Engineered Tissue-Stent Biocomposites as Tracheal Replacements.

Here we report the creation of a novel tracheal construct in the form of an engineered, acellular tissue-stent biocomposite trachea (TSBT). Allogeneic or xenogeneic smooth muscle cells are cultured on polyglycolic acid polymer-metal stent scaffold leading to the formation of a tissue comprising cells, their deposited collagenous matrix, and the stent material. Thorough decellularization then produces a final acellular tubular construct.

Thyroid Surgery in Children: Clinical Outcomes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of thyroid surgery in children operated for both benign and malignant conditions.

Patients And Method: Demography, clinical features, and surgical outcomes were noted retrospectively for operations performed during the last 23 years. Results were analyzed using Fisher exact test and Woolf (logit) method with p value < 0.

Paediatric laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy: a single centre series.

Background: The optimal management of oesophageal achalasia remains unclear in the paediatric population due to the rarity of the disease. This study reviews the institutional experience of the laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy (HC) procedure and attempts to define the most appropriate treatment.

Methods: A retrospective review of children undergoing HC at a single institution was performed.

Novel exomphalos genetic mouse model: the importance of accurate phenotypic classification.

Background: Rodent models of abdominal wall defects (AWD) may provide insight into the pathophysiology of these conditions including gut dysfunction in gastroschisis, or pulmonary hypoplasia in exomphalos. Previously, a Scribble mutant mouse model (circletail) was reported to exhibit gastroschisis. We further characterise this AWD in Scribble knockout mice.