2015 Volume 29 Issue 5 Pages 572-575
We retrospectively reviewed one-hundred cases of acute empyema treated by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in our institute from April 1998 to April 2013. We divided these cases into two groups: first half group (n=44; April 1998-September 2008) and latter half group (n=56; October 2008-April 2013), and we examined the patients' profiles and clinical course. The durations of preoperative symptoms and preoperative pleural effusion before surgery were 2.2 weeks and 6.2 days in the latter half group, but 4.7 weeks and 14.1 days in the first half group, respectively (p<0.0001). The number of postoperative complications was significantly higher in the cases with a duration of preoperative symptoms of more than 2 weeks (p=0.0244). The postoperative drainage periods were 3.5 days in the latter half group and 4 days in the first half group (p=0.0293). Only one case of recurrence of empyema was observed, but that patient was treated successfully with antibiotics. There have been no hospital deaths. VATS is a safe and effective method for the management of acute empyema. Although early diagnosis and treatment is indispensable, it is important to raise the awareness of all doctors encountering acute empyema.
