Minimal access surgery in children - 5 years institutional experience

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Minimal access surgery (MAS) is increasingly common in pediatric care globally.
• Surgeon experience is crucial for optimizing MAS outcomes.
• This study shares a 5-year experience with MAS in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of 677 minimal access surgeries in pediatric patients.
• To compare data for common procedures with existing literature.
• To discuss the advantages of MAS in specific pediatric conditions.

Main Methods:

• A total of 677 MAS procedures were performed on children aged 7 days to 12 years.
• Procedures included 568 laparoscopic surgeries and 109 video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries (VATS).
• Common procedures comprised inguinal hernia repair, appendectomy, and VATS for empyema.

Main Results:

• The study observed a gratifying trend in the outcomes of all procedures.
• Detailed data analysis is presented within the full article.
• Specific outcomes data are discussed in relation to surgeon experience and procedure type.

Conclusions:

• Increasing surgeon experience correlated with decreased operating times.
• Complication and conversion rates were reduced with accumulated experience.
• Key advantages included improved postoperative cosmesis, reduced pain, and earlier return to activity.