EMPYEMA THORACIS IN CHILDREN: OUR EXPERIENCE IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN ASSAM

Empyema has been described since ancient time and incidence is increasing worldwide and has substantial morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the clinical, surgical and microbiological features, management outcomes of empyema. METHODS: A retrospective observational study over 5 years (2010 to 2014) was carried out at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, India. RESULTS: Patients (n=133) were predominantly male and ratio of male to female is 1.7: 1. Main clinical presentation was fever with cough. The infective organism was Staph aureus in majority. Tube thorocostomy was done in 133 and decortication in 23. Two underwent VATS. Mean hospital stay was 12 days for tube thoracostomy and 24 days for thoracotomy procedures. CONCLUSION: Empyema remains an important cause of morbidity and hospital admissions. Multiple therapeutic options exist for the treatment of empyema thoracis.