Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom University of Medical Sciences
2
Associate Professor of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences
3
1. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom University of Medical Sciences
4
Assistant Professor of Biostatistics Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health Qom University of Medical Sciences
5
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Background: Empyema is characterized by a pus-filled collection in the thoracic cavity, usually resulting from an infection in the pleural space, often due to bacterial pneumonia. This study aims to compare the complications, pain intensity, length of hospitalization, and outcomes of two treatment methods: thoracotomy and thoracoscopy, in patients with stage 2 empyema.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients hospitalized at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Qom, Iran, from 2021 to 2023. Sampling was performed using a two-stage stratified random method, and patient information, including history, clinical examinations, and demographic data, was recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Patients undergoing thoracoscopy experienced significantly less pain (8.8 vs. 4.87; p=0.001), shorter hospital stays (7.03 vs. 3.47 days; p=0.001), and faster surgical site healing (4.43 weeks vs. 1.14 weeks; p=0.001) compared to those undergoing thoracotomy. Additionally, the readmission rate was higher in the thoracotomy group (22.8%) compared to the thoracoscopy group (11.6%) (p=0.001).
Discussion: The findings of our study, alongside other research, suggest that thoracoscopy, due to its less invasive nature, results in better outcomes, including less pain and quicker recovery compared to thoracotomy. However, in more complex cases, individualized surgical planning may still require thoracotomy.
Conclusion: Thoracoscopy is a superior surgical approach compared to thoracotomy for managing empyema, leading to reduced complications and facilitating faster patient recovery.
