Dog bite injuries in a tertiary care children's hospital: A seven-year review.

BACKGROUND: Dog bites are a major cause of traumatic injury in children. The aim of this study was to determine the experience, management, and outcome of dog bite injuries in our department. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records for 127 patients (mean age 7.15 ± 4.24 years, range 1 to 17 years; 68 males) affected by dog-related injuries, from 2012 to 2018. Characteristics of patients and dogs, type and severity of injuries, circumstances of the accidents, treatment and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 141 wounds, 73 (51.8%) affected the head and neck, 62 (44%) the limbs, and six (4.2%) affected the trunk. According to the Mcheik classification, 107 lesions (75.9%) were stage 1, 26 (18.4%) stage 2, and eight (5.7%) stage 3. Seventy-eight percent of the cases involved known dogs. The breed of the dog was recorded in 62/127 cases (48.8%) and the most common were mongrels (23/62, 37.1%). Seventy-five percent of the attacks occurred during spring and summer. All patients underwent antibiotic prophylaxis and immediate surgical repair. Wound infection was observed in two patients. Three unsightly scars required rectification, with good cosmetic results in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with previous data showing that the typical dog-related injury occurs from a known dog, during spring and summer, and in younger boys, who are frequently exposed to head and neck wounds. Our experience showed the feasibility and safety of primary repair and antibiotic prophylaxis in all patients, with very low incidence of infection and good cosmetic results.

Clinical and radiological findings for early diagnosis of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome in pediatric age: experience of a single center.

OBJECTIVE: The authors present their experience in the management of pediatric patients with Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) considering clinical classification and anatomical characteristics of the malformation. METHODS: All the data of the patient presented at our Pediatric Surgery Unit from February 2010 to August 2015 were collected. According to the type of malformations, patients were divided in 3 groups: A (completely obstructed hemivagina), B (incompletely obstructed hemivagina), and C (communication between the duplicated cervices). RESULTS: Six patients were treated in the study period. The mean age was 9 years (2 months-15 years). According to the characteristics of the HWWS, we had 5 patients in group A, 1 in group B, and none in group C. One-stage surgical treatment was performed in all cases of complete obstruction, but in one case a second look was necessary for a better resection of the septum. At a mean follow-up of 18 months all patients were symptoms free. CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis of this malformation is good in case of early diagnosis and treatment. We suggest that when a renal agenesia is diagnosed, the patient needs an ultrasonographic follow-up of the contralateral kidney but also of the genital tract to find each minimal abnormalities, furthermore, a MRI scanning before the onset of menstruation can be necessary.

Combined Minimally Invasive Treatment of Pyeloureteral Junction Obstruction and Primary Obstructive Megaureter in Children: Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: In children, the association of ipsilateral pyeloureteral junction obstruction (PUJO) and ureterovesical junction obstruction (UVJO) is a rare malformation with a non-standardized treatment. We report a case of PUJO and UVJO treated by a combined minimally invasive surgical treatment to resolve the double urinary obstruction. The current literature was also reviewed. CASE REPORT AND REVIEW: A two-month-old boy, without antenatal and postnatal signs of urinary tract anomalies, was hospitalized presenting right hydronephrosis, perirenal fluid effusion, and ascites. An acute pelvic rupture was suspected, and a retrograde pyelogram was performed, showing a primary obstructive megaureter (POM) associated with a corkscrew pyeloureteral junction. The impossibility to place a double J catheter through the pyeloureteral junction led us to achieve percutaneous nephrostomy and an abdominal drain placement. Three months later, the patient underwent a combined high-pressure balloon ureterovesical junction dilation and retroperitoneoscopic Anderson Hynes one-trocar-assisted pyeloplasty (OTAP). The literature search identified 110 children experiencing double urinary tract obstruction. All authors agreed on the difficulty to diagnose both obstructions preoperatively, but there is still no consensus on which obstruction should be relieved earlier, because the alteration in urinary vascularity during a double surgery could damage the ureter. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous occurrence of UPJO and UVJO is rare, with a challenging diagnosis. Prompt identification and timely surgical intervention are crucial to mitigate the risk of renal function loss attributable to obstruction and infection. Drawing from our expertise and the analysis of the existing literature, we propose employing a simultaneous double minimally invasive strategy in order to optimize the preservation of ureteral vascularity. This approach entails performing a minimally invasive pyeloplasty for the PUJ and utilizing high-pressure balloon dilatation for the UVJ.

Transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy versus laparoscopic appendectomy in children: a single center experience.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy (LPSA) is the first choice for appendectomy in pediatric surgery. Trans-Umbilical Laparoscopic Assisted Appendicectomy (TULAA) is another used technique. We compared both these procedures used for the treatment of acute appendicitis. The study was conducted between January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: LPSA and TULAA groups. The collected data were: operative time, number of conversions, time of canalization and hospital stay. A total of 181 patients were included: 73 were kept in the LPSA and 108 in the TULAA group. Mean operative time was 70.9 minutes (range 45-130 min) for LPS and 56.4 (30-145 min) for TULAA group (p <0.0001). Complications rate showed no statistically significant difference between both the two groups. However, conversions showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.04). Both techniques showed similar results. TULAA technique takes a significantly shorter operating time. The selection between LPSA and TULAA techniques depends on the experience of the surgeon's work and the personal laparoscopic learning curve. In our experience LPSA was a useful technique to improve the laparoscopic skill of the pediatric surgery residents.

Robotic Surgery: Is There a Possibility of Increasing Its Application in Pediatric Settings? A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: Robotic surgery has shown explicit benefits and advantages in adults, but it is not yet strongly established in the pediatric population, even though its popularity is increasing, especially in the urologic field. Materials and methods: In this article we present our experience with the Da Vinci System (SI first and XI nowadays) at our pediatric institution in order to analyze our progress over the years. We considered all patients from the start of the robotic surgery program in 2016 until the end of 2021, dividing them into general abdominal surgery and genitourinary surgery. Analyzed data were the patient's demographic, details of surgery, and intra and post-operative complications. Results: The total number of patients (pts) included in this study was 76, of whom 40 (52%) were male and 36 (48%) were female. The mean age at surgery was 90.9 months (range 10-207 months), and the mean weight at surgery was 29.3 kg (range 9.5-68 kg). There were 18 general abdominal robotic surgeries and 58 genitourinary robotic surgeries performed. The most performed surgeries in these two categories were fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (11%) and Anderson-Hynes pyeloureteroplasty. The mean operative time was 224.2 min (range 72-530 min): the mean times in the two groups (general abdominal surgery and genitourinary surgery) were 165 min (range 84-204 min) and 194 min (range 95-360 min), respectively. A total of four (5%) minor complications were reported. The total conversions were two (2.6%) and the mortality rate was 0%. Conclusions: Pediatric robotic surgery is a field of considerable interest and it is rapidly expanding. In our experience, it is evident how the learning curve has increased gradually, but steadily, allowing us to advance from standardized surgery, such as fundoplication and pieloplasty, towards a more technically complex one, achieving the same good results. We believe that robotic surgery is very respectful of tissues and feasible, especially for reconstructive surgery. For these reasons, it could become of common use also in the pediatric population, overcoming impediments such as excessive cost and the lack of pediatric instruments, in order to be able to treat children with a progressively lower age and weight.

Detubularized Ureterosigmoidostomy for the Creation of Continent Neobladder in Children: Cases Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: To report our experience in continent urinary diversions, we describe two cases we treated performing detubularized ureterosigmoidostomy. In children, in the case of malformations or neoplastic diseases affecting the bladder, the need for a cystectomy is not so frequent. When cystectomy becomes mandatory, there is a need to create a continent bladder diversion. Mainz pouch II and Cologne pouch are procedures that utilize a detubularized sigma as a reservoir in order to build up a continent neo-bladder. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study performed at the Pediatric Surgical Unit of the Salesi Children's Hospital. In this work, we reviewed data about two patients who underwent surgery for the creation of a sigmoid neo-bladder by the Mainz pouch II and Cologne pouch techniques. Results: In our experience, we treated a girl who was affected by a bladder's rabdomiosarcoma and a girl born with a bladder exstrophy and treated at birth abroad. In both patients, a complete cystectomy was performed and a continent neo-bladder was created by a detubularized ureterosigmoidostomy. In the first case, we performed the Mainz pouch II technique and in the second, the Cologne pouch technique. Discussion: Different techniques have been developed with the main goal of the creation of an orthotopic neo-bladder, which has to be a low pressure reservoir with a continent sphincteric mechanism. Detubularized ureterosigmoidostomy is a good choice in pediatric patients. Our study, according to other works, shows that these procedure are safe with good long-term outcomes.

Retroperitoneoscopic One-Trocar-Assisted Pyeloplasty in Children: An Age-Related Evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the retroperitoneoscopic one -trocar -assisted pyeloplasty (OTAP) in children of different ages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data of all children who underwent OTAP for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction at our Institution, between 2006 and 2014, were reviewed by focusing on demographics, surgical management, and outcomes. Data were analyzed by dividing patients into three groups according to age at operation: patients younger than 2 years (group 1), between 2 and 6 years (group 2), and older than 6 years (group 3). RESULTS: During the study period, 70 children (50 males) underwent OTAP (45 left and 25 right). A 10-mm ballooned trocar was inserted under the 11-12th rib and pneumoretroperitoneum was induced (12 mmHg pressure). Through an operative scope, the UPJ was carefully mobilized and exteriorized to the skin level to perform conventional Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty. Mean age was 48 months (range, 1 month-14 years). Thirty-six patients (mean age 8.8 months) were in G1, 18 patients (mean age 4.2 years) in G2, and 16 patients (mean age 10.2 years) in G3. There were no intraoperative complications. Mean operative time was 137 minutes: 128 minutes (range, 85-213) in G1, 118 minutes (range, 90-215) in G2 (P > .05 versus G1), and 154 minutes (range, 95-215) in G3 (P < .05 versus G1; P < .05 versus G2). Conversion (an extension of the subcostal incision) rate was 27.1%: 16.6% in G1, 22.2% in G2 (P > .05 versus G1), and 56.25% in G3 (P < .05 versus G1; P < .05 versus G2). At a mean follow-up of 29 months (range, 12 months-5 years), recurrence was observed in 3 patients (2 G1, 1 G3). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that OTAP is a good alternative in children younger than 6 years. OTAP is more challenging in older children because of the thickness of the abdominal wall and the higher incidence of aberrant crossing vessels.

Spermatogenesis and cryptorchidism.

Cryptorchidism represents the most common endocrine disease in boys, with infertility more frequently observed in bilateral forms. It is also known that undescended testes, if untreated, lead to an increased risk of testicular tumors, usually seminomas, arising from mutant germ cells. In normal testes, germ cell development is an active process starting in the first months of life when the neonatal gonocytes transform into adult dark (AD) spermatogonia. These cells are now thought to be the stem cells useful to support spermatogenesis. Several researches suggest that AD spermatogonia form between 3 and 9 months of age. Not all the neonatal gonocytes transform into AD spermatogonia; indeed, the residual gonocytes undergo involution by apoptosis. In the undescended testes, these transformations are inhibited leading to a deficient pool of stem cells for post pubertal spermatogenesis. Early surgical intervention in infancy may allow the normal development of stem cells for spermatogenesis. Moreover, it is very interesting to note that intra-tubular carcinoma in situ in the second and third decades have enzymatic markers similar to neonatal gonocytes suggesting that these cells fail transformation into AD spermatogonia and likely generate testicular cancer (TC) in cryptorchid men. Orchidopexy between 6 and 12 months of age is recommended to maximize the future fertility potential and decrease the TC risk in adulthood.

Laparoscopic approach to Meckel's diverticulum.

AIM: To retrospective review the laparoscopic management of Meckel Diverticulum (MD) in two Italian Pediatric Surgery Centers. METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2012, 19 trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted (TULA) procedures were performed for suspected MD. The children were hospitalized for gastrointestinal bleeding and/or recurrent abdominal pain. Median age at diagnosis was 5.4 years (range 6 mo-15 years). The study included 15 boys and 4 girls. All patients underwent clinical examination, routine laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound and technetium-99m pertechnetate scan, and patients with bleeding underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy. The abdominal exploration was performed with a 10 mm operative laparoscope. Pneumoperitoneum was established based on the body weight. Systematic overview of the peritoneal cavity allowed the ileum to be grasped with an atraumatic instrument. The complete exploration and surgical treatment of MD were performed extracorporeally, after intestinal exteriorization through the umbilicus. All patients' demographics, main clinical features, diagnostic investigations, operative time, histopathology reports, conversion rate, hospital stay and complications were registered and analyzed. RESULTS: MD was identified in 17 patients, while 1 had an ileal duplication and 1 a jejunal hemangioma. Fifteen patients had painless intestinal bleeding, while 4 had recurrent abdominal pain and exhibited cyst like structures in an ultrasound study. Eleven patients had a positive technetium-99m pertechnetate scan. In the patients with bleeding, gastrointestinal endoscopy did not name the source of hemorrhage. All patients were subjected to a TULA surgical procedure. An intestinal resection/anastomosis was performed in 14 patients, while 4 had a wedge resection of the diverticulum and 1 underwent stapling diverticulectomy. All surgical procedures were performed without conversion to open laparotomy. Mean operative time was 75 min (range 40-115 min). No major surgical complications were recorded. The median hospital stay was 5-7 d (range 4-13 d). All patients are asymptomatic at a median follow up of 4, 5 years (range 10 mo-10 years). CONCLUSION: Trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted Meckel's diverticulectomy is safe and effective in the treatment of MD, with excellent results.

Peritoneal morphological changes due to pneumoperitoneum: the effect of intra-abdominal pressure.

INTRODUCTION: Carbon dioxide (CO2) used in laparoscopy evokes local and systemic effects. This study was designed to evaluate the histopathologic morphologic changes due to CO2 and air insufflation, at different pressure levels, on visceral and parietal peritoneum in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 56 rats were object of the study, randomly divided into five groups. Pneumoperitoneum (PN) was maintained for 30 minutes, at a flow rate of 0.5 L/min and at a pressure of 10 and 6 mm Hg with CO2 (group S1-S2, n = 32) and filtered air (group A1-A2, n = 16). Only anesthesia was performed in the fifth group (group C, n = 8). Peritoneal samples were obtained 24 hours later for blinded histological evaluation. A grading system was adopted to evaluate histological peritoneal changes (0, no change; 1, mild; 2, moderate; and 3, severe) such as mesothelial aspect, inflammatory response, edema, and hemorrhage. The score reflected the severity of damage and was calculated by the sum of the degree evaluated separately. Values were compared with the analysis of variance analysis. RESULTS: CO2 and air insufflation caused reactive mesothelial cells and peritoneal inflammation of different degrees depending on the level of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and type of gas. These modifications were absent in group C and were less evident in low pressure S2 group with respect to S1 and A1-A2 groups. The average values of histopathologic peritoneal score showed significant differences between S2 (11.5) versus S1 groups (16.83) with respect to A groups (A1 = 27.83; A2 = 20.5) and compared with the controls (C = 2.5). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm that PN affects the peritoneal integrity. The grades of morphological peritoneal changes are related to the level of IAP. Low CO2 pressure causes minor peritoneal changes with respect to high pressure and air insufflation.

An unusual case of intra-abdominal testicular torsion: role of laparoscopy.

The authors report a case of intra-abdominal testicular torsion, where laparoscopy has been useful for diagnosis and surgical management. A boy was presented with a left impalpable testis. Laparoscopy revealed a twisted spermatic cord at the inlet pelvis, which ended in a testicular remnant located in the sub-umbilical area. After orchiectomy, the pathologist confirmed testicular atrophy. Diagnosis of intra-abdominal testicular torsion should be considered in patients with impalpable testis and abdominal pain, but could not be excluded in those with no symptoms.

"Spaghetti maneuver": a useful tool in pediatric laparoscopy - our experience.

AIMS: The laparoscopic "Spaghetti Maneuver" consists in holding an organ by its extremity with a grasper and rolling it up around the tool to keep the organ stable and facilitate its traction within a small space. We describe our experience with the "Spaghetti Maneuver" in some minimally invasive procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We successfully adopted this technique in 13 patients (5F : 8M) aged between 6 and 14 years (average age, 10) on whom we performed 7 appendectomies, 2 ureteral reimplantation and 4 cholecystectomies. In all cases, after the first steps, the appendix, the gallbladder and the ureter were rolled around the grasper and easily isolated; hemostasis was thus induced and the organ was mobilized until removal during cholecystectomy and appendectomy, and before the reimplantation in case of ureteral reimplantation. RESULTS: We found that this technique facilitated significantly the acts of holding, isolating and removing, when necessary, the structures involved, which remained constantly within the visual field of the operator. This allowed a very ergonomic work setting, overcoming the problem of the "blind" zone, which represents a dangerous and invisible area out of the operator's control during laparoscopy. Moreover the isolation maneuvers resulted easier and reduced operating time. CONCLUSION: We think that this technique is easy to perform and very useful, because it facilitates the dissection of these organs, by harmonizing and stabilizing the force of traction exercised.

Pneumovesicoscopic treatment of congenital bladder diverticula in children: our experience.

AIM: In this article, we report our experience with diverticulectomies of symptomatic congenital bladder diverticula in children, which was performed by utilizing pneumovesicoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six boys, 4-8 years of age (mean, 5.6) underwent pneumovesicoscopic diverticulectomy at our institution from June 2007 to June 2008. There were 4 right-single diverticula and 2 double-left diverticula. Under cystoscopic control, after the cystopexy to the abdominal wall, a midline 5-mm trocar for a 0-degree telescope and two lateral 3-mm reusable trocars through the anterolateral wall of the bladder in the midclavicular line were introduced, insufflating the bladder with carbondioxide to 10-12 mm Hg pressure. The diverticulum/a were inverted into the bladder and the mucosa around the neck was circumcized by using scissors and a monopolar hook. The defect was sutured with interrupted sutures and the bladder was drained with a Foley catheter, which was introduced at the site of the 5-mm port, and a urethral catheter. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 110 minutes. No major peri- or postoperative complications were recorded, except that the displacement of one of the lateral trocars that resulted in gas leakage in 1 case. The trocar was replaced and the procedure was completed. An ultrasound and a voiding cystourethrogram, performed from 3 to 6 months after the operation, showed the disappearance of the diverticulum/a. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, pneumovesicoscopic diverticulectomy is an easy, safe procedure and can be considered a valid alternative to the open or laparoscopic procedures. It also provides no postoperative discomfort and a good cosmetic result.