Postpneumonectomy and postlobectomy empyema.

Although similar strategies are used in the management of PPE and PLE, these conditions need to be viewed as two separate entities. For the purpose of devising the appropriate management strategy, PPE should be divided into early and late, with and without mediastinal induration and extensive pleural space contamination. If at all possible, PLE should be managed as a postpneumonic empyema with prolonged chest tube drainage. The key to these conditions is prevention.