Strategy for surgical treatment of acute thoracic empyema in adults

This review summarized the surgical management of empyema and treatment strategy by comparing the results of surgical and non-surgical therapies for empyema. Despite improvement in healthcare practices, mortality from pleural infection remains high. Treatment for thoracic empyema depends on its stage at diagnosis, and suggested options involve the administration of antibiotics and drainage of pleural effusion. Prevalence of patients requiring either fibrinolytic treatment into the thoracic cavity or surgical decortication was also reported. Prompt response and initial surgical treatment to empyema could reduce the severity and complications, shorten the hospital stay, and reduce medical costs.