From 1956-1980, 1112 thoracic deformities were operated on in the Surgical Clinic of the University of Erlangen. These are divided into 11 different types, according to whether a funnel chest (4 types), a pigeon chest (4 types), combinations of these, or a split-sternum was present. The indication for operation is given in patients where the depression is more than 25% of the a/p diameter of the chest. Scolioses - deformities of the spinal column - are found in 40-50%, depending on the type of funnel chest. They are rarely found in small children, but are fixed and irreversible in teenagers and older patients. Reconstruction of the thorax is carried out through a double-segment chondrotomy parasternal and at the apex of the funnel, using a horse-shoe-shaped metal support. Average length of stay in hospital is 7-10 days. Alternative procedures are Rehbein's operation, or Ravitch and Hecker's procedure. Postoperative physiotherapy is extremely important. Late results, on average 10.5 years after operation, showed recurrence of the funnel in 2.1% of cases, partial recurrence, ugly scars and cartilage nodules in 6.7%.

15 male rabbits were divided into three groups. The animals in group 1 were splenectomized. In group 2 pulpa tissue from the cut surface of the spleen was left in the abdominal cavity. Group 3 was sham operated. After 15 months all animals from group 2 showed particles of histologically intact splenic tissue mainly on the parietal peritoneum of the abdominal wall. The implications of the autoimplantation of splenic tissue during splenectomy are discussed.

In order to study a novel resorbable oesophageal prosthesis, four centimetres of cervical oesophagus were replaced by a Vicryl tube in 26 dogs with an average weight of 16.9 kg. The implants were removed after 2, 4, 8 days and after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks. 19% of the animals died; not counting three dogs which were sacrificed earlier than planned, the overall lethality was 8%. Dehiscences occurred in 75%, of which 2/3 closed spontaneously within the first 10 days. Stenoses developed in 87%. All dogs had difficulty in swallowing. A fibrous tube with complete epithelial lining formed around the prosthesis within two weeks. Following this the prosthesis was lifted off and expelled per vias naturales.

With the necessity of direct investigations in younger and younger children difficulties and dangers in endoscopy arise. The reasons for these local difficulties are the anatomical-topographical situation, the specialized instruments and the different procedures in anesthesia. All these circumstances make a special technique necessary and an experience in assessing circumscribed lesions and wall alterations. Endoscopy is only possible by cooperation of the anesthetist, the pediatrician and the pediatric surgeon. It depends on local circumstances where endoscopy should be performed. There is no doubt about the necessity of endoscopy in children. However, endoscopy procedures must be performed with utmost caution and care, with a very critical sense of possible therapeutic procedures available and with a very strong indication.

A new mechanical device is presented which approximates the two oesophageal pouches in long gap oesophageal atresia and possibly creates an anastomosis. The principle is similar to magnetic bougienage, only that purely mechanical force is employed instead. This offers several advantages: the instrument is considerably less bulky, technically simple, inexpensive, light and therefore easy to transport. Only normal electrical current is necessary. The tensile forces applied are easier to control. The child does not have to be placed inside a tube and is not restrained in its movements. The device has been experimentally tested in 6 dogs.