EVALUATION OF CLINICAL MANAGEMENT FOR CHRONIC EMPYEMA OF THE AGED —INSERTION OF A BALLOON CATHETER—

Abstract

For chronic empyema of the aged, caused by pleuritis tuberculosis, postartificial pneumothorax and so on, drainage is the first essential treatment. In these cases, long term drainage is very painful, so we replace a trocar catheter with a balloon catheter about three weeks after insertion of the trocar catheter. This method allows us to attach a drain to the skin with adhesive tape, so the patient can live comfortably without pain. Sooner or later, he will be able to be discharged from the hospital with this balloon catheter.