1%) and 15 SSI after video-assisted thoracic surgery (IR 2.1%). Five independent risk factors for SSI were identified: wound contamination (p = 0.013; relative risk (RR) 2.496; 95%, confidence interval (CI): 1.208-5.156), American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) score (p = 0.012; RR: 1.795; 95% CI: 1.136-2.834), duration of drainage (p < 0.001; RR: 1.117; 95% CI: 1.085-1.150), age (p = 0.036; RR: 1.018; 95% CI: 1.001-1.035) and duration of operation (p < 0.001; RR:1.005; 95% CI:1.002-1.008). Conclusion: The results are valuable in documenting risk factors for SSI in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. The knowledge and prevention of controllable risk factors is necessary in order to reduce the incidence of SSI.

According to the results it can be concluded that the use of Marlex mash and myocutaneous flap is good method for stabilization of the chest wall and enough to avoid paradoxical respiratory movements in managing giant chondrosarcoma of the anterior chest wall.

This paper presents 4 patients with chylothorax, and one patient with bilateral chylothorax and chyloperitoneum. The chylous effusions were of benign etiology, developed as a complication of miliary tuberculosis (1 patient), after L-2 vertebral body fracture (1 patient), and idiopathic (2 patients). The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of chylomicrons and high content of triglycerides in the effusion, ranged 11.9-29.1 mmol/l. Lymphangiography showed multiple abnormalities of lymphatic system, the obstruction of ductus thoracicus, dilatation and convulsion of lymphatic channels, but the site of lymphatic leak was not detected. The treatment included an extended period of pleural and peritoneal drainage with total parenteral nutrition (1 patient), pleurodesis using Corynebacterium parvum (2 patients), and surgical partial parietal pleurectomy with continuous drainage (1 patient). The treatment was successful in all patients.

A transitional type of multicentric Castleman's disease may be present itself as POEMS syndrome. The effect of corticosteroid therapy in this form of the disease is unpredictable.

The obtained results showed that thoracotomy and decortication should be done as early as possible in patients, not later than two weeks after the injury.