[Laparoscopy for ovarian tumors in children]. / La laparoscopia en el manejo de los tumores ováiricos en la infancia.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic techniques play a major role in pediatric surgery. We reported our experience in the laparoscopic management of ovarian tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 22 patients with ovarian tumor were treated with laparoscopy in our hospital from 1998 to 2005. The following features have been taken into account: surgical techniques in the dissection and extraction of the tumors, time of surgery, hospital stay, complications and time of follow- up. RESULTS: 21 benign teratomas and one osteosarcoma metastasis were observed in this group of 22 patients. The average of age at diagnosis was 9.5 years (range 1.5-17 years) The chief symptom was acute abdominal pain in 47.3% of cases, in 10.5% was chronic pain and in 42.2% of patients was an incidental finding. In 8 girls (36.4%) were performed adnexectomy, in 11 (50%) ooforectomy and in three cases (13.6%) the cyst was enucleated with preservation on the ovary. In one patient a haemorrhage cyst was found and it was treated in the same time and in four patients an inguinal hernia as seen in the laparoscopic surgery and they were repaired subsequently. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic management of ovarian tumor is safe and effective. It allows the surgeon to dissect the tumor, to determine respectability in ovarian cancer and taking biopsy under direct vision. This approach lets to diagnose other lesions that can be repaired in the same procedure or subsequently.

[Pleural empyema. Thoracoscoopic treatment]. / Empiema pleural. Tratamiento toracoscópico.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of primary and secondary thoracoscopy in children with parapneumonic empyema. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a retrospective study of 24 children entered our hospital between years 1998 and 2003. RESULTS: Early thoracoscopy doesn't influence in length of stay. 12 children (50%) were treated with previous chest tube and other 12 children (50%) without it. There is statistical significance in length of hospital stay. The days with postoperative fever didn't decrease, but it was seen if we compare it from the beginning of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: An early thoracoscopy decrease length of hospital stay and the duration of fever postoperative.