Henry Barrett: pioneer paediatric surgeon
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1Department of Surgery, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Background:
Henry Barrett worked as a general surgeon in New Plymouth, New Zealand between 1939 and 1978. In this time, he made significant contributions to the development of paediatric surgery in New Zealand.
Methods:
Henry Barrett's archive and personal papers remain in the possession of his family. These described his pioneering operations first hand.
Results:
In an 18-month period from 1947 to 1948, in New Plymouth small provincial hospital, Henry Barrett successfully completed the first primary repair of an oesophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula in the Southern Hemisphere and the second and third successful ligations of patent ductus arteriosus in New Zealand. All three patients survived into adulthood.
Conclusion:
Henry Barrett pioneered the undertaking of two complex paediatric surgical procedures in New Zealand. These operations were performed without specialist paediatric support at a time when procedures for these conditions, particularly patent ductus arteriosus, were viewed with suspicion.
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