Abstract
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become a popular and well-refined procedure. It has several advantages over open thoracotomy in terms of invasiveness and cosmetics. The aim of this study is to consider if VATS can serve as primary management for pediatric empyema. Between October 2000 and December 2002, 13 children with empyema receiving VATS were retrospectively reviewed. Of them, 5 had tube thoracostomy before VATS intervention (group T), and 8 had VATS as the initial treatment (group V). Their mean (± SD) age of groups V and T were 5.75 ± 4.43 and 4.0 ± 1.58 years, respectively. The children of group V had a shorter length of hospital stay (group V 10.7 ± 3.54 days; group T 28.2 ± 8.32 days), a shorter period of chest tube drainage (group V 5 ± 1.87 days; group T 25 ± 11.08 days), less transfusion (group V 0.4 ± 0.17 units; group T 0.9 ± 0.27 units) and less radiation exposure (group V 10.3 ± 3.49; group T 23.4 ± 11.64). No mortality was noted in the entire series. We conclude that primary VATS is a safe, effective and definitive method which can serve as first-line therapy for children with empyema.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
