(A129) A Pediatric Surgeon's Viewpoint of a Concealed Disaster

Abstract

Childhood is one of the most vulnerable parts in a human's life. Thus, any physical and psychological harm against children requires special attention, especially if inflicted and not accidental. Such children should be considered multi-trauma victims and managed by a multidisciplinary team and trauma algorithm. In this team of specialized carers, the pediatric surgeon will import his/her expertise on general management and treatment and simultaneously refer basic knowledge to more junior doctors that might be in charge in the future. Fifty-eight injured victims (mean age = 1.5 years of age, range = 1 day–18 years of age, male:female ratio = 1:1) were analyzed in this study. Their injuries were subcategorized into battery (13), assault (11), neglect (3), sexual abuse (2), prevention failure (6), career-related (19), and miscellaneous (5). All victims were first seen by a pediatric surgeon before receiving multidisciplinary consultations. Treatment results and modalities varied according to the complexity of the diagnoses requiring a well-trained and skilled pediatric surgeon. Accompanying post-traumatic stress disorders within the children as well as psychological distress among the parents and grandparents were quite frequent. Besides medico-surgical treatment, empathic care is essential. In the majority of cases the children, benefited from pediatric surgical care.