Lung abscess: surgical implications

Abstract

The management of lung abscess continues to challenge both physicians and surgeons. The experience at the Toronto General Hospital over a 50-year period (1928 to 1975) has been analysed to define the challenge and to clarify current recommendations for treatment. The 413 patients studied were divided into three sequential chronologic groups that illustrate the initial impact of antibiotic therapy and later appreciation of the pathogenetic importance of aspiration and anaerobic infection. Although cure rates increased dramatically (from 30 to 61%) between 1936 and 1954 with the advent of antibiotics and the decrease in mortality was equally striking (from 47% to 21%), the recent statistics are not as encouraging. In the current period (1962 to 1975), the cure rate with medical treatment has risen from 61% to 73%, and with surgical therapy from 81% to 89%. Unfortunately, the overall mortality has increased from 12% to 25%. The mortality with medical treatment has increased from 10% to 27% but, in contrast, the surgical mortality continues to decrease (14% to 11%). The increased mortality with medical treatment is important. Prolonged antibiotic therapy is frequently necessary, but when resolution is not progressing or when complications ensue, operation must not be delayed.