Journal of pediatric surgery
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Comparative Study
The morbidity and mortality of pediatric splenectomy: does prophylaxis make a difference?
The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of postsplenectomy sepsis morbidity and mortality after prophylaxis, in comparison with our previous 13-year study (1958 to 1970, inclusive). ⋯ Although there has not been a decrease in the number of splenectomies performed per year, the incidence of infection and mortality has decreased by 47% and 88%, respectively, with prophylaxis.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Free radical formation in infants: the effect of critical illness, parenteral nutrition, and enteral feeding.
An increase in free radical activity has been observed in patients suffering from a variety of illnesses and has been correlated with disease severity. Free radical production is increased by the administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and may be linked to its adverse effects. Some of the complications of TPN can be ameliorated by partial enteral feeding. The aim of this study was to investigate free radical activity during critical illness and during the administration of parenteral nutrition. ⋯ Critical illness causes a rise in free radical production. Parenteral nutrition causes a significant elevation in free radical activity in both stable infants in the ward and critically ill infants in NICU. The addition of minimal enteral feeding to parenteral nutrition does not reduce free radical activity. We hypothesize that the parenteral nutrition solution directly initiates free radical production.
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Comparative Study
The role of prophylactic cholecystectomy during splenectomy in children with hereditary spherocytosis.
Hereditary spherocytosis is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with an intrinsic defect in the red blood cell membrane often necessitating splenectomy to prevent sequestration of spherocytes. When cholelithiasis is present, these patients undergo cholecystectomy at the same surgical setting as splenectomy. After splenectomy alone, it is uncertain whether the amount of hemolysis is adequately decreased to prevent subsequent gallstone formation. This study set out to evaluate the frequency in which symptomatic cholelithiasis subsequently develops in children treated by splenectomy alone. ⋯ Prophylactic cholecystectomy at the time of splenectomy is not indicated in patients with hereditary spherocytosis who do not have gallstones.
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Bile duct injuries are rare in children after blunt trauma. This report describes a 3-year-old child who sustained a blunt abdominal trauma resulting in bile duct, liver, and small bowel injuries. The initial management at another hospital included recognition and repair of a small bowel perforation. ⋯ At laparotomy there were injuries of both right and left hepatic ducts, and an anomaly of bile duct course was noted. The right hepatic duct was repaired primarily and the left one was repaired with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Postoperatively, normal bile drainage was documented by radioisotope scan and the patient remains symptom free at 1 year follow-up.
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Falls are a major cause of emergency room visits and admissions in pediatric hospitals. ⋯ Although rarely mortal, falls from height carry a significant morbidity and are costly to the health care system. To decrease the occurrence of injuries caused by falls, strategies should include awareness campaigns, parent's education about the mechanisms of falls, increase parenteral supervision during playing activities, and legislative measures to ensure the safety of windows and balconies before the onset of summer.