Issues in the management of simple and complex meconium ileus.

INTRODUCTION: Various surgical methods are used to treat meconium ileus (MI), including resection with enterostomy (RES), primary anastomosis (RPA), and purse-string enterotomy with intra-operative lavage (PSI). The aim of this study is to discuss the surgical treatment of MI, based on our experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the 41 MI patients treated at our institution between 1984 and 2007, 18 had simple MI and 23 had complex MI. These groups were analyzed according to treatment modality, concentrating on length of hospital stay, complications [peritonitis, septicemia, adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO), and malabsorption/diarrhea], need for additional surgical procedures, mortality. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients with simple MI, 7 (39%) were successfully treated with diluted Gastrografin® enema. The remaining 11 patients were treated surgically: two underwent RPA, of whom one died; five had RES, of whom one developed ASBO; four underwent PSI, of whom two developed peritonitis. In the complex MI group, 14 patients underwent RPA, with peritonitis occurring in three (one died); nine underwent RES, of whom two developed ASBO. CONCLUSION: In patients with simple MI, conservative treatment with diluted Gastrografin® enema is an effective initial treatment in our hands. In case of failure, RES is advisable. Patients with complex MI are candidates for RES. RPA and PSI seem to have higher complication rates.

Bryant traction in paediatric femoral shaft fractures, home traction versus hospitalisation.

AIM: To evaluate Bryant traction at home in terms of feasibility, morbidity, effect on length of hospital stay, outcome and costs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 54 children treated for femoral shaft fracture (1991-2004). Results of 'home traction' (A, n=38) and 'hospital traction' (B, n=16) were compared. Data were collected regarding demographics, length of hospital stay, traction period, various aspects of the fractures, co-morbidity, morbidity, and follow-up. The parents' experience was evaluated by telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Two early treatment failures occurred. One patient stopped home traction at 8 days due to skin problems and had a spica cast applied at another hospital, with subsequent development of a compartment syndrome. The other patient was placed in a hip spica after 2 weeks of hospital traction because of difficulty in getting satisfactory X-rays. At follow-up, one unacceptable shortening of 3 cm had occurred in the home traction group. There was only a significant difference in hospital stay (A 7.0 days versus B 22.5 days), total traction period (A 28.0 days versus B 22.5 days) and costs (group B 3x versus group A). The parents were overall pleased with traction at home. Complications occurred as much in the home traction group as in the control group and fracture position at union was equal in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with home traction is feasible, simple and effective; it reduces hospital stay to 1 week, and costs to one-third. Good patient selection and instructions of the parents are mandatory.

Long-term outcome of elastic stable intramedullary fixation (ESIF) of femoral fractures in children.

In 1993 a prospective data collection of all femoral fracture in children below 16 years of age was initiated in 4 hospitals in the Netherlands. Follow-up was at least two years, with the aim to evaluate leg length discrepancies (LLD). Over a period of 10 years, we included 136 patients < 16 years of age with femoral fractures. Seventy-one patients who were treated with an ESIF-(Elastic Stable Intramedullary Fixation) nail were studied: 44 boys and 27 girls, between the ages of 3-16 years, 23 of which had multiple injuries. Five patients had a Ist or IInd degree open fracture. The average length of stay (LOS) of children with an isolated fracture, was 10 days, and in case of multiple injuries: 12 days. Intra-operative complications were: a broken drill in 2 and an open reduction in 6 cases. Two patients with superficial wound infection were successfully treated with antibiotics. Seven patients had knee complaints of the nails, of which 3 had actually been displaced. Three other patients showed displacement of the nails at X-ray, but had no complaints. At six months follow-up, at the time of removal of the nails, 10 patients had a leg length discrepancy (LLD) exceeding 10 mm. Three children had a clinically significant rotational deformity at this time. Two and a half years after injury 6 patients showed a persistent LLD of more than 10 mm. In all 6 the fractured limb was longer. At ten years of follow-up the LLD persisted in 5 patients. One patient had a persistent clinically significant rotational deformity of more than 10 degrees . The advantages of ESIF-nails are: reduction of hospital stay and rapid mobilisation. The disadvantages: two operations (for insertion and removal) with a risk of complication. Long-term follow-up, preferably till growth stops, is necessary to conclude whether persistent lengthening of the fractured limb remains a problem.

[The wet umbilicus: maybe not an umbilical granuloma?]. / De nattende navel: misschien geen navelgranuloom?

Three infants, 1 girl aged 10 months and 2 boys aged 2 and 4 months, presented with a discharging umbilicus directly or shortly after birth. Echography and cystography showed three different causes: a cystic remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct, a persistent urachus and a persistent omphalomesenteric duct. All were successfully managed surgically. The most common cause of a discharging umbilicus is an umbilical granuloma. This is usually treated by application of silver nitrate. In some patients, however, the discharge may not disappear or may contain urine or faecal material. These cases should be referred and echography performed. In case of an anomaly of the urachus or the omphalomesenteric duct, surgical exploration is mandatory. The lesion should be excised en bloc, together with a part of the bladder or the bowel.