title: [Thoracoscopic therapy of pleural empyema after pneumonectomy].
abstract: In a 4-year period two right-sided empyemas occurred following a total of 39 pneumonectomies for lung cancer. In another case pneumonectomy was performed for left-sided lung cancer with concomitant empyema as an emergency procedure in a patient referred from an outside hospital. Empyema was treated with repeated thoracoscopic debridements and intermittent lavage with polyvinylpyrrolidine-iodine solution and streptocinase/streptodornase. Three to seven thoracoscopies were required to sterilize the pleural cavity. After a median follow-up of 14 months all three patients are well and without any evidence of infection. VATS is suitable for definitive treatment of postpneumonectomy empyema and is associated with excellent functional and cosmetic results.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemeinchirurgie, Philipps-Universität Marburg.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D013906:Thoracoscopy