Pedicled pericardial patch in tracheal reconstruction in children - Novel technique to provide vascularized tissue for salvaging difficult airways.

Background: Management of large central airway defects are often complex. Children who present with these defects have multiple co-morbidities or have had previous surgeries. Surgical options include various tissue cover for these defects without longer term benefits.

Improving community-based care for children with a rare condition: The example of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis and perceptions of health professionals, parents and teachers.

Background: Long segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) is a rare, complex condition which is often poorly understood by community-based health professionals (HPs). Anecdotally, such HPs often lack confidence providing care for children, resulting in children being brought to the tertiary centre more frequently than necessary. We wanted to identify the information and support needs of HPs in primary and secondary care looking after a child with LSCTS, the views of those providing education to these children, and elicit parents' perceptions about community-based services, to improve overall care for children and families.

Lung Hypoplasia Associated With Ring-Sling Complex Is Usually Right-Sided.

Background: Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) is usually associated with long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS). This combination of abnormalities can also be associated with lung hypoplasia abnormalities (hypoplasia, aplasia, or agenesis). This study analyzed the association of lung hypoplasia abnormalities with combined PAS and LSCTS and its influence on its surgical outcomes.

Bronchial Dieulafoy's Disease in Children: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Dieulafoy's disease is a rare vascular lesion characterized by presence of large aberrant arteries within the submucosa of gastrointestinal tract or respiratory tract with a potential to cause life-threatening hemorrhage. Treatment includes bronchoscopy ablation, angiographic embolization or surgery. We report management of 7-year old girl with Dieulafoy's disease in the airway who presented with recurrent hemoptysis.

Staging of Surgical Procedures in Comorbid Congenital Tracheal Stenosis and Congenital Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: Comorbid long segment congenital tracheal stenosis and congenital cardiovascular abnormalities in children pose significant challenges with regard to repairing these abnormalities simultaneously or in stages. The aim of this study was to explore whether this combination of abnormalities needs a staged approach for surgical repairs.

Methods: All children who underwent both tracheal and cardiac surgical procedures at a tertiary hospital from 1995 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively for mortality, ventilation days, postoperative intensive care unit days, mediastinitis, and unplanned reoperation by dividing them into simultaneous repairs (group 1), staged repairs within the same admission (group 2), and staged repairs during different admissions (group 3).

Autologous pedicled pericardial patch repair of tracheobronchial defect.

An acquired posterior tracheal wall defect, most commonly an acquired tracheoesophageal fistula, is a challenging clinical scenario. Autologous pedicled pericardial patch repair is a versatile and sustainable technique for the repair of a large tracheal defect, from primary management to airway salvage. This video tutorial demonstrates the technical aspects of this technique using step-by-step video.

Disturbingly high fracture rate of STRATOS bars in pectus corrections.

Objectives: Several procedures have been described to correct pectus excavatum and carinatum. We have used a modified Ravitch procedure (STRATOS titanium bars) for patients who were unsuitable for the minimally invasive Nuss procedure. The operation produced excellent cosmetic results, but we have noted several fractures and displacements of the STRATOS bars.

A Research Protocol to Test the Effectiveness of Text Messaging and Reminder Calls to Increase Service Use Referrals in a Community Engagement Program.

Background: Mobile phoned-based interventions have been increasingly used in clinical populations to improve health and health care delivery. The literature has shown that mobile phone-based text messages (short message service, SMS) are instantaneous, cost effective, and have less chance of being misplaced. Studies using mobile phone based-text messages have reported text messages as effective reminders that have resulted in increased appointment attendance, adherence to treatment, and better self-management.