Outcomes associated with type of intervention and timing in complex pediatric empyema.

Background: The presence of effusion/empyema in pediatric pneumonia can increase treatment complexity by possibly requiring pleural drainage. Currently, no data support the superiority of any drainage modalities in children.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System database from 2003 to 2008.

Results: A total of 14,936 children were hospitalized with effusion/empyema. Fifty-two percent of children were treated with antibiotics alone. Compared with patients receiving a chest tube, patients receiving antibiotics alone, thoracotomy, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery had a shorter length of stay, lower mortality rates, and fewer re-interventions. Delaying drainage by 1 to 3 days was associated with a lower mortality rate, and a delay of more than 7 days was associated with a higher mortality rate.

Conclusions: Half of all children with effusion/empyema are treated with antibiotics alone with low morbidity and mortality. Initial video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or thoracotomy had improved outcomes compared with other interventions. Intervention should not be delayed beyond 7 days.