Have acute appendicitis complications increased in children as a result of SARS-CoV-2? / ¿Han aumentado las complicaciones de las apendicitis agudas en niños por el impacto del SARS-CoV-2?

INTRODUCTION: The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on healthcare has already been described, since it has caused an increase in diagnostic delay and morbidity. Our objective was to assess its influence on the development of complications in children with acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. It included acute appendicitis patients under 15 years of age treated from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. They were classified according to diagnosis date as before the pandemic (B) (January 2019-February 2020) and during the pandemic (D) (March 2020-December 2020). According to operative findings, they were classified as complicated appendicitis (perforated/abscess/plastron/peritonitis) and non-complicated appendicitis (catarrhal/phlegmonous/gangrenous). Demographic data, progression time, and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 309 patients were included, 193 (62.5%) in Group B, and 116 (37.5%) in Group D, with an age of 9.2 ± 0.4 and 9.4 ± 0.6 years, respectively (CI = 95%). Diagnostic time was 1.35 and 1.43 days (p>0.05) in Groups B and D, respectively, with ≥ 3 days representing 15.5% of cases in Group B, and 16.4% of cases in Group D (p = 0.84). The proportion of complicated appendicitis was 23.3% in Group B vs. 21.6% in Group D (p>0.05). Postoperative complications were observed in 11.4% of patients in Group B, and in 13.8% of patients in Group D (p>0.05), with intra-abdominal abscess being the most frequent complication in both groups (54.5% of the total complications in Group B vs. 65.5% in Group D; p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The management of acute appendicitis and its complications in pediatric patients has not been impacted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic or the safety measures enforced.

INTRODUCCION: Se ha descrito el impacto de la pandemia del SARS-CoV-2 en la atención sanitaria, al suponer un aumento del retraso diagnóstico y morbilidad. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar su influencia en el desarrollo de complicaciones en las apendicitis agudas en niños. METODOLOGIA: Estudio retrospectivo de cohortes, incluyendo los pacientes menores de 15 años tratados por apendicitis aguda desde 01/01/2019 hasta 31/12/2020. Se distribuyeron según su fecha de diagnóstico en: antes de la pandemia (A) (enero/2019-febrero/2020) y durante la pandemia (P) (marzo-diciembre/2020). Según los hallazgos quirúrgicos se clasificaron en: apendicitis complicadas (perforadas/abscesos/plastrones/peritonitis) y no complicadas (catarrales/flemonosas/gangrenosas). Se analizaron datos demográficos, tiempo de evolución y complicaciones postoperatorias. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron un total de 309 pacientes, 193 pacientes (62,5%) en el grupo A y 116 (37,5%) en el P, con edades de 9,2 ± 0,4 y 9,4 ± 0,6 años respectivamente (IC = 95%). Los días al diagnóstico fueron 1,35 y 1,43 (p>0,05) en A y P respectivamente, siendo ≥ 3 días en 15,5% de A y 16,4% en P (p = 0,84). La proporción de apendicitis complicada fue un 23,3% en A vs. 21,6% en P; con p>0,05. Se observaron complicaciones postoperatorias en 11,4% de A y 13,8% de P (p>0,05), siendo la más frecuente el absceso intraabdominal en ambos grupos (54,5% del total de complicaciones vs 65,5%; en A y P respectivamente; p>0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La atención sanitaria de la apendicitis aguda y sus complicaciones en pacientes pediátricos no se ha visto modificada por la pandemia del SARS-CoV-2 o las medidas de seguridad adoptadas durante la misma.

Pandemic's impact on inguinal hernia management in infants. / Impacto de la pandemia en el manejo de la hernia inguinal en lactantes.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic brought about a reduction in surgical activity. The objective of this work was to analyze its impact on inguinal hernia morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of cases and controls was carried out. Patients under 18 months of age undergoing inguinal hernia surgery from January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020 were included. They were divided into two groups: patients undergoing surgery before (group A) or after (group D) the state of alarm was declared in Spain. Primary variables: episodes of incarceration and postoperative complications. Secondary variable: urgent or scheduled surgery. Demographic variables: sex, gestational age (GA), previous pathologies, age at diagnosis (AD), and age at surgery (AS) (months). RESULTS: 64 patients were included - 43 in group A and 21 in group D. In group A, median GA was 37+3, 90.5% of patients were male, median AD was 2.33, and median AS was 3.27. In group D, median GA was 31+2, 72.1% of patients were male, median AD was 3, and median AS was 3.63. There were no statistically significant differences. However, differences in terms of previous pathologies were significant (16.3% for Group A vs. 38.1% for group D) (p = 0.05). Regarding the primary variable, 25.6% of patients in group A had incarcerations vs. 33.3% of patients in group D (p = 0.51), whereas 9.3% of patients in group A had postoperative morbidity vs. 14.3% of patients in group D (p = 0.41). Regarding the secondary variable, 88.4% of surgeries in group A were scheduled vs. 90.5% of surgeries in group D (p = 0.583). CONCLUSION: In spite of reduced surgical activity, inguinal hernia morbidity did not surge in our environment. An increase in patients with previous pathologies was noted, which means severe patients should be prioritized.

INTRODUCCION: La pandemia del SARS-CoV-2 supuso una reducción de las jornadas quirúrgicas. Analizamos el efecto en la morbilidad de la hernia inguinal. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. Incluimos menores de 18 meses intervenidos de hernia inguinal desde 01/01/2019 hasta 31/08/2020, divididos en 2 grupos: intervenidos antes (grupo A) o después (grupo D) de la declaración del estado de alarma. Variables principales: episodios de incarceraciones y complicaciones postoperatorias. Variable secundaria: intervención urgente o programada. Variables poblacionales: sexo, edad gestacional (EG), patología previa, edad al diagnóstico(ED) y a la intervención (EI) (meses). RESULTADOS: Incluimos 64 pacientes, 43 grupo A y 21 grupo D. En el grupo A la mediana de EG fue 37+3, el 90,5% fueron varones, la mediana ED fue 2,33 y EI 3,27. En el grupo B la mediana de EG fue 31+2, el 72,1% fueron varones, la mediana ED fue 3 y EI 3,63. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Si fueron significativas las diferencias en patología previa 16,3% A y 38,1% D (p = 0,05). Sobre la variable principal: 25,6% del A sufrieron incarceraciones frente a 33,3% del D (p = 0,51) y un 9,3% tuvieron morbilidad postoperatoria en A frente a 14,3% en D (p = 0,41). Respecto a la variable secundaria un 88,4% se realizaron de forma programada en el grupo A y un 90,5% en el grupo D (p = 0,583). CONCLUSION: Pese a la reducción de jornadas quirúrgicas no ha aumentado la morbilidad de la hernia inguinal en nuestro medio. Hemos observado un aumento de pacientes con patología previa, implicando la priorización de los pacientes más graves.

[Postcholecystectomy syndrome in children, fact or fiction?] / Síndrome postcolecistectomía en niños ¿realidad o mito?

INTRODUCTION: The postcholecystectomy syndrome (SPC) is broadly defined and published in adults, whereas in the pediatric population are hardly any articles about it. Up to a third of adults have dyspeptic symptoms without organic cause the first year after cholecystectomy. Our goal is to determine the incidence of SPC in our population. METHODS: An observational study was performed, collecting data from patients who had been done laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our hospital since 2005. Patients diagnosed choledochal cyst and biliary atresia were excluded. The following data were collected: type of dyspeptic symptoms, scheduled office visits and emergency units in the first postoperative year and in the following. Children who did not make any visits, a telephone survey was conducted. RESULTS: Data from 36 patients, including 3 patients who were excluded for presenting organic cause, were collected. The most frequent diagnosis was idiopathic cholelithiasis (64,7%). Sixteen children (48,5%) had postoperative symptoms in the first year, of which 14 went to scheduled office visit and 6 emergent (2 required hospitalization). The main symptoms were abdominal postoperative pain (100%), nausea (62,5%) and vomiting (50%). After the first year (6 patients were excluded for less follow-up), only 5 patients (18,5%) continued to symptoms (p= 0,015), 2 required visit to programmatically consultation and no one emergent. CONCLUSION: In our sample, SPC in children exists and improves after the first year. So postoperative follow-up is an important fact, and only further tests must be done if signs of organic cause.

