[Results of treating patients with pleural empyema in relation to time of diagnosis]. / Wyniki leczenia chorych z ropniakiem oplucnej w zaleznosci od czasu rozpoznania.

ABSTRACT

Results of surgical treatment of 182 patients with pleural empyema were assessed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the length of time between the beginning of illness and the start of treatment at the thoracosurgical department. The first group consisted of 36 patients in whom the draining of empyema's chamber was applied no later than 7 days after the onset of illness. This treatment was effective in 31 (86%) of patients. The remaining, 14% of patients required operative treatment. The second group consisted of 146 patients who were admitted to surgical department later than 7 days from the beginning of disease. 33% of them required operative treatment. The results achieved in both groups of patients proved that the time lapse between, the beginning of disease and the confirmation of suppurative character of exudation, had a decisive influence on the surgical procedure and the final results of treatment.