Publication: Empyema in Children - Is Primary VATS the Preferred Strategy
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Paediatric Society (JNPS)
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Empyema thoracis (ET) is an accumulation of pus in the pleural space. Considering the advantages of Video Assisted Thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), including reduced length of hospitalisation, lower postoperative morbidity and mortality, VATS is the treatment of choice for cases of stage 3 empyema. The objective of this study was to study the age-sex profile, clinical presentation, etiologic agents, management and the overall treatment outcome of empyema thoracis after early VATS in children.
Methods: This was a retrospective observational study, conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Rangadore Memorial Hospital, Bangalore, from November 2018 to March 2020. All children in the age group of 0 to 18 years diagnosed to have pyogenic empyema and presenting in stage 1 and 2 during the study period were included in the study. In the present study, 15 children were found to be having empyema (stage 1 and 2).
Results: Majority of patients (66.6%) were seen in the age group of one to five years. Fever (100%), breathlessness (66.66%), and cough (80%) were the commonest presenting features. Bacteriological isolation was possible only in three cases (20%). Patients were treated with antibiotics and primary VATS in majority of cases (55.33%). Average duration of hospital stay in VATS group was 12.11 days.
Conclusions: Empyema thoracis mainly affects younger children. Common presenting features are fever, difficulty in breathing and cough. Appropriate antibiotics and early VATS may be acceptable modality for management of pyogenic empyema thoracis in children.
Description
Rajesh Kumar Singh
Department of Paediatrics, IQ City Medical College Durgapur, West Bengal, India
Avathi Venkatesha Gurudutta
Department of Paediatrics, Rangadore Memorial Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Supraja Chandrasekar
Department of Paediatrics, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Yeshwantpur, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Arun Thomas
Department of Paediatrics, Prakriya Hospitals, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Keywords
Empyema thoracis, Pleural fluid cytology, Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery