Pneumonectomy for empyema

Pneumonectomy for chronic lung infections and consecutive empyema has been averted because of the potential intraoperative and postoperative complications. In this analysis we have evaluated 10 prominent articles targeting mortality and morbidity outcome. Mortality rate were from 1.2–24.6% and morbidity were from 11.9–53%. Complications like postoperative empyema, bronchopleural fistula (BF) and postoperative bleeding affects the prognosis, also technique and operative duration. The surgical technique is of the paramount significance to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality in this high risk operation. Pneumonectomy for empyema should be left to be a treatment alternative only for carefully selected patients.