[Hypoglossal artery and carotid endarterectomy. Case report]. / Persistenza dell'arteria ipoglossa ed endoarteriectomia carotidea. Case report

The persistence of hypoglossal artery is a rare malformation. Association of carotid stenosis with persistent hypoglossal artery can lead to cerebral posterior symptoms due to ischemia intolerance. The Authors report a case of unexpected intraoperative detection of this anomaly in a patient with high grade stenosis of the right internal carotid artery. Right carotid endarterectomy was performed, and no shunt was used. The postoperative course was normal. The literature was reviewed.

New technologies: robotic-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in adolescents. The first Italian experience.

AIM: The literature about pediatric robotic-assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty (RALDP) is poor and limited to few series. This article reports the initial pediatric experience comparing it with the major series. METHODS: Between January 2006 and January 2007 at Umberto Parini Hospital in Aosta three patients were treated for left RALDP by a single senior surgeon. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 16.1 years (range 14.9-17.0). Mean body mass index was 21.6 kg/m2 (range 18.7-26.9). All patients were treated for left RALDP. Mean operative time (OT) was 160 minutes (range 120-185). Blood loss was null in all procedures and no interventions were converted to open. Mean postoperative hospitalization was 6.3 days (range 5-8). No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This short series demonstrates that RALDP is feasible in adolescents as well and in a peripheral Centre high skilled in adult robotic urology. The OT is excellent in comparison with other series. A preliminary experience in adult robotic surgery and an initial collaboration with urologists for adults are strongly recommended.

Jejunal perforation secondary to metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung.

The Authors present the third case of small-bowel perforation of a metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung. A 62-year-old man underwent a right upper lobectomy because of a lung tumour infiltrating the posterior thoracic wall. The histology showed pleomorphic subtype of a sarcomatoid carcinoma (pT3 pN0 cM0). The postoperative course was uneventful and thus the patient received 5 000 cGY over five weeks. After 5 months the patient was admitted to the Surgical Department for acute abdomen. At laparotomy an advanced fibrinous, bile-stained peritonitis secondary to a solitary perforation of the jejunum 50 cm distal to the Treitz were observed. The microscopical examination showed that the perforated mass consisted of infiltration of dischoesive malignant giant cells, highly pleomorphic multi and mononucleated. The immunohistochemistry, performed with multiple keratin antibodies, revealed epithelial differentiation of malignant cells, compatible with a metastatic carcinoma, consistent to the lung primary. In conclusion, according with literature, the small-bowel perforation is a rare presentation of a metastatic lung carcinoma, and particularly of a sarcomatoid carcinoma. It should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with acute abdominal symptoms especially in those with a previous treated lung cancer. The surgeons should be aware of the poor outcome of these patients and choose a palliative treatment.

Prejudices and realities in the use of 'unsuitable' saphenous vein graft for infrapopliteal revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this paper is to evaluate the safety and the patency rate of the infrapopliteal bypass grafts performed with the great saphenous vein (GSV) with small (<2.5 mm) or large calibre (>5 mm). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and May 2007, 73 infra-genicular bypass with autologous saphenous vein were performed in patients affected by atherosclerotic femoropopliteal disease. In 8 cases a bypass grafts with small saphenous vein (diameter 2.2-2.5 mm) were performed, in 4 cases a bypass with segmental varicose saphenous vein (diameter 5.7-6.4 mm ) were carried out. In 64 cases the bypass was carried out with the reversed technique, in 9 cases with the in situ technique. RESULTS: Thirty day mortality was 3/82 (3.6%) and 30 day cumulative patency rate was 95.1% (78/82) with limb salvage of 96.3% (79/82). All the patients with small diameter vein showed a normal patency at the follow-up and at the duplex scan examination no complications occurred. The mean calibre of the arterialized vein increased to 2.6-3,4 mm at 1 week with maintenance during the follow-up. Patients with varicose vein implanted present a mean dilatation of 6.4-7.2 mm at 1 week and no dilatative complication were detected at the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The risk of stenosis, graft thrombosis or aneurysm degeneration doesn't seem to be higher respect normal GSV either for small or for large veins. Large series and longer follow up are mandatory for an extensive clinical application.

Retroperitoneal well-differentiated liposarcoma presenting as an incarcerated inguinal hernia.

A 69-year-old man was admitted with a complaint of left irreducible inguinal mass. On surgical exploration no evidence of hernia was found and the inguinal floor was overwhelmed by a large lobulated mass, arising from the properitoneal fat, that involved the spermatic cord. The mass was partially removed, sparing the elements of cord. The transversalis fascia was repaired by direct suture and a polypropylene mesh was located above. The histopathological diagnosis was well differentiated-type liposarcoma with myxoid features. The liposarcoma is a malignant tumour of the adipose tissue that arises from the primitive mesenchymal cells. These neoplasms have been usually found in the soft tissues of limbs, trunk, mediastinum, retroperitoneum and occasionally in the spermatic cord. The clinical aspect is frequently a complaint of scrotal or inguinal painless mass, mimicking to an inguinal hernia and the diagnosis of tumor is performed mainly during surgery, as in our patient. In the case of a firm not reducible painless inguinal mass without signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction, an abdominal tumor with inguinal or scrotal extension should be suspected and preoperatively excluded. The US and CT scan may be helpful to plane a correct therapeutic strategy before intervention.

The role of cross-over bypass graft in the treatment of acute ischaemia of the lower limb.

INTRODUCTION: The Authors reports their experience with the use of femoro-femoral cross-over bypass graft in the management of acute lower limb ischaemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen femoro-femoral bypass graft were performed for acute lower limb ischaemia due to unilateral thrombosis of iliac and femoral artery in 8 cases, late unilateral occlusion of a branch of previous aortobifemoral bypass in 3 cases, acute thrombosis of abdominal aorta in 2 cases and in the last one for an injury of common iliac artery during urological procedure. In all the cases the operations were carried out under local anaesthesia and a subcutaneous bypass with 'C' shape type configuration with 8 mm Dacron prosthesis were performed. The first and second year primary and secondary patency rates and limb salvage rates were evaluated. RESULTS: One and two year patency rate was 83.3 (10/12) and 70% (7/10) respectively. Secondary patency rate and limb salvage rate was 91.6% (11/12) and 80% (8/10) respectively. A tight amputation had to performed in 3 failed reconstruction (3/12, 25%). Two patient died within 30 days after surgery from acute myocardial infarct. In 1 case infection occurred and re-do femorofemoral cross-over bypass with saphenous vein was carried out (8.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Cross-over bypass is an attractive technique, especially in case of acute ischemia because of its simplicity, low morbidity and mortality, and good long term results.

An unexpected anatomical variant of the femoral artery in a patient with acute lower limb ischemia: case report.

We report a case of acute embolic ischemia of the right lower limb in a patient with unexpected intraoperative anatomic variant of femoral artery. In this anomaly, the deep femoral artery arises from the external iliac artery, 2 cm above the inguinal ligament, runs with a parallel course with the superficial femoral artery, and placed between the branches of femoral nerve. In consideration of the difficulty to achieve extensive and optimal control of the external iliac artery with the femoral approach, a retrograde embolectomy of the iliac artery by two separate arteriotomies on the deep and superficial femoral arteries were successfully performed. The literature reviewed about this anomalies. In these unexpected intraoperative cases a ductile and ingenious approach seems to be mandatory to perform a safe operation with low systemic impact.

Global minimally invasive pyeloplasty study in children: Results from the Pediatric Urology Expert Group of the European Association of Urology Young Academic Urologists working party.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive pyeloplasty (MIP) for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction in children has gained popularity over the past decade as an alternative to open surgery. The present study aimed to identify the factors affecting complication rates of MIP in children, and to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic (LP) and robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The perioperative data of 783 pediatric patients (<18 years old) from 15 academic centers who underwent either LP or RALP with an Anderson Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty technique were retrospectively evaluated. Redo cases and patients with anatomic renal abnormalities were excluded. Demographics and operative data, including procedural factors, were collected. Complications were classified according to the Satava and modified Clavien systems. Failure was defined as any of the following: obstructive parameters on diuretic renal scintigraphy, decline in renal function, progressive hydronephrosis, or symptom relapse. Univariate and multivariate analysis were applied to identify factors affecting the complication rates. All parameters were compared between LP and RALP. RESULTS: A total of 575 children met the inclusion criteria. Laparoscopy, increased operative time, prolonged hospital stay, ureteral stenting technique, and time required for stenting were factors influencing complication rates on univariate analysis. None of those factors remained significant on multivariate analysis. Mean follow-up was 12.8 ± 9.8 months for RALP and 45.2 ± 33.8 months for LP (P = 0.001). Hospital stay and time for stenting were shorter for robotic pyeloplasty (P < 0.05 for both). Success rates were similar between RALP and LP (99.5% vs 97.3%, P = 0.11). The intraoperative complication rate was comparable between RALP and LP (3.8% vs 7.4%, P = 0.06). However, the postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in the LP group (3.2% for RALP and 7.7% for LP, P = 0.02). All complications were of no greater severity than Satava Grade IIa and Clavien Grade IIIb. DISCUSSION: This was the largest multicenter series of LP and RALP in the pediatric population. Limitations of the study included the retrospective design and lack of surgical experience as a confounder. CONCLUSIONS: Both minimally invasive approaches that were studied were safe and highly effective in treating UPJ obstruction in children in many centers globally. However, shorter hospitalization time and lower postoperative complication rates with RALP were noted. The aims of the study were met.

[Intussusception after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair]. / Invagination intestinale après réparation d'une hernie diaphragmatique congénitale.

INTRODUCTION: Bowel intussusception is a common complication of abdominal surgery. However, the literature on intussusception after congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair is scarce. CASE REPORT: A 24-month-old female was admitted with vomiting, crying and leukocytosis, with no objective abdominal signs. The chest x-ray showed the presence of bowel in the left hemithorax. Surgical exposure reduced a hernia across a Bochdalek defect, involving part of the left colon and the transverse colon. On the 7th postoperative day, the patient had symptoms of intestinal obstruction with worsening of her general condition. The explorative laparotomy evidenced an ileoileal intussusception, 15 cm from the ileocecal valve, in absence of a leading point. CONCLUSION: A postoperative intussusception in a similar case could be explained by atony of the herniated bowel, possibly a functional leading point in the postoperative phase, when the peristalsis is reactivated.

A 4-years-old girl with a mesenteric cyst.

This Letter to the Editor deals with the case of a 4-years-old female affected by a mesenteric cyst, initially confused with an ovarian cyst. The emergency situation justified our open approach. However, as expressed by the Authors, a laparoscopy should be always considered, also in pediatric age.

Amyand's hernia in premature twins.

Amyand's hernia (AH) is the presence of a normal or inflamed vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernia sac. This condition is unusual in neonates and in infants, and it has not been described in premature twins. We present two 32-day-old biovular twins with a right AH, treated with sparing of the appendix and herniotomy. The correct management of AH is discussed via a brief review of the literature.

Incidence of incisional hernia following emergency abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study was conducted to determine incidence and predisposing factors of incisional hernia after an emergency midline laparotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted in 197 patients of whom 138 were followed-up for 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: An incisional hernia developed in 25 (18.1%) patients at a mean follow-up of 11.2 months. Multivariate analysis showed the importance of age (> 60 years, p < 0.004), obesity (p < 0.008) and occurrence of post-operative wound infection (p < 0.00001) for the development of an incisional hernia. Univariate analysis showed that intestinal occlusion (p < 0.02), peritonitis (p < 0.006), upper abdominal access (p < 0.04) and post-operative wound infection (p < 0.003) in older patients and obesity (p < 0.003) and the presence of a neoplasm (p < 0.006) in younger patients, played a significant role. The comparison between young and old patients showed that upper abdominal access (p < 0.007), interrupted and layered wound closure (p < 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively) and contamination of the operative field (p < 0.004) played a statistically significant role in older patients. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of incisional hernia after an emergency midline laparotomy is higher than after elective procedures. However, it could be reduced with proper attention to the suture technique, i.e. mass and continuous suture, better preparation of the operative field and scrupulous sterility throughout the procedure in order to decrease the incidence of post-operative wound infection.