619
ABSTRACTS Esophageal
Atresia
with
Tracheoesophageal
Fistula in 3 Brothers. L. Contorni,
G. Di
Quattro.
Riv Chir
(October/December).
G. Quaglio,
Pediotr
and XVll:328-334
1975.
Three brothers with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula were each born at intervals of 3 years. Esophageal atresia is unlikely to occur in more than one sibling of the same family unless negative intrauterine factors are present.--C. Monragnani Circular Esophageal Myotomy for Primary Correction of Esophageal
Atresia. G. L. Zigotfi,
R. Domini, A. Cocciori, U. Nofrini, V. Jasonni, and S. Ricci. Riv Chir Pediotr XVIII:308313 (October/ December), 1975. Two cases of esophageal atresia type 111 with large gaps between the segments are described. Primary esophageal end-to-end anastomosis was possible after extramucosal circular myotomy of the upper pouch according to Livaditis. This method is recommended if the gap is greater than 2 cm.-C. Montagnani Value of Esophageal Manometric Studies in the Gastroesophageal Reflux of Infancy. A. R. Euler
and M. E. Amenf. 1977. Fifteen
infants
Pediatrics
with
59:58-61
symptoms
(Jonuory),
of
gastro-
esophageal reflux were evaluated with esophageal manometric studies. Six infants had a mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure of 12.7 mm Hg(range 11.3-15.0). These children failed to do well on conservative medical management and eventually required Nissen fundoplication. The other nine infants had mean pressures of 19.6 mm Hg (range IS&25.0) and all did well on a medical regimen. It is concluded that all infants suspected of having gastroesophageal reflux should have esophageal manometric studies included in their diagnostic evaluation; the results of these studies may well have predictive values in selecting medical or surgical treatment.Colin C. Ferguson lntrathorocic Volvulus of the Stomach. E. Borto-
lomucci and F. Cerosuofo. Riv Chir Pediatr XVI:297305 (October/December), 1974. An I I yr old boy was admitted as an emergency with the suspected diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia. One month before admission there was pain in the left hypochondrium which improved when the patient lay flat or on his right side. Signs of intestinal obstruction were present, the left hemithorax was more expanded
and there were fewer respiratory excursions. The radiographic diagnosis was left diaphragmatic hernia and possibly a gastric v~lvulus. At operation a 7 cm elliptical defect was found in the posterolateral part of the left hemidiaphragm with thoracic migration of the abdominal organs and volvulus of the stomach.C. Montagnani Single Dose Peroperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Grastrointestinal Surgery. D. A. Friggifhs, 6. A. Shorey, R. A. Simpson, and D. C. E. Speller. Loncet
11:325-328 (August), 1976. In a study investigating wound infection after gastrointestinal operations in adults, it was found that a single intravenous injection of tobramycin and lincomycin given at the start of the operation reduced the incidence of infection from 35”,, to 5”,,. No complications were reported. These results are impressive and obviously are relevant to pediatric surgical practice.-M. H. Gough Milk Bolus Obstruction in the Neonate. C. T.
Lewis, J. A. S. Dickson, and V. A. 1. Swain. Arch Dis Child 52:68-71 (January), 1977. Seventeen
of the 445 neonates
admitted
with
intestinal obstruction to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, London, in the period l964- 1972 are reported. These infants were considered to have milk plug obstruction and I4 were treated operatively. the diagnosis being confirmed at laparotomy. These I4 patients are discussed. Weight ranged from 2.04-5.69 Kg. with a mean of 2.95 Kg. Thirteen were male and obstruction developed at 2-10 days. Abdominal distension. bile-stained vomiting, cessation of passage of stools, and in half of the patients passage of blood per rectum were the signs. Twelve of the 14 were fed on a full cream milk (Ostermilk 2 (8). Ostermilk I (I), Baby Milk 2 (2) and full cream Carnation (I )]; one was fed on Baby Milk I: and I on SMA. All children are reported to have been followed up in the outpatient clinic and progress was satisfactory except in one very small preterm baby shown
and to
one
infant
be an
who
was
Amsterdam
subsequently
dwarf.-D.
G.
Young Necrotiring Enterocolitis of the Newborn-Is it Gas Gangrene of the Bowel? P. VolstedPeder-
ren, F. Hod Hansen, tionsen. Loncet II:71 This further
paper
A. 5-716
from
hypothesis
8. H&eg, (October),
Copenhagen
and E. D.
Chris-
1976.
presents
about the cause of neonatal
a