A cross-sectional nationwide survey on esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Our study aims at disclosing epidemiology and most relevant clinical features of esophageal atresia (EA) pointing to a model of multicentre collaboration. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire was sent to all Italian Units of pediatric surgery in order to collect data of patients born with EA between January and December 2012. The results were crosschecked by matching date and place of birth of the patients with those of diagnosis-related group provided by the Italian Ministry of Health (MOH). RESULTS: A total of 146 questionnaires were returned plus a further 32 patients reported in the MOH database. Basing on a total of 178 patients with EA born in Italy in 2012, the incidence of EA was calculated in 3.33 per 10,000 live births. Antenatal diagnosis was suspected in 29.5% patients. 55.5% showed associated anomalies. The most common type of EA was Gross type C (89%). Postoperative complications occurred in 37% of type C EA and 100% of type A EA. A 9.5% mortality rate was reported. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first Italian cross-sectional nationwide survey on EA. We can now develop shared guidelines and provide more reliable prognostic expectations for our patients.

Preliminary experience with laparoscopic repair of associated inguinal and umbilical hernias in children.

PURPOSE: The authors report their preliminary experience in laparoscopic repair of associated inguinal and umbilical hernias in children. METHODS: Twenty-six patients affected by the association of inguinal and umbilical hernia with an umbilical defect larger than 5 mm underwent a laparoscopic procedure. A 5-mm trocar was placed through the umbilical defect for the optic. To fix the trocar to avoid loss of carboperitoneum, we fashioned and tightened a purse-string non-absorbable suture with a sliding knot around the defect. In this manner, we ensured the trocar, fixing it and avoiding any loss of CO2, proceeding safely to the laparoscopic IH repair, by means of two additional 3 mm operative trocars. At the end of the inguinal herniorrhaphy, the previously fashioned purse-string suture was tightened to repair the umbilical defect. RESULTS: The mean operative time for the repair of associated inguinal and umbilical hernias was 30.1 ± 7.4 min in cases of unilateral inguinal hernia and 39.5 ± 10.6 for bilateral inguinal hernia. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 32 months. Neither intra- nor post-operative complications nor recurrences were seen. CONCLUSION: This small sample suggests that this simple method is safe, effective and might be useful for pediatric surgeons performing laparoscopic repair for inguinal hernia in presence of an associated UH with a statistically significant decrease of operative time.

Multicentric experience on double dartos flap protection in tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for distal and midpenile hypospadias.

PURPOSE: We report a multicenter experience using double dartos flap to protect the neourethra in TIP urethroplasty for distal and midpenile hypospadias. METHODS: A total of 394 patients underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for primary distal and midpenile hypospadias using double dartos flap protection by ten pediatric surgeons and urologists at five different institutions. RESULTS: Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty protected by a double dartos flap was simple to perform and flaps were easy to obtain. Complications occurred in 23 patients (5.83%): fistulas 1.01% (4 cases), stenosis 0.25% (1 case), mild stenosis 2.53% (10 cases), dehiscence of ventral cutis 0.50% (2 cases) and penile torsion 1.26% (5 cases). All fistulae had a spontaneous resolution. CONCLUSION: Double dartos flap to protect tubularized incised plate urethroplasty is safe with a low complication rate. The neourethra is covered entirely with a double layer of vascularized tissue and the double coverage appears a good choice for preventing urethrocutaneous fistula formation.

Intestinal bypass of the oesophagus: 117 patients in 28 years.

This study includes 117 patients operated upon in the period from 1970 to 1999. Indications, surgical techniques, complications, and results are reviewed. Indications included: long-gap oesophageal atresia with or without fistula in 81 patients; peptic stenosis in 19; caustic stenosis in 12; oesophageal varices in 2; and 1 case each of oesophageal epidermolysis bullosa, total oesophageal leiomyomatosis, and a non-functioning antiperistaltic retrosternal colic graft operated upon in another hospital. A retrosternal bypass was performed 106 times: 98 first operations and 8 redos; the intrathoracic technique was used 19 times. The left transverse colon was used in 107 cases (85.6%), the right transverse colon in 8 (6.4%), and the ileocecum in 10 (8%). All the intestinal bypasses were placed in the isoperistaltic direction. There were 5 deaths in the first 11 years of our experience; no patient died from 1982 on. Ten complications were treated conservatively (8%): 2 wound infections healed with medical treatment, and 8 leaks of the cervical anastomosis closed spontaneously. The major surgical complications were 8 gangrenous bypasses (6.4%), removed and reoperated about 1 year later utilizing an ileocolic retrosternal graft. Three cases of peptic disease of the colic bypass (2.4%) were successfully treated with the author's technique. Nine patients had minor surgical complications (7.2%): 3 strictures of the oesophagocolic anastomosis in a retrosternal bypass (resected and reoperated) and 6 cases of adhesive occlusion. In our opinion, the best substitute of the oesophagus is the colon, particularly the left transverse segment, which may be placed behind the sternum or in the oesophageal bed, always in the isoperistaltic direction. The low mortality (4%), restricted to the early period of our experience, and few major surgical complications (6.4%) are acceptable considering the importance of the operation, and the long-term results may be considered very satisfactory.

A case of non-functioning antiperistaltic retrosternal colic conduit replaced in situ and substituted with an isoperistaltic segment of ileum-caecum.

The authors report the case of a female patient, affected by long-gap oesophageal atresia, who, at 5 months old, was operated on for retrosternal substitution with a right-transverse antiperistaltic colic segment, in her local district hospital. Due to the anomalous position the neooesophagus never worked, and the baby was seriously dysphagic and failed to thrive. For this reason, when she was 11 months old, she was reoperated in our department. Through a medium sternolaparotomy the antiperistaltic colon was removed and replaced between the left and right colon; reconstruction was carried out with a retrosternal and isoperistaltic segment of ileo-caecum. The reoperation resolved her problems. This case is reported to confirm the author's opinion that all intestinal conduits must be positioned in the isoperistaltic direction.

A case of brain abscess as complication of esophageal dilation for caustic stenosis.

The authors report a case of a two-year-old child with esophageal stricture -- caused first by caustic ingestion and by the end-to-end anastomosis, performed after the excision of the stenotic esophageal segment-- that required repeated dilations. These manouvres unfortunately led to bacteremia and a serious complication of a brain abscess, in the right fronto-parietal area, that was promptly removed. A few months later the child was subjected to an esophageal substitution with a colonic transposition. At present he is in good condition and the follow-up showed normal function of the neo-esophagus.

[Extralobar pulmonary sequestration in children: presentation of a case]. / Sequestrazione polmonare extralobare in età pediatrica: presentazione di un caso.

The pulmonary sequestration is an anatomical condition with as isle of pulmonary tissue independent from tracheobronchial tree. This tissue has an independent artery originated from aorta. Anatomically we can have two types of sequestration. The first is the condition of an isle of pulmonary tissue included without any separation in the lobe; this condition in named intra-lobar sequestration. On the other hand we have a second condition with an isle of independent pulmonary tissue surrounded with independent pleura; the last one is named extra-lobar sequestration. In the present article the authors describe a case of extralobar sequestration in a two years old girl. The symptoms presented by the girl were hyperpyrexia, tough and recurrent bronchopulmonary infections. The girl underwent surgery removal of sequestration. The authors describe their experience, the importance of symptomatology and the anatomo-pathologic characteristics of this lesions.

Duplication of the entire small intestine--a case report.

The authors report a case of duplication of the entire small intestine manifested by frequent haemorrhages originating from a peptic ulcer located distally to the duplication. The peptic ulcer was provoked by the ectopic gastric mucosa of the duplication. Surgery consisted "stripping" the mucosa of the duplicated tract according to Wrenn's technique. Other surgical methods for treating this malformation are discussed in detail. The literature describing similar cases is reviewed.

Autotransplantation of the testicle in paediatric utilising microsurgical technique.

This paper reports on the experience of the Paediatric Surgery Clinic of the University of Bologna in testicular autotransplantation utilising microsurgical techniques. Besides evaluating indications for the intervention, the authors present case histories they have accumulated over twenty months (September 1982-May 1984). Subject to discussion are some notes on surgical technique with particular attention to the dissection of the funiculus and to the construction of microsurgical vascular anastomoses. The short-term and medium-term results of 4 autotransplants are presented and commented upon.