Empyema

Quote from "Pediatric Surgery (Springer Surgery Atlas)" by Prem Puri, Michael E. Höllwarth - "The mainstay of treatment includes intravenous antibiotics for sepsis control, and drainage of the effusion to improve lung expansion. If initial medical management fails, then surgical intervention is necessary. The use of intrapleural fibrinolysis (urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator) via a chest drain can produce good results. The surgical options include thoracoscopic debridement, mini thoracotomy and debridement, and thoracotomy with decortication. Thoracotomy and decortication is reserved for advanced and chronic cases." Quote from "Pediatric Surgery (Springer Surgery …