Single Trocar Thoracoscopic Surgery for Pleural Empyema in Children

To present outcomes of single trocar thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pleural empyema (PE) in children. The thoracoscopic surgery was performed using a single trocar inserted through the fifth intercostal space. A conventional rigid scope with a working channel was used. Pleural fluid was aspirated, followed by debridement and ablation of all septa using one instrument through the working channel. Sixty patients from 1 month to 14 years of age underwent surgery without any intraoperative complications or death. The mean operative time was 67 ± 21 minutes. There was no conversion to open thoracotomy. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients. Reoperation was required in 1 patient. Mean duration of postoperative hospitalization was 15 ± 9 days. Follow-up was obtained in 57 patients and resulted in normal clinical and chest X-ray findings in all patients. Single trocar thoracoscopic operation is safe, feasible, and effective in the treatment of PE in children. A future study with control group is required to draw accurate conclusions.