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The optimal timing of operative management in children with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains controversial. This study sought to determine early risk factors for failure of chest tube nonoperative management during the initial hospitalization in adolescents with PSP.A retrospective review was conducted for children (aged ≤18 years) admitted to a single tertiary care referral center for their first presentation of a PSP managed with at least 48 h of chest tube decompression (CTD) alone. Patient outcomes and early risk factors for operative management were analyzed by multivariate regression.Of the 39 patients who met inclusion criteria, 15 (38.5%) patients failed nonoperative treatment while 24 (61.5%) patients were managed with CTD therapy alone. Progression to thoracoscopic surgery was associated with longer CTD of 8 vs 3 days and hospital length of stay of 9 vs 4 days when compared to nonoperative management (p 0.001, both). Air leak and increase in pneumothorax size at 24 h after CTD were independently associated with progression to surgery (p = 0.007, p = 0.002). Combined, these risk factors were associated with a significant increase in recurrence (OR 6.00, 95% CI 1.11-41.11, p = 0.048). There were no significant differences between PSP management strategies regarding cumulative radiation exposure or 2 year recurrence.Air leak or increasing pneumothorax size within 24 h of CTD are highly correlated with failed nonoperative management during the initial hospitalization in pediatric patients with PSP. This data may be useful in the development of pediatric-specific treatment algorithms to optimally manage these patients.Treatment study, Level III.

Background Primary fibrinolysis for pediatric empyema has become standard of care at our institution. Early study of our protocol revealed a 16% thoracoscopic decortication rate after primary fibrinolysis. We now report the frequency with which children progress to operation with maturation of the protocol. Methods A database of patients diagnosed with empyema between September 2014 and March 2019 was examined. Patients who underwent tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy with or without subsequent video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) decortication were included. Patients with additional indications for tube thoracostomy or VATS were excluded. Results Forty-eight patients were included. Median age was 4.5 years [IQR 2–9.3]. Median length of stay (LOS) was 8 days [IQR 6–11]. No patients underwent primary VATS. Median days with a chest tube was 5 [IQR 5–6] and median number of doses of tPA was 3 [IQR 3–3]. Seven patients (14.6%) had a chest tube replaced without undergoing VATS. The VATS rate was 4.2% in the first half of this study but 0% in the last 33 months. Conclusion Thoracoscopic decortication is rarely necessary in children with empyema. Raising the threshold for surgical intervention and utilizing further nonoperative measures can avoid an operation in most children without increasing in-hospital length of stay. Level of evidence IV

Purpose Chest tube (CT) management for pediatric primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is associated with long hospital stays and high recurrence rates. To streamline management, we explored simple aspiration as a test to predict need for surgery. Methods A multi-institution, prospective pilot study of patients with first presentation for PSP at 9 children’s hospitals was performed. Aspiration was performed through a pigtail catheter, followed by 6 h observation with CT clamped. If pneumothorax recurred during observation, the aspiration test failed and subsequent management was per surgeon discretion. Results Thirty-three patients were managed with simple aspiration. Aspiration was successful in 16 of 33 (48%), while 17 (52%) failed the aspiration test and required hospitalization. Twelve who failed aspiration underwent CT management, of which 10 (83%) failed CT management owing to either persistent air leak requiring VATS or subsequent PSP recurrence. Recurrence rate was significantly greater in the group that failed aspiration compared to the group that passed aspiration [10/12 (83%) vs 7/16 (44%), respectively, P = 0.028]. Conclusion Simple aspiration test upon presentation with PSP predicts chest tube failure with 83% positive predictive value. We recommend changing the PSP management algorithm to include an initial simple aspiration test, and if that fails, proceed directly to VATS. Type of study Prospective pilot study Level of evidence Level III.

Background Use of ultrasound-guidance for central venous access in adults is the standard of care. There is, however, less clarity in the role of routine ultrasound use in obtaining venous access in children. We sought to evaluate safety and efficiency of the placement of central lines utilizing an ultrasound-guided approach compared to the traditional, landmark approach in pediatric patients. Study design A single-institution retrospective chart review, using CPT codes, was performed for all tunneled central venous catheters in children between 2005 and 2017 by the same pediatric surgery group. During the study period, a practice change occurred from exclusively landmark-based line placement to ultrasound-guided line placement. Groups were divided into three phases: a traditional/landmark era (Phase 1), transitional period (Phase 2), and the ultrasound era (Phase 3). The primary outcomes analyzed were postoperative chest tube insertions and operative time. Results A total of 2010 tunneled central lines were included for analysis: Phase 1 (N = 930), Phase 2 (N = 313) and Phase 3 (N = 767). Venous access for chemotherapy was the most common indication (29%). Phase 1 had a chest tube placement rate of 9.7/1000 procedures, while Phase 2 had a rate of 6.4/1000 procedures, and Phase 3 had no chest tube insertions (p = 0.009). Phase 1 had longer OR times compared to Phase 2 (57 vs. 49, p = 0.0026) and Phase 3 (57 vs. 46 min, p Conclusions This study represents the largest analysis of ultrasound-guided access for children. A complete practice transition to the ultrasound-guided approach was feasible within a two-year period. The ultrasound-guided approach had a shorter operative time and less chest tube insertions than the traditional, landmark technique in children. Level III evidence.

The treatment of asymptomatic non-occult pneumothoraces (ANOPTX) secondary to blunt chest trauma (BCT) has not been well delineated. We sought to analyze our experience with ANOPTX in pediatric trauma patients and determine if a chest tube (CT) is mandatory.A retrospective chart review of patients17 years old with ANOPTX from BCT who presented to a level 1 trauma children's hospital, between January 2000 and June 2015 was performed. Demographics, vitals, trauma scores, imaging, interventions, hospital expenses and outcomes were analyzed.Of the 77 patients who had ANOPTX, 48 (62.3%) were managed with observation only, while 29 (37.7%) underwent CT placement. The median length of stay for patients who had CT placement was 7 days (IQR, 4, 12) and 2 days (IQR, 1, 4) in those observed (p 0.01). All patients who were observed had complete resolution of the pneumothorax without recurrence or the need for CT placement. Patients who had CT placement had more imaging performed and more hospital expenditure compared to those who were observed.CT is not mandatory in all pediatric patients with ANOPTX from BCT and observation has been found to be safe and cost effective.

There is no consensus in the pediatric surgical community about when to recommend video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). We aimed to identify factors that predict the likelihood of requiring VATS, and to compare recurrence rates and healthcare utilization among different management approaches to PSP.A retrospective chart review and a telephone survey were conducted on all patients 12-21years who were diagnosed with PSP from 2007 to 2015. Data were extracted on patient demographics, initial management, hospital length of stay (LOS), and subsequent admissions, procedures, and recurrences.A total of 46 patients were included with a mean age of 16.1years (+/- 1.2). Most patients were male (41, 89%) and white (16, 44%). Initial management comprised chest tube drainage alone in 28 (61%), no intervention in 8 (17%), and VATS in 10 (22%). Total LOS was 6days (IQR 4-7) and was longer in patients who underwent VATS (p0.001). Recurrence occurred in 17 patients (37%). However, recurrence and healthcare utilization were not significantly associated with initial management approach. Among those who had initial chest tube drainage, 14 (50%) underwent VATS on that admission, and 8 (28%) had subsequent surgery. Significant predictors of ultimately requiring VATS were presence of an air leak and partial lung expansion.Most patients with PSP currently undergo chest tube placement as initial management, although most eventually require VATS. Presence of an air leak and partial lung expansion on chest radiograph within the first 48h of management should prompt earlier surgical intervention.Retrospective.III.

The management of childhood empyemas has transformed over the past decade, with current trends favoring chest tube placement and intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy. Although this strategy often avoids the need for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), hospital length of stay can be long.To characterize national trends and outcomes associated with empyema management, the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database was queried to identify children (2 months-18 years) treated for an empyema between January 2010 and December 2017. The cohort was divided into those treated with primary VATS and those treated with chest tube and intrapleural fibrinolysis. Number of chest radiographic studies obtained, frequency of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, mechanical ventilation requirements, and length of hospitalization were compared between groups.A total of 3,365 otherwise healthy children met inclusion criteria. Among them, 523 (16%) were managed with primary VATS and 2,842 (84%) were managed with chest tube and fibrinolytic therapy. Of those who were treated with chest tube and fibrinolysis, 193 (6.8%) subsequently underwent VATS. The percentage of children treated with chest tube and fibrinolysis increased from 65% in 2010 to 95% in 2017 (p0.001). After adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, payer, and region, children who underwent primary VATS received fewer chest radiographic studies, were less likely to be admitted to the PICU or require mechanical ventilation and had a shorter PICU and hospital length of stay compared to those who were treated with chest tube and fibrinolytic therapy (p0.001 for all analyses).Although national trends favor chest tube and fibrinolysis, primary VATS are associated with a shorter hospital and PICU length of stay and a lower requirement for mechanical ventilation. Future studies should aim to risk stratify children who may suffer from a protracted course with the goal to offer primary VATS to this subset of children and return them to normal life more expeditiously.III.

The purpose of this study was to examine trends in the treatment of patients with infectious parapneumonic effusions in U.S. children's hospitals over the past decade.The PHIS database was queried for patients younger than 18years old with pneumonia and pleural effusion in three yearlong periods over the past decade. Variables included age, gender, payer, race/ethnicity, hospital region, hospital type, markers of illness severity, and treatment group (antibiotics alone, chest tube thoracostomy±thrombolytics, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS), or thoracotomy).5569 patients were included in the final analysis. The proportion of patients treated with antibiotics alone increased from 62% to 74% from 2004 to 2014 (p0.001). Among patients requiring pleural space drainage, the frequency of VATS peaked in 2009 (50.8%), dropping to 36.4% in 2014 (p0.001), while tube thoracostomy, usually with fibrinolytics, rose from 39.0% in 2009 to 53.2% in 2014 (p0.001).In a select cohort of free-standing, tertiary care U.S. children's hospitals, antibiotic administration alone remains the most common treatment approach to infectious parapneumonic effusions. VATS treatment for those patients requiring pleural space drainage is being gradually supplanted by thoracostomy tube placement with instillation of fibrinolytics.

Background Guidelines recommend that children with empyema be treated initially with chest tube insertion and intrapleural fibrinolytics. Some patients have poor outcomes with this approach, and it is unclear which factors are associated with treatment failure. Methods Possible risk factors were identified through a review of the literature. Treatment failure was defined as need for repeat pleural drainage and/or total length of stay greater than 2weeks. Results We retrospectively identified 314 children with empyema treated with fibrinolytics at The Hospital for Sick Children (2000–2013, n =195), Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (2009–2013, n =39), and McMaster Children's Hospital (2007–2014, n =80). Median length of stay was 11days (range 5–69days). Thirteen percent of children required repeat drainage procedures, and 34% experienced treatment failure. There were no deaths. White blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, albumin, urea to creatinine ratio, and signs of necrosis on initial chest x-ray were not associated with treatment failure. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated increased risk with positive blood culture (odds ratio=2.7), immediate admission to intensive care (odds ratio=2.6), and absence of complex septations on baseline ultrasound (odds ratio=2.1). Male gender and platelet count were associated with treatment failure in the univariate analysis but not in the multivariable model. Conclusions Predicting which children with empyema are at risk for treatment failure with fibrinolytics remains challenging. Risk factors include positive blood culture, immediate admission to intensive care, and absence of complex septations on ultrasound. Routine blood work and inflammatory markers have little prognostic value.

Purpose To summarize the etiology and treatment of 119 patients with chylothorax in our hospital. Methods A total of 119 patients with chylothorax, divided into a neonate group, an infant group, and an older-than-1-year group, were included in our study and analyzed from January 2000 to July 2017 in the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Results A total of 90 males and 29 females were included in our study. In the neonate group, 21 chylothorax cases were due to idiopathic factors, constituting 72.4% of the cases; 8 were related to cardiothoracic surgery, constituting 27.6%. In the infant group, 15 chylothorax cases were due to cardiothoracic surgery, constituting 55.6% of the cases; 11 were related to idiopathic factors, constituting 40.7%; and 1 was related to lymphoma, constituting 3.8%. In the older-than-1-year group, 33 chylothorax cases were due to idiopathic factors, constituting 52.4% of the cases; 25 were cardiothoracic surgery, constituting 39.7%; 2 were related to another internal medicine disease, constituting 3.2%; 2 were due to injury, constituting 3.2%; and 1 was related to lymphoma, constituting 1.6%. All the patients sequentially underwent thoracic drainage therapy, followed by fasting, thoracic injection of an adhesion-promoting agent, and thoracic duct ligation surgery. Among the neonates, 23 patients (79%) with fasting therapy improved, and 5 patients with fasting + intrapleural injection improved (17%). In the infant group, fasting promoted recovery in 14 patients, accounting for 51%, and fasting + thoracic injection improved the conditions of 10 patients, accounting for 37%. In the older-than-1-year group, fasting was effective in 35 patients, accounting for 55%; fasting + thoracic injection was effective in 22 patients, accounting for 34%; and fasting + thoracic injection + thoracic duct ligation surgery enabled the recovery of 2 patients, accounting for 3.2%. Conclusion In our center, the main causes of chylothorax in the neonates group are idiopathic factors but may also include a history of unspecified birth trauma; the proportions of idiopathic factors in the infant and older-than-1-year groups are also higher, but the iatrogenic factors are significantly increased in the latter 2 groups. All the patients underwent thoracic drainage therapy, and fasting promoted the recovery of most children. When fasting was ineffective, subsequent thoracic injections were effective. If the above two methods failed, surgery was a method of choice, but it was not always effective. Level of Evidence Level IV. Type of Study Retrospective study.

New digital thoracic drainage systems allow an objective measurement of air leakage. They have proven their usefulness in the postoperative thoracic surgery in adults, but there is little experience with its use in the pediatric population. The objective of our study is to analyze their safety and effectiveness in the postoperative period of the pediatric patients.A prospective consecutive observational study was done. All patients submitted to pulmonary resection between 2011 and 2017 and in whom digital thoracic drainage system was used (Thopaz Chest Drain System, Medela, Switzerland) were prospectively enrolled in this study. We analyzed variables: duration of chest tube (CT), days of hospitalization and radiographs in the immediate postoperative period related to the presence of CT. This group was compared with a historical cohort of patients (from 2011 to 2015) with a pulmonary resection in whom the traditional thoracic drainage was used. For the statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney U-Test was used for independent samples.Twenty-six patients were included, Digital drainage system was used in13 patients and traditional drainage was used in 13 patients. The median age was 18 months (12 days-14 years). The mean number of days with the chest tube was 1.69 ± 0.6 in digital drainage group versus 5.38 ± 4 days in traditional drainage group (p 0.05) The mean number of postoperative radiographs was 2.8 ± 1.1 in digital drainage group versus 6.23 ± 5.2 radiographs in traditional drainage group (p 0.05). The average hospital stay in digital drainage group was 5.69 ± 2.7 days versus 7 ± 4.7 days in the traditional drainage group (p 0.05). No complications related to the use of digital drainage group were registered.The digital thoracic drainage systems provide an objective measurement of air leakage, allowing early chest tube removal and decreasing the number of radiographs performed postoperatively. Its use in the pediatric population appears to be safe and potentially beneficial.II.

Background A link between childhood radiation and future cancer risks exists, and reduction of unnecessary radiation in childhood has been recommended. Pneumothoraces, pleural effusions, and many surgical procedures require placement of a chest tube/pigtail catheter. Traditional management is daily x-rays, with an x-ray after tube removal. Our hypothesis is the "post pull" x-ray rarely results in changing clinical management of the patient. Methods With IRB approval, a 5-year retrospective chart review was performed. Inclusion criteria were chest tube or pigtail placed for any reason with complete records. Data collected were demographics, reason for and duration of placement, number of x-rays done prior to and after removal. Primary outcome was whether the "post pull" x-ray changed clinical management. Results A total of 179 episodes were evaluated. Seventeen were excluded for incomplete data, or death/transfer of the patient with the tube in situ. Forty-nine tubes/pigtails were placed for pneumothorax, 48 for pleural effusion/empyema, 9 for hemothorax, and 51 during operative procedure. A median of 5 x-rays was done post insertion. 99% of the patients (160/162) had a "post pull" x-ray performed after tube removal. In 9 cases the x-ray changed patient management. Conclusions X-ray after chest tube/pigtail removal rarely changes patient management. We recommend considering imaging if there are clinical symptoms. Level of evidence Prognosis study, level II (retrospective cohort)

We document a previously unreported case of a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) that developed in a pediatric patient initially presenting with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus hip joint sepsis. This is the first reported case of PAP of infectious origin in a pediatric patient, and this case is unique as the evolution of the PAP was documented by computed tomography.

Pulmonary sequestrations are accessory foregut lesions that are most commonly located within the thorax and occasionally in the abdominal cavity. Sequestrations arising within the diaphragm are exceedingly rare. We describe 2 patients found to have left peridiaphragmatic lesions on prenatal ultrasound and postnatal computed tomography. In the first patient, an initial laparoscopic approach was abandoned in favor of a thoracoscopic approach after no intraabdominal mass was found. The second patient had an uncomplicated thoracoscopic resection of a similar lesion. To our knowledge, these represent the first intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestrations to be resected via a minimally invasive approach. The rarity of these lesions makes definitive diagnosis without operative intervention challenging. Thoracoscopy appears to be a reasonable approach for resection of such intradiaphragmatic lesions.

Anastomotic leak after tracheoesophageal fistula repair is a well-known complication and can represent a challenging clinical scenario. We present the case of an infant girl with VACTERL syndrome who underwent repair of a type C esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula repair, which was complicated by an anastomotic leak. Glycopyrrolate (Robinul), an anticholinergic agent, was successfully used to decrease copious salivary secretion and promote spontaneous closure of the leak. This report represents the first description in the medical literature of the use of glycopyrrolate in the treatment of an esophageal anastomotic leak. Glycopyrrolate may be a useful adjunct in the management of anastomotic leak after tracheoesophageal repair.

Background Obtaining a chest radiograph (CXR) after chest tube (CT) removal to rule out a pneumothorax is a universal practice. However, the yield of this CXR has not been well documented. Additionally, most iatrogenic pneumothoraces resulting from CT removal are atmospheric in origin, asymptomatic, and can be observed. Recently, we have begun to discontinue routine CXR for CT removal. We evaluated our experience with CT removal to clarify the usefulness of routine post CT removal CXR. Methods After IRB approval, a retrospective study was conducted on patients who had a CT placed in the past decade. Cardiac patients requiring a CT were excluded. Patient demographics, diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes were collected. Patients were divided into two groups, those with a CXR after CT removal (Group 1) and those without (Group 2). Percentages were compared with Chi square with Yates correction. Results 462 patients were identified (group 1=327, group 2=135). Indications for CT included; empyema (n=176), lung resection (n=146), pneumothorax (n=71), pleural effusion (n=26), spinal fusion (n=20), trauma (n=16), and miscellaneous (n=7). Seven patients (2.1%) in group 1 required reinsertion for pneumothorax (n=4), empyema (n=2), and pleural effusion (n=1) compared to 1 patient (0.7%) in group 2 who required reinsertion for pleural effusion. This difference was not significant (P=0.2). Conclusions In non-cardiac patients with a CT, tube reinsertion is uncommon and tube replacement is secondary to symptoms. Therefore, routine post CT removal CXR is not necessary. CXR in these patients should be obtained based upon clinical indications after CT removal.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of thoracoscopy in neurogenic tumors in infants and children. Materials and Methods From January 2000 to October 2005, 21 patients aged 7 months to 14 years (mean, 6 years) underwent thoracoscopy for tumor resection in 5 French institutions. One 10-mm optical port and 2 operative 5-mm ports were needed. Selective intubation was required for 3 patients aged about 12 years. Tumor was removed with an endoscopic bag in all cases. Results All procedures were completed successfully without any incomplete resection or recurrence. One conversion was necessary because of a huge mass. A chest tube was left for a mean of 2 days for 17 children. Two children had not had any drainage. Two postoperative chylothorax required chest drainage for 12 days. Only 5 of the 6 older patients (mean age, 12 years) needed a patient-controlled analgesia. The mean operative time was about 100 minutes. Hospital stay ranged from 4 to 12 days. Tumors were neuroblastoma or ganglioneuroblastoma in 16 cases and ganglioneuroma in the 5 other cases. Conclusion Thoracoscopy for resection of thoracic neurogenic tumors in children is a feasible, safe, and efficient procedure. The surgeon has a better visualization of the tumor and its anatomic connections. Resection can be as complete as an open procedure without having to complicate the operative technique in the same operating time. It avoids cosmetic and functional disorders because of thoracotomy. It allows a good cosmetic resection without spillage.

