Evaluating long-term results of modified Heller limited esophagomyotomy in children with esophageal achalasia.

Background/purpose: Modified Heller esophagomyotomy has become the initial treatment of choice for esophageal achalasia in children. However, only limited and not objective data are currently available on the long-term results of modified Heller limited esophagomyotomy (LEM). This retrospective study was undertaken to objectively assess the long-term results of LEM in childhood esophageal achalasia.

Treves' field congenital hernias in children: an unsuspected rare cause of acute small bowel obstruction.

The Treves' field congenital hernias (TFCH) are an unusual cause of bowel obstruction that may result in irreversible damage of the small bowel or a fatal outcome, unless treated timely and properly. We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of four patients who underwent surgery for TFCHs over a period of 9 years. The types of TFCHs, only diagnosed at surgery, were identified as transmesenteric through a defect in Treves' field in three patients, and as hernia into Treves' field pouch in one patient.

Colonic necrosis because of strangulated recurrent Morgagni's hernia in a child with Down's syndrome.

Postoperative bowel obstruction complicating a recurrent Morgagni's hernia (MH) is an uncommon condition and hence the presentation. Nonspecific symptoms and misleading radiologic image may result in misdiagnosis and severe complications. We report the case of a child with a transverse colon necrosis because of strangulation in a misdiagnosed recurrent MH.

Hickman-Broviac catheter-related infections in children with malignancies.

Infectious complications are frequently encountered following Hickman-Broviac (H-B) catheter insertion. The medical records of 164 children with malignancies who underwent H-B catheter insertion from March 1, 1988 to December 31, 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. During a 35,697 catheter-day period, 77 catheter-related infections occurred, including 50 catheter-insertion-site infections and 27 bloodstream infections.

Wound infections after minor limb lacerations: risk factors and the role of antimicrobial agents.

Background: The requirement for antimicrobial agents in patients with minor limb lacerations was prospectively studied.

Methods: The development of wound infections in patients with minor limb lacerations who received amoxicillin plus clavulanate acid treatment (group A, 52 patients) was studied and compared with patients who did not (group B, 48 patients).

Results: Wound infection occurred in 6 (11.

Risk factors for childhood burn injuries: a case-control study from Greece.

During a 12-month period 239 children who presented with a burn injury at the Emergency Department of a teaching children's hospital in Athens, with city-wide coverage, and 239 gender- and age-matched controls with minor non-injury ailments were interviewed. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic characteristics of the children and their families, information allowing the construction of a burn avoidance index in their homes and items from the Achenback scale that were synthesized into a child activity score. The data were analyzed through conditional logistic regression.

Hazards of baby walkers in a European context.

Objectives: To identify conditions related to baby walker injuries in a Greek population.

Design: Analysis of all baby walker related injuries recorded during a 12 month period by the childhood injury surveillance system established in one of the two teaching hospitals for children serving the population of Athens.

Setting: Emergency clinics of A Kyriakou Children's Hospital in Athens, Greece.

[Cryosurgery in vasomotor rhinitis].

Experience with cryotherapy of vasomotor rhinitis is reported. This proved effective with respect to occlusive and seromucous secretory components. The concomitant vasomotor phenomena such as cephalea and oviduct obstructions received some benefit.

Volvulus of the sigmoid colon.

Sigmoid volvulus in children is quite rare and may occur in acute fulminating form requiring early diagnosis and surgery. In this case, bowel continuity after resection of the necrotic sigmoid was reestablished in a two-stage operation.