Laparoscopy or retroperitoneoscopy for pediatric patients with adrenal masses?

Minimally invasive approach to the adrenal gland was first reported in 1992. Since then, the experience with the laparoscopic technique for adrenal disease in children has been limited. We report our experience with minimally invasive adrenal surgery in children. Two young girls (2 and 4 years old) with a left adrenal mass were operated using minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in our Unit. Ultrasonography and MRI showed in the oldest a 2 x 3 cm adrenal mass, while in the youngest a 5.5 x 5 cm adrenal tumor was found. According to the pre-existing literature, we approached the smallest lesion via retroperitoneoscopy, and the largest one laparoscopically. The operating time was 110 minutes for retroperitoneoscopy and 75 minutes for laparoscopy. No major intra or postoperative complications occurred. There were no conversions to open surgery. Postoperative hospital stay was 5 days for both patients. In both cases, the anatomo-pathological result was an adenoma. Minimally invasive adrenalectomy is a safe and feasible procedure in children with good results. For lesions smaller than 3-4 cm retroperitonescopy is feasible, while for tumors larger than 5 cm, due to malignancy risk, the laparoscopic approach is indicated. To keep oncologic criteria it is important to avoid tumor rupture and to extract the specimen in an endobag.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in premature babies weighing 3 kg or less.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety and complication rate of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair for small babies weighing 3 kg or less. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the surgical charts of 67 infants (47 boys and 20 girls) weighing 3 kg or less who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair in a 3-year period. A regular 5-mm scope was used for visualization, and 2 or 3-mm instruments were used for the closure of the inner inguinal ring using 3/0 non-absorbable suture. The median weight at surgery was 2,600 g (range 1,450-3,000 g). All except three were premature. RESULTS: Of the 67 infants, 15 (22.3 %) presented with an irreducible hernia. In three cases of irreducible hernias, we also performed a transumbilical appendectomy at the end of the hernia repair. Minor problems related with anesthesia were noted in four cases. Hernia recurrence was observed in three patients (4.4 %). No cases of testicular atrophy occurred. In 10 boys, we observed 12 cases of high testes, only 4 testes requiring subsequent orchiopexy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair for babies weighing 3 kg or less is feasible, safe and perhaps even less technically demanding than open inguinal herniotomy.

Blue rubber bleb nevus: an uncommon cause of intestinal intussusception.

UNLABELLED: The blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome or Bean syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by cutaneous and gastrointestinal vascular malformations. A 5-year-old girl with Bean syndrome hospitalized in a pediatric unit came under our observation with abdominal pain and vomiting. An X-ray of the abdomen showed an intestinal occlusion and an ultrasonography showed a suspected intestinal invagination. She underwent emergency laparoscopic surgery using three trocars. Laparoscopy revealed a huge ascitis and multiple vascular lesions located on the loops and on the parietal peritoneum, and we identified also an ileo-ileal invagination. We performed a laparoscopic disinvagination that showed one huge vascular lesion producing the invagination and causing a stenosis of intestinal lumen. We performed an intestinal resection after exteriorizing the loops through the umbilicus as well as a termino-terminal ileal anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our case shows that an intestinal invagination due to Bean syndrome is extremely rare in pediatric patients but possible. In the emergency, laparoscopy seems to be a safe and effective procedure to confirm the diagnosis and to perform the disinvagination mini-invasivally. In addition, laparoscopy permits to have a clear picture of other intra-abdominal lesions linked to Bean syndrome.

Unilateral inguinal hernia: laparoscopic or inguinal approach. Decision making strategy: a prospective study.

The management of the contralateral region in a child with a known unilateral inguinal hernia is a debated issue among paediatric surgeons. The available literature indicates that the perspective of the child's parents is seldom. This study was performed to evaluate parents' views on this topic. After the Ethical Committee's approval, 100 consecutive patients under 12 years of age with a unilateral inguinal hernia were studied prospectively from March 2010 to September 2010. After an oral interview, a study form was given to the parents about the nature of an inguinal hernia, the incidence of 20 to 90% of a contralateral patency of the peritoneal-vaginal duct and the possible surgical options (inguinal repair or laparoscopic repair). The parents' decision and surgical results were analyzed. Eighty-nine parents chose laparoscopic approach, and 11 parents preferred inguinal exploration. Regarding their motives, all 89 parents requesting laparoscopic approach indicated that the convenience and risk to have a second anaesthesia was the primary reason of their decision. The 11 parents who preferred inguinal approach indicated that the fear of a new surgical technology was their primary reason. Conclusion There is no consensus about the management of paediatric patients with a unilateral inguinal hernia. We believe that a correct decision-making strategy for parents' choice is to propose them the both procedures. Our study shows that parents prefer laparoscopic inspection and repair in the vast majority of cases.

Meckel's diverticulum causing severe hemorrhage.

Meckel's diverticulum has varied presentations in children and often becomes a diagnostic challenge. The authors present a 10-year-old boy with abdominal pain and one episode of melena. His symptoms were undervalued during two previous hospitalizations in pediatric units until his hemoglobin level dropped from 8.2 to 3.5 g/dL. The laparoscopic intervention performed in emergency identified a bleeding Meckel's diverticulum that was resected after being exteriorized from the umbilicus. Our observation shows that severe hemorrhage due to a Meckel's diverticulum is possible albeit exceptional.