[Stage-by-stage pneumonectomy in pleural empyema].

Staged pneumonectomy tactics in complication of the main lung affection by pleural empyema was described. Surgery was based on an open treatment of empyema cavity before and after the principal surgical stage--pneumonectomy, which was completed by closed treatment using the method of early pleural cavity filling with curative solutions. Use of staged surgical treatment tactics makes it possible to prevent serious postoperative complications such as empyema recurrence and bronchial fistulas. Full clinical effect was achieved in 11 of the 56 operations of staged pneumonectomy in the presence of empyema.