Author(s)

Nwafor Ikechukwu Andrew, Ogbudu Stephen, Eze John Chukwuemeka, Ezemba Ndubueze

Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Chronic empyema thoracis is a debilitating illness with high morbidity and mortality, and is seen among all age groups in Nigeria. Objective: To review all cases of chronic empyema thoracis treated by pleurectomy and lung decortication and highlight the indications, challenges and the outcome. Materials and Method: In a 10-year period spanning 2007-2016, 90 patients with chronic empyema thoracis were admitted and managed in our institution. A retrospective study of 36 patients who underwent surgery was performed. Results: Ten patients (27.80%) out of 36 patients had unsuccessful one month closed chest tube drainage (CTTD). Six patients (16.67%) were referred from peripheral hospitals as chronic empyema thoracis that had failed CTTD. The remainder, 20 (55.60%) were diagnosed as chronic empyema thoracis de novo. Conclusion: Chronic empyema thoracis is a very difficult disease to manage especially in developing countries like ours, where patients present very late and the requisite facilities are inadequate.

Emyema, Developing, Decade, Pleurectomy, Decortication

Andrew, N.I., Stephen, O., Chukwuemeka, E.J. and Ndubueze, E. (2018) Decade Experience in Pleurectomy and Lung Decortications for Chronic Empyema Thoracis. World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 8, 165-174. doi: 10.4236/wjcs.2018.810016.