Clinical Experience of Three Cases of Pleural Empyema（A Review of Thoracoscopic Surgery for Empyema）

Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed three cases of thoracic empyema treated by video-assisted thoracic surgery（VATS）with some literature. In case 1 and 2, thoracoscopic debridement and drainage were successfully performed, removing fibrin clots and septa from pleural surfaces. In case 3, the duration of symptoms before operation was over 5 weeks. Because of severe adhesion between lung and chest wall, he received a same thoracic surgery in which mini-thoracic incision was added. For the multiloculated or deeply-located acute thoracic empyema ineffective by percutaneous chest drainage. VATS is a less invasive, safe, and effective therapy. Timing of early surgical approach using thoracoscopy is important or critical.