Empyema thoracis can produce significant morbidity in children if inadequately treated. Correct evaluation of the stage of the disease, the clinical condition of the child and proper assessment of the response to conservative treatment is crucial in deciding the mode of further surgical intervention. This ranges from intercostal chest tube drainage and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to open decortication. Surgical decortication becomes mandatory in neglected cases; it gives very gratifying results ameliorating the disease rapidly and is well tolerated by young patients. This article reviews the current literature and discusses the important considerations while managing these patients. Indications for surgery are highlighted, based on our large experience at a tertiary care center.

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An 11-year-old female child presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a cecal volvulus due to a congenital band and malfixation of the cecum. This was treated by excision of the band, derotation and decompression of cecum though an appendiceal stump suction.

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Aim: To study the clinical outcome of shunt surgeries in children suffering from hydrocephalus. Methods: A prospective study of 50 children with hydrocephalus who underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion over a period of two years. These patients were then followed up for shunt related complications, shunt revisions and outcome. Results : Twenty six of the 50 patients (52%) suffered from complications. The most common complications were shunt blockage (n=7) and shunt infection (n=6). These complications necessitated repeated shunt revisions. Conclusions: Infective complications of hydrocephalus are more likely to leave behind an adverse neurological outcome in the form of delayed milestones and mental retardation.

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We report an infant who presented with large facial hemangioma associated with Dandy-Walker cyst and atrial septal defect. This case is peculiar in that the large facial hemangioma in posterior fossa malformations, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, coarctation of aorta and other cardiac defects (PHACE) syndrome resulted in massive tissue destruction.

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Posterior urethral valve and vesical calculus are individually among the most common causes of obstructive lower urinary complaints in children. There are very few reports of association between posterior urethral valves and bladder calculus. We report three such cases. This association of the vesical calculi with posterior urethral valves may lead to a delay in the diagnosis of the posterior urethral valves. The diagnosis of posterior urethral valves should be suspected in all children with vesical or urethral calculi who have persistence of symptoms even after removal of the calculi.

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A 4-year-old boy presented with a short history of right-sided acute scrotal pain and swelling. At exploration, pus was found in the hemiscrotum but no local cause could be found. Further exploration showed the pus coming through a patent processus vaginalis from a collection in the right iliac fossa secondary to acute appendicitis.

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Aim: To know whether laboratory or clinical parameters can predict disease progression, need for laparotomy in patients managed with peritoneal drain and mortality in surgical neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis patients. Materials and Methods: The study was retrospectively carried out on 27 neonates over a period of one and a half year. All neonates who had surgical neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in the form of bowel perforation, positive paracentesis, abdominal wall erythema and abdominal lump were included. Patients with Bell's stage I and those developing enterocolitis after surgery were excluded. The patients were evaluated with parameters, namely, clinical, laboratory and radiological. These included age and stage at presentation, primary symptom/sign at presentation with laboratory parameters of blood counts, pH, base deficit, platelet counts, electrolytes and random blood sugar levels. A comparison was done between survivors and nonsurvivors, patients with primary peritoneal drainage versus those requiring laparotomy after drain, Bell' stage II versus III patients and operated versus nonoperated patients. Statistical significance was observed in the above mentioned comparisons. Results: There were 22 male and 5 females patients with mean birth weight of 1.85 kg. Age at presentation ranged from 2 to 19 days, mean 9.25 days. Mortality was 37% (10/27). Majority of the stage II patients presented with feed intolerance and abdominal distension. The neonates with severe disease had abdominal distension with wall erythema. Sixty percent of the patients had shock at the time of admission. In the comparison of peritoneal drain only and patients with peritoneal drain followed by laparotomy patients, it was observed that neonates who were acidotic and had higher base deficit had more chances of requirement of laparotomy. They also had progressive fall in platelets counts. There was no difference in the birth weight, gestational age, total counts, serum electrolytes, blood sugar and other measured parameters; thus, these carry negligible predictive value to judge deteriorating neonate. In the remaining of the comparison, patients not presenting with shock were more likely to survive. Conclusion: In the present study, neonate with persistently low pH, higher base deficit and presentation with shock predicted need for laparotomy in drain managed patients as well as chances of survival.

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Atresia of ileocecal junction and isolated atresia of ileocecal valve are rare types of intestinal atresia with very few reports in literature. We report two such cases. Radiology showed dilated ileal segment and distal micro colon in both the cases. At laparotomy there was atresia of ileocecal junction in the first case and isolated ileocaecal valve atresia with normal ileocecal junction in the other case. Both the babies were managed by ileocolic resection with an end to end anastomosis. The prognosis of ileocecal atresias is satisfactory.

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A full term male neonate presented with stridor and respiratory distress at birth. Direct laryngoscopy after tracheostomy and patient stabilization revealed a subglottic web with a very small hole at 6 o'clock position. The patient was managed by cauterization of web using Bugbee electrode with resultant normal lumen post operatively.

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Aim/Background : Airway anomalies are infrequent but potentially life threatening in children. A program to care for these difficult children was set up at our institution, and this paper summarizes our experience. Methods: A total of 34 children were enrolled in the program over a period of three years. These children were evaluated as per the standard protocols. Treatment was individualized. Results: Of these 34 children, 28 had their airways restored and are doing well. Four children continue to remain on tracheostomy and two will require long term tracheostomy. There were two deaths. All children are under surveillance as there is a risk of recurrence. Conclusions: Airway anomalies are complex problems with significant morbidity and mortality. Current therapeutic modalities allow for good results. Most children were successfully decannulated and did well.

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