Laparoscopic Sac Excision as a Definitive Technique for Inguinal Hernia Management in Pediatric Females: A Prospective Study.

Introduction: The utilization of laparoscopic techniques in the management of inguinal hernias among pediatric patients has seen a rising trend. We aimed to assess the efficacy of laparoscopic excision of the hernial sac as a suitable approach for managing inguinal hernias specifically in female patients and conducted a prospective study to investigate this hypothesis.

Methods: Over a comprehensive four-year period, a total of 99 hernias in 69 female patients were surgically addressed using laparoscopic methods.

Membranous diaphragm presenting as esophageal atresia in a neonate.

Whenever a newborn infant presents with excessive salivation and failure to pass nasogastric tube, one of the 5 major types of esophageal atresia is suspected. We report a rare case where a newborn infant presented with features of esophageal atresia due to membranous diaphragm.

Preperitoneal approach for incarcerated inguinal hernia in children.

Background/purpose: The authors have been using abdominal extraperitoneal approach for treatment of incarcerated inguinal hernia in children for the last 2 years. The aim of this paper is to report on this experience.

Methods: Between March 1994 and July 1996, cases of infants and children presenting with incarcerated inguinal hernia were studied.

Gas exchange across native lungs and extracorporeal membrane in neonates and pigs during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a commonly used treatment modality for severe neonatal respiratory failure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between ECMO blood flow and gas exchange across the native lungs and the extracorporeal membrane. In three healthy pigs, the ECMO flow correlated significantly with oxygen transfer (VO2) across the membrane (n = 12, r = .

Short bowel syndrome: metabolic and surgical management.

The management of short bowel syndrome requires long-term nutritional support and monitoring, medication, and occasionally additional surgical procedures. Constant attention is required to ensure adequate adaptation of the gut. This article reviews the normal function of the small bowel, adaptation following resection, total parenteral and enteral nutrition, and the role of adjunctive surgical procedures in the management of short bowel syndrome.

Rectoperineal fistula in newborn boys.

Three newborn boys presented with features suggestive of classic low anorectal abnormality. However, during surgery they were found to have an intermediate anorectal abnormality and a rectoperineal fistula rather than an anocutaneous fistula. The surgical treatment of these infants is discussed.

Does the fibrin coat around a central venous catheter influence catheter-related sepsis?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the fibrin sheath that develops around an intravenous silicone catheter influences catheter-related sepsis. A rat model with a central intravenous silicone catheter was used. Staphylococcus aureus, dose 1 x 10(7) colony forming units (cfu), were injected via the tail vein, either immediately after catheter insertion (group 1, n = 23) or after the catheter had been in situ for at least 7 days (group 2, n = 22).

Serum electrolytes and capillary blood gases in the management of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the concentration of serum chloride and other variables, namely serum sodium, potassium and bicarbonate, can be used to predict metabolic acid-base status in infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) and to assess whether such a prediction is influenced by the state of hydration. One hundred and sixty-three infants with HPS who had at least one set of serum electrolyte and capillary blood gas estimations performed after admission were studied retrospectively. A further 25 infants who had their electrolyte and blood gases measured after at least 12 h of rehydration and correction of the serum sodium and chloride abnormalities were studied prospectively.

Necrotizing enterocolitis following operation in the neonatal period.

Over a 16-year period, 33 newborn infants developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) following some form of operation (accounting for 19 per cent of all neonates with NEC), including repair of myelomeningocele, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The neonates with postoperative NEC had a median birth-weight of 3.05 (range 1.

Preoperative stabilisation in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Between January 1983 and November 1986, 26 newborn infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were treated by early operation at a mean of 7 hours of age. A further 23 infants admitted between December 1986 and December 1989 were stabilised for a mean period of 40 hours before operation. There was no significant difference in survival between the two groups.

Effect of sepsis and surgery on trace minerals.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of infection and surgery on serum iron, zinc, and the copper simultaneously. Twenty patients who had emergency abdominal surgery for acute inflammatory conditions, and 15 controls who had elective abdominal surgery were studied. Preoperatively, serum iron levels were significantly decreased in the septic group compared to controls (p less than 0.

Richter's hernia in the neonate.

Three neonates with small bowel obstruction seen recently at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital were found to have a Richter's hernia at laparotomy. In all cases Richter's hernia was at the internal inguinal ring. Two of them had suture of the hernial sac from within the abdomen at the time of laparotomy.