The aim of this study is to analyze the outcomes of the esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula over the last 2 decades. The records of 51 patients born between 1987 and 2006 were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients were male. Mean values of the age, gestational age and birth weight were 2.9 days, 296 days and 2.7kg, respectively. All patients had Gross type C anomalies. Thirty-one patients (60.7 %) had one or more associated congenital anomalies and the most common anomaly was cardiac malformation. In 48 cases, primary anastomosis was done and staged operation was done in one case. Circular myotomies in the proximal esophagus were performed in 9 cases. Postoperative complication developed in 26 cases (54 %): pulmonary complication in 12 cases, anastomotic leakage in 10 and anastomotic stricture in 10, recurrent trachoesophageal fistula in one and tracheomalasia in 2 cases. Reoperation was carried out in 2 patients with anastomotic leaks, the remaining leaks were managed non operatively. Three of the strictures were reoperated upon and the others were successfully managed by balloon dilatations. Overall mortality rate was 15.6 %. Mortality rate of the second 10 years (8 %) period decreased significantly compared to that of the first 10 years (23 %) period.

From 1979 to 2006, fifty eight patients with esophageal atresia were treated by one pediatric surgeon at Hanyang University Hospital. We analyzed the clinical findings and outcome of these 58 patients. There were 30 males and 28 females. Their mean birth weight was 2,960 ± 400 g (1,170~4,020 g). The most common type of anomaly was Gross type C (49 patients; 84.5 %). There was no type B. Fifty-two patients underwent definitive surgery. Postoperative complications were as follows: anastomotic leakage in 17 patients (32.7 %), anastomotic site stricture in 15 (28.8 %), gastroesophageal reflux in 10 (19.2 %) and recurrent TEF in 1 (1.9 %). A total of 152 associated anomalies were detected from 48 patients (82.2 %). The cardiovascular system was the most commonly affected (30 patients with 46 anomalies). The VACTERL association was present in 14 patients (24.1 %). Operative mortality was 17.3 % including self-discharge patients after operation.

There is significant morbidity and mortality associated with the combination of esophageal atresia (EA) and duodenal atresia (DA). Nevertheless, the management protocol for the combined anomalies is not well defined. The aim of this study is to review our experience with the combined anomalies of EA and DA. From May 1989 to August 2006, seven neonates were diagnosed as EA with DA at Asan Medical Center. In all cases, the type of EA was proximal EA and distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). The diagnosis of DA was made in theprenatal period in 1, at birth in 4, 4 days after birth in 1 (2 days after EA repair) and at postmortem autopsy in 1. Except the one case where DA was missed initially, primary simultaneous repair was attempted. DA repair with gastrostomy followed by EA repair in 2, EA repair followed by DA repair without gastrostomy in 2, and TEF ligation followed by DA repair with gastrostomy in 1. There were two deaths. One baby had a large posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia, and operative repair was not attempted. The other infant who had a TEF ligation and DA repair with gastrostomy expired from cardiac failure due to a large patent ductus arteriosus. Simultaneous repair of EA and DA appears to be an acceptable management approach for the combined anomalies, but more experience would be required for the selection of the primary repair of both anomalies.

Fundoplication is a common surgical procedure for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recently the procedure has been performed with increased frequency laparoscopically. The aim of this study is to review our 11 years experience with fundoplication in infants and children. From October 1994 to December 2005, 59 fundoplications in 55 patients were performed at Sungkyunkwan University Samsung Medical Center. Medical records and laboratory results of these children were retrospectively reviewed for sex, age, symptoms and signs, coexisting disease, diagnostic methods, treatment modalities and length of operative time. Open fundoplication was performed in 41 cases and laparoscopic fundoplication in 18 cases. Simultaneous gastrostomy was done in 27 cases. Recurrent GERD symptom occurred in four patients (7.2 %) within 2 years after first fundoplication and all 4 patients had re-do fundoplication. There were no intra- and immediate post-operative complications. Gastrointesitnal symptoms were the most common indication for fundoplication in neurologically normal patients. The most frequent diagnostic studies were upper gastrointestinal series (76.3 %) and 24 hour esophageal pH monitoring (78.2 %). Fundoplication had been increased since 2004 and mostly done laparoscopically. In conclusion, our 11 years' practice of open and laparoscopic fundoplication indicates that both approaches are safe and effective in the treatment of GERD for infants and children.

