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One-stage resection for massive cervicomediastinal hygroma
Surgery
|October 1, 1982
Summary
Cervicomediastinal cystic hygromas can cause infant respiratory distress. Surgical resection via a sternum-splitting incision offers a curative and well-tolerated treatment option for these large masses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cervicomediastinal cystic hygromas are a significant cause of respiratory distress in infants.
- These congenital malformations require effective management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the management and outcomes of infants and children with large cervicomediastinal cystic hygromas.
- To evaluate the efficacy of a one-stage surgical resection approach.
Main Methods:
- Review of ten pediatric patients (newborn to 4 years) with cervicomediastinal cystic hygromas.
- Diagnostic workup included neck examination, ultrasonography, and chest X-ray.
- Surgical management involved complete resection via an inverted hockey stick (sternum-splitting) incision.
Main Results:
- Eight of ten patients presented with respiratory distress.
- The intrathoracic component was unsuspected in four infants prior to operation.
- Nine out of ten patients survived, with no recurrences during follow-up (9 months to 10 years).
- Three patients developed Horner's syndrome postoperatively.
Conclusions:
- One-stage resection using a sternum-splitting incision is a well-tolerated and curative treatment for cervicomediastinal cystic hygromas.
- This surgical approach is superior to other treatment methods for these complex pediatric masses.