J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 92(9): 1356-1358, 1991

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Report on the annual meeting

THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CHRONIC EMPYEMA
―FROM THE STAND POINT OF PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF PULMONARY FUNCTION―

During the period of 1978 to 1990, 247 patients with chronic empyema were operated. The cure rate was 88.3%. The operation was not successful in 29 patients (11.7%), of whom 19 were operative death and 10 were those whose condition never improved to the level of discharge. The pulmonary function improved postoperatively in those patients who underwent decortication and air-plombage, but not in those who underwent pleuropneumonectomy and thoracoplasy (modification of Grow's method). Most remarkable changes of pulmonary function were seen in patients who underwent thoracoplasty. Air-plombage was found effective in controlling empyema and for the preservation and improvement of post-operative pulmonary functions.

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