Abstract
Introduction: Though several studies have reported VATS for empyema, there is not ample evidence of indication and efficiency of VATS.
Objective: Our study was made to clarify the clinical utility of VATS for acute empyema retrospectively.
Patients and Methods: Subjects were consecutive 39 cases who underwent VATS for acute empyema at the Jikei University Katsushika Medical Center and the Jikei University Hospital from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017.
Result: The subjects consisted of 32 male and 7 women, mean age of 68.7 years, and stages of empyema were as follows: 38 cases in the fibrinopurulent phase and 1 case in the organizing phase. All VATS procedures were performed under general anesthesia with double lumen intubation. The mean operation time was 245.8 min, and the mean amount of bleeding was 153.9 ml. The mean postoperative drainage period was 10.6 days and the mean observation period after surgery was 35.3 months. Postoperative complications occurred in five cases(12.8%): one case died of acute respiratory failure with chronic progressive pulmonary aspergillosis, and other four cases required re-operation by VATS due to insufficient debridement of initial surgery. Three of re-operation cases cured by second VATS procedure, but the other case in the organizing phase required a fenestration after second VATS because of a failure of re-expansion of the lung and uncontrollable infection. Thirty-seven cases(94.9%) improved with initial or second VATS treatment and were discharged.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the present result suggested that VATS is a useful procedure having advantages in efficacy and safety for acute empyema.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA1080.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019