Perforated Meckel's diverticulum in neonates: a report of six cases and systematic review of the literature.

Background: Perforation of Meckel Diverticulum (MD) is a rare cause of pneumoperitoneum in neonates. We hereby report six cases of perforation of MD in neonates, with addition of 53 cases from systematic review of the literature. A systematic review was performed using Mesh terms "Neonate, Meckel Diverticulum, Perforation, Pneumoperitoneum." All reports of perforated MD in the English literature were identified. Details of our 6 cases were analyzed in similar fashion. Results: A total of 3027 manuscripts were screened and 59 cases including 6 of our own were identified. The vast majority (78%) were female. Fifty patients (84.7%) presented in the newborn period. Half of the cases (52.5%) had associated anomalies and 13 neonates (22%) required oxygen supplementation including CPAP or ventilatory support before surgery. In 73% of the cases, a resection of gut was undertaken. Histopathological assessment in 44 cases (74.6%) revealed no ectopic gastric mucosa. Three cases demised prior to treatment. The outcome in the vast majority was excellent with 84.7% surviving and discharged well. Conclusion: Perforated MD is an unusual cause of a pneumoperitoneum in the newborns. Diagnosis is established at laparotomy and it rare to find ectopic mucosa histopathologically. The overall outcome is excellent.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Chronic Right Iliac Fossa Pain: Correlating Histology with Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Chronic right iliac fossa (CRIF) pain in children is associated with repeated hospital attendance, inconclusive investigations, and missed school days. There is increasing evidence for the role of laparoscopic appendectomy for the management of CRIF pain. However, currently there is no substantial evidence to correlate histological changes identified in the appendixes removed with resolution of pain. METHOD: This study collected prospective data for a single surgeon's series of laparoscopic appendectomy performed for CRIF pain between 2003 and 2014. RESULTS: Forty patients with a median age of 13 years (range 5-19 years) underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for CRIF pain. Twenty-nine patients (73%) had macroscopically normal appendixes, but histological changes were identified in 28 patients (70%). Other findings at laparoscopy included gynecological pathology (ovarian/para-ovarian cysts), unfixed mobile caecum, and a well-defined peritoneal band extending from the caecum to the anterolateral abdominal wall (caeco-peritoneal band). Patients were followed up for a median of 2 months (range 1-15 months). All patients reported resolution of CRIF pain. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy appears to be an effective treatment for CRIF pain, while also providing the opportunity to diagnose and treat potential sources of CRIF pain other than the appendix. Consistent with the literature, a small number of patients appear to have resolution of pain, despite no histological change being identified in the appendix removed and no other pathology having been identified. The same histological changes commonly seen have also been demonstrated in appendixes removed incidentally. Caution therefore should be applied when interpreting the significance of histological changes seen.

Pediatric ovarian torsion: an uncommon clinical entity.

Pediatric ovarian torsion is an infrequent diagnosis and it often mimics acute appendicitis. Most cases are due to underlying ovarian pathology and if left untreated, ovarian torsion may eventually cause peritonitis. Emergency exploratory laparoscopy represents a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool in suspected ovarian torsion.

Caeco-peritoneal band as a potential cause of right iliac fossa pain in children.

BACKGROUND: A caeco-peritoneal band (CPB) has been observed during diagnostic laparoscopy for chronic right iliac fossa (RIF) pain. This has a veil-like configuration and arises along a broad base from the caecum and ascending colon and attaches to the anterior abdominal wall. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of 31 patients, aged 11-16, who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for ongoing RIF pain over a 10-year period was analysed for intra-operative presence of the CPB. The patients' symptoms, past medical history, diagnostic workup, surgical findings and outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: CPB was identified in five patients. All presented with chronic RIF pain and had inconclusive preoperative investigations. Two patients underwent previous surgery. In all cases, the CPB was the sole abnormal finding on diagnostic laparoscopy. Symptoms resolved following division of the CPB with no recurrence of pain at a mean follow-up of 575 days. CONCLUSIONS: CPB is a potential cause of chronic RIF pain in patients with unremarkable examination findings and negative serological and radiological investigations. Laparoscopic identification and division of the CPB has produced symptom resolution in this cohort of patients.

In children undergoing umbilical hernia repair is rectus sheath block effective at reducing post-operative pain? Best evidence topic (bet).

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: In children undergoing umbilical hernia repair is a rectus sheath block (RSB) better than local anaesthetic infiltration of the surgical site, at reducing post-operative pain? From a total of 34 papers, three studies provided the best available evidence on this topic. One randomised clinical trial showed RSB had a better analgesic effect in the immediate post-operative period. In another randomised trial opioid consumption in the peri-operative period was found to be significantly lower in patients administered RSB. These improvements in pain and analgesia consumption need to be balanced against the expertise, training, equipment required, time implications and complications of performing a RSB.

Mapping testicular blood supply in gubernaculum-sparing second-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure.

BACKGROUND: Testicular survival following second-stage Fowler-Stephens (FS) procedure depends upon adequate arterial supply. There is evidence that testicular survival rates are greater following gubernaculum-sparing second-stage FS procedure. The importance of collateral vessels in preservation of the testis has been hypothesised, but never shown in the literature. We aim to map the collateral blood supply to the testicle in gubernaculum-sparing, laparoscopic-assisted, second-stage FS procedure for intra-abdominal testicles. METHODS: Selected patients undergoing a second-stage FS procedure were photographed prior to pexy in the Dartos pouch. Photographs were evaluated for the extent of vascular collateralisation between gubernacular, deferential and the ligated spermatic artery. RESEARCH: Twenty-five patients with 28 undescended testicles underwent staged FS procedure over a 7.5-year period between 2005 and April 2013. Mean age at operation was 2.44 years, and all testicles were delivered to the scrotum. Mean follow-up was 3.29 years, and all patients were reviewed by the operating consultant. Testicular survival rate was 100 %. Representative photographs clearly demonstrate substantial cremasteric vessels running along the gubernaculum with robust collateralisation to the deferential vessel and the spermatic arterial stump. CONCLUSION: These images confirm the presence of robust collateral between the cremasteric and deferential vessels at second-stage FS procedure. Preservation of these collaterals in a gubernaculum-sparing approach may explain the excellent results seen in this series.

Laparoscopic watson fundoplication is effective and durable in children with gastrooesophageal reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) affects 2-8% of children over 3 years of age and is associated with significant morbidity. The disorder is particularly critical in neurologically impaired children, who have a high risk of aspiration. Traditionally, the surgical antireflux procedure of choice has been Nissen's operation. However, this technique has a significant incidence of mechanical complications and has a reoperation rate of approximately 7%, leading to the development of alternative approaches. Watson's technique of partial anterior fundoplication has been shown to achieve long-lasting reflux control in adults with few mechanical complications, but there is limited data in the paediatric population. We present here short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic Watson fundoplication in a series of 76 children and infants, 34% of whom had a degree of neurological impairment including severe cerebral palsy and hypoxic brain injury. The overall complication rate was 27.6%, of which only 1 was classified as major. To date, we have not recorded any incidences of perforation and no revisions. In our experience, Watson's laparoscopic partial fundoplication can be performed with minimal complications and with durable results, not least in neurologically compromised children, making it a viable alternative to the Nissen procedure in paediatric surgery.

Chronically symptomatic patients with undetectable gall bladder on ultrasonography could benefit from early cholecystectomy.

90 percent of symptomatic patients undergoing cholecystectomy have cholelithiasis with 10% categorized as asymptomatic cholecystitis. In both instances, the gallbladder is evident on ultrasonography. In children with symptomatic biliary dyspepsia, the decision to proceed to cholecystectomy is made difficult if choleliths are not seen on ultrasonography. This decision is made even more difficult if the gallbladder itself is not seen on repeated imaging. In a cohort of 54 cholecystectomies, 3 cases, with recurrent right upper quadrant pain and undetectable gallbladders on repeat ultrasonography, were identified. After prolonged observation all underwent successful cholecystectomy. Histology demonstrated a markedly fibrotic and thickened gallbladder in all. Given this experience, we suggest that nonvisibility of the gallbladder, in fact, maybe be a feature of a chronic acalculous cholecystitis. We advise consideration of cholecystectomy for chronic biliary dyspepsia where repeat ultrasonography fails to demonstrate a gallbladder.

SILS: Is It Cost- and Time-Effective Compared to Standard Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery?

The aim of the study was to review our experience with single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and to compare costs and operative time to standard laparoscopic surgery (SLS). A prospectively collected database of operative times and costs was analysed for the years 2008-2011. SILS cases were compared to standard laparoscopy on a procedure-matched basis. Patient demographics, on-table time and consumable costs were collated. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U-test were utilized with SPSS for windows. Analysis of the data demonstrate that neither consumable costs nor operative time were significantly different in each group. Comparing operative costs, SILS appendicectomy, nephrectomy/heminephrectomy, and ovarian cystectomy/oophorectomy showed cost benefit over SLS (£397 versus £467; £942 versus £1127; £394 versus £495). A trend toward higher cost for SILS Palomo procedure is noted (£734 versus £400). Operative time for SILS appendicectomy, nephrectomy/heminephrectomy, and Palomo was lower compared to SLS (60 versus 103 minutes[mins.]; 130 versus 60 mins.; 60 versus 80 mins.). In conclusion, SILS appears to be cost-effective for the common pediatric surgical operations. There is no significant difference in operating time in this series, but small sample size is a limiting factor. Studies with larger numbers will be necessary to validate these initial observations.

Risk of hernia occurrence where division of an indirect inguinal sac without ligation is undertaken.

We sought to ascertain the risk of inguinal hernia occurrence when division of the processus vaginalis is undertaken without ligation, in the context of laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy. A cohort of patients with intra-abdominal testes subjected to a two-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure was reviewed. Analysis of a 68-month period between November 2005 and August 2011 was performed. A comprehensive search of the literature was undertaken, and these data were compared with previously published studies of patients undergoing orchidopexy or herniotomy where the peritoneal defect was not closed. The procedure was undertaken as previously described, with a conventional first stage using a three-port technique. No attempt was made to approximate the peritoneal margins of the processus vaginalis/hernia or close the internal ring at the second stage. In our own experience 17 patients with undescended testes (2 with bilateral cases) underwent laparoscopically assisted, gubernaculum-sparing, Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy. Median age at first operation was 1.86 years (range, 1-9 years). All 17 patients had successful surgery with all 19 testes palpable within the scrotum at postoperative assessment at 3 and 6 months. No direct, indirect, or incisional hernias were noted at a mean follow-up of 2.7 years (standard deviation 1.71). Our experience and reports in the literature do support simple division of the indirect hernia sac as a tenable alternative to ligation. The result of this limited review would support a prospective randomized trial comparing ligation with simple division of hernia sacs.

Initial success with gubernacular-sparing laparoscopic-assisted Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy for intra-abdominal testes.

A single surgeon's 5-year experience of preserving the gubernaculum in laparoscopic-assisted Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy is reported. Thirty-six cases of impalpable testes are considered. Sixteen patients were confirmed as having intra-abdominal testes, with 20 testes considered to be absent/vanished. At follow-up, all testes had a similar volume to the contralateral testis except for one that had been considered hypoplastic at the initial operation. Mean follow-up was 612 days. The method and potential importance of gubernacular preservation in this situation are discussed.

Systematic review for paediatric metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia: a decreasing concern.

PURPOSE: Controversy still surrounds the treatment of the asymptomatic inguinal region in paediatric patients with a unilateral inguinal hernia. The concern is the development of a future metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH) and therefore the need for a second operation. Our aim was to provide a current systematic review of the evidence for routine contralateral exploration, and identify potential at-risk groups. METHODS: Comprehensive review of the literature utilising broad search terms to identify all relevant publications. Precise inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify studies that included paediatric unilateral inguinal hernia repair without routine contralateral exploration. DATA ANALYSIS: Chi-square with Yates' correction or a Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Numbers needed to treat (NNT) calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 7,130 titles and abstracts were screened and 61 studies included with data on 49,568 paediatric patients with a unilateral inguinal hernia fulfilling the inclusion criteria. 2,857 of these patients later developed a MCIH, revealing an overall risk is 5.76% (95% CI: 5.55-5.97%). The NNT for a MCIH is 18 (95% CI: 16.8-18) with 18 contralateral exploration required for the prevention of one MCIH. Patients <6 months at the time of the initial intervention were more likely to develop a MCIH; 183/1,470 (<6/12) versus 144/2,044 (≥6/12), P < 0.0001. As were patients with an original left-sided hernia; 815/6,739 versus 865/12,615, P < 0.0001. The NNTs for both of these groups were 9. There was no association with the gender of the patient; 888/14,480 (♂) versus 268/4,206 (♀), P = 0.37. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to support the routine contralateral inguinal exploration in all paediatric patients presenting with a unilateral inguinal hernia. However, with patients presenting with an originally left-sided hernia or who are less than 6 months old, a parental discussion should occur about the possible benefits and risks of contralateral exploration.

Video demonstration of the technique of laparoscopic gastrophrenopexy for the treatment of symptomatic primary organoaxial gastric volvulus.

AIM: The aim of this work was to demonstrate the technique of laparoscopic gastrophrenopexy performed for intermittent partial organoaxial volvulus. METHODS: Two pediatric patients, with an initial presentation of postprandial epigastric discomfort, were investigated by upper gastrointestinal contrast meal. These investigations revealed the presence of a rare variant of primary organoaxial gastric volvulus. Both patients underwent a laparoscopy, which confirmed gastromegaly with redundant gastrophrenic and gastrolienal ligaments. A gastrophrenopexy was performed with initial pexy of, principally, the fundus to the left hemidiaphragm, using interrupted nonabsorbable sutures. The gastrophrenopexy was performed without an esophagocardiopexy or an anterior gastropexy. A video demonstrates the technical aspects of the procedure, and the associated pre- and postoperative imaging for both patients will be presented. RESULTS: Both procedures were accomplished laparoscopically in less than 60 minutes, with no immediate postoperative complications. The patients were discharged the following day after a period of observation. Symptom resolution occurred with both patients. One patient underwent a repeat upper gastrointestinal contrast study 4 years post intervention, which demonstrated an intact gastropexy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic gastrophrenopexy may be utilized for this rare variant of gastric organoaxial volvulus. This technique is durable over the medium term and is, therefore, recommended as the primary intervention in symptomatic pediatric patients.

Outcome of lymphatic- and artery-sparing surgery for pediatric varicocoele.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, laparoscopic equipment, and experience with its use, has improved. We are now able to appreciate microanatomy, and dissection of individual lymphatic channels is possible. Previously, the results of laparoscopic lymphatic-sparing procedures has been reported. In this study, we report our experience of the preservation of both the lymphatic channels and the testicular artery during laparoscopic varicocelectomy and its outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All boys undergoing laparoscopic varicocelectomy between June 2004 and February 2009 were included in the study. The demographic details, operative findings, complications, and length of stay were recorded on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and complications at follow-up noted. The operation was performed via a transperitoneal approach, and the retroperitoneum was entered proximal to the internal ring by peritoneal division over the vessels. The spermatic vein or veins were isolated and stripped of the surrounding lymphatics and artery and secured with ligaclips. Any other tortuous veins around the internal ring were also ligated at the time of operation. RESULTS: Nineteen boys underwent laparoscopic varicolectomy. Complications were 1 intraoperative small bowel injury, 1 hydrocele (5%), and 4 persistent varices (21%), one of which was symptomatic, requiring a low ligation of spermatic veins through a groin approach. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows good results with regard to postoperative hydrocoele rates. The preservation of the lymphatic supply ensures adequate lymphatic drainage, therefore, minimizing the risk of developing a hydrocele postoperatively. The risk of persistent varices, compared to the traditional en-masse technique, is a source of concern and requires further study.