Journal of pediatric surgery
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Case Reports
Devascularization and staged resection of giant sacrococcygeal teratoma in the premature infant.
Sacrococcygeal teratoma identified in utero is associated with 50% fetal demise, which is caused by hyperdynamic cardiac failure, hemorrhage, and polyhydramnios-induced preterm labor. A premature infant (26 weeks' gestation) with prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratoma was managed successfully with initial devascularization to control the hyperdynamic state, followed by staged resection.
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Blunt and penetrating neck injuries are an infrequent cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Although less common than penetrating injuries, blunt pediatric neck injuries are more often life-threatening because of associated laryngotracheal disruption. The authors reviewed their experience with pediatric neck injuries over the past 5 years. ⋯ There were no deaths in this group. The authors conclude that all patients with blunt neck trauma should undergo emergent and meticulous DL & B. Visualization of laryngotracheal disruption mandates immediate neck exploration and primary repair.
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A 2-year retrospective review of 238 cases of acute scrotal pain encountered in a children's hospital emergency department is presented. The incidences of testicular torsion, torsion of a testicular appendage, and epididymitis were 16%, 46%, and 35%, respectively. Testicular salvage was critically dependent on the interval between onset of pain and surgical intervention. ⋯ With the exception of cases of far-advanced necrotic testes, both color Doppler ultrasound and radioisotope imaging were highly specific diagnostic modalities. Thirty-nine percent of the children with epididymitis who underwent investigation were found to have either structural or functional urinary tract abnormalities. Noninvasive urodynamic studies appear to be useful screening modalities in older children with epididymitis.
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an established therapy for acute neonatal and pediatric respiratory failure. On an institutional level, once an ECMO program is well established, ECMO can be viewed as a logical extension of critical care for multisystem organ failure. The question left unanswered is "Should anyone die without being offered ECMO?" The authors reviewed a 10-year clinical experience with ECMO and its application as salvage therapy in pediatric surgical emergencies. ⋯ All survivors were neurologically intact at the time of discharge. The success of ECMO, coupled with improvements in technique, apparatus, and expertise, has allowed application of ECMO as an invasive extension of intensive care to diverse patient groups. These results have encouraged the authors to expand their indications and to push the "envelope" in offering ECMO to critically ill infants and children with life-threatening organ failure.