[Videothoracoscopic interventions in the treatment of pleural empyema].

The experience of treatment of patients, suffering an acute or chronic pleural empyema (PE), using modern videothoracoscopic technique, was presented. The methods of operative interventions performance, using general narcosis or local anesthesia, in different severity of affection and etiology of purulent process were depicted. Comparative estimation of videothoracoscopic operations vs other methods, performed for PE, was performed. Intraoperative AIG-laser coagulation and electrocoagulation of pleural fistulas were applied for the treatment efficacy rising. There were noted the treatment efficacy rising, relatively low rate of postoperative complications (7.5%), the shortening of the patients stationary treatment period as well as postoperative rehabilitation and disability periods. All the patients are alive.