Robotic-Assisted Surgery in Children Using the Senhance® Surgical System: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) holds many theoretical advantages, especially in pediatric surgical procedures. However, most robotic systems are dedicated to adult surgery and are less suitable for smaller children. The Senhance® Surgical System (SSS®), providing 3 mm and 5 mm instruments, focuses on making RAS technically feasible for smaller children. This prospective observational study aims to assess whether RAS in pediatric patients using the SSS® is safe and feasible. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 42 children (aged 0-17 years, weight ≥ 10 kg) underwent a RAS procedure on the abdominal area using the SSS® between 2020 and 2023. The study group consisted of 20 male and 22 female individuals. The mean age was 10.7 years (range 0.8 to 17.8 years), with a mean body weight of 40.7 kg (range 10.1 to 117.3 kg). The 3-mm-sized instruments of the SSS® were used in 12 of the 42 children who underwent RAS. The RAS procedures were successfully completed in 90% of cases. The conversion rate to conventional laparoscopy was low (10%), and there were no conversions to open surgery. One of the 42 cases (2%) experienced intraoperative complications, whereas six children (14%) suffered from a postoperative complication. Overall, 86% of the patients had an uncomplicated postoperative course. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current observational study demonstrate the safety and feasibility of utilizing the SSS® for abdominal pediatric RAS procedures. The study provides new fundamental information supporting the implementation of the SSS® in clinical practice in pediatric surgery.

Cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy for early recognition of impending cardiac tamponade in a preterm neonate.

Cardiac tamponade is a rare but life-threatening complication of umbilical venous catheter (UVC) placement in neonates. Mortality rates are high; therefore, early diagnosis is important. We present a case of a preterm infant with a UVC in situ who underwent a laparotomy on the first day of life for pneumoperitoneum secondary to meconium ileus. The operation was uneventful; however, 2 hours after surgery, the patient developed cardiac tamponade, requiring resuscitation and pericardiocentesis. In retrospect, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) showed a gradual decline in cerebral oxygenation (crSO2) in the 30 min prior to the cardiac arrest, while other vital signs were within normal ranges. Our case demonstrates that cerebral NIRS monitoring can serve as an additional clinical marker for early recognition of impending cardiac tamponade.

Risk factors for refractory anastomotic strictures after oesophageal atresia repair: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of refractory anastomotic strictures after oesophageal atresia (OA) repair and to identify risk factors associated with refractory strictures. METHODS: Retrospective national multicentre study in patients with OA born between 1999 and 2013. Exclusion criteria were isolated fistula, inability to obtain oesophageal continuity, death prior to discharge and follow-up <6 months. A refractory oesophageal stricture was defined as an anastomotic stricture requiring ≥5 dilations at maximally 4-week intervals. Risk factors for development of refractory anastomotic strictures after OA repair were identified with multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We included 454 children (61% male, 7% isolated OA (Gross type A)). End-to-end anastomosis was performed in 436 (96%) children. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 13%. Fifty-eight per cent of children with an end-to-end anastomosis developed an anastomotic stricture, requiring a median of 3 (range 1-34) dilations. Refractory strictures were found in 32/436 (7%) children and required a median of 10 (range 5-34) dilations. Isolated OA (OR 5.7; p=0.012), anastomotic leakage (OR 5.0; p=0.001) and the need for oesophageal dilation ≤28 days after anastomosis (OR 15.9; p<0.001) were risk factors for development of a refractory stricture. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of refractory strictures of the end-to-end anastomosis in children treated for OA was 7%. Risk factors were isolated OA, anastomotic leakage and the need for oesophageal dilation less than 1 month after OA repair.

Quality of life in adulthood after resection of a sacrococcygeal teratoma in childhood: a Dutch multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: Children treated for sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) may experience functional sequelae later in life. It is not known whether SCT and associated problems affect the patient's general quality of life (QoL). In a national survey, we evaluated general QoL in adults treated for SCT during childhood and compared the results to reference values for the Dutch population. DESIGN: The records of patients aged ≥18 years treated for an SCT in one of the six paediatric surgical centres in the Netherlands from 1970 to 1993 were retrospectively reviewed; patient characteristics were retrieved from medical records. General QoL was evaluated using the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The means of the eight SF-36 domain scores of patients treated for SCT were compared to reference values for the Dutch population (n=757, aged 18-43 years). Linear regression analysis was used to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics between both groups. RESULTS: 46 of 51 patients treated for SCT during childhood (90.2%), with a mean age of 26.3 years (range 18.3-41.1), returned completed SF-36 questionnaires. Their scores on all SF-36 subcategories were equivalent to those of the Dutch reference population. No significant differences in the scores of the SF-36 subcategories were found after linear regression analysis adjusting for differences in age, sex and living status between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term QoL of patients treated for SCT during childhood does not differ from that of the general population. Moreover, patients do not show impairment in social, physical or emotional functioning in adulthood.

Malignant transformation in sacrococcygeal teratoma and in presacral teratoma associated with Currarino syndrome: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The risk of malignant transformation of sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) and of presacral teratoma in Currarino syndrome (CS) may differ despite the similar position and appearance. METHODS: Malignant transformation and teratoma recurrence were assessed in a national retrospective comparative analysis of 205 SCT and 16 CS patients treated in one of the six pediatric surgical centers in the Netherlands between January 1981 and December 2010. RESULTS: The malignancy free survival of patients with SCT was lower than for patients with a presacral teratoma associated with CS (80% and 58% after one and two years in SCT versus 100% after two years in CS, p=0.017) CONCLUSIONS: In SCT, malignancy and recurrence risk are high. Therefore, early and complete resection is mandatory. Our data show that the risk of malignant transformation of a presacral teratoma in CS is small.