Pleural space infection and air leak due to non-expandable lung post-VATS managed with stoma bags and ambulatory chest drainage in a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma

Video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) is a well-established approach used in the investigation of unexplained exudative pleural effusions and in the treatment of pleural space infection. We describe a case of a patient who presented with a presumed pleural space infection which was actually due to a malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) who developed a prolonged air leak and pleural space infection post-VATS and managed with ambulatory chest drainage and stoma bags.