Specific indications for the management with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in thoracoabdominal trauma in pediatrics

Laparotomy and thoracotomy are the gold standards for the treatment of poly-traumatized pediatric patients. However, the role of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is still not well determined, being indicated as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the patient with hemodynamic stability. The following study is carried out to report the experience in the application of the MIS in poly-traumatized pediatric cases. We report 2 cases with closed and penetrating abdominal and thoracic trauma resolved by MIS, both with favorable outcomes. The application of MIS in the poly-traumatized patient is based on hemodynamic stability, with a sensitivity of up to 100%, thereby reducing non-therapeutic laparotomies by 60%. Hemodynamic stability and other factors are decisive for the successful use of MIS in pediatric trauma.