Drainage of bacterial pleuropneumonia in children: A 13-year retrospective monocentric study - 25/11/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.arcped.2025.10.002

Apolline Furgier ^a,^⁎ , Marion Caseris ^a, Remadji Fiona Kossadoum ^b, Audrey Baron ^c, Arnaud Bonnard ^d,^e, Jérôme Naudin ^f, Nina Martz ^d, Jessy Zenon ^c, Hosam Dawoud ^c, Chrystele Madre ^g, Maya Husain ^h, Elise Mallart ^a, Naïm Ouldali ^a, Michael Levy ^g, Jeanne Truong ^a

^a Department of General Pediatrics, Pediatric Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

^b Department of Emergency Pediatrics, University Hospital Bordeaux, France

^c Department of Microbiology, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

^d Department of Pediatric Surgery, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

^e Inserm UMR 1141, Paris Cite University, France

^f Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Robert Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

^g Department of Surgical Intermediate Care, Robert-Debré University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France

^h Necker Hospital for Sick Children, General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Paris Cite University, Paris, France

^⁎ Corresponding author.

Sous presse. Épreuves corrigées par l'auteur. Disponible en ligne depuis le Tuesday 25 November 2025

Abstract

Introduction

There is no consensus on indications and modalities of drainage procedures for bacterial pleuropneumonia in children. This study aimed to analyze the clinical course following drainage procedures and the different techniques used.

Method

This retrospective single-center study included children with drained bacterial pleuropneumonia at a French University Hospital, from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2023.

Results

Thirty-three children were included, with a median age of 3.3 years. The most frequently identified pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus ( n = 13; 39 %), Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) ( n = 9; 27 %), and Streptococcus pneumoniae ( n = 5; 15 %). Indications for pleural drainage included respiratory distress ( n = 16; 48 %) and persistent/abundant pleural effusion ( n = 7; 21 %). 73 % of cases presented mediastinal deviation. Percutaneous drainage was performed for 23 patients (70 %) and surgical drainage for 10 patients (30 %). Drainage cultures were positive in 14/27 cases (52 %) after a median of 3 days (IQR: 1.2–5.5) of antibiotics. After drainage, the median durations of fever, intravenous antibiotics, and hospitalization were 8 (IQR: 4.2–14), 11 (IQR: 8.5–15), and 15.5 days (IQR: 8.7–18.5), respectively. Univariate analysis showed that children with percutaneous drainage had longer post drainage fever (12 vs. 5.3 days, p = 0.01) and ventilation durations (7 vs. 2.25 days, p = 0.02) than those with surgical drainage.

Conclusion

The cohort had severe cases, with percutaneous drainage more commonly used. Positive drainage cultures highlighted the challenges of antibiotic penetration and supported the role of drainage in selected cases. Despite favorable medium-term outcomes, post-drainage recovery was prolonged, with extended durations of hospitalization, persistent fever, and prolonged antibiotic treatment.

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Keywords : Pleurisy, Pleural drainage, Pediatric, Chest-tube insertion, Drain insertion