Short-term course and outcome of treatments of pleural empyema in pediatric patients: repeated ultrasound-guided needle thoracocentesis vs chest tube drainage.

Background: Several reports have suggested that early chest tube drainage (CTD) may not be necessary in the treatment of severe pleural empyema (PE) in pediatric patients if appropriate antibiotic therapy and supportive care are provided.

Objectives: A prospective open study to compare the short-term course of two treatment protocols of severe PE in pediatric patients.

Study Design: One group of 32 patients was treated with early insertion of a chest tube for CTD, and a second group of 35 patients was treated by a repeated ultrasound-guided needle thoracocentesis (RUSGT).