A Profile of Theatre Procedures in Paediatric Thoracic Practice

Background: The paediatric subset of patients is a peculiar group with specific physiologic and anatomic features that differentiates them from adolescents, adults and the elderly. This study was thus undertaken to provide a census of thoracic theatre cases seen and to describe the distribution of the cases across the paediatric age groups. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study involving all children who had thoracic procedures done by the Thoracic Division between the periods January 2007 and December 2012. Results: There were a total of 85 patients, with a male:female ratio of 3:2. The mean age in years was 3.8 ± 4.2; for the female was 4.2 ± 5.2 and male was 3.5 ± 3.4. Domestic trauma accounted for 74.1% of all the cases. The highest incidence occurred in the 4-6yr group. The commonest procedure was oesophagoscopy which accounted for 35.2%. Foreign body extraction was done for 20.1% of the patients with 31.9% being by bronchoscopy and 44.7% by oesophagoscopy. Failure of extraction by bronchoscopy was seen in 7/15 that subsequently underwent bronchotomy and successful removal. Failure of extraction by oesophagoscopy was only encountered in one patient who subsequently had thoracotomy and oesophagotomy. Conclusion: Domestic accidents are shown to be the main reason for presentation in this study; and are especially common in the 4-6yr group, which highlights the need for constant supervision of this subset of patients. Early presentation leads to a milder clinical course.