Thoracic empyema due to migrated endoclips after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

We describe the case of a patient who developed right thoracic empyema 1 year after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient experienced right chest pain and swelling; radiography and CT showed an intrathoracic abscess penetrating the extrathoracic space and the presence of metal clips over the diaphragm. After drainage of the subcutaneous abscess, fluid accumulation decreased; bacterial examination showed no positive findings. Another year later, the patient's condition relapsed. We thought that the empyema may have been caused by endoclips that had migrated. We performed thoracoplasty and retrieved three endoclips from the intrathoracic empyema cavity. The patient showed good recovery after the operation.