Trends in Hospital Treatment of Empyema in Children in the United States

Efficacy, Safety, and Complications of Pigtail Thoracostomy for the Treatment of Pediatric Pleuropneumonia

OBJECTIVE

Pigtail thoracostomy (PT) has become the mainstay technique for the drainage of pediatric pleuropneumonic effusions (PLPe). However, its efficacy and complication profile has been questioned when compared with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and larger bore traditional tube thoracostomy. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and complications associated with PT.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study at a freestanding tertiary children's hospital. We extracted the medical records of all children aged younger than 18 years treated with PT for PLPe from June 2016 to June 2020. The primary efficacy outcome was treatment failure defined as the need for a repeat drainage procedure, thoracostomy, or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Secondary efficacy outcomes were length of hospital stay (LOS) and duration of in situ PT. The primary safety outcomes were adverse events during or after insertion. We also recorded any associated complications.

RESULTS

During the study period, 55 children required PT. The median age was 25 months (interquartile range, 14-52) and 58.2% were boys. Eight (14.4%) were bacteremic or in septic shock. There were no adverse events related to insertion. Forty-two (76.3%) children were treated with fibrinolysis. There were 2 (3.6%) treatment failures. The median LOS and PT durations were 13 and 4 days (interquartile ranges, 10-14.8, 3-6.7), respectively. Eight (14.4%) children experienced complications that were nonoperatively managed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that PT drainage offers a safe and highly effective option for managing PLPe and carries a very low failure rate.

Parapneumonic effusions related to Streptococcus pneumoniae: serotype and disease severity trends from 2006 to 2018 in Bristol, UK

RATIONALE

Streptococcus pneumoniae epidemiology is changing in response to vaccination and some data suggest that empyema incidence is increasing. However, differences exist between the UK and US studies. We describe trends in the clinical phenotype of adult pneumococcal pleural infection, including simple parapneumonic effusions (SPE) in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV) era.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether there were differences in pneumococcal disease presentation and severity associated with pleural infection.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study, all adults ≥16 years admitted to three large UK hospitals, 2006-2018 with pneumococcal disease. 2477 invasive pneumococcal cases were identified: 459 SPE and 100 pleural infection cases. Medical records were reviewed for each clinical episode. Serotype data were obtained from the UK Health Security Agency national reference laboratory.

RESULTS

Incidence increased over time, including non-PCV-serotype disease. PCV7-serotype disease declined following paediatric PCV7 introduction, but the effect of PCV13 was less apparent as disease caused by the additional six serotypes plateaued with serotypes 1 and 3 causing such parapneumonic effusions from 2011 onwards.Patients with pleural infection had a median survival 468 days (95% CI 340 to 590) vs 286 days (95% CI 274 to 335) in those with SPE. Pleural infection associated with frank pus had lower 90-day mortality than pleural infection without pus (0% vs 29%, p<0.0001). 90-day mortality could be predicted by baseline increased RAPID (Renal, Age, Purulence, Infection source, and Dietary factors) score (HR 15.01, 95% CI 1.24 to 40.06, p=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumococcal infection continues to cause severe disease despite the introduction of PCVs. The predominance of serotype 1 and 3 in this adult UK cohort is in keeping with previous studies in paediatric and non-UK studies. Rising non-PCV serotype disease and limited impact of PCV13 on cases caused by serotypes 1 and 3 offset the reductions in adult pneumococcal parapneumonic effusion disease burden observed following the introduction of the childhood PCV7 programme.

Burden of all-cause and organism-specific parapneumonic empyema hospitalization rates prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the United States

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Parapneumonic empyema, a severe pneumonia complication, decreased shortly after 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) introduction in US children, though the long-term impact remains poorly described. It is also unclear whether PCV13 introduction in 2010 or the 2014 US recommendation for PCV13 use in older adults was associated with declines in empyema among adults. We examined overall and organism-specific parapneumonic empyema rates among US children and adults from 2006 to 2019, prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the updated recommendations for PCV15 and PCV20 in the US.

