Neonatal Surgery

Some of the conditions that neonatal surgeons treat include:

• Anorectal Malformations – a range of birth defects in which the anus and rectum do not open in the normal position
• Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia – a hole in the diaphragm that allows the abdominal contents to migrate into the chest
• Duodenal obstruction – caused by duodenal atresia or annular pancreas where the pancreas encircles and obstructs the duodenum
• Gastroschisis – an abdominal wall defect in which the intestines protrude outside of the baby’s body
• Intestinal atresia – a break in the bowel continuity causing a bowel obstruction
• Exomphalos (Omphalocoele) – an abdominal wall defect in which the intestines and other abdominal organs develop outside of the baby’s body because of a large hole in the umbilicus
• Fetal Lung Lesions – these are non-cancerous lung defects that can impact on respiratory function and usually require removal
• Hirschsprungs Disease – a neurological condition of the large intestine that prevents the baby from passing stools normally
• Malrotation – abnormal orientation of gut that puts it at risk of twisting
• Meconium Ileus – a type of bowel obstruction that occurs in children with cystic fibrosis
• Neonatal Tumours – rare non-cancerous and cancerous growths in babies e.g. Sacrococcygeal teratoma
• Necrotising Enterocolitis – part of the intestine dies from lack of blood supply, more common in critically ill and premature infants.
• Oesophageal Atresia – malformation of the oesophagus so that it is not a continuous tube, often associated with trachea-oesophageal fistula
• Tracheo-oesophageal Fistula – an abnormal connection between the oesophagus (swallowing tube) and trachea (breathing tube)

Most of these conditions are rare with an incidence of <1 in 2500 children. They may occur in isolation but can also occur together and as part of complex syndromes. Following surgery and, often long stays in hospital, these children and their families require specialised post-operative care in multidisciplinary clinics. Often, their care is lifelong.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ph: 02 8307 0977
Fax: 02 8088 7420
Email: info@drgideonsandler.com

Please refer to the following resources from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for more information:

1. Anorectal malformation
   
2. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
   
3. Intestinal atresia
   
4. Gastroschisis
   
5. Exomphalos (Omphalocoele)
   
6. Fetal Lung Lesions
   
7. Hirschsprungs Disease
   
8. Malrotation
   
9. Meconium Ileus
   
10. Necrotising Enterocolitis
    
11. Neonatal Tumours
    
12. Oesophageal Atresia
    
13. Traceho-oesophageal Fistula