Journal of pediatric surgery
-
We have designed an engineered graft fabricated from a biodegradable scaffold using chondrocytes and applied this construct to augment repair of tracheal stenosis. This study investigated the feasibility of using such tissue-engineered airways with autologous chondrocytes in a rabbit model. ⋯ This composite biodegradable scaffold may be useful for developing engineered trachea. A gelatin sponge slowly releasing b-FGF might enhance chondrogenesis.
-
Case Reports
Acute colonic pseudoobstruction in a child with sickle cell disease treated with neostigmine.
Sickle cell disease is a disorder that produces significant morbidity and mortality. Vaso-occlusive pain crises are the most common presenting symptom associated with sickle cell patients. A rare, yet important to recognize, complication of sickle cell disease is acute colonic pseudoobstruction, also known as Ogilvie's syndrome. ⋯ Furthermore, there is no agreement on optimal treatment of pseudoobstruction. We report the first pediatric case of acute pseudoobstruction secondary to sickle cell disease that was treated successfully with neostigmine. Early recognition of this phenomenon is important as it alters patient management, can be treated medically, and may avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.
-
Community hospitals commonly obtain computed tomographic (CT) imaging of pediatric trauma patients before triaging to a level I pediatric trauma center (PTC). This practice potentially increases radiation exposure when imaging must be duplicated after transfer. ⋯ A significant number of pediatric trauma patients who receive CT scans at referring hospitals before transfer to our level I PTC require duplicate scans of the same anatomical field(s) after transfer, exposing them to increase potential clinical risk and cost.