Minerva

A single dose of steroids given to children undergoing tonsillectomy reduces the risk of postoperative vomiting and makes it more likely that a child will progress to a soft diet on the day after surgery. Given the safety and low cost of dexamethasone, the authors of a meta-analysis in the Laryngoscope (2001;111:1712-8) say it should be routinely used during tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy.

People with spina bifida are commonly allergic to latex because of their atopic disposition and frequent exposure to surgery in early life. But what about allergy to latex in other children undergoing surgery? A review of surgical intervention and skin prick testing in 86 patients identified a strong correlation between clinically important latex sensitisation and having had more than eight operations during the first year of life. The authors say that from birth, latex should not be used to handle any child having surgery (Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2001;36:1535-9).

An unsolicited letter sent to a clinic in Tokyo undermines the belief that the sale of organs is just an urban myth. It reads: “We are selling people of good health for 10,000 US Dollar. Organs including heart, lung, kidney and spleen among others. We bring these people …