Surgical Care at the District Hospital
Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 Primary Trauma Care Manual
Fundamentals of Surgical Practice
The Surgical Patient
Approach to the surgical patient
The paediatric patient
Surgical Techniques
Tissue Handling
Suture and suture technique
Prophylaxis
Basic Surgical Procedures
Wound management
Specific lacerations and wounds
Burns
Foreign bodies
Cellulitis and abscess
Excision and biopsies
The Paediatric Patient
 



> PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
> SURGICAL PROBLEMS IN NEONATES
> SURGICAL PROBLEMS IN YOUNG CHILDREN




Infants and children under 10 years of age have important physiological differences that influence the way in which they should be cared for before, during and after surgery. The pattern of surgical disease is also different; congenital disorders must be considered in all children, but especially in neonates.

Children are not just little adults.

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> PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
> SURGICAL PROBLEMS IN NEONATES
> SURGICAL PROBLEMS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
  Kep Points  
Infants and children differ from adults in significant physio-logical and anatomical ways

Infants and small children have much smaller physiological reserves than adults and minor deviations from normal levels require early attention

 
Infants and children are at special risk of becoming dehydrated and hypoglycaemic

 
Monitor fluid status, electrolytes and haemoglobin diligently and correct any abnormalities promptly

 
Maintenance fluid requirements must be supplemented to compensate for all losses.