Postpneumonectomy empyema treatment - state of the art

Abstract

Postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE) is a rare but severe complication with an incidence rate of 4,4% to 16% (9,36,49). Seventy-five percent of PPE occur within the first three months of pneumonectomy (38), however, it may appear even years after the procedure (46). In up to 80% of the patients, PPE is associated with bronchopleural fistula (BPF) (49). Despite usage of various therapeutic approaches and techniques during the last five decades, successful therapy remains difficult and is often associated with high mortality rate (total of 10-20% and with BPF up to 50%), morbidity rate and prolonged hospitalization (1,26,38). PPE development is adversely affected by different factors, especially benign disease and lower diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL CO