The Peri-operative Bariatric Surgery Care in the Middle East Region.

Background: Bariatric surgery is common in the Middle East region. However, regional accreditation bodies and guidelines are lacking. We present the current peri-operative practice of bariatric surgery in the Middle East region.

Congenital Morgagni's hernia: a national multicenter study.

Background: Congenital Morgagni's hernia (CMH) is rare and represents less than 5% of all congenital diaphragmatic hernias. This is a national review of our experience with CMH outlining clinical presentation, methods of diagnosis, associated anomalies, treatment, and outcome.

Patients And Methods: The medical records of all patients with the diagnosis of CMH treated at four pediatric surgery units in Saudi Arabia were retrospectively reviewed for age at diagnosis, sex, presenting symptoms, associated anomalies, diagnosis, operative findings, treatment, and outcome.

Strategy to combat obesity and to promote physical activity in Arab countries.

Obesity has become a major public health problem in the Arab countries, creating a health and economic burden on these countries' government services. There is an urgent need to develop a strategy for prevention and control of obesity. The third Arab Conference on Obesity and Physical Activity was held in Bahrain in January 2010, and proposed the Strategy to Combat Obesity and Promote Physical Activity in Arab Countries.

Hepatobiliary anomalies in conjoined twins.

Introduction: Conjoined twinning is an extremely rare anomaly. Very few diagrammatic descriptions are provided for the various hepatobiliary anomalies seen in these twins. We aimed to review our experience with the various subtypes of hepatobiliary anomalies and their association with the inability to separate as well as provide diagrammatic descriptions of these anomalies.

Laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through for anorectal malformations: a systematic review and the need for standardization of outcome reporting.

Introduction: Laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) is becoming an increasingly common procedure to correct high and intermediate anorectal malformations (ARMs). The aim of this review was to evaluate worldwide experiences with LAARP with regard to indications, outcomes, and quality of reporting.

Method: A systematic review was conducted.

Management of neonatal massive anterior mediastinal teratoma--a case report.

We report a challenging case of a newborn with a massive anterior mediastinal teratoma (MT), occupying nearly the right hemithorax, presenting at birth with life threatening respiratory distress (RD). Optimal approach and outcome was achieved with a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach.

Thoracoscopic division of vascular rings in infants and children.

Objective: Traditionally vascular rings in infants and children are treated through an open thoracotomy. Recently, thoracoscopic surgery has been used for these complex procedures. This study reports our early experience with thoracoscopic division of vascular rings and evaluates the efficacy and safety of this approach.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in adolescent: safety and efficacy.

Background: Obesity prevalence is rapidly increasing among children and adolescents worldwide. It is considered one of the most alarming public health issues facing the world today. The adult experience has demonstrated that surgery is the only effective means of achieving persistent weight loss in obese patients.

Laparoscopic appendectomy is a favorable alternative for complicated appendicitis in children.

Laparoscopic appendectomy in children is a generally accepted procedure for the treatment of non-complicated acute appendicitis. Nevertheless, the role of laparoscopy in complicated appendicitis is more controversial. The objective of this study was to examine the safety, efficacy and complications of laparoscopy in children with complicated appendicitis.

Traumatic pediatric bile duct injury: nonoperative intervention as an alternative to surgical intervention.

Background: Nonoperative management of blunt pediatric liver injuries has become the standard of care in the absence of hemodynamic instability. However, associated bile duct injuries remain as difficult challenges. Few case reports have demonstrated the benefits of conservative approaches, but others have found better outcomes with surgical intervention.

Minimal access surgery in neonates and infants.

Background: Minimal access surgery (MAS) in small infants carries an important consideration. The tolerance of these small babies and the assumed physiological effect of MAS, in addition to the required anesthetic and surgical skills, have made it difficult to perform these types of procedures in many international centers. The present article reviews our experience with MAS in neonates and infants in the first year of life.

Thoracoscopic treatment of pulmonary hydatid cyst in a child.

Hydatid disease has a wide geographic distribution around the world. In human, the lungs are the second most commonly affected sites. Pulmonary hydatidosis is much more frequently encountered in children than in adults.

Lengthening technique for long gap esophageal atresia and early anastomosis.

Background/purpose: The treatment of long gap esophageal atresia remains a major surgical challenge. Whereas many approaches have been used for this problem, none are ideal. The authors used a technique originally described by Dr John E.

Endobronchial tumors in children: Institutional experience and literature review.

Background/purpose: Endobronchial tumors are rare in children and often misdiagnosed as benign conditions resulting in delayed definitive treatment. The authors reviewed their experience to highlight pertinent aspects of diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of children with endobronchial tumors diagnosed between 1980 and 2002.