Fourteen of 15 patients (93%) with retained pleural collections underwent successful enzymatic debridement and tube drainage with streptokinase-streptodornase (SK-SD) injections. No significant adverse reactions occurred. One patient required decortication when SK-SD therapy failed. Intrapleural SK-SD is a safe, effective means of removing retained proteinaceous collections in the pleural space. It may obviate the need for more invasive procedures.