Clinical Practices for Management of Empyema Thoracis in Children: A Survey of Pediatricians in India.

OBJECTIVE

This survey was conducted to explore the current status of empyema thoracis management practices of pediatricians in India, as a prelude to developing evidence-based guidelines for managing empyema.

METHODS

A questionnaire examining various aspects of empyema management (diagnosis, investigations, treatment, monitoring and follow-up) was prepared, refined, and pilot-tested. It was disseminated to pediatricians across the country, through a Google form link, using email and a social media platform. Responses were collated, analyzed, and presented with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Ninety-four complete responses were received, mostly from pediatricians in teaching/ tertiary-care hospitals. There were significant variations in all aspects of empyema management. There was overuse of computed tomography (CT) scan (27%) and pleural fluid Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) (61%) in children with pleural effusion. Whilst > 80% pediatricians used ceftriaxone empirically for pneumonia and empyema, co-amoxiclav (18%), vancomycin (56%), and teicoplanin or linezolid (16%) were also used for empyema. Less than three quarters of respondents used intercostal drainage appropriately. 25% pediatricians routinely used intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (most often streptokinase); 37% did not use it at all. The common indications were septations/loculations on ultrasonography (57%), thick pus (38%), and persisting clinical features (33%). The duration of antibiotics ranged from < 4 weeks (18%), 4-6 weeks (59%), and > 6 weeks (15%). The indications for surgical referral also varied widely, as did monitoring during therapy, and post-treatment follow-up protocols.

CONCLUSION

There are significant variations in all facets of empyema management amongst pediatricians working in diverse Indian healthcare settings, underscoring the need for evidence-based guideline recommendations.