Clinico-bacteriological profile and outcome of empyema.

Empyema thoracis is a common cause of morbidity in children. We conducted a prospective observational study in 50 children (age 0-15 y) diagnosed with empyema to study its clinico-bacteriological profile and outcome in a referral hospital. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative organism, most of them being MRSA, followed by Pneumococcus and Pseudomonas. Primary video-assisted thoracoscopy appeared to be a good mode of management with lesser duration of hospital stay. However, the number of children undergoing this procedure was very less, to come to any conclusion.