Severe morbidity and mortality has been reported from chest tube (CT) placement during pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) was analyzed for ECMO with CT placed8days postcannulation (1997-2009).Overall, 5884 patients were identified (213 CT) (56% male, 49% white), with a median (IQR) age at ECMO cannulation 7 (117)days, length of stay (LOS) 26 (35)days, and total charges (TC) 342,116 (409,573) USD. Diagnoses included congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) 16%, meconium aspiration (MA) 2%, pulmonary hypertension (PH) 13%, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) 41%, and cardiac (C) 29%. Survival was overall 57%, CDH 47%, MA 88%, PH 75%, RDS 57%, and C 52%. There were no differences in survival between CT and non-CT patients compared overall, or by diagnosis, or by age30days, or by diagnosis and age30days. Multivariate analysis and propensity score matching for all ages, or30days of age by diagnosis showed no difference in survival between CT and non-CT patients.Analysis of KID with correlative propensity score matching demonstrates no increased mortality in pediatric ECMO patients requiring CT placement.

Background: This study aimed to assess the availability of pediatric trauma care items (i.e. equipment, supplies, technology) and factors contributing to deficiencies in Ghana. Methods: Ten universal and 9 pediatric-sized items were selected from the World Health Organization's Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care . Direct inspection and structured interviews with administrative, clinical and biomedical engineering staff were used to assess item availability at 40 purposively sampled district, regional and tertiary hospitals in Ghana. Results: Hospital assessments demonstrated marked deficiencies for a number of essential items (e.g. basic airway supplies, chest tubes, blood pressure cuffs, electrolyte determination, portable X-ray). Lack of pediatric-sized items resulting from equipment absence, lack of training, frequent stock-outs and technology breakage were common. Pediatric items were consistently less available than adult-sized items at each hospital level. Conclusion: This study identified several successes and problems with pediatric trauma care item availability in Ghana. Item availability could be improved, both affordably and reliably, by better organization and planning (e.g. regular assessment of demand and inventory, reliable financing for essential trauma care items). In addition, technology items were often broken. Developing local service and biomedical engineering capability was highlighted as a priority to avoid long periods of equipment breakage.

Chemical pleurodesis with povidone-iodine has been used to treat congenital idiopathic chylothorax in neonates. We report successful use of povidone-iodine in an extremely premature infant to treat a pneumothorax that had persisted for more than one week despite high-frequency ventilation.

Purpose In children, persistent air leaks can result from pulmonary infection or barotrauma. Management strategies include surgery, prolonged pleural drainage, ventilator manipulation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We report the use of endobronchial valve placement as an effective minimally invasive intervention for persistent air leaks in children. Methods Children with refractory prolonged air leaks were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team (pediatric surgery, interventional pulmonology, pediatric intensive care, and thoracic surgery) for endobronchial valve placement. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed, and air leak location was isolated with balloon occlusion. Retrievable one-way endobronchial valves were placed. Results Four children (16 months to 16 years) had prolonged air leaks following necrotizing pneumonia (2), lobectomy (1), and pneumatocele (1). Patients had 1–4 valves placed. Average time to air leak resolution was 12 days (range 0–39). Average duration to chest tube removal was 25 days (range 7–39). All four children had complete resolution of air leaks. All were discharged from the hospital. None required additional surgical interventions. Conclusion Endobronchial valve placement for prolonged air leaks owing to a variety of etiologies was effective in these children for treating air leaks, and their use may result in resolution of fistulae and avoidance of the morbidity of pulmonary surgery.

