Classical surgical treatment of acute pleural empyema

Objective. To determine the need for open surgical treatment in patients with acute pleural empyema with and without the use of video thoracoscopic rehabilitation interventions. Materials and methods. We analyzed the results of treatment of 426 patients with acute pleural empyema in the period 2008–2022, of whom 109 (25.6%) required open surgery after pleural cavity rehabilitation. Results. This study allowed us to form an idea of the need for open surgery at different periods from the beginning of complex treatment of acute pleural empyema, the nature and extent of surgical interventions, complications and their consequences. Conclusions. The need for operations such as pneumonectomy and pleuropneumonectomy after the rehabilitation of the pleural cavity in acute pleural empyema remains at the level of 3.6–6.9%.