Fifty one patients with empyema thoracic were managed at the Kyung Hee University Medical Center during 5 years between December, 1982, and December, 1987. The patients were classified into two groups; group A [early minithoracotomy-9 patients] and group B[conventional chest tube insertion-42 patients]. Each group was retrospectively analyzed to compare the results in terms of leukocyte count change, body temperature change, duration of hospitalization, elapsed time to chest tube removal and the need for subsequent decortication and tube change. There was no statistical difference between two groups in terms of etiology, age and sex. l. In the group A, mean preoperative leukocyte count [19,300/mme] decreased to 8,688/mme postoperatively. In the group B, leukocyte count changed from 16,985/mme to 14,433/mme. Their differences were significant [P< 0.05]. 2. In the group A, mean preoperative body temperature [38.5] decreased to 36.7. In the group B, body temperature changed from 38.1oC to 37.5 oC. Their differences were significant [P < 0.05]. 3. Mean duration of Hospitalization; 18.2 days [group A], 30.2 days [group B]. Their differences were significant [P < 0.01]. 4. Mean elapsing time for chest tube removal; 15.2 days [group A], 28.5 days [group B]. Their differences were significant [P < 0.01]. 5. There was no need for subsequent decortication and chest tube change in the group A. There were 22 cases [52.3 %] for subsequent decortication and 12 cases [28.6 %] for chest tube change in the group B. Early minithoracotomy in treating empyema thoracis resulted in a shorter hospital stay and a shorter period of tube drainage than conventional method.