Determining the Risk Factors for Anastomotic Stricture Development after Esophageal Atresia Repair: Results from the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Anastomotic stricture (AS) is the second most common complication after esophageal atresia (EA) repair. We aimed to evaluate the data in the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry to determine the risk factors for AS development after EA repair in a large national cohort of patients. METHODS: The data between 2015 and 2021 were evaluated. Patients were enrolled into two groups according to the occurrence of AS. Patients with AS (AS group) and without AS (non-AS group) were compared according to demographic and operative features, postoperative intubation status, and postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leaks, fistula recanalization, and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to define the risk factors for the development of AS after EA repair. RESULTS: Among the 713 cases, 144 patients (20.19%) were enrolled into the AS group and 569 (79.81%) in the non-AS group. The multivariable logistic regression showed that, being a term baby (odds ratio [OR]: 1.706; p = 0.006), having a birth weight over 2,500 g (OR: 1.72; p = 0.006), presence of GER (OR: 5.267; p < 0.001), or having a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF, OR: 4.363; p = 0.006) were the risk factors for the development of AS. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our national registry demonstrate that 20% of EA patients developed AS within their first year of life. In patients with early primary anastomosis, birth weight greater than 2,500 g and presence of GER were risk factors for developing AS. When patients with delayed anastomosis were included, in addition to the previous risk factors, being a term baby, and having recurrent TEF also became risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Approach to concurrent inguinal hernias during laparoscopic appendectomy for early appendicitis.

PURPOSE: Concurrent inguinal hernia can be a challenge for a pediatric surgeon during a laparoscopic appendectomy in children. We aimed to present our approach to inguinal hernias seen during laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: In our pediatric surgery clinic between July 2019 and December 2022, the records of patients aged 0-18 who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy were retrospectively investigated. The clinical findings, surgical procedure, and results of intervened inguinal hernia cases during laparoscopic appendectomy were evaluated. RESULTS: Between the study dates, 293 laparoscopic appendectomies were performed in our clinic. Patent processus vaginalis was observed in 5 (1.7%) cases. Laparoscopic hernia repair was performed with the Burnia technique in 2 girls. In one case, the omentum was herniated and adhered to the hernia sac seen during laparoscopy. In another case, swelling in the groin occurred during the introduction of air into the abdomen at the beginning of the operation. Patent processus vaginalis seen in 3 asymptomatic cases was not intervened. There were no postoperative complications or recurrences in the two patients who underwent hernia repair. CONCLUSION: Hernia repair with the Burnia technique might be safely performed in symptomatic inguinal hernia cases seen during laparoscopic appendectomy for early appendicitis.

Effect of high volume enema in children with abdominal pain: Pediatric emergency department experience.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for admission to the pediatric emergency clinic. The appropriate evaluation of clinical and laboratory clues to make the correct diagnosis is of great importance in terms of directing the treatment medically or surgically and preventing unnecessary investigations. The aim of our study was to evaluate the contribution of high-volume enema application among pediatric patients with abdominal pain in terms of clinical and radiological findings. METHODS: Among the pediatric patients who applied to the pediatric emergency clinic of our hospital between January 2020 and July 2021 with abdominal pain, those who had intense gas stool image on abdominal X-ray and abdominal distension on physical examination and who underwent high-volume enema treatment were included in the study. The physical examination and radiological findings of these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period, 7819 patients were admitted to the pediatric emergency outpatient clinic with abdominal pain. Classic enema was performed in 3817 of these patients who had a dense gaseous stool image and abdominal distention on abdominal X-ray graphy. Defecation occurred in 3498 (91.6%) of 3817 patients who underwent classical enema, and the complaints regressed after enema. High-volume enema was applied to 319 (8.4%) patients who did not find relief with classical enema. Complaints of 278 (87.1%) patients regressed after the high-volume enema. Control ultrasonography (US) was performed in the remaining 41 (12.9%) patients, 14 (34.1%) patients were diagnosed with appendicitis. US results of 27 (65.9%) patients who had repeated US were evaluated as normal. CONCLUSION: High volume enema treatment is an effective and safe method in children with abdominal pain who are unresponsive to classical enema application in the pediatric emergency department.

Is frenuloplasty a risk factor for post-circumcision meatal stenosis?

INTRODUCTION: Meatal stenosis (MS) is a common complication of circumcision. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of frenuloplasty in the development of MS in school-age boys undergoing circumcision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical data of 502 patients who were circumcised surgically in the hospital setting aged ≥6 years between July 2019 and July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the appearance of the frenular region. The patients whose integrity of the frenular region was protected during circumcision were classified as Group 1 (n = 262), and the patients whose frenulum was absent for some reason were classified as Group 2 (n = 240). Both groups were evaluated based on the development of complications following frenuloplasty after circumcision. RESULTS: The median age was 11 (range: 6 to 17) years. The median circumcision age was seven (range: 6 to 12) years, and the median time since circumcision was four (range: 1 to 11) years. The main complaints of the patients were gastrointestinal (n = 254, 51%), respiratory (n = 148, 29%), and urinary system-related pathologies (n = 100, 20%). Meatal stenosis was the most common complication of circumcision with an overall incidence of 4%, which was significantly higher in Group 2 (7% vs. 2%, respectively; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that MS is a common complication of circumcision. Performing frenuloplasty during circumcision might increase the risk of developing MS in school-age boys.

The feasibility of routine use of distal stoma refeeding method in newborns with enterostomy.

Objective: Temporary enterostomies are life-saving in neonatal surgery, however, causing loss of fluid electrolyte, delays in distal bowel adaptation and thus delayed growth of newborns. In this study, we aimed to present the method and clinical results of distal stoma refeeding in premature and mature neonates.Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2017, records of newborn patients who underwent enterostomy and distal stoma refeeding were retrospectively analyzed. Premature and full term neonates who had distal stoma refeeding were evaluated by stoma indications, resection status, duration of total parenteral nutrition use, time of stoma closure operation and surgery findings.Results: Distal stoma refeeding was performed to 23 newborns in study period. Surgical diagnosis of newborns were meconium ileus, focal intestinal perforation, volvulus, necrotizing enterocolitis, ileal atresia, jejunal atresia, and gastroschisis. The bowel resection was performed in 14 patients. Stoma closure was done on the average day 77th. Total parenteral nutrition was given average 28 d and no total parenteral nutrition complication was seen. The stoma closure operations were performed easily.Conclusions: Distal stoma refeeding is safe and successful method. The success of distal stoma refeeding depends on expert team, time, and equipment.

Management of the patients with persistent Müllerian duct syndrome: Is the ultimate goal testicular descent?

OBJECTIVE: Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a rare congenital disease characterized by the presence of rudimentary Müllerian structures within an intra-abdominal or hernial sac in a virilized male, often presenting as undescended testes. In this study, we aim to present a series of the PMDS patients who were managed by orchiopexy without removal of Müllerian remnants (MR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 2010 and June 2017, we treated six cases diagnosed as PMDS in our department. Laparoscopy and gonadal biopsy were performed in all patients, and vessel ligation was done in four patients for the first session of Stephen-Fowler orchiopexy. After initial diagnosis, genetic analyses and endocrine investigations were performed. Demographic and clinical features of the patients, operative methods and follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 5.5 years. Three boys had undergone inguinal surgery due to hernia or undescended testis, while others were diagnosed during laparoscopic investigation of nonpalpable testis. As a definitive operation, testes and MR were completely removed in an adult patient, and the remaining patients were treated with laparoscopic or open orchiopexy with or without utero-cervical splitting and the MRs were left in situ. Two testes atrophied during follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The goal of the approach in PMDS patients is to preserve testes, as well as carry them to their natural location. Leaving the MR in place is a suitable option for blood circulation of the testes but the long-term results are still unknown.

A New Method for Laparoscopic Stamm Gastrostomy.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Many methods of laparoscopic gastrostomy have been described, but in the majority of these, purse-string sutures and fixation of the stomach to the abdominal wall are not performed simultaneously. In this study, we aim to present a new laparoscopic gastrostomy tube (GT) placement method developed in accordance with the classical Stamm method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intracorporeal purse-string suture is placed at the anterior wall of the stomach where the GT is intended to be placed. While purse-string sutures are being placed, in each bite, the needle is passed through from a loop thread prepared by extracorporeal and the two threads are suspended outside. The stomach is punctured with the hook cautery, the GT is inserted, and both threads are knotted outside the abdomen. RESULTS: We prospectively placed GT by using our method in 16 patients with an average age of 5 years and most of them with neurological developmental delay. Fundoplication was performed in most of the cases in the same session. No complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Our method is a feasible approach for GT placement by the purse-string suturing and the fixation of the stomach to the abdominal wall without extending the port incision.

Fear of Circumcision in Boys Considerably Vanishes within Ten Days of Procedure.

PURPOSE: To compare fear of circumcision, before, immediately after, and ten days after the operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a case-control study in which participants in the operation group consisted of children admitted for circumcision at the outpatient clinics of a hospital. The Children's Fear Scale and the Venham Picture Test were administered by face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 100 boys who were circumcised and 99 who have not been circumcised yet. Children's Fear Scale scores measured before (P = .000) and immediately after the operation (P = .000) were significantly different from scores obtained on the 10th day after the operation. Total fear scores of the Venham Picture Test of boys whose families were in the higher economic level were higher than those of boys from low-income families (P < .05). The primary reason for admission for circumcision was religious, and the reason for the remaining boys was a combination of religious and hygienic factors. The boys who came to have circumcision solely because of religious reasons were found to be less fearful compared with the boys who were brought to surgery for both religious and medical reasons (P < .05). The lowest fear scores were obtained for boys who were six years of age or older. Boys who knew what the circumcision meant were less afraid of circumcision compared with those who were unaware of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Fear from circumcision does not persist; it considerably vanishes within ten days. It seems reasonable to recommend circumcision for boys six years of age or older. Pre-operative education may help boys to overcome fear originated from circumcision.

Meckel's diverticulum: Ten years' experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the demographics and characteristics of children with Meckel's diverticulum (MD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the medical records of all children who were treated for MD in the department of pediatric surgery of Tepecik Training and Research Hospital over a period of 10 years (1995-2004). Age, gender, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and histopathological reports were documented. RESULTS: In total, 57 children were diagnosed with MD. Of these, 40 children were treated surgically. Furthermore, 26 had acute abdomen, 15 had intestinal obstruction, 10 had rectal bleeding, and 6 had some other diagnosis. The mean age of the boys (n=43) was 4.77±3.82 years, whereas that of the girls (n=14) was 3.85±3.67 years. Histopathological examination revealed ectopic mucosa in 9 patients, omphalomesenteric duct remnants in 4 patients, diverticulitis in 24 patients, and ulcerations in 14 patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MD was 1.6%. Boys were approximately 3 times more commonly affected than girls. In most cases, the initial diagnosis was acute abdomen and the presenting symptoms on admission were intestinal obstruction and rectal bleeding.