INTRODUCTION: Debate exists as to whether IHPS can be treated in district general hospitals as effectively as in specialist paediatric surgical units. AIM: To review the surgical treatment of IHPS in babies admitted to a district general hospital under the care of two consultant general surgeons with a paediatric surgical interest. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case notes of 66 babies operated on for IHPS over a 42 month period between April 1995 and September 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, operative details, hospital stay, and overall complications were all documented. RESULTS: Peri-operative complications occurred in 2 patients, both requiring omental patches for duodenal perforation. Nine patients had 1 or 2 episodes of postoperative vomiting; 4 had either a wound or urinary tract infection; and 1 baby developed an incisional hernia. There was no mortality. DISCUSSION: The complication rate seen in this series is comparable to that of specialist centres, and supports current guidelines suggesting that IHPS can be managed by general surgeons with a paediatric surgical interest in a district general hospital.
INTRODUCTION: Debate exists as to whether IHPS can be treated in district general hospitals as effectively as in specialist paediatric surgical units. AIM: To review the surgical treatment of IHPS in babies admitted to a district general hospital under the care of two consultant general surgeons with a paediatric surgical interest. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case notes of 66 babies operated on for IHPS over a 42 month period between April 1995 and September 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, operative details, hospital stay, and overall complications were all documented. RESULTS: Peri-operative complications occurred in 2 patients, both requiring omental patches for duodenal perforation. Nine patients had 1 or 2 episodes of postoperative vomiting; 4 had either a wound or urinary tract infection; and 1 baby developed an incisional hernia. There was no mortality. DISCUSSION: The complication rate seen in this series is comparable to that of specialist centres, and supports current guidelines suggesting that IHPS can be managed by general surgeons with a paediatric surgical interest in a district general hospital.