Application of Thoracoscopic Hybrid Surgery in the Treatment of Stage III Tuberculous Empyema

Background: To investigate the efficacy and value of thoracoscopic hybrid surgery in the treatment of stage III chronic tuberculous empyema (CTE).Methods: 48 patients diagnosed as CTE with pleural thickening and encysted abscess cavity from were treated by hybrid operation (HO). Small incision operation was first used for resection of thickening pleural fibreboard and decortication of parietal pleura. Then, thoracoscopy was guided into chest to decorticate the visceral pleurali. Additional 25 patients with open operation of pleurectomy were set as control.Results: The average operation time of HO group was 70 ± 22 min compared to 130 ± 32 min of control. The amount of bleeding, hospitalization time and chest tube drainage of HO group (200 ± 55 ml, 18 ± 1.2 days, 3.5 ± 1.5 days) were significantly decreased compared to control (400 ± 45 ml, 28 ± 4.5 days, 6.5 ± 2.5 days). Post operation complications occurred in 5 (10.42%) and 3 (12%) cases for HO group and control, respectively.Conclusions: In stage III CTE, the small incision assisted thoracoscopic hybrid surgery help to remove thickening parietal pleura, promote the application of thoracoscopy, which has obvious advantages compared to traditional surgery.