Serum polyamine and octopamine changes following partial hepatectomy and portacaval shunt.

Factors influencing hepatic regeneration following major hepatic resection are poorly understood and often may be modified by associated surgical procedures. Experimental and clinical evidence would suggest that hepatic regeneration may be impaired following hepatectomy performed in conjunction with portacaval shunting. A patient is described who offered a clinical situation in which it was possible to evaluate the effects of complete portal-venous diversion on hepatic regeneration following massive hepatic resection.

Wilms' tumor with acute abdominal pain.

Acute abdominal pain is the presenting manifestation in approximately 30% of all patients with Willms' tumor. In a small proportion of these patients this pain is significant enough to engender a diagnosis of an acute surgical abdomen. Six of 38 patients with Wilms' tumors treated between the years 1965 and 1975 at the Shands Teaching Hospital of the University of Florida Medical Center have had significant pain.

Traumatic perforation of the hypopharynx in infants.

Three cases of traumatic perforation and pseudodiverticulum of the hypopharynx in newborn infants are presented. This lesion may be encountered with increasing frequency as a result of the more aggressive management of newborn infants with respiratory distress. Early recognition of this complication is essential to successful therapy.

Endobronchial cryotherapy in the treatment of tracheal strictures.

Modern advances in ventilatory support systems have introduced a patient population requiring long term endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy. The formation of tracheal strictures in such patients remains a very significant clinical problem despite new modifications in endotracheal tube design and materials. Dissatisfied with standard modalities of treatment for these lesions, we have explored the usefulness of endobronchial cryotherapy for the treatment of such stricture.

Surgical management of massive ventral hernias in children.

The management of 7 children with massive abdominal wall hernias is reviewed, utilizing a technique of stabilizing the defect by insertion of a Teflon mesh prosthesis followed by pneumoperitoneum and staged reduction. Teflon mesh has proven ideally suited for this purpose because of its flexibility, elasticity, and relative nonreactivity, allowing it to be applied directly over the surface of exposed bowel without inducing fistula formation. Although the mesh is securely incorporated into the fascial perimeter of the abdominal wall, a pseudomembrane is formed at the point of contact with the bowel surface which allows subsequent dissection and removal of the prosthesis with relative ease.

Thoracoscopy for diagnosis of intrathoracic lesions in children.

Disenchantment with available techniques for specific diagnosis of intrathoracic pulmonary lesions in children has led us to explore the usefulness of thoracoscopy. We have performed this technique in nine patients ranging in age from 17 mo to 16 yr. The procedure is performed under intravenous anesthesia with the patient spontaneously breathing oxygen.

Traumatic para-mediastinal air cyst. A case report.

The roentgenographic features of a paramediastinal air cyst following chest trauma are reported. After an initial period of enlargement the lesion completely resolved in one month. Experience with this patient and a review of similar cases reported in the literature suggests that lesions of this type may be observed for spontaneous resolution.

Intrahepatic cholestasis with parental alimentation.

From July 1971 to March 1975, elevan infants receiving total or partial parenteral alimentation at the University of Florida showed histologic evidence of intrahepatic cholestasis. The clinical records of these patients have been examined. These infants were critically ill and had protracted hospital courses with only two survivors.

Complications following gastric surgery in children.

Although the diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease may be difficult in the pediatric age group, this problem is being faced increasingly by the physicians charged with the care of these children. Chronicity of symptoms has been documented in over 50 per cent of the patients demonstrating early peptic ulcers and therefore an aggressive approach to management has been advocated. Although the numbers are small, postgastrectomy syndromes of mechanical and nutritional nature appear less common in the young patient than in adults.

Treatment of gastroschisis and omphalocele with biological dressings.

Porcine skin grafts and human amniotic membranes have been used as biological dressings for the treatment of gastroschisis or omphalocele in 16 newborn infants. Eleven infants with gastroschisis were managed initially by the Silastic pouch technique but delayed healing resulted in separation of the Silastic sheeting from the wound margins and required use of biologic dressings to achieve complete closure. Biological dressings were used in five patients with intact omphaloceles for all or part of their course.