Robot-assisted Heller's myotomy for achalasia in children.

Background: Achalasia is rare in children. Surgical options include open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches. However, Heller's myotomy remains the treatment of choice.

Esophageal foreign bodies in children: Emphasis on complicated cases.

Background: Esophageal foreign bodies (EFBs) are a relatively common clinical problem in pediatric patients. The majority of EFBs pass harmlessly through the gastrointestinal tract; however, some EFBs can cause significant morbidities. This study was conducted to review our experience in managing esophageal foreign bodies in pediatric patients, with an emphasis on the management and outcomes of complicated cases.

Robotic-assisted surgery in children: advantages and limitations.

The use of surgical robots in minimally invasive surgery was developed to overcome difficulties seen with conventional laparoscopic surgery. I report my experience with pediatric robotic-assisted surgery and highlight its feasibility, safety, advantages, and limitations. Children and infants included in this study underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic procedures performed by the author, using the original da Vinci surgical system, between July 2005 and July 2008.

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 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.

Primary omental torsion in children. The pre-disposing factors and role of laparoscopy in diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: To determine the predisposing factors and to evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and management of primary omental torsion in children.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of all children treated for primary omental torsion from August 1999 to December 2004 at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Demographic data, clinical presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities were evaluated.

Laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Objectives: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is rapidly becoming an alternative to open appendectomy for the treatment of appendicitis in children. We examined the efficacy, safety and complications of performing LA in children.

Methods: This is a critical review of the children who underwent LA between January 1999 and May 2003 at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Late presentation of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in children.

The diagnosis of tracheobronchial foreign body (FB) aspiration in children is often delayed or overlooked. The aim of this study is to examine the causes of delay (>1 month) in the diagnosis and to study the complications of late presentation and their management. During the period between July 1993 and August 2002, 128 patients with suspected FB aspiration were admitted to KKUH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Surgical management of severe peptic esophageal stricture in children.

Background/aims: In spite of the well-established treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in children, the surgical management of peptic esophageal stricture remains controversial. Previous studies adopted various treatment protocols and included strictures with various degrees of severity. In this study, we selectively reviewed children with severe peptic strictures with various degrees of severity.

Non operative management of blunt bile duct injuries in children.

Bile duct injuries after blunt abdominal trauma are rare in children. This report describes 2 cases of blunt bile duct injuries in children, which were managed non-operatively. One patient sustained partial tear in the right hepatic duct, which was managed successfully by passing a stent into the injured duct during endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography.