Comparison of Lung Expansion After Uniportal and Multiportal Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery for Stage II Post Pneumonic Bacterial Empyema Thoracis

Empyema is a problem that thoracic surgeons deal in everyday practice. The main goal of treatment is evacuating the pus and fibrin deposits in the thoracic cavity for complete lung expansion. Traditionally, the surgical approach was open thoracotomy; then the multiportal video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach became more common. Recently, more surgeons are adopting the uniportal VATS approach, which has become a powerful surgical tool, for the treatment of stage II empyema. Uniportal and multiportal VATS are a feasible technique in all patients with pleural empyema requiring surgery. In this study, the investigators observed comparable postoperative success rates, no need for conversion, and successful completion of decortication via both multiportal and uniportal approaches. This transition to a single-incision technique was associated with fewer chest tubes, minimal surgical trauma, and no compromise in clinical outcomes.