 
								Balloon Dissection for Extra Pleural Approach in Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair; A Novel Technique
								
									
										
											
											
												Basem Saied Abd Elqader,
											
										
											
											
												Wagih Mommtaz Ghnnam
											
										
									
								 
								
									
										Issue:
										Volume 3, Issue 3, May 2017
									
									
										Pages:
										14-17
									
								 
								
									Received:
										27 June 2017
									
									Accepted:
										4 July 2017
									
									Published:
										27 July 2017
									
								 
								
								
								
									
									
										Abstract: Objective: The extra-pleural approach for the tracheoesophageal fistula is preferred by most of pediatric surgeons because the possible substantial anastomotic leak will end in a fistula rather than an empyema. The problem with this technique that it is time consuming for pleural separation and liable for pleural tears. We studied a new method for using of Foley's catheter balloon to push the pleura away from the chest wall in an easier manner and shorter time. Method: A 25 neonate with tracheoesophageal fistula was managed with the extra-pleural approach using the Foley's catheter balloon as a method of pleural separation. Results: The mean time for pleural dissection was 4.5 m (266.4 sec) with a range of 2 m, 47 sec (167 sec) - 6 m, 18 sec (378 sec). Only 4 minor pleural tears were encountered (16%) that passed smoothly. 4 Anastomotic leaks occurred that were managed conservatively and 2 mild Anastomotic strictures (8%) occurred and were managed conservatively. Conclusion: Balloon dissection is a valuable addition to management of esophageal atresia. It accomplishes pleural separation from the rib cage in short time and easy manner with nearly 0% incidence of significant pleural tears. Moreover, it improves the outcome of possible postoperative anastomotic leak without adding to the patient's morbidity or the hospital cost.
										Abstract: Objective: The extra-pleural approach for the tracheoesophageal fistula is preferred by most of pediatric surgeons because the possible substantial anastomotic leak will end in a fistula rather than an empyema. The problem with this technique that it is time consuming for pleural separation and liable for pleural tears. We studied a new method for ...
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								Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Eradication Prior to Cardiac Surgery
								
									
										
											
											
												Sanjeet Avtaar Singh,
											
										
											
											
												Kasra Shaikhrezai,
											
										
											
											
												Rajdev Singh Toor,
											
										
											
											
												Ahmed Al-Adhami,
											
										
											
											
												Sudeep Das De,
											
										
											
											
												Renzo Pessotto
											
										
									
								 
								
									
										Issue:
										Volume 3, Issue 3, May 2017
									
									
										Pages:
										18-22
									
								 
								
									Received:
										8 June 2017
									
									Accepted:
										11 July 2017
									
									Published:
										16 August 2017
									
								 
								
								
								
									
									
										Abstract: The problem of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has led to routine surveillance and decolonisation strategies. Cardiac surgery unit admissions receive MRSA cultures from nares, skin, throat and wounds/groin, and if positive are isolated followed by eradication treatment. This strategy was retrospectively reviewed. The study comprises 50 patients: 32 successfully decolonized/eradicated carriers and 18 unsuccessfully eradicated carriers. A comparison of pre-operative characteristics showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups with the exception for asthmatic patients, where there was only 3.1% of MRSA eradicated patients vs 22.2% in the unsuccessful eradication group (p=0.031). There was no difference between the operative patient data of both groups in hospital mortality, post-operative lengths of stay, ventilation time, post op IABP (intra-aortic balloon pump), post-operative complications, Cerebrovascular accidents and Transient Ischaemic attacks as well as long term complications were not statistically significant. However, there is a statistically significant difference between the use of post-operative antibiotics, with 72.2% of unsuccessfully MRSA eradicated patients requiring antibiotics postoperatively, compared to 40.6%, (p=0.032). Preoperative asthmatics were more likely to fail MRSA eradication/decolonisation. Post operatively MRSA eradication results in the reduction in postoperative antibiotic use.
										Abstract: The problem of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has led to routine surveillance and decolonisation strategies. Cardiac surgery unit admissions receive MRSA cultures from nares, skin, throat and wounds/groin, and if positive are isolated followed by eradication treatment. This strategy was retrospectively reviewed. The s...
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