article i nfo Background: Traditionally, chest tubes are left following video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to treat a potential air leak or significant drainage. Recognizing the potential complications, our aim was to determine if intraoperative chest tube removal in children undergoing VATS lung biopsy is safe and if outcomes differ from when a chest tube is left in place. Methods: We identified all children who underwent VATS lung biopsies from 2009 to 2013 and performed a retrospective review of the medical records. Pulmonary resection patients were excluded as were those with an air leak present in the operating room. Results: A total of 90 VATS lung biopsies were performed. 41 children had a postoperative chest tube left in place (Group A), and 49 children had it removed intraoperatively (Group B). Mean age was 9 ± 6.4 years. One child in Group Aa nd 2c hildren in Group Br equired replacement of ac hest tube (p =N S). Group Bp atients had al ower postoperative pain score on day one, fewer postoperative chest X-rays, and a shorter length of postoperative stay. Conclusions: These data suggest that intraoperative chest tube removal is safe and may be associated with improved outcomes following lung biopsy in children.

Background/Purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia that limits survival. The authors' knowledge on lung mechanics and lung volumes in these patients with hypoplastic lungs is still limited. Therefore, the authors performed measurements of functional residual capacity (FRC), compliance of the respiratory system (CRS), and tidal volume in 5 full-term infants (gestational age, 38 to 40 weeks; birth weight, 2,800 to 3,530 g) before and after surgical repair of neonatal CDH. Methods: The authors studied the influence of different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and suction via inserted ipsilateral chest tube connected to a water seal on lung volume and lung mechanics. A computerized tracer gas (SF6) washout method was used for serial measurements of FRC. Compliance of the respiratory system was determined according to insufflatory method. Results: The authors found a preoperative compliance between 1.5 and 3.9 mL/kPa/kg and a preoperative FRC between 9.1 and 12.9 mL/kg indicating severe hypoplasia of the lungs in all patients. Immediately after surgical repair of CDH, compliance decreased to 85% (78% to 91%) of preoperative value, and FRC increased to 132% (110% to 150%) of preoperative value under mechanical ventilation while at 4 cm of water of PEEP and at −10 cm of water of suction via chest drain with the need of high fraction of inspired oxygen. After reduction of PEEP from 4 to 2 or 1 cm of water and lowering suction from −10 cm of water to −2 or 0 cm of water FRC decreased to 103% (80% to 122%) of preoperative value and compliance, and tidal volume improved to 135% (110% to 147%) of preoperative value resulting in increased alveolar ventilation, correction of acidosis and improvement in oxygenation. During the first days after surgery inadequate high PEEP or strong suction via chest tube drainage resulted in increase in FRC paralleled by decrease in compliance indicating overdistension of these hypoplastic lungs. Conclusions: The data show that overdistension of hypoplastic lungs in infants with CDH can be detected and excluded by repeated measurements of FRC and compliance in these critical ill infants. These data might help setting appropriate ventilator parameters, adequate suction via chest drain, and thereby improve gas exchange and outcome. J Pediatr Surg 35:1482-1488. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.

Background/Purpose: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is used commonly for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in children. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy, efficacy, and complications associated with primary and secondary VATS in children. Methods: Eighty-seven infants, children, and adolescents underwent 104 VATS procedures between March 1993 and April 1999. There were 47 boys and 40 girls with an age range of 6 months to 19 years. VATS was performed for excision of pulmonary nodule (n = 51), biopsy of infiltrate (n = 14), excision or biopsy mediastinal mass (n = 12), decortication of empyema (n = 16), pleurodesis and bleb excision for pneumothorax (n = 5), pleurolysis for P32 administration (n = 3), esophageal myotomy (n = 2), and thymectomy (n = 1). In 6 children a contralateral thoracic procedure was performed along with VATS (3 VATS, 3 thoracotomies). Secondary VATS was performed in 20 after prior thoracic procedures. Results: VATS was efficacious for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in 93 cases. Overall, 11 (11%) VATS required conversion to open thoracotomy. Average length of thoracostomy tube drainage (CTD) was 2.2 days, and average length of stay (LOS) was 3.7 days. Complications included prolonged air leak (>7 days) in 3 (2 empyema, 1 nodule). Two children with malignancy and pulmonary infiltrates died within 30 days of progressive respiratory failure. There were no bleeding complications or deaths related to VATS. Conclusions: VATS is a safe and effective primary and secondary procedure in children resulting in a short length of CTD and LOS. Duration of CTD and LOS are prolonged if empyema is associated with a bronchopleural fistula, and VATS may not be of value in this setting. J Pediatr Surg 35:134-138. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.

Iatrogenic Horner syndrome is a rare complication of chest tube insertion, with little information available on this topic in the pediatric literature. We present a case of a 13-month-old boy with a left-sided pneumonia and an associated pleural effusion for which a chest tube was inserted. His respiratory and septic parameters improved, but he was noted to have ptosis, miosis, and anhydrosis of the left side. These resolved in the days after chest tube removal. Although tube thoracostomy is a common procedure in surgical practice, little is written about the potential for injury to the ipsilateral sympathetic chain. This report reviews the available literature, with an emphasis on complication avoidance.

