Mantho Fopa P1,4, Marius Kemini Kamdem M3, Ndom Ebongue MS1,3, Edi’i C3, Bitchoka ER4, Mbono R1,3, Ngowe Ngowe M2, Mouafo Tambo F2.
1- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala
2- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I
3- Pediatric Emergency Unit, Laquintinie Hospital of Douala
4- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Laquintinie Hospital of Douala
Correspondance: Docteur Pauline MANTHO FOPA; Laquintinie Hospital. Douala. Cameroon.
Tel : +237) 690687823.
E-mail : [email protected]
SUMMARY
Introduction: appendectomy is the most common emergency abdominal surgical procedure in children. Postoperative complications are usually intra-abdominal, while thoracic complications such as pyothorax remain extremely rare.
Case report: we report the case of a 10-year-old girl who developed an encapsulated right-sided pyothorax following appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. The postoperative course was marked by persistent fever, wound infection, and progressive respiratory distress. Chest computed tomography confirmed a large loculated empyema without subphrenic abscess. Thoracic surgery was indicated but delayed due to financial constraints. Surgical pleural decortication resulted in full lung re-expansion and favorable outcome.
This case highlights diagnostic challenges, the importance of chest imaging, and the impact of delayed thoracic surgery in low-resource settings.
Conclusion: encapsulated pyothorax is a rare but severe complication of appendectomy in children. Early multidisciplinary management is essential to reduce morbidity.
Key words: child, appendectomy, pyothorax, empyema, pleural decortication, resource-limited setting.