Journal of pediatric surgery
-
Review Case Reports
Tension gastrothorax in children: introducing a management algorithm.
Tension gastrothorax is a life-threatening condition and presents dramatically. It develops when the stomach herniates through a diaphragmatic defect into the thorax and distends with gas and/or fluid causing mediastinal shift. ⋯ In this article we report our experience of three cases with a spectrum of aetiology and a comprehensive literature review of tension gastrothorax in children. We propose an algorithm for the management of tension gastrothorax.
-
Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) may complicate ECMO due to significant fluid shifts resulting in tense ascites and interstitial edema. This compromises venous cannula flow leading to inadequate patient support. It is debatable whether decompressive laparotomy should be performed in these patients due to the risk of bleeding and poor prognosis. We sought to evaluate the effect of decompressive laparotomy on ECMO support and patient survival. ⋯ Decompressive laparotomy for ACS in patients on ECMO markedly improves support and tissue perfusion. While in our series ECMO complicated by ACS carries a poor prognosis, we cannot confidently define this as futile therapy due to the limited sample size.
-
Functional residual capacity (FRC) and lung clearance index (LCI) are sensitive parameters for early detection of airway disease in infancy. The closed helium dilution method has been applied to assess lung volume and ventilation inhomogeneity (VI) in spontaneously breathing infants. ⋯ Helium gas dilution technique is an applicable and reliable technique to measure lung volumes and ventilation inhomogeneity also in ventilated infants. NIRS is a non-invasive technique to monitor tissue oxygenation during surgery and mechanical ventilation. In CDH newborns these preliminary data show an improvement in both FRC and LCI after extubation.
-
Trauma systems reduce mortality and improve functional outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyse the demographic and geospatial characteristics of pediatric trauma patients in Scotland, and determine the level of destination healthcare facility which injured children are taken to, to determine the need for, and general feasibility, of developing a pediatric trauma system for Scotland. ⋯ The majority of incidents involving children with injuries occurred in urban areas. Half were taken to a hospital without pediatric surgical service. There was no difference between children with normal and deranged physiology.
-
Tracheobronchial injuries (TBI) are uncommon but potentially fatal injuries that can occur following blunt trauma to the thoracic region. Occasionally the diagnosis is not made at initial presentation, and patients present late with various sequelae. A 3 year old boy sustained blunt thoracic injury and developed respiratory distress, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema, which were managed conservatively with intercostal tube. ⋯ Thoracotomy was performed and the transected ends of the bronchus were anastomosed. Postoperatively the right lung expanded with relief in respiratory distress. This report highlights the success of delayed repair of TBIs as an alternative to pneumonectomy.