Innovations (Phila). 2023 Apr 12:15569845231166929. doi: 10.1177/15569845231166929. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Considerable variation in primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) management exists in the pediatric population. This study aims to compare nationwide outcomes of children with PSP.
METHODS: The Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016 to 2018) was used to identify patients 1 to 18 years old with PSP. Trauma, secondary pneumothoraces, and elective admissions were excluded. Demographics and complications were compared among patients undergoing initial nonoperative management (NOM; observation or percutaneous drainage) or operative resection using standard statistical tests.
RESULTS: A total of 3,890 patients were identified with PSP (median age, 16 [interquartile range 14 to 17] years). Most (78%) underwent NOM, of which 17% failed requiring operative resection. Of the intent-to-treat cohort, 28% failed NOM during index admission or required repeat percutaneous drainage or operative resection on readmission. Patients treated by NOM had higher 30-day and overall readmission rates compared with operative resection (all P < 0.001). Ipsilateral recurrent pneumothorax was higher in those receiving NOM (13% vs 3%, P < 0.001). Patients from the lowest median household income quartile more frequently received NOM compared with the highest income quartile (82% vs 76%) with more readmissions.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PSP who underwent initial NOM experienced higher readmission rates than those receiving operative resection. Furthermore, socioeconomic status was associated with the utilization of nonoperative versus operative management.
PMID:37042098 | DOI:10.1177/15569845231166929
