title: Intestinal anastomoses in small children: is there a higher risk?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the retrospective study was to evaluate complications and outcome of children in whom an intestinal anastomosis had been performed at age younger than 1 year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected both retrospectively and by interviewing the parents. For the retrospective analysis, the underlying disease, biometric data, technical information about the anastomoses, associated illnesses, and complications were evaluated. In the parent interviews, the present quality of life and the state of health of the children were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1997 to 2007, intestinal anatomoses had been performed in 131 children for various reasons. There were no complications in 81.7% of the patients; 17 children received reoperation. In only 5 cases were anastomotic complications the reasons for the reoperation. Only 7.3% of the 77 interviewed families believe that their child has severe or relevant restrictions in daily life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among 131 children in whom an intestinal bowel anastomosis procedure was performed at age younger than 1 year, only 5 (3.2%) experienced complications associated with the anastomosis. The children are in good physical condition and have an excellent quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weih
authors.forename: Ve
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chmelnik
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holland-Cunz
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D045823:Ileus / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D007422:Intestines / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy