Journal of pediatric surgery
-
Because postoperative apnea and bradycardia in premature infants following inguinal herniorrhaphy remains a concern, outpatient repair has not been recommended. We have been performing outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy in premature infants and the present study reviews our experience. Between 1985 and 1990, 1,294 outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphies were performed. ⋯ Bradycardia to 80 beats/min was noted in two patients, and resolved spontaneously in the recovery room. Laryngospasm after extubation in the operating room occurred in two patients, one of whom required brief reintubation and the other resolved spontaneously. Two patients required postoperative ventilation: one was extubated in the recovery room and the other was hospitalized for 24 hours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
-
Cranial ultrasound (US) examination is the screening technique of choice for assessing preexisting neurological damage in potential neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) candidates. Currently, US evidence of intracranial hemorrhage greater than grade I in severity is a contraindication to ECMO at this ECMO center. In the current study, radiological findings were reviewed in 129 consecutive neonatal ECMO cases in an attempt to identify which pre-ECMO US findings were associated with the development of subsequent intracranial complications while on ECMO. ⋯ Results showed that infants with evidence of severe edema or periventricular leukomalacia on pre-ECMO imaging had a 63% incidence of subsequent major intracranial complications. This represents a significantly higher risk than in candidates with a normal examination or evidence of grade I intracranial hemorrhage, subependymal cysts, or mild edema. These results suggest that infants with sonographic evidence of ischemic or anoxic damage on pre-ECMO US are at high risk for the development of significant intracranial complications if ECMO therapy is instituted.
-
Five patients with tracheobronchial injuries secondary to blunt thoracic trauma were reviewed over a 9-year period. Bronchial disruption occurred in four cases and tracheal disruption in one. Of the four patients with bronchial disruption, a major airway injury was suspected early because of a large air leak or persistent pulmonary atelectasis. ⋯ The child with a blowout perforation of the trachea was diagnosed early by bronchoscopy and was successfully managed without surgery. Tracheobronchial injury is one of the most severe injuries caused by blunt trauma and requires a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis and surgery. Bronchial repair is successful in most instances.
-
Review Case Reports
Congenital pyloric atresia and junctional epidermolysis bullosa: a report of long-term survival and a review of the literature.
The coexistence of congenital pyloric atresia (PA) and epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in newborns is a rare but distinct association. Mortality is high. In particular, a universally fatal outcome has been reported in neonates born with the junctional type of EB and PA. ⋯ Presently, these lesions are mild and require little therapy. Their nails, initially normal at birth, have become discoloured, thickened, and dystrophic. The management of pitted, carious, and yellow teeth is currently the major problem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)