Three-dimensional reconstruction of defects in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a fetal MRI study.

Objective: To assess the clinical feasibility and validity of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction to locate, classify and quantify diaphragmatic defects in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods: This retrospective study included 46 cases of CDH which underwent a total of 69 fetal MRI scans (65 in-vivo and four postmortem) at the Medical University of Vienna during the period 1 January 2002 to 1 January 2017. Scans were performed between 16 and 38 gestational weeks using steady-state free precession, T2-weighted and T1-weighted sequences.

Modified minimally invasive pectus repair in children, adolescents and adults: an analysis of 262 patients.

In order to achieve safe and successful funnel chest treatment even in older patients and reduce postoperative complications, we modified the procedure of minimally invasive pectus repair using the single-piece pectus bar (PSI Hofer Medical, Austria) with no metal abrasion. The features of modified minimally invasive funnel chest correction (MMIPR) are the following: (a) additional subxiphoidal incision, (b) anterior mediastinal-mediastinoscopic mobilization, (c) mediastinoscopy, (d) elevation of the funnel during pectus bar placement, and (e) fixation of the implant ends in a latissimus dorsi muscle bag, below the anterior margin of the muscle. In older funnel chest patients with a stiff thorax, a curved sternum, marked asymmetry or a mixed pigeon/funnel chest, the minimally invasive correction method has to be supplemented by additional surgical measures (MEMIPR) such as partial sternotomy (23%), slit-rib chondrotomy under thoracoscopic guidance (Rokitansky method; 48%), rib resection (5%), and occasionally rib osteotomy.

Superior postoperative pain relief with thoracic epidural analgesia versus intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair.

Objective: Minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair is a common and painful surgical procedure in children and adolescents. Adequate postoperative pain therapy is important far beyond the immediate postoperative period because sensitization to painful stimuli can cause chronic pain or higher pain levels during subsequent surgical procedures. Although data in adults favor thoracic epidural anesthesia for pain control in thoracotomy, data for adolescents and children are scarce.

Early exposure to latex products mediates latex sensitization in spina bifida but not in other diseases with comparable latex exposure rates.

Background: The high prevalence of latex sensitization in patients with spina bifida (SB) has been attributed to repeated and early exposure to latex products. Other diseases such as gastroschisis/omphalocoele and post-haemorrhagic/congenital hydrocephalus are also associated with repeated and early latex exposure.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the high prevalence of latex sensitization in patients with SB is rather related to the underlying disease itself than to disease-associated known risk factors.

Thoracoplasty for treatment of asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia in a newborn.

In our case report and literature review, we report about a female newborn with severe asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia of the spondylocostal dysostosis classification to whom an expandable thoracoplasty with metal implants offered survival and discharge at home from newborn to infancy.