[Indications for thoracoscopy in pleural empyema]

If the acute empyema of the pleura is not treated well in time via thoracic drainage and lavage, a cavitated empyema of the pleura may result. Such cavitated empyemas may be drained via surgical thoracoscopy using the mediastinoscope in intubation anaesthesia. Major surgery as represented by standard thoracoscopy is thus avoided. By intraoperative positive pressure breathing the fibrin deposits on the visceral pleural are torn, thus enabling maximum possible re-expansion of the lungs.