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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
03:22
Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Synchronous bilateral VATS decortication for paediatric bilateral empyema
S Sivasubramanian1, V Hjortdal, G A Cohen
1Cardiothoracic Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and the Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
Pediatric Surgery International
|June 19, 2004
Summary
Bilateral empyema, a rare childhood condition, can be safely and effectively treated using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This minimally invasive approach offers a potentially cost-effective solution for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Bilateral empyema is an uncommon thoracic infection in pediatric patients.
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques are increasingly preferred for treating pediatric thoracic conditions.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of bilateral empyema were managed using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
- The surgical procedure involved thoracoscopic drainage and decortication.
Findings:
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic drainage and decortication demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating bilateral empyema in children.
- The minimally invasive approach was potentially less expensive compared to traditional methods.
Implications:
- VATS is a viable and effective treatment option for pediatric bilateral empyema.
- This approach may offer economic benefits in managing complex pediatric thoracic infections.
- Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to confirm these findings.
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