Abdullah Al-Rabeeah

The immediate and long-term outcomes of newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

In spite of the innovations in the management of newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) presenting with respiratory distress at birth, mortality and ongoing morbidity still remain high. This is a retrospective analysis of newborns with CDH to determine the immediate and long-term outcomes among survivors. Medical records of newborns with CDH and respiratory distress at birth between January 1993 and March 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 45 newborns, 29 males and 16 females. Eleven newborns (24%) died during the period of preoperative stabilization, 9 from pulmonary hypoplasia and 2 with complex anomalies who were not resuscitated. Surgery was performed in 34 newborns (76%). Three died postoperatively from severe pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. Eleven newborns (24%) had sepsis from coagulative-negative staphylococci. Thirty-one of 43 newborns (72%) with isolated CDH were discharged home. Twenty-seven of 31 survivors (87%) had adverse long-term outcome and 2 late deaths were from pulmonary complications. Twenty-nine of 43 newborns (67%) with isolated CDH survived. The principal determinant of survival was pulmonary hypoplasia. Eighty-seven percent of survivors have associated morbidity including ongoing pulmonary, nutritional and neuro-developmental problems. Nevertheless preoperative stabilization and delayed surgery have been a satisfactory mode of management.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis during infancy and childhood: cost analysis and review of current indications.

Abstract. Eleven consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LCs) were performed between January 1994 and June 1996 compared with seven open cholecystectomies (OCs) performed previously at King Khalid University Hospital. The comparison included surgical, clinical, and economic factors, together with a review of the literature. In the laparoscopic group the main indication for cholecystectomy was symptomatic gallstones. Other indications include mucocele of the gallbladder and chronic cholecystitis. A total of eight children in both group had sickle cell disease. The first two LCs were performed in the presence of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. There is a learning curve to pass through with LC. The operating time for LC ranged between 65 and 135 minutes (mean ± SD 89.81 ± 21.89 minutes). There was no major morbidity or mortality. The average postoperative parenteral analgesia required for LC (50.45 ± 24.57 mg) was significantly less than for OC (135.14 ± 62.02 mg), and the mean length of hospitalization for LC was significantly shorter than that for OC (1.68 ± 0.46 vs. 6.07 ± 0.30) days. Although the average operative cost per LC (2522 SR) was significantly more expensive than for OC (350 SR), the ultimate cost of LC was significantly less than for OC (5790.00 ± 787 vs. 12,343 ± 139 SR) because the total period of hospitalization was much shorter. In conclusion, LC is safe, effective, and less expensive than OC and therefore is the approach of choice for cholecystectomy in children.

Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy : experience with 28 cases

Twenty-eight infants with persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI) were seen during a 10-year period. There were 13 males and 15 females. Their age at time of presentation ranged from a few hours to 6 months. Consanguinity was reported in 20 cases (71.4%). One family had two affected siblings and two affected cousins, another had three affected siblings and one affected cousin, and three others had lost siblings because of hypoglycemia and seizures. The primary clinical presentation was jitters and seizures in association with hypoglycemia. The diagnosis was suspected when the therapeutic glucose requirement was found to be more than 12 mg/kg/min and also when there was a good response to glucagon after exclusion of metabolic and storage diseases. A high insulin-to-glucose ratio was noted for all patients. Twenty-two had near-total (90%) pancreatectomy; the result was excellent in all but four, who required supplemental medical therapy. Five patients were treated medically, and one patients family refused treatment. Twelve patients sustained moderate to severe brain injury before referral. There were no deaths, and only one patient had evidence of malabsorption after the pancreatectomy. PHHI correlates well with consanguinity and family history. Clinical awareness is essential to permit early diagnosis and prompt medical and supportive therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hepatobiliary anomalies in conjoined twins.

INTRODUCTION Conjoined twinning is an extremely rare anomaly. Very few diagrammatic descriptions are provided for the various hepatobiliary anomalies seen in these twins. We aimed to review our experience with the various subtypes of hepatobiliary anomalies and their association with the inability to separate as well as provide diagrammatic descriptions of these anomalies. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed our experiences within separating twins. We reviewed patterns of hepatobiliary anomalies and the required investigations and intraoperative workups. RESULTS Of the 60 cases we evaluated, 28 were successfully separated. The reasons for nonseparation were possession of: a single heart, major communicating hearts, or major chromosomal anomalies. The liver was involved in 17 cases (60.7%) in the operative group and 23 cases (71.8%) in the nonoperative group. All cases had a computed tomographic scan and ultrasound as preoperative workup. Only 2 cases required a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for preoperative evaluation. Intraoperative ultrasound was not used, and only 3 cases required an intraoperative cholangiogram. Diagrammatic depictions of the various categories of anomalies are presented. CONCLUSION In our experience, we did not find hepatobiliary anomalies to be the sole reason for inseparability in any of the conjoined sets. Hepatobiliary anomalies seem to be more frequent in the nonseparable group.

The management of esophageal strictures in children.

During a 10-year period from 1982 to 1992, 36 children and infants were treated for esophageal stricture. The severity of the stricture was indicated by the degree of feeding intolerance manifested by delays in growth and development and confirmed by fluoroscopy and endoscopy. Their ages ranged from one month to seven years. During the first eight years, the initial treatment was the conventional use of Savory dilators. Balloon dilatation was applied in all patients with esophageal stricture during the last two years. According to the etiology of the stricture, patients were divided into three groups. Group A: (seven patients) due to peptic esophagitis following persistent gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Group B: (15 patients) following ingestion of corrosive material. All had severe strictures; two had stomach outlet obstruction in addition. Group C: (14 patients) following repair of esophageal atresia. There was no mortality; however, overall morbidity was 5.5%, as one patient had esophageal perforation during the initial esophageal dilatation and one patient developed anastomotic leak.