Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication in the treatment of stage III tuberculous empyema: a case report

Background: Stage III tuberculous empyema is a chronic tuberculosis infection in the pleural cavity and usually requires surgical treatment. Pleurectomy is preferred. Due to dense pleural adhesion, pleural exfoliation is necessary and has in the past been performed through thoracotomy. In recent years, videoassisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has undergone rapid development and is applied to the stripping of stage III tuberculous empyema. Some surgeons believe that this method is feasible, safe, and effective, with good short-term and long-term results. However, uniportal (U)-VATS is rarely performed and reported.