Abstract:

Objective To explore the experience and curative effect of thoracoscope assisted small incision in treatment of chronic tuberculous encapsulated empyema. Methods One hundred and sixty-four patients of local chronic encapsulated tuberculous empyema were treated surgically in Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital between January 2006 and December 2016. Pleurodesis were done by thoracoscope assisted small incision 103 male cases and 61 female cases were enrolled; Aged 6-65 years, the average age were (31.0±3.7)years; 3-18monthes history, the mean history were (5.0±1.7)monthes. Retrospective analysis patients’s intraoperative situation, postoperative complications, and the treatment outcome. Results All patients have no perioperative death, 164 patients were cured by surgery. 13 cases were complicated by different degree of arrhythmia and cured by symptomatic treatment. 15 cases of pulmonary leakage cured by continous chest closed drainage. 9 cases of poor healing of incision were cured by surgical dressing. Conclusion Thoracoscope assisted small incision in treatment of chronic tuberculous encapsulated empyema is a kind of reasonable choice of surgical approach which can ensure the curative effect and safety and reduce the invasiveness

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary, Empyema, tuberculous, Thoracoscopy, Thoracic surgery, video-assisted, Surgical procedures, minimally invasive, Treatment outcome