Surgical management of pulmonary and gastrointestinal complications in children with cystic fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
Cystic fibrosis is a common disorder, affecting as many as 1:2500 Caucasian live births. Despite improved medical management, disease-specific complications are common and are responsible for substantial morbidity and ultimately mortality. Both pulmonary and gastrointestinal complications of cystic fibrosis are well known; however, the complications requiring surgical intervention in the pediatric population are infrequent. We provide a detailed review of the cystic fibrosis-associated pulmonary and gastrointestinal complications and potential surgical options for management in children with cystic fibrosis.


RESULTS
Recent operative approaches are described that include application of minimally invasive surgical techniques primarily for intrathoracic disease. Novel medical therapies are also presented. Finally an attempt is made to put in perspective those surgical care advances that have had a benefit on disease outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
This report will provide the physician caring for the child with cystic fibrosis an understanding of those disease complications that will require surgical consultation and potential operative intervention.
Dicken
Bryan J
BJ
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Ziegler
Moritz M
MM
D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*