BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Parapneumonic empyema (PPE) is a frequent complication of acute bacterial pneumonia in children. There is limited evidence regarding the optimal treatment of this condition. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of drainage plus urokinase versus video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of PPE in childhood. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial enrolled patients aged <15 years and hospitalized with septated PPE. Study patients were randomized to receive urokinase or thoracoscopy. The main outcome variable was the length of hospital stay after treatment. The secondary outcomes were total length of hospital stay, number of days with the chest drain, number of days with fever, and treatment failures. The trial was approved by the ethics committees of all the participating hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients were randomized to treatment and analyzed; 53 were treated with thoracoscopy and 50 with urokinase. There were no differences in demographic characteristics or in the main baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. No statistically significant differences were found between thoracoscopy and urokinase in the median postoperative stay (10 vs 9 days), median hospital stay (14 vs 13 days), or days febrile after treatment (4 vs 6 days). A second intervention was required in 15% of children in the thoracoscopy group versus 10% in the urokinase group (P = .47). CONCLUSIONS: Drainage plus urokinase instillation is as effective as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery as first-line treatment of septated PPE in children.

VATS lobectomy in small infants is a feasible and safe technique. Decreased postoperative pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a better cosmetic result are definite advantages of this minimally invasive procedure. Long-term morbidity due to a major thoracotomy incision is avoided.

Bronchoscopy is our preferred diagnostic tool. Selection of the type of treatment depends on the patient's clinical status and the anatomical pattern of the stenosis. In symptomatic cases with short-segment stenosis (<30% of total tracheal length), we prefer tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis; for long-segment stenosis (>30%), slide tracheoplasty is our procedure of choice.

Fluid seen inside the intussusception represented trapped peritoneal fluid. Substantial amounts of fluid were associated with irreducibility and ischemia.

Introduction:Button batteries represent a low percentage of all foreign bodies swallowed by children and esophageal location is even less frequent. However, these cases are more likely to develop severe injuries. The aim of this essay is to report three cases treated in our institution and review previous reports.Material and Methods:Chart review and literature search.Case Reports:We treated three children between 2-7- years old with button batteries lodged at esophagus. They all presented esophageal burns (EB), which evolved in esophageal stenosis in two out of the three cases.Results:We found 29 more cases in literature and the injuries included EB, esophageal perforation (EP) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).Discussion:Swallowed button batteries rarely remain in esophagus, but these cases present a higher risk of tisular damage. Injuries can take place even after few hours; and therefore, endoscopy must be performed as soon as possible. Further study on button batteries’ safety and the establishment of a maximum size for them would be good preventive measures.

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Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is an alternative technique to endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) to treat esophageal varices. This method consists of mechanical ligature and thrombosis of varices using elastic rubber rings. During an 11-month period, nine pediatric patients with esophageal varices secondary to portal hypertension were treated by EVL. Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction was the cause of portal hypertension in 5 patients and in 4 cases the cause was intrahepatic disease. The average age of the patients was 8 years (range: 2-15). Five patients had bled from esophageal varices previously. Two were actively bleeding at the time of the procedure. Endoligature was performed prophylactically in four patients. Fifty varix ligations were performed in 26 separate sessions. In children older than ten years, EVL was performed under intravenous sedation. Two mild rebleeds have occurred in this group and responded to repeated ligature. Varices were reduced in grade in all patients. Six patients achieved variceal eradication. Recurrence of varices was not encountered. No major complications occurred and there were no treatment failures. These early results suggest that endoscopic ligation is a safe and effective method for the control of esophageal varices in children.

The prophylactic use of abdominal drainage after laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children does not prevent postoperative complications and may be associated with negative outcomes. Prospective randomized studies will be necessary to verify this question.