The purpose of this study is to determine the best treatment for children with a fluid collection in the chest associated with an underlying pneumonia. Researchers generally agree that a child with a large fluid collection in the chest need to have the fluid drained in addition to anitbiotics. There have been many treatments studied in children that have been shown to be effective and safe, but the treatments have never been compared to each other in a randomized controlled study. The optimal treatment of pediatric parapneumonic effusions remains controversial. The objective of this study is to compare the use of conventional management (antibiotics with thoracostomy tube placement) with primary thorascopic drainage (see protocol). Our hypothesis is that pediatric patients with parapneumonic effusion, regardless of pleural fluid composition and loculations, have decreased morbidity when treated with early thoroscopic adhesiolysis (VATS) compared with conservative treatment.
Age range
0 Years – 18 Years
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
establish morbidity outcomes
duration of fever
number of procedures
days with a chest drainage device
total hospital days