Title: Management of empyema thoracis at Lusaka, Zambia.

POPLINE Document Number: 076096

Author(s):

Desai GA
Mugala DD

Source citation:

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY, 1992 Jun;79(6):537-8.

Abstract:

Surgeons managed the care of 39 patients with empyema thoracis at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia between April 1989-March 1990. 33 patients were males. 26 (23 males and 3 females) tested seropositive for HIV and had AIDS. 19 patients (17 male and 2 females) had tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs. Only 2 did not test positive for HIV. The leading complaints of the 39 patients were cough (30), chest pain (29), and generalized lymphadenopathy (28). HIV positive patients stayed in the hospital longer than HIV negative patients (60 days vs. 5 days). Most patients with empyema thoracis (30) were between 16-40 years old, as were AIDS patients (22) and TB patients (19). 2 of the 4 0-5 year old patients with empyema thoracis suffered from AIDS. The leading surgical procedure for the patients with empyema thoracis was intercostal drainage (12). All 12 patients who underwent rib resection were those who suffered from AIDS. Rib resection was required because these patients presented to the hospital late at which time the aspirate had already become thick. The surgeons were able to aspirate the accumulated pus quite easily in 8 of the 9 patients with AIDS who underwent only intercostal drainage. 8 AIDS patients experienced dried up sinuses at 8 weeks. A home care team managed the rib resection patients at home which resulted in a shorter mean duration at the hospital than for intercostal drainage (8 days vs. 0 days). None of the AIDS patients died from the procedure. Yet 3 AIDS patients died within 2 weeks of entry into the hospital. 5 other AIDS patients died within 6 months of their 1st admission. All HIV negative patients recovered satisfactorily. Home care minimized the burden on hospital resources.

Keywords:

Zambia
Methodological Studies
Cross Sectional Analysis
Surgery
HIV Infections
Tuberculosis
AIDS
Signs and Symptoms
Age Factors
Adults
Men
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Research Methodology
Treatment
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Infections
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population