Toxicity of chlorhexidine irrigation in chronic postpneumonectomy empyema.

Three patients with chronic Staphylococcus aureus empyema following pneumonectomy were treated with continuous chlorhexidine (0.02%) irrigation of the cavity. The empyema became sterile, but after a few days symptoms of cerebral intoxication appeared in all three patients. The symptoms resolved when the treatment was discontinued. Use of continuous chlorhexidine irrigation treatment of large wounds and cavities is therefore to be discouraged.