[Chronic atelectasis--an indication for lung resection in early childhood?]

Between 1980 and 1989, 69 children underwent lung resection in our department. 45 of them (25 boys, 20 girls, age 0-9 years) presented with atelectatic areas of the lung parenchyma, which had been demonstrated preoperatively in only 76%. Resections were performed for bronchial malformations (n = 7), sequestration (6), cysts (6), aspiration (1), pyocele following pulmonary artery ligation (1), upper lobe torsion (1), chronic pneumonia and/or bronchiectasis (14) and lobar emphysema with lung compression (10). The overall mortality was 4/45. Indications are discussed with special reference to the persistent or recurrent atelectasis.