[Noxytioline in the local treatment of empyema (author's transl)].

The importance assumed by local treatment in non-tuberculous purulent pleurisy has suggested that intrapleural applications of a broad spectrum antiseptic could be as useful as in peritonitis. Fifteen adult patients with empyema secondary, in most cases, to local, usually Gram-negative, infections were treated with combined antibiotic therapy and locally administered noxytioline. The patients underwent 3 to 30 intrapleural lavages (average 9) via a pleurotomy drainage tube (11 cases) or after pleural puncture (4 cases). Results were very satisfactory in 12 out of 15 cases, with mild pleural sequelae in 8 cases. No local or systemic reactions were observed. This treatment proved particularly effective in 5 difficult cases.