Benefits of oral administration of an electrolyte solution interrupting a prolonged preoperatory fasting period in pediatric patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of an oral isosmolar solution of electrolytes (ISE) administered to interrupt a prolonged fasting period in children undergoing an elective surgical procedure under general anesthesia. METHODS: Forty unpremedicated children aged 3 to 12 years, ASA I, undergoing a surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with an overnight fasting period for milk and solids of at least 8 hours. In group 2, patients under a similar fasting period received a volume of 4 mL/kg of an oral ISE 3 hours before completing the fasting period. After anesthetic induction, blood glucose level (BGL) was quantified, and patients underwent an endoscopic examination to obtain the gastric content to determine the residual gastric volume (RGV) and pH levels. RESULTS: In group 1, the RGV was 0.78 +/- 0.44 mL/kg, pH was 1.75 +/- 0.38, and BGL was 86.4 +/- 14.5. In group 2, the RGV was 0.40 +/- 0.29 mL/kg, pH was 3.18 +/- 0.61, and BGL was 85.1 +/- 12.6. Only RGV and pH were significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: A prolonged fasting period interrupted with oral ISE administration resulted in an RGV of low risk, without counterbalancing a potential fasting-induced hypoglycemia.

[Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung. A report of 12 cases]. / Malformación adenomatoidea quística pulmonar congénita. Presentación de 12 casos.

The congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung is uncommon. In the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, 12 cases have been seen over a period of 31 years, which points out how rare this malformation is. There was a male predominance, and 75% of the patients had symptoms by 8 months of age. The main complaints were progressive respiratory failure in the newborn period and recurrent lung infection in older children. Treatment was surgical in all cases. There was only one fatality due to cardiac failure.

[Diaphragmatic eventration. Our experience with 50 cases]. / Eventración diafragmática. Experiencia de 50 casos.

Diaphragmatic eventration is the abnormal elevation of the diaphragm as a result of paralysis, aplasia or atrophia of the muscular fibers. This is a diagnostic problem specially in the newborn. The objective of this report is present the clinical course and surgical management of 50 cases attended in the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Of them, 56% were males; eight were newborns; five with previous surgery. The clinical course was variable; the landmark was the chest X-ray findings. There were operated 36 cases. The right diaphragm was the most frequent affected; the surgical management was with thoracotomy in the great majority of them. In 30 cases had good evolution two years after surgery.

[Congenital lobar emphysema]. / Enfisema lobar congénito.

This article includes the way cases of congenital lobe emphysema were treated at the Hospital Infantil de México "Federico Gómez" during 1971 to 1989. A total of 17 cases were gathered, 13 were males and 4 were females; admittance age varied from 13 days to 3 years. The children's main symptoms were respiratory failure and cyanosis. The diagnosis was enhanced by a chest X-ray where lobe hyperclarity was detected, as well as a deviation of the mediastinum and a collapsed lung. A lobectomy was performed in all cases. The upper left lobe was seen to be the most affected. Two of the children died. It is important to recognize this disease early on and conduct prompt surgical treatment.

[Congenital esophageal diverticulum]. / Divertículo esofágico congénito.

The congenital or acquired variety of esophageal diverticulum is a rare childhood disease. Reported is a case-study which deals with a five year old patient who arrived at our hospital complaining of a constricture at the cricopharyngeal level. A month later he returned to the hospital with dysphasia and regurgitation; the X-rays and endoscopic diagnosis showed stenosis of the esophagus and the presence of an esophageal diverticulum. Esophageal dilatations were carried out until an acceptable esophageal diameter was reached. Later on, the surgical removal of the diverticulum was performed without any complications. The histopathological study showed the congenital nature of the diverticulum. The patient's recovery went well and is currently considered as cured.

[Variceal sclerotherapy in children]. / Esclerosis de várices en el niño.

The experience in the Endoscopy Unit at: Hospital Infantil de México "Federico Gomez" in sclerotherapy is presented. It was done in 45 children. Good results were obtained in 31 (69%). Our complications were: Ulceration (53%); stenosis (11%); meningism (4%), pneumonia (2%) and esophago pleural fistula (2%). No mortality was found for the procedure.