Application of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block on intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing chronic empyema / 临床麻醉学杂志

Objective To observe the efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block on intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing chronic empyema. Methods Sixty patients scheduled for elective decortication of pleural fibreboard under video-assisted thoracoscopic, 35 males and 25 females, aged 30-70 years, falling into ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, were randomized into 2 groups: ESP block combined with general anesthesia group (group E) and only general anesthesia group (group G). Patients in group E received ESP block before general anesthesia, while patients in group G received general anesthesia only. All patients received patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). The thoracic paravertebral space were recorded using ultrasound. Dermatomes of sensory block on midclavicular line were recorded at 20 min after ESP block. The amount of remifentanil, duration of stay in post-anesthesia care unit, the frequency of PCIA pressing, the pain analog scale (VAS) scores during rest and movement at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 h after operation were recorded. Results Twenty-four patients in group E showed unclear thoracic paravertebral space, dermatomes of sensory block at 20 min after ESP block were 4.9 ± 1.0 on midclavicular line. The consumption of remifentanil and duration of stay in post-anesthesia care unit and the frequency of PCIA pressing in group E were significantly less than that in group G (P ＜ 0.05). The VAS scores at 1, 4, 12, 24 h in group E were lower than those of group G (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block were safe and effective for patients undergoing chronic empyema, and provided satisfactory intraoperative and postoperative analgesia.

Diagnostic Performance of ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/CT for Chronic Empyema-Associated Malignancy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) for chronic empyema-associated malignancy (CEAM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images of 33 patients with chronic empyema, and analyzed the following findings: 1) shape of the empyema cavity, 2) presence of fistula, 3) maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) of the empyema cavity, 4) uptake pattern of the empyema cavity, 5) presence of a protruding soft tissue mass within the empyema cavity, and 6) involvement of adjacent structures. Final diagnosis was determined based on histopathology or clinical follow-up for at least 6 months. The abovementioned findings were compared between the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images of CEAM and chronic empyema. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Six lesions were histopathologically proven as malignant; there were three cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, two of squamous cell carcinoma, and one of poorly differentiated carcinoma. Maximum SUV within the empyema cavity (p < 0.001) presence of a protruding soft tissue mass (p = 0.002), and involvement of the adjacent structures (p < 0.001) were significantly different between the CEAM and chronic empyema images. The maximum SUV exhibited the highest diagnostic performance, with the highest specificity (96.3%, 26/27), positive predictive value (85.7%, 6/7), and accuracy (97.0%, 32/33) among all criteria. On ROC analysis, the area under the curve of maximum SUV was 0.994. CONCLUSION: ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT can be useful for diagnosing CEAM in patients with chronic empyema. The maximum SUV within the empyema cavity is the most accurate ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT diagnostic criterion for CEAM.

The clinical effect of video-assisted thoraeoscopic surgery (VATS) for chronic empyema / 中国基层医药

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effect of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) for chronic empyema. Methods74 patients with chronic empyema were divided into experimental group and control group,control group was given decorticationoflung,and experimental group was given VATS. ResultsThe duration of chest tube drainage, hospitalization and complications in experimental group was significantly better than that in control group,it showed better clinical effect. ConclusionFor part of patients without the serious disease change of chronic empyema, if the surgery indication could be controlled strictly, the VATS was considerable.

Open thoracotomy and decortication for chronic empyema

OBJECTIVES: Traditionally, chronic empyema has been treated by thoracotomy and decortication. Some recent reports have claimed similar clinical results for videothoracoscopy, but with less morbidity and mortality than open procedures. Our experience with thoracotomy and decortication is reviewed so that the results of this surgical procedure can be adequately evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1992 to June 2006, 85 patients diagnosed with empyema were treated at Santo Tomás Hospital by the first author. Diagnosis of chronic empyema was based on the duration of signs and symptoms before definitive treatment and imaging findings, such as constriction of the lungs and the thoracic cage. Thirty-three patients fulfilled the criteria for chronic empyema and underwent open thoracotomy and decortication. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (81.8 percent) were male and the average age of the study group was 34 years. The etiology was pneumonia in 26 patients (78.8 percent) and trauma in 7 (21.2 percent). The duration of symptoms and signs before definitive treatment averaged 37 days. All patients had chronic empyema, as confirmed by imaging studies and operative findings. Surgery lasted an average of 139 min. There were 3 (9 percent) complications with no mortality. The post-operative length of stay averaged 10 days. There were no recurrences of empyema. CONCLUSIONS: Open thoracotomy and decortication can be achieved with low morbidity and mortality. Long-term functional results are especially promising. We suggest that the validation of other surgical approaches should be based on comparative, prospective and controlled studies.

Selection Flaps in Chest Wall Reconstruction after Open Drainage for Empyema

The purpose of reconstruction of chest wall defect after open drainage in chronic empyema is the control and prevention of recurrent infection, obliteration of dead space in thoracic cavity, and coverage of open wound. For the obliteration of empyema cavities, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major or rectus abdominis flaps are commonly used. Among them, latissimus dorsi flap based on thoracodorsal pedicle is most versatile and most reliable. If the latissimus dorsi flap can not be used, the author uses pectoralis major flap or rectus abdominis flap depending on the location and the size of dead space and skin defect. The author reports the results of eight patients who underwent reconstruction of chest wall defect with bronchopleural fistula in empyema using muscle flaps. The author performed 4 latissimus dorsi flaps, 3 pectoralis major flaps, 1 rectus abdominis flap according to various situations. According to the size of dead space and skin defect, the author also performed deepithelized musculocutaneous flap, musculocutaneous flap or muscle flap respectively. During the follow-up period, recurrence of empyema, flap survival, morbidity of donor site and patient's satisfaction were evaluated. There was no recurrence of empyema or wound complication. Also, patients were satisfied with the results of operation. The results demonstrate reliability of various muscle flaps and author's method in selection of reconstruction flap for the chest wall defect after open drainage in empyema.

Two Cases of Pleural Aspergillosis / 결핵

Aspergillosis refers to an infection with any species from the genus Aspergillus. Pleural aspergillosis is an uncommon disease with less than 30 cases having been reported in the literature since 1958. The etiologic factors for this aspergillosis are preexisting pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchopleural fistula, pleural drainage, and a lung resection. Surgical removal of the aspergillus-infected pleura is the main treatment for managing this disease. We have experienced two cases of pleural aspergillosis as a complication of a preexisting chronic empyema. The chest radiographs showed a pyopneumothorax with cavitation and the chest computed tomographic scans revealed a loculated pyopneumothorax with cavity formation suggesting a bronchopleural fistula. A grossly purulent fluid was extracted by thoracentesis, and Aspergillus fumigatus was grown from a fungus culture of the fluid. A decortication, wedge resection with a pleurectomy and a pleuropneumonectomy were performed. The postoperative course was satisfactory and the patients have been in good condition up to now. Pleural aspergillosis is a very rare and potentially life-threatening disease. However, good result without significant complication were obtained by treatment with systemic antifungal agents and surgical removal.