title: Empyema thoracis in childhood in the tropics.
abstract: The management of 25 children with empyema thoracis in Zimbabwe is discussed. The method adopted in 21 of these children using simple drainage and continuous irrigation with 0.1% solution of povidone iodine compared well with more aggressive methods. The method can be carried out easily in a rural environment. 2 of these 21 children died, one because of aspiration. The results among the survivors were good - excellent in 14 of the 21 children and fair in 2. There were no side effects attributable to the povidone iodine. The method failed in 3 patients who had to be dealt with surgically. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism responsible for empyema.
authors.affiliation: Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sinzobahamvya
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ikeogu
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Zaal
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D004653:Empyema / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011206:Povidone-Iodine