Role of pre-operative endovascular embolization of a giant sacrococcygeal teratoma in neonate: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Giant sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) are at risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality due to their high vascularity. Pre-operative embolization of the feeding arteries, prior to complete surgical resection, may assist in minimizing the intraoperative blood loss by occluding these feeding arteries. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a highly vascular giant SCT in a neonate, which was successfully embolized through an endovascular approach prior to surgery. The femoral artery approach was chosen, with access established using a Micropuncture introducer as a sheath. Embolization was performed using a combination of microcoils, Gelfoam slurry, and polyvinyl alcohol particles. The patient developed femoral artery spasm post-procedure, which resolved with the application of a glyceryl trinitrate patch. CONCLUSIONS: Performing pre-operative endovascular embolization on a giant sacrococcygeal teratoma presents particular challenges, primarily due to the difficulty in assessing small vessels and the potential complications associated with this procedure. Nevertheless, this technique proves exceptionally valuable in helping the surgeon minimize blood loss during surgery, thereby reducing the risks of morbidity and mortality. Comprehensive planning for the embolization procedure is essential, encompassing the identification of potential vascular access points and alternatives, along with careful selection of the appropriate catheter.

Laparoscopic transabdominal-sacrococcygeal approach for resection of Altman type III sacrococcygeal teratoma in adult women: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Adult sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is a rare disease that is not easily detected or easily missed, and its treatment is based on surgery, including transabdominal, transsacral, or a combination of both, but there are no clear guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. We share a case of Altman type III SCT in order to provide more reference protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of adult SCT, and more importantly to increase our understanding of different types of SCT cases in adults. PATIENT CONCERNS: Our patient was a 31-year-old adult woman who underwent complete surgical resection of a cystic mature teratoma of the right ovary 8 years ago and is currently 13 months postpartum without menstruation, usually with a feeling of anal bulge, with symptoms such as constipation. DIAGNOSIS: We diagnosed SCT by vaginal ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); benign tumors were considered in the results of serum tumor markers. INTERVENTIONS: We chose the surgical approach of laparoscopic transabdominal-sacrococcygeal approach to completely remove the patient SCT and coccyx. OUTCOMES: The location of SCT is concealed and the clinical symptoms are not obvious. Vaginal ultrasonography, CT and MRI can not only improve the diagnostic rate of SCT, but also understand the size and mass of SCT, providing an exact basis for clinicians to select the laparoscopic transabdominal-sacrococcygeal approach. CONCLUSION: Our sharing increases the reports of rare cases of teratoma with the same histological findings in different organ tissues of the same patient at different times, whether this occurs incidentally requires more case reports and further basic research; in addition, the laparoscopic transabdominal-sacrococcygeal approach is a safe and effective surgical approach for the treatment of Altman type III SCT in adults; finally, this case reminds us that SCT may not affect pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes and provides a reference for the selection of interventions for SCT with pregnancy.

Surgical treatment of sacral pressure injury in ambulating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort with complications analysis and elaboration of a surgical treatment protocol.

BACKGROUND: The sudden increase of intensive care unit patients during the coronavirus pandemic led to an increase in the incidence of sacral pressure lesions. Despite being ambulating patients, in many cases the lesions were deep (Grade III and IV), mainly due to the long-term intubation and being bedridden during the pandemic. Most of these wounds necessitated surgical repair. OBJECTIVES: To measure the success and the rate of complications in reconstructions of grade III and IV hospital acquired sacral pressure lesions in ambulating patients after hospitalization for COVID-19. Developing a well-established protocol for surgical treatment of hospital acquired sacral pressure lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Prospective cohort involving ambulating patients with grades III and IV sacral pressure lesions developed after hospitalization for COVID-19 from May 2020 to August 2020 (4 months). All of them were submitted to reconstruction with fasciocutaneous flaps. Demographics, comorbidities, and preoperative laboratory tests were compared and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was made in order to identify risk factors for complications. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were submitted to fasciocutaneous flaps to repair sacral pressure lesions with a total complication rate of 36.0%. Hemoglobin levels lower than 9.0 mg/dl (p = 0,01), leukocyte levels higher than 11.000/mm3 (p = 0,1), and C Reactive protein levels higher than 142 mg/dl (p = 0,06) at the time of reconstruction and bilateral flaps were independent factors for complications. CONCLUSION: Specific preoperative laboratory tests and surgical techniques were associated with a statistically significant increased complication risk. It was established a protocol for surgical treatment of hospital-acquired sacral pressure lesions to diminish these risks, focusing on ambulating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pulsatile giant sacrococcygeal teratoma appearing like 2nd head.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a congenital tumor of early infancy. Eighty percent are present in the first month of life. It is considered to be an extragonadal germ cell tumor that can be diagnosed in utero. It is considered to be a rare tumor in infancy and childhood. Incidences in girls are more common as compared to boys. Association with other congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and urological manifestations may be present. Association with spinal dysraphism may be present. A complete systemic evaluation needs to be done before any surgical intervention. We hereby present you a case of a 5-day-old male child, born from a non-consanguineous marriage, who presented to us with a large swelling at the coccygeal region. The mass had a variegated consistency with an ear-like appendage over it with associated hair, bones, and necrotic tissue in it. The patient was evaluated with imaging (MRI) which revealed a heterogeneously enhancing mass at the sacrococcygeal region with mild extension into the pre-sacral space suggesting sacrococcygeal teratoma. After a complete evaluation for congenital abnormal abnormalities of other sites, gross total excision of the mass was performed. The post-operative condition of the baby was uneventful. A biopsy of the mass revealed a mature cystic teratoma. The baby is under follow-up at present.