Primary spontaneous hemopneumothorax is a rare disorder but can be life-threatening secondary to massive bleeding. The authors encountered an uncommon case of left primary spontaneous hemopneumothorax and simultaneous right pneumothorax. After initial bilateral tube thoracostomies, successful 1-stage bilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was performed before the condition deteriorated or complications occurred. Active oozing from a ruptured vascularized bulla was identified at the apex of the left upper lobe. One-stage bilateral VATS appears to be a reasonable method of surgical intervention, but in patients under life-threatening clinical conditions, it may still be difficult to use this strategy, and a staged operation may be considered.

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine potential problems in the diagnosis and management of children with pleural effusions and malignant lymphoma as well as the efficacy of thoracentesis. Methods : The case histories of six children with malignant lymphoma who presented with pleural effusions were reviewed. Thoracentesis was performed using the Seldinger technique. Results : Four of the children presented with symptoms and chest radiograph findings similar to pneumonia. A large mediastinal mass was present in two children. Pleural fluid analysis resulted in a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma in five of the six children. Two of the children had symptoms of reexpansion pulmonary edema after removal of pleural fluid. An empyema developed in one child after thoracotomy and chest tube placement. Reaccumulation of pleural fluid was common before initiating chemotherapy. Conclusions : Malignant pleural effusions frequently are present in children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. They may present with respiratory distress because of the size of the effusion, the mediastinal mass, or both. Management of these pleural effusions is associated with potential complications, some of which are life threatening. Thoracentesis is the initial diagnostic and therapeutic procedure of choice. The use of a Seldinger technique for thoracentesis has proved useful and safe. In patients with large effusions, aggressive removal of the pleural fluid may be followed by reexpansion pulmonary edema.

Purpose: Nineteen children had early thoracoscopic intervention for empyema between 1992 and 1997 at the LeBonheur Children's Medical Center. The authors have evaluated the results of this treatment. Methods: Thoracoscopic intervention was performed at the fibrinopurulent state of empyema. An irrigating laparoendoscope was inserted, loculi were disrupted, debris was evacuated, and a chest tube was passed through the port site. Results: The patients were aged between 11 months and 16 years (mean, 6.5 years). The etiology of the empyema was parapneumonic in 17, and there was one case each of perforated appendicitis and mediastinal histoplasmosis. They underwent thoracoscopy at a mean of 4.6 days after hospital admission (range, 1 to 12 days). Chest tubes were removed at 1 to 5 days (mean, 2.9 days) after operation, and resolution of fever occurred at 1 to 9 days (mean, 3.8 days) postoperatively. Patients were discharged home between 4 and 10 days (mean, 6.1 days) postoperatively, and the mean hospital stay was 10.3 days (range, 5 to 21). There were no complications. The surgical technique was simple and well tolerated, requiring few disposable items, and the mean operating time was 77 minutes. Conclusions: Thoracoscopy eliminated the morbidity of thoracotomy and the discomfort and expense of prolonged chest tube drainage. Thoracoscopy may be used as early first-line therapy in a majority of pediatric patients with fibrinopurulent empyema.

Background/Purpose Chest tubes are commonly used to evacuate the pleural space of air and fluid after thoracic surgery. The safety and efficacy of postoperative traditional chest tubes (CTs) versus soft bulb-suction drains (BDs) in the management of pediatric patients undergoing thoracic procedures were investigated. Methods An institutional review board–approved, retrospective review was performed on all patients who required noncardiac, nontraumatic thoracic operations from January 2000 to December 2005. Patient data included BD or CT drainage, age at operation, indication for surgery, open or thoracoscopic approach, days of postoperative drainage, the development of a postremoval pneumothorax, and complications. Statistical comparisons were made using t test and χ 2 test. Results During the study period, 186 patients with complete records underwent a thoracic operation. One hundred twenty (65%) received a CT, whereas 66 (35%) received a BD. Patients who received CT averaged 5.6 days of drainage compared with 4.4 days in the group that received BD. Postremoval pneumothorax developed in 5 (4%) patients with CT compared with 4 (6%) patients with BD. Two patients in the CT group required reinsertion of another CT. None of the BD patients required further intervention. Conclusion For thoracoscopic and open thoracic operations, BDs are as safe and efficacious as traditional CT.

Background Pleural collections of air and fluid are frequent in infants and children treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In this anticoagulated population, chest tube placement is potentially hazardous, and catastrophic hemorrhage has been reported. We sought to define the risks associated with chest tube placement in a large population of children managed with ECMO. Methods The records of 189 consecutive children managed with ECMO at two children's hospitals were reviewed. Demographics, indications for ECMO, and ECMO courses were reviewed. In particular, the occurrence of pleural collections and the frequency and technique of chest tube placement were evaluated. The incidence of complications and mortality were determined. Results The median age of the subjects was 2days. The overall mortality was 26.5%. A pneumothorax was found in 19 (10.1%), a pleural effusion in 26 (13.8%), and a hemothorax in 2 (1.0%). A chest tube was placed in 27 (19 by a needle-guide wire technique and 8 by cut-down). Major bleeding complications occurred in 6 subjects (22%). Conclusions There was a significant incidence of major bleeding complications and death in subjects in whom chest tubes were placed. The placement of a chest tube during ECMO should be done only if it is likely to improve pump flow or promote weaning of support.

