Robotic-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic ICG-fluorescence lymphatic-sparing palomo varicocelectomy: a comparative retrospective study of techniques and outcomes.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare techniques and outcomes of robotic-assisted varicocelectomy (RAV) and laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV). METHODS: The medical records of 40 patients, who received RAV and LV over a 2-year period, were retrospectively analyzed. Palomo lymphatic-sparing varicocelectomy using ICG fluorescence was adopted in all cases. Three 5-mm trocars were placed in LV, whereas four ports, three 8-mm and one 5-mm, were placed in RAV. The spermatic vessels were ligated using clips in LV and ligatures in RAV. The two groups were compared regarding patient baseline and operative outcomes. RESULTS: All patients, with median age of 14 years (range 11-17), had left grade 3 varicocele according to Dubin-Amelar. All were symptomatic and 33/40 (82.5%) presented left testicular hypotrophy. All procedures were completed without conversion. The average operative time was significantly shorter in LV [20 min (range 11-30)] than in RAV [34.5 min (range 30-46)] (p = 0.001). No significant differences regarding analgesic requirement and hospitalization were observed (p = 0.55). At long-term follow-up (30 months), no complications occurred in both groups. The cosmetic outcome was significantly better in LV than RAV at 6-month and 12-month evaluations (p = 0.001). The total cost was significantly lower in LV (1.587,07 €) compared to RAV (5.650,31 €) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: RAV can be safely and effectively performed in pediatric patients, with the same excellent outcomes as conventional laparoscopic procedure. Laparoscopy has the advantages of faster surgery, smaller instruments, better cosmesis and lower cost than robotics. To date, laparoscopy remains preferable to robotics to treat pediatric varicocele.

Diagnosis and Management of Congenital H-Type Tracheoesophageal Fistula: Results of a National Survey.

BACKGROUND: Congenital h-type tracheoesophageal fistula (H-TEF) without esophageal atresia (EA) represents about 4% of congenital esophageal anomalies. The diagnosis is challenging, and surgery is considered curative. The aim was to report a national survey on the diagnosis, management, and outcome of patients with congenital H-TEF. METHODS: Following approval of the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery, a survey was sent to all Pediatric Surgery Units to retrospectively collect H-TEF treated in the period 2010-2022. Descriptive analysis was performed, and results are given as prevalence, mean ± standard deviation (SD), or median and interquartile range (IQR). RESULTS: The survey was sent to 65 units. Seventeen responded with one or more cases; 78 patients were diagnosed with H-TEF during the study period. Associated malformations were present in 43%, mostly cardiac (31%). The most frequent symptoms were cough (36%), bronchopneumonia (24%), and dysphagia (19%). H-TEF was detected by tracheobronchoscopy (90%), and/or upper GI (58%), and/or esophagoscopy (32%). The median age at diagnosis was 23 days (1 day-18 years). The most common approach was cervicotomy (76%), followed by thoracoscopy (14%) and thoracotomy (9%). The fistula underwent ligation and section of the fistula in 90% of the patients and clip closure and section in 9%. In one patient, the fistula was cauterized endoscopically. H-TEF preoperative cannulation was performed in 68% of cases, and a drain was placed in 26%. One month after surgery, 13% of the patients had mild persisting symptoms, mainly hypophonia. Recurrence occurred in 5%, and a second recurrence occurred in 1%. CONCLUSIONS: H-TEF prevalence was six cases/year, consistent with the expected rate of five cases/year in our country. The diagnosis was challenging, sometimes delayed, and, in most patients, required multiple examinations. Fistula ligation and section through cervicotomy were the most frequent treatment. Long-term outcomes are good, and recurrence is a rare event.