Combined application of gluteus maximus muscle flaps and random pattern skin flaps in repairing sacrococcygeal sinus tracts: a prospective study and technical note.

BACKGROUND: Sacrococcygeal sinus ulcers are caused by pressure sores, trauma, or surgery. Several surgical techniques have been developed for its treatment; however, studies are ongoing to develop the ideal method. The present study aims to introduce an innovative application of gluteus maximus muscle flaps (GMMFs) packing combined with local random pattern skin flaps (RPSFs) in repairing sacrococcygeal sinus tracts (SSTs). METHODS: This was a prospective analysis study conducted on the patients (n = 26) with SSTs underwent an innovative repairing surgery in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, China between December 2015 and December 2020. The repairing surgery was GMMFs combined with RPSFs. The demographic information and the clinical parameters including operative time, postoperative healing time, and recurrence rate were used to evaluate the efficacy of the operation. RESULTS: Except one case of partial necrosis at the edge of the flap due to severe fibrosis, which was cured after dressing change, all the other cases showed effective healing after the operation. CONCLUSION: The combined application of GMMFs and RPSFs for the treatment of sacrococcygeal sinus tracts gains the advantages of short operative time, quick postoperative recovery, and low postoperative recurrence rate.

Evaluation of changes in radiographic spinopelvic parameters after primary total hip arthroplasty and its relationship with short-term patient function.

PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly used worldwide in pelvic osteoarthritis treatment. This surgery can change the spinopelvic parameters, which in turn affects the performance of the patients after surgery. However, the relationship between functional disability following THA and spinopelvic alignment is not completely understood. The limited available studies have also been conducted on the population with spinopelvic malalignments. This study aimed to examine the changes in spinopelvic parameters after primary THA in patients with normal preoperative spinopelvic characteristics and the association of these parameters with the performance, gender, and age of the patients after THA. METHODS: Fifty-eight eligible patients with unilateral primary hip osteoarthritis (HOA) scheduled for total hip arthroplasty between February and September 2021 were studied. Spinopelvic parameters including pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), and pelvic tilt (PT) were measured before surgery and three months after surgery, and the relationship between these parameters and patients' performance (Harris hip score) was assessed. Also, the relationship between the age and gender of the patients with these parameters was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 46.03 ± 14.25. Three months after THA, sacral slope decreased with the mean difference of 4.31 ± 10.26 degrees (p = 0.002) and Harris hip score (HHS) increased by 19.41 ± 26.55 points (p < 0.001). With increasing age in patients, the mean SS and PT decreased. Among the spinopelvic parameters, SS (ß = 0.11) had a greater effect than PT on postoperative HHS changes and among the demographic parameters, age (ß = -0.18) had a greater effect on HHS changes than gender. CONCLUSION: Spinopelvic parameters are associated with age, gender, and patient's function after THA as sacral slope decreased and HHS increased after THA, and aging is accompanied by lowering of PT and SS.

Variability in Surveillance Strategies Following Resection of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma.

INTRODUCTION: Surveillance following sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) resection varies. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing SCT resection and examine current institutional practices to detect recurrence. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review of children who underwent resection of an SCT from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020 was performed. Data were summarized and surveillance strategies compared between histopathologic subtypes using nonparametric methods. RESULTS: Thirty six patients (75.0% female) underwent SCT removal at a median age of 8 d. Histopathology revealed 27 mature teratomas (75.0%), eight immature teratomas (22.2%), and one malignant germ cell tumor (2.8%). Median postoperative follow-up was 3.17 y (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.31-4.38 y). Patients had a median of 2.32 clinic visits per year (IQR: 2.00-2.70), alpha-fetoprotein levels were obtained at a median of 2.01 times per year (IQR: 0-1.66), and surveillance imaging was performed at a median of 2.31 times per year (IQR: 0-2.84). Patients with immature teratomas had alpha-fetoprotein laboratories obtained more frequently than patients with mature teratomas (3.10 times/year versus 0.93 times/year, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the number of imaging studies obtained between groups. Two patients (5.6%) developed recurrence, which were identified on magnetic resonance imaging at 191 and 104 d postresection, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative surveillance practices varied widely. Recurrence was noted in a single malignant case in the first year following resection. Multi-institutional studies are needed to determine the optimal surveillance strategy to detect recurrence of SCT.

Rotational V-Y Fasciocutaneous Advancement Island Flap to Cover Deep Sacrococcygeal Defects due to Pilonidal Disease, Pressure Ulcers, and Other Inflammatory Conditions.

The sacrococcygeal area supports the lower body and endures mechanical forces during movement. However, current treatment methods for deep caudal sacrococcygeal defects have limitations, resulting in insufficient tissue for deep pocket obliteration and considering only the two-dimensional advancement plane in a three-dimensional defect topology. Our study proposes using a rotational V-Y fasciocutaneous advancement island flap to reconstruct deep caudal sacrococcygeal defects. By considering the three-dimensional nature of the defect, we distinguish a coccygeal plane of the V-Y flap from a sacral plane and set different directions and depths of movement for each plane. From March 2016 to July 2022, 12 patients underwent successful treatment with this surgery, and no complications or recurrences were observed in the study group. Our research found that patients in our study exhibited a smaller intercoccygeal angle than the average angle of the general Korean population, as previously reported. This implies a more pronounced curvature between the sacral and coccygeal planes. Therefore, our methods, which consider the three-dimensional structures of sacrococcygeal pathology, are significant. This technique provides a mechanically robust reconstruction after resecting deep sacrococcygeal pathology, with well-padded tissue to prevent dead space and wound disruption.

Postoperative results of modified Karydakis flap method for primary sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease: short and long-term analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus is a common surgical condition that requires various treatment options. This study aims to investigate the short and long-term outcomes of the modified Karydakis flap method in patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 175 patients who underwent the modified Karydakis flap method for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus by a single surgeon between September 2015 and February 2021. The patients' demographics, operative time, hospitalization time and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 175 patients, 125 (71.43%) were male and 50 (28.57%) were female, with a mean age of 24.93 ± 10.27 years. The mean operative time was 55.05 ± 12.33 min, the follow-up time was 39.21 ± 17.58 months, and the mean hospitalization time was 3.4 ± 1.65 days. Complications were observed in 12 (6.85%) patients, including seroma (5.14%) and wound infection (1.71%), with no observed cases of flap necrosis or recurrence. CONCLUSION: The modified Karydakis flap method appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus, with an acceptable complication rate and no observed cases of recurrence.

Long-Term Outcomes of Infantile Sacrococcygeal Teratoma: Results from a Multi-Institutional Retrospective Observational Study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Tumor recurrence, anorectal and urinary dysfunction, and lower limb dysfunction after surgery are observed in infantile sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT). In this paper, a multi-institutional retrospective observational study was conducted to clarify the long-term functional prognosis in Japan. METHODS: This study was conducted using a paper-based questionnaire distributed to 192 facilities accredited by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons, covering patients who underwent radical surgery at less than 1 year old and who survived for at least 180 days after birth from 2000 to 2019. RESULTS: A total of 355 patients were included in this analysis. Altman type was I-II in 248 and type III-IV in 107, and the median maximum tumor diameter was 6.1 (range: 0.6-36.0) cm. There were 269 mature teratomas, 69 immature teratomas, and 10 malignant tumors. Total resection was performed in 325, subtotal or partial resection in 27, and surgical complications were noted in 54. The median postoperative follow-up was 6.6 (0.5-21.7) years. Eighty-three patients (23.4 %) had functional sequelae, including 62 (17.5 %) with anorectal dysfunction, 56 (13.0 %) with urinary dysfunction, and 15 (4.2 %) with lower limb motor dysfunction. Recurrence occurred in 42 (11.8 %) at a median age of 16.8 (1.7-145.1) months old. Risk factors for dysfunction included preterm delivery, a large tumor diameter, Altman type III-IV, incomplete resection, and surgical complications. Risk factors for recurrence included immature teratoma or malignancy, incomplete resection, and surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative dysfunction was not low at 23.4 %, and 11.8 % of the patients experienced recurrence occurring more than 10 years after surgery, suggesting the need for periodic imaging and tumor markers evaluations in patients with risk factors. It is necessary to establish treatment guidelines for best practice monitoring of the long-term quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II Retrospective Study.

