title: Small-bore pigtail catheters for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in young adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Small-bore pigtail catheters have been found to be effective in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in adults. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of small-bore pigtail and large-bore catheters in the treatment of PSP in young adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Young adolescents (<18 years) with initial PSP were treated with aspiration (control group), small-bore pigtail catheters or large-bore catheters. Treatment was determined on a case-by-case basis with parental consultation. Success rate, recurrence rate (within 12 months), duration of hospital stay, duration of catheter insertion, and complications were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 41 patients treated: aspiration, n=8; small-bore pigtail catheters, n=10; large-bore catheters, n=23. Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were similar between groups. The success rates were 50.0% and 65.2% in the small-bore pigtail and large-bore catheter groups, respectively. Corresponding recurrence rates were 20.0% and 56.5%. There was no difference between the small-bore pigtail and large-bore catheter groups in the duration of hospital stay in patients for whom treatment was successful; however, the duration of catheter insertion was significantly shorter in the small-bore pigtail catheter group compared with the large-bore catheter group in patients for whom treatment was successful (p<0.05). There were no major complications in either catheter treatment group and few minor complications (small-bore pigtail catheter, n=2; large-bore catheter, n=4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that small-bore pigtail catheters may be as effective as large-bore catheters for the initial treatment of PSP in young adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsuan-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Ying-Jui
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chien-Fu
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shao-Ju
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: I-Chun
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Mao-Hung
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Chi-Di
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015505:Chest Tubes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome