Endoscopically assisted plastic surgical procedures in the pediatric patient

Endoscopically assisted surgery has gained wide popularity in plastic surgery. Its major uses have been in aesthetic procedures. In this article we demonstrate the safety and utility of these techniques to a pediatric population. All patients younger than 20 years who underwent an endoscopically assisted plastic surgical procedure by one of the authors were pooled and their medical records reviewed. Complications were determined. For those children having an excision of a forehead mass, the duration of the procedure, length of incision, specimen size, and length of hospital stay were determined. Additionally, parents of these children were contacted by telephone after the excisions to determine satisfaction with the procedures. Sixteen patients' records were reviewed. Patients' ages ranged from 6 months to 15 years (mean, 5.8 years). The procedures performed included removal of forehead mass (n = 9), placement of tissue expanders (n = 5), excision of gynecomastia (n = 1), and malar soft tissue elevation (n = 1). All procedures were completed with endoscopic assistance. One procedure had to be converted to an open technique. No hematomas were observed. For forehead mass excisions, the average duration of the procedure was 46.9 min. Incision length was 1.1 cm, and specimen volume was 0.5 cm3. Parent satisfaction with the endoscopic procedures was high, with 100% responding favorably. No significant complications were observed. Many of the procedures were performed as outpatients. Parental acceptance of and satisfaction with the endoscopic techniques was high. Our experience supports the use of endoscopic techniques in the pediatric plastic surgical patient.