comparison of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and intrapleural urokinase as an initial treatment for parapneumonic effusion and thoracic empyema

Comparison of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Intrapleural Urokinase as an Initial Treatment for Parapneumonic Effusion and Thoracic Empyema

Introduction: The treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion (PPE) and thoracic empyema (TE) is controversial; and the choice of treatment after confirming the failure of simple drainage remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of intrapleural urokinase (UK) administration and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) as initial treatment options for PPE and...

Comparison of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Intrapleural Urokinase as an Initial Treatment for Parapneumonic Effusion and Thoracic Empyema

Comparison of urokinase and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for treatment of childhood empyema.

BACKGROUND Despite increasing incidence and morbidity, little evidence exists to inform the best management approach in childhood empyema. AIM To compare chest drain with intrapleural urokinase and primary video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of childhood empyema. METHODS Children were prospectively randomized to receive either percutaneous chest drain with intraple...

Parapneumonic effusion and empyema.

Parapneumonic effusions account for about one third of all pleural effusions. Approximately 40% of patients with pneumonia develop a concomitant effusion, which is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. In order to select the most appropriate therapy for the individual patient, the effusion should be categorized as being in the exudative, fibropurulent, or organizational stage, a...

Treatment of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and pleural parapneumonic empyema

BACKGROUND We performed this observational prospective study to evaluate the results of the application of a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion (CPPE) and pleural parapneumonic empyema (PPE). MATERIAL/METHODS From 2001 to 2007, 210 patients with CPPE and PPE were confirmed through thoracocentesis and treated with pleural drainage tubes (PD), fi...

Intrapleural urokinase in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions and empyema.

Intrapleural urokinase has not been evaluated systemically in terms of efficacy, safety, and cost of treatment in a large series of patients with complicated (parapneumonic) pleural effusions (CPE) and pleural empyemas (PE). Furthermore, the optimal dose and duration of treatment is not known. Twenty consecutive patients with multiloculated parapneumonic effusions (13 with CPE and 7 with PE), i...