Thoracic empyema: a 12-year study from a UK tertiary cardiothoracic referral centre.

Background: Empyema is an increasingly frequent clinical problem worldwide, and has substantial morbidity and mortality. Our objectives were to identify the clinical, surgical and microbiological features, and management outcomes, of empyema.

Methods: A retrospective observational study over 12 years (1999-2010) was carried out at The Heart Hospital, London, United Kingdom.