Laparoscopic one port appendectomy: Evaluation in pediatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Appendectomy is a well-established surgical procedure in pediatric surgery used in the management of acute appendicitis. With the continuous advancement in the field of minimal invasive surgery, the recent focus is on single incision laparoscopic (SIL) surgery. SILA also goes further in order to decrease pain, improve recovery and enhance patient satisfaction. However, this approach is still not a well-established technique and not widely practiced, especially in pediatric surgery. METHODS: We prospectively recorded the data in our pediatric universitary hospital center since January, 01 2017 to July, 01 2017. Patients included in this study were randomized in two groups: SILA group (managed by one-port laparoscopy, n=40) and LA group (conventional laparoscopy using three trocars, n=40). RESULTS: The mean operative time for SILA was significantly lower. There were no postoperative complications in SILA group. If peritonitis was associated with appendicitis, the operative duration was not significantly different between each group. The duration in recovery room after surgery was significantly lower in SILA group. The morphine consumption was significantly lower for SILA group according to patient weight. SILA is less painful significantly than CLA for the first postoperative 6 h. After, even if SILA appears less painful, difference is not significant. The hospital length of stay was significantly higher in LA than SILA group CONCLUSIONS: SILA procedure for appendectomy appears to be safe and efficient for appendicitis management in children. This technique could be applied in routine as in emergency tome. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective comparative study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Intraoperative Stenting of Pulmonary Artery Stenosis in Children With Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Branch pulmonary artery (BPA) stenosis is frequently associated with congenital heart disease. Management of BPA stenosis is challenging for surgeons due to a high rate of recurrence. The purpose of this study was to assess the results of intraoperative pulmonary artery stenting associated with or without surgical angioplasty. METHODS: We included 33 children from our center between January 2008 and July 2014. Patients had pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (13), tetralogy of Fallot (10), troncus arteriosus (4), double outlet right ventricle (2), and single left or right ventricle (4). A total of 44 balloon-expandable stents (mean diameter, 9.5 mm; range, 4 to 16 mm) were deployed in left or right PA under direct visualization, without the use of fluoroscopy, after branch angioplasty for 28 of them (64%). The mean age at surgery was 4.3 ± 4.3 years (range, 6 days to 15 years) and the mean weight was 14.3 ± 11.9 kg (range, 2.8 to 63 kg). RESULTS: Postoperative mortality was 9% (3 patients), but only 1 death was related to the stenting procedure. Twenty-five patients underwent angiographic control after a mean follow-up of 22 months after surgery. All stents were well positioned. The mean stented BPA Z-score increased from -2.6 ± 1.8 to -0.4 ± 1.6 (p < 0.0001). Eleven patients experienced intrastent proliferation (44%). Among them, 2 patients required a reoperation for severe intrastent stenosis, whereas the 9 others had mild intrastent neointimal proliferation, which was successfully managed by balloon expansion. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative stenting of BPA is a safe and effective option to treat BPA stenosis and prevent recurrence.

Clinical presentation of dengue among patients admitted to the adult emergency department of a tertiary care hospital in Martinique: implications for triage, management, and reporting.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: During dengue epidemics, emergency physicians face large numbers of patients with acute febrile illness. Triage algorithms and appropriate reporting systems are useful to manage patients and prioritize resources. We identify possible adaptations to these systems to improve the management of patients during epidemics. METHODS: In a prospective observational study in the adult emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care hospital, we enrolled all patients with febrile illness and a confirmed diagnosis of dengue (ribonucleic acid identification). We then retrospectively classified cases according to the initial clinical presentation at the ED. RESULTS: We enrolled 715 patients (332 male patients), aged 14 to 91 years (median 35 years). Severe illness was documented in 332 cases (46.4%) and was mostly caused by serotype 2, or a secondary infection of any serotype. Severe forms included dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome (104/332; 31.3%), severe bleeding (9/332; 2.7%), and acute organ failure (56/332; 16.9%). The other patients with severe illness (171/332; 51.5%) presented with symptoms of presyncope, intense weakness, prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms, and hypotension. This presentation was common during epidemics and appeared to be associated with dehydration and electrolyte loss that improved markedly within 24 hours with saline solution infusion. This group did not have evidence of plasma leakage, although similar features were observed in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome. CONCLUSION: Dengue has a wide range of clinical presentations in the ED. Many patients who appear seriously ill on presentation will respond to intravenous fluids.