Surgical Treatment of Loculated Empyema: Closed Rib Resectional Drainage

Huh, Jin Pil; Lee, Jung Chul; Jung, Tae Eun; Lee, Dong Hyup; Han, Sung Sae; Sun, Gee Nam

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Multi-loculated empyema makes treatment difficult, and more so when thoracentesis or chest tube drainage fails. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 1991 to December 1997, we performed closed rib resectional drainage for 18 cases of loculated empyema on the fibrinopurulent or early chronic phase. RESULTS: Surgery was performed on patients with loculated empyema complaining of persistent symptoms due to failure of treatment by thoracentesis (8 cases) or chest tube drainage (10 cases). Predisposing factors of empyema were pneumonia in 13 cases, clotted hemothorax in 3 cases, cholecystectomy, and tuberculous pleurisy in 1 case. Causal organisms were cultured in 8 cases (42.1%), and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus was found in 3 cases, pseudomonas aeruginosa in 2 cases, and enterococcus aerogens, alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, and acinetobacter baumannii were found in 1 case. Size of loculations was various, and computed chest tomogram showed multiple loculations of empyema numbering 1~4 (mean 1.78+/-1.00). Operating time was relatively short, about 55~140 mins (mean 102.8+/-30.8). All toxic symptoms including fever disappeared postopratively and general conditions improved very quickly in all patients. Length of chest tube indwelling time and hospital stay after surgery were 3~42 days (mean 11.4+/-11.5) and 6~36 days (mean 12.9+/-8.1), respectively. Complications of prolonged drainage occurred in 2 cases and no death occurred. There were no recurrences and chest x-rays taken 3~6 months after surgery showed normal findings in 14 cases and slight pleural thickening in 4 cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Closed rib resectional drainage requires very simple techniques and has excellent outcomes and little complications, therefore, we think that it is the choice of operation for patients with loculated empyema on the fibrinopurulent or early chronic phase.