Surgical applications of the greater omentum. A critical review of the literature.

The paper presents and discusses a review of the literature on the use of the greater omentum, focusing in particular on chest surgery. Following an introduction on the anatomy and surgical techniques of mobilisation based on the vascular anatomy of the organ, the author examines the applications of the greater omentum in general surgery. Among these, it is particularly interesting to note the possibility of covering anastomoses, above all extraperitoneal; the interposition of the omentum in the prevention of endoabdominal adhesive syndromes, the covering of pathological perforations of hollow viscera. Lastly, the Author illustrates the applications of the omentum in chest surgery, both preventive and due to endothoracic pathological processes. The Author mentions the covering of bronchial and tracheal anastomoses following resection or lung transplant; the covering of defects in the thoracic wall in patients with osteoradionecrosis or previous irradiation; its therapeutic use in broncho-pleural fistulae and in post-sternotomy mediastinitis.