Recently, the survival rates of extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants have improved with the development of neonatal intensive care. However, these infants were susceptible to intestinal perforation due to prematurity, fluid restriction, and injection of indomethacin, etc. Because of the risks of transportation, anesthesia and surgery itself, peritoneal drainage has been compared with laparotomy. Through our experience, we investigate the usefulness of peritoneal drainage retrospectively. From 1997 to 2007, six ELBW (M:F=5:1) underwent primary peritoneal drainage for intestinal perforation. Their median birth weight was 685 g (405~870) and gestational age was 25⁺¹ weeks (24⁺³~27⁺⁰). We noticed the intestinal perforation at median 10.5 days (8~18) after birth, and placed Penrose drain or Jackson-Pratt drain through right lower quadrant incision under local anesthesia. The cause of intestinal perforation was necrotizing enterocolitis in one patient, but that of the others was not clear. Three patients who showed normal platelet count and stable vital signs recovered uneventfully. Two patients (birth weight less than 500 g) who showed unstable vital signs and low platelet count (12,000 / mm³ to 30,000 / mm³) expired despite aggressive resuscitation. One patient required laparotomy due to persistent intestinal obstruction after drain removal and survived. Our experience shows that peritoneal drainage was an acceptable treatment for ELBW infants and the prognosis was related to vital sign and platelet count at the time of intestinal perforation, and birth weight.

Prophylactic contralateral exploration in unilateral inguinal hernia repair is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to analyze the contralateral incidence of hernia and to verify the necessity of the simultaneous contralateral exploration. Infants and children operated on for inguinal hernia or hydrocele at the Department of Pediatric Surgery of Asan Medical Center from January 1996 to December 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 383 patients (9.8 %) out of 3,925 patients underwent a simultaneous bilateral operation. A total of 222 patients (6.2 %) out of 3,542 patients underwent a secondary metachronous contralateral operation after primary unilateral inguinal hernia or hydrocele repair. Because simultaneous bilateral operation cases included true bilateral inguinal hernia or hydrocele, and unilateral hernia and simultaneous contralateral exploration, bilateral incidence of inguinal hernia and hydrocele could be maximally considered as 15.4% (605 patients). Therefore, the prophylactic contralateral exploration in unilateral inguinal hernia or hydrocele should be determined carefully in considering history and physical examination of the patients, and postoperative complications.

Untreated cryptorchidism contributes to infertility and may play a role in increasing the risk of malignancy. The appropriate time of operation was considered before school age in 1970s, 2 years of age in 1980s, and between 1 and 2 years of age from 1990s to present time. Orchiopexy is the most common operation for congenital urological problem of children. We analyze our experience of orchiopexies to evaluate the results and to identify the role of the pediatric surgeon. We reviewed the medical records of 91 patients who underwent orchiopexy from January 1996 to December 2007. The patient age at orchiopexy were as follows: 48 cases (52.7 %) under 2 years of age, 24 cases (26.4 %) between 3 and 5 years, 16 cases (17.6 %) between 6 and 10 years, and 3 cases (3.3 %) over 11 years. Location of testes was preperitoneum in all 91 cases. There were 84 unilateral and 7 bilateral cases. Among the unilateral cases, the undescended testes were on right side in 54 cases and on the left side in 30 cases. The surgical procedure employed in all cases was trans-inguinal orchiopexies. Seventy-nine patients had excellent results. There were 12 complications; 5 cases of wound infection and 7 cases of temporary incomplete descent. Seven cases of incomplete descent have become normal from 3 to 6 months after orchiopexy. According to our results, 43 cases (47.3 %) underwent orchiopexies over 2 years of age. In conclusion, orchiopexies were successful in most cases of cryptorchidism in terms of testicular position and growth. We suggest that pediatric surgeons should educate their primary care physicians and parents concerning the potential complications of cryptorchidism and the appropriate time of operation.

