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

Published on: March 12, 2020

Tube thoracostomy: primary management option for empyema thoracis in children

Rajendra K Ghritlaharey1, Keshav S Budhwani, Dhirendra K Shrivastava

  • 1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College and Associated, Kamla Nehru and Hamidia Hospitals, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com

African Journal of Paediatric Surgery : AJPS
|March 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Tube thoracostomy is an effective treatment for pediatric empyema thoracis, with most children responding well. A small percentage may require more aggressive surgical intervention like decortication.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Thoracic Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Empyema thoracis is a significant thoracic infection in children.
  • Prompt and effective management is crucial for favorable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of tube thoracostomy in managing pediatric empyema thoracis.
  • To analyze treatment outcomes and identify factors influencing management.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 46 pediatric patients with empyema thoracis.
  • Analysis of treatment modalities including tube thoracostomy, antibiotics, and supportive care.
  • Comparison of outcomes between patients treated with tube thoracostomy alone and those requiring decortication.

Main Results:

  • Tube thoracostomy with antibiotics and supportive measures successfully treated 84.78% of children.
  • Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common pathogens identified.
  • Children requiring decortication had a slightly longer hospital stay, but no mortality was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Tube thoracostomy is a primary, effective treatment for the majority of pediatric empyema thoracis cases.
  • A subset of patients may necessitate more invasive procedures like decortication.
  • Comprehensive management including antibiotics and physiotherapy improves outcomes.
Abstract

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