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In a retrospective survey of 46 conservatively treated patients with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) the following conclusions were reached. An immediate examination of the neurological status of the neonate root by root is essential for proper analysis of the course of the recovery. Mild cases with C5-C6 root injury (Erb's palsy) have a good outcome and may be treated conservatively. Intermediate cases with C5-C7 root injury with additional drop hand require close observation as early as age 3 weeks when the first electromyographic (EMG) examination is indicated. The second EMG should be performed at age 11-12 weeks. If the function of the brachial biceps muscle is lacking at age approximately 12 weeks (3 months), microsurgical intervention should be considered; such intervention definitely is required at age 5 months if the paresis in the brachial biceps muscle has not recovered. Severe cases with C5-C8 or C5-Th1 root injuries with flaccid abducted arm, wrist drop, claw hand, and possibly head tilt to the contralateral side and Horner's sign should be operated on primarily at age 1-2 months.

A modification of Livaditis' myotomy to bridge a long gap oesophageal atresia is presented. The wide hypertrophic oral segment is lengthened with several horizontal incisions through the muscle layer. These incisions are made in a network of several rows without perforating the mucosa. The thick, broad oral segment becomes longer and narrower and fits better for anastomosis with the smaller distal segment. Pocket formations and diverticula can thus be avoided.

This report gives an analysis of average types of burns seen in children in Finland. The majority were small infants under two years of age who had sustained the burns indoors from scalding with hot water. Cold water immersion was given in half of the cases as first aid treatment. Most of the cases were of a minor degree, but almost half were excised primarily 48--120 hours after the accident if the burn was considered to be deep. Classification of deep and superficial burns has been considered. Special attention was paid to a radically decreasing hospital stay, which was less than 12 days in 68% of the primarily excised cases. Figures up to 60% have been given in the literature. The reduced length of hospitalization decreases psychological complications, which usually begin to become apparent in children after 14 days' hospital stay. Incidence of bacterial contamination to which a burn wound is very prone is also thus diminished. Later reconstruction procedures were carried out in 35% of the primarily excised cases, which shows that hypertrophy of the scars cannot be influenced by primary excision. However, primary excision is a very encouraging method of treatment in children of all ages.