2009
- Heart surgeons give the best Christmas present
- Santa comes to the RCH
- Plenty of choice at the New Royal Children's Hospital
- Trishna and Krishna leave hospital
- The Wiggles pop in
- Gifts for Krishna and Trishna
- Helping dogs 'n' kids get along
- The Premier and Governor congratulate RCH staff
- Condition update on twins
- Condition update on twins
- Condition update on twins
- Condition update on twins
- Condition update on twins
- Condition update on twins
- Twins' surgical team reflects on achievement
- Condition update on twins
- Twins in two cots, serious but stable
- Krishna and Trishna arrive safely in intensive care
- Twins are separated
- Twins and operating team doing well
- Surgery progressing nicely
- Neurosurgeons begin their work
- Plastic surgeon says twins' surgery going well
- Krishna and Trishna's surgery underway
- Conjoined twins prepare for surgery
- 24 hours in ICU
- Quit smoking around kids
- Waiting for the gift of life
- New model of care for Aboriginal children
- Koda visits the kids
- RCH pioneers head-shaping surgery
- New info kit makes 'home safe home' for baby
- RCH doctor warns: 'Don't delay whooping cough vaccinations'
- Children's Tapestry will honour Dame Elisabeth Murdoch
- Talented teenager helps build new RCH
- Retirees make CT scans friendlier for kids
- One million dollars: it's in the bag
- Nurse awarded prestigious Dame Elisabeth scholarship
Heart surgeons give the best Christmas present
Friday 25 December 2009
Sam Carter is truly a Christmas miracle. At 15 months of age, Sam was rushed to The Royal Children's Hospital where he was diagnosed with severe heart failure - the result of a nasty virus.
"His heart was unable to pump enough blood to maintain his organs," cardiac surgeon Mr Igor Konstantinov said.
"It's quite a dangerous situation. When somebody has such a severe myocardial infection, the first symptom could be death," he said.
Doctors said Sam's only chance of survival was to have a heart transplant; however, the wait for a donor heart can be long and fearful.
In order to keep Sam alive until a heart would become available, surgeons implanted an artificial heart. Known as a Berlin heart, the mechanical device sits outside the body and takes over the function of a patient's own heart. Sam was the smallest child in Australia to receive an artificial heart.
Sam spent time in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, struggling to live. But within four weeks doctors noticed his heart was growing stronger. The artificial heart allowed his own heart time to rest and recover to the point that he was removed from the transplant waiting list.
One week later and surgeons removed the Berlin heart altogether. Sam was given the thumbs up to go home in time for Christmas and unwrap presents with his siblings.
Sam's parents Rick and Kelly couldn't believe their son's incredible turn around, after spending two months in hospital.
"I just didn't think that day was going to happen," Rick said.
Sam's heart has now reached virtually normal function and the Carters are looking forward to a safe and healthy 2010.
Santa comes to the RCH
Friday 25 December 2009
Patients at The Royal Children's Hospital were woken up Christmas morning with a gift at the end of their beds and a visit from Santa.
As is tradition at the RCH, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade escorted Santa to the hospital in a flurry of lights and sirens. Children watched from their windows as new and vintage fire engines paraded into Royal Park.
Santa visited every child, accompanied by fire fighters and family members dressed as clowns. MFB musicians filled the wards with the sound of Christmas carols.
It is the 81st year that the MFB has come to the RCH for Christmas. The tradition began at the hospital in Pelham Street Carlton in 1928 when firemen took Santa to visit another fireman's child who was in the hospital. This was the beginning of the 'once-a-year club' with doctors and fire-fighters as members.
Plenty of choice at the New Royal Children's Hospital
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Children, families, staff and visitors will enjoy variety, choice and increased availability of
healthy food and drinks at the new Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) when it opens in
2011.
RCH Chairman, Tony Beddison AO, today announced that the retail food precinct at the
new hospital campus will provide a variety of food and drinks in response to a recent
consultation process with RCH children, families and staff and following a robust tender
process.
'Overwhelmingly children, families and staff told us they wanted a choice of food and
drinks, and more availability of fresh, healthy foods,' Mr Beddison said.
'In response to this there is a strong emphasis on healthier and lighter food choices,
including fresh juices, salads, sandwiches, sushi and a range of hot meals. In line with
our retail food policy we aim to make healthier choices at least 80% of food and drinks
on display at the new RCH.'
Eight outlets will form the new RCH retail food precinct, including:
| Company | |
| Bakery and coffee bar | 'The Baker and the Barista' - Emirates |
| Staff and family dining area, with a variety of food offerings | Degani |
| Juice bar | Boost Juice |
| Gelato bar | Trampoline |
| Small 'grab and go' cafe | 'The Square' - Emirates |
| Food court with three retailers | |
| Healthy Habits | Healthy Habits |
| Sushi and Asian food | Retailer to be confirmed |
| Quick service restaurant | McDonalds |
In addition there will also be a convenience store that will provide a range of products
such as flowers, gifts, cards and newspapers, on site, run by a family business Kanjo.
Mr Beddison said it was important to provide a greater choice of food and drinks with a
focus on healthy choices, but also to provide a welcoming environment for everyone.
'The hospital community is just like any other Australian community where people want
to meet together, eat food they enjoy and get good value for money, all in comfortable
and pleasant surrounds,' Mr Beddison said.
'We believe this mix of retailers offers something for everyone,' he said. 'Most
importantly it shows that you can respect the important rights of children, families and
staff to choose but also make it easier for them to make informed choices about healthy
eating,' he said.
All retailers chosen have participated in an extensive tender process, including
commitment to comply with the New RCH Retail Food Policy when the hospital opens at
the end of 2011. One retailer, gelato shop Trampoline, has been excluded from this
requirement in recognition of its unique product offering and its positioning as an
'occasional treat' rather than a meal item.
The new RCH has taken a leadership position in the promotion of healthy eating and is
the first Victorian hospital to develop a retail food policy based on the 'traffic light' model
featuring Green, Amber and Red categorization of food and drinks.
The model aims to increase healthier options to at least 80 per cent of foods and drinks
(green and amber) displayed at the new RCH, while restricting less healthy choices to
no more than 20 per cent (red).
The model is based on the principles of the Australian Dietary Guidelines (2003)
developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council and is consistent with
guidelines for Victorian hospitals released for comment last week by the Victorian
Government and due for final release in March 2010.
Children's Heath Partnership (CHP) the consortium building the new RCH will now work
with retailers over the next two years to develop the design of the retail space, fit out and
menu confirmation. Once the hospital opens in 2011, CHP will also conduct six monthly
audits to ensure retailers comply with the New RCH Retail Food Policy. Retailers will
also be required to conduct six monthly surveys relating to the satisfaction of staff,
patients and visitors.
'This is a wonderful outcome for our new hospital, which we are certain everyone will
enjoy,' Mr Beddison said.
Media Inquiries: Julie Browning, 9345 4906, 0402 825 265
Trishna and Krishna leave hospital
Monday 21 December 2009
Five weeks after the groundbreaking surgery that separated them, formerly conjoined twins Krishna and Trishna have been discharged from The Royal Children's Hospital.
Staff from the Children's Neuroscience Centre bid the girls an emotional farewell as they were pushed in separate pushers by guardian Moira Kelly and carer Maria Mardi.
The girls have made amazing progress since the 30 hour surgery. Trishna has been scooting round the corridors of the ward in her walker with Krishna also finding her feet in her own walker.
"We are absolutely delighted with their progess," said neurosurgeon Wirginia Maixner "I look forward to seeing them live a long and happy life: that's my wish for them."
The girls will continue to receive care as outpatients at the RCH for a period of time.
Moira Kelly said she thought this day would never come. "I'm so grateful to all the staff at the RCH. They have given these two little girls a new life. I can't wait to take them home."
Media enquiries:
- Children First Foundation: Margaret Smith 9329 4822
- The Royal Children's Hospital: Vanessa Whatmough 9345 5138
The Wiggles pop in
Saturday 5 December 2009
The Royal Children's Hospital received an injection of colour this morning when the Wiggles surprised patients with a special visit.
Blue Wiggle Anthony, Red Wiggle Murray, Purple Wiggle Jeff and Yellow Wiggle Sam staged a mini concert in the Starlight Room, playing everyone's favourite hits. Babies through to adolescents (and mum and dad too) danced along to Hot Potato and Big Red Car.
The children took delight in waking up Jeff a number of times. Wags the Dog and Dorothy the Dinosaur also made special appearances.
After the concert, the Wiggles visited patients who were unable to leave their beds, including twins Krishna and Trishna.
Initially overwhelmed at meeting their idols - they watch the Wiggles regularly on their DVD players - the twins' tears soon made way for smiles and laughter. Trishna was particularly fond of Dorothy.
Right: The Wiggles filled Krishna and Trishna's room with music and colour.
Gifts for Krishna and Trishna
Many well-wishers have been sending gifts for Krishna and Trishna to the hospital over the past weeks.
Whilst we have enjoyed delivering these gifts to the girls, unfortuantely there is not enough space in their hospital ward room to store any more gifts.
If you wish to send a gift to the girls, please send it directly to the Children First Foundation, not to the hospital. Many thanks.
Children First Foundation
66 Chapman St
North Melbourne VIC 3051
Helping dogs 'n' kids get along
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Swimming great Matt Welsh, his wife Lauren Newton and their 22-month-old son Sam launched The Royal Children's Hospital dogs 'n' kids resource kit, 3rd edition, today.
