Ventrally Fused Conjoined Twins (Omphaloischiopagus): A Roadmap to Successful Separation.

Conjoined twining is one of the most fascinating and challenging situations which a pediatric surgeon may face in his career. Only few surgeons may have the opportunity to share in separation of such cases. In this report, we aim to share our experience with the successful separation of ventrally fused male conjoined twins (omphaloischiopagus). The case was thoroughly studied via preoperative cross-sectional imaging modalities (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and computed tomography [CT] angiography), complemented by data obtained from reviewing similar cases in the literature. A clear delineation of the complex anatomy was achieved preoperatively which proved to be well consistent with the operative findings. A detailed description of the operative procedure to divide/redistribute the shared abdominal/pelvic organs between both twins is provided. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the detailed and unique internal anatomy of a common central phallus associating ischiopagus conjoined twins. The penis was centrally located in the perineum in between both twins with an open urethral plate. This common phallus had a peculiar configuration with four crura anchoring ischial bones of both twins together.

Contrast enema as a guide for senna-based laxatives in managing overflow retentive stool incontinence in pediatrics.

OBJECTIVES: Overflow retentive stool incontinence (ORSI) is secondary to constipation and fecal loading. In our study, the dose and duration of senna-based laxatives (SBL) treatment to achieve full defecatory control will be examined for possible correlation with new parameters measured from the initial contrast enema. METHODS: Initially, an observational study was conducted prospectively on a group of patient with ORSI to define the optimum dose of SBL to achieve full defecatory control with measurement of six parameters in the initial contrast enema (level of colonic dilatation, recto-anal angle, ratio of maximal diameter of dilated colon to last lumbar spine, ratio of maximum diameter of dilated colon to normal descending colon, immediate and after 24-h post-evacuation residual contrast). The result was analyzed statistically to reach a correlation between the radiological data and prescribed dose. RESULTS: Over 2 and half years, 72 patients were included in the study; their mean age was 6.3 ± 3.33 years. The mean effective starting dose of SBL was 57 ± 18.13 mg/day and the mean effective ending dose was 75 ± 31.68 mg/day. Time lapsed till full defecatory control ranged from 1 to 16 weeks. Statistical correlation revealed that mean effective ending dose of SBL treatment significantly increased with higher levels of colonic dilatation. A weak positive correlation was found for both the mean effective starting and ending doses with the ratio of maximum colonic diameter to last lumbar spine and descending colonic diameters ratio. CONCLUSION: Senna-based laxatives are effective treatment for overflow retentive stool incontinence and their doses can be adjusted initially depending on the analysis of the radiological data.

Colonic conduit for esophageal replacement: long-term endoscopic and histopathologic changes in colonic mucosa.

BACKGROUND: Long-term follow-up has substantiated the colon as a durable and highly acceptable esophageal substitute. Exposure of colonic conduit to gastric acid may lead to histopathologic changes in the form of chronic inflammation. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty children with esophageal replacement were studied from 2 to 12 years (mean, 5.20 years) postoperatively. All cases underwent upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy to evaluate the gross appearance of colonic conduit mucosa, and punch biopsies were taken from upper and lower junctions of the conduit. All biopsies were submitted to histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Endoscopic findings were comparable with normal regarding the gross appearance of colonic mucosa in both upper and lower junctions (25 cases/83.3%). Some abnormalities were seen including cervical anastomosis stricture (2 cases/6.7%), redundancy (3 cases/10%), mucosal ulcer in the lower residual esophagus (1 case/3.3%), and hyperemia (3 cases/10%). Pathologic changes were minimal regarding the change in position of the colon to a thoracic organ during follow-up. Most of the cases were normal (22 cases/73.3%). Seven cases (23.4%) showed mild chronic nonspecific inflammation of the colonic mucosa, whereas only 1 case (3.3%) showed mildly active inflammation of colonic mucosa. CONCLUSION: The use of the colon for esophageal replacement showed that no significant pathologic changes affecting its function as a conduit because its mucosa showed no significant change in response to gastric acid reflux in long-term follow-up and can be further protected by an antireflux procedure.