[The validation of the choice of individual procedure in the drainage of a lung abscess].

Examined were 70 patients with an uncomplicated pulmonary abscess. It was established that a giant abscess had developed against the background of chronic bronchitis with valvular mechanism of impairement in bronchial patency and increased pressure in the cavity of an abscess. Therefore, the performance of decompression by means of transthoracic drainage was required. In patients with a small abscess, bronchitis was secondary, and bronchial patency was restored during abscessoscopy by means of sanation of the cavity and transthoracic administration of antibiotics. Patients with "dry" cavity didn't require the specialised aid. The conservative treatment was effective in 64 (91.4%) patients, 1 (1.6%) died; operated on were 5 (7%), 1 (20%) died. Total lethality was 2.9%.