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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
05:50

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure

Published on: March 12, 2020

Thoracoscopy in the management of congenital lung diseases in infancy

Julia Boubnova1, Matthieu Peycelon, Olivier Garbi

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Timone-enfants Hospital, 264 rue Saint Pierre, 13005, Marseille, France. julia.boubnova@gmail.com

Surgical Endoscopy
|July 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Thoracoscopic surgery for congenital lung diseases is safe and effective for infants under 6 months, showing no significant differences in outcomes compared to older children. This minimally invasive approach, including lobectomy, is well-tolerated in younger patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Congenital Malformations

Background:

  • Congenital lung diseases require surgical intervention in infants and children.
  • Thoracoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive option for these conditions.
  • Age at the time of surgery may influence outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the outcomes of thoracoscopic surgery for congenital lung diseases in infants younger than 6 months versus those older than 6 months.
  • To evaluate differences in operation duration, complications, chest tube duration, and hospital stay between the two age groups.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 30 thoracoscopic resections for congenital lung diseases.
  • Comparison of two groups: 17 infants (<6 months) and 13 older children (>6 months).
  • Analysis of operative time, complications, chest tube duration, and hospital stay.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant differences were found in mean operating time between the groups (176±54 min vs. 160±46 min).
  • Chest tube duration (4.4 vs. 4.1 days), complication rates (1 major, 10 minor overall), and hospital stay (8 vs. 6 days) were similar between the age groups.
  • Conversion rates to open surgery were also comparable (3 cases in each group).

Conclusions:

  • Thoracoscopic lobectomy is safe and effective for infants younger than 6 months with congenital lung diseases.
  • Age at surgery does not significantly impact key perioperative outcomes.
  • Minimally invasive thoracoscopic procedures are suitable for a wide range of pediatric patients with congenital lung abnormalities.
Abstract

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