The surgical management of empyema thoracis in substance abuse patients: a 5-year experience

Postpneumonic empyema (EMP) may develop in substance abuse patients, requiring prolonged hospitalization. An algorithm that provides quality care and a rational basis for timely surgical intervention would be advantageous. We report our five-year experience with EMP in substance abuse patients and present such a treatment plan. Sixty-one substance abuse patients were treated for EMP. Posteroanterior, lateral, and decubitus x-ray studies were obtained before treatment to assess fluid movement. Chest tubes were placed to drain frank pus and to obtain material for positive smears. X-ray studies and computed tomography were done 24 hours later to assess parenchymal pathology and to detect any multiple loculations. Thirty-three substance abuse patients recovered following initial tube thoracostomy and 7 after a second chest tube was introduced. Twenty-one had multiple loculations and underwent thoracotomy. Twenty of the 21 required extensive debridement or decortication, or both; 2 required lobectomy and 1 pneumonectomy. Chest tubes were removed on an average of 6 +/- 1.5 days. Average postoperative stay was 10.7 +/- 2 days. There were 2 early deaths and 1 late death and no recurrent EMP. Bacteriology findings were nonspecific and often polymicrobial. We conclude that early thoracotomy can be lifesaving in the presence of a benign clinical course.