Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) provides a minimally invasive alternative to open brain surgery, making it a powerful neurosurgical tool especially in pediatric patients. This systematic review aimed to highlight the indications and complications of LITT in the pediatric population.

In line with the PRISMA guidelines, the authors conducted a systematic review to summarize the current applications and safety profiles of LITT in pediatrics. PubMed and Embase were searched for studies that reported the outcomes of LITT in patients < 21 years of age. Retrospective studies, case series, and case reports were included. Two authors independently screened the articles by title and abstract followed by full text. Relevant variables were extracted from studies that met final eligibility, and results were pooled using descriptive statistics.

The selection process captured 303 pediatric LITT procedures across 35 studies. Males comprised approximately 60% of the aggregate sample, with a mean age of 10.5 years (range 0.5–21 years). The LITT technologies used included Visualase (89%), NeuroBlate (9%), and Multilase 2100 (2%). The most common indication was treatment of seizures (86%), followed by brain tumors (16%). The mean follow-up duration was 15.6 months (range 1.3–48 months). The overall complication rate was 15.8%, which comprised transient neurological deficits, cognitive and electrolyte disturbances, hemorrhage, edema, and hydrocephalus. No deaths were reported.

As of now, LITT’s most common applications in pediatrics are focused on treating medically refractory epilepsy and brain tumors that can be difficult to resect. The safety of LITT can provide an attractive alternative to open brain surgery in the pediatric population.

激光间质热疗 (LITT) 提供了一种微创替代开颅手术的方法，使其成为一种强大的神经外科工具，尤其是在儿科患者中。本系统评价旨在强调 LITT 在儿科人群中的适应症和并发症。

根据 PRISMA 指南，作者进行了系统评价，总结了 LITT 在儿科中的当前应用和安全性。在 PubMed 和 Embase 中搜索了报告 LITT 在 < 21 岁患者中的结果的研究。包括回顾性研究、病例系列和病例报告。两位作者通过标题和摘要以及全文独立筛选文章。从符合最终资格的研究中提取相关变量，并使用描述性统计汇总结果。

选择过程涵盖了 35 项研究中的 303 项儿科 LITT 程序。男性约占总样本的 60%，平均年龄为 10.5 岁（范围 0.5-21 岁）。使用的 LITT 技术包括 Visualase (89%)、NeuroBlate (9%) 和 Multilase 2100 (2%)。最常见的适应症是治疗癫痫发作 (86%)，其次是脑肿瘤 (16%)。平均随访时间为 15.6 个月（范围 1.3-48 个月）。总体并发症发生率为 15.8%，包括一过性神经功能障碍、认​​知和电解质紊乱、出血、水肿和脑积水。没有死亡报告。

截至目前，LITT 在儿科中最常见的应用集中在治疗难以切除的医学难治性癫痫和脑肿瘤。LITT 的安全性可以为儿科人群提供一种有吸引力的脑部开放手术替代方案。