The natural history of prenatally diagnosed congenital pulmonary airway malformations and bronchopulmonary sequestrations.

Background: The natural history of congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM) and bronchopulmonary sequestrations (BPS) is not fully understood, and the management of the newborn with an asymptomatic lesion is a controversial issue. We aimed to study the natural history and outcome of CPAM/BPS at our institution with a policy of watchful waiting, and to investigate if any prognostic factors in the pre- and/or postnatal- period may predict the need for surgery.

Material And Methods: A retrospective review study was conducted of children prenatally diagnosed with CPAM and/or BPS during the 18-year period, from 2002 to 2020.

Plasma levels of levobupivacaine during continuous infusion via a wound catheter after major surgery in newborn infants: An observational study.

Background: Epidurals may be challenging in neonatal patients due to technical difficulties relating to insertion and the risk of local anaesthesia toxicity. The use of wound catheters with an infusion of local anaesthetic has been shown to be well tolerated in adults and older children. There are few data concerning wound catheter techniques in neonatal patients.

Plasma concentrations of levobupivacaine associated with two different intermittent wound infusion regimens following surgical ductus ligation in preterm infants.

Background: Administration of local anesthetics by a surgically placed wound catheter has recently been shown to reduce the need for postoperative morphine administration in extremely preterm infants undergoing ductus ligation. The primary aim of this randomized safety study was to define the plasma levels of levobupivacaine (LB) following two different intermittent infusion regimens.

Methods: Eighteen preterm infants 23-27 gestational weeks, median birthweight 721 g scheduled for ductus ligation were included in the study.

Mitral annular disjunction in advanced myxomatous mitral valve disease: echocardiographic detection and surgical correction.

Mitral annular disjunction is a structural abnormality of the mitral annulus fibrosus described by pathologists in association with mitral leaflet prolapse and defined as a separation between the atrial wall-mitral valve (MV) junction and the left ventricular attachment allowing for hypermobility of the MV apparatus. The transesophageal echocardiographic characteristics of this abnormality have not been previously described. In patients undergoing MV repair for myxomatous MV degeneration and evaluated using a standardized transesophageal echocardiographic protocol, annular disjunction (mean value 10 +/- 3 mm) was seen at the base of the posterior leaflet in 98% of patients with advanced, and in 9% of patients with mild/moderate MV degeneration.