Surgical treatment of lung abscess

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Lung abscess is a condition of the lung infected with pus, causing lung necrosis after a period of acute inflammation. The disease can occur at any age, but mainly in middle-aged people, people with diabetes, chronic lung disease, etc. Men have a higher rate of lung abscess than women because men smoke, consume a lot of alcohol, ... these are also the causes of the disease. So what is a lung abscess? How to surgically treat a lung abscess? This article will help readers get more information related to this disease.

1. What is a lung abscess?

Lung abscess is a condition when the patient has a lung infection, the lung tissue is swollen, festering, destroying the alveolar membrane, necrosis, forming small caverns containing pus, damaged lung tissue debris. dead or containing fluid due to microbial infection, degenerated white blood cells.
Lung abscess, if not detected and treated promptly, will lead to pneumonia, even lung necrosis.

2. Symptoms of a lung abscess

Symptoms of a lung abscess form and become apparent from a few weeks to a few months, including the following symptoms:
High fever, sweating Wheezing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat Chest pain, especially especially when taking a deep breath or exhaling forcefully Cough has a bad odor, saliva has a more unpleasant odor than usual. sometimes there is blood in the saliva. The body is tired, pale. Unexplained weight loss. Anorexia When X-ray shows signs of pleural effusion.

3. Causes of lung abscess

Lung abscess is mainly caused by parasites, bacteria caused by airway - bronchi, such as: anaerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, infection with Klebsiella Pneumoniae.
Inhalation of foreign body. The most commonly seen foreign bodies are food, vomit, or secretions from the mouth that are inhaled into the lungs. When a foreign body is inhaled, it causes swelling, pneumonia, and abscess formation. May be caused by the patient inhaling bacteria in the air Due to ear - nose - throat infection or oral disease Tonsillitis After surgery on ear - nose - throat, teeth - jaw - face Reflex disorder, unable to cough, swallow or spit up sputum Paralysis of respiratory muscles, airway obstruction,...stagnation

4. Is lung abscess dangerous?

If not detected, treated in time or improperly treated, lung abscess can cause dangerous complications for the patient:
Emphysema Hemoptysis: due to rupture of a large blood vessel. This condition is more likely to occur if the abscess is near the hilar area. Sepsis: If bacteria in the abscesses enter the bloodstream, it will cause shock, high risk of death. Other complications may occur such as pulmonary fibrosis, brain abscess, bronchiectasis,... life-threatening.

5. Surgical treatment of lung abscess

In addition to the patient's symptoms, the doctor will diagnose lung abscess through X-ray technique. This is a simple indication, quick to perform and highly effective.
In addition, the doctor may order blood and saliva tests to help identify the bacteria or microorganisms causing the abscess.
Or bronchoscopy to rule out the possibility that the patient has lung cancer if there are signs of objects obstructing the airway.

6. Surgical treatment of lung abscess

Treatment with antibiotics:
After finding out the cause of the lung abscess, the doctor will proceed to eliminate the microorganisms that cause the lung abscess by giving the patient fluids, taking antibiotics. 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. With timely detection, oral antibiotics and intravenous fluids can be cured.
After that, we will treat external diseases that cause lung abscess in patients such as: poor oral hygiene, stroke, alcoholism, epilepsy,...
Aspirate bronchial pus with a bronchoscope:
Combine bronchoscopy to suck pus in the bronchi to drain the abscess, detect and promptly handle foreign bodies causing obstruction.

7. When is surgery indicated for lung abscess?

Perform lung abscess surgery to cut lung segments or a whole lung when lung abscess turns to chronic form, has been treated with drugs for about 3 months but no results.
Patient abscess > 10cm. The situation was complicated, the patient coughed up blood many times. Lung abscesses and severe localized bronchiectasis. There is a complication of bronchial fistula - pleural space.

8. Note when treating lung abscess

Ensure a nutritious diet, supplement with many vitamins and proteins. Oral hygiene, nose, throat Good treatment of infections of teeth - jaw - face, ears - nose - throat. Care should be taken when performing procedures in these areas to avoid foreign objects entering the trachea. When feeding patients with a nasogastric tube, they must be closely monitored to avoid choking on food. Add water and electrolytes, balance acid-base for the patient. Periodic health check-ups help detect diseases early, thereby planning treatment for optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
Health checkup package general Standard 2020 General health check-up package VIP 2020 General health check-up package Special 2020 General health check-up package Children 2020 General health examination package Work permit - Issuance of work permits Examination results of people sick will be returned home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.

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