Empyema thoracis; evaluation of different treatment options

ABSTRACT

Thirty patients suffering from empyema thoracis have been included in this study [26 males and 4 females]. 17 patients were in chronic phase of the disease while 13 were in transitional [sub acute] phase. 16 patients suffered from empyema thoracis due to tuberculosis while rest of the patients suffered from other nonspecific infections. Rib resection and closed drainage showed good results in transitional phase of the disease while decortication produced good results in chronic phase. In those patients who were in chronic phase of the disease and were toxic, rib resection prior to decortication proved beneficial. The most difficult patients to manage were those suffering from tuberculosis