Video-Assisted-Thoracoscopic-Surgery Pleural Decorticator for Emergency Empyema Surgery

Background/need Pleural empyemas carry a high morbidity and mortality. Some can be managed with medical treatment but most require some form of surgery with the goals to remove the infected material from the pleural space and to help re-expand the collapsed lung. Keyhole surgery by Video Assisted Thoracoscopy Surgery (VATS) is rapidly becoming a common approach to deal with early stage empyemas to avoid larger, more painful thoracotomies that hinder recovery. However, the ability to achieve those aforementioned goals is often hindered by VATS surgery due to the instruments available. Methodology and device description We have developed a simple instrument called the “VATS Pleural Debrider” to achieve those goals in empyema surgery that can be used in keyhole surgery. Preliminary results We have used this device in over 90 patients with no peri-operative mortality and a low re-operation rate. Current status Used in routine urgent/emergency pleural empyema surgery across 2 cardiothoracic surgery centres.