DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i01.028

Pages: 146-148

Background: management of empyema had evolved greatly since the administration of streptokinase which had resulted in improved outcome and great reduction in surgery rate. Methods: 57 patients were enrolled in a 2 year study, held in King Hussein Medical Centre, evaluating the efficacy of streptokinase instillation in multiloculated pleural empyema. Results: 36 male and 21 females were included in the study with median age of 32 years. Streptococcus pneumonia was the major pathogen followed by Staphylococcus aureus with 49% and 33% respectively. Drainage of empyema was between 50-750, 500-1000 and 250-600 ml for the first, second and third dose respectively. Chest pain and discomfort was the major complication (56.1%). Conclusion: streptokinase administration helps in resolving multiloculated empyema and can reduce the decortication surgery.