The surgical management of empyema consists of (1) aggressive therapy with thoracotomy and decortication or (2) conservative treatment with chest tube drainage and intravenous antibiotics. Recently, Kern and Rodgers introduced thoracoscopic debridement as an adjunct to the management of children with empyema, with promising results. Hence, the authors report their experience with thoracoscopy in the management of pediatric patients with empyema. In the last years, 10 children have undergone thoracoscopic debridement (TD) for empyema. The average age was 6.9 years (range, 2 to 16). Children underwent TD an average of 14 days (range, 8 to 16) after initial presentation and 4 days (range, 2 to 6) after admission to the authors' hospital. Indications for TD were persistent requirement of supplemental oxygen and failure of conservative medical management that consisted of antibiotics and tube thoracostomy. Three children had positive pleural fluid cultures for Streptococcus pneumoniae. In all cases, preoperative ultrasound or chest computed tomography examination showed dense pleural fluid with septation. During surgery, TD allowed for lung expansion and precise chest tube placement in all patients except one who required conversion to minithoracotomy and decortication for persistent encasement with a thick pleural peel. There were no postoperative complications related to the procedure. After TD, all children had prompt clinical improvement. The patients were weaned from supplemental oxygen by postoperative day 2, and following early chest tube removal, nine children were discharged home by postoperative day 7 (range, 3 to 10). One child required further hospitalization for underlying renal failure. In the authors' hands, TD was effective in producing prompt clinical improvement in children with empyema. Therefore it should be considered an alternative to prolonged tube thoracostomy or thoracotomy in children with recalcitrant empyema.

Many pediatric surgeons advocate early open drainage or decortication for children with acute empyema. Unfortunately, such procedures can be associated with significant morbidity. Since 1981, we have used early thoracoscopic adhesiolysis and pleural debridement as an alternative to open thoracotomy in 9 children with acute empyema. The average age was 7.8 ± 1.8 years (range, 2 to 16). All patients had failed initial treatment, which included antibiotics and chest tube drainage. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Following thoracoscopy, 8 of the 9 patients were managed with a single drainage tube and the average duration of tube drainage was 8.4 ± 1.4 days. One patient died of underlying leukemia. Of the 8 patients who recovered, the average postoperative hospital stay was 13.4 ± 2.9 days. No complications resulted from the thoracoscopies and there was no need for further surgical intervention in any of these patients. We conclude that thoracoscopy allows for minimally invasive, yet effective treatment of acute empyema with loculated collections. Thoracoscopic visualization of the pleural cavity permits efficient debridement, thorough adhesiolysis, and optimal placement of drainage tubes. Since we have begun using early thoracoscopy in the treatment of pediatric empyema, open drainage or decortication has not been required in any of these patients. Thoracoscopy is a useful adjunct in the treatment of empyema in children and its early application may eliminate the need for decortication.

Since we stopped inserting ipsilateral underwater chest drains after surgical reduction of the herniated contents in congenital diaphragmatic hernia, both lungs are allowed to expand at their own pace, making it possible to estimate their degree of hypoplasia on postoperative chest x-rays. Thirty-nine consecutive series of postoperative chest x-rays were examined by an independent reviewer in a blind manner and classified into three groups: none to mild pulmonary hypoplasia (group I, 10 cases); moderate to severe (group II, 20 cases); and very severe hypoplasia (group III, 9 cases). Correlations were done among groups and available anatomical and clinical data. Eight patients out of 9 survived in spite of very severe hypoplasia on postoperative chest x-rays, suggesting that indexes of severity may be misleading when they mistake pulmonary hypoplasia for the cause of death.

Infants with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are subject to possible intrahepatic placement of the umbilical venous catheter (UVC) during catheterization. A left-sided CDH containing the left lobe of the liver is subject to repositioned anatomy of the umbilical vein, ductus venosus, and hepatic vasculature. This substantially increases the risk of incidentally cannulating the shifted intrahepatic vessels of the liver when placing a UVC. We present a case of hepatic extravasation with line erosion through the liver capsule secondary to UVC placement in an infant with left-sided CDH containing the left lobe of the liver. The patient underwent successful repair of the diaphragmatic defect and is a healthy youngster without complication from CDH or extravasation of the liver capsule. Cannulation of the hepatic vasculature cannot be ruled out with radiograph in infants with left-sided CDH.

Chylothorax is a relatively uncommon condition defined as an abnormal collection of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space. We are reporting the use of OK-432 for treatment of prolonged idiopathic congenital chylothorax in 2 newborn infants who failed to respond to conservative medical therapy, including octreotide injection.