Efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in managing childhood empyema: a large single-centre study

Bishay, Mark, Short, Melissa, Shah, Kant, Nagraj, Shobhana, Arun, Suren, Parikh, Dakshesh and Jawaheer, Girish (2009) Efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in managing childhood empyema: a large single-centre study. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 44 (2). pp. 337-342. ISSN 1531-5037

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Abstract

Background/Purpose: A randomised controlled trial evaluating the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in childhood empyema reported a failure rate of 16.6%. Our aim is to determine the outcome of VATS in a large series of children managed by 3 paediatric surgeons experienced in endoscopic surgery. Method: A retrospective study of all children with empyema admitted under the care of the 3 surgeons between February 2004 and February 2008 was undertaken. Recorded details included demographic data, mode of presentation, preoperative investigations, operative details, antibiotic usage, microbiological data, postoperative course, follow-up data and complications. Results: 114 children (69 boys, 45 girls) had VATS for empyema. Their median age was 5 (0.2-15) years. The pleural cavity was drained for a median of 4 (2-13) days. Median postoperative hospital stay was 7 (4-36) days. Median follow-up was 8 (1-24) months. There were 8 (7%) treatment failures: 5 conversions to thoracotomy and 3 recurrent empyemas. There were 7 complications (6%): air leak (n = 6) and lung injury (n = 1). 104 (91%) children had full resolution of symptoms. There were no deaths. Conclusion: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has a better outcome in childhood empyema than reported in a recent randomised trial and it has an important role in the management of this condition.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 24 Jul 2015 22:30
Last Modified: 14 Aug 2023 11:31
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/53577
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2008.10.083

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