Abstract
Complicated parapneumonic effusion (empyema) may be managed safely and effectively using minimally invasive techniques to achieve chemical or mechanical debridement. The former, using fibrinolytic therapy has been shown to be a more cost-effective option and has been internationally endorsed as firstline treatment where intervention is required. When fibrinolytics are not readily available, thoracosopic debridement using a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) technique is preferable to open thoracotomy due to reduced post-operative pain. Published series have shown that ≥80% of children with empyema requiring intervention may be treated with either thoracostomy and fibrinolytics or VATS alone.
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Long, AM., Lee, A.C.H. (2019). Management of Pleural Empyema. In: Esposito, C., Becmeur, F., Steyaert, H., Szavay, P. (eds) ESPES Manual of Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00964-9_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00964-9_14
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