Single-incision thoracoscopic surgery in children: equivalent results with fewer scars when compared with traditional multiple-incision thoracoscopy.

Background: Single-incision pediatric endosurgery is gaining popularity, especially for abdominal operations. Several reports in the literature support the feasibility of the single-incision approach in pediatric laparoscopy. Here we compare our experience with single-incision thoracoscopic surgery (SITS) to traditional multiple-incision video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in children.

Methods: A chart review of all patients who underwent SITS at our institution was performed. The same number of demographically matched VATS case controls were selected from a pool of patients operated on during the same time period. Operative time, time until chest tube removal, length of stay, complications, and any need for further intervention were recorded. Statistical analysis was done by Student's t-test using Instat 3.

Results: Fourteen SITS procedures were performed during the study period. These patients were compared with 14 VATS case controls. Both groups were similar with regard to age, weight, sex, and procedures performed. The mean operative time in the SITS group was 84 ± 43 minutes versus 64 ± 30 in the VATS group (P=.18). Days until chest tube removal was 4 ± 2.2 in the SITS group and 2.8 ± 1.4 in the VATS group (P=.09). Length of hospital stay was 5.5 ± 4.4 days in the SITS group versus 7.2 ± 8.6 in the VATS group (P=.51). There were no intraoperative complications and no procedure conversions in either group. One SITS patient who underwent a wedge resection and mechanical pleurodesis for a spontaneous pneumothorax was readmitted for a recurrent pneumothorax and required a reoperation.

Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates that there are no statistically significant differences in operative time, time until chest tube removal, and length of hospital stay when comparing SITS to VATS in children. We believe that SITS is an equivalent procedure that allows for fewer scars when compared with traditional multiple-incision VATS in children.