Congenital Lung Malformations: Pulmonary Function Assessment Before and After Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The management of asymptomatic congenital lung malformations (CLM) is debated, and pulmonary function of patients with CLM is seldom discussed. Short-term respiratory outcome in patients operated for CLM was assessed in order to better define surgical impact. METHODS: A retrospective study on patients operated for CLM between 2012 and 2021 was performed. Respiratory function was assessed with tidal breath analysis (TBA) in spontaneous sleep within 2 years of life. Patients with comorbidities affecting pulmonary function were excluded. Three variables were studied: tPTEF/tE (time to peak tidal expiratory flow/total expiratory time), tV (tidal volume), RR (respiratory rate). Results were assessed as z-score (normal ±1.64) and expressed as median (range). Pre- and post-operative results were compared, as well as post-operative results of disease and surgery type subgroups. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included. Median pre- and post-operative tPTEF/tE were normal (pre: -0.32 (-2.12; +1.56); post: -0.18 (-1.62; +2.43)). Patients with extralobar sequestration had pre-operative high median RR, which improved after sequestrectomy (pre: +1.99 (-2.49; +7.43); post -0.22 (-3.01; +1.18)). All groups had reduced pre-operative median tV, which restored after surgery (pre: -2.15 (-9.75; +0.91); post: -0.35 (-6.65; +3.14)). Patients undergoing lobectomy and patients with intralobar sequestration showed greater improvement. Median post-operative TBA results were normal for all sub-groups except for reduced tV in patients operated with thoracotomy (-2.27 (-6.12; +5.26)). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with clinically asymptomatic CLM can have pathologic pulmonary function tests, which improve after surgery. These results add to the elements in favor of an interventional approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Treatment study.

Combined Pre- and Postnatal Minimally Invasive Approach to a Complex Symptomatic Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a rare congenital lung lesion that usually remains asymptomatic during the fetal and neonatal period. However, it can occasionally cause prenatal cardiocirculatory failure and fetal hydrops, requiring a thoraco-amniotic shunt (TAS) placement. In other cases, it can also cause symptoms at birth (such as respiratory distress) and may require urgent surgical intervention. Thoracoscopic lobectomy for neonates is rarely reported. Here, we report a case of right macrocystic CPAM causing fetal hydrops at 27 weeks of gestation. The fetus was treated with a TAS placement that successfully resolved the hydrops. At 39 weeks of gestation, a male neonate was born (weight 2,850 g). The TAS spontaneously displaced during delivery, causing an open pneumothorax (PNX), initially treated with a drainage. His condition gradually worsened, requiring ventilatory support. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed different giant cysts in the context of the right lower lobe, left mediastinal shift, and compression of the rest of the lung. An urgent surgical management was required. A thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy was performed at 10 days of life (weight 2,840 g). The postoperative course was uneventful; the child remained totally asymptomatic and showed a good recovery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of open iatrogenic PNX following TAS positioning and the second of neonatal thoracoscopic lobectomy in a newborn weighting less than 3 kg. The purpose of this report is to indicate that minimally invasive surgery is feasible, safe, and effective for the resection of CPAM, even in small newborns.

Pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT): report of a multicentric national study on 294 patients.

This study aimed to report a multicentric national experience about the outcomes of pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT). The medical records of all pediatric patients, aged up to 18 years, who underwent PEPSiT in the period 2019-2021, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' demographics, operative details, and post-operative outcomes were assessed. A total of 294 patients (182 boys), with median age of 14 years (range 10-18), receiving PEPSiT in the study period, were enrolled. Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) was primary in 258 (87.8%) and recurrent in 36 (12.2%). The median operative time was 36 min (range 11-120). The median VAS pain score was 0.86 (range 0-3) and the median duration of analgesic use was 27 h (range 12-60). The overall success rate was 95.2% (280/294) and the median time to full healing was 23.4 days (range 19-50). Six/294 (2.0%) patients developed Clavien 2 post-operative complications. The recurrence rate was 4.8% (14/294) and all recurrences were re-operated using PEPSiT. Redo-surgery for wound debridement was performed in one (0.3%) patient with late healing. On multivariate analysis, hirsutism and typology of sinus (pits ≥ 2, paramedian and more proximal to the anus) were predictors of PSD recurrence (p = 0.001). To date, this is the largest series of PEPSiT published in the pediatric population. The outcomes reported after a 3 years experience confirm that PEPSiT is a safe, effective, and real minimally invasive procedure to treat adolescents with PSD. It provides patients quick and painless recovery, satisfactory success, and high quality of life.

Neonatal intestinal failure: Growth pattern and nutrition intakes in accordance with weaning from parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Short bowel syndrome is the most common cause of intestinal failure (IF) in infants. We aimed to evaluate growth, nutrition intakes, and predictors of weaning from parenteral nutrition (PN) of infants with IF. METHODS: Clinical parameters, nutrition intakes, body weight and length z-scores were compared monthly from the 1st to 12th and at 18 and 24 months among infants receiving PN and those weaned. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the predictors of weaning. RESULTS: We included 23 infants (10/23 weaned). Median [range: minimum; maximum] birth weight and gestational age were 1620 [590; 3490] g and 31 [24; 39] weeks, respectively. All infants showed growth retardation with similar median delta weight z-score from birth to discharge: -1.48 [-1.92; -0.94] in not-weaned and -1.18 [-2.70; 0.31] in weaned infants (P = 0.833) and a subsequent regain after the discharge: 0.20 [-3.47; 3.25] and 0.84 [-0.03; 2.58], respectively (P = 0.518). No differences in length z-score were found. After the sixth month, infants weaned from PN received lower PN energy and protein intakes compared with those not-weaned. Infants weaned from PN showed lower PN dependency index (PNDI%) from 5 months onward (45% for weaned and 113% for not-weaned infants at 5 months: P < 0.001). The Belza score, a predictor of enteral autonomy computed at 6 months, is associated with being weaned from PN within 24 months (odds ratio: 1.906; P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Infants weaned and not-weaned showed similar growth patterns. Our findings support the clinical relevance of Belza score and PNDI% as predictors of weaning from PN.

Endoscopic Surveillance of Esophageal Atresia Population according to ESPGHAN-NASPGHAN 2016 Guidelines: Incidence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis and New Histological Findings.

Follow-up of children born with esophageal atresia (EA) is mandatory due to high incidence of comorbidities. We evaluated endoscopic findings at follow-up of EA patients performed at our Centre according to ESPGHAN-NASPGHAN 2016 guidelines. A retrospective observational study was performed using data from January 2016 to January 2021. We included EA patients (age range: 1−18 years) who were offered a program of endoscopic and histological high gastrointestinal (GI) tract examinations as per ESPGHAN-NASPGHAN 2016 guidelines. Clinical, surgical, auxological, endoscopic, and histological data were reviewed; variables as polyhydramnios, EA type, surgical type, enteral feeding introduction age, growth data, and symptoms were correlated to endoscopic and histological findings. The population included 75 patients (47 males), with mean age of 5 ± 4 years. In 40/75 (53.3%) patients, we recorded oral feeding problems, and upper gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms suspicious of gastroesophageal reflux. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) incidence was 9/75 (12%), significantly higher than in general population (p < 0.0001), and 10/75 (13.3%) presented non-specific duodenal mucosal lesions. EoE represents a frequent comorbidity of EA, as previously known. EA is also burdened by high, never-described incidence of non-specific duodenal mucosal lesions. Embedding high GI tract biopsies in EA endoscopic follow-up should be mandatory from pediatric age.

Use of combined cerebral and somatic renal near infrared spectroscopy during noncardiac surgery in children: a proposed algorithm.

Cerebral near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring has been extensively applied in neonatology and in cardiac surgery, becoming a standard in many pediatric cardiac centers. However, compensatory physiological mechanisms favor cerebral perfusion to the detriment of peripheral tissue oxygenation. Therefore, simultaneous measurement of cerebral and somatic oxygen saturation has been advocated to ease the differential diagnosis between central and peripheral sources of hypoperfusion, which may go undetected by standard monitoring and not mirrored by cerebral NIRS alone. A clinical algorithm already exists in cardiac surgery, aimed to correct intraoperative cerebral oxygen desaturations. A similar algorithm still lacks in noncardiac pediatric surgery. The goal of this paper is to propose a clinical algorithm for the combined use of cerebral and somatic NIRS monitoring during anesthesia in the pediatric population undergoing noncardiac surgery. A panel of experienced pediatric anesthetists developed the algorithm that is based on the clinical experience and intraoperative observations. It aims to lessen the current variability in interpreting NIRS measurement. Multisite NIRS monitoring was achieved applying one pediatric sensor to the forehead for cerebral tissue perfusion reading and a second one to the decumbent lumbar region for recording somatic renal tissue perfusion. The algorithm describes a sequence of acts aimed to identify the putative cause of intraoperative organ tissue desaturation and suggests clinical interventions expected to restore adequate tissue perfusion. It is composed of two arms: the main arm includes patients with an observed decrease in cerebral perfusion (CrO2), the second one includes those with a stable CrSO2 with declining RrSO2. Described also are five clinical cases of infants and neonates in whom pathological alterations of organ perfusion were detected using intraoperative multisite NIRS monitoring, portrayed in the accompanying figures (Annex).

Pediatric Surgical Care During the COVID-19 Lockdown: What Has Changed and Future Perspectives for Restarting in Italy. The Point of View of the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) time exacerbated some of the conditions already considered critical in pediatric health assistance before the pandemic. A new form of pediatric social abandonment has arisen leading to diagnostic delays in surgical disorders and a lack of support for the chronic ones. Health services were interrupted and ministerial appointments for pediatric surgical healthcare reprogramming were postponed. As a result, any determination to regulate the term "pediatric" specificity was lost. The aim is, while facing the critical issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, to rebuild future perspectives of pediatric surgical care in Italy. Methods: Each Pediatric Society, including the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery (SICP), was asked by the Italian Federation of Pediatric Associations and Scientific Societies to fill a questionnaire, including the following the main issues: evaluation of pre-pandemic criticalities, pediatric care during the pandemic and recovery, and current criticalities. The future care model of our specialty was analyzed in the second part of the questionnaire. Results: Children are seriously penalized both for surgical treatment as well as for the diagnostic component. In most centers, the pediatric surgical teams have been integrated with the adult ones and the specificity of training the pediatric operating nursing is in danger of survival. "Emotional" management of the child is not considered by the general management and the child has become again an adults patient of reduced size. Conclusion: A new functional pediatric surgical model needs to be established in general hospitals, including activities for day surgery and outpatient surgery. To support the care of the fragile child, a national health plan for the pediatric surgery is required.

Intrauterine Ultrasound-Guided Laser Coagulation as a First Step for Treatment of Prenatally Complicated Bronchopulmonary Sequestration: Our Experience and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: Prenatal ultrasound-guided laser coagulation (USLC) for complicated bronchopulmonary sequestrations has been described but a consensus on the procedure and on the following management is still lacking. We present our experience and provide a literature review. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients treated in our center. Literature review and combined analysis of perinatal data were performed. RESULTS: Five cases were treated at our center, all presenting with severe hydrothorax. Four met the criteria for fetal hydrops. Four cases underwent postnatal computed tomography (CT) scan: in one case, there was no evidence of persistent bronchopulmonary sequestration. The other three underwent thoracoscopic resection, in two, a viable sequestration was found. Including our series, 57 cases have been reported, with no mortality and a success rate of 94.7%. Mean gestational age (GA) at the procedure was 28 ± 3.4 weeks and mean GA at birth and birth weight (BW) were 38.6 ± 2.3 weeks and 3,276 ± 519.8 g, respectively. In 80.6% of the cases investigated postnatally, a residual mass was found, 50% of cases who showed prenatal arterial flow cessation had a persistent sequestration postnatally, and 26.3% of cases underwent postnatal sequestrectomy. Both patients in our series had pathology examination confirming a viable bronchopulmonary sequestration. CONCLUSION: Prenatal USLC seems to be a valid option for bronchopulmonary sequestration complicated by severe hydrothorax and/or fetal hydrops. Authors believe that this procedure should aim to reverse fetal distress and allow pregnancy continuation, and it should not be considered a definitive treatment. The currently available data do not support changes of the common postnatal management.

Intussusception in an Infant With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Even if predominantly considered a respiratory pathogen, it could be associated with gastrointestinal involvement, generally in mild forms. Recent reports highlight the association between SARS-CoV-2 and intussusception in infants. A case of intussusception is hereby described in a previously healthy infant in whom the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 was made after the analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage and intraoperative specimens following surgical procedures. Accordingly, a review of infant cases with intussusception and SARS-CoV-2 infection is also reported.

Cerebral Oxygenation by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Infants Undergoing Thoracoscopic Lung Resection.

Background: Thoracoscopic resection is the standard of care for congenital lung malformations (CLMs) in infants. However, there is rising concern that capnothorax may affect cerebral perfusion and oxygenation, carrying potential long-term effects on neurodevelopmental behavior. The aim of our study was to investigate, using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), the regional cerebral oxygenation (CrSO2) in infants undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection; the secondary aim was to assess the relationship between rSO2 and standard monitoring. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed all infants (<1 year old, ASA II) who underwent thoracoscopic CLM resection in double-lung ventilation under fixed capnothorax parameters (5 mmHg of pressure, 1 L/minute flow), standardized anesthetic protocol, standard monitoring, and multisite NIRS in our center. We focused our attention on 8 anesthetic and surgical maneuvers, potentially affecting tissue oxygen saturation. Results: Ten infants met the inclusion criteria. At surgery, median age was 5.5 (4-7) months, median weight 7.2 (6.6-8) kg, median operative time 110 (55-180) minutes, and median capnothorax duration 79 (34-168) minutes. No conversion to open surgery occurred. CrSO2 values remained within clinically accepted values during thoracoscopy, beside a CrSO2 drop >20% of basal value in 1 patient, during capnothorax induction. Renal NIRS added very little to standard monitoring, which appeared generally inadequate to consistently appraise end-organ perfusion. ETCO2 best correlated with CrSO2 variations, suggesting to be able to realistically predict them. Conclusions: The thoracoscopic treatment of CLMs under the given conditions appears well tolerated in infants, pending the continuous adjustment of ventilator settings by an experienced anesthetist, confident with NIRS technology.

Transanal irrigation (TAI) in the paediatric population: Literature review and consensus of an Italian multicentre working group.

Constipation and fecal incontinence in pediatric patients are conditions due to either functional or organic bowel dysfunction and may represent a challenging situation both for parents, pediatricians, and pediatric surgeons. Different treatments have been proposed throughout the past decades with partial and alternant results and, among all proposed techniques, in the adult population the Transanal Irrigation (TAI) has become popular. However, little is known about its efficacy in children. Therefore, a group of Italian pediatric surgeons from different centers, all experts in bowel management, performed a literature review and discussed the best-practice for the use of TAI in the pediatric population. This article suggests some tips, such as the careful patients' selection, a structured training with expert in pediatric colorectal diseases, and a continuous follow-up, that are considered crucial for the full success of treatment.

Mentoring in Pediatric Thoracoscopy: From Theory to Practice.

Introduction: Thoracoscopy represents the most challenging area of pediatric minimally invasive surgery due to its technical difficulty. A standardized training program would be advisable. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of our surgical training. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, single-center, cohort study was performed. The following four-step program was tested: (1) theoretical part; (2) experimental training; (3) training in centers of reference; (4) personal operative experience. Particular attention was focused on the choice of mentor. Times and modality of adherence to the program were evaluated. The effectiveness and safety of the training were evaluated according to the surgical results of esophageal atresia (EA/TEF) repair and resection of congenital lung malformations (CLM). The study was conducted from January 2014 to May 2020. Attending surgeons with previous experience in neonatal and pediatric laparoscopy were selected for the training program after being evaluated by the head of Department. Results: The training program was fully completed in 2 years. Twenty-four lobectomies, 9 sequestrectomies, 2 bronchogenic cyst resections and 20 EA/TEF repair were performed. Thoracoscopy was always feasible and effective, with no conversion. The operative times progressively decreased. Only three minor complications were recorded, all treated conservatively. Conclusions: A standardized training program is highly desirable to learn how to safely perform advanced pediatric thoracoscopy. The 4-steps design seems a valid educational option. The choice of the mentor is crucial. An experience-based profile for pediatric surgeons who may teach thoracoscopy is advisable.

Thoracoscopic Management of Pediatric Patients with Congenital Lung Malformations: Results of a European Multicenter Survey.

Background: This study aimed to report a European multi-institutional experience about thoracoscopic management of children with congenital lung malformations. Methods: The records of 102 patients (49 girls and 53 boys) with median age at surgery of 1 year (range 6 months-1.5 years), who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy in five European Pediatric Surgery units, were retrospectively collected. Indications for surgery included congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) (n = 47), intra- and extralobar pulmonary sequestration (n = 34), hybrid lesion (CPAM/intralobar sequestration) (n = 2), severe bronchiectasis (n = 9), congenital lobar emphysema (n = 8), and others (n = 2). The condition was asymptomatic in 77/102 (75.5%), whereas symptoms such as recurrent pneumonia and/or respiratory distress were present in 25/102 (24.5%). Results: Surgical procedures included 18 upper, 20 middle, and 64 lower lobe resections. No conversions to open were reported. A 3 mm sealing device and 5 mm stapler were adopted in the last 48/102 patients (47%). The median operative time was 92.2 minutes (range 74-141). The median operative time significantly decreased in patients in whom the vessel division and bronchial sealing were performed using sealing devices (75.5 minutes) compared with suture ligations (118.9 minutes) (P = .001). The median hospital stay was 3.7 days (range 2-6.2). Three/102 patients (2.9%) developed postoperative complications, including air leakage requiring pleural drainage (n = 1) (Clavien IIIb) and respiratory infection (n = 2) (Clavien II). A reoperation was required in one patient with residual pleuropulmonary blastoma (0.9%). All symptomatic patients reported resolution of symptoms postoperatively. Conclusions: Thoracoscopic lobectomy is a safe and effective procedure with excellent cosmetic outcome, in expert hands. Based upon our experience, we strongly recommend surgery in patients with congenital lung malformations by the first year of life, to reduce the risk of infection and make the procedure technically easier, despite the small patients' size. Surgeon's experience and use of miniaturized instruments and sealing devices remain key factors for successful outcome.

The coagulation profile as a marker for acute appendicitis in the paediatric population: Retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Appendicitis is the commonest and most frequently misdiagnosed acute abdominal surgical illness in the paediatric population worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of coagulation profile in acute appendicitis (AA) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we retrospectively collected data of patients submitted to appendectomy from 2011 to 2017. According to histopathology, patients were divided into three groups: not histologically confirmed AA (NAA), simple AA (SAA) and complicated AA (CAA). White blood cell (WBC) count, relative neutrophilia (Neutr%), C-reactive protein (CRP), prothrombin time ratio (PTratio), activated partial thromboplastin time ratio (APTTratio) and fibrinogen (Fib) were compared among groups. RESULTS: Three hundred and seven patients were included: 57 NAA, 184 SAA and 66 CAA. WBC was significantly different among groups: CAA (mean 16.67 × 103/ml), SAA (14.73 × 103/ml, P= 0.01) and NAA (10.85 × 103/ml, P< 0.0001). Significant differences were found for Neutr% (mean CAA 81.14 vs. SAA 77.03 P= 0.006, vs. NAA 63.86 P< 0.0001) and CRP (mean NAA 2.56, SAA 3.26, CAA 11.58, P< 0.0001). PTratio and Fib increased with the severity of AA receiver operator characteristic curves were similar for CRP (0.739), Fib (0.726), WBC (0.746) and Neutr% (0.754), while for PTratio and aPTTratio were 0.634 and 0.441, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: extrinsic coagulation pathway is altered in AA, especially in CAA. Coagulation can be useful in the diagnostic and perioperative anaesthetic management of AA in children. Fib seems to have the highest accuracy.

Appendicitis in Children in a Large Italian COVID-19 Pandemic Area.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed the routine activities of pediatric surgical centers, and it determined the reduction of admissions in the pediatric emergency departments (PED). We reviewed the records of patients affected by acute appendicitis (AA) during the COVID-19 pandemic period in a large Italian COVID-19 pandemic area. Methods: Data regarding demographics, age, macroscopic and microscopic findings, and time between symptom onset and PED admission of patients affected by confirmed AA in the period between March and April 2020 were considered. The data were compared with those obtained during the same period of 2019, 2018, and 2017 in the included centers. Data were quoted as median (range) or absolute number. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to compare groups. A p ≤ 0.05 was regarded as significant. Since only anonymous data have been used and the data storage meets current data protection regulations, ethical committee approval was not required for this study. Results: Eighty-six patients underwent surgical appendectomy for AA between February 20th, 2020 and April 20th, 2020; 32.5% were complicated appendicitis and 67.5% were uncomplicated. Fifty-three patients were males and 33 were females. Patients' age ranged from 3 to 17 years and the median age was 10 years. The median time between the onset of symptoms and the admission in PED was 1.85 days. The average time between the symptom onset and PED admission was 1.8 days. Conclusions: Although fear from the COVID-19 pandemic determined a delayed diagnosis of serious pediatric diseases, the increasing prevalence and severity of AA were not demonstrated in the most COVID-19-affected areas of Italy.

Is Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion (FETO) a Predisposing Factor for Acid Gastro-Esophageal Reflux in Infants With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia?

Introduction: Various anatomical defects predispose patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) has increased the survival of patients with severe CDHs. The aim of this study was to study GERD in patients who underwent FETO. Materials and Methods: We included patients with CDH treated with or without FETO ("FETO" and "no-FETO" group, respectively) from 2013 to 2016. Data on gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), initial observed/expected lung to head ratio (O/E LHR), final O/E LHR, duration of ventilation and hospitalization, maximal tracheal diameter, and pulmonary volume were collected. All patients underwent pH-metry after 1 year of life, and the results were compared between groups and correlated to risk factors. Results: Thirty-two patients were included in the study: 10 FETO and 22 no-FETO. No significant differences were observed in the pH-metric results of the two groups. No correlation was found between GA, BW, initial O/E LHR, maximal tracheal diameter, pulmonary volume, and pH-metric results. pH-metric results were correlated with the total duration of ventilation (R = 0.5, p = 0.003) and of hospitalization (R = 0.54, p = 0.001). Gastric herniation is associated with the worse pH-metric result. Conclusions: The FETO procedure does not seem to represent an independent risk factor for GERD. However, patients with the most severe CDH have the worst GERD.