Reduction in the need for surgery and mortality after early administration of fibrinolytics following empyema drainage

Although intrapleural administration of fibrinolytics is an important treatment option for the management of empyema, the addition of fibrinolytics failed to reduce the need for surgery and mortality in previous randomized controlled trials. This study aimed to investigate the effects of administrating fibrinolytics in the early phase (within 3 days of chest tube insertion) of empyema compared with late administration or no administration.