Recent research has found an average of 1,628 emergency presentations occur per year for dog bite injury in Victoria. Two-year-olds are at highest risk.
Dogs 'n' kids aims to address dog bite injury to children by teaching and promoting appropriate behaviour around dogs. The kit includes a comprehensive booklet, brochure and poster that is provided free of charge across Australia to health professionals and parents.
Matt Welsh said both Sam and his six-month-old daughter Eva loved their dog. In fact, according to Matt, Sam's first word was 'gog' (dog).
Veterinarian and animal behaviour specialist Dr Kersti Seksel discussed the benefits of growing up with pets and offered advice on how parents can assist their children and dogs to interact safely.
She said it was important for children to understand that a wagging tail does not mean a dog is happy, rather that it is willing in interact. She also said that dogs, just like humans, don't like strangers patting them on the head.
Dogs 'n' kids is produced by the RCH Safety Centre and made possible with expert information and funding from the Petcare Information and Advisory Service.
The project was introduced in 1997 and was one of the first initiatives in Australia to specifically address injuries from dogs in small children. Since then, thousands of booklets and hundreds of thousands of brochures have been provided free of charge across Australia to health professionals and parents.
"We understand that growing up with pets is a wonderful experience for children and their families, and many of us have enjoyed having pets ourselves. Our aim is to minimise the risk of dog bite injuries by giving health professionals and parents relevant information to help them do so," RCH CEO Professor Christine Kilpatrick said.
To increase the availability of the program to newer Australians, the brochure has been translated into Turkish, Arabic, Italian, Mandarin and Vietnamese. The resource has been presented at national and international conferences, and utilised by local governments to encourage safety and the enjoyment of dogs.
You can download a copy of the dogs 'n' kids booklet by clicking here.
Other child safety resources are available on the RCH Safety Centre website.
Right: Matt Welsh, Lauren Newton and their son Sam interact safely with King Charles Cavaliers Tilly and Kadee from the Lort Smith Pet Therapy Program.
The Premier and Governor congratulate RCH staff
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Channel 9, 26 November 2009 |
The key medical and nursing staff behind the remarkable separation of Trishna and Krishna were treated to a rare civic reception at Government House this afternoon.
The Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser AC and the Premier of Victoria, the Hon John Brumby MP welcomed the team and spoke admirably of its accomplishment.
"[We want to say] thank you. To say well done, to say it's a wonderful way to finish the year with a story about human spirit and inspiration and immense achievement," the Premier said.
"It's about inspiration and it's about magnificent work of an extraordinarily dedicated and broad and committed team," he said.
The Governor was delighted to chat to the team.
"It's a fantastic effort. I understand what you've all been through a little, and somebody mentioned that they used some of the anatomy I taught them," the Governor said.
Lead surgeon Dr Wirginia Maixner spoke on behalf of the team, saying the experience had been amazing.
"It's an incredibly proud moment to stand here with all my colleagues, and friends, as they are my friends, and to have accomplished such a great thing," Dr Maixner said.
Wirginia added that there were many other staff involved in the girls' journey.
"For every one of us here, there are 10 others," she said.
"I have seen so many wonderful well-wishers. We've had cards from children and schools. We've had letters from Western Australia and Queensland. It's unbelievable."
Right: Krishna watches the Wiggles as Trishna enjoys a cuddle from guardian Moira Kelly.
Condition update on twins
3.30pm
Tuesday 24 November 2009
RCH Chief of Surgery A/Professor Leo Donnan said Krishna and Trishna were both doing well since moving out of intensive care and into the ward.
He said the girls have been watching DVDs in their cots and were aware of one another.
"They are conscious of each other. They can see each other," he said.
A/Professor Donnan said it was still early days in the psychological side of their journey, but confirmed they were doing extremely well.
"Major surgery at the best of time takes a long time to get over."
He said the girls were moving their arms and legs, smiling and making noise.
When asked about the Premier's reception that had been planned for the twins' surgical team this Thursday at Government House, A/Professor Donnan said the team was humbled by the gesture.
"Everyone's amazed by the attention and amazed by the goodwill from a wide range of people, both locally and overseas," he said.
Condition update on twins
5pm
Monday 23 November 2009
Krishna and Trishna have moved out of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and up to the ward. They are sharing a room together and settling into their new environment.
The girls are getting to know the new staff who will be caring for them now that they have left intensive care.
Both girls are in a stable condition.
Condition update on twins
9.30am
Monday 23 November 2009
Both girls are doing well in intensive care. Doctors are happy with their progress.
Krishna woke slowly Friday evening. She blew 'raspberries' - something she enjoyed doing with her guardian Moira Kelly before surgery.
Condition update on twins
5pm
Friday 20 November 2009
Krishna is continuing to wake up as intensive care staff gently ease her out of sedation. Trishna is progressing well.
Condition update on twins
2.30pm
Friday 20 November 2009
Krishna is waking up slowly. She is more alert, starting to breathe more and opening her eyes.
Trishna continues to do well. Both girls are in a serious but stable condition.
Condition update on twins
10.30am
Friday 20 November 2009
The twins continue to be in a serious but stable condition in intensive care. While still asleep, Krishna is slowly being brought out of sedation.
Twins' surgical team reflects on achievement
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Channel 7, 19 November 2009 |
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Channel 9, 19 November 2009 |
Thursday 19 November 2009
The surgical maestros who separated once-conjoined twins Krishna and Trishna gathered today for the first time since the operation to reflect on the incredible series of events.
Neurosurgeons Wirginia Maixner and Alison Wray; plastic surgeons Andrew Greensmith, Tony Holmes and David Chong; anaesthetists Ian McKenzie and Andrew Davidson; anaesthetic technologist Jenny Fuller; and neurology associate nurse unit manager Marie Devlin, were applauded by colleagues, media and staff from Moira Kelly's Children First Foundation in the hospital's lecture theatre.
Dr Wirginia Maixner, who led the team throughout the 32-hour operation, could not contain her pride.
"I don't think you can possibly imagine how proud I am to work with such an extraordinary team. You think it's a one-man show, but it could never possibly be.
"It's a real credit to this hospital and Victoria in general that we've done what we've been able to do," Dr Maixner said.
The operation began at the back of Trishna and Krishna's heads. Plastic surgeons removed the skull and re-closed the skin around the brain before turning the girls over. Neurosurgeons Dr Maixner and Dr Wray were then able to begin their job of delicately disconnecting brain tissue and vessels.
Rest was an ongoing theme for both the patients and the medical staff. Dr Maixner said there were occasions when they stopped to rest the girls' brains during blood pressure changes or when the state of the brains changed.
She said she and Dr Wray also stopped to rest when they felt it necessary. But Dr Maixner added that concentrating for extended periods of time is simply what surgeons do. "The skill and training we have is to stay focused," she said.
While Dr Maixner admitted the surgery was longer than any other she'd been involved in, she said the effort and pressure paid off when the female neurosurgical tag-team made the final disconnection.
"I looked at Alison, Alison looked at me, and I said: 'I think we've done it'," Dr Maixner said.
According to Dr Andrew Greensmith, careful planning and a team approach were pivotal to the team's success. "We used high tech, expensive models made and donated to us from overseas to simulate the girls' skulls and brains."
The team also used custom-made foam wedges to support the girls when they were moved into different positions. "It involved thinking outside the square," Dr Greensmith said.
His colleague Dr Tony Holmes echoed Dr Greensmith's sentiment. "We had a plan A, B, C and D." He said separating the twins left such a large gap in their skulls that simply laying skin over the gap would not deal with atmospheric pressure changes.
"Quite often other operations around the world came unstuck at this point," he said.
Plan A was to use synthetic plates that could be manipulated on the table to cover the brains.
"We even had a back-up team of microsurgeons to use muscle to close the gap, but luckily plan A worked," Dr Holmes said with delight.
After surgery the girls were wheeled into the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit to recover at a gentle pace. Trishna was slowly weaned off anaesthetic and allowed to wake overnight. She is now talking a little and "being Trishna", according to Dr Maixner.
Krishna will be woken up more slowly. The aim is to allow her body and brain to adjust to a different circulation.
Dr Maixner said she drew a breath of relief when she saw the twins' first brain scans. "We haven't caused any injury to the brain. The brains look really good, really good," she said. "I think I did the chicken dance!"
Dr Maixner originally gave 50-50 odds of the girls sustaining some form of brain damage.
Also promising is that the girls are showing no signs of infection at this point.
Of course the journey is far from over for Krishna and Trishna. They will need to adjust to not having another child next to them. But so far, the team could not be happier with their progress.
Dr Maixner said she's reminded everyday of what they were working towards.
"When you go into ICU and see two girls lying in separate beds, you go 'Wow! That's pretty amazing'."
Dr Holmes, too, is ecstatic. "It's a jewel in the crown for Victoria and Australia. Nothing could have exemplified team spirit more than this procedure," he said.
Condition update on twins
Krishna and Trishna continue to be in a serious but stable condition in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
The girls underwent MRI scans on their brains today. They will continue to have various tests for weeks to come.
