Muhammad Anwar, Nasir Saleem Saddal, Jamshed Akhtar.
Laparoscopy in Children.
J Surg Pak Jan ;19(4):158-62.

Objective: To analyze data related to different laparoscopic procedures performed on children so as to document pattern over the years at a public sector hospital. Study design: Retrospective chart review. Place & Duration of study: Department of Paediatric Surgery National Institute of Child Health Karachi, from January 2011 to December 2013. Methodology: The data of all the laparoscopic procedures was reviewed for the indications, type of surgical procedure performed, operative details including time taken for completion of the procedure, difficulties / conversion rate and complications. Data was entered into SPSS version 16 and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results: Total number of patients who underwent laparoscopic procedure was 201. There were 164 (81.6%) males and 37 (18.4%) females. Most of the patients (n=122 – 60.7%) were above five year of age. Clinically impalpable testis (n=124 - 61.7%)) was the most common surgical condition for which laparoscopy was performed. This included first, second stage Stephen Fowler procedure, single stage orchiopexy and orchiectomy. Other procedures included appendectomy (n=27-13.4%) and cholecystectomy (n=12 - 6%). Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in 11 (5.5%) babies with persistent jaundice to find out surgical cause of hyperbilirubinemia. There were 7 (3.4%) cases with disorders of sex development (DSD). Complications occurred in 19 patients which included port site infection (n=8), port site bleeding (n=5), bowel injury (n=2) and others. In only seven (3.5%) cases procedure was converted to open surgery. Conclusions: Laparoscopy was a safe surgical procedure in children performed for different indications. Learning curve over period improved procedure related outcome.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com