Rozhledy v chirurgii : měsíčník Československé chirurgické společnosti
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Videothoracoscopy (VTS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) decortication is commonly used in the treatment of early thoracic empyema. However, its conversion to thoracotomy is more frequent in chronic empyema cases. The authors evaluate the role of VTS/VATS in the pleural empyema therapy in the group of patients treated for thoracic empyema using VATS or thoracotomic decortication. ⋯ VTS is the method of choice in the treatment of stage II thoracic empyema, with a potential for the infectious focus removal, targeted drainage and lung reexpansion. VATS is an alternative thoracotomy method for decortication in the early stage III empyema. Decortication via thoracotomy is a standard treatment method for the management of chronic empyema.