Critical elements of pediatrics sacrococcygeal germ cell tumor surgery.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common extragonadal germ cell tumor in the pediatric population, and accounts for approximately 70% of all teratomas in childhood.1,2 They present in two distinct phases, with most cases seen in neonates with large predominately exophytic tumors, often detected in utero on prenatal sonography or at birth. A smaller cohort presents in older infants and children with primarily hidden tumors in the pelvis which have a much higher rate of malignancy. The primary surgical objective is complete tumor resection without compromise to critical structures or function. Herein we outline the critical elements of tumor resection and management of sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors with a focus on the technical aspects of this tumor across a range of presentations.

The niche of dermal graft to reconstruct a complex pressure injury wound in sacral region: A case report.

RATIONALE: Pressure ulcers are a common health issue, particularly among elderly and bedridden patients who are vulnerable to pressure injuries in the sacral region. Currently, free flap and local flap surgeries are the gold standard procedures for the reconstruction of such injuries. However, the recurrence rate of flap surgery appears to be high. In this context, we presented a case involving a sacral pressure ulcer reconstructed with dermal grafting. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 59-year-old male with a medical history of hepatitis C, brain hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, and multiple fractures presented with a sacral ulcer. Owing to the patient's history of recurrent pressure injuries and the challenges associated with postoperative wound care, the patient and his family were hesitant to proceed with flap surgery. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with a stage IV pressure ulcer measuring 4 cm × 4 cm in size in the sacral region, according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel staging system. INTERVENTIONS: Before surgery, the patient received standard wound care with dressing for 4 months, along with short-term oral antibiotics due to a positive wound culture for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. During the surgery, a dermal graft with a size of 35 cm2 and a thickness of 0.014 inches was harvested from the patient's left thigh. The graft was then secured to the wound bed. OUTCOMES: Although the dermal graft failed with sloughing after 1 week, the wound bed showed improvement with granulation. After 1.5 months, the wound area had decreased to half of its original size, and the wound eventually healed after 3.5 months. LESSONS: Dermal grafts have a niche in reconstructing pressure injury wounds in the sacral region, because of the relative ease of wound care and additional benefits even in cases where the graft fails.

Prognostic accuracy of factors associated with poor outcome in prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several factors associated with poor outcome in patients with prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) have been found. However, the prognostic accuracy of these factors has not been well established. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the prognostic accuracy of factors associated with poor outcome in these patients. We queried Search Premier, COCHRANE Library, EMCARE, EMBASE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases to identify studies regarding patients with prenatally diagnosed SCT. Poor outcome was defined as termination of pregnancy (TOP), intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), or perinatal death. We estimated the odds ratio of factors associated with poor outcome. Eleven studies (447 patients) were included. Overall mortality, including TOP, was 34.9%. Factors associated with poor outcome in fetuses with prenatally diagnosed SCT were cardiomegaly, hypervascular tumor, solid tumor morphology, fetal hydrops, and placentomegaly. A tumor volume to fetal weight ratio (TFR) of >0.12 before a gestational age of 24 weeks is predictive of poor outcome. The prognostic accuracy of factors associated with poor outcome in fetuses prenatally diagnosed with SCT seems promising. Factors associated with cardiac failure such as cardiomegaly, hypervascular tumor, solid tumor morphology, fetal hydrops, placentomegaly, and TFR >0.12 were found to be predictive of poor outcome.

How to access the presacral space using a posterior trans-sacral approach.

This article describes a posterior trans-sacral approach to the presacral space. This is an important technique in contemporary colorectal surgical practice for resection of presacral tumours, and less commonly to allow access for rectal sleeve advancement, segmental resection of the lower rectum (rarely indicated in the era of total mesorectal excision and trans-anal techniques), drainage of supralevator sepsis and resection of extensive ischiorectal fossa tumours.