Initial experience with 3D laparoscopic choledochal cyst (CDC) excision and hepatico-duodenostomy (HD) in 21 children.

INTRODUCTION: Minimal access surgery has gradually become the standard of care in the management of choledochal cysts (CDC). Laparoscopic management of CDC is a technically challenging procedure that requires advanced intracorporeal suturing skills, and hence, has a steep learning curve. Robotic surgery has the advantages of 3D vision, articulating hand instruments making suturing easy and thus is ideal. However, the non-availability, high costs and necessity for large-size ports are the major limiting factors for robotic procedures in the paediatric population. Use of 3D laparoscopy incorporates the advantage of 3D vision and at the same time allows the use of small-sized conventional laparoscopic instruments. With this background, we discuss our initial experience with the use of 3D laparoscopy using conventional hand instruments in CDC management. AIM: To study our initial experience in the management of CDC in paediatric patients with 3D laparoscopy in terms of feasibility and peri-operative details. MATERIALS AND METHOD: All patients under 12 years of age treated for choledochal cyst in a period of initial 2 years were retrospectively analysed. Demographic parameters, clinical presentation, intra-operative time, blood loss, post-operative events and follow-up were studied. RESULTS: The total number of patients were 21. The mean age was 5.3 years with female preponderance. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom. All patients could be completed laparoscopically. No patient needed conversion to open procedure or re-exploration. The average blood loss was 26.67 ml. None of the patients required a blood transfusion. One patient developed a minor leak postoperatively and was managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: 3D laparoscopic management of CDC in the paediatric age group is safe and feasible. It offers the advantages of depth perception aiding intracorporeal suturing, with the use of small-sized instruments. It is thus a 'bridging the gap' asset between conventional laparoscopy and robotic surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Treatment study level IV.

Outcome of topical steroid application in children with non-retractile prepuce.

True phimosis is overdiagnosed due to the failure to distinguish it from physiological phimosis, which is a normal developmental non retractability of the foreskin. The non-retractile prepuce in children is a cause of parental anxiety and concern. This leads to the majority of the children undergoing surgical procedures. Pathological phimosis needs to be differentiated from physiologic phimosis to avoid unnecessary circumcision. In recent years, topical steroid application use in cases of non-retractile prepuce has shown a good success rate and is well accepted by the parents. It has low risks, is cost effective and avoids anaesthetic and surgical complications. This is an observational study of 100 children with non-retractile foreskin who were managed by local application of topical steroid cream (0.1% Mometasone) over a period of 6 weeks. The non-retractibility was classified according to Kikiro's classification. These patients were analyzed on the basis of age at presentation, complaints at the first presentation, grade of phimosis at first presentation (as per Kikiro's classification), results of the topical steroid application as assessed at 6 weeks after starting application and after stopping of the steroid administered for 6 weeks. The results were analyzed on the basis of the resolution of symptoms and the decrease in Kikiro's grade. Those patients in whom there was no response to treatment or who developed recurrence after stopping steroid treatment underwent circumcision. A total of 19 patients required surgical intervention in the form of circumcision. The use of topical steroids yields satisfactory results in patients with a non-retractile prepuce. It could be a first-line treatment for management in such cases and is an effective alternative designed to avoid unnecessary circumcision.

Anovestibular fistula in an infant with retroviral infection - case report.

A vestibular fistula with a normal anus is a rare subtype of anorectal malformation seen more often in East Asia and India. Though mostly congenital, some authors have suggested acquired etiologies for this condition. Infants with retroviral infection have been reported to develop acquired rectovestibular fistulas. We report a case of an infant anovestibular fistula in a patient with retroviral infection.

Ovarian yolk sac tumour in a girl - case report.

Yolk sac tumours are rare ovarian malignancies accounting for less than 1% of malignant ovarian germ cell tumours. They are mostly seen in adolescents and young women and are usually unilateral making fertility preservation imperative. Raised alpha-feto protein level is the hallmark of this tumour. We describe stage III yolk sac tumour in a girl child.

Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis with an unusual "inverted" Y chromosome.

Mixed gonadal dysgenesis is a rare disorder of sex development associated with sex chromosome aneuploidy and mosaicism of the Y chromosome. It is characterized by a unilateral non-palpable (usually intra-abdominal) testis, a contralateral streak gonad and persistent mullerian structures. The clinical presentation can vary from a typical male to female phenotype including all degrees of cryptorchidism, labial fusion, clitoromegaly, epispadias and hypospadias. It is the second most common cause of ambiguous genitalia in the neonatal period. We report a case of Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis with an inverted Y chromosome.

Cystic Congenital Scalp Inclusion Dermoid: A Case Report.

Dermoid cysts are developmental tumours that develop from germ cells displaced between the 3rd and 5th week of embryogenesis. Although dermoid cysts are known to be the most common scalp swellings; cystic congenital inclusion dermoid of the anterior fontanelle is a very rare scalp swelling. It is a benign, slow-growing, non-tender, soft swelling which is covered with intact skin. Ruling out intracranial extension is necessary. Computed Tomography is the investigation of choice for its diagnosis. We describe such a rare case of cystic congenital inclusion dermoid of the anterior fontanelle where the cyst was completely excised.

Gastric duplication cyst with hemoptysis: an unusual presentation.

Gastrointestinal duplications are rare developmental anomalies that may occur at any level from the oral cavity to the rectum, with the ileum being the most common site. Gastric duplications are rare gastrointestinal duplications. Various theories have been proposed for the development of duplication cysts; however, there is no single theory that explains all types of duplications. Complete removal is the treatment of choice to avoid the risk of possible complications and malignant transformation. Most cases present within the first year of life. The clinical presentation of gastric duplications can be highly variable; however, they usually present with abdominal pain and a lump. Clinical presentation with hemoptysis is rare. Only one such case has been reported previously. We describe a three-year-old male with gastric duplication who presented with hemoptysis.

Traumatic duodenal injury in children: A report of two cases.

Duodenal injury following blunt abdominal trauma in children is extremely rare. It commonly has a delayed presentation, thus leading to increased mortality and morbidity. We report two cases of isolated duodenal injury following blunt abdominal trauma in children.

Cysts of Gastrointestinal Origin in Children: Varied Presentation.

PURPOSE: Abdominal cysts of gastrointestinal origin are rare. Their rarity and varied clinical presentations make their pre-operative diagnosis difficult. METHODS: Fourteen patients with histological diagnosis of cysts of gastrointestinal origin admitted between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed with respect to age, sex, clinical presentation, diagnostic modality, site and type of cyst, management, outcome and follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 4 years and there were six males and eight females. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom. Five patients had an acute presentation-three had distal ileal mesenteric cysts and two had ileal duplication cyst sharing a common wall with ileum. Six patients presented with chronic abdominal pain and lump-three patients had omental cysts and three had mesenteric cysts-two of these in distal ileum and one in sigmoid colon. Two patients presented with antenatally diagnosed palpable abdominal lump. One had a mesenteric cyst of the ileum and the other had a distal ileal duplication cyst which required excision with resection and anastomosis. One patient had an atypical presentation. He was a known case of sickle cell trait and had presented with vague abdominal pain, recurrent cough and multiple episodes of haemoptysis over a period of one year. At laparotomy, gastric duplication cyst was found which was excised completely. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Cysts of gastrointestinal origin are rare and have varied presentation. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment. The results and prognosis are good.

ERCP with stenting of traumatic pancreatic duct transection: A case report.

Pancreatic injuries, though rare, are associated with high morbidity because of location of pancreas adjacent to the various hollow and solid organs. Difficulty in early diagnosis adds to morbidity. Condition of the pancreatic duct is an important factor in grading the injury and deciding upon course of management. Conservative management is the line of treatment in lower grade injuries. Higher grades of pancreatic injuries are usually managed surgically. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) has recently emerged as an effective diagnostic as well as therapeutic modality for hepatobiliary and pancreatic pathologies. Presently described is case of a 12-year-old boy who presented with post-traumatic complete transection of pancreatic duct, which was successfully managed by ERCP-guided stenting of the duct. Therapeutic advantages of ERCP in trauma setting and difficulties involved are highlighted.

An adolescent with a phyllodes tumor: A case report and review.

Phyllodes tumors are rare fibroepithelial tumors that account for less than 0.5% of all breast tumors. Presentation in children is even rarer. In this paper, we describe a case of an adolescent with a phyllodes tumor. The rare presentation at this age, its distinguishing features, the preoperative diagnostic difficulties, and the management protocols of this uncommon tumor are highlighted.

Mesenteric cyst(s) presenting as acute intestinal obstruction in children: Three cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mesenteric cysts are rare in paediatric age group and usually present as asymptomatic abdominal lumps. Acute presentations are uncommon and their preoperative diagnosis is difficult. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This is a retrospective observational study describing three children with mesenteric cysts who presented with symptoms and signs of acute intestinal obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three children with mesenteric cysts who presented with acute abdomen are described as per their age, presenting symptoms and signs, investigations, management, and outcome. RESULTS: The three children presented in emergency with symptoms and signs of acute intestinal obstruction. On exploration, all had mesenteric cyst and were managed by deroofing, marsupilisation and excision. All patients recovered uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Presentation of mesenteric cyst as acute obstruction in paediatric age group is rare and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. The larger cysts are more likely to have an acute presentation.

Our experience with adnexal masses in the pediatric age group and review of literature.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adnexal masses are rare in the pediatric age group. We present our experience with 20 patients with adnexal masses. DESIGN AND SETTING: This retrospective observational analysis was performed on 20 children with adnexal masses who were treated at our institute between May 2011 and November 2015. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen pediatric patients who were admitted between May 2011 and November 2015 were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed based on their age at the time of admission, their presenting complaints, clinical and radiological findings, tumor markers, management and follow-up. RESULTS: The patients' age at the time of admission ranged between 3 days and 12 years. Abdominal pain and lump were the most common presenting complaints.Four patients (20%) had antenatally diagnosed cystic ovarian lesions. On postnatal scan, two patients had a simple cyst measuring less than 6 cm, which resolved on follow-up ultrasound at 3 months. One neonate had a simple cyst, larger than 6 cm on postnatal scan, which was managed by marsupialization. One antenatally diagnosed patient had a dermoid cyst that required oophorectomy.Ten patients (50%) had dermoid cyst and underwent complete surgical excision of the mass. Based on histopathologic results, two of these patients had immature teratoma and required adjuvant chemotherapy (Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin). The serum AFP levels of these patients were carefully monitored.One patient with bilateral ovarian cysts was diagnosed with Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome, which resolved significantly after a 3-month regimen of thyroxin supplementation.Five patients presented with torsion and required emergency surgery-three had mature teratoma, one had an immature teratoma and one had large simple cysts. CONCLUSION: The majority of ovarian tumors are benign. Accurate staging, complete resection and chemotherapy for the treatment of malignant tumors have contributed to excellent survival rates in these patients.

Post Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Biloma in a Child Managed by Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography and Stenting: A Case Report.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, though an uncommon surgical procedure in paediatric age group is still associated with a higher risk of post-operative bile duct injuries when compared with the open procedure. Small leaks from extra hepatic biliary apparatus usually lead to the formation of a localized sub-hepatic bile collection, also known as biloma. Such leaks are rare complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, especially in paediatric age group. Minor bile leaks can usually be managed non-surgically by percutaneous drainage combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). However, surgical exploration is required in cases not responding to non-operative management. If not managed on time, such injuries can lead to severe hepatic damage. We describe a case of an eight-year-old girl who presented with biloma formation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy who was managed by ERCP.