Although modem neonatal surgery is a very young subject, it started only after the second world war, the progress is remarkable. The well intergrated interdisciplinary team among pediatric surgeons, pediatricians, neonatologits, anaesthetists, and other relevant specialists made this progress possible. Neonatal surgrey has been influenced by the advances in prenatal diagnosis. Neonatal surgical emergencies are related to perinatal conditions such as better antenatal care, including ultrasonogram examination, encourage the high risk pregnant women to deliver at pediatric/perinatal centers where obstetricians, pediatricians or neonatologist, pediatric surgeon, anesthetist are working as a team. Prenatal diagnosis has been one of the most challenging aspects in perinatology, and may directly related to the task of the pediatric surgeons to salvage certain type of malformations. Some experience of perinatal surgery is also discussed.

Early introduction of banana in newborn babies is still practiced by many mothers from different areas throughout the country and gastric perforation due to phytobezoars are sttll a problem tn the country. During the years 1984 through 1991 at the Children and Maternity Hospital Harapan Kita jakarta, fifteen neonates were treated for gastric perforation among which 6 were due to banana bezoar, 6 were due to deject of the gastric muscle, 2 were due to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and 1 was due to iatrogenic duodenal obstruction. Pathogenesis of gastric perforation due to phytobezoar and the macroscopic and histopathological appearance of the perforation and its differences with perforations due to other causes were discussed.

In the Department of Child Health, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, a case of necrotizing enterocolitis with resection about 50 cm of the ileum was reported.

Two cases of trichobezoar in females of 11 and 12 years respectively have been presented. Trichophagia as a common habit or it could be a sign of emotional tension. Etiological clues should be sought and the underlying stress be removed and ameliorated.

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