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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Pleural space sterilization using gentian violet irrigation for postbullectomy empyema associated with artificial
Katsuyuki Asai1, Norikazu Urabe, Kazutoshi Asano
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Numazu City Hospital, 550 Harunoki Higashi-shiiji, Numazu, Shizuoka 410-0302, Japan. asaik@msc.biglobe.ne.jp
Abstract:
Postoperative empyema associated with artificial material infection involves several treatment problems. We report the successful treatment of a case of post-bullectomy empyema with a small alveolar fistula that was associated with artificial material infection by Streptococcus viridans. In this case, complete empyema space sterilization was obtained by tube drainage and daily pleural irrigation using 0.1% gentian violet solution. This treatment circumvented the need for invasive surgery, including removal of the infected artificial materials and space-filling and/or collapse procedures. Consequently, gentian violet irrigation may be a useful treatment option in selected cases with complicated thoracic empyema.
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