Uniportal VATS Versus Chest Tube for Early Empyema

Uniportal Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) Debridement Versus Chest Tube Drainage in Early Stage Empyema

This randomized controlled study compared uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) versus chest tube drainage for initial (first-line) treatment of stage I (exudative) and stage II (fibrinopurulent) empyema in adult patients (>18 years old). The primary end-point of outcome was the overall success of treatment (no need for re-intervention or death). The main results demonstrated the safety of minimally invasive U-VATS procedure in the initial treatment of early stages of pleural empyema in comparison to traditional chest tube drainage. Initial use of U-VATS was safe and feasible due to postoperative freedom from complex or marked effusion, in addition to significant reduction in the need for additional intervention, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and total cost.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed to have empyema and indicated for surgery.
• Age above 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to tolerate single lung ventilation.
• Contraindication for general anesthesia/ medically unfit