Journal of pediatric surgery
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Pilonidal disease is a common and frustrating problem among adolescents due to its high recurrence rate. The rhomboid excision and Limberg flap techniques promise successful results, but the lower part of the incision left on the intergluteal sulcus is prone to recurrences. Consequently, we have developed a new modification to this technique and have designed a descriptive prospective study to evaluate its efficiency. ⋯ Although the number of patients in this study was small and the follow-up period was short, we obtained satisfactory results without any recurrence by performing a symmetrically rotated rhomboid excision and lateralized Limberg flap procedure.
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Watercraft-associated trauma (WAT) in children has received little attention so far, despite the potentially severe and debilitating resulting injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate all cases of major watercraft-associated trauma admitted to the Children's of Alabama during the past 10 years, identify patterns in mechanism and injury, and propose future prevention strategies. ⋯ Pediatric watercraft-related accidents are infrequent, but often result in major injuries. More awareness for safety measures to prevent these injuries is warranted. Alcohol is not a major factor in pediatric watercraft-associated trauma. Tubes towed by a boat seem to be particularly dangerous, perhaps because of the rider's limited maneuverability and the fact that centrifugal force lets the tube travel well outside the wake in curves. Limiting boat speed and the use of protective gear on towed tubes when children are involved may decrease the incidence and severity of pediatric WAT.
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Children and adolescents with airway stenosis pose a clinical challenge. Recently, balloon dilation has been described, primarily for the treatment of early, immature, less severe airway stenosis. We describe our experience with 8 children and adolescents managed with balloon dilation, including severe, mature subglottic and tracheal stenosis. ⋯ Mature, severe laryngeal and tracheal stenosis in pediatric patients can be successfully managed with balloon dilation. In the most severe cases with prior tracheotomy, stenting is necessary. Balloon dilation with stenting can also facilitate LTR. In patients without prior tracheotomy, tracheotomy and stenting can often be safely avoided with appropriate postoperative management.
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Comparative Study
The effect of race and gender on pediatric surgical outcomes within the United States.
The purpose of this study was to examine risk-adjusted associations between race and gender on postoperative morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization in pediatric surgical patients within the United States. ⋯ Race and gender significantly affect postoperative outcomes following pediatric surgery. Black patients are at disproportionate risk for postoperative mortality, while black and Hispanic patients have increased morbidity and hospital resource utilization. While gender does not affect mortality, gender is a determinant of both postoperative morbidity and increased resource utilization.
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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.