Computer aided prescribing: electronic prescribing is helpful in children too: Letters to the editor

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Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia through the right chest in neonates with right-sided aortic arch

The management of neonates with esophageal atresia (EA) associated with right-sided aortic arch (RAA) is often difficult technically. Many surgeons would advise for repair through left-chest access. In this article, we report our experience of repairing 2 patients with EA associated with RAA thoracoscopically. We conclude that thoracoscopic repair is ideal for all patients with EA. © 2010 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.published_or_final_versio

A simple and secure method to fix laparoscopic trocars in children

We Introduce A Simple Method Of Fixing Trocars To The Abdominal Wall In Children. Before Anchoring The Trocar, A Piece Of Tegaderm™ Polyurethrane Adhesive (3M Healthcare, St. Paul, Minnesota) Is Attached To The Trocar. A Silk Stitch Is Anchored To Neighboring Skin, And Then Transfixed Over The Shaft Of The Trocar Through The Adhesive. Both Inward And Outward Movement Of The Trocar Can Be Restrained. This Method Is Simple, Fast, Secure, And Can Be Applied To Trocars Of Any Size. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.published_or_final_versio

Long-term follow-up of childhood duodenal ulcers

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Hirschsprung's disease

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is characterized by absence of the enteric nervous system in a variable portion of the distal gut. Affected infants usually present in the days after birth with bowel obstruction. Despite surgical advances, long-term outcomes remain variable. In the last 2 decades, great advances have been made in understanding the genes and molecular biological mechanisms that underlie the disease. In addition, our understanding of normal enteric nervous system development and how motility develops in the developing fetus and infant has also increased. This review aims to draw these strands together to explain the developmental and biological basis of HSCR, and how this knowledge may be used in the future to aid children with HSCR. © 2010.postprin

Long-term bladder function after acute transverse myelitis

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Selective upper endoscopy for foreign body ingestion in children: an evaluation of management protocol after 282 cases

Purpose: Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in both children and adults. This study aims to evaluate a management protocol where endoscopic examination was only selectively used after routine direct laryngoscopy to minimize patient discomfort and the need for general anesthesia in children. Method: A management protocol for foreign body ingestion based on symptoms was introduced in 1998 and records of children admitted to a university-affiliated hospital between January 1999 and October 2005 with suspected foreign body ingestion were evaluated. Symptoms, radiologic and endoscopic findings, and outcome were reviewed. Results: A total of 282 patients were admitted. The mean age of patients was 5.75 years (range, 9 months to 17 years). There were 167 boys and 115 girls. Based on our protocol, 84 (29.8%) patients required an upper endoscopy. Fish bones were most commonly involved (68.8%). Foreign bodies, which were either removed or dislodged, were found during upper endoscopy in only 25 (8.8%) patients overall. All patients had an uneventful outcome. No complications or mortalities were encountered. There were no readmissions for those who did not undergo endoscopic examination. Conclusion: It is safe to selectively perform upper endoscopy depending on symptoms when managing children with foreign body ingestion. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.postprin

Silver containing hydrofiber dressing promotes wound healing in paediatric patients with partial thickness burns

Introduction: Burn injury is one of the most common reasons for admission in paediatric population. There is currently no international consensus on the best wound dressing material. Aquacel Ag, a new silver containing hydrofiber dressing material has been reported to produce good clinical results. Yet, only a limited number of studies exist in the paediatric population. This study aims to review our experience of burn management over the past 5 years and to evaluate the effectiveness of Aquacel Ag in the management of partial thickness burns. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients admitted for burn injury between January 2010 and December 2014 was conducted. Patients’ demographics, mechanism of injury, body surface areas involved, treatment applied, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Patients with superficial injury, full thickness burns that required surgical debridement, burn area less than 2 % or more than 25 % of total body surface area, or incomplete clinical data were excluded from the comparative study. Results: A total of 119 patients were identified. 114 (96 %) was due to domestic injury, of which 108 (91 %) was food-related. The most commonly affected areas were limbs (n = 89, 74.8 %), followed by trunk (n = 62, 74.8). 84 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were recruited into the study. 31 patients received Aquacel Ag dressing and 53 patients received standard paraffin gauze dressing. The two groups showed no statistical difference in age, sex, percentage of total body surface area involved, and infection rate. Outcomes of patients treated with Aquacel Ag were compared with patients treated with standard dressing. The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter for the Aquacel Ag group (14.26 vs 23.45, p = 0.045). Aquacel Ag group required much less frequent dressing change (5.67 vs 20.59, p = 0.002). 5 patients in standard dressing group developed hypertrophic scar and required prolonged pressure garment, whereas only one hypertrophic scar was observed in the Aquacel Ag group. Conclusion: Aquacel Ag appears to promote early burn wound healing with less hypertrophic scar formation. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.postprin

Surgical intervention in necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates with symptomatic congenital heart disease

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Surgical outcomes of patients with neuroblastoma in a tertiary centre in Hong Kong: A 12-year experience

Introduction: Neuroblastoma has a heterogeneous clinical course. The prognosis varies widely depending on the age of diagnosis, extent of disease and tumour biology. However, the specific clinical outcome of this disease in Hong Kong has not been well characterised thus far. Complete tumour excision has been demonstrated to confer survival benefit on patients with advanced disease even if there is metastasis. Since year 2004, we have adopted a revised, more aggressive surgical approach in managing these patients. Here, we aim to review our experience in the management of this disease. Methods: A retrospective review was performed for the past 12 years to include all patients who presented with neuroblastoma in our institution. Data such as the survival, age at diagnosis, MYCN amplification status, the extent of tumour excision, and stage of the disease were recorded and analysed. Results: 37 patients were included in this study. Overall survival of our patients was 67.6%. Patients with Stage 1, 2 and 4S have 100% survival whereas stage 4 patients only have 41.4% survival. Since our revised surgical approach in 2004, patients who had been operated had a better survival. Survival of stage 4 patients with operation after 2004 was 57.1% whereas the survival of patients at the same stage before 2004 was only 30%. Age at diagnosis, completeness of tumour excision and stage of disease are also correlated with overall prognosis. Further, patients with the presence of MYCN gene amplification have apparently poorer survival but it is not statistically significant due to the small sample size. Conclusion: The management of patients with neuroblastoma remains a challenge. Advanced stage of disease, incomplete tumour excision and increased age at diagnosis were all associated with poor survival. We demonstrated a better survival for those who underwent a more aggressive surgical approach, though this is a technically demanding and time consuming procedure. Thus, the management of advanced neuroblastoma should be centralised in a centre with combined surgical, oncological and paediatric intensive care expertise.published_or_final_versio