Abstract: Objective To investigate the outcome of patients with tuberculous empyema who underwent surgery. Methods We analyzed retrospectively the data from 78 patients with tuberculous empyema admitted and undergone surgical operation in the Aerospace Center Hospital and Beijing Chest Hospital during January 2007 and December 2012.  Results Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients(9.0%)，including internal hemorrhage, wound infection and drug-induced hepatitis accompany with fluid and electrolyte imbalance in a different patient, they were recovered after treatment. In addition, respiratory failure in 4 patients, 3 of which were cured by treating with breathing machine and 1 patient died. Mortality was 1.3%.Seventy seven patients received antituberculous drug treatment for 6 months to 24 months. One patient suffered from pneumonia in six months and then recovered with anti-inflammatory therapy. After follow-up for 2 years, 77 patients had satisfactory efficacy.  Conclusion Surgical operation treating with tuberculous empyema would give the best chance of cure with less complications.

Key words: Empyema, tuberculous/surgery, Pneumonolysis, Thoracic surgical procedures