Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive 27 newborns and infants (14 males, 13 females) who underwent thoracic surgical procedures between January 2000 and December 2014 in our clinic. Of the patients, 10 (37%) were newborns (mean age 98.4±103.1 days; range 2 to 340 days). We reviewed patients’ age, gender, diagnosis, surgical procedure, postoperative hospitalization time, complications, and mortality rates. Patients who had chest tube for neonatal pneumothorax or bronchoscopy due to any reason were excluded from the study.

Results: Surgery indications were congenital cystic pulmonary malformations in 10 patients (37%) (six lobar emphysemas, four cystic adenomatoid malformations) mediastinal cysts in four patients (14.8%) (three gastroenteric cysts, one cystic teratoma), congenital diaphragmatic hernia in four patients (14.8%) (three Morgagni hernias, one Bochdalek hernia), diaphragmatic eventration in three patients (11.2%), mediastinal cavernous hemangioma in two patients (7.4%), Jeune syndrome in one (3.7%), cleft sternum in one, congenital chylothorax in one, and chest wall tumor (lipoblastoma) in one patient. Atelectasis was observed in two patients (7.4%) postoperatively. Hospital mortality was observed in one patient (3.7%) with Jeune syndrome. Mean postoperative hospitalization time was 6.9 days (range 1 to 30 days).

Conclusion: Although indications for thoracic surgery are rare in newborns and infants, this intervention may be lifesaving and performed successfully in majority of patients.