Q
: 1
05/13/2010 |
My son has malformation of the tissue (cystic hygroma) in the right side of his neck. What are the possible treatments and side effects?
Cystic hygroma can be removed surgically, sclerosed with injection of sclerosing agents or observed. The cystic hygroma can grow, hemorrhage, get infected, or press on things. The surgery and sclerosing could result in injury to arteries or nerves and recurrence or infection are other possible complications.
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Q
: 2
04/10/2010 |
My daughter has urinary reflux, how is this condition treated?
I assume you mean vesico-ureteral reflux. This can be treated with surgery (a ureteral reimplant), injection of a substance at the ureteral orifice, or chronic antibiotics and observation. The best treatment depends on the age of the patient, the grade or severity of the reflux, and the number of infections the patient has had, as well as other factors.
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Q
: 3
04/09/2010 |
My son has a hydrocoele on one testicle and the other is undescended. He also has moderate cerebral palsy. His physicians thought these would disappear on their own, but he is now 9-years-old. Should this be corrected?
The hydrocoele is not a issue. Hydrocoeles do not cause problems as they are just fluid. An undescended testicle has a higher rate of malignancy and infertility than a normally descended testicle. Therefore, I would recommend an orchidopexy on the undescended testicle. The hydrocoele can be repaired if your son is experiencing symptoms or if he is getting surgery on the left, it can be repaired while he is under anesthesia.
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Q
: 4
03/05/2010 |
My 3-week-old daughter has a small skin tag by her right ear. At what age is it safe to have it removed?
If the procedure requires anesthesia, it would be best to wait until she is around 6-12 months as her risk for complications will have decreased by then.
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Q
: 5
01/08/2010 |
My 2 1/2 year old has just been diagnosed with a vascular malformation of the palate. I am having great difficulty finding information on the subject. Suggestions?
There are different types of vascular malformations, hemangiomas, arterio venous malformations are the most common. Hemangiomas are more common and most, but not all will go away. Arterio venous malformation will not. Sometimes there can be a mixed picture. Vascular malformation can mask as something else, but an MRI with contrast or CT scan with contrast can usually give a pretty good answer. Treatment options include medication, surgery, arteriography and embolization, or observation.
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Q
: 6
11/21/2009 |
My nephew had a nissen fundoplication surgery done at 6 weeks; however, in the last 3 months he has started having problems with vomiting. Do you know what other test or tests can be done to help to see what is wrong with him?
These are the usual tests to evaluate how a nissen is working. Sometimes food or protein allegies can cause vomiting even after a nissen fundoplication.
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Q
: 7
09/09/2009 |
Are there any signs or symptoms showing that there might be a problem after an orchidopexy operation? I'm worried about internal bleeding/bruising or infection. How would I check to see that everything is fine?
Some signs you may want to look for are fever, increased pain, fast heart rate, decreased urine output, and decrease hematocrit.
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Q
: 8
07/20/2009 |
I want to ask about my son. He is two years old and he was born with esofageal atresia type 3 and it was repaired the same day he born. He was dilated one month after surgery and he does not have any more problems.
He is under omeprazol tratment since he was born. At the moment, doctors did a 24 hours PH metry which showed severe reflux and they say us they have to do a fundoplication. The question is that we contacted two medical groups, one of then thinks to do a thal fundoplication and the other thinks it is better to do a Nissen fundoplication. I would like to know your opinion about it?
Most, if not all children with esophageal atresia have reflux.They also have decreased esophageal motility. Some surgeons do a Nissen (360 degrees) making sure it is not to tight to prevent food from going through the wrap. Others do a partial wrap, the Thal to prevent blockage of the esophagus. Either is fine and reasonable depending what the surgeon likes, how they do the wrap, and the patient.I personally do a loose Nissen.
Good Luck.
Eric Strauch MD
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Q
: 9
06/28/2009 |
My great nephew has been diagnosed with "Sacral Dimple." We can find little information on this condition. Is there a more technical name? How is it treated?
Sacral dimples are common. If they communicate deeply they may be a marker for a spinal cord problem (much less common). If the pediatrician is concerned, then X-rays, a spinal ultrasound, or a MRI can be obtained. Otherwise, they are usually left alone and observed.
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Q
: 10
06/26/2009 |
If cystic hygroma goes away after 20 weeks, can it return after the baby is born?
They can go away and stay away, they can shrink considerably and not completely go away, or they can grow. If it does not go away the baby's neck may swell, how much depends on the size.
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Q
: 11
05/24/2009 |
When a child has to have surgery, how do you start their IV's? Do you sedate them first?
Depends on the age and the system, what the surgery is for and if the child has any other problems. Most children, for elective surgery, will get sedation, put to sleep, then the IV placed after they are asleep.
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Q
: 12
04/20/2009 |
At what age is the pectus surgery done?
It can be done at 8 years of age, though most wait until older. You can see a pediatric surgeon for an evaluation.
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Q
: 13
03/05/2009 |
I just had pectus repair (ravitch) in November and was wondering how long does it take for the cratilages to grow back and fill in the dent in the chest?
You should discuss this with the surgeon who did your surgery as people heal differently and the surgery is done a little differently with each patient.
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Q
: 14
02/11/2009 |
My 14-year-old son had surgery this past July for double communicating hydrocles. As described by the doctor, the repair included the removal of the passageway and the sac. A few weeks ago, my son showed us that he has swelling again around one testicle and in the groin area very close to the scrotum on that same side. The doctor indicated that the hydrocele is back. How is that possible? Should we be questioning whether the first procedure was done correctly or not? Should we be getting a second opinion?
Any surgery can have a recurrence. Just because there was a recurrence does not mean the surgery was done wrong. Occasionally this happens. If you feel uncomfortable a second opinion is never wrong.
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Q
: 15
01/23/2009 |
I was just researching information regarding cystic hygromas. My daughter is 15-years-old and perfectly happy and healthy. However, she was born with a cystic hygroma on her neck which was removed immediately after birth. Her recent complaint is that her neck sweats heavily in the area where the hygroma was, even without exerting herself. It is more of a nuisance than anything else but, it did occur to me that it could be a sign of something larger. Should we be concerned? There is no growth recurrance that we can detect.
If there is no mass or swelling or other evidence of a recurrence, then I do not think you need to be concerned. Sometimes cystic hygromas can involve the skin, but I think that is unlikely. Usually if there is recurrence in the skin, the area will be thickened and abnormal appearing. If there is no mass or sign of infection, I think you do not have to worry.
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