Pleural drainage vs video-assisted thoracoscopic debridement in children affected by pleural empyema.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Both thoracic drainage and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) are available treatment for pleural empyema in pediatric patients.

Materials and methods

This retrospective multicenter study includes pediatric patients affected by pleural empyema treated from 2004 to 2021 at two Italian centers. Patients were divided in G1 (traditional approach) and G2 (VATS). Demographic and recovery data, laboratory tests, imaging, surgical findings, post-operative management and follow-up were analyzed.

Results

70 patients with a mean age of 4.8 years were included; 12 (17.1%) in G1 and 58 (82.9%) in G2. Median surgical time was 45 min in G1, 90 in G2 (p < 0.05). Mean duration of thoracic drainage was 7.3 days in G1, 6.2 in G2 (p > 0.05). Patients became afebrile after

SUBMITTER: Ratta A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10625948 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature