Thoracoscopic external traction suture elongation for the management of long-gap oesophageal atresia: a two-centre experience.

Aim: Van der Zee (VdZ) described a technique to elongate the oesophagus in long-gap oesophageal atresia (LGOA) by thoracoscopic placement of external traction sutures (TPETS). Here, we describe our experience of using this technique.

Method: Retrospective review of all LGOA + / - distal tracheo-oesophageal fistula (dTOF) cases where TPETS was used in our institutions.

Outcomes of patients with exomphalos and associated congenital heart diseases.

Introduction: Exomphalos is an anterior abdominal wall defect resulting in herniation of contents into the umbilical cord. Severe associated chromosomal anomalies and congenital heart disease (CHD) are known to influence mortality, but it is not clear which cardiac anomalies have the greatest impact on survival.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the treatment and outcome of patients with exomphalos over a 30-year period (1990-2020), with a focus on those with the combination of exomphalos major and major CHD (EMCHD).

Fluorescence-guided lymph node sampling is feasible during up-front or delayed nephrectomy for Wilms tumor.

Background: Lymph node sampling is critical to surgical staging in Wilms tumor; failure to sample lymph nodes is associated with under-staging and an increased incidence of local relapse. However, no standard lymphatic mapping method is currently being utilized for Wilms tumor to aid identification of regional draining lymph nodes. Herein, we describe the use of fluorescence-guided lymphatic mapping for Wilms tumor.

A single centre experience using internal traction sutures in managing long gap oesophageal atresia.

Aim: Thoracoscopically placed internal traction sutures (ITS) for the initial management of long gap oesophageal atresia (LGOA), not amenable to primary anastomosis, was first described in 2015. Here we describe our experience using ITS both thoracoscopically and at thoracotomy where the gap between upper and lower oesophagus is too wide for primary anastomosis.

Method: The case notes of all infants treated with ITS for oesophageal atresia (01/10/2015 to 01/12/2019) were reviewed.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous insertion of Broviac lines in infants less than 5kg: Prospective study of 100 consecutive procedures.

Aim: Ultrasound-guided (USG) percutaneous insertion of Broviac lines (cuffed tunnelled silastic central venous catheters, TCVC) has increasingly been adopted throughout the UK. However, vascular access remains a challenge in small babies and in some units is still performed by open cutdown. Our vascular access team, established in 2004, consists of consultant surgeons, anaesthetists and interventional radiologists, who provide all permanent vascular access by the USG technique.