Children who underwent reparative operations for esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), are confronted with many gastrointestinal or respiratory problems, especially during the early years of life. We reviewed the medical records of 50 patients who underwent repairs of EA with or without TEF at the Division of Pediatric Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, from December 1994 to December 2005. Current status of children was accessed by telephone-interview, but only 27 of them were accessible. Of 50 patients, 3 patients (6%) were type A, 45 patients (90%) were type C, and 2 patients (4%) were type E. The mean interval between primary operation and interview was 5.5 years. The incidences of growth retardation (<10 percentile of height/weight) were 39% and 21 % during the first 5 years after repairs, respectively. The incidences of dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux and recurrent respiratory infections were 33% and 39 %, respectively. However, these problems were likely to improve as the children grew. The incidences of growth retardations (<10 percentile of height/weight) were 11% and 11% for the children more than five years postoperative. The incidences of dysphagia or gastroesophageal reflux and recurrent respiratory infections were 22% and 22%, respectively. Children with EA with or without TEF are faced with many obstacles. Close observation and adequate treatment for delayed postoperative complications are necessary to improve the quality of life for these children.
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Liver tumors in children are rare, relatively complex, and encompass a broad spectrum of disease processes. This study reviews our experience of liver tumors during the last 10 years. Medical records of 36 cases of liver tumors?in children, treated at Samsung Medical Centers, from October 1994 to December 2005, were reviewed in this study. We analyzed disease characters and survival rates as a whole and by specific disease. The median age was 3.6 years. Male and female ratio was 1:1. The most common symptom was the palpable mass in 15 cases. Others were abdominal distension in 9 cases, jaundice in 2, vomiting in 2, weight loss in 2, and pubic hair growth in 1. CT or US and liver biopsy were performed for diagnosis. There were 28 malignant tumors: malignant rhabdoid tumor (1 case), hepatocellular carcinoma (3 cases), hemangioendothelioma type II (3 cases), angiosarcoma (1 case), and hepatoblastoma (20 cases). Eight tumors were benign; hepatic adenoma (1 case), focal nodular hyperplasia (2 cases), hemangioendothelioma type I (2 cases), mesenchymal hamartoma (3 cases). In this study the clinical characteristics were not different from the other reports. Liver transplantation was performed in 3 cases-1 with hepatoblastoma and 2 with hepatocelleular carcinoma. Accurate and early diagnosis, and individualized multi- modality therapeutic approaches might be important for better outcome.
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