Successful Treatment of Critically Severe Empyema With Bronchopleural Fistula via <scp>ECMO</scp>: A Case Report

Empyema is one of the most dangerous complications in thoracic surgery. It can easily progress to severe empyema with life-threatening conditions that are extremely challenging to treat. We successfully treated a patient with critically severe empyema via extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and the patient eventually recovered and was discharged. A 64-year-old male developed empyema 5 years ago. The thoracic infection led to a breakdown of the left chest wall. During hospitalisation, the patient's condition gradually deteriorated. We promptly initiated ECMO support and performed multiple debridement surgeries, fistula closure, targeted anti-infection treatment, and nutritional support. Ultimately, the patient's condition improved, as he eventually recovered and was discharged.