[Pleural empyema. Thoracoscoopic treatment].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the use of primary and secondary thoracoscopy in children with parapneumonic empyema.


METHODS
We present a retrospective study of 24 children entered our hospital between years 1998 and 2003.


RESULTS
Early thoracoscopy doesn't influence in length of stay. 12 children (50%) were treated with previous chest tube and other 12 children (50%) without it. There is statistical significance in length of hospital stay. The days with postoperative fever didn't decrease, but it was seen if we compare it from the beginning of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
An early thoracoscopy decrease length of hospital stay and the duration of fever postoperative.
López Díaz
M
M
Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid.
Sánchez
J L Antón-Pacheco
JL
Vázquez
A Garcia
AG
Novillo
I Cano
IC
Cabezalí Barbancho
D
D
Benavent Gordo
M I
MI
D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*