INTRODUCCION: El síndrome postcolecistectomía (SPC) está ámpliamente definido y publicado en adultos, en cambio en la población pediátrica apenas hay artículos al respecto. Hasta un tercio de los adultos presentan síntomas dispépticos sin causa orgánica el primer año después de una colecistectomía. Nuestro objetivo es conocer la incidencia del SPC en nuestro medio. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional, recogiendo datos de los pacientes colecistectomizados por laparoscopia en nuestro hospital desde 2005. Se excluyeron pacientes diagnosticados de quiste de colédoco y atresia de vías biliares. Se recogieron los siguientes datos: tipo de síntomas dispépticos, visitas a consulta de forma programada y urgente en el primer año postquirúrgico y en los años sucesivos. Se realizó encuesta telefónica a los pacientes que no efecturaron ninguna visita. RESULTADOS: Se recogieron datos de 36 pacientes, de los cuales se excluyeron 3 pacientes por presentar causa orgánica. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue la colelitiasis idiopática (64,7%). Dieciséis pacientes (48,5%) presentaron síntomas en el primer año postquirúrgico, de los cuales 14 acudieron a consultas de forma programada y 6 urgente (2 precisaron ingreso). Los síntomas principales postquirúrgicos fueron el dolor abdominal (100%), náuseas (62,5%) y vómitos (50%). Tras el primer año (6 pacientes excluidos por seguimiento menor), solo 5 (18,5%) continuaron con los síntomas (p= 0,015), 2 requirieron visita a consultas de forma programada y ninguna urgente. CONCLUSION: Según nuestra muestra, el SPC en niños existe y mejora tras el primer año, por lo que es importarte el seguimiento postquirúrgico de los mismos y solo realizar pruebas complementarias ante signos de causa orgánica.

[Ileostomy closure after necrotizing enterocolitis. When is the best moment?] / Cierre de ileostomía tras enterocolitis necrotizante. ¿Cuándo es el mejor momento?

INTRODUCTION: In more than 50% of the necrotizing enterocolitis that underwent surgery will require an ileostomy. The optimal time to reestablish intestinal transit still is a controversial subject. Many times ileostomies cause medical issues that require early intestinal reconstruction. Our objective is to compare the early closure against late close, being the shift point 35 days according to other published research. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study off all patients that in the last 10 years have had an episode of necrotizing enterocolitis which required an intestinal derivation like ileostomy. RESULTS: We studied 39 patients, 22 had an early closure (EC) and 17 in had a late closure (LC). There were statistically significant differences in age and weight between both groups, being younger in the EC group (p<0,05). All the morbidity factors were greater in the EC group (days of parenteral nutrition, days of central venous catheter, inotropic use, surgical wound infection and intestinal occlusions). The days of mechanical ventilation were greater in the EC group (2,33 vs p=0,017). The rate of reoperation was higher in the EC group (31%) against the LE group (17%). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to perform prospective studies with larger number of patients to be able to recommend a late closure ileostomy. In our experience the early closure has more morbidity and a higher rate of surgical reoperations.

INTRODUCCION: En más del 50% de las enterocolitis necrotizantes intervenidas es necesario realizar una ileostomía. El tiempo óptimo para restablecer el tránsito intestinal continúa siendo un tema controvertido. En muchas ocasiones las ileostomías dan problemas, requiriendo una reconstrucción precoz. El objetivo es comparar el cierre precoz con el cierre diferido, estableciendo el punto de corte en 35 días, desde el momento de realización del estoma, de acuerdo con otros trabajos publicados así como con la práctica realizada en nuestro hospital.. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Revisión retrospectiva de todos los pacientes que en los últimos diez años han presentado un episodio de enterocolitis necrotizante en nuestro hospital, precisando una derivación intestinal tipo ileostomía y en los que, además, se realizó el cierre de la misma. RESULTADOS: Se han estudiado 39 pacientes, en 22 se realizó un cierre precoz (CP) y en 17 un cierre diferido (CD). En ambos grupos, la edad y el peso presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas, siendo menores en el grupo de CP (p<0,05). Todas las variables de morbilidad estudiadas fueron mayores en el grupo de CP (días de nutrición parenteral total, días de catéter venoso central, uso de inotrópicos, infección de herida quirúrgica y oclusiones intestinales). Los días de ventilación mecánica fueron mayores en el grupo CP (2,33 vs 0 p=0,017). La tasa de reintervención quirúrgica fue mayor en el grupo CP (31%) frente al grupo CD (17%). CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario realizar estudios prospectivos y con mayor número de pacientes para poder recomendar un cierre diferido. En nuestra experiencia el cierre precoz presenta mayor morbilidad, así como mayor tasa de reintervenciones.

[Treatment of the postoperative bowel obstructions in children: laparoscopic vs. open adhesiolysis]. / Tratamiento de las oclusiones postoperatorias en niños: ¿adhesiolisis abierta o laparoscópica?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of laparoscopic versus open adhesiolysis in children affected by postoperative bowel obstruction. METHODS: Retrospective study reviewing charts of all patients who were operated on due to postoperative adhesions in our Department. Demographic data, clinical characteristics and postoperative data were collected. RESULTS: During the last 8 years, 37 patients were operated on for postoperative intestinal obstructions. 40.5% were operated by laparoscopy and 59.5% by laparotomy. Mean ages were 6.31 and 4.32 years in laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. There were no differences in days of evolution of the occlusion, neither in their medical history. Patients in laparoscopic group had better outcomes in the need of central lines (15% vs 61.90% p= 0.012), use of parenteral nutrition (38.46% vs 83.33% p= 0.005), beginning of the enteral nutrition (4.04 vs 8.17 days p= 0.004) and hospital stay (7.77 vs 13.05 days p= 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Open and laparoscopic adhesiolysis are effective to treat adhesive cases. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis has some advantages over open surgery: less need of central lines and parenteral nutrition, earlier start of enteral nutrition, less rate of complications and shorter hospital stay.

OBJETIVO: Comparar los resultados de la adhesiolisis laparoscópica frente a la técnica abierta en niños con oclusiones postoperatorias. METODO: Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes intervenidos por oclusiones postoperatorias en nuestro centro. Se recogieron variables demográficas, las características clínicas del paciente y del cuadro oclusivo y los resultados postoperatorios. RESULTADOS: En los últimos 8 años, se han realizado 37 intervenciones por oclusiones intestinales postoperatorias: un 40,5% mediante laparoscopia y un 59,5% mediante laparotomía. La media de edad fue 6,31 y 4,32 años para la técnica laparoscópica y abierta, respectivamente. No encontramos diferencias en el tiempo de evolución del cuadro oclusivo, ni en los antecedentes quirúrgicos. Sin embargo, el grupo de adhesiolisis laparoscópica presentó mejores resultados que el de cirugía abierta en: necesidad de vía central (15% frente a 61,90% p= 0,012), uso parenteral (38,46% frente a 83,33% p= 0,005), reinicio de la nutrición enteral (4,04 días frente a 8,17 p= 0,004) y estancia postoperatoria (7,77 frente a 13,05 días p= 0,027). CONCLUSIONES: Ambos abordajes son eficaces para la resolución de la oclusión. La adhesiolisis laparoscópica aporta ventajas frente a la cirugía abierta: menor necesidad de vía central y de nutrición parenteral, reinicio precoz de la nutrición enteral y menor estancia hospitalaria.

[Utility of urine levels of interleukins in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux: a case-control study in children]. / Utilidad de los niveles urinarios de interleuquinas en el diagnóstico del reflujo vésico-ureteral: estudio de casos y controles en niños.

UNLABELLED: Invasive imaging methods that require catheterization are used for the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux. Our aim is to assess the usefulness of interleukin urinary levels for the diagnosis of reflux in children without urinary tract infection. METHODS: Case-control study in children who underwent a voiding cystourethrogram: forty cases diagnosed of reflux and 80 controls. Concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 related to creatinine levels (pg/micromol) were determined in urine samples in all. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were males and fifty-eight females, with a mean age of 2.4 years. Indications for cystography were previous urinary tract infection in 78 cases (65%), prenatal diagnosis in 24 cases (20%) and postnatal diagnosis of uropathy or family history in 18 cases (15.1%). No significant differences were observed between cases and controls in IL-1beta/creatinine and IL-6/creatinine levels. However, IL-8/creatinine levels were almost significant higher in case group (median 3.5 pg/micromol; SD 9.2) than in control group (median 1.54 pg/micromol; SD 3) (P=0.001). The odds ratio was 5.57 (CI95%: 1.51 a 20.60) (X(MH)=2.80; p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary levels of IL-8/creatinine are elevated in children with vesicoureteral reflux, even in absence of urinary tract infection. It could be used as a non-invasive marker for detection of subclinical cases of disease.

[Our experience in retroperitoneoscopic total or partial nephrectomies]. / Nuestra experiencia en retroperitoneoscopia para nefrectomías totales y parciales.

The retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach is displacing open surgery and transperitoneal approach for several benign renal conditions. In the past 6 years we have performed 20 procedures, 10 with lateral position and 10 with posterior prone one: 13 total nephrectomies and 7 heminephrectomies in children aged 4,1 years on average. Mean operative time was 200 minutes in partial procedures and 278 in the total ones. Oral feeding was restored to 11,4 hours and average hospital postoperative stay was 1,58 days in total nephrectomies and 2,18 in heminephrectomies. There was no intraoperative bleeding. Complications were two urine leaks, two infections due to residual ureteral stumps and a case of transient hematuria. There were no significant differences between posterior and lateral approaches as to hospital stay, time of onset of oral feeding or complications, although the average operative time was shorter in the posterior approach (mean 170 min, SD 17,3) than in the lateral one (mean 216 min, SD 41) (P=0,024) in total nephrectomies. Retroperitoneoscopy allows a safe access to the kidney and avoids morbidity associated with the transperitoneal access. The posterior approach provides better vascular control, maintains the peritoneum far and allows the procedure with fewer ports, maximizing work space.

[Acute abdomen caused by infected duodenal duplication]. / Duplicaciones duodenales infectadas como causa de abdomen agudo.

Infected cystic duplications of the duodenum are unusual lesions. We report two cases of duodenal duplications complicated by infection. The literature is reviewed, and the diagnostic modalities and management options for this unusual pathology are discussed.

[Partial duplication of chromosome 4q (q31, q35): Auriculo-acro-renal syndrome]. / Duplicación parcial del cromosoma 4q (q31, q35): síndrome aurículo-acro-renal.

The partial trisomy 4q is a strange chromosomal illness. This illness is caused by the duplication of a portion of chromosome 4. In most of the cases, it is the result of a balanced translocation in one of the progenitors. The "de novo" appearance is less common. We present a patient with a partial "de novo" duplication in the distal segment of the long arm of chromosome 4 (q31, q35), in association with Robertsonian translocation between chromosomes 14 and 21. This association has not been described previously. In the 4q duplication, the relationship between the phenotype and the parts of the duplicated segment is not well defined, although it seems clear that the renal anomalies and/or thumbs abnormalities are a characteristic manifestation. We have reviewed the literature and, of the cases previously described with trisomy q31-35, we came to the conclusion that this region of chromosome 4 may also be involved in constituting the "Syndrome of partial trisomy 4q" or Auriculo-acro-renal Syndrome".

[Neurocristopathies: a high incidence of cerebral dysgenesis in patients with Hirschsprung's disease]. / Neurocrestopatías: alta frecuencia de disgenesias cerebrales en pacientes con enfermedad de Hirschsprung.

INTRODUCTION: Hirschsprung's disease (HD), or aganglionic megacolon, is a congenital disorder that is characterised by the absence of ganglion cells in the submucosal and myenteric plexuses of the intestine, which is caused by the failure of these cells to migrate from the neural crest (neurocristopathy). Cerebral dysgenesis and polymalformation syndromes have been reported in association with HD, thus suggesting an abnormal morphogenesis. AIM: To study the frequency of cerebral malformations in patients with HD in our environment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 41,666 live newborn infants, over the period 1993-2003, and 17 cases of HD where identified. RESULTS: The incidence of HD in the health district of the province of Albacete is 1.68 per 5,000 live newborn infants. Of the 17 patients with HD who were studied, 10 were isolated (58.8%) and seven (41.1%) were associated to other structural abnormalities and psychomotor retardation. Three of the cases in this latter group were due to chromosome pathology (trisomy 21, Down syndrome), two were caused by specific polymalformation syndromes (one Mowat-Wilson syndrome and one possible FG syndrome), one was due to a pattern of abnormalities that did not fit any known syndrome, and one had a normal phenotype and isolated cerebral dysgenesis. In all of cases the neuroimaging studies identified cerebral dysgenesis that was compatible with neuronal migration disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of association of HD, either isolated or within the context of a specific malformation syndrome, with neuronal migration disorders is high (23.5%). We suggest a full genetic and neurological evaluation should be carried out in patients with HD, together with brain imaging studies in order to rule out the possibility of cerebral dysgenesis.

[Usefulness of ultrasonography in the initial assessment of blunt abdominal trauma in children]. / Utilidad de la ultrasonografía en la evaluación inicial de los traumatismos abdominales cerrados en niños.

Abdominal injuries are frequent in children, and the early assessment is the best guaranty for an accurate management. Although computed tomography (TAC) has been considered the diagnostic modality of choice for children with blunt abdominal trauma, is a costly radiological test that requires the patients be stable and sedated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of abdominal ultrasonography, a quick, non-invasive technique, of low cost, and repeatable, during the initial assessment of these patients, arguing about the possibility of replace TAC in the detection of intra-abdominal posttraumatic injury. A retrospective case note review was carried out on the 22 children of less than 8 year-old admitted with blunt abdominal trauma to the Pediatric Surgery Section of our institution between 1991 and 1999. The most common mechanism of injury has been the motor vehicle accident (63.63%). All were initially evaluated with ultrasonography and those with any abnormal ultrasonographic findings (free intraperitoneal fluid, intra-abdominal organ injury) were further evaluated with computed tomography and/or repeated sonographies. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy o the diagnostic methods, have been evaluated. This investigation found abnormalities in 17 patients, 70.59% of whom have been managed conservatively. The accuracy of the abdominal ultrasound in the diagnosis of intra-abdominal injury was 77.27%, with a 82.35% sensitivity, 60% especificity, 87.5% positive predictive value, and 50% negative predictive value. The accuracy of the TAC in the diagnosis was 93.75%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the TAC were 92.85%, 100%, 100%, and 66% respectively. We conclude that TAC is the imaging modality of choice in children with severe abdominal trauma but ultrasonography is a reasonable technique to arouse diagnostic suspicion, that can avoid additional tomographic studies. Abdominal computed tomography must be reserved for the hemodynamically stable children with anormal ultrasonographic findings or with suspected injuries by a clinical evolution that gone unnoticed in the previous study.

[Megacalycosis diagnosed during the study of antenatal hydronephrosis]. / Megacaliosis diagnosticada en el estudio de una hidronefrosis prenatal.

We describe a case of megacalycosis in a newborn female with a probable antenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of left multicystic dysplastic kidney. Uroradiology, ultrasonography and nuclear medicine studies were performed and diagnosis was established by excretory urogram. We have found only one previously published case of megacalycosis in which diagnosis was made during the postnatal study of antenatal hydronephrosis. Megacalycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of prenatal hydronephrosis.

[Intravesical knot of Foley catheter: unusual complication of cystourethrography in children]. / Nudo intravesical en sonda de tipo Foley: una complicación rara de la cistouretrografía en niños.

We report a rare complication of knotting of the urethral catheter inside the urinary bladder of a 3 month old boy who was referred for voiding cystourethrogram. After unsuccessful attempts to remove the catheter, the baby was admitted to surgery. The catheter was removed under anesthesia after gentle but sustained traction. The complications of improper urethral catheterization are described and recommendations are made for their prevention.

[Anal fistula treatment with seton]. / Tratamiento mediante sedal de la fístula anal.

The objectives of anal fistula treatment are to drain sepsis, irradicate the fistulous tract, and to preserve sphincter integrity and function. These goals can be achieved by either fistulotomy or fistulectomy. Alternative techniques include chemical setons, drainage setons, cutting setons and two-stage seton fistulotomy. We have treated 6 cases of trans-sphincteric fistula Parks type 2. The progressive fistulotomy technique was employed with a primary or one-stage cutting seton, as an outpatient procedure and without general anaesthetic. Complete division of the sphincter muscle took 18-27 days. No child presented incontinence or any other complications from the technique employed. No recurrences were observed at the 12 month follow-up. We conclude that the use of cutting setons is a simple and effective technique for the treatment of anal fistula in children, with low complication rates.

[Necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis (Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease) in a 7-year-old girl]. / Linfadenitis histiocitaria necrotizante (enfermedad de Kikuchi-Fujimoto) en niña de 7 años.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease is a rare self-limited condition of young adults that usually involves the cervical lymph nodes and is associated with fever, rash and some haematological alterations. Diagnosis is based on characteristic pathologic findings that permit differentiation of this disease from lymphoma, systemic lupus erythematous and infectious lymphadenopathies. We describe a case of 7 year-old female presenting with cervical localization of Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease. To our knowledge, this case results the earliest affection of this disease. Our proposal with this article is to remind the pediatricians and pediatric surgeons of this poorly recognized entity when children ask for cervical masses and fever.

[External tutor of ePTFE in tracheal stenosis. Clinical application]. / Tutor externo de ePTFE en estenosis traqueal. Aplicación clínica.

Acquired tracheal stenosis in children can be either to direct cervicothoracic trauma or to post-intubation. Resection and end-to-end anastomosis continues to be the treatment of choice. The high rate of restenosis is directly related to anastomotic tension in resections of more than 2 cm. We report a case of a 7 year old child who suffered severe injury caused by car crash and intubation at the scene of the accident, with subsequent development of a cervical tracheal stenosis which required preoperative iterative laser sessions and balloon dilatation on 3 occasions, without result. Resection and primary anastomosis with an external stent of ePTFE was performed. The patient was treated successfully and was extubated promptly. Post-operative endoscopic studies and magnetic resonance imaging showed widely patent tracheal lumina with no stenosis. Three years post-operatively, the child is asymptomatic and participates in competitive sport activities. We can conclude that the model described above was clinically effective in the prevention of post-anastomotic tracheal stenosis in the child.

Wet umbilicus caused by pancreatic heterotopia in urachal remains.

Drainage from the umbilicus may be due to the presence of structures derived from the vitelline duct or urachus, granulomas, ectopic tissue, or poor hygienic practice. This paper discusses the case of a 6-month-old infant with a wet umbilicus caused by ectopic pancreatic tissue, in urachal remains. No similar cases have been found in the literature.

An experimental model for the prevention of postanastomotic tracheal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to determine the efficiency of an external prosthesis made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene reinforced with a continuous silicone spiral to prevent postanastomotic stenosis after surgical correction of extensive tracheal defects in rabbits. METHODS: Forty-five rabbits were used, divided into three groups of 15 animals each. Group A was the control group. Group B animals underwent resection of six-ring segments of the cervical trachea and primary anastomosis. The procedure used in group C was similar to that used in group B, but the tracheal anastomosis was supported by an external expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis. RESULTS: Direct anastomosis after resection of six tracheal rings caused anastomotic stenosis in 100% of the animals. We did not observe tracheal stenosis in any rabbit when we applied an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tube as an external stent for the tracheotracheal suture. CONCLUSION: We conclude that an external stent can be used to prevent tracheal stenosis resulting from the resection of six cervical tracheal rings in rabbits.