Emergency surgery of the neonates.

A review of 1,666 neonatal surgical operations is given. According to the presenting symptoms the cases are divided into five major groups: skin defects and obvious malformations, tumours, acute abdominal conditions, respiratory emergencies, and cardiac conditions. The number of cases in each group are presented in tables and the surgical mortality of the most important conditions are similarly presented. Prematurity and associated malformations are pointed out as the most important factors causing death in neonatal surgery. While it is difficult to influence their existence, it is always possible to improve the diagnostic readiness and surgical skills.