METHODS

We used the National Inpatient Sample and US Census Data to calculate national annual all-cause and pneumococcal empyema hospitalization rates by age group (2006-2019). We examined rates during the late-PCV13 era (October 2015-2019) after transition to ICD10 codes compared to rates in the late-PCV7 (2006-2009) and early-PCV13 era (2011-September 2015). We also examined the rate of empyema with thoracentesis-related procedures and according to the causative organism type.

RESULTS

Compared to the late-PCV7 era, all-cause empyema hospitalization rates were lower among child age groups (<1, 1, 2-4 and 5-17 years) in the late-PCV13 era. In contrast, among most adult age groups (18-34, 50-64, 65+ years), all-cause empyema rates were higher in the late-PCV13 era compared to the late-PCV7 era.

CONCLUSION

Early declines in all-cause empyema-related hospitalizations observed right after PCV13 introduction among children in 2010 were sustained through 2019, though rates did not decline among adults.

Epidemiology of pediatric parapneumonic pleural effusion during 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine implementation

INTRODUCTION

The reported incidence of parapneumonic pleural effusion, including empyema, has shown fluctuations in the last decades. It has been related to the implementation of different types of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines.

METHODS

We have retrospectively reviewed data from all 10 public hospitals in Alicante Province (Spain) covering a population of 279,000 children under 15 years of age, between 2010 and 2018. Effusions less than 10 mm (PE-) and those of 10 mm or more (PE+) were separated.

RESULTS

A total of 366 episodes of parapneumonic pleural effusion have been analyzed, 178 PE- (48.6%) and 188 PE+ (51.4%), with a median age of 4 years (interquartile range: 2-7 years) and marked seasonality with the maximum in winter and the minimum in summer. A culture proven bacterial agent was identified in 34 patients (9.3%), mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae (24 patients) followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (7 patients). The most frequent S. pneumoniae serotype was 19A (6 patients) and 3 vaccine failures were observed. The mean annual incidence rate was 14.3 cases per 100,000 children under 15 years of age (7.0 for PE- and 7.3 for PE+). No significant changes were observed in incidence over time, but noticeable differences in incidence were observed in different health departments.

CONCLUSIONS

We have not found temporal variations in incidence of parapneumonic effusion despite the implementation of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The unexplained disparity in incidence between close departments is noteworthy.

Risk factors for complicated community-acquired pneumonia in children

BACKGROUND

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children continues to be one of the prominent causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. By determining the risk factors associated with the development of complicated CAP (CCAP), new approaches for early diagnosis and effective treatment can be identified.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with CAP and CCAP who visited the pediatric ward of the study hospital between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. For patients with CCAP, data regarding medical procedures performed, surgical intervention, and hospitalization duration were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients, 93 (83.7%) with CAP and 18 (16.3%) with CCAP, aged between 3 months and 18 years were hospitalized because of severe pneumonia. The mean age of the patients was 3.6 ± 1.2 years and 60 (54%) of them were female. The mean age of patients with CCAP was higher than that of patients with CAP (4.2 ± 3.3 vs. 2.8 ± 2.1 years respectively); however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.012). Patients with CCAP exhibited a significantly higher C-reactive protein level than those with CAP (10.06 ± 7.55 vs. 4.43 ± 3.37 g/L respectively; p = 0.007). Hypoxia upon admission was noted more commonly in the CCAP group than in the CAP group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Findings related to hypoxia, respiratory distress, and pleural effusion on imaging are important distinguishing factors associated with the development of complications in patients hospitalized with CAP. Therefore, CCAP etiology, diagnosis, and treatment approaches should be established and protective measures adopted.

Management of Pediatric Thoracic Empyema in the North Queensland Region of Australia and Impact of a Local Evidence-based Treatment Guideline

AIM

The North Queensland region of Australia has a high incidence of pediatric thoracic empyema (pTE). We describe the management of empyema at the Townsville University Hospital which is the regional referral center for these children. The impact of a newly developed institutional guideline is also discussed.

