• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 1995

A delayed primary esophago-esophagostomy of a case of long-gap esophageal atresia without tracheoesophageal fistula was performed in success with three months' intermittent periodic bougienage of the upper pouch via mouth as well as the lower esophagus through Janeway gastrostomy. Meanwhile, an effective continuous sump suction from the upper pouch seemed to be a critical part of the patient management. The extra length of esophagus for primary anastomosis could be achieved by a circular myotomy. Stricture at the myotomy site, found 4 months later, was treated with periodic pneumatic baloon dilations only with temporary symptomatic reliefs. After 4 months' trials, operative esophagoplasty was performed successfully. A careful follow-up schedule for the myotomy site would be required for early detection of stricture. The previous neonatal patient is currently 8 years old, healthy school-boy, and has a normal barium swallow without stricture or gastroesophageal reflux.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 1998

Choanal atresia may be membrane or bony, unilateral or bilateral. Approximately 90% of the choanal atresia are bony type. Unilateral choanal atresia often eludes the diagnosis because of the absence of subjective symptoms in the neonatal period. However, bilateral choanal atresia presents at birth with cyclic respiratory distress aggravated by feedings. So complete bilateral choanal atresia is considered as a neonatal emergency. Examinations for the diagnosis of chonal atresia include 1) attempt at passing a rubber catheter or probe through the patient s nose, 2) mirror examination of the nasopharynx, 3) digital examination of the nasopharynx, 4) X-ray examination after installation of radiopaque materal into the nasal cavity. But, computed tomography has become accepted method for evaluation of choanal atresia. Surgical repair of choanal atresia is accomplished via transnasal or transpalatal approach. Advantages of the transpalatal approach are improved exposure and the preservation of mucosal flap along the newly formed apertures. On the other hand, the transpalatal approach carries the risk of injury to the greater palatine neurovascular complex, and requires longer operative time. After careful physical and radiographic examinations, we accomplished the surgical repair of the complete bony bilateral choanal atresia via transpalatal approach without complications.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2009

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDR) with severe pulmonary hypoplasia is associated with significant mortality. Recently, several new therapeutic methods have been suggested, such as high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide. For hypoxemic respiratory failure unresponsive to these advanced medical treatment options, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) serves as the last potentially effective treatment. An understanding of the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension associated with CDH led to a strategy involving preoperative stabilization and delayed surgical intervention with ECMO. We describe four cases of ECMO, including the first report of ECMO for neonatal CDH in Korea.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 1999

To estimate the normal anal canal pressure in neonates, anal manometry was performed in 46 normal babies less than 6 days of age. Twenty-eight of the subjects were boys and 18 girls. All the subjects passed meconium within 24 hours after birth. Birth weights were above 2.4 kg. There were no sexual differences in birth weight, birth height, gestational age, postnatal age, or Apgar score (p<0.05). The mean manometry values were; anal sphincter length $18.6{\pm}3.9$ mm, high pressure zone (HPZ) $9.2{\pm}3.6$ mm, vector volume $2027.2{\pm}2440.7$ mmHg2cm, maximum pressure $42.3{\pm}17.4$ mmHg, and position of the maximum pressure $6.0{\pm}22.4$ mm. Only the HPZ of boys was longer than those of girls (p=0.005). In squeezing state, HPZ and the position of maximun pressure were not changed from resting state. HPZ, vector volume, and maximum pressure in boys were higher than those in girls. As the birth weight increased, the anal sphincter length (p=0.001) and the HPZ increased (p=0.047). The resting pressures of the anal canal were evaluated in three portions; /23 upper portion, $12.8{\pm}8.6$ mmHg, middle portion, $20.3{\pm}10.8$ mmHg, and lower portion, $26.1{\pm}12.9$ mmHg. These normal values may serve as guidelines for the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of neonatal anal diseases.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2006

VATER association is defined as a combination of 3 or more anomalies- vertebra (V), imperforate anus (A), esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TE), renal and radial anomaly(R). We reviewed our experiences in one center to determine etiology, prevalence, clinical manifestation, other associated anomaly and prognosis. Two hundred and twenty-three cases that underwent operations for imperforate anus or esophageal atresia were analyzed retrospectively through medical records at Department of Pediatric Surgery, Asan Medical Center from June, 1989 to July, 2005. The total number of neonates who had been admitted during period of study were 46,773 and VATER association was 9 (0.019 %, 1.92 persons per 10,000 neonates). Median gestational age and birth weight were $37^{+4}wk$ ($35^{+1}$ - $41^{+4}$) and 2,594 g (1,671-3,660), respectively and median age of mother was 32 years (23-38). There was no family history. Three patients were twins but their counterparts had no anomalies. Patients who have 3 anomalies were 6, 4 anomalies in two and 5 anomalies in one patient. Vertebra anomalies were detected in 7(77.7 %), imperforate anus in 8(88.9 %), esophageal atresia in 5 patients (55.6 %), renal anomaly in 6(66.7 %), and radial anomaly in 5(55.6 %), respectively. Four patients are alive, 2 patients were lost during follow up period. Three patients died due to neonatal sepsis, respiratory dysfunction and cardiac failure. VATER association did not appear to be a definite risk factor, but merely a randomized combination of 5 anomalies. The prognosis was dependent on the other associated anomalies, appropriateness of management and operation. Careful follow-up and aggressive treatmentare required for improving survival and quality of life.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.186-190
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• 2018

Esophageal atresia (EA) with proximal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF; gross type B) is a rare defect. Although most patients have long-gap EA, there are still no established surgical guidelines. A premature male infant with symmetric intrauterine growth retardation (birth weight, 1,616 g) was born at 35 weeks and 5 days of gestation. The initial diagnosis was pure EA (gross type A) based on failure to pass an orogastric tube and the absence of stomach gas. A "feed and grow" approach was implemented, with gastrostomy performed on postnatal day 2. A fistula was detected during bronchoscopy for recurrent pneumonia; thus, we confirmed type B EA and performed TEF excision and cervical end esophagostomy. As the infant's stomach volume was insufficient for bolus feeding after reaching a body weight of 2.5 kg, continuous tube feeding was provided through a gastrojejunal tube. On the basis of these findings, esophageal reconstruction with gastric pull-up was performed on postnatal day 141 (infant weight, 4.7 kg), and he was discharged 21 days postoperatively. At 12 months after birth, there was no catch-up growth; however, he is currently receiving a baby food diet without any complications. In patients with EA, bronchoscopy is useful for confirming TEF, whereas for those with long-gap EA with a small stomach volume, esophageal reconstruction with gastric pull-up after continuous feeding through a gastrojejunal tube is worth considering.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2024

Purpose: The presence of alcoholic stool in biliary atresia (BA) patients is the basis of a stool color card (SCC), a screening tool that has led to more patients receiving Kasai portoenterostomy earlier. This study aimed to evaluate the color image processing of stool images captured using smartphones. We propose that measuring digital color parameters is a more objective method for identifying BA stools and may improve the sensitivity of BA screening. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in five hospitals in Thailand between October 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Stools from infants presenting with jaundice, acholic stool, or dark-colored urine were photographed. Digital image color analysis was performed, and software was developed based on the color on the original SCC. Sensitivity and specificity for predicting BA stools were compared between the SCC and the software. Results: Of 33 infants eligible for data collection, 19 were diagnosed with BA. Saturation and blue were two potential digital color parameters used to differentiate BA stools. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimum cutoff point of both values, and when saturation ≤56 or blue ≥61 was set as a threshold for detecting BA stool, high accuracy was achieved at 81.8% and 78.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Digital image processing is a promising technology. With appropriate cutoff values of saturation in hue, saturation, value and blue in red, green, blue color models, BA stools can be identified, and equivocal-colored stools of non-BA patients can be differentiated with acceptable accuracy in infants presenting with jaundice.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 1998

Purpose : Lots of congenital anomalies of urinary tract including hydronephrosis are detected in fetus and neworn by popular use of prenatal ultrasonography. But there are little data available in Korea about natural course of hydronephrosis diagnosed antenatally by ultrasonography. So we intended to help management of these patients by analizing the follow up data of the neonates with hydronephrosis diagnosed antenatally. Methods : We evaluated 22 patients with neonatal hydronephrosis(33 renal units) who were diagnosed prenatally and confirmed postnatally. Especially patients with suspected ureteropelvic junction obstruction were followed regulary with renal ultrasonography and diuretic renography for 8-24 months. Results : 1) The etiologies of neonatal hydronephrosis diagnosed prenatally were suspected ureteropelvic junction obstruction($69.9\%$), vesicoureteral reflux($15.1\%$), primary megaureter($3.0\%$), double ureter with ureterocele($3.0\%$), ureteral stricture($3.0\%$), multicystic dysplastic kidney(3.0$\%$), and ureterovesical junction obstruction(3.0$\%$). 2) The follow up results of 23 renal units of suspected ureteropelvic junction obsruction: Except 4 renal units with palpable abdominal mass, of the remained 19 renal units, 14 units($73.6\%$) were improved spontaneously, 3 units($15.7\%$) remained stable, only2 units($10.5\%$) were aggravated. Conclusion : We concluded that in most cases of hydronephrosis there is no need for immediate surgery, and that nonoperative approach, using serial ultrasonography and diuretic renogram, is safe management of neonatal hydronephrosis diagnosed anteratally.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1503-1511
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• 2002

Purpose : Although the short- and long-term outcomes of low birth weight(LBW) neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) survivors have been extensively studied, much less information is available for normal birth weight(NBW) infants(greater than 2,500 gm) who require NICU care. Methods : We retrospectively examined the neonatal hospitalizations and one year health status of 302 NBW and 131 LBW admissions to our NICU. Information on the neonatal hospitalization was obtained from a review of medical records. Postdischarge health status was collected by using telephone surveys and medical records. Results : After initial discharge, 21.2% of the NBW infants and 23% of the LBW infants required rehospitalization during the first year of life and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The reasons for rehospitalization of the NBW infants included respiratory disorders (32.1%), G-I problems(26.2%), genitourinary problems(11.9%), surgery(10.7%), cardiac problems(7.1%), and congenital/developmental problems(1.2%). For the LBW infants, the order of frequency was the same, with the percentages slightly different. Neonatal risk factors related to the rehospitalization of the NBW infants included mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and congenital anomaly. But no positive significant correlation of neonatal risk factors with rehospitalization of LBW infants was found. Conclusion : Low and normal birthweight NICU survivors were rehospitalized at similar rates. The most common cause of rehospitalization was respiratory problems. Neonatal risk factors related to rehospitalization of NBW infants were mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and congenital anomaly. However, no positive significant correlation of neonatal risk factors with rehospitalization of LBW infants was found. The data suggests that NBW infant survivors, as well as LBW infant NICU survivors, require close follow up.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.9 s.254
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• pp.633-636
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• 2005

Sixteen-day-old baby with severe Ebstein anomaly underwent emergency operation to relieve progressive hypoxia and congestive heart failure. Operative findings showed huge right atrium and atrialized right ventricle (aRV) with very small functional RV by distal displacemcent of tricuspid valve mechanism. We elected to perform modified Starness operation because biventricular repair was deemed unattainable. After pulmonary and tricuspid valves were primarily closed, aRV was obliterated with multiple sutures from RV apex to the base. Then a PTFE (Gore-Tex, USA) vascular graft was interposed between innominate artery and main pulmonary artery for systemic to pulmonary shunt. The patient was discharged uneventfully, and received bi-directional cavopulmonary shunt 6 months later.