ABSTRACT
Emergency surgery in children under 5 years of age is taxing both diagnostically and therapeutically. Difficulties include communication, venous access, fluid management and pain relief. These challenges are best met by specialist paediatric surgical units. The significance of bile vomiting in early life and the many manifestations of intussusception in children of any age require familiarity with the conditions as well as confidence in handling young children in order to give highquality care.
