Contemporary management of Hirschsprung disease in New Zealand.

Background: The aim of this study was to report the contemporary management of Hirschsprung disease (HD) in New Zealand.

Methods: We undertook a national multi-centre retrospective review of all newly diagnosed cases of HD during a 16-year period (2000-2015). Demographics, genetic and syndromic associations, family history, radiology and histology results and surgical interventions were analysed.

Declining incidence of pyloric stenosis in New Zealand.

Background: Pyloric stenosis is a relatively common paediatric surgical condition, but a worldwide decline in its incidence has been observed in recent decades. The objective of this study was to identify if the incidence of pyloric stenosis in New Zealand has been declining.

Methods: A retrospective review of the four New Zealand paediatric surgical centres' theatre databases from 2007 to 2017.

Ethnic variations in the childhood prevalence of Hirschsprung disease in New Zealand.

Background: Epidemiological studies have suggested that there may be ethnic variations in the prevalence of Hirschsprung disease (HD) but no study has systematically investigated this issue or potential ethnic variations in the extent of aganglionosis in HD. This study aimed to investigate this in a childhood population in New Zealand.

Methods: A multicentre national retrospective review was undertaken of all newly diagnosed cases of HD at each of the four paediatric surgical centres in New Zealand over a 16-year period (January 2000 to December 2015).

Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm low birth weight infants.

Background And Aim Of The Study: In many preterm low-birth-weight infants, ductus arteriosus fails to close spontaneously. This study evaluates the results of surgical ligation of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm low birth weight infants.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all infants undergoing surgical closure of PDA from January 1987 to December 2005.

Comparative study between window and conventional enterostomies in preterm neonates with small bowel perforations.

Objectives: Small bowel perforations in the neonatal period can be secondary to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), ischemic necrosis, or occlusive anomalies of the small bowel; furthermore, they may be of no discernible cause. Depending on the clinical condition of the infant and the extent of the disease, a number of surgical options are available; one of which is exteriorization. To reduce the morbidity of stoma among patients, we adopted a technique called window enterostomy (WEnt).

Is contralateral exploration necessary in preterm infants with unilateral inguinal hernia?

Purpose: Contralateral inguinal exploration has been the preferred approach to preterm infants with unilateral inguinal hernia. There is no literature evidence to justify this. The aim of this prospective study is to analyze the incidence and to determine any risk factors for the development of contralateral metachronous hernia (MH) in the preterm when compared with term infants.

Comparison of suture ligation and clip application for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates.

Objective: We reviewed the experience of 2 centers performing surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates to identify whether the choice of surgical technique--suture ligation or clip application--affected outcome.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2005, 67 newborn infants had open surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus: 33 by suture ligation and 34 by clip application. The groups were similar in age and sex.

Long-term dilatation of caustic strictures of the oesophagus.

Caustic strictures of the oesophagus (CSO) in children are managed in different ways. Our study looks into the results of long-term dilatation of such strictures. Of 109 children admitted to our hospital with caustic ingestion, 10 developed strictures.