Surgical treatment of pulmonary abscess in children under ten years of age.

Ten children under ten years of age with pulmonary abscess were treated surgically between 1962 and 1982. In nine patients, lobectomies with or without pulmonary decortication were performed; and in one case, drainage via a chest tube directly from the abscess cavity was successful. There were no surgical or late postoperative deaths. All patients recovered without any complication. The postoperative course has been followed for two months to 20 years. The effect of treatment is correlated with the clinical type of abscess.