title: Electrolyzed Saline Irrigation for Elimination of Bacterial Colonization in the Empyema Space.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The empyema space is refractory to elimination of bacterial colonization. Electrolyzed saline (ES) was used as intra-pleural irrigation for rapid disinfection of the empyema space.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty consecutive patients with para-pneumonic empyema were reviewed in this study from 2007 to 2015. The empyema space was irrigated by miniaturized thoracoscopic surgery (mini VATS), and the efficacy and safety of the use of ES were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients were male and four were female, with a mean age of 66.5 ± 9.5 y (27-90 y). Bacterial cultures of the purulent effusions from all 20 patients had positive results. Seventeen patients subsequently underwent continuous catheter irrigation and drainage. No patient had chest pain during ES irrigation. Fever duration after mini VATS was 2.8 ± 1.8 d (0-5 d). Catheter indwelling time was 10.3 ± 7.2 d (3-33 d). Inflammatory markers significantly improved (p < 0.05) within a week after mini VATS. Eighteen patients achieved pleural disinfection, and two patients had residual pathogens, one of whom later died of lung abscess. Space closure was successful in 14 patients. No patient underwent subsequent open drainage. Nineteen (95%) patients were discharged from the hospital. This treatment was successful in 18 (90%) patients, and one (5.6%) patient experienced recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ES irrigation facilitates the rapid disinfection and closure of the empyema space.
authors: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Infection Control Team, Shunan Memorial Hospital , Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors: Kembu
authors: K
authors: Nakamoto
authors: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Infection Control Team, Shunan Memorial Hospital , Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors: Motohiro
authors: M
authors: Takeshige
authors: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Infection Control Team, Shunan Memorial Hospital , Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors: Toshiyuki
authors: T
authors: Fujii
authors: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Infection Control Team, Shunan Memorial Hospital , Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Hashiyada
authors: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Infection Control Team, Shunan Memorial Hospital , Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors: Kazuya
authors: K
authors: Yoshida
authors: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Infection Control Team, Shunan Memorial Hospital , Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors: Sadahiro
authors: S
authors: Kawamoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride