Neonatal surgery is a range of surgical procedures carried out on newborns. This surgery is required when there is a life-threatening condition in the newborn. However, parents can help alleviate the pain or any discomfort caused due to Neonatal surgery.

The length of care depends on the recovery period and the overall improvement of the condition.

Here are a few tips for parents after the child undergoes Neonatal surgery:

• Create a safe and playful environment

Creating a safe and playful environment is very essential for a newborn baby. You can create a positive and safe environment by-

• Feeding the baby
• Giving the child a joyful environment
• Talking in a soft voice
• Turning off the lights or covering the baby
• Changing their position

Providing boundaries by swaddling and cheerfully talking to them. The use of touch can work wonders. Cuddling, gently touching, and giving a sense of comfort and security by holding their hand can help calm them down.

Neonates can communicate and express their pain by crying, facial grimacing, difficulty in calming, frequent hiccups, etc. If a parent experiences any of these things constantly and it won’t stop by mere comforting, consult the doctor immediately.

•   Distracting the child

Playing with them, getting them some toys, offering a pacifier for sucking, trying a hands-off approach to calm the baby, talking, singing, or humming for them so that the baby can sleep peacefully.

• Checking any alerting symptoms

Post-neonatal surgery symptoms should be checked if any. Symptoms like-

1. Wheezing
2. Grunting
3. Watery eyes.
4. Vomiting
5. Constipation and gas

• Soreness and swelling around the incision site

Aftercare can be complex and challenging at the same time. It is all about care, trust, and protection of the child. Taking proper care, nutrition and grooming can help the infant flourish.

Conclusion

This Neonatal surgery is challenging for parents and the child as well. After surgery, aftercare is of utmost importance for parents especially. In neonates and infants, it is difficult to understand whether the discomfort is due to surgery or any other reason. One should visit the finest doctor to get the best treatment, and we have one suggestion.

Risks of appendectomy include:

• Infection at the surgical site

Signs and symptoms include redness, warmth, drainage of pus, and fever.

• Bleeding

The incision may bleed during or after the procedure. Bleeding can be controlled with medication or returning to the hospital for further surgery.

• Reaction to anesthesia

Anesthesia reactions range from mild side effects such as nausea and vomiting to rare but more serious reactions involving the heart, lungs, and brain.

• Blood clots that form in the legs or lungs after surgery

These blood clots can be life-threatening if they travel to other parts of your body, including your lungs or brain. Usually, this is seen in elderly patients undergoing prolonged surgery but rarely may affect children.

How is Laparoscopic Appendectomy Performed in children?

• The patient is given general anesthesia. It is the only way to perform an appendectomy, as it is a very invasive procedure.
• The surgeon makes a small incision in the abdomen. Carbon dioxide gas is then released into the abdomen to create space between the abdominal organs and the abdominal wall.
• A laparoscope, a narrow tube containing a light and camera, is inserted by the surgeon through the small incision. The laparoscope sends images of the appendix and abdominal organs to the monitor.
• The surgeon inserts other surgical instruments into other small incisions and uses them to remove the appendix, which will be sent to the lab for analysis.
• The surgeon removes all instruments from the incisions and closes them with stitches or surgical tape.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the performance of laparoscopic appendectomy in children has been greatly improved. This method is a safe alternative to open surgery as it causes fewer complications, is a shorter procedure, and reduces the patient’s stress.

About Dr. Vishesh Dikshit

Dr. Vishesh Dikshit graduated from Govt. Medical College Calicut, Kerala, in 2004 with an MBBS degree in medicine. MS in General Surgery from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College in Sion, Mumbai, in 2012, and MCh in Pediatric Surgery from Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College in Sion, Mumbai, in 2015.

In particular, he is interested in Pediatric Minimal Access Surgery (through Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy, and Genitourinary-scopy), Pediatric Colorectal diseases (including Hirschprung’s disease and Anorectal Abnormalities), and Pediatric Urology Disease.

Gallbladder Removal

Like adults, kids can also have gallbladder stones, which can get cured with the help of advanced gallbladder surgery.

Gastroschisis Surgery

Doctors often suggest this surgery for newborns if they suffer from a defect in the wall of the abdomen with the intestines coming out of there. Gastroschisis surgery helps to reconstruct the abdominal wall so that the contents are well protected.

Surgery for Curved Chest

This surgery is necessary when a kid’s chest develops disproportionately. This surgical treatment helps to correct the curvatures of the chest.

Recontruction of Reproductive Defects

Many a times children suffer from different inborn internal and external imperfections of the genitals. To tackle these congenital defects, pediatric surgeons need to perform reconstructive surgery.

Splenectomy

Most commonly performed for thalassemia patients, this surgery requires removal of the spleen.

Bariatric Surgery

Many children suffer from morbid obesity, and doctors often offer Bariatric surgery as a corrective measure.

Surgery to Remove the Intestine

Sometimes, newborns are affected with infection in their intestines which leads to a perforation. Only surgery can rectify this situation and becomes lifesaving in such situations.

Fundoplication for GERD

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease is also known as acid reflux wherein the stomach acid starts flowing back into the esophagus. When medical treatment is unable to control this condition completely then it becomes necessary for such children to undergo Fundoplication surgery.

Conclusion : 

Some conditions which can be treated with Neonatal Laparoscopic Surgery are :

• Mesentric cysts.
• Ovarian cysts.
• Idiopathic Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis.
• Annular pancreas.
• Intestinal blockages.
• Esophageal atresia.
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
• Hirschsprung’s disease.
• Lung tumors and lesions.
• Tracheoesophageal fistula.
• Necrotizing enterocolitis.

Conditions for Neonatal Laparoscopic Surgery

Every surgery is different. It depends on the specific condition, procedure and the age of the child. During a neonatal laparoscopic surgery –

• A doctor will give anesthesia to the child. They will remain asleep at the time of the procedure and they do not feel pain.
• The surgical team will make small keyhole like incisions instead of an open and large incision.
• They will then insert a camera or a miniature instrument into the incision.
• The performance of surgery is visualized on a monitor to see detailed and high-resolution images of the operating site.
• After the surgery the instruments are removed and the incisions are closed.
• After the procedure is done, your child will be transferred to a recovery unit.

Advantages of Neonatal Laparoscopic Surgery

Neonatal laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive. Benefits consist of little to no scars, shorter recovery time and less pain. Also there is less chance of wound infection.

Dr. Vishesh Dikshit will help if your baby needs neonatal laparoscopic surgery. He is adept in the art of performing minimally invasive surgery, Thoracic and Thoracoscopic surgeries, Laparotomy and Laparoscopic surgeries, Minimal Access Urinary Stone Management etc. Book your appointment today with Dr. Vishesh Dikshit for any queries about your child’s condition.