| Abstrakt: |
Objectives: The objective of the study is to investigate how and how long surgery performed for the treatment of postpneumonic empyema thoracis affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Methods: This is a prospective, non-randomized observational study including 42 consecutive, fully employed at the time of surgery, patients (men: 32, mean age: 48.0±12.8 years, variance: 18-65 years) who underwent surgery for empyema thoracis. All the included in the study patients were evaluated before the procedure, the first week after surgery and at 3 and 6 months after surgery by spirometry, pulse oximetry, chest radiography at two levels and assessment of QoL using the SF-36 questionnaire according to the research protocol. Results: Significant improvement of spirometric values was observed during the follow-up time period, especially during the time elapsed between the first week and one month after surgery. Significant, gradual recovery of postoperative chest radiographs was observed throughout the follow-up period. No significant changes were observed in the parameters physical and social role of the SF-36 questionnaire. All the other determinants of the QoL in the SF-32 questionnaire (physical performance, pain, general health, vitality, emotional role, mental health) improved significantly throughout the follow-up time period, while the sickness leave of patients after surgery for empyema was quite long (65.9±21.2 days). Conclusions: Surgery for empyema seriously affects QoL of patients for a long time period and requires long sickness leave for rehabilitation. QoL improves gradually to normal throughout the 1st semester after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