A press conference will be held at The Royal Children's Hospital tomorrow at 1pm. The following surgeons will discuss the progress of Krishna and Trishna's health:
- Wirginia Maixner, Director of Neurosurgery
- Alison Wray, neurosurgeon
- Andrew Greensmith, plastic surgeon
- Tony Holmes, plastic surgeon
- David Chong, plastic surgeon
- Ian McKenzie, Director of Anaesthesia and Pain Management
- Andrew Davidson, senior anaesthetist
- Jenny Fuller, anaesthetic technologist
- Marie Devlin, Associate Nurse Unit Manager Neurology
Twins in two cots, serious but stable
9am
Wednesday 18 November
Krishna and Trishna continue to be in a serious but stable condition in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
The operation to separate the formerly conjoined twins was completed yesterday afternoon, after a mammoth effort from neurosurgery, plastic surgery and anaesthetic teams.
RCH Chief of Surgery A/Professor Leo Donnan said the girls were doing remarkably well after a very good night.
He said the staff's attention is focused on how the girls adjust from the brain operation and the subsequent changes to body functions.
"Before the operation, these girls shared a number of systems, including kidney, stomach and blood pressure. They will slowly be weaned off support when these functions improve for each."
Already Krishna's kidneys are showing signs of improvement. Previously, her sister's kidneys were doing the work for the both of them, meaning Trishna was the only twin passing urine. Now Krishna is passing urine too.
A/Professor Donnan says even though the girls are heavily sedated, the hospital has taken care to make them feel as comfortable as possible.
"We are trying to ensure the girls are in an environment with people around that know them very well, not only the team from Children First Foundation, but also our nurses and doctors," he said.
The twins' cots are placed as close as possible to each other, hindered only by the enormous amount of equipment the girls are connected to.
A/Professor Donnan said there is a sense of elation around the hospital that the girls are doing as well as they are up to this point.
"Comments from colleagues overseas are quite amazing. These are our home-grown surgeons and we should be very proud."
Krishna and Trishna arrive safely in intensive care
4.30pm
Tuesday 17 November 2009
RCH Chief of Surgery A/Professor Leo Donnan said twins Krishna and Trishna were wheeled into the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at 4pm this afternoon, following surgery to separate them.
"It was amazing to see," he said. "The girls look very different."
A/Professor Donnan said the priority over the next days and weeks was to keep an eye on them in PICU and monitor their progress. He said it would be several days before any form of success could be measured.
A/Professor Donnan praised the entire team involved in the marathon operation for their efforts since the girls were admitted on Sunday.
"The planning for this procedure was just as important as the procedure itself," he said.
Twins are separated
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Channel 7, 17 November 2009 |
Tuesday 17 November 2009
RCH Chief of Surgery A/Professor Leo Donnan has announced that twins Krishna and Trishna, who were conjoined at the head, are now separated.
The Royal Children's Hospital neurosurgical staff, led by Dr Wirginia Maixner, successfully disconnected the final pieces of tissue at 11am this morning.
A/Professor Donnan described the separation as a relief. "For the hospital, this is a historic moment; for the girls, even more historic."
"The girls are healthy. Physiologically, the way their bodies have reacted to the surgery has improved," he said.
There are still hours of reconstructive surgery ahead of the girls this afternoon as plastic surgeons begin attaching synthetic coverings to cover the girls' brains. Extra skin created by tissue expanders will then be used to cover each girl's skull.
Once the operation is complete, the girls will be sedated for a number of days in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
A/Professor Donnan said theatre staff were "well-nourished and supported". "The staff look out for one another," he said.
Twins and operating team doing well
8am
Tuesday 17 November 2009
RCH Director of Anaesthesia and Pain Management Dr Ian McKenzie says Krishna and Trishna continue to do well, despite being in theatre for almost 24 hours.
Neurosurgeons are still working hard to separate the girls, but the majority of the brain and bone tissue is now disconnected. "It's going better than expected," he said.
Surgeons had originally predicted the separation would take place around midnight last night or in the early hours of this morning. Dr McKenzie said the delay is due to neurological damage that the team must painstakingly address. "It's very fiddly, we have to be meticulous," he said.
Krishna's blood pressure was originally low but as disconnection progresses, her blood pressure has pleasingly continued to rise. Dr McKenzie said they experienced an exciting moment at about 2am this morning when Krishna passed some urine, indicating her struggling kidneys are kicking back in.
Once the neurosurgeons complete the separation, the plastic surgery team will begin closing the layer around the brain and creating a solid gap over parts of the brain where the skull has a deficit.
Dr McKenzie said people should not be concerned about the girls being under anaesthetic for an extended period of time. "Patients in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit can be anaesthetised for several weeks at a time."
He said the main concerns were more mundane, such as ensuring the twins don't develop pressure ulcers. Because of the their body shape and the complicated equipment connections they have, "we can't perform the normal pressure care of rolling them over", Dr McKenzie said.
But he said the team is positive.
"Their general condition is very good and getting better as they get disconnected. Some of the things we were worrying about are now in the past. A lot of the things we were worried about haven't happened," he said.
The surgical teams have had organised breaks to rest and refuel.
Surgery progressing nicely
9pm
Monday 16 November 2009
RCH Director of Anaesthesia and Pain Management Dr Ian McKenzie has offered positive news, saying the twins' operation is "progressing fantastically".
Dr McKenzie revealed that the neurosurgical team is still hard at work separating the brains. The plastic surgery team will then separate the final part of the bone.
He said that would not be the end of it-the team will then spend quite a few hours after separation to insert synthetic coverings for the brain before closing up each child's head.
The success of the surgery will be measured by way of milestones. The twins will go to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for a number of days where they will be monitored closely. Medical and nursing staff will also be keeping an eye out for any infections that may develop.
Dr McKenzie said there had been a few turnovers of surgical team shifts throughout the operation, with further teams on standby.
"Everything is going to plan and right on the timeframe," he said.
Neurosurgeons begin their work
6pm
Monday 16 November 2009
RCH Chief of Surgery A/Professor Leo Donnan says Krishna and Trishna's operation continues to run as planned.
Neurosurgeon Wirginia Maixner has begun the procedure to separate the girls' brains, which is expected to take some hours. Once complete, the plastic surgeons will begin work to cover the brains.
Artificial coverings will be used to cover parts of the brains exposed due to deficits in bone matter.
A/Professor Donnan says the surgery is proceeding well.
"Nothing has us worried at this stage. The team is very working well together".
Plastic surgeon says twins' surgery going well
11am
Monday 16 November 2009
Plastic surgeon Dr Tony Holmes has announced that the conjoined twins' surgery is going smoothly and to plan.
Dr Holmes said Krishna and Trishna were put to sleep last night to have their anaesthetic lines put in. An angiogram was also performed for a final look at the blood vessels. Krishna and Trishna remained sedated for the duration of the night.
The girls arrived in theatre on schedule today at around 8.30am. Theatre staff spent time positioning the girls and equipment before plastic surgeons made the first incision at 10am.
A major flap of skin has been pulled back to expose the tissue expanders and half of the bone. A layer of excess skin, produced by the expanders, has been removed and will be preserved for use after the separation to cover the girls' scalps.
Neurosurgeons Dr Wirginia Maixner and Dr Alison Wray and now starting to remove the bone at the back half of the girls' heads.
Dr Holmes says Krishna and Trishna were prepared as well as possible for this surgery. "I am cautiously optimistic," he said.
Fellow plastic surgeon Dr Andrew Greensmith shared Dr Holmes's sentiment, saying he is experiencing "a nervousness of a positive type".
He said the team is applying techniques used everyday on other patients, but their application this time is obviously unique.
"It's a great privilege to be involved as part of this team," Dr Greensmith said. "It's an extremely good team that has been working well for the past two years with the twins."
Krishna and Trishna's surgery underway
9.30am
Monday 16 November 2009
The surgery to separate conjoined twins Krishna and Trishna at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne is now underway. The girls entered theatre at 8.30am morning.
A media briefing is planned for 10.30am this morning, to be presented by plastic surgeons out the front of the hospital.
Conjoined twins prepare for surgery
Friday 13 November 2009
Surgery to separate Bangladeshi conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna is planned to take place at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne next week. A media briefing was held at the RCH at 10.30am today.
Now almost three years old, the twins are joined at the head and were brought to Melbourne by Moira Kelly's Children First Foundation (CFF) in 2007.
After assessment at the RCH the decision was made to attempt separation. Since then RCH neurosurgeon Wirginia Maixner and her team have performed several delicate life threatening procedures to redirect shared blood flow.
In August the plastic and maxillofacial team led by surgeon Andrew Greensmith inserted tissue expanders for the second time to create the new tissue required for the separation procedure. The first tissue expanders were removed in January due to a serious infection.
During all these procedures, the anaesthesia team provided crucial care for the twins, caring for two children having major surgery at once, and dealing with the complex life threatening stresses that the twins' unique and changing cross circulation created.
At least 20 other departments at the RCH have come in contact with the girls in the past two years.
A team of 16 comprising neuro- and plastic surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre nurses and technicians will be in theatre for the complex and extremely high risk surgery.
The girls continue to be cared for by Moira Kelly AO and her team of supporters. You can read more about Moira's Children First Foundation here.
Krishna
Trishna
Media enquiries:
Julie Webber: Direct 9345 5130 AH 9345 5522 and page
More Info
- Trishna and Krishna - fact sheet (PDF 40KB)
- Trishna and Krishna's journey (PDF 45KB)
- Trishna and Krishna's carers (PDF 270KB)
- Photo of Krishna - August 2009
- Photo of Krishna - May 2009
- Photo of Trishna - August 2009
- Photo of Trishna - May 2009
24 hours in ICU
Saturday 7 November 2009
Herald Sun medical reporter Grant McArthur and photographer Rebecca Michael spent an eye-opening 24 hours in The Royal Children's Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
At 4pm Wednesday 4 November, Grant and Rebecca stepped foot in the PICU to witness the wonderful job our nurses do with critically ill patients.
They emerged at 4pm on Thursday, bleary-eyed but in awe of the RCH team.
Click on the links below to read about their experience on Herald Sun Online:
- 24 hours in The Royal Children's Hospital's Intensive Care Unit
- How The Royal Children's Hospital is saving tiny Harvey
- Photo gallery
Quit smoking around kids
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Channel 7, 27 October 2009 |
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Channel 9, 27 October 2009 |
The Hon Daniel Andrews, MP, Minister for Health launched a new anti-smoking ad campaign at The Royal Children's Hospital today.
The Quit Victoria campaign, titled 'Cigarettes are eating you and your kids alive' urges smokers to consider the health of their children before lighting up.
The launch follows the release of new research by the Cancer Council Victoria that found nearly half of Victoria's cigarette smokers smoke around children.
Dr Rob Roseby of the RCH Centre for Adolescent Health supported the initiative.
"The list of potential problems for children of smokers is a long, sad catalogue," he said.
"Children and toddlers are exposed primarily at the home, and then later at places like child care or shopping centres."
If a parent smokes their child has increased risks of low birth weight, SIDS, pneumonia, asthma, ear disease and meningococcal disease.
For more information, visit the Quit Victoria website.
Waiting for the gift of life
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Vilisunia Fakalata is eight months old and in desperate need of a liver transplant. He has a rare condition called biliary atresia, which destroys the bile ducts preventing bile flow from the liver to the intestine.
His family shared their story with Nine News.
Australia has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the developed world. You can register your consent to become an organ and tissue donor by visiting the LifeGift Victoria (www.organdonor.com.au) website.
New model of care for Aboriginal children
Thursday 1 October 2009
The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) celebrated the launch of a new model of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families today. The Honorable Daniel Andrews MP Minister for Health was a guest at the event.
Other special guests included Aboriginal community elders Aunty Joy Murphy, who gave the welcome to country, Aunty Joan Vickery and Uncle Kevin Coombs.
The new service is called Wadja, the Aboriginal word meaning 'child', and comprises the Wadja Health Clinic and the Wadja Aboriginal Family Place. The on-line education component of the program was also unveiled at the event.
The service provides emotional, social and culturally sensitive support to Aboriginal children and their families attending the hospital. The Wadja Aboriginal Family Place is a comfortable and welcoming space for families to relax and feel at home while their child is cared for in the hospital.
The new model is unique to paediatric care in Victoria and aims to improve the health outcomes for Aboriginal children by connecting culture and cultural identity to health care, enabling participation and decision making, and investing in an Aboriginal health workforce.
The service, which is staffed by Aboriginal health workers and case managers, will have an advocacy role and provide advice about Aboriginal cultural issues to the broader hospital community.
There are approximately 1600 occasions of care for Aboriginal children at the RCH each year. Having a sick child, whether in hospital or as an outpatient, can be a stressful experience for families and even more so when there is uncertainty around cultural issues.
Fifteen year old Ebony Knowles has experienced the care provided by the Wadja team and the RCH. Ebony was injured in a motor vehicle accident last year and still attends the hospital's rehabilitation service. Ebony met the Minister and told him of her experiences at the hospital.
The Wadja staff, and the hospital's General Medicine and Social Work Departments, have worked closely with the hospital to establish this model. The new model is funded through donations to the hospital's Foundation.
Right: The Honourable Daniel Andrews MP Minister for Health meets Ebony Knowles
Koda visits the kids
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Koda greets eight-year-old Bella Green in the corridor. |
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Patients at The Royal Children's Hospital enjoyed a special visit from a tiny friend with a big heart yesterday.
Koda the miniature pony clip-clopped his way through the corridors to say hello to the children of the orthopaedic ward.
One-year-old Koda has dwarfism and weighs only 35kg. Like the patients he visited, Koda's had a number of operations. His condition means there'll be more surgery to come, including removal of adult teeth that will grow too big for his small mouth.
For now though, Koda and his owner, vet Andy Lynch from Yarrambat Vet Hospital, are happy to spread some joy to sick children.
To view a video of Koda's visit, head to the Herald Sun online: http://player.video.news.com.au/heraldsun/#1257297489
RCH pioneers head-shaping surgery
Monday 7 September 2009 |
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Channel 9, 5 September 2009 - Surgery |
Surgeons at The Royal Children's Hospital are performing groundbreaking craniofacial surgery and teaching the new technique to surgeons from around the globe.
The operation, dubbed 'The Melbourne Procedure', is giving children with severely deformed heads the chance at a normal start to life.
