Clinical evaluation of thoracic empyema: review of 59 cases

농흉의 임상적 고찰: 59례 보

A Clinical analysis of 59 patients of thoracic empyema was done who were received surgical intervention at dept. of thoracic surgery of the C.A.F.G.H. in the period of 2.5 years from January 1979 to June 1982. Occurrence ratio of Left and Right side pleural cavity of empyema was 1: 1.4. The predisposing factors of empyema were pulmonary Tbc. [49%], Chest pain [25%], Cough [8%], in order. B.P.F. was associated with empyema in 5 cases. The pleural cavity empyema was treated with several surgical procedures and conservative measures. Among of the 59 cases, the 30 cases [50%] were treated with decortication, 12 cases [20%] with closed thoractomy drainage, 9 cases with frequent thoracenteses, 5 cases with partial decortication and thoracoplasty and 3 cases with open thoracostomy tube drainage. Among of the 59 cases thoracic empyema, the full recovery were in 32 cases [54%], partial recovery in 20 cases [34%], not improved in 3 cases [5%] and 3 cases were died. The mortality rate was 5% and the recovery rate was 89%.