ACUTE PYOTHORAX: TREATMENT OF CHILDREN AND INFANTS BY ASPIRATION OF PUS AND AIR REPLACEMENT: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

It is the purpose of this report primarily to draw attention to the method of therapy. This procedure was first introduced by Parker;¹ since then Potain,² Forlanini,³ Morelli,⁴ Elias,⁵ Danna⁶ and others have published their observations. To our knowledge this is the first report on its use in children and infants exclusively.

PROCEDURE  Simply stated, the principle of this treatment is the aspiration of pus and the replacement by air. The apparatus consists of a 30 cc. Luer syringe and a large needle.Fairly certain location of the empyema should be made clinically and roentgenologically. The patient is placed in either a horizontal or a sitting position. The proper intercostal space is chosen. The left thumb is pressed against the lower border of the upper rib, thus protecting the intercostal artery, vein and nerve. The needle is inserted through the intercostal space directly beneath