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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2004;26:498-502
© 2004 Elsevier Science NL

Causes and management of postpneumonectomy empyemas: our experience

Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Medical University, Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Lower Silesian Centre of Lung Diseases, Thoracic Surgery Centre in Wroclaw, Grabiszynska 105 st., 53-439 Wroclaw, Poland

Received 13 January 2004; received in revised form 8 May 2004; accepted 14 May 2004.

^* Corresponding author. Address: Powstancow Slaskich St., 46/16, 53-333 Worclaw, Poland. Tel.: +48-71-33-49-419; +48-0608-29-57-70 (Mobile); fax: +48-71-33-49-603
e-mail: grzegorzkacprzak{at}interia.pl

Objective: Infection of the pleural cavity and development of empyema are potential dangers after pneumonectomy. In spite of decrease in frequency of postpneumonectomy empyemas (PPE) formation, this is still a serious complication. The aim of this study was: analysis the mechanisms of postpneumonectomy empyema formation and attempt the elaboration of the optimal management of these patients. Methods: 1148 pneumonectomies were performed at the Thoracic Surgery Centre between 1984 and 2002. PPE occurred in 76 (6.6%) patients between the ages of 25–77. For statistical purposes the ² test was used. Results: The causes of PPE showed that in 56/76 (73.7%) patients its formation was due to a postoperative complications. In 4/76 (5.3%) cases the cause of empyema was associated with intraoperative infection during the operation. In 3/76 (3.9%) patients a long period of treatment at the intensive care unit due to postoperative shock predisposed to the infection. In 13/76 (17.1%) patients the cause was not established. Statistically significant PPE was associated with postoperative complication (P=0). Postoperative complication caused by one factor was more frequent than those caused by 2 or 3 factors (P=0). PPE was the most often diagnosed in the second postoperative week (P=0.0001). 13 (17.1%) patients died during the 30 days after beginning of the treatment of PPE. The course of complication was more impetuous and more deaths were noted in patients diagnosed during the first week after operation. Only 8 patients from 34, who were selected for thoracentesis and lavage with deposition of antibiotics into the pleural cavity recovered. Jointly 68 (89.5%) patients underwent chest tube drainage. After 2-3 weeks the tube was removed in 16 patients. 17 (22.4%) patients were not qualified for operation. 35 (46.1%) patients underwent different operative procedures: 20 fenestrations, 12 fenestrations with myoplasty and 3 thoracoplastic operations with myoplasty. Conclusions: The most common causes of PPE were postoperative complications, mainly bronchopleural fistula. The scheme of therapeutic management in PPE was elaborated as a result of our experience.

Key Words: Postpneumonectomy empyema • Thoracocentesis • Drainage • Therapeutic management

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