The Utility of Prophylactic Antibiotics for Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP) for the treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a clean case with low expected rates of postoperative surgical site infection (SSI). Previous studies have shown a low risk of SSI following LP but also large variations in the utilization of prophylactic antibiotics. The goal of this study was to review the use of preoperative antibiotics for LP and to compare this with SSI incidence. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of patients undergoing LP for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis at a large quaternary children's hospital from January 2017 to June 2020. Subjects were <4 mo old. Exclusion criteria were those lost to follow-up within 30 d postoperatively and those who required open conversion intraoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test, two-tailed independent t-tests, and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Two-hundred twenty-seven patients were included, mean population age was 5.7 wk, and 81.1% were male. Preoperative antibiotics were administered in 39% of patients. Only 1.3% (n = 3) of all patients developed an SSI within 30 d of their operation. Analysis between patients who received preoperative antibiotics and those who did not revealed no difference in age (5.72 wk versus 5.72 wk, t (225) = 0.38, P = 0.70), sex (41% of males versus 32% of females, P = 0.39), length of stay (t(225) = -0.94, P = 0.35), or postoperative SSI (1.1% versus 1.4%, P > 0.999). Large variability was noted in antibiotic utilization by surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing LP, there was no difference in SSI rates whether or not patients received preoperative antibiotics and, there is large variation in utilization. Measures are needed to decrease usage of prophylactic antibiotics before LP.

Common error traps in anesthesia for neonatal surgical emergencies.

Neonatal surgical emergencies are challenging, often high-risk procedures for the pediatric anesthesiologist. Though each emergency presents different anesthetic challenges, several error traps exist that are common to all procedures in this patient population. These error traps include errors in surgical timing, airway management, maintenance of normothermia and normoglycemia, and recognition of pharmacologic and physiologic differences. In this narrative review, we will discuss each error trap to aid the clinician in recognizing, planning for, and mitigating adverse events.

The impact of high-frequency transducers on the sonographic measurements of the pyloric muscle thickness in infants.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is the modality of choice for the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). The evolution of high-frequency transducers in ultrasound has led to inconsistent ways of measuring the pylorus. OBJECTIVE: To standardize the measurements and evaluate the appearance of the normal and hypertrophied pylorus with high-frequency transducers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed abdominal ultrasounds of infants with suspected HPS from January 2019-December 2020. We classified the layers of the pylorus while assessing the stratified appearance. Two pediatric radiologists measured the muscle thickness of the pylorus independently by two methods for interrater agreement. Measurement (a) includes the muscularis propria and muscularis mucosa. Measurement (b) includes only the muscularis propria. We also evaluated the echogenicity of the muscularis propria. The interrater agreement, mean, range of the muscle thickness, and the diagnostic accuracy of the two sets of measurements were calculated. RESULTS: We included 300 infants (114 F:186 M), 59 with HPS and 241 normal cases. There was a strong agreement between the readers assessed in the first 100 cases, and ICC was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-0.99). Measurement (a), median thickness is 2.4 mm in normal cases and 4.8 mm in HPS. Measurement (b), median thickness is 1.4 mm in normal cases and 4.0 mm in HPS. Measurement (a) has an accuracy of 89.7% (95% CI, 85.7-92.8%) with 98.3% sensitivity and 87.6% specificity. Measurement (b) has an accuracy of 98.0% (95% CI, 95.7-99.3%) with 89.8% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity. The pylorus stratification is preserved in all normal cases and 31/59 (52.5%) cases of HPS. There was complete/partial loss of stratification in 28/59 (47.5%) cases of HPS. In all HPS cases, the muscularis propria was echogenic. CONCLUSION: Measuring the muscularis propria solely has a better diagnostic accuracy, decreasing the overlap of negative and positive cases. The loss of pyloric wall stratification and echogenic muscularis propria is only seen in HPS.

Treatment outcome and associated factors of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis at eastern Ethiopia public hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a condition whose etiology is not clear, but it is characterized by progressive hypertrophy of the circular muscles of the pylorus with consequent obstruction of the gastric outflow, mostly in neonates and infants under the age of one year. OBJECTIVES: To assess the treatment outcome and associated factors of infantile pyloric sphincter stenosis among paediatric patients admitted to HFCSUH and JUSHYRH. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective patient record review with 78 participants was studied consecutively using a structured questionnaire. The data was processed and analyzed using Epi Info 7 and SPSS version 24. Descriptive analysis was done, and then associated factors to the outcome were assessed using logistic regression analysis. The association's significance was determined using an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and a P-value less than 0.05. The study period was from November 1st to 30th, 2022. RESULTS: The magnitude of unfavorable IHPS was 17.1% with a 95% confidence interval of 16.7-23.9%. Hypokalemia (AOR = 2.3, CI = 3.015-19.54), severe dehydration (AOR = 30.9, CI = 2.89-31.75), and delayed presentation (AOR = 7.37, CI = 2.761-12.08) were independent predictors. CONCLUSIONS: The study found a highly unfavorable treatment outcome with delayed presentation; dehydration and electrolyte disturbance were the main predictors of poor outcome. It is recommended to increase community awareness about non-bilious vomiting in infants and ensure high suspicion among healthcare providers. Moreover, following guidelines to correct fluid and electrolyte disturbances and managing these patients in the pediatric ICU postoperatively.

Disparities in insurance status negatively affect patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

PURPOSE: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is suspected to have worse outcomes when length of illness prior to presentation is prolonged. Our objective was to evaluate how social determinants of health influence medical care and outcomes for babies with IHPS. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed over 10 years. Census data were used as proxy for socioeconomic status via Geo-Identification codes and correlated with food access and social vulnerability variables. The cohort was subdivided to understand the impact of Medicaid Managed Care (MMC). RESULTS: The cohort (279 cases) was divided into two groups; early group from 2011 to 2015 and late from 2016 to 2021. Cases in the late group were older at the time of presentation (41.5 vs. 36.5 days; p = 0.022) and presented later in the disease course (12.8 vs. 8.9 days; p = 0.021). There was no difference in race (p = 0.282), gender (p = 0.874), or length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who presented with IHPS after implementation of phased MMC were older, had a longer symptomatic course, and shorter pylorus measurements. Patients with public insurance after the implementation of MMC were more likely to follow-up with an outpatient pediatrician within a month of hospitalization. These results suggest that MMC may have improved access to care for infants with IHPS.

Utility of preoperative prophylactic antibiotics for preventing surgical site infections in children with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the utility of prophylactic antibiotics before pyloromyotomy for the prevention of Surgical Site Infections (SSI) among children with Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (IHPS). METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases was performed to identify papers published till 30th July 2024. The main outcome of interest was the incidence of SSIs. The relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using a random effects model. The I2 statistic was used to calculate the heterogeneity. The Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale (NOS) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Five studies, published between 1999 and 2024, were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The risk of developing SSI among those treated was RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.78, with I2 = 0%, indicating no incremental benefit of administration of prophylactic antibiotics. A sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding the database studies. Results from this analysis (RR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.29 to 2.20, I2 = 0%) demonstrated that no significant difference was observed after excluding studies with large sample sizes. All included studies were of good methodological quality as assessed with the NOS. CONCLUSION: The findings of this review demonstrate no incremental benefit of the administration of prophylactic antibiotics before pyloromyotomy in preventing SSIs in children with IHPS. However, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials need to be conducted in the future before any definite conclusions are drawn in this regard.

Comparison between umbilical and right upper transverse abdominal incisions for pyloromyotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the operative parameters and complication rates between the umbilical (UMB) and right upper quadrant (RUQ) skin incisions for Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy for the treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus databases were systematically searched. The studies where any one of the main outcomes of interest, i.e., operative time, wound infection rate, mucosal perforation rate were reported were eligible for inclusion. The statistical analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Fifteen studies comprising 2964 infants were included. As compared to the UMB group, the RUQ group showed a significantly lower mean operative time (p = 0.0004), wound infection rate (p < 0.0001) and mucosal perforation rate (p = 0.02). Although UMB incision produces an almost undetectable scar, this approach results in significantly more complications. Therefore, the risks and benefits must be weighed and discussed with the caregivers in deciding the surgical approach in patients with IHPS. However, due to a poor methodological quality of nine out of fifteen studies, further studies need to be conducted for an optimal comparison between the two groups.

Effectiveness of two-dimensional shear-wave sonoelastography in the diagnosis and follow-up of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine the effectiveness and utility of two-dimensional shear-wave sonoelastography (2D-SW-SE) in the diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three infants were included in the study, 13 in the IHPS group and 10 in the control group (CG). Preoperative B-mode ultrasonography measurements (longitudinal length and single-wall thickness of the pylorus) and 2D-SW-SE measurements (pylorus tissue stiffness and shear-wave propagation speed) were compared between the groups. The infants with IHPS then underwent Ramstedt pyloromyotomy and were invited for follow-ups on the tenth day and the first, third, and sixth months postoperatively. Measurements taken at the follow-ups were compared with the preoperative values. RESULTS: No differences were found between the groups regarding age, gender, body weight, or week of birth. The pyloric lengths in the IHPS group were longer than in the CG (p < 0.001), and the single-wall thicknesses were thicker (p < 0.001). The pylorus in the IHPS group was four times stiffer than in the CG (27.4 kPa versus 7.66 kPa), and the shear-wave propagation speed in the tissue was higher (1.34 m/s versus 2.69 m/s; p < 0.001). Both values decreased over time in the IHPS group and were normal by the third postoperative month. CONCLUSIONS: 2D-SW-SE can be used as an assistive imaging tool alongside B-mode ultrasound for diagnosing IHPS. It can also be used to identify inadequate surgery by detecting whether the pyloric tissue has softened at follow-up.

Unusual late-onset hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in an adolescent girl with down syndrome: Case report and review of the literature.

A 16-year-old girl with down syndrome came to our attention for recurrent postprandial vomiting and significant weight loss (>5 kgs). Diagnostic assessment (barium swallow study, ultrasonography, and CT) confirmed hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). Initial attempt with endoscopic dilation was not successful. The patient underwent Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty. Full oral feeding was achieved by Day 7 postoperatively. At 6-month follow-up, the patient reported relief of symptoms, normal feeding habits and substantial weight gain. HPS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent vomiting, regardless of age. A comprehensive diagnostic work-up, including ultrasonography, endoscopy, and CT, is recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

A Contemporary Review of Surgical Approach and Outcomes in Pediatric Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: In order to define optimal resources and outcome standards for infant pyloromyotomy, we sought to perform a contemporary analysis of surgical approach (laparoscopic versus open) and outcomes. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Pediatrics Participant Use File (NSQIP PUF) was queried from 2016 to 2020. Utilization of laparoscopy was trended over time. Complication rates and length of stay were compared by operative approach. RESULTS: 9752 pyloromyotomies were included in the analysis. The utilization of laparoscopy steadily increased over the study time period (66% to 79%) and was associated with a shorter operative time. On multivariate regression, the utilization of laparoscopy was associated with a lower risk of overall complications, length of stay, and superficial surgical site infections. Overall complication rates were lower than previously reported (2.02%). The most common complication was superficial infection (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In facilities reporting to pediatric National Quality Improvement Project, utilization of laparoscopy has steadily increased, and complication rates are lower than previously reported. Complication rates and length of stay were lower with the laparoscopic approach in this contemporary cohort. These results offer benchmarks for quality improvement initiatives. The laparoscopic approach should be standard in facilities performing this procedure.

Single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for pediatric hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic pyloromyotomy in pediatrics, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A literature search was conducted to identify studies that compared single-incision laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (SILP) and conventional laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (CLP) for infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). Meta-analysis was used to pool and compare variables such as operative time, time to full feeding, length of hospital stay, mucosal perforation, inadequate pyloromyotomy, wound infection, incisional hernia and overall complications. RESULTS: Among the 490 infants with HPS in the seven studies, 205 received SILP and 285 received CLP. There was significant longer time to full feeding for SILP compared with CLP. However, pooling the results for SILP and CLP revealed no significant difference in operative time, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: SILP is a safe, feasible and effective surgical procedure for infants with HPS when compared to CLP. SILP is equivalent to CLP in terms of operative time, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications. We conclude that LS should be considered an acceptable option for HPS.

Evaluation of the learning curve for laparoscopic pyloromyotomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is the preferred surgical management of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis at most centers. We aimed to analyze the learning curve for laparoscopic pyloromyotomy using the experience of five fellowship-trained pediatric surgeons. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic pyloromyotomy was performed. All cases were performed with general surgery residents. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis for operating time was performed for up to the first 150 consecutive cases for individual surgeons. Outcomes were compared to identify different phases of the learning curve for operative competency. RESULTS: A total of 414 patients were included in the analysis as not all surgeons had reached 150 cases at time of analysis. The mean operating time was 29.2 min for all cases across the 5 surgeons. CUSUM analysis for mean operating time revealed three phases of learning: Learning Phase (cases 1-16), Plateau Phase (cases 17-87), and a Proficiency Phase (cases 88-150). The mean operating time during the three phases was 34.1, 29.0, and 28.3 min, respectively (P = 0.005). There were no differences in complications, reoperations, length of stay, or readmissions across the three phases. CONCLUSION: Three distinct phases of learning for laparoscopic pyloromyotomy were identified with no differences in outcomes across the phases. The operating time differed only for the Learning Phase, suggesting that some degree of proficiency occurs after 16 cases.

Vomiting, Pyloric Mass, and Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Diagnostic Test Accuracy for Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis-A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a common cause of nonbilious vomiting in infants younger than 6 months. Its history, physical examination, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) have not been compared for their diagnostic test accuracy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to quantify and compare the diagnostic test accuracy of a history of vomiting, a pyloric mass on palpation, and POCUS. METHODS: We performed three searches of the literature from 1977 to March 2022. We evaluated bias using the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy-2) tool. We performed a bivariate analysis. RESULTS: From 5369 citations, we identified 14 studies meeting our inclusion criteria. We quantified three diagnostic elements: POCUS, a pyloric mass on palpation, and vomiting. We identified five studies that analyzed POCUS, which included 329 patients. POCUS had a sensitivity of 97.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 93.1-99.3%) and a specificity of 94.1% (95% CI 88.7-97.1%) for detecting pyloric stenosis. We identified six studies that analyzed the presence of a pyloric mass, which included 628 patients. The palpation of a pyloric mass had a sensitivity of 73.5% (95% CI 62.6-82.1%) and a specificity of 97.5% (95% CI 93.8-99.0%). We identified four studies that analyzed vomiting, which included 355 patients. Vomiting had a sensitivity of 91.3% (95% CI 82.1-96.0) and a specificity of 60.8% (95% CI 8.5-96.3). Both POCUS and palpation of a pyloric mass had a high positive likelihood ratio (LR+: 17 and 33, respectively). The LR+ for vomiting was 5.0. CONCLUSIONS: Both POCUS and palpable mass had high specificity and positive LR, whereas vomiting provided the lowest diagnostic test measures.

Nonhypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis in a Neonate: A Rare Presentation.

Gastric outlet obstruction in neonates due to nonhypertrophic pyloric stenosis (NHPS) is a rare cause. We report the case of a 37-day-old baby boy who presented with complaints of vomiting for the last 2 weeks and an inconsolable cry over the last 2 days. He has been vomiting seven to eight times a day, a few hours after breastfeeding. On ultrasonography, the stomach was distended, while the pylorus was not hypertrophied. An upper gastrointestinal (GI) contrast study was done, which was suggestive of gastric volvulus. We performed a laparoscopy for the same. Intraoperatively, the volvulus was already resolved. We performed gastropexy. Postoperatively, he had persistent symptoms, for which an upper GI endoscopy was performed. It demonstrated a narrow pylorus, consistent with the NHPS. We performed a laparoscopic Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty. The patient's symptoms had improved postoperatively. He was discharged after 5 days.

Point-of-care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Gastric Outlet Obstruction Syndrome.

Gastric Outlet Obstruction (GOO) is a clinical syndrome characterized by postprandial vomiting, epigastric pain, and abdominal distension due to mechanical or motility disorders. The suspicion will mainly rely on abdominal radiological imaging (computed tomography, barium studies) that might not be widely available or even be contraindicated. We report a 65-year-old male who developed progressive epigastralgia, anorexia, and vomiting. Physical examination revealed mild abdominal distension and epigastric tenderness on deep palpation. With the presumptive diagnosis of gastric outlet obstruction, an abdominal point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was performed and showed impaired gastric emptying and a "target sign." A gastroscopic exploration confirmed inflammatory pyloric stenosis due to coexisting antral and duodenal ulcers. POCUS could play an essential role in the easy ultrasonographic diagnosis of gastroparesis, helping to differentiate from other causes of obstruction and even raise suspicion in the diagnosis of pyloric stenosis as a consequence of a GGO. POCUS may serve as a first-line imaging test that can raise suspicion of this difficult to diagnose and probably underreported disease.

Open Versus Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy for Pyloric Stenosis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is treated by either open pyloromyotomy (OP) or laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LP). The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the open versus laparoscopic technique. METHODS: A literature search was conducted from 1990 to February 2021 using the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Primary outcomes were mucosal perforation and incomplete pyloromyotomy. Secondary outcomes consisted of length of hospital stay, time to full feeds, operating time, postoperative wound infection/abscess, incisional hernia, hematoma/seroma formation, and death. RESULTS: Seven randomized controlled trials including 720 patients (357 with OP and 363 with LP) were included. Mucosal perforation rate was not different between groups (relative risk [RR] LP versus OP 1.60 [0.49-5.26]). LP was associated with nonsignificant higher risk of incomplete pyloromyotomy (RR 7.37 [0.92-59.11]). There was no difference in neither postoperative wound infections after LP compared with OP (RR 0.59 [0.24-1.45]) nor in postoperative seroma/hematoma formation (RR 3.44 [0.39-30.43]) or occurrence of incisional hernias (RR 1.01 [0.11-9.53]). Length of hospital stay (-3.01 h for LP [-8.39 to 2.37 h]) and time to full feeds (-5.86 h for LP [-15.95 to 4.24 h]) were nonsignificantly shorter after LP. Operation time was almost identical between groups (+0.53 min for LP [-3.53 to 4.59 min]). CONCLUSIONS: On a meta-level, there is no precise effect estimate indicating that LP carries a higher risk for mucosal perforation or incomplete pyloromyotomies compared with the open equivalent. Because of very low certainty of evidence, we do not know about the effect of the laparoscopic approach on postoperative wound infections, postoperative hematoma or seroma formation, incisional hernia occurrence, length of postoperative stay, time to full feeds, or operating time.

Neonates undergoing pyloric stenosis repair are at increased risk of difficult airway management: secondary analysis of the NEonate and Children audiT of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in otherwise healthy neonates frequently requires urgent surgical procedure but anaesthesia care may result in respiratory complications, such as hypoxaemia, pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents, and postoperative apnoea. The primary aim was to study whether or not the incidence of difficult airway management and of hypoxaemia in neonates undergoing pyloric stenosis repair was higher than that in neonates undergoing other surgeries. METHODS: Data on neonates and infants undergoing anaesthesia and surgery for pyloric stenosis were extracted from the NEonate and Children audiT of Anesthesia pRactice In Europe (NECTARINE) database, for secondary analysis. RESULTS: We identified 310 infants who had anaesthesia for surgery for pyloric stenosis. Difficult airway management (more than two attempts at laryngoscopy) was higher in children with pyloric stenosis when compared with the entire NECTARINE cohort (7.9% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 5.22-11.53] vs 4.4% [95% CI, 1.99-6.58]; relative risk [RR]=1.81 [95% CI, 1.21-2.69]; P=0.004), whereas transient hypoxaemia with oxygen saturation <90% was comparable between the two cohorts. Postoperative complications occurred in 16 children (5.6%) within the 30-day follow-up. No mortality was reported at 30 and 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Children undergoing surgery for pyloric stenosis had a higher incidence of difficult intubation compared with the entire NECTARINE cohort. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02350348.

The impact of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on rates of pediatric idiopathic intussusception.

BACKGROUND: The causes of idiopathic ileocolic intussusception are unknown, with infection as the most likely culprit. Recently, social distancing measures were implemented during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to decrease transmissible infectious diseases, creating an opportune setting to study the role of infection on the pathogenesis of intussusception on a population level. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of social distancing on intussusception. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed air contrast enemas and pylorus ultrasounds performed between March 2010 and March 2021 to identify cases of ileocolic intussusception and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), using the latter as a negative control. The study time frame was divided into two periods: pre-pandemic (March 2010-February 2020) and pandemic (April 2020-March 2021). The number of cases that occurred in these two time periods were compared using the Poisson regression model. RESULTS: Of the 407 cases of idiopathic ileocolic intussusception identified, 396 occurred in the pre-pandemic time period (mean = 39.6 per 12-month period) and 11 occurred in the 12-month pandemic time period. The mean monthly number of intussusceptions showed a decline of 72% (95% confidence interval [CI] 49-85%) between the pre-pandemic and pandemic time periods (3.3 vs. 0.9 monthly cases; P < 0.001). In contrast, the mean monthly number of HPS did not differ significantly (P = 0.19). CONCLUSION: Social distancing-imposed to curb the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic-resulted in a significant decline in ileocolic intussusception, lending strong support to the theory that infection is the dominant cause of intussusception.

Acute abdomen with gastric volvulus revealing an underlying pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pneumatosis intestinalis is an abnormal presence of free air outside the lumen of the intestines in many shapes. It is classified based on its etiology to primary or secondary, it affects adults as well as infants and can involve any part of the GI tract. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 55-year-old man with a past medical history of a surgically repaired perforated duodenal ulcer who presented with an acute abdominal pain, Flatulence and constipation. On examination of the abdomen; severe distension, tenderness and tympanicity on percussion were noted. An erect CXR was performed and showed bilateral sub-diaphragmatic air levels. We performed an abdominal Paracentesis under the right subcostal margin which led to evacuation of large amounts of air. Next, an investigational laparotomy showed that the reason was a gastric volvulus associated with an anterior and posterior gastric wall lacerations. The suitable surgical repair approach was taken, but another lesion was detected incidentally. A pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) was extended along large length of the intestines in many shapes and without any symptoms or signs. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis has been reported continuously in relation to peptic ulcer disease (PUD). We aim to report a new association of a gastric volvulus and PCI secondary to pyloric stenosis caused by a duodenal ulcer; which we believe can aid in the diagnosing of dangerous complications, of a rare disease.

Transumbilical single-site two incision laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for pediatric hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

PURPOSE: A new novel technique for the treatment of pediatric hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), transumbilical single-site laparoscopic pyloromyotomy with a single instrument (TUSSLP), was introduced. TUSSLP was compared with the transabdominal three-site laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (TATSLP) procedure. METHODS: Patients with HPS who underwent TUSSLP and TATSLP between January 2016 and September 2020 were assigned to group A and group B, respectively. The descriptive variables, perioperative clinical characteristics and postoperative follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. The primary outcome of this study was the rate of switching to conventional pyloromyotomy. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 29 (22 males, 7 females, 54.4 ± 22.6 days) who received TUSSLP were assigned to group A. The remaining 35 (28 males, 7 females, 54.5 ± 27.6 days) who received TATSLP were assigned to group B. The data of preoperative patient variables were comparable between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The mean operative time (ORT) was 28.1 ± 5.6 min in group A, which was not significantly different from 25.8 ± 3.1 min in group B (P = 0.25). The other perioperative features were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). During follow-up (39.1 ± 14.7 m in group A and 35.4 ± 16.1 m in group B, P = 0.51), no significant difference was observed in the overall incidence of vomiting between the 2 groups (P = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: TUSSLP is a feasible and reliable minimally invasive method for HPS. It has the advantages of an improved cosmetic appearance. The postoperative follow-up results of TUSSLP are comparable with those of TATSLP.