Would you consider deferring chest tube placement in a clinically stable patient with a small empyema without signs of systemic infection?  

Firstly, diagnosing empyema means the fluid has already been diagnostically tested by thoracentesis. If all the fluid was removed on the diagnostic tap, I would continue and complete the course of antibiotics with close follow-up. The duration of Antibiotics ranges from 4-6 weeks. If a significant...

Yes, in an outpatient to save hospitalization. However, requires prolonged PO antibiotics with close follow-up. Would get an ultrasound to confirm all fluid resorbed before stopping antibiotics. For most hospital patients, seems little to gain by avoiding tube drainage and may shorten antibiotic co...