ABSTRACT

Laparoscopic surgery has matured over the past decade to the extent that it is now routine in many centers to perform primary repairs of esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, and other major reconstructive procedures which were thought impossible, or too challenging, not long ago. This is largely due to improvements in hand instruments, video technology, and new electrosurgical equipment, such as vessel-sealing devices which allow the pediatric surgeon to operate with a degree of precision and finesse previously impossible.