[Progress and problems in pediatric surgery--the Association of Pediatric Anesthesiologists]

From the first meeting of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons in 1964 a small group discussion on anesthetic problems and patient care was held by some anesthesiologists at night. The Association of Pediatric Anesthesiologists (started in 1971) has undertaken the night meeting ever since the twelfth Annual Meeting of the Society of Pediatric Surgeons in 1975. The problems about pediatric respiratory management, neonatal emergency surgery and pediatric anesthesia were discussed frequently by doctors in different specialties. The recent decrease of mortality in neonatal surgery is thought to have come from the improvement of pediatric respiratory management. This night meeting of anesthesiologists has had a major role in the resolution of problems in pediatric respiratory impairment. The problems to be resolved in an emergency--persistent fetal circulation, barotrauma, nutritional problems in long term ventilatory support and so on--, will be discussed in the future. The purpose of this association is to elevate the quality of pediatric anesthesiologists by discussion with the other specialists of medicine and to make clear their responsibility in Children's Hospitals or Centers.