Surgical treatment of postresectional pleural empyema

The purpose of this retrospective review was to estimate the risk factors and current management of postresectional chronic empyema (PRCE). Seventy-three patients were treated for PCRE. Thirty-nine of 73 patients (53.6%) were successfully treated. PRCE were sterilized by open drainage. The bronchopleural fistulas (BPF) were closed by endobronchial approach in 8 patients, by Abruzzini procedure in 4, and by muscle flaps in 4. Obliteration of residual space was obtained by muscle transposition in 5 and by thoracoplasty in 3. The outcome was influenced by the performance status (p<0.05), by the evidence of BPF (p=0.02) and by the pulmonary resection performed (p<0.05). The choice of treatment must be carefully selected on the patient's health and by the ability of each technique to achieve the desired results.