Journal of pediatric surgery
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Pediatric general surgeons volunteering internationally often work independently, some without prior assessment of the needs of those they wish to assist. Consequently, care may be inefficient, duplicated, or misdirected. A study was performed to assess whether a network for pediatric surgery volunteer work exists. ⋯ This study demonstrated that no pediatric surgery volunteer network exists. By identifying pediatric surgery organizations in low- and middle-income countries, it is speculated that one might link the surgeons in these regions with those wishing to volunteer their services.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Initial laparoscopic appendectomy versus initial nonoperative management and interval appendectomy for perforated appendicitis with abscess: a prospective, randomized trial.
Perforated appendicitis is a common condition in children, which, in a small number of patients, may be complicated by a well-formed abscess. Initial nonoperative management with percutaneous drainage/aspiration of the abscess followed by intravenous antibiotics usually allows for an uneventful interval appendectomy. Although this strategy has become well accepted, there are no published data comparing initial nonoperative management (drainage/interval appendectomy) to appendectomy upon presentation with an abscess. Therefore, we conducted a randomized trial comparing these 2 management strategies. ⋯ Although initial laparoscopic appendectomy trends toward a requiring longer operative time, there seems to be no advantages between these strategies in terms of total hospitalization, recurrent abscess rate, or total charges.
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Multicenter Study
Delay in diagnosis and treatment of blunt intestinal injury does not adversely affect prognosis in the pediatric trauma patient.
Blunt intestinal injury (BII) requiring surgical intervention in the pediatric trauma population remains difficult to diagnose. We sought to determine whether delay in treatment had an adverse affect on patient outcome. ⋯ These data suggest that delay in operative intervention does not have a significant effect on prognosis after pediatric BII. Appropriate observation and serial examination rather than repeated computed tomography and/or urgent exploration would appear adequate when the diagnosis is in question.
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Comparative Study
Outcomes after muscle flap vs prosthetic patch repair for large congenital diaphragmatic hernias.
Repair of large congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) defects still pose a significant challenge, as the defects cannot be repaired primarily. Two techniques have been widely used: autologous anterior abdominal wall muscle flap and prosthetic patch. The latter has been used more often. Our goal was to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of these 2 approaches. ⋯ These results suggest that autologous anterior abdominal wall muscle flap and prosthetic patch repairs provide similar short-term and long-term outcomes.
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Comparative Study
Antegrade colonic enemas and intestinal diversion are highly effective in the management of children with intractable constipation.
Intractable constipation in children is an uncommon but debilitating condition. When medical therapy fails, surgery is warranted; but the optimal surgical approach has not been clearly defined. We reviewed our experience with operative management of intractable constipation to identify predictors of success and to compare outcomes after 3 surgical approaches: antegrade continence enema (ACE), enteral diversion, and primary resection. ⋯ Antegrade continence enema and enteral diversion are very effective initial procedures in the management of intractable constipation. Greater than 90% of diverted patients have an excellent outcome after the eventual restoration of intestinal continuity. Colon resection should not be offered as initial therapy, as it is associated with nearly 80% failure rate and the frequent need for additional surgery.