Liver transplantation before 1 year of age

Since 1981, 20 infants younger than 1 year of age received 26 orthotopic liver transplants. Immunosuppression was with cyclosporine and corticosteroids. Thirteen (65%) of the reciplents were discharged from the hospital. To date, 12 (60%) of the 20 reciplents are surviving, with follow-up of 1 to 56 months (average 14 months). The 5-year acluarial survival is 53.8%. The allograft liver function in the majority of surviving infants is excellent. The predominant causes of mortality were primary nonfunction of the allograft (three patients) and sepsis (three). Major morbidity was caused by hepatic artery thrombosis (five patients), gastrointestinal complications (six), biliary tract complications (five), and bacterial and viral infections (13). Six patients underwent retransplantation; three of these six survived. Results could be improved by prevention of hepatic artery thrombosis, by decreasing the incidence of sepsis, and by procurement of more and better suited pediatric donors. © 1987 The C. V. Mosby Company

Laparoscopic Evaluation of Contralateral Patent Processus Vaginalis in Children

Background Routine contralateral inguinal exploration following unilateral herniorrhaphy in children remains controversial. Contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) incidence decreases from 80% in young infants to about 20% to 30% in the adult population. However, the incidence of a clinical hernia appearing subsequently following unilateral herniorrhaphy is 6% to 10%. Methods Fifty consecutive children were evaluated by diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) at the time of inguinal herniorrhaphy. Results The mean age was 3 years. Thirteen of 42 patients (31 %) with a symptomatic confirmed hernia had a contralateral PPV by DL. The mean operating time was 48 minutes. The sensitivity was 98% with a specificity of 100%. No child suffered a complication due to DL. Conclusions We found diagnostic laparoscopy in children with evidence of unilateral inguinal hernia (1) was safe, (2) revealed a 31% incidence of contralateral PPV, and (3) eliminated the need for contralateral exploration in 69%

Laparoscopic Evaluation of Contralateral Patent Processus Vaginalis in Children

Background Routine contralateral inguinal exploration following unilateral herniorrhaphy in children remains controversial. Contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV) incidence decreases from 80% in young infants to about 20% to 30% in the adult population. However, the incidence of a clinical hernia appearing subsequently following unilateral herniorrhaphy is 6% to 10%. Methods Fifty consecutive children were evaluated by diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) at the time of inguinal herniorrhaphy. Results The mean age was 3 years. Thirteen of 42 patients (31 %) with a symptomatic confirmed hernia had a contralateral PPV by DL. The mean operating time was 48 minutes. The sensitivity was 98% with a specificity of 100%. No child suffered a complication due to DL. Conclusions We found diagnostic laparoscopy in children with evidence of unilateral inguinal hernia (1) was safe, (2) revealed a 31% incidence of contralateral PPV, and (3) eliminated the need for contralateral exploration in 69%