METHODS

This retrospective audit included children under the age of 16 years treated for empyema between 1 Jan 2007 and 31 December 2018. Demographic and management-related variables were correlated to outcomes. A local guideline was introduced at the beginning of 2017 and patient outcomes characteristics pre, and post introduction of this guideline are compared.

RESULTS

There were 153 children with pTE (123 before and 30 after the introduction of a local guideline). Nonsurgical management was associated with a higher treatment failure rate. Median length of stay (LOS) was 11.8 (IQR 9.3-16) days. Longer hospital LOS was associated with younger age (r2 -0.16, P = 0.04), Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait (ATSI) ancestry (13.8 vs. 10.5 days, P = 0.002) and concomitant respiratory viral infections (14.4 vs. 10.9 days, P = 0.003). The introduction of local guideline was associated with significant decrease in the use of empirical chest CT scans (54.4% before vs. 6.7% after, P < 0.001) and duration of intravenous antibiotics (14 days before vs. 10 days after, P = 0.02). There was no significant change in the hospital LOS (12.1 days pre and 11.7 post, P = 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Younger age, concomitant viral respiratory infections and ATSI ancestry were identified as potential risk factors for increase LOS. Hospital LOS following the adoption of an institutional guideline was unchanged. However, such a guideline may identify populations at risk for an unfavorable course and avoid unnecessary antibiotic treatment and radiation exposure.

Surveillance of pediatric parapneumonic effusion/empyema in New Zealand

AIM

The incidence of childhood empyema has been increasing in some developed countries despite the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination. This study aimed to document the incidence, bacterial pathogens, and morbidity/mortality of parapneumonic effusion/empyema in New Zealand.

METHODS

A prospective study of 102 children <15 years of age requiring hospitalization with parapneumonic effusion/empyema between May 1, 2014 and May 31, 2016 notified via the New Zealand Paediatric Surveillance Unit. Parapneumonic effusion/empyema was defined as pneumonia and pleural effusion persisting ≥7 days, and/or any pneumonia, and pleural effusion necessitating drainage. Notifying pediatricians completed standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS

Annual pediatric parapneumonic effusion/empyema incidence was 5.6/100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.7-6.9). Most children (80%) required surgical intervention and 31% required intensive care. A causative organism was identified in 71/102 (70%) cases. Although Staphylococcus aureus (25%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (25%) infection rates were equal, prolonged hospitalization and intensive care admission were more common in children with S. aureus PPE/E. Māori and Pasifika children were over-represented at 2.2 and 3.5 times, their representation in the New Zealand pediatric population. Pneumococcal vaccination was incomplete, with only 61% fully immunized and 30% unimmunized. Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine uptake was near complete at 89/94 (95%), with influenza immunization only 3/78 (4%).

CONCLUSIONS

New Zealand has a high incidence of pediatric complicated parapneumonic effusion/empyema with significant morbidity. S. aureus was a significant cause of severe empyema in New Zealand, particularly for Māori and Pasifika children. Improvements in vaccine coverage are needed along with strategies to reduce S. aureus disease morbidity.

Thoracoscopic debridement for empyema thoracis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The success rate of early thoracoscopic debridement (TD) for childhood empyema was reviewed in light of the increasing reported incidence of empyema associated with pulmonary necrosis (PN).

METHODS

Data were collected from 106 patients who underwent thoracoscopic intervention from 2010 to 2016. Twenty additional patients with severe PN/Bronchopleural Fistula (BPF) were not suitable for TD requiring thoracotomy and Serratus anterior digitation flap.

