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Gregory J. Redding, MD; Lori Walund; Dean Walund, MD; Janet W. Jones, RPT; David C. Stamey, RRT; Ronald L. Gibson, MD, PhD

Am J Dis Child. 1990;144(12):1337-1342.

Abstract
• Spirometry was performed and response to exercise was measured in 15 children following recovery from empyema to evaluate the impact of pleural infection on subsequent lung function. Seven children underwent chest tube drainage; eight did not. The two groups were similar in age (mean±SD, 6±5 years), sex distribution, bacterial pathogen—producing empyema, and age at follow-up evaluation (12±5 years). Only one child reported recurrent respiratory symptoms. No child had restrictive spirometric changes (total lung capacity, 80%; vital capacity, 80% predicted) but seven of 15 had a reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second (<80% predicted) or forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the vital capacity (<75% predicted), suggesting mild airway obstruction. No child demonstrated reduced exercise tolerance due to restrictive ventilatory limitations. Mild obstructive abnormalities in lung function were identified with equal frequency in children treated with and without chest tube drainage.

(AJDC. 1990;144:1337-1342)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine and Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication June 4, 1990.

Reprint requests to Division of Neonatal and Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Mail Stop RD-20, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195 (Dr Redding).

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