title: Early decortication for the disorganized pleural space.
abstract: Early decortication is advocated for the disorganized pleural space. This series reviews 85 patients operated on for haemothorax and empyema as a result of penetrating chest trauma (61 cases), blunt chest trauma (2), post-pneumonic empyema (15), tuberculous empyema (4) and chronic pneumothorax (2). The aetiology, surgical technique and results are discussed. In 83% of cases there was complete clinical recovery and radiological re-expansion of the affected lung.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004653:Empyema / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000601:surgery; D055370:Lung Injury; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery*; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors