Journal of pediatric surgery
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Transmesenteric hernia is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction most commonly affecting the small bowel. The mesenteric defect is usually 2 to 3 cm in diameter. ⋯ The initial patient had a 30-cm-wide congenital defect in the ileal mesentery through which the sigmoid colon and some loops of small bowel had herniated. The second patient is a newborn infant who presented with symptoms and radiographic evidence of proximal bowel obstruction initially thought to be resulting from malrotation with midgut volvulus but was found at surgical exploration to have a small defect in the ileal mesentery.
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'Handlebar hernia' is the name given to a specific type of traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH). It is an uncommon injury, caused by impact of the abdominal wall against a blunt object, often bicycle handlebars. We present a case of handelbar hernia, discuss its investigation and treatment and suggest that immediate surgical repair may not always be required.
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Anterior neck abscesses are not rare; but their origin from within the usually infection-resistant thyroid gland is not thought of in the first instance. We encountered 3 patients with differing presentations (tender nodule over anterior neck, recurrent abscess overlying the thyroid gland, and nonhealing fistula with inflammation of the anterior neck). These were caused by persistent embryological communication from the pyriform sinus to the thyroid gland to the left lobe. ⋯ Fistulous communication was confirmed on barium swallow (in 2 patients) or computed tomographic scan (in 1 patient). En bloc excision of the affected thyroid along with the fistulous tract was performed in all patients. Long-term follow-up confirmed a cure.
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Tracheobronchial foreign body (TFB) aspiration is a life-threatening emergency for children. Knowing how to reduce the incidence of complications and mortality during the management of TFB is critically important. ⋯ Bronchoscopy under general anesthesia augmented with topical anesthesia is a very safe and effective procedure for patient with TFB. Surgeons and anesthetists must be aware of the risk of tetracaine toxicity and other complications.
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Laparoscopy has been widely accepted as a technique for the excision of choledochal cyst, but there has been little experience using it as a therapeutic modality for hepatic duct stenosis. The aim of this study is to present our experiences in laparoscopic excision of biliary stenosis and Roux-en-Y reconstruction for patients with choledochal cysts. ⋯ Laparoscopically assisted hepatic ductoplasty is effective and safe for children with choledochal cyst. Bile duct endoscopy proved to be a valuable instrument in showing detailed variations of the biliary system and allowed a safe hepatic hilum exploration and accurate placed hepaticojejunal anastomosis.