Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical excision of cystic lung disease in children.
OBJECTIVE
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) technique for resection of cystic lung disease (CLD) may offer some advantages when compared with thoracotomy in children.


METHODS
From September 1999 to August 2004, 6 pediatric patients underwent VATS for CLD. Patients were chosen for VATS based upon surgeon's choice. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD. The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta institutional review board approved this study.


RESULTS
The types of lesions included congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (n = 1), extrapulmonary sequestrations (n = 3), congenital lobar emphysema (n = 1), and bronchogenic cyst (n = 1). The extent of resection included lobectomy (n = 2) and excision (n = 4). Age and weight were 11.8 +/- 18 months (range 6 days to 4 years) and 7.5 +/- 3.6 (range 4.0-14.0) kg, respectively. Operating time was 103 +/- 70 (range 38-223) minutes. Chest tube duration was 1.2 +/- 0.8 (range 0-2) days. Morphine use on the first postoperative day was 0.2 +/- 0.3(range 0.05-0.20) mg/kg. Length of stay was 2.5 +/- 1.9 (range 1-6) days. There were no conversions to thoracotomy and no complications.


CONCLUSIONS
VATS technique appears to be a safe and effective technique in managing CLD in children of all ages. More patients, however, need to be studied.
Koontz
Curt S
CS
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Oliva
Virginia
V
Gow
Kenneth W
KW
Wulkan
Mark L
ML
D001994:Bronchogenic Cyst / Q000601:surgery*; D001998:Bronchopulmonary Sequestration / Q000601:surgery*; D015505:Chest Tubes; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015615:Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007432:Intraoperative Period / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome