What's new in pediatric surgery

The American Pediatric Surgical Association and the Surgical Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics report on the latest research in pediatric surgery. Researchers presented papers on congenital diaphragmatic hernia and its treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, an alternative to intubation for anesthesia, an implantable device for long-term intravenous therapy, performing laparoscopic surgery instead of conventional open abdominal surgery, laparoscopic evaluation before hernia repair, treatment of omphalocele, and surgical treatment of liver disease. Papers on transplantation addressed liver transplantation, cytomegalovirus infection, graft rejection, and cancer occurrence. Researchers presented papers on repairing anomalies of the trachea and esophagus and on bowel complications, including congenitally short bowel, achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Hirshsprung's disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, perforated appendix, and ulcerative colitis. Papers addressed treatment of Wilms' tumor, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Hodgkin's disease, Ewing's sarcoma, parathyroid adenomas, and preoperative chemotherapy. Finally, studies reported on injury from shock and bacterial toxins and on wound healing.