Retrospective pattern study of pediatric surgical conditions outcome in a tertiary care center

Aim: To observe the incidence and outcome of pediatric surgical conditions in a tertiary care center. Method: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Motherhood Chaitanya hospital between January, 2018 to December, 2021 and 118 patients requiring surgery were enrolled during the time frame. These cases were divided into congenital and acquired conditions. Incidence of various surgical conditions in different age groups has been observed. The comparison was made as to which condition is predominantly common in the center. Length of hospital stay was taken into consideration and time taken to initiate enteral feeds and reach full feeds was studied in gastrointestinal (GI) cases. The outcome of 118 cases has been assessed in the form of discharge or death. Results: In this study, a total of 118 patients were enrolled over the specified age time frame from birth to 16 years. The majority of the cases were males and the male to female ratio of 2.8:1. 32.2% of the cases were between 4 to 13 years, the age group most commonly affected. 80 cases accounted for congenital anomalies with inguinal hernia being the most common (18.75%). 31.5% were abscesses requiring drainage among acquired conditions. 50% of total cases were gastrointestinal cases with inguinal hernia having a maximum incidence(25.4%). 32.2% of cases had a hospital stay of 24 to 48 hours. Time taken to initiate feeds was 1.5 days in GI surgeries. Mortality of 2.5% has been observed in this study. Conclusion: Pediatric surgery conditions pose a major health and economic burden to the community so they must be timely identified and treated.