Minimal invasive surgery (MIS) has rapidly gained acceptance for the management of a wide variety of pediatric diseases. A questionnaire was sent to all members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. Thirty one members (25.4%) took part in the survey that included data for the year 2012: demographic details, opinion regarding minimal invasive surgery and robotic surgery, spectrum of minimally invasive operations, and quantity of procedures. 48.4% of the respondents had more than 10 years experience, 35.5% less than 10 years experience, and 16.1 % had no experience. The respondents of the recommend MIS and perform MIS for surgical procedures are as follow; inguinal hernia (61.3%), simple appendicitis (87.1%), complicated appendicitis (80.6%), reduction of intussusceptions (83.9%), pyloromyotomy (90.3%), fundoplication (96.8%), biopsy and corrective surgery of Hirschsprung's disease (93.5%/90.3%), imperforate anus (77.4%), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (80.6%), and esophageal atresia (74.2%). The MIS procedures with more than 70% were lung resection (100%), cholecystectomy (100%), appendectomy (96.2%), ovarian torsion (86.7%), fundoplication (86.8%), hiatal hernia repair (82.6%), and splenectomy (71.4%). The MIS procedures with less than 30% were congenial diaphragmatic hernia reapir (29.6%), esophageal atresia (26.2%), correction of malroatation (24.4%), inguinal hernia repair (11.4%), anorectal malformation (6.8%), Kasai operation (3.6%).

To understand the current status of pediatric surgical practice of the members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Sutgeons, a survey of the practice of the 31 members in both 1994 and 1995. Twenty five members(80%) representing 20 hospitals responded. An average of four hundred and seventy four cases pediatric surgical operations were performed at individual institution in 1995 with 40 newborn cases. Eighteen members(72%) ate currently working at university hospital. Fourteen institutions(70%) are currently classified as tertiary by the health insurance agency. The majority(l5 to 60%) of members are working in the metropolitan Seoul area, while five in Taegu area. Sixteen members reported having the title of department head/director. Four members reported occasional non-pediatric surgical practice. Nine members out of 20 reported having independent pediatric surgical out-patient clinic before the establishment of the association( 1985). Eight out of 15 members reported being appointed chief of pediatric surgery before 1985. In 20 institutions, 34 full time physicians(27 members, reportedly) are working in pediatric surgery. In regarding to pediatric surgical training, 16 members(64%) received an average of 16 months of training abroad, 5 members trained at home and abroad, and 4 from only at home. There are no differences in length of training periods in these groups. TWenty one members received their basic pediatric surgical training before 1985, the year of inauguration of the association. Twelve members received post-pediatric surgery refresher courses averaging 11 months' duration, after 2-11 years. Thirteen participants of this study belongs to the founding members of the association.

The survey on branchial anomalies was conducted by Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. A total of 173 cases were reported, which were managed by 36 members and cooperators during the three years from January 1, 1993 through December 31, 1995. The following results were obtained by retrospective analysis of the 173 cases of branchial anomalies. The presenting symptoms were cervical mass in 101 cases, pit with or without discharge in 71, cervical abscess in 47 and respiratory difficulty in 3. The average age of the patients with cervical abscess was 52 months. Seventy(79%) of 89 patients with branchial anomalies and a cystic mass had their first clinical manifestations by 1 year of age, while 40(51%) of 78 patients with only a branchial cyst had their first clinical manifestation in first year of life. Radiologic studies were carried out in 77 patients(43%). The preferred diagnostic modalities were ultrasonography(47 patients), simple neck radiogram(l9) and CT scan(17). Preoperative diagnosis was correctly made in 156(91%) of 173 patients. Seventeen patients were incorrectly diagnosed as thyroglossal duct cyst in 5 patients, cystic hygroma in 4, dermoid cyst in 3, and lymphadenopathy in 3. There were no remarkable difference in sex and laterality of presentation but bilateral lesions were found in 9(5%) patients and unusual locations of the anomalies were the manubrium, left subclavicular area, median cervial area, preauricular and parotid area. There were 78(45%) patients with cyst, 52(30%) patients with sinus, 35(20%) patients with fistula and 8(5%) patient with skin tag. Embryological classification was possible in only 64(37%) patients. The 2nd branchial anomaly was present in 50 (78%), the 1st branchial anomaly in 10(18%), and the 3rd or 4th branchial anomaly in 4(6%). Histopathological study of the lining epithelium(N=134) is recorded that 45% were lined with squamous epithelium, 17% with respiratory epithelium, 6% with. squamous and respiratory epithelium, 14% with inflammatory change. Lymphoid tissue was common(62%) in the wall of the lesions. Twelve(7%) of 158 patients had postoperative complications including wound complication, recurrence and facial nerve palsy.

This report present the result of the national survey of pediatric surgeons' preferences on diagnosis and treatment of Hirschsprung's disease(HD) carried out in 1993. The questionnaires were sent to twenty-seven members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) working in twenty-four institutions. The questionnaires were designed to determine the individual surgeon's preference for the methods of diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Twenty-three pediatric surgeons from twenty institutions returned completed forms. The total number of patients diagnosed with HD in 1992 was 190 in this group. The estimated incidence of HD was 1/3,900. The most important symptom was delayed meconium passing and the most preferred diagnostic procedure was barium study. Anorectal manometric examination was carried out by 13 pediatric surgeons and 19 confirmed the diagnosis before operation by rectal biopsy, 12 with full-thickness biopsy and 7 with suction. Frozen section biopsy during operation was done by 22 surgeons. Eight surgeons did one stage operation if the age of the patient is suitable. Definitive operation was usually done at the age of 6 to 11 months. The most preferred operation was Duhamel procedure done by 19. Enterocolitis was the most serious complication of HD. Most of patients had normal continence within 6 to 12 months after operation. The follow-up period was less than 6 years in 16 surgeons. The results were presented at the 9th annual meeting of KAPS in June of 1993. This is the first national survey of HD and it can provide guidelines of diagnosis and treatment of Hirschprung's disease even though it is not a detailed study of patient data.

To understand the current status of neonatal surgery in Korea, a suvey was made among the 27 members of Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons. Response rate among surgeons was 78 perecnt, eighteen hospitals participated in this study. Five hundred and three cases of neonatal surgical patients were analyzed. In Korea, about 50% of cases were treated at the hospital in the capital city area. Regional number of patients were closely related to the regional population. Imperforate anus(19%), atresia/stenosis of gut(12%), and Hirschsprung's diseases(12%) were sitting at the top in the list. Majority of operation was done within the first week of life, especially during the first 24 hour period. Eighty per cent was major or so called index cases. Mortality in so-called index cases was 17%. High mortality was observed in patients with diaphragmatic hernia(47%), gastrointestinal perforation(65%) and esophageal atresia(28%). Low birth weight babies showed higher mortality in gastro -intestinal perforation, esophageal atresia and abdominal wall defect. These were compared to 1993 survey of Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons.