[Endoscopic lobectomy for 47 children with pulmonary sequestration].

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Pulmonary sequestration is a congenital lung malformation requiring surgical intervention.
• Traditional thoracotomy for pulmonary sequestration can be associated with significant morbidity.
• Endoscopic lobectomy offers a potentially less invasive alternative for treating pediatric pulmonary sequestration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of endoscopic lobectomy for treating pulmonary sequestration in children.
• To compare the results of early and late implementation of the endoscopic lobectomy technique.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 47 children who underwent endoscopic lobectomy for pulmonary sequestration.
• Comparison of operative time, blood loss, drainage duration, hospital stay, and complication rates between an early and a late group.
• Exclusion of 5 children with subdiaphragmatic lesions.

Main Results:

• Successful endoscopic lobectomy in 45 out of 47 children (95.7%); 2 required conversion to thoracotomy.
• The late group showed significantly shorter operation times and less intraoperative blood loss compared to the early group.
• No significant differences were found in drainage tube retention time or hospital stay.
• Postoperative complications occurred in 14 children (29.8%), with no statistically significant difference in incidence between groups.
• Follow-up revealed no relapses or thoracic collapse, with good remaining lung compensation.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic lobectomy is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment for pediatric pulmonary sequestration.
• The technique is associated with reduced trauma and bleeding compared to open procedures.
• Endoscopic lobectomy is recommended for the surgical management of pulmonary sequestration in children.