title: Epidemiology of adhesions in infants and children following open surgery.
abstract: Adhesions following intra-abdominal surgery are a major cause of small bowel obstruction. The nature of surgical interventions in children (especially neonates) increases the risk of adhesion-related complications. Following laparotomy in neonates, the collective literature reveals an aggregate mean incidence of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) of 6.2%; malrotation, 14.2%; gastroschisis, 12.6%; necrotising enterocolitis, 10.4%; exomphalos, 8.6%; Hirschsprung's disease, 8.1%; congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 6.3% and intestinal atresia, 5.7%. In children beyond the neonatal period, the aggregate mean incidence was 4.7%; colorectal surgery, 14%; open fundoplication, 8.2%; small bowel surgery, 5.7%; cancer surgery, 5.5%; choledochal cyst, 3.1%; appendicectomy, 1.4% and pyloromyotomy, 0.1%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
authors.forename: Bhanumathi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lakshminarayanan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
authors.forename: Amy O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Hughes-Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK. Electronic address: Hugh.Grant@ouh.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Hugh W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Adhesions; Laparotomy; Paediatrics; Review; Small bowel obstruction