Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for acute empyema

Debridement and drainage with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for acute empyema were performed in five patients who had undergone thoracentesis, irrigation and administration of antibiotics preoperatively. Surgery was done 28 days after onset. Treatment utilizing VATS was performed gently to...

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Published inNihon Kokyuki Geka Gakkai zasshi (Kyoto, 1992) Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 172 - 176
Main Authors Mae, Masahiro, Ohnuki, Takamasa, Satoh, Kazuhiro, Sasano, Hisako, Ishikura, Toshihide, Shioiri, Masanobu, Murasugi, Masahide, Nitta, Sumio
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published The Japanese Association for Chest Surgery 1998
Subjects
acute empyema
video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
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Summary:Debridement and drainage with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for acute empyema were performed in five patients who had undergone thoracentesis, irrigation and administration of antibiotics preoperatively. Surgery was done 28 days after onset. Treatment utilizing VATS was performed gently to remove fibrin clots and septae from both visceral and parietal pleural surfaces and achieve drainage after irrigation. Mean operative time and intraoperative blood loss were 173 minutes and 304ml, respectively. All cases have had a good postoperative course, with the exception of one case with persistent bacterial discharge, and the mean hospital stay was 32 days after VATS. In conclusion, VATS for acute empyema is effective and should be attempted when lasting inflammation and insufficient re-expansion of lung is shown in fibrinopurulent phase.
ISSN:0919-0945
1881-4158
DOI:10.2995/jacsurg.12.172