Urokinase Versus Video-assisted Thoracoscopic to Treat Complicated Parapneumonic Empyema in Childhood

Exploratory Multicentre Clinical Trial to Compare the Efficacy of Urokinase Versus Video-assisted Thoracoscopic for Treatment of Complicated Parapneumonic Empyema in Childhood

A great controversy exists about which is the best method to perform the evacuation of the collection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate which is the best initial treatment to drain complicated parapneumonic empyema (stages II and III) in children: the present study raises a hypothesis of equivalence between both arms of treatment (chest drainage plus intrapleural urokinase or videothoracoscopic debridement).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients less than 15 years of age with pneumonia and persistent fever, and complicated parapneumonic empyema (septation or loculation seen on ultrasound or Rx thorax)stages II and III requiring an intervention to drain

Exclusion Criteria:

• Existing contraindications or other previous conditions, hypertension, pneumothorax