fibrin and Empyema--Pleural

In recent years, a higher and higher percentage of patients with pleural effusions or pneumothorax are being treated with small-bore (10-14 F) chest tubes rather than large-bore (>20 F). However, there are very few randomized controlled studies comparing the efficacy and complication rates with the small- and large-bore catheters. Moreover, the randomized trials that are available have flaws in their design. The advantages of the small-bore catheters are that they are easier to insert and there is less pain with their insertion while they are in place. The placement of the small-bore catheters is probably more optimal when placement is done with ultrasound guidance. Small-bore chest tubes are recommended when pleurodesis is performed. The success of the small-bore indwelling tunnelled catheters that are left in place for weeks documents that the small-bore tubes do not commonly become obstructed with fibrin. Patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions are probably best managed with small-bore catheters even when the pleural fluid is purulent. Patients with haemothorax are best managed with large-bore catheters because of blood clots and the high volume of pleural fluid. Most patients with pneumothorax can be managed with aspiration or small-bore chest tubes. If these fail, a large-bore chest tube may be necessary. Patients on mechanical ventilation with barotrauma induced pneumothoraces are best managed with large-bore chest tubes.

Topics: Chest Pain; Chest Tubes; Chylothorax; Drainage; Empyema, Pleural; Fibrin; Hemothorax; Humans; Pleural Effusion; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiration, Artificial; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography

Pleural empyema is an inflammatory condition characterized by accumulation of pus inside the pleural cavity, which is usually followed by bacterial pneumonia. During the disease process, the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines in the purulent pleural effusion cause proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix, which lead to fibrin deposition and fibrothorax. Urokinase instillation therapy through a chest drainage tube is frequently used for fibrinolysis in patients with empyema. However, urokinase treatment requires multiple instillation (2-3 times per day, for 4-8 days) and easily flows out from the chest drainage tube due to its high water solubility. In this in vitro study, we developed a thermo-responsive hydrogel based on poloxamer 407 (P407) combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) for optimal loading and release of urokinase. Our results show that the addition of HA to poloxamer gels provides a significantly more compact microstructure, with smaller pore sizes (**p < 0.001). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profile revealed no influence on the micellization intensity of poloxamer gel by HA. The 25% poloxamer-based gel was significantly superior to the 23% poloxamer-based gel, with slower gel erosion when comparing the 16th hour residual gel weight of both gels (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.001). The 25% poloxamer-HA gel also exhibited a superior urokinase release profile and longer release time. A Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) study of the P407/HA hydrogel showed no chemical interactions between P407 and HA in the hydrogel system. The thermoresponsive P407/HA hydrogel may have a promising potential in the loading and delivery of hydrophilic drugs. On top of that, in vitro toxicity test of this combination demonstrates a lower toxicity.

Topics: Cell Line; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Empyema, Pleural; Extracellular Matrix; Fibrin; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Hydrogels; Poloxamer; Temperature; Time Factors; Toxicity Tests; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Our objective was to compare the efficacy of adjunctive intrapleural fibrinolytic agents (IPFA) (streptokinase, urokinase) on fibrinopurulent stage empyema and chronic stage empyema in children. IPFA were used in 78 pediatric patients with empyema (36 fibrinopurulent stage empyemas, 42 chronic stage empyemas) between December 1994 and September 2002. Pleural biopsy was done for staging in all cases. Streptokinase 250,000 units in 100 ml normal saline (62 patients) or 100,000 units urokinase in 100 ml normal saline (16 patients) was instilled daily into the patient's chest tube, and the tube was clamped for 4 h, followed by suction. This treatment was continued daily for 2-8 days until resolution was demonstrated by chest radiographs and/or computed chest tomography. Success of treatment was 97.2% (complete response 24/36, partial response 11/36) in the fibrinopurulent stage and 9.4% (complete response 2/42, partial response 2/42) in chronic empyema cases. In one patient with fibrinopurulent empyema, the treatment was stopped due to allergic reaction and pleural hemorrhage; this patient died 1 day later in a septic condition. Although an invasive method, the pleural biopsy technique may be an alternative way of more properly staging thoracic empyema in selected children in whom staging based on radiographic and biochemical findings is doubtful. Intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment is an effective and safe therapy of choice and may have significant benefit in most children with fibrinopurulent phase empyema, except for those with bronchopleural fistula. IPFA do not seem to be effective in children with chronic phase empyema.

Topics: Adolescent; Biopsy; Chest Tubes; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Drug Hypersensitivity; Empyema, Pleural; Female; Fibrin; Fibrinolytic Agents; Hemorrhage; Humans; Infant; Male; Pleural Diseases; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptokinase; Suction; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

The roles of different drainage procedures in the management of empyema have to be redefined now that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been introduced. The debridement of fibrinopurulent stage II empyema with the use of VATS was assessed prospectively in regard to control of infection and restoration of pulmonary function.. Between January 1992 and May 1996, all patients at our institution with fibrinopurulent empyema that did not respond to chest tube drainage and antibiotic therapy were treated by debridement with the use of VATS. The patients were followed up prospectively by clinical and radiologic assessments 3 and 6 months after the operation and by spirometry 6 months after the operation.. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was initiated in 67 patients, but conversion to open decortication was required because of the finding of advanced disease in 19 patients (28%). Forty-eight patients underwent successful debridement with the use of VATS. The mean operative time was 82.1 minutes (range, 50 to 135 minutes), the mean duration of postoperative chest tube placement was 4.1 days (range, 2 to 8 days), and the mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 12.3 days (range, 4 to 42 days). No wound infections were observed during the postoperative course. Both the 30-day mortality rate and the recurrence (ie, need for thoracotomy) rate were 4%. The mean predicted vital capacity was 84.8% +/- 14.9% and the mean predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 88.6% +/- 19.2% 6 months after the operation.. Debridement with the use of VATS is safe and efficient for stage II empyema, but open decortication should be used for more advanced disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Debridement; Empyema, Pleural; Endoscopy; Fibrin; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Infant; Middle Aged; Pleura; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Survival Rate; Thoracic Surgical Procedures; Thoracoscopy; Video Recording; Vital Capacity