Thoracoscopic lung resection in children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the technique of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in lung resections in infants and children.


METHODS
From December 1992 to December 1998 113 consecutive patients, ages 3 weeks to 19 years, underwent VATS for biopsy or resection of various lung pathology. This included 88 wedge biopsies, 12 resections of bullous or cystic disease, 9 lobectomies or segmental resections, and 4 bronchogenic cysts.


RESULTS
All procedures were completed successfully. Two patients with metastatic disease had surgery converted to a standard thoracotomy for extensive resections. The average operating time for a wedge biopsy of 2 sites was 26 minutes and 210 minutes for a lobectomy. The average hospital stay after wedge resection was 1.1 days. There were no complications related to the VATS approach.


CONCLUSIONS
VATS is a safe and effective technique in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric pulmonary disease.
Rothenberg
S S
SS
The Hospital for Infants and Children at Presbyterian/St Lukes, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015615:Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000601:surgery*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome