Tube drainage of lung abscesses

We treated 14 patients who had complicated lung abscesses (all over 4 cm in diameter); 9 patients had concomitant respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. A percutaneous tube was inserted in 11 patients (3 subsequently underwent rib resection) and 3 underwent rib resection with operative insertion of the tube. The resultant bronchopleural fistulas did not interfere with respiratory management despite the use of mechanical ventilation, and only 2 patients required subsequent surgical closure. Eleven patients were discharged from the hospital. Complications were minimal and consisted of 2 episodes of hemorrhage, 1 during operative debridement of the abscess and 1 delayed. Both complications were managed successfully. Three patients died in the hospital, only 1 from complications of the lung abscess. We have concluded from this review that tube drainage can be safe, simple, and efficacious. We recommend it for the treatment of complicated lung abscesses even when associated with respiratory failure and mechanical ventilatory support.