Empyema Thoracis is a condition where pus accumulates in the pleural cavity due to bacterial or fungal infection, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Surgical intervention is necessary for advanced cases, and timely treatment reduces morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy in performing decortications for empyema Thoracis.
The study included 47 patients who underwent decortications at the Department of Surgery of BLDE DU Shri B M Patil Medical College between May 2015 and August 2020. Tuberculosis was the most common cause of empyema Thoracis. Of the 19 patients who underwent VATS decortications, 11 required conversion to open thoracotomy, while only 8 were successful. Open thoracotomy was successful in all 39 patients, including the 11 who required conversion from VATS. All patients with postoperative bronchopleural fistula were managed conservatively and recovered.
Timing of surgical intervention is critical in reducing morbidity and mortality. Advanced disease has a higher failure rate with VATS in achieving complete decortications. Empyema Thoracis can affect people of all ages, with the highest incidence in the fourth decade. Open thoracotomy decortication remains the gold standard for complete decortications in advanced cases of Empyema Thoracis.
Author(s) Details:
Vikram Sindgikar,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Tejaswini Vallabha,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Mallikarjun Patil,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Girish Kullolli,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
Samhitha Reddy,
Department of General Surgery, BLDEDU’s Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India.
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