About the group

The research group consists mainly of pediatric surgeons and research fellows, but the group collaborates extensively with other specialists, such as child psychiatrists, radiologists, physiotherapists, paediatricians, and basic scientists. The group has common research projects with both national and international research institutions.

In addition to study effects of various surgical techniques on complications and morbidity, patient reported outcomes are obtained. We also assess how parental factors influence outcome after surgery. In all projects there is a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. Translational research focuses on how the immune system influences bowel function in children with congenital aganglionosis in the bowel.

It is challenging to study outcome of surgical treatment in children because many effects are not detected until the patients reach adolescence or adult age. Furthermore, many of the diagnoses are rare, and more than one organ-system may be involved. Therefore, the group participates in an increasing number of international multicenter studies.

Aims

  • The group strives to continue to be the leading national and an acknowledged research group on long-term outcome of surgical treatment in neonates and children with emphasis on patient reported outcomes.
  • Continue and expand multidisciplinary collaboration and international participation in multicentre studies.

Collaboration

National

The group collaborates with several other research groups at OUS and University of Oslo; Akershus university hospital; St Olavs hospital and NTNU.

International

Our main international collaborators are:

  • The Nordic pediatric surgical research consortium (University of Helsinki, Karolinska university, Lund university, Gothenburg university, Uppsala university, Odense university and Copenhagen university)
  • ERNICA (European  Reference Network for Rare and Inherited Congenital Anomalies comprising of 20 European centers)
  • SIOPEN (Socitey of Pediatric Oncology Neuroblastoma Europe)

Selected Publications

  • Health literacy in parents of children with Hirschsprung disease: a novel study. Olsbø S, Kiserud SG, Hermansen Å, Hamilton Larsen M, Bjørnland K. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.161981. Epub 2024 Oct 1.
  • Enhanced recovery protocol for congenital duodenal obstruction - initial experiences with development and implementation. Røkkum H, Treider MA, Børke WB, Bergersen J, Lassen K, Støen R, Sæter T, Bjørnland K. doi: 10.1007/s00383-024-05951-2
  • Nationwide Long-term Follow-up Study". Treider MA, Røkkum H, Sæter T, Bjørnland K. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.161938. Epub 2024 Sep 20
  • Feeding difficulties, food intake, and growth in children with esophageal atresia. Birketvedt K, Mikkelsen A, Hanssen R, Schiørbeck H, IJsselstijn H, Henriksen C, Emblem R. doi: 10.1002/jpr3.12136.