Management of empyema thoracis at Lusaka, Zambia

Of the 39 consecutive patients with empyema thoracis managed by one of the five general surgical units at Lusaka, Zambia, 26 suffered from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and 19 were diagnosed as suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis within 3 years of developing empyema thoracis. Thirty patients were between 16 and 40 years of age; of these, 22 suffered from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and all 19 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis belonged to this age group. Of the four patients with empyema thoracis in the age group of 0-5 years, two were suffering from AIDS. The majority of cases of empyema thoracis associated with AIDS present insidiously and, because of late presentation, rib resection is necessary. After surgery these patients were managed at home with the help of a home care team, thus reducing the burden on hospital resources. The morbidity and mortality rates in these patients are higher than in those in whom empyema thoracis is not associated with AIDS.