Journal of pediatric surgery
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Review Comparative Study
Cardiorespiratory complications after laparoscopic hernia repair in term and preterm babies.
The aim of this study was to clarify the incidence of postoperative complications in infants undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair within the first six months of life. ⋯ Postoperative complications are low in both groups, although the incidence is increased in preterm infants. Pre-existing diseases are a major influencing factor for preterm infants. In very few infants laparoscopy may have induced instability of cardiac anomalies.
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The morbidity and mortality associated with esophageal atresia with or without a fistula make it a challenging congenital abnormality for the pediatric surgeon. Anatomic factors like inter-pouch gap and origin of fistula are not taken into consideration in various prognostic classifications. The preoperative evaluation of these cases with computerized tomography (CT) has been used by various investigators to delineate these factors. We reviewed these studies to evaluate the usefulness of this investigation in the intra operative and post operative period. ⋯ The usefulness of pre-operative computerized tomography in cases of tracheoesophageal fistula is controversial. The safety of this technique is questionable due to limited facilities and associated radiation hazards. Further, limited information obtained which may help in changing the surgical plan can easily be managed intra-operatively by careful and meticulous surgery. Overall, the safety concerns outweigh its efficacy. Thus, the use of pre-operative CT scan cannot be generalized and protocolized as a standard of care in the management of tracheoesophageal atresia.
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Central venous lines (CVLs) are frequently used in the management of many neonatal and pediatric conditions. Failure to remove the luminal part of the line (retained CVL) is rare. Consequently, there is lack of experience and consensus in its optimal management. ⋯ Literature regarding management of retained CVLs is anecdotal. Although uncommon, the complication should feature in consent for removal of CVLs. Conservative management carries long-term risks of infection, thrombosis, and even migration, albeit unquantified over a child's lifetime. Endovascular retrieval is feasible with appropriate expertise.