title: Thoracoscopic debridement of loculated empyema thoracis in children.
abstract: The appropriate management of multiloculated empyema thoracis remains controversial. During a 7-month period, we have managed multiloculated empyema with early thoracoscopic debridement in three consecutive pediatric patients. Chest tubes were removed 7 +/- 1 (mean +/- standard deviation) days after thoracoscopy and discharge from hospital was on postoperative day 8 +/- 1. We suggest that early thoracoscopic debridement of multiloculated empyema thoracis in children is safe and efficacious.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri 63104, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Silen
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003646:Debridement; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013906:Thoracoscopy