Laparoscopy in the Evaluation of Impalpable Testes and Its Short-term Outcomes: A 7 Years' Experience.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to report and analyze results of laparoscopy in impalpable testes performed between 2009 and 2016 and its short-term outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demographic data, laterality, laparoscopic findings, operative time, procedure, hospital stay, complications, and follow-up data of 76 patients with 79 impalpable testes from 2009 to 2016 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Successful outcome was defined as maintenance of intrascrotal position with no atrophy at a follow-up of at least 6 months. RESULTS: Impalpable testes constituted 24% of undescended testes in our series. Mean age was 3.9 years. Forty-two patients had left-sided, 31 right-sided, and three bilateral impalpable testes. Of the 79 clinically impalpable testes, on laparoscopy, 3 were vanishing testes, 52 were intra-abdominal (6 high-lying and 46 low-lying), 18 canalicular and 6 nubbin testes. Ultimately, 52 underwent laparoscopic orchiopexy: 46 single-staged orchiopexy and 6 two-staged Fowler-Stephens procedure. Mean operating time was 77 min. Complications were few and mostly minor. Eleven patients were lost in follow-up. On a mean follow-up of 23 months, one testis that underwent single-staged laparoscopic orchiopexy atrophied whereas good size and intrascrotal position were maintained in the rest. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy in impalpable testes was safe, feasible, and effective. Overall outcome was good which was obtained by minimal use of electrocautery, dissection with wide strip of peritoneum and extensive retroperitoneal dissection for mobilization. There is a need for wide reporting of cases from high-volume pediatric surgery centers in India.

Uncommon renal tumors in children: A single center experience.

AIMS: Scrutiny over the clinical behaviors, management, and the final outcome of some rare renal neoplasm in order to find out some hidden facts about these tumors which are playing an important role in the disease course and its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of uncommon (non-Wilms') renal neoplasm in the pediatric population in a tertiary care center. Fifteen cases of uncommon renal tumors were treated in our institution over the last 5 years (January 2008 to December 2012). The cases were tabulated in the form of age, sex, mode of presentation, preoperative investigations, intraoperative grading, pathological type, postoperative management and the final outcome. The patients were followed up for 2 years (clinically every 3 months and ultrasonography abdomen in every 6 months for first 2 years) in order to see any evidence of recurrence and complications related to postoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: Out of 15 cases, four cases were clear cell sarcoma (CCS) (26.6%), three cases were rhabdoid tumor (20%), three cases were congenital mesoblastic nephroma (20%), two cases were multilocular cystic nephroma (13.3%), two cases were renal teratoma (13.3%), and one case of teratoid Wilms' tumor (6.6%). There were two deaths (one CCS and one rhabdoid tumor) due to chemotherapy-related toxicity but no recurrence. Three patients were lost during postoperative follow-up; ten patients are doing well and getting a regular visit in the follow-up clinic. CONCLUSION: The clinical presentations of these uncommon renal tumors are similar to that of Wilms' tumor. Thus, preoperative diagnosis is difficult even with modern imaging techniques. Some of these tumors (CCS, rhabdoid tumor) are rapidly progressing and have a poor outcome. Hence, early intervention in the form of complete surgical resection of the tumor (whenever possible) and postoperative chemo/radiotherapy are imperative for fruitful outcome.

Intragastric pressure: Useful indicator in the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

AIMS: To assess the role of measuring of intragastric pressure (IGP) during closure of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two cases were included in the study (August 2008 to February 2014), and IGP has been measured intraoperatively during closure. RESULT: Patients were categorized in group A (15 patients), group B (14 patients) and group C (3 patients). In group C, IGP was more than 30 cm of water pressure and all of tehm required creation of ventral hernia and ventilator support. CONCLUSION: Measurement of IGP as an objective, noninvasive and simple method to evaluate intra-abdominal pressure and prevention of abdominal compartment syndrome and intraoperative IGP value determines the types of abdominal closure.

Colonic atresia associated with annular pancreas: An extremely rare and previously unreported association.

Colonic atresia is the rarest entity among the all intestinal atresias and may be associated with anterior abdominal wall defect, small intestinal atresia, Hirschsprung's disease, and other anomalies. Here, we are reporting a case of colonic atresia associated with annular pancreas, which has not been reported previously to the best of our knowledge.

Alterations in Serum Zinc and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentrations in Treatment-Naive HIV-Diagnosed Alcohol-Dependent Subjects with Liver Injury.

Heavy alcohol drinking causes alterations in the metabolism of fatty acids and zinc that participate in inflammation and liver injury. HIV infection has been reported to cause dysregulated polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and zinc metabolism. In this pilot study, we examined the role of dysregulated PUFA metabolism and zinc deficiency in the liver injury occurring in heavy drinkers with early-stage HIV diagnosis. Fourteen heavy drinking alcohol-dependent (AD) patients [seven with treatment-naive HIV diagnosis (AD+HIV) and seven without HIV infection (AD)] participated in this study. Liver injury, serum zinc, PUFAs, viral load, CD4+ count, and drinking measures using lifetime drinking history (LTDH), and timeline follow-back past 90 days (TLFB90) were evaluated. Liver injury was also assessed in seven age- and gender-matched socially drinking HIV treatment-naive patients who served as disease controls. HIV viral load by itself did not show any correlation with liver injury. Liver enzymes were significantly elevated in both AD+HIV and AD patients, and AD+HIV patients had significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels than did AD patients, even with lower drinking. Serum zinc was significantly lower in AD+HIV patients. Only AD+HIV patients showed a significant elevation in linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) levels. Serum zinc and ALT, LA and ALT, and ALA and ALT were significantly associated only in AD+HIV patients. The association between LA and ALT showed a higher effect than did the ALA and ALT association in the AD+HIV patients. Interestingly, AD+HIV subjects (who drank less), nevertheless, showed more liver injury compared with AD patients, who reported heavier drinking. We speculate that the underlying proinflammatory response resulting from zinc deficiency and an elevation in serum LA likely contributed to liver injury in AD+HIV patients, even with a comparatively lower degree of heavy drinking.

Delayed primary end-to-end anastomosis for traumatic long segment urethral stricture and its short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND:: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the aetiology of posterior urethral stricture in children and analysis of results after delayed primary repair with extensive distal urethral mobilisation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study carried out in a tertiary care centre from January 2009 to December 2013. RESULTS:: Eight children with median age 7.5 years (range 4-11 years), underwent delayed anastomotic urethroplasty: Six through perineal and two through combined perineal and transpubic approach. All the eight children had long-segment >2 cm stricture: Three posterior and five anterior urethral stricture. On a mean follow-up period of 33 months (range 24-48 m), all were passing urine with good flow and stream. CONCLUSION:: End-to-end anastomosis in post-traumatic long segment posterior urethral stricture between prostatic and penile urethra in children is possible by perineal or combined perineal and transpubic approach with good results without any urethral replacement.

Congenital cystic lesions of lung in the paediatric population: A 5-year single institutional study with review of literature.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the clinical presentation, investigation modalities, operative management, pathology, outcome (morbidity and mortality) and short term follow-up of congenital cystic lesions of the lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study. Study period was 5 years (December 2008-November 2013) in the Department of paediatric surgery, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College. STUDY POPULATION: Total number = 10 patients. Age range: 2 days-7 years. (Neonate-4). Male and female ratio = 1:1. RESULT: Among 10 cases of lung cyst four having congenital lobar emphysema, four having congenital pulmonary airway malformation, one sequestration and one teratoma. All patients have undergone surgical excision in terms of lobectomy or excision of the lesion. Post-operative histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. Recovery was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Although our experience is limited, operative management of lung cysts seems to be safe with rewarding results. However we are yet to encounter many of the other varieties of the cysts found in the lung, which may be associated with other congenital anomalies and have an impact on prognosis.