Intrapleural Urokinase Injection after Medical Thoracoscopy for Empyema and Complicated Para-Pneumonic Effusion: A Case Series.

Empyema and complicated para-pneumonic effusion (CPPE) often require surgical intervention because of insufficient antibiotic effect and chest tube drainage. From January 2017 to September 2021, we encountered seven patients who underwent intrapleural urokinase injection after medical thoracoscopy for the treatment of empyema or CPPE. None of the seven patients required further surgical interventions or showed any complications associated with the therapeutic procedures. The combined use of intrapleural urokinase injections and medical thoracoscopy may be an effective and safe therapeutic option for the management of empyema and CPPE.