[Techniques of endoscopic surgery in the pediatric cancer in a developing country]

The objective of the present study is to present our experience of introducing video-endoscopic surgical techniques applied to the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of Bogota (Colombia), the reference state institution in this developing nation. The study is based on the large case load of the NCI, the considerable clinical experience of its healthcare professionals, and the availability of adequate material resources. This preliminary series comprises 11 pediatric patients who underwent surgery at the NCI between February 1 and 31 May 2007. Seven laparoscopies and four thoracoscopies were performed. The mean age of these patients was 8.8 years (range, 10 months to 17 years). The clinical characteristics of these patients are reported.