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H enry B arrett: pioneer paediatric surgeon
Author(s) -
Koea Jonathan B.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.12926
Subject(s) - medicine , ductus arteriosus , general surgery , tracheoesophageal fistula , atresia , surgery
Background H enry B arrett worked as a general surgeon in N ew P lymouth, N ew Z ealand between 1939 and 1978. In this time, he made significant contributions to the development of paediatric surgery in N ew Z ealand. Methods H enry B arrett's archive and personal papers remain in the possession of his family. These described his pioneering operations first hand. Results In an 18‐month period from 1947 to 1948, in N ew P lymouth small provincial hospital, H enry B arrett successfully completed the first primary repair of an oesophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula in the S outhern H emisphere and the second and third successful ligations of patent ductus arteriosus in N ew Z ealand. All three patients survived into adulthood. Conclusion H enry B arrett pioneered the undertaking of two complex paediatric surgical procedures in N ew Z ealand. These operations were performed without specialist paediatric support at a time when procedures for these conditions, particularly patent ductus arteriosus, were viewed with suspicion.