Emergent exchange transfusion during surgical resection of sacrococcygeal teratoma in a neonate

Abstract

Sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCT) are rarely seen in neonatal period. The primary treatment is surgical resection. Stabilizing these infants preoperatively and intraoperatively has posed a challenge to pediatric specialists. The most common complications of prenatally diagnosed SCTs are high-output heart failure, tumor rupture causing hemorrhaging, and electrolyte abnormalities. Severe hyperkalemia can be lethal. We present a case where typical medical management of hyperkalemia was unsuccessful and emergent decision had to be made to perform exchange transfusion while infant was undergoing surgical resection with a good outcome.

Keywords

• Sacrococcygeal teratomas
• Hyperkalemia
• Exchange transfusion