To explore the application value of thoracoscopic pleural lavage for empyema after liver transplantation (LT).

Clinical data of 5 patients who underwent thoracoscopic pleural lavage for empyema after LT in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from October 2002 to October 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. All 5 patients were males with the age ranging from 42 to 56 years old and the median of 51 years old. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval had been received. The patients received thoracoscopic pleural lavage for empyema under endotracheal general anesthesia. The thoracoscope was introduced in the seventh intercostal space on the mid-axillary line. The aspirator was inserted in the third intercostal space on the anterior line to drain the pus. And the pleural fiberboard was peeled off. The intraoperative situation and perioperative recovery of the patients were observed.

Five patients received successful operations and recovered and were discharged from hospital. The median length of operation was 2(1-3) h. The length of respirator assisted ventilation was 26(6-42) h. The intraoperative blood loss was 600(300-1 000) ml. The length of indwelling chest drainage tube was 4(2-6) h. The volume of chest drainage was 680(350-1 200) ml. No mortality, empyema recurrence and other serious complications were observed. The postoperative hospital stay was 7(5-11) d.

Thoracoscopic pleural lavage for empyema after LT is a safe and effective treatment.

Liver transplantation; Postoperative complications; Empyema, pleural; Prognosis