Management of thoracic amebiasis
Verghese, M.; Eggleston, F.C.; Handa, A.K.; Singh, C.M.
Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 78(5): 757-760
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5223 PMID: 491730 Document Number: 152829
Thoracic complications account for 13% of deaths from amoebiasis and surgery plays a major role in their management. Experience with 28 patients at the Christian Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, India, in whom surgical therapy was required, is presented. Involvement included the pleura in 19 patients, the lungs in 10 and the pericardium in 5; 7 patients had involvement of more than one site. A total of 34 primary and 10 secondary operative procedures were done; the commonest treatments were closed intercostal drainage and laparotomy plus drainage of the amoebic abscess, depending on the site of disease. 10 patients died and mortality was generally related to the poor condition of the patients and their delay in seeking treatment.