Surgical treatment of childhood pleural empyema.

From June 1977 to January 1987, 175 patients underwent surgical treatment of childhood pleural empyema. The surgical treatment consisted of tube drainage in 159 (90%) cases, decortication in 31 (17%) cases, pleuropneumonectomy in 2, lobectomy in 1, and partial thoracoplasty in one cases. There were 2 hospital deaths (14 and 26 days after admission). Late recurrences didn't occur, except in one case where a partial thoracoplasty was necessary. During the follow-up of 11 to 120 months (mean 32 months) examinations were done by chest radiographs. We believe that, children with loculated empyema can be treated successfully with antibiotics and chest tube drainage in early stage. The tube drainage is a more effective method than the other surgical procedures. Few patients require open drainage, and further surgery is rarely required.