title: [Functional aspects of pleural empyema and pleural induration].
abstract: Decortication for pleural empyema with or without residual cavities was performed in 161 patients. Indications were sanitation of infection sites and improvement of respiratory function. A total of 73.3% of the patients had a non-specific and 22.4% a tuberculous empyema. Postoperative complications included 8.7% wound infections and 1.2% recurring empyema. Operative mortality was 0.6%. To estimate pulmonary function, the preoperative values of blood gas analysis and vital capacity were assessed in 75 patients and compared with those obtained after one year. A relatively slight improvement was seen only in those patients who had a preoperative reduction of vital capacity amounting to more than 40%. An indication for decortication solely to improve pulmonary function is rare. As a rule decortication is indicated for the simultaneous removal of septic foci and functional improvement.
authors.affiliation: Klinik Schillerhöhe, Thoraxchirurg. Abt., Gerlingen/Stuttgart.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toomes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Friedel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011025:Pneumonolysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology*; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio / Q000502:physiology*; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
vernacular_title: Funktionelle Aspekte des Pleuraempyems und der Pleuraschwiele.