Thoracoscopy in children and adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Present the feature characteristics of the use and findings of thoracoscopy in children and adolescents.

DESIGN

From February 1983 to February 1996, 77 thoracoscopic procedures were done on patients ranging in ages from 5 months to 18 years (mean, 9.8 years). Two-thirds (66.2%) were male. They were divided into three groups (1, 2, and 3) based on age (up to 2, from 2 to 8, and older than 8 years), predominance of certain diseases in these ages, and the size of the instruments utilized. They were operated on using general anesthesia with Carlens' mediastinoscope routinely used in 64 (83%) and videothoracoscopy in 13 (17%). The chief indication for therapeutic thoracoscopy was treatment of empyema, while for diagnostic thoracoscopy it was pleural biopsy and diagnosis of pleural effusions.

RESULTS

In group 1, thoracoscopy was solely for the treatment of pleural disorders. In group 2, it was for the treatment of pleuropulmonary diseases. Group 3 behaved almost like adults, with broad diagnostic and therapeutic indications for thoracoscopic procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopy, which is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, has secured an important place in pediatric surgical practice.