Surgical indications in persistent atelectasis in early childhood

Between 1980 and 1989 46 lung resections were performed in 45 children (0-9 years of age) for recurrent or persistent "atelectasis". Indications for surgery were intralobar sequestration (6), bronchial malformations and stenoses (7), chronic pneumonia following infection or aspiration (11), bronchiectases (4), pyocele associated with pulmonary artery ligation (1), upper lobe torsion (1), compression by cysts (6) or lobar emphysema (10). Overall mortality: 4/45 (2 of them within 4 weeks postoperatively) secondary to long-term artificial ventilation and associated or intercurrent disturbances.