title: A Simplified Technique for Drainage of Chronic Calcified Pleural Empyema.
abstract: Chronic pleural pocket has well-known diagnosis and treatment principles since first described by Hippocrates 2,400 years ago. However, its treatment remains constant even though its causes, severity during management, and terrain vary considerably. In well-structured health care systems, posttuberculous empyema has become rare; its well-codified medical treatment relies on early diagnosis and adapted antibiotherapy, punctures/drainage, and appropriate intrapleural antifibrinolytics. In developing countries, a poor health organizational system increases the incidence of pleural pocket, which can progress until surgery is indicated. In such a context, the general principles of treatment include pleural decortication along with pulmonary resection. This technique remains difficult, risky, and, sometimes, impossible due to the chronicity of the lesion. In patients debilitated by several months of septic evolution, a simplified thoracostomy technique permits complete resection of the pocket.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, CHU Hassan II, Fes, Morocco.
authors.forename: Sani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rabiou
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, HNN, Niamey, Niger.
authors.forename: Hama
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Younssa
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, HNN, Niamey, Niger.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Didier
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, HNZ, Zinder, Niger.
authors.forename: Magagi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, HNZ, Zinder, Niger.
authors.forename: Adamou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harissou
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, HRM, Maradi, Niger.
authors.forename: Ousseini
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adakal
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, HNN, Niamey, Niger.
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sani
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D056888:Patient Positioning; D013907:Thoracostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome