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Journals / SDÜ Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 33 Sayı: 2

Factors Associated with Length of Hospital Stay in Pleural Empyema: A Retrospective Study

Hasan Ekrem Çamaş(SULEYMAN DEMIREL UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0000-0003-0212-0439
Hasan Emre Yıldırım(SULEYMAN DEMIREL UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0009-0006-7121-8578
Cem Doğan(SULEYMAN DEMIREL UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0009-0006-6351-2881
Süleyman Emre Akın(SULEYMAN DEMIREL UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0000-0002-0641-5229
Rasih Yazkan(SULEYMAN DEMIREL UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0000-0002-7369-6710
Pages
196–203
Publication Date
2026-06-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Inflammatory burden and accompanying comorbidities should be considered when selecting treatment strategies in empyema management.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective This study aimed to evaluate clinical, biochemical, microbiological, and treatment-related factors associated with the length of hospital stay in patients with pleural empyema.
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Key Findings & Data:Material and Method Medical records of patients treated for pleural empyema between 2017 and 2025 were retrospectively reviewed.
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Conclusion & Impact:Inflammatory burden and accompanying comorbidities should be considered when selecting treatment strategies in empyema management.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2017 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Empyema · Pleural Drainage · Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to evaluate clinical, biochemical, microbiological, and treatment-related factors associated with the length of hospital stay in patients with pleural empyema. Material and Method Medical records of patients treated for pleural empyema between 2017 and 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, pleural fluid analyses, microbiological results, and treatment modalities were analyzed. Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis. Results 58 patients were included (82.8% male; mean age 56.0 ± 16.9 years). Surgical management was applied in 50% of cases. Chronic disease and malignancy were associated with prolonged stay (p = 0.025 and p = 0.038, respectively). Pleural fluid white blood cell levels were positively correlated with length of stay (p= 0.004). Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of an early, individualized approach to the management of pleural empyema. Elevated pleural inflammatory markers and the presence of chronic disease or malignancy were associated with prolonged hospitalization. Inflammatory burden and accompanying comorbidities should be considered when selecting treatment strategies in empyema management.

Özet

Objective This study aimed to evaluate clinical, biochemical, microbiological, and treatment-related factors associated with the length of hospital stay in patients with pleural empyema. Material and Method Medical records of patients treated for pleural empyema between 2017 and 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, pleural fluid analyses, microbiological results, and treatment modalities were analyzed. Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis. Results 58 patients were included (82.8% male; mean age 56.0 ± 16.9 years). Surgical management was applied in 50% of cases. Chronic disease and malignancy were associated with prolonged stay (p = 0.025 and p = 0.038, respectively). Pleural fluid white blood cell levels were positively correlated with length of stay (p= 0.004). Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of an early, individualized approach to the management of pleural empyema. Elevated pleural inflammatory markers and the presence of chronic disease or malignancy were associated with prolonged hospitalization. Inflammatory burden and accompanying comorbidities should be considered when selecting treatment strategies in empyema management.

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Cite This Article

Çamaş, H. E., Yıldırım, H. E., Doğan, C., Akın, S. E., Yazkan, R. (2026). Factors Associated with Length of Hospital Stay in Pleural Empyema: A Retrospective Study. SDÜ Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 33 Sayı: 2, 196–203. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1895603

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