Pediatric endoscopic surgery: pride and prejudice

82 endoscopic surgical procedures (abdominal: 77; thoracic: 5) were performed by the same surgeon on 75 children aged from 1 month to 17 years (median 8.1 years) during the two-year period from January 1991 to December 1992. Due to the multispecialization of the Children's Hospital, a variety of pathologies were explored or treated with appendectomy accounting for 33% (27/82). There were no perioperative deaths. Three major complications occurred (1 post-appendectomy peritonitis, 1 hemorrhage during splenectomy and 1 post-operative occlusion). 14 patients required conversion to open surgery. Indications for endoscopic exploration of advanced lesions, prospective indications, and policy when confronted with a healthy appendix are discussed.