RESULTS

106 patients with a median age of 4 years (IQR 2-6 years) were considered for TD as primary intervention of which 3 needed conversion to thoracotomy. TD alone was successful in 93/106 however, 10 patients required subsequent minithoracotomy for PN/BPF (managed with Serratus anterior digitation flap). Counting conversions as failure, the overall success rate of TD was 88%. No statistical difference was demonstrable in success rate compared to our previous series (93% (106/114) vs 88% (93/106)).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary TD in pediatric empyema is associated with an excellent outcome achieving adequate drainage and full expansion of the lung. The majority of failures in our series were attributable to PN/BPF, requiring thoracotomy and Serratus anterior digitation flap. This is likely a consequence of the increasing incidence of necrotizing pneumonia.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Complicated pneumonia in children

Complicated community-acquired pneumonia in a previously well child is a severe illness characterised by combinations of local complications (eg, parapneumonic effusion, empyema, necrotising pneumonia, and lung abscess) and systemic complications (eg, bacteraemia, metastatic infection, multiorgan failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and, rarely, death). Complicated community-acquired pneumonia should be suspected in any child with pneumonia not responding to appropriate antibiotic treatment within 48-72 h. Common causative organisms are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Patients have initial imaging with chest radiography and ultrasound, which can also be used to assess the lung parenchyma, to identify pleural fluid; CT scanning is not usually indicated. Complicated pneumonia is treated with a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics, and then oral antibiotics. The initial choice of antibiotic is guided by local microbiological knowledge and by subsequent positive cultures and molecular testing, including on pleural fluid if a drainage procedure is done. Information from pleural space imaging and drainage should guide the decision on whether to administer intrapleural fibrinolytics. Most patients are treated by drainage and more extensive surgery is rarely needed; in any event, in low-income and middle-income countries, resources for extensive surgeries are scarce. The clinical course of complicated community-acquired pneumonia can be prolonged, especially when patients have necrotising pneumonia, but complete recovery is the usual outcome.

Paediatric empyema: worsening disease severity and challenges identifying patients at increased risk of repeat intervention

OBJECTIVE

Empyema is the most common complication of pneumonia. Primary interventions include chest drainage and fibrinolytic therapy (CDF) or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We describe disease trends, clinical outcomes and factors associated with reintervention.

DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS

Retrospective cohort of paediatric empyema cases requiring drainage or surgical intervention, 2011-2018, admitted to a large Australian tertiary children's hospital.

RESULTS

During the study, the incidence of empyema increased from 1.7/1000 to 7.1/1000 admissions (p<0.001). We describe 192 cases (174 CDF and 18 VATS), median age 3.0 years (IQR 1-5), mean fever duration prior to intervention 6.2 days (SD ±3.3 days) and 50 (26%) cases admitted to PICU. PICU admission increased during the study from 18% to 34% (p<0.001). Bacteraemia occurred in 23/192 (12%) cases. A pathogen was detected in 131/192 (68%); Streptococcus pneumoniae 75/192 (39%), S. aureus 25/192 (13%) and group A streptococcus 13/192 (7%). Reintervention occurred in 49/174 (28%) and 1/18 (6%) following primary CDF and VATS. Comparing repeat intervention with single intervention cases, a continued fever postintervention increased the likelihood for a repeat intervention (OR 1.3 per day febrile; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4, p<0.0001). Younger age, prolonged fever preintervention and previous antibiotic treatment were not associated with initial treatment failure (all p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

We report increasing incidence and severity of empyema in a large tertiary hospital. One in four patients required a repeat intervention after CDF. Neither clinical variables at presentation nor early investigations were able to predict initial treatment failure.

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery in Early Stage of Pediatric Pleural Empyema Improves Outcome

OBJECTIVES

 The aim of this study was to observe outcomes of early decortication in a treatment of pleural empyema using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

METHODS

 The case records of 21 pediatric patients who underwent VATS for empyema between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were observed based on demographic, laboratory, and clinical data, as well as treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

 Out of a total of 59 patients treated for pleural empyema, 21 (10 male and 11 female) children with a median age of 5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2.8; 6.0) received VATS. The empyema was classified as stage I in 2 patients (9.5%), stage II in 4 patients (19%), and stage III in 15 patients (71.5%). Median surgical time was 60 minutes (IQR 50; 90). There were 2 (9.5%) postoperative complications and 1 recurrence (4.8%). Children treated in stages I and II showed significantly better postoperative results compared with the children treated in stage III. Length of hospital stay (8 vs. 10 days; p = 0.01), length of intensive care unit stay (1 vs. 5 days; p < 0.001), duration of chest tube drainage (4 vs. 6 days; p = 0.043), duration of postoperative fever (1.5 vs. 4 days; p = 0.001), and surgical time (40 vs. 70 minutes; p < 0.001) were significantly shorter in children operated in stages I and II than in stage III.

