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[Successful treatment of a stage III pleural empyema following a COVID-19 infection]

Ioannis Karampinis1, Marina Likos-Corbett2, Silviu Buderi3

  • 1Division of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, Chelsea, SW3 6NP, London, Großbritannien. jkarabinis@yahoo.com.

Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift Fur Alle Gebiete Der Operativen Medizen
|January 29, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This case study details a rare instance of pleural empyema following COVID-19 in a healthy patient. Prompt surgical intervention led to a full recovery, highlighting an important complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Thoracic Surgery

Background:

  • Parapneumonic pleural effusion is a frequent complication of pneumonia, potentially progressing to empyema.
  • Pleural empyema, a severe infection, typically requires antibiotics and drainage, often necessitating surgery in advanced stages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first case of pleural empyema occurring after a COVID-19 infection.
  • To describe the clinical course and management of a previously healthy, athletic patient with post-COVID-19 pleural empyema without respiratory failure.

Main Methods:

  • The patient was initially managed with antibiotics and interventional drainage.
  • Symptom deterioration led to readmission and subsequent surgical intervention.
  • Thoracoscopic washout with partial decortication was performed.

Main Results:

  • The patient experienced symptom deterioration after initial conservative treatment.
  • Surgical management via thoracoscopic washout and partial decortication was successful.
  • The patient made a full recovery and was discharged.

Conclusions:

  • Pleural empyema can be a rare but serious complication of COVID-19, even in healthy individuals.
  • Early surgical intervention may be crucial for managing complex cases of post-COVID-19 pleural empyema.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering thoracic infections in patients with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Keywords:
AntibioticsDecorticationInterventional drainageParapneumonic pleural effusionPneumonia

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