The usefulness of totally implantable central venous port for long-term intravenous infusion is widely accepted in children. Usually the catheters are placed through the internal or external jugular vein. In case of jugular vein cut-down, two separate incisions are needed for catheter and port respectively. Patients also feel uncomfortable as the catheter run through the neck. However these disadvantages can be overcome by using the cephalic vein (CV). We reviewed our experiences on CV cut-down for totally implantable central venous port in children. From January 2002 to December 2006, 201 patients (M:F=127:74) underwent 218 central venous port insertions. Mean age at operation was 5.9 years (2 months - 19 years). Indications included chemotherapy (N=167), long-term intravenous antibiotics infusion (N=36), and total parenteral nutrition (N=15). CV was selected preferentially. The incision includes the deltopectoral triangle laterally, and both the CV cut-down and port insertion were achieved with a single incision. The number of insertion through external, internal jugular vein, and CV was 77, 66 and 75, respectively. The median age, height and body weight were higher in CV cut-down group. The youngest age for CV cut-down was 8 months, the shortest height was 69 cm and the smallest body weight was 5.9 kg. Of 118 trials of CV cut-down, cut-down was successful in 75 cases (63.6 %). CV was absent in 10 cases(8.4 %) and CV was sacrificed after catheter tip malposition in 10 cases (8.4 %). There was only one complication, in which the catheter was inserted into the minute branch of subclavian artery. The CV cut-down method for totally implantable central venous port was safe and feasible in selected groups of patients in children. In addition, preservation of jugular vein and a more favorable cosmetic effect are other benefits of CV cut-down.

Neuroblastoma arises from the primitive neural crest cells, and is a common malignancy in childhood. The clinical features are characterized by biological heterogeneity. Neuronal degeneration and differentiation occur in some patients. However treatment in the high risk group accounting for approximately half, has not been satisfactory despite a multimodal approach. Therefore, effective treatment is determined by the risk group of prognostic factors, such as age at diagnosis, stage of disease, pathological finding and N-myc amplification. Neuroblastoma can be diagnosed prenatally, which suggests its origin during the normal embryogenesis. Recent knowledge of molecular biology, such as Trk genes, and the concept of cancer stem cells have given us some improved understanding on this disease. Currently, targeted therapies based on the molecular biology of neuroblastoma are under investigation and increasing survival rate and decreasing late complications could be appreciated.

Accessory cervical thymic tissue has been rarely reported. However, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of neck masses in children, along with branchial anomalies, lymph nodes and other tumors. This lesion occurs along the descending line of the thymus between the angle of mandible and superior mediastinum. A 2-month-old infant presented with an asymptomatic left sided neck mass. MRI revealed a well defined homogeneous mass in the deep lobe of left parotid gland. At operation, an easily identified soft tissue mass was found in the left submandibular area, measuring 3 × 1.5 cm. It was completely excised. Microscopic examination revealed normal thymic tissue.

Esophageal atresia with double tracheoesophageal fistula is a very rare anomaly and is difficulty to diagnose preoperatively. We treated a full term baby with esophageal atresia with double tracheoesophageal fistula. At the first operation, only the distal tracheoesophageal fistula was identified and ligated. When the upper esophageal pouch was opened, intermittent air leakages in sequence with positive bagging were noticed. However, intraoperative bronchoscopy did not identify a fistula in the proximal pouch, and the operation was completed with end to end anastomosis of the esophagus. On the 7^th postoperative day, esophagography showed another tracheoesophageal fistula proximal to the esophageal anastomosis. A wire was placed in the fistula preoperatively under bronchoscopy. At the 2^nd operation through the same thoracotomy incision the proximal fistula was identified and ligated. On the 12^th postoperative day, esophagography showed neither stricture nor leakage.

A 19-month-old boy suffered from stridor and dysphagia. He was taking asthma medication for a few months, but symptoms did not improve. After admission, a chest CT showed a posterior mediastinal mass, which compressed the trachea and esophagus. The removed mass via open thoracotomy was a bronchogenic cyst on histopathology. Postoperatively, stridor and dysphagia disappeared. In case of persistent and refractory stridor or dysphagia in children, congenital lesions including bronchogenic cyst need to be ruled out.

Chylous mesenteric cyst is a rare variant of mesenteric cystic lesions. Pathologically there is lack of communication of the main lymphatic vessels, resulting in cystic mass formation. Clinical presentation is diverse and can range from an incidentally apparent abdominal mass to symptoms of an acute abdomen. A 5-year-old girl presented with abdominal distension without pain. CT scan showed a huge and thin-walled cystic mass without solid portion. Laparotomy showed a 20 x 18 cm sized huge mesenteric cyst containing chylous fluid. Pathological diagnosis was cystic lymphangioma.