CONCLUSION

 Early decortication using a VATS is a successful, effective, and easily performed surgical method in the treatment of pediatric pleural empyema, as well as a method that significantly improves recovery time and shortens the hospital stay.

Effectiveness of Intrapleural Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Dornase Alfa vs Tissue Plasminogen Activator Alone in Children with Pleural Empyema: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Clinical guidelines recommend that children with pleural empyema be treated with chest tube insertion and intrapleural fibrinolytics. The addition of dornase alfa (DNase) has been reported to improve outcomes in adults but remains unproven in children.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and DNase is more effective than tPA and placebo at reducing hospital length of stay in children with pleural empyema.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This multicenter, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, superiority randomized clinical trial included children diagnosed as having pleural empyema requiring drainage aged 6 months to 18 years treated at 6 tertiary Canadian children's hospitals. A total of 379 children were assessed for eligibility; 281 were excluded and 98 were randomized. One child was excluded after randomization for not meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were collected from March 4, 2013, to December 13, 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants underwent chest tube insertion and 3 daily administrations of intrapleural tPA, 4 mg, followed by DNase, 5 mg (intervention group), or 5 mL of normal saline (placebo; control group). Participants, families, clinical staff, and members of the study team were blinded to allocation.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was hospital length of stay from chest tube insertion to discharge. Secondary outcomes included time to meeting discharge criteria, time to chest tube removal, mean fever duration, additional pleural drainage procedures, hospital readmissions, and total health care cost.

RESULTS

Of the 97 analyzed children with pleural empyema, 52 (54%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 5.1 (3.6) years. A total of 49 children were randomized to tPA and DNase and 48 were randomized to tPA and placebo. Treatment with tPA and DNase was not associated with decreased hospital length of stay compared with tPA and placebo (mean [SD] length of stay, 9.0 [4.9] vs 9.1 [5.3] days; mean difference, -0.1 days; 95% CI, -2.0 to 2.1; P = .96). Similarly, no significant differences were observed for any of the secondary outcomes. Of the 14 adverse events in the tPA and DNase group, 6 (43%) were serious; of the 21 adverse events in the tPA and placebo group, 8 (38%) were serious. There were no deaths.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The addition of DNase to intrapleural tPA for children with pleural empyema had no effect on hospital length of stay or other outcomes compared with tPA with placebo. Clinical practice guidelines should continue to support the use of chest tube insertion and intrapleural fibrinolytics alone as first-line treatment for pediatric empyema.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01717742.

Thoracoscopy in pediatrics: Surgical perspectives

Thoracoscopic surgery and other minimally invasive approaches in children achieved marked advancement and expanded to include several disciplines in the last decade. The new armamentarium of the minimally invasive surgery including the smaller instruments and better magnification led to the application of this technology in the small infants and neonates. Currently, thoracoscopy is considered the preferred surgical approach for various conditions in neonates and infants over the standard thoracotomy, and thoracoscopic training is included in the surgical training curriculum for the residents in many institutes worldwide. Children are different from adults, and technique modifications are required when using thoracoscopy in children. Thoracoscopy showed satisfactory results in several operations including pulmonary resections, mediastinal tumors biopsies or resections, repair of the diaphragmatic hernias, decortication, and tracheoesophageal fistula. This review aims to address the unique aspects of thoracoscopic surgery in children, identify its potential technical and anatomical challenges, and the proposed solutions. A literature search for latest and relevant publications was done using the keywords (thoracoscopy; pediatric; lung biopsy; decortication; lobectomy; mediastinum; esophagus; and diaphragmatic hernia).