Current application of thoracoscopy in children.
BACKGROUND
The safety and efficacy of thoracoscopy for thoracic lesions and conditions in children is evolving. Our experience with thoracoscopy has expanded in recent years. Therefore, we reviewed our most recent 7-year experience to examine the current applications for thoracoscopy in children.


METHODS
A retrospective review of all patients undergoing a thoracoscopic operation at Children's Mercy Hospital (Kansas City, MO) between January 1, 2000, and June 18, 2007, was performed. Data points reviewed included patient demographics, type of operation, final diagnosis, complications, and recovery.


RESULTS
During the study period, 230 children underwent 231 thoracoscopic procedures. The mean age was 9.6 +/- 6.1 years with a mean weight of 36.6 +/- 24.1 kg. Fifty percent of the patients were male. The thoracoscopic approach was used for decortication and debridement for empyema in 79 patients, wedge resection for lung lesions in 37, exposure for correction of scoliosis in 26, excision or biopsy of an extrapulmonary mass in 26, operation for spontaneous pneumothorax in 25, lung biopsy for a diffuse parenchymal process in 15, lobectomy in 9, repair of esophageal atresia with a tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) in 8, clearance of the pleural space for hemothorax or effusion in 3, diagnosis for trauma in 1, and repair of bronchopleural fistula in 1. Conversion was required in 3 patients, all of whom were undergoing a lobectomy. Two of these were right upper lobectomies and the other was a left lower lobectomy with severe infection and inflammation. The mean time of chest tube drainage (excluding scoliosis and EA-TEF patients) was 2.9 +/- 2.0 days. There were no major intraoperative thoracoscopic complications. A correct diagnosis was rendered in all patients undergoing a biopsy. One patient required a second thoracoscopic biopsy to better define a mediastinal mass. Two patients developed postoperative atelectasis after scoliosis procedures. One patient had a small persistent pneumothorax after a bleb resection for a spontaneous pneumothorax. This subsequently resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
In pediatric patients with thoracic pathology, thoracoscopy is highly effective for attaining the goal of the operation, with a low rate of conversion and complications.
Tsao
Kuojen
K
Department of Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
St Peter
Shawn D
SD
Sharp
Susan W
SW
Nair
Abhilash
A
Andrews
Walter S
WS
Sharp
Ronald J
RJ
Snyder
Charles L
CL
Ostlie
Daniel J
DJ
Holcomb
George W
GW
D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage; D004653:Empyema / Q000601:surgery; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000601:surgery; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013906:Thoracoscopy