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Embryology of Surgical Birth Defects

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Rickham's Neonatal Surgery

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Abstract

Today, the embryology of numerous congenital anomalies in humans is still a matter of speculation. This is due to a number of reasons which include:

  • Misconceptions and/or outdated theories concerning normal and abnormal embryology.

  • A shortage of study material (both normal and abnormal embryos).

  • A shortage of explanatory images of embryos and developing embryonic organs.

  • Difficulties in the interpretation of serial sections.

In recent years, a number of animal models have been established which helped to overcome the shortage of both, normal and abnormal embryos. However, a general agreement on when, why and how abnormal development takes place, still does not exist. As a result, many typical malformations are still not explained satisfactorily and pediatric surgeons of all specialties are still confused when they are confronted with the background of normal and abnormal embryologic development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratories of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, University Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany

    Dietrich Kluth MD, PhD

  2. Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Müllner-Hauptstr. 48, Salzburg, 5020, Austria

    Roman Metzger MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Dietrich Kluth MD, PhD
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  2. Roman Metzger MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Dietrich Kluth MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Child Health, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom

    Paul D. Losty

  2. University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Alan W. Flake

  3. Childrens Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Risto J. Rintala

  4. Royal Children’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    John M. Hutson

  5. Department of Surgery, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

    Naomi lwai

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Kluth, D., Metzger, R. (2018). Embryology of Surgical Birth Defects. In: Losty, P., Flake, A., Rintala, R., Hutson, J., lwai, N. (eds) Rickham's Neonatal Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4721-3_2

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