Objective:To explore the initial experience of thoracoscopic repair with simplified mattress sutures in the treatment of diaphragmatic hernia in neonates without posterolateral rim of diaphragm.Methods:A retrospective review of the new simplified technique in 10 cases from March 2015 to October 2017 was performed.Of the patients, 6 cases were male, 4 cases were female.The age was 10min-1d, 7 cases were term newborns, and 3 cases were premature.The mean weight was 2.88 kg(ranged 2.3-3.5kg). All the 4 cases were left-sided.Two to three primary suture sites were taken from the relative intercostal region of the body surface projection of the defect.A snip incision about 1 mm of the skin was done.Two 2-0 non-absorbable sutures round the rib were inserted between the front edged of the defect and the diaphragm muscle through a syringe needle.The first thread was brought out of the body by the ring of the second thread and knot tying was made extracorporally.The posterolateral defect was closed; the knot was under the skin of intercostals space.Results:Ten neonates with CDH were repaired successfully using this new simplified technique.The mean operative time was 37.5min(ranged 25-60min) for each CDH repair.No cases required conversion to open surgery, blood loss was minimal.The 10 cases were followed up for 16.5 months(ranged 5-24 months), with no death and no recurrence.One neonate complicated with subcutaneous emphysema postoperatively and healed in one week.Conclusion:The new technique of thoracoscopic repairing with simplified mattress sutures when no posterolateral rim of diaphragm exists has all the advantages of thoracoscopy in neonates combined with the advantages of reduced operative time, simplicity, feasibility and definite curative effect and has the value of clinical popularization.

Objective To explore the clinical value of portal exposure in laparoscopic treatment of children with type Ⅲ biliary atresia (BA).Methods From June 2013 to October 2017,30 infants with type Ⅲ BA who treated with laparoscopic portoenterostomy in Huai'an Women and Children's Hospital were selected.A percutaneous suture was used to snare the round ligament and retract the liver,other percutaneous stay sutures were then introduced and fundus and neck of gallbladder were sutured to elevate the liver to expose the portal hepatis.The fibro cord and hepatic vessels were mobilized,and then two rubber bands were put around the left and right portal veins and hepatic arteries.The portal hepatis was exposed by laterally stretching the two elastic rubber bands.The fibro cord was removed and then laparoscopic portoenterostomy was accomplished.In 20 cases,the liver was enlarged,part of hepatic lobus quadratus was removed laparoscopiclly for exposure of the portal hepatis.Results There were 30 cases in this group,2 cases were converted to open surgery by a micro transverse incision.There was no surgical death.Time of laparoscopic procedure varied from 210 to 280 min.All cases survived the surgery without any intraoperative complications.Blood loss during operation was minimal,without necessity for blood transfusion.One case died of respiratory failure one week after surgery.Two cases were lost follow-up.Twenty-five cases were followed up for 3～51 months(mean 22.4 months).Three cases died because of repeated cholangitis and liver failure at 10,16,35 months postoperatively.Nineteen patients' total bilirubin had dropped to normal,three others' bilirubin levels dropped significantly after surgery.Conclusion The technique of laparoscopic hepatic porta exposure can help to complete hepatic portoenterostomy successfully,reduce the conversion rate of laparoscopic surgery,and improve the surgical effect.