Surgical management of tuberculous empyema with bronchopleural fistula

Aim:To review the experience of surgical treatment on tuberculous empyema with bronchopleural fistula.Clinical material and methods:From 1965～1985,126 patients with tuberculous empyema,with bronchopleural fistula were treated surgically.Chest tube drainage was performed in 90 patients,Heller's thoracoplasty combined with fistula repair in 126,pleuropneumonectomy and resection of remaining lung in 9,decortication in 2 and omental pedicle flap transposition in 12.Results:Overall clinic cure rate was 88.9% (108/126),and the hospital mortality was 4.7%(6/126).Conclusion:Surgical procedure is only effective way in treating tuberculous empyema with bronchopleural fistula.Drainage and Heller's thoracoplasty still have unreplaceble role.