ABSTRACT

This chapter presents the surgical emergencies in paediatric care. It also presents the symptoms and signs, investigations, treatment, complications of Intussusception, Hernias, Necrotising enterocolitis, and Malrotation of the gut. Intussusception occurs when part of the bowel invaginates into an adjacent lower segment. In male infants indirect inguinal hernias result from a patent processus vaginalis and are slightly more common on the right side. An inguinal hernia is the commonest cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates. Malrotation is a congenital problem usually affecting the midgut. It can cause duodenal obstruction in the neonate or recurrent volvulus in older children. A child should not be starved pre-operatively for any longer than the normal interval between feeds or for 4 hours in older children.