title: Postpneumonectomy and postlobectomy empyema.
abstract: Although similar strategies are used in the management of PPE and PLE, these conditions need to be viewed as two separate entities. For the purpose of devising the appropriate management strategy, PPE should be divided into early and late, with and without mediastinal induration and extensive pleural space contamination. If at all possible, PLE should be managed as a postpneumonic empyema with prolonged chest tube drainage. The key to these conditions is prevention.
authors.affiliation: Washington Institute of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The George Washington University Medical Center, 2175 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA. gharagozloo@aol.com
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gharagozloo
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Margolis
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Facktor
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tempesta
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Najam
mesh_terms: D003646:Debridement; D004322:Drainage; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D035422:Pleural Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013908:Thoracotomy