Utility of intrapleural streptokinase in management of chronic empyemas

The nonsurgical medical approach with use of fibrinolytic agent is an alternative modality in management of chronic empyemas. With the introduction of purer forms of streptokinase, there has been renewed interest generated in the use of intrapleural thrombolytics with documented successful drainage of difficult to drain chronic empyemas. To evaluate the utility of streptokinase in the management of chronic difficult to drain empyemas in a single blind randomized case control study.

Twenty four cases of chronic/multiloculated empyema were included which had cases preferred having loculations or multiloculations and failure of drainage via thoracostomies for less than 100 ml during last 24 hours. Cases were randomized into two groups as 12 cases of streptokinases group and 12 cases of placebo group. Streptokinase given as 2.5 lac units in 100 ml of normal saline instilled intrapleurally for 6 consecutive days. In control group, 100 ml of normal saline without streptokinase was instilled intrapleurally through intercostal drain for 6 days. They were assessed by amount of drainage through intercostal drain for six days after instillation of streptokinase/placebo, duration of intercostal drainage in situ, and radiological improvement by standard x-ray chest.

The study revealed increased drainage through intercostal drain in streptokinase group compared to control group. The mean duration of intercostal drainage in situ was shorter in streptokinase group compared to control group. Radiologically, streptokinase group revealed score 3 improvement in eight out of twelve cases and score 2 improvement in rest of the four cases. In control group, score 1 improvement was seen in two out of twelve cases and no improvement was seen in rest of the 10 cases. The observation difference is found to be highly significant statistically (p <0.001). No major adverse effects were noted in the streptokinase group.

The study concludes the safety, efficacy, reduced hospital stay and decreased morbidity in patients treated with intrapleural streptokinase as compared to control group.