1. Empyema Decortications
Decortication known as the removal of an abnormal part of the membrane covering the lungs is
also indicated for patients having pleural empyema. Empyema which is also known as purulent
pleuritis or pyothorax is the formation and accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity. There are
actually three stages of pleural empyema. These stages are known as exudative, fibrinopurulent
and organizing stage.
In the exudative stage, the accumulation of pus begins. As it continues to the fibrinopurulent
stage, pus pockets are eventually created. This development of pus pockets or compartments is
known as the process of loculation or formation of loculi. The last stage of pleural empyema or
the organizing stage is where lung entrapment can happen due to the scarring and damage of
the pleural space.
Pleural empyema is caused by a variety of factors but one of the most common cause of this
condition is pneumonia which is bacterial in nature. If pneumonia is left untreated and bacterial
infection becomes intensified, that is the times when pus formation will eventually be initiated.
The symptoms associated with pleural empyema are chest pain, cough, difficulty in breathing,
sweating and even fever. Fever can be present due to the body’s response to the bacterial
infection. In chronic cases of empyema, oxygen are not adequately supplied to all the areas of
the body thus clubbing of the fingernails may be present. Abnormal lung breath sounds may
also present upon auscultation of the lungs primarily the affected area.
Decortication is highly advised for patients with advanced stage of pleural empyema. Like what
has been stated the advanced stage or organizing stage of empyema already involves the
scarring of the pleural membrane. By decortication, the scarred part of the lung covering which
can impair its ability to expand can be effectively removed.
Empyema Decortications
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