[Decortication in Pleural Empyema: Reasonable Effects on Lung Function?]

Parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE) occurring in early-stage (stage I) pleural empyema (PE) can be managed by chest tube drainage, which should be performed as soon as possible, to achieve re-expansion of the pulmonary parenchyma. Chronic disease leads to fibrin deposits on both pleural surfaces (stage II), followed by a thickened pleura peel (stage III). A trapped or compressed lung can only be released by surgical decortication, which may be performed with a minimally-invasive approach (video-assisted thoracoscopy) or an open technique (thoracotomy). This article reviews effects on pulmonary function after decortication in chronic empyema patients.

Selective literature research using Medline (key words: pleural empyema, decortication, lung function). A comparative analysis was performed on functional parameters obtained before and after surgical decortication in patients with chronic pleural empyema.

Decortication in chronic PE significantly enhanced spirometric parameters (FEV1, VC/FVC) in all analysed studies. Considerable differences were observed regarding the mean follow-up time (early postoperative to several months after surgery). Computed tomography scans were usually analysed after a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. Measurements of anterior-posterior and transverse diameters as well as volume quantification of the operated and non-operated lung were performed in pre- and postoperative imaging. Statistical comparison revealed a significant decrease in thoracic asymmetry. In addition to static and dynamic pulmonary performance, pulmonary perfusion improved significantly after decortication as demonstrated by lung perfusion scans performed immediately after surgery and during a period of 7 to 10 months thereafter.

Surgical decortication in chronic pleural empyema improves lung function and increases perfusion. Besides a significant enhancement of spirometric parameters, re-expansion of the diseased lung leads to equalisation of thoracic asymmetry and may even prevent loss of volume in the affected lung.