RCH craniofacial surgeon Professor Tony Holmes pioneered the surgery and describes it as "nothing more than advanced carpentry". While the procedure may have some resemblance to a jigsaw puzzle in the way that the skull is removed in sections, reordered, and reattached to form a normal shaped skull, the effect it can have on a family's life is far from child's play.
Bubbly one-year-old Isaac Jones was born with a condition known as scaphocephaly. Derived from the Greek words for 'boat' and 'head', scaphocephaly saw fusions in the bones at the top of Isaac's skull that prevented his head from growing sideways. With no room to move, Issac's growing brain forced his skull to grow longer at the front and back.
Little Isaac could not be more beautiful in the eyes of his parents Lisa and Troy; however, like any parents, the thought of their child being teased because of the shape of his/her head was the last thing they wished for. According to Prof Holmes, the condition can also cause damage to the areas of the brain responsible for speech and motor function.
"We realised for the first time the pressure was not just a cosmetic issue. The restriction on the brain does cause developmental delays and releasing that pressure would seem to improve them," Prof Holmes said.
A team of plastic and neuro surgeons, led by Mr David Chong, performed the incredible operation on Isaac last week. Isaac's skull was removed in parts, reordered and moulded, and put back together using dissolvable rivets. The procedure is normally performed on children aged between six and 12 months of age, as their skulls are still pliable.
The results are nothing short of incredible. When his bandages were removed just three days after surgery, Isaac's head was as round and perfect as any child's, albeit a little swollen.
"To be on this side of the operation and seeing how he looks and how great his head looks, it is just amazing," Isaac's father Troy said.
The RCH has performed almost 100 of the procedures. Prof Holmes and his team are now adapting the procedure to other cranial abnormalities.
Right: Isaac Jones laughs with dad before the surgery. Photo courtesy of the Herald Sun.
New info kit makes 'home safe home' for baby
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 Channel 7, - 'home safe home'. |
A free information kit giving new and expectant parents the power to provide a safer home environment was launched at The Royal Children's Hospital today by the Child Safety Commissioner.
The RCH Safety Centre's Bringing Baby Home info kit contains comprehensive safety tips on nursery furniture and safe sleeping, kitchen safety, choking and suffocation, fire safety, preventing falls and car passenger safety.
The kit also includes the Child Safety Commissioner's tip sheet on choosing a babysitter, as well as a DVD to guide parents in their choice of a person, service or organisation to care for their child.
"Keeping children safe has to be the top priority of all parents, but sometimes they need help to achieve this," said Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary OAM.
"The Bringing Baby Home kit enables parents to identify and reduce hazards. It also helps them to feel more empowered in choosing appropriate people to care for their children," he said.
Bringing Baby Home is proudly supported by ExxonMobil Australia and the Office of The Child Safety Commissioner. The kit will be distributed in hospitals, maternal and child health centres, prenatal and antenatal classes, and local government community safety offices.
To view an online version of Bringing Baby Home, see Safety Centre Fact sheets
Right: Monica Byrne says Bringing Baby Home has helped her create a safer home for son Oliver and daughter Miranda
RCH doctor warns: 'Don't delay whooping cough vaccinations'
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Channel 9, 6 August 2009 - Whooping cough |
A paediatrician at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) has urged parents to get themselves and their children immunised against whooping cough.
Dr Jenny Royle, who runs the RCH Immunisation Centre, says there's a whooping cough epidemic in Australia, with babies most at risk.
"Whooping cough is a horrible disease. My worry is that for every adult that catches whooping cough, what baby are they going to spread it to?" Dr Royle said.
The number of reported cases of whooping cough in Victoria has more than doubled in the past 12 months, with 1,813 cases reported to date this year, compared with 713 the same time last year.
The disease is most serious in babies under 12 months of age. What may begin with symptoms including severe coughing spasms, poor feeding and a 'whooping' sound heard while breathing in, can lead to complications such as permanent brain damage, long term lung damage or death.
Dr Royle says the disease may be relatively mild in adults or present itself as a '100-day cough', but it is highly contagious and can spread easily to children. Protection from immunisation begins to fade after six to ten years, so a booster vaccine is recommended for adults.
"It's a particularly good idea for adults who are planning pregnancy to get vaccinated, or both parents soon after the birth of their baby," she said.
Adults working with or caring for young babies, such as health care workers, child care workers and grandparents are also recommended to obtain the booster vaccine.
Whooping cough vaccination is offered as part of the government funded immunisation program for babies.
"It's important for babies to be immunised at two, four and six months of age. This must be done on time if babies are to receive the best level of protection," Dr Royle said.
A booster vaccine is given to children at four years of age and in year 10 of secondary school.
Children's Tapestry will honour Dame Elisabeth Murdoch
Friday 31 July 2009
Governor of Victoria Professor David de Kretser AC joined guests at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) last night to launch a magnificent tapestry in honour of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch