Hydatid of Morgagni in Young Female: A Rare Case of Acute Abdomen-Case Report and Literature Review.

Torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni is a rare condition which can cause acute abdominal pain in young female. We present a case report of a 13-year-old girl with acute abdominal pain and treated for torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni. Less than 20 cases of female younger than 18 years old with this condition are been described in the literature. Through our systematic review performed following the PRISMA statement, we want to emphasize the difficulty in diagnosis and the importance of considering this pathology in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in females with the aim of obtaining a timely surgical treatment to preserve fertility in these patients.

The "V-I penoscrotal reconfiguration": A simple technique for the surgical treatment of congenital webbed penis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a new penoscrotal reconfiguration technique, named "V-I penoscrotal reconfiguration" for the surgical reconstruction of a congenital webbed penis (CWP). METHODS: Twenty-one patients who underwent the "V-I penoscrotal reconfiguration technique" were included in this retrospective study. The CWP severity was assessed according to El-Koutby's classification. Demographic and clinical data, surgical data, and postoperative outcomes were scheduled and analyzed. Specifically, the postoperative follow-up included both physical and psychological assessments at 2 weeks, 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Parents' satisfaction degree was quantified by the Likert scale. RESULTS: CWP was grade 3 in 11 (52%) patients, 2 in five (24%), and 1 (24%) in five. Five (24%) CWP were isolated malformations, 11 (52%) were associated with phimosis, three (14%) with hypospadias, and two (10%) with hypospadias and phimosis. There were no postoperative complications and no cases of redo surgery. The cosmetic outcomes were excellent in all cases: the parents' satisfaction score was 4 in 17 (81%) cases and 3 (9%) in the other four cases. CONCLUSIONS: CWP may cause psychological distress and functional problems, especially during sexual intercourse. Its correction in childhood is advocated to prevent psychological and sexual issues. The "V-I reconfiguration technique" is simple, and easy with excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Alteration of Immunoregulatory Patterns and Survival Advantage of Key Cell Types in Food Allergic Children.

All allergic responses to food indicate the failure of immunological tolerance, but it is unclear why cow's milk and egg (CME) allergies resolve more readily than reactivity to peanuts (PN). We sought to identify differences between PN and CME allergies through constitutive immune status and responses to cognate and non-cognate food antigens. Children with confirmed allergy to CME (n = 6) and PN (n = 18) and non-allergic (NA) (n = 8) controls were studied. Constitutive secretion of cytokines was tested in plasma and unstimulated mononuclear cell (PBMNC) cultures. Blood dendritic cell (DC) subsets were analyzed alongside changes in phenotypes and soluble molecules in allergen-stimulated MNC cultures with or without cytokine neutralization. We observed that in allergic children, constitutively high plasma levels IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 but less IL-12p70 than in non-allergic children was accompanied by the spontaneous secretion of sCD23, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12p70, IFN-γ and TNF-α in MNC cultures. Furthermore, blood DC subset counts differed in food allergy. Antigen-presenting cell phenotypic abnormalities were accompanied by higher B and T cell percentages with more Bcl-2 within CD69+ subsets. Cells were generally refractory to antigenic stimulation in vitro, but IL-4 neutralization led to CD152 downregulation by CD4+ T cells from PN allergic children responding to PN allergens. Canonical discriminant analyses segregated non-allergic and allergic children by their cytokine secretion patterns, revealing differences and areas of overlap between PN and CME allergies. Despite an absence of recent allergen exposure, indication of in vivo activation, in vitro responses independent of challenging antigen and the presence of unusual costimulatory molecules suggest dysregulated immunity in food allergy. Most importantly, higher Bcl-2 content within key effector cells implies survival advantage with the potential to mount abnormal responses that may give rise to the manifestations of allergy. Here, we put forward the hypothesis that the lack of apoptosis of key immune cell types might be central to the development of food allergic reactions.

Pleural drainage vs video-assisted thoracoscopic debridement in children affected by pleural empyema.

BACKGROUND: Both thoracic drainage and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) are available treatment for pleural empyema in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study includes pediatric patients affected by pleural empyema treated from 2004 to 2021 at two Italian centers. Patients were divided in G1 (traditional approach) and G2 (VATS). Demographic and recovery data, laboratory tests, imaging, surgical findings, post-operative management and follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: 70 patients with a mean age of 4.8 years were included; 12 (17.1%) in G1 and 58 (82.9%) in G2. Median surgical time was 45 min in G1, 90 in G2 (p < 0.05). Mean duration of thoracic drainage was 7.3 days in G1, 6.2 in G2 (p > 0.05). Patients became afebrile after a mean of 6.4 days G1, 3.9 in G2 (p < 0.05). Mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 27.8 days in G1, 25 in G2 (p < 0.05). Mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 16 days in G1, 12.1 in G2 (p < 0.05). There were 4 cases (33.3%) of postoperative complications in G1, 17 (29.3%) in G2 (p > 0.05). 2 (16.7%) patients of G1 needed a redosurgery with VATS, 1 (1.7%) in G2. CONCLUSIONS: VATS is an effective and safe procedure in treatment of Pleural Empyema in children: it is associated to reduction of chest tube drainage, duration of fever, hospital stay, time of antibiotic therapy and recurrence rate.

Robotic approach to the uretero-vesical junction in children: An international multicentric retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted approach to UVJ is getting more and more used in pediatric patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study 26 patients affected by nephro-urological malformations, robotic-surgically treated from 2016 and 2021 at 3 Pediatric Surgery Department were included: 3 (11.5%) primary obstructive megaureter, 2 (7.7%) dysplastic kidneys, 3 (11.5%) duplex collecting system, 18 (69.2%) primary vescico-ureteral reflux (VUR). RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 6 years old. 22 (84.6%) underwent Lich Gregoire extravesical ureteral reimplantation, 4 (15.4%) total nephroureterectomy. Mean operative time was 230 min. No conversions or intraoperative complications. Median hospital stay was 4 days. There were 4 (15.38%) postoperative complications: 3 (11.54%) persistent VUR and 1 (3.84%) refluxing megaureter. 2 (7.7%) redo-surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic Surgery should be considered a safe and effective technique for treatment of UVJ anomalies in children, because it firstly allows surgeons to approach both upper and lower ureteral ends without modifying trocars' placement.

Evolution of outcomes and complications of flip flap laparoscopic repair for inguinal hernia in children: 5 years' experience and practical implication in a third level Italian center.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common pediatric surgeries that can be approached with an open or laparoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to describe outcomes and complications of flip flap inguinal hernia repair analyzing our experience in the last 5 years. METHODS: Between 2015 and 2020, 280 children admitted at our department with inguinal hernia requiring surgery were included. Secondary aim was to investigate how confidence of surgeons regarding VLS approach increase during time and how this particular technique represents a primary procedure useful to increase surgeons' skills in performing laparoscopic sutures. RESULTS: One hundred sixty children (57%) underwent open approach, whereas 120 (43%) laparoscopic ligations of hernia. For each group, clinical and surgical data were recorded. We focused on comparing postoperative complications: the most frequent complication was hydrocele (N.=4, 1.4%). Reported postoperative complication were not statistically different between two groups (open N.=3, 1.8% vs. laparoscopy N.=1, 0.8%). No other postoperative complications were documented in our cohort for both groups. In laparoscopic group we registered 3 cases of ipsilateral recurrence (1.6%) and no cases of metachronous hernia. The choice of laparoscopic approach significantly increased from 22% in 2015 to 74% in 2020 (P<0.05) as well as the percentage of male underwent to laparoscopic procedure (38% in 2015 to 74% in 2020, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is known that the rate of complication or recurrence is similar for open or minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair. Laparoscopy offers advantages such as the possibility of visualizing contralateral internal inguinal ring, reducing the incidence of metachronous inguinal hernia. Moreover, taking confidence with a minimally invasive technique such Flip Flap hernioplasty by performing it repeatedly over time, leads to an improvement of surgeons' skills also in performing laparoscopic sutures, that can be helpful for other complex or tricky procedures.

Folliculosebaceous units are a frequent finding in early lichen sclerosus of the foreskin.

BACKGROUND: Folliculosebaceous units (FSU) has been considered an early target of inflammation in vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). This diagnostic clue is not reported in lichen sclerosus (LS) of the foreskin (FLS) that is normally hairless. We evaluated the presence and inflammation of FSU and sebaceous glands (SG) in LS of the foreskin. METHODS: Histological specimens from therapeutic circumcision were assessed in order to evaluate the frequency and inflammation of FSU and SG in LS. RESULTS: Ninety-eight cases, grouped into 46 early (group 1) and 52 overt (group 2) FLS were included in the study. SG-FSU were found in 95.7% of group 1, and 65.4% of group 2 cases. Their density was inversely correlated with patient age (P=0.0014). We observed perifollicular inflammation in all cases with visible SG-FSU and frequent FSU abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: SG and FSU were frequent in early FLS and decreased in advanced disease and adults. We hypothesize that SG and FSU are involved in the inflammatory process leading to FLS. These data, which need further investigation, could help to better understand the pathogenesis of FLS.

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.

Lichen sclerosus in pediatric age: A new disease or unknown pathology? Experience of single centre and state of art in literature.

Lichen Sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with unknown etiology. In pediatric age the main disease "lichenlinked" is the phimosis in male. This is a retrospective study that reports the experience of our clinic and review of the literature. We included all patients affected by pathological phimosis, treated by circumcision between January 2015 and May 2020, older than 6 years old and with an histopathological diagnosis of lichen sclerosus. The aim was to identify prognostic factors based on histological report to plan the clinical management of patients. Statistical analysis was done. We included 207 patients. The mean age of children was 9,78 years (5-18 years, DS±3.29). Based on the histological features we divided patients in 2 groups: early lesions (70/207, 34%) and advanced (137/207, 66%). In term of complications lichen linked we considered meatal stenosis that needed of urethral dilatations. We included 7 patients (7/207, 3,4%). We report P value Statistical Significance in many aspects. An early diagnosis of LS and surgical treatment of foreskin are essential to prevent early and late complications in children. The size of sample is a limit of the study but results encourage our management.

Hepatic oxidative injury: role of mitochondrial dysfunction in necrotizing enterocolitis.

PURPOSE: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe neonatal gastrointestinal disease that can cause damage to remote organs. Previous studies have shown that inflammatory and oxidative injury occur in the liver during NEC. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays an important role in hepatic injuries of many other diseases. We aimed to investigate the mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatic oxidative injury during NEC. METHODS: NEC was induced in C57BL/6 mice (approval: 44032) by hypoxia, gavage feeding with hyperosmolar formula, and lipopolysaccharide administration from postnatal days 5 to 9 (n = 15). Two additional groups with hypoxia only (n = 10) and hypoxia and hyperosmolar formula (n = 13) were also examined. Breastfed pups were used as control (n = 15). Liver was harvested on postnatal day 9. Gene expressions of mtDNA markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 (COX3), cytochrome b (CYTB) and NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chain 1 (ND1) were measured by real-time qPCR. Mitochondrial morphology marker HSP60 and oxidative stress marker NRF2 were detected by immunofluorescence staining and compared between NEC and control. Data were presented as mean ± SD and compared using Student's t test; p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Gene expression of mtDNA markers (COX3, CYTB, and ND1) were significantly decreased in the liver of NEC mice relative to control, hypoxia alone, and hypoxia with hyperosmolar formula. Immunofluorescence showed depletion of HSP60 indicating decreased mitochondria in NEC liver relative to control. Furthermore, a higher protein expression of NRF2 was observed indicating higher oxidative stress in NEC liver relative to control. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal injury in experimental NEC leads to a systemic inflammatory response affecting the liver. Hepatic oxidative injury in NEC is characterized by decreased mitochondria and mtDNA depletion. This study provides insight into the mechanism of liver injury in NEC.

Clinically Differentiated Abnormalities of the Architecture and Expression of Myosin Isoforms of the Human Cremaster Muscle in Cryptorchidism and Retractile Testis.

AIM: To describe architecture and expression of myosin isoforms of the human cremaster muscle (CM) and to individuate changes in clinically differentiated abnormalities of testicular descent: cryptorchidism or undescended testis (UDT) and retractile testis (RT). BACKGROUND: The CM is a nonsomitic striated muscle differentiating from mesenchyme of the gubernaculum testis. Morphofunctional and molecular peculiarities linked to its unique embryological origin are not yet completely defined. Its role in abnormalities of testicular descent is being investigated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Biopsy samples were obtained from corrective surgery in cases of cryptorchidism, retractile testis, inguinal hernia, or hydrocele. Muscle specimens were processed for morphology, histochemistry, and immunohistology. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The CM differs from the skeletal muscles both for morphological and molecular characteristics. The presence of fascicles with different characterization and its myosinic pattern suggested that the CM could be included in the specialized muscle groups, such as the extrinsic ocular muscles (EOMs) and laryngeal and masticatory muscles. The embryological origin from the nonsomitic mesoderm is, also for the CM, the basis of distinct molecular pathways. In UDT, the histological alterations of CM are suggestive of denervation; the genitofemoral nerve and its molecular messengers directed to this muscle are likely defective. Compared with the other samples, RT has a distinct myosinic pattern; therefore, it has been considered a well-defined entity with respect to the other testicular descent abnormalities.

Total oesophago-gastric dissociation in neurologically impaired children: Laparoscopic vs robotic approach.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the feasibility and short-term results of laparoscopic and robotic total oesophago-gastric dissociation (TOGD) with a Roux-en-Y oesophago-jejunostomy. Minimal invasive surgery has multiple advantages in neurologically impaired patients. Robotic approach has overcome disadvantages linked to laparoscopy, in particular, referring to the surgeon fatigue. METHODS: A retrospective study comparing five laparoscopic and five robotic TOGD was conducted between February and October 2016 in Giannina Gaslini Children's Hospital and Section of Pediatric Surgery of Siena. Neurologically impaired children scheduled for TOGD were included. Age, sex, weight, symptomatology, presence of epilepsy, and preoperative X-ray contrast were considered. Operative time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, redo surgery, nutrition rehabilitation, and X-ray contrast study after 5 days and after 1 month from the intervention were recorded. RESULTS: In our series, there were no intraoperative complications, no conversions to open surgery, and no vagal lesions. In two of five robotic cases, a pyloroplasty was necessary. The median operative time was statistically longer in the robotic group. One dehiscence in the robotic group was recorded, and no dumping episodes occurred. No statistical differences in terms of complications were detected. CONCLUSION: TOGD is feasible both with laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery with similar results. Robotic approach is considered feasible. At the same time, high laparoscopic skills allow to reach the same results as robotic approach with shorter operative time.

Considerations regarding pain management and anesthesiological aspects in pediatric patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery: robotic vs laparoscopic-thoracoscopic approach.

In the last decade, the applicability of robotic surgery has been demonstrated in many interventions, expanding the indications of minimally invasive surgery also to pediatrics. The aim of the study is to evaluate postoperative pain to demonstrate better control following robotic procedures compared to thoraco-laparoscopic surgery. An observational, retrospective, multicentre study was performed involving 204 children undergoing robot-assisted surgery and thoraco/laparoscopic surgery at the Istituto Giannina Gaslini in Genoa and the Siena University Hospital (2013-2017): 83 children underwent robotic-assisted surgery and 121 thoracic-laparoscopic surgery. Personal data and type of intervention were assessed, dividing the patients into four categories: thoracic, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and urological surgeries. We analyzed the anesthetic risk according to ASA classification by type of intervention, the type of anesthesia used, the anesthetic drugs used during surgery and in the postoperative period. Both the problems that occurred during the procedures and the number of interventions converted into open during robotic surgery and laparoscopic thoracic surgery were analyzed. Pain was measured on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day (FLACC or NRS scales). By comparing the two groups (robotics-non-robotics), the analysis shows that postoperative pain does not change with the chosen approach, but always maintains very low values, typical of minimally invasive surgery. The pain score is significantly higher in patients undergoing thoracic surgery, either robotic or thoracoscopic, compared to those undergoing gastrointestinal surgery (P corrected according to Bonferroni: 0.0006) and those undergoing urological intervention (P corrected according to Bonferroni: 0.04). In conclusion, no significant change in the intensity of postoperative pain between the two groups was found, while it is seen that the pain in patients undergoing thoracic interventions (robotic/thoracoscopic) is more intense than that reported for other types of interventions.

Urethral duplication in male epispadias: a very uncommon association.

BACKGROUND: Urethral duplication associated with epispadias is a rare malformation. Few cases are described in Literature. We report the experience of two centers to add to the literature. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in two Italian Centers. All patients with urethral duplication associated with epispadias, treated from 1997 to 2017 were included. The preoperative work-up included renal-urinary ultrasonography and voiding cystourethrogram. All patients underwent surgery according to the Mitchell-Caione technique. Cosmetic result, urinary continence and satisfaction degree of patients at the last follow-up were evaluated as outcomes. Six male patients with urethral duplication in epispadias were included. Two patients presented penile epispadias and four penopubic epispadias. Only one patient had urinary incontinence as presenting symptomatology. The diagnosis of urethral duplication was accidental during preoperative evaluation in the remaining five patients. RESULTS: At last follow-up (mean 8.3 years) all patients but one presented good cosmetic result, one patient presented mild stress urinary incontinence, one presented nocturnal enuresis. The physical genital appearance was improved in all patients. Urethral duplication in association with epispadias is a rare urogenital abnormality. No classification is universally accepted. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience, we believe that the presence of any duplication should be carefully searched during surgery for male epispadias.

Mitochondrial DNA: A Biomarker of Disease Severity in Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

INTRODUCTION: There is a need to develop sensitive markers to diagnose or monitor the severity of intestinal damage in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) is increased in the intestine and blood of adults in response to intestinal ischemia and can trigger secondary organ damage. We hypothesize that mtDNA is increased during experimental NEC and that mtDNA levels are correlated to the degree of intestinal injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NEC was induced in C57BL/6 mice (n = 18) (approval: 44032) by gavage feeding with hyperosmolar formula, hypoxia, and lipopolysaccharide administration from postnatal day (P) 5 to 9. Breastfed pups served as control (n = 15). Blood was collected by cardiac puncture and terminal ileum was harvested on P9. Reverse transcription quatitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mtDNA (markers COX3, CYTB, ND1) and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor-α[TNF-α]) in blood and ileum. Intestinal injury was scored blindly by four investigators and classified as no/minor injury (score 0 or 1) or NEC (score ≥2). RESULTS: mtDNA is significantly increased in gut and blood of NEC mice (p < 0.05). Furthermore, mtDNA increases in intestine and blood proportionally to the degree of intestinal injury as indicated by a positive correlation with histological scoring and inflammation (r = 0.6; p < 0.05) (expression of IL-6 and TNF-α). CONCLUSION: Following NEC intestinal injury, mtDNA is released from the intestine into circulation. The blood level of mtDNA is related to the degree of intestinal injury. mtDNA can be a novel marker of intestinal injury and can be useful for monitoring the progression of NEC.

A rare cause of acute scrotum in a child: torsion of an epididymal cyst. Case report and review of the literature.

Torsion of an epididymal cyst is an extremely rare cause of acute scrotum in children and in young boys. Its reported incidence is 5-20%. The treatment is usually conservative. Many cases (up to 60%) regress spontaneously, especially if below 3 cm. Few cases have been reported in Literature (7 cases/2018). We add our patient as eighth case. He was a 13-year-old boy who was admitted for acute scrotum. Ultrasound excluded torsion of the testis and he was managed for 5 day conservatively. Based on clinical history and physical exam, we decided to perform a prompt surgery that revealed a torsion of epididymal cyst that was confirmed by histological exam.

Efficacy and safety of certolizumab pegol and golimumab in the treatment of non-infectious uveitis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of golimumab (GOL) and certolizumab pegol (CZP) as additional treatment options for the treatment of uveitis. METHODS: Patients with longstanding uveitis receiving either GOL or CZP were retrospectively evaluated in terms of frequency of ocular flares, drug survival, changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and steroid-sparing effect. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (30 eyes), 17 of whom being female, were enrolled in the study; 16 out of 21 patients had been previously treated with other tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockers. A significant reduction in ocular flares (from 128.6 bouts for 100 patients-year to 42.9 events for 100 patients-year) was observed between the 12 months prior to the start of GOL or CZP and the 12 months thereafter (p=0.01). The 36-month drug survival was 54.5% for CZP and 50.0% for GOL with no statistically significant differences between the two biologic agents. No differences were detected concerning BCVA values and the mean corticosteroid intake between baseline and the last follow-up. The safety profile was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: GOL and CZP represent effective and safe treatment choices for patients with uveitis also when unsuccessfully treated with other anti-TNF-α drugs, permitting a significant reduction in the frequency of ocular flares and preserving visual function with a good long-term retention rate.

Low Weight Child: Can It Be Considered a Limit of Robotic Surgery? Experience of Two Centers.

Purpose: Robotic surgery should be considered a technical opportunity for many procedures in pediatric age. The purpose of this study is to verify the correlation between robotic procedures and low weight. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study (2013-2017). We included all patients who underwent robotic assisted surgery for major procedures in two Italian centers for pediatric surgery. All patients were divided into two groups (group A ≤15 kg and group B > 15 kg). Parameters considered were as follows: time to console, average time procedures, time of hospitalization, and minor/major complications. Statistical test used was Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Results: We enrolled 83 patients. Group A: 28 patients, medium weight 11.2 kg (range: 7-15 kg). Group B: 55 patients, average weight 40.8 kg (range: 15.2-120 kg). In relation to the outcomes considered, we found statistical significance in relation to surgical time and time at the console. Conclusions: The retrospective analysis of our case found that body weight cannot be considered an absolute contraindication for the execution of surgical procedures in robotics. The improvement of instruments permits to perform complex surgical procedures in low-weight children without additional difficulties. However, it is important to point out that the youngest child of our case had a weight of 7 kg.

Preputialplasty: can be considered an alternative to circumcision? When, how, why? Experience of Italian centre.

BACKGROUND: Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin cannot be portrayed on the glans. It is a physiological and common condition in the pediatric age. The pathological form derives from an inflammatory or traumatic lesion. Circumcision is the most common surgical treatment of phimosis but it is a controversial practice, especially in occidental world. METHODS: We enrolled 61 patients with pathological phimosis (22/balanoposthitis, 18/painful erection, 21/urinary discomfort) between 2015-2017. RESULTS: All patients underwent preputialplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Various alternatives to circumcision have been described, as manual retraction therapy, topical steroid therapy, and many types of preputialplasty. We report our technique.