Thoracoscopic Decortication for Tubercular Empyema in a Lung Transplant Recipient

Abstract

Tubercular empyema thoracis is a morbid postoperative complication in lung transplant recipients, which significantly impairs graft function and affects the survival rate. This report describes a case of tubercular empyema thoracis in a 42-year-old female, who underwent bilateral sequential lung transplantation for interstitial lung disease (non-specific interstitial pneumonia). She underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery decortication, a preferred surgical approach due to its minimally invasive nature with excellent success rates. This report highlights the effectiveness of tailored surgical interventions and the importance of individualized post-transplant care to optimize patient recovery and graft functionality.