[Decortication: indication and morbidity--a retrospective analysis]

Decortication, that is excision of both the visceral and parietal pleura, has become a rarely performed operation. It is used for control of empyema of the pleura or recurrent malignant pleural effusion. During the last ten years at the University Hospital in Zurich 50 decortications were performed upon 49 patients. Mortality was 4%, however, death was due to the primary disease and not related to the operation. 38 of 50 decortications were straight forwards. The main complication was bleeding, needing re-thoracotomy in three patients and leading in five patients to a pneumothorax due to occlusion of the suction drains. We conclude, that if conservative treatment fails to result in a rapid progress, decortication should be performed immediately.