Recent advances on the surgical management of common paediatric gastrointestinal diseases

Abstract

Diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract remain a major part of the paediatric surgical caseload. Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) and imperforate anus are two indexed congenital conditions which require specialists' management, while gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a commonly encountered problem in children. Recent advances in science have further improved our understanding of these conditions at both the genetic and molecular levels. In addition, the increasingly widespread use of laparoscopic techniques has revolutionised the way these conditions are treated in the paediatric population. Here, an updated overview of the pathogenesis of these diseases is provided. Furthermore a review of our experience in the use of laparoscopic approaches in the treatment is discussed.