TREATMENT OF POSTPNEUMONIC THORACIC EMPYEMA WITH SULFONAMIDES, PENICILLIN AND REPEATED THORACENTESES
Authors: Allen I. Josey, John W. Trenis, Walter F. Kammer
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1945)

Article1 November 1945TREATMENT OF POSTPNEUMONIC THORACIC EMPYEMA WITH SULFONAMIDES, PENICILLIN AND REPEATED THORACENTESESALLEN I. JOSEY, JOHN W. TRENIS, WALTER F. KAMMERALLEN I. JOSEYSearch for more papers by this author, JOHN W. TRENISSearch for more papers by this author, WALTER F. KAMMERSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-23-5-800 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe principles to be considered in the treatment of pleural empyema are twofold, sterilization of the exudate within the pleural space and obliteration of this space by reëxpansion of the lung. Where this can be accomplished without the development of dense pleural adhesions the early recovery of the patient without any permanent respiratory limitation is enhanced. In most standard treatises on the treatment of postpneumonic empyema thoracostomy, preferably with rib resection, is emphasized. Since Graham and the Empyema Commission1in 1918 demonstrated the importance of delaying operation until the pleural exudate had become thickened, open thoracostomy has been highly successful....Bibliography1. Empyema Commission. Cases of empyema at Camp Lee, Va., Jr. Am. Med. Assoc., 1918, lxxi, 366. Google Scholar2. HART D: Acute empyema: Treatment by tidal irrigation and suction, Arch. Surg., 1929, xix, 1732. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. WANGENSTEEN OH: Observations on the treatment of empyema with special reference to drainage and expansion of the lung, Jr. Thorac. Surg., 1935, iv, 399. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. POTHMATHES EJME: The treatment of acute empyema by continuous tidal drainage, Surgery, 1943, xiv, 617. Google Scholar5. GRAHAMSUIGERBALLON EAJJHC: Surgical diseases of the chest, 1935, Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6. KEEFERRANTZRAMMELKAMP CSLACH: Hemolytic streptococcal pneumonia and empyema; a study of 55 cases with special reference to treatment, Ann. Int. Med., 1941, xiv, 1533. Google Scholar7. LANMANHEYL THHH: Empyema in children, New England Jr. Med., 1939, ccxxi, 1003. CrossrefGoogle Scholar8. BURFORDBLADES THB: Influence of sulfonamide therapy on postpneumonic empyema thoracis, Jr. Am. Med. Assoc., 1942, cxviii, 950. CrossrefGoogle Scholar9. PITCHERMEACHAM CWF: The chemotherapy of intracranial infections, Jr. Am. Med. Assoc., 1943, cxxiii, 330. JOHNSON, H. C., and WALKER, A. E.: Intraventricular penicillin, Jr. Am. Med. Assoc., 1945, cxxvii, 217. CrossrefGoogle Scholar10. BLADESHAMILTONDUGAN BJEDJ: Observations on the treatment of empyema thoracis with penicillin, Surgery, 1945, xvii, 572. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: *Received for publication June 20, 1945.From the Medical Service, O'Reilly General Hospital. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPleurisy and Empyema 1 November 1945Volume 23, Issue 5Page: 800-815KeywordsLungsMedical servicesPenicillinRespiratory system proceduresRibsSulfonamide ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1945 PDF downloadLoading ...