Management of Postoperative Wound Infection and Empyema

Postoperative wound infection and empyema after pulmonary surgery is considered surgical site infection. Postoperative empyema (PE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of pulmonary resections and proper management is essential. Appropriate antibiotics and surgical treatment is necessary to cure the PE. PE is often associated with bronchopleural fistula, which makes the management of PE difficult. The treatment of empyema has the basic way of thinking, but there are various cures, closed tube thoracostomy, video-assisted thoracoscopy, emergency open window thoracostomy, and Endoscopic conservative treatment may necessary.