No abstract

Level I or II PITL should be managed non-surgically. When adequate respiratory status is present, Level IIIA PITL can be managed conservatively in selected institutions only, because these injuries are high-risk injuries. Any PITL associated with injury involving the oesophagus or with mediastinitis (Level IIIB) must be treated as soon as possible by surgery.

No abstract

In the light of our experience, videothoracoscopic decortication appears to be the surgical treatment of choice for chronic postpneumonic pleural empyema even if a multicentric-randomised trial should be performed before videothoracoscopic decortication becomes the gold standard for the treatment of pleural empyema.