Epidermoid Splenic Cyst in Children Treated by Laparoscopic Partial Splenectomy.

ABSTRACT: Epidermoid splenic cyst is a rare benign tumour in children, accounting for 10% of all cystic lesions of the spleen and is the most common diagnosis of non-parasitic splenic cysts. Its discovery could be incidental or happen after an imaging workup for a mass or abdominal pain. Since total splenectomy exposes a patient to the occurrence of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection, laparoscopic partial splenectomy has been increasingly popular over the past two decades because it preserves the immune function of the spleen. This technique should only be performed by a well-trained team because of the high risk of bleeding. The authors report the cases of three patients who underwent laparoscopic partial splenectomy: a 7-year-old girl with no relevant history with a 4.5-cm epidermoid cyst involving the lower pole of the spleen, a 13-year-old boy, type 1 diabetic on insulin therapy, with a 7-cm epidermoid cyst of the upper pole of the spleen and a 14-year-old girl, with no previous history, with a 6-cm upper pole epidermoid splenic cyst. Operating times were 2 h 30 min, 3 h and 4 h 30 min, respectively. The intraoperative blood loss was 100 mL, 350 mL and 300 mL, respectively. The length of hospital stay was 6 days for each patient. No blood transfusion was performed perioperatively. With a mean follow-up duration of 21 months (32 months, 21 months and 10 months, respectively), no complication or recurrence occurred.

Prolonged cord separation in a newborn: a rare case of an unusual epithelialised umbilical cord.

A female full-term neonate, accompanied by her parents, was referred to the paediatric surgery department on the day of after birth. She presented with a 9 cm length pathological umbilical cord, of which the first 7 cm was red and wet, with ulceration, necrosis and healing areas. The patient never had a fever. Abdominal palpation showed no umbilical hernia and abdominal Doppler ultrasound was normal. After several days of disinfection, by biseptine antiseptic solution, and a monthly follow-up, most of the umbilical cord fell out. It only remained a 4 cm length navel consisting of 2 cm of excessive skin and 2 cm of mucous tissue. The lesion was surgically excised at 6 months old. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 1. The results of the histology confirmed the diagnosis of an epithelialised umbilical cord. The 1-month follow-up was uneventful.

Seat belt syndrome with caecal perforation and Chance fracture in an adolescent.

Seat belt syndrome describes a combination of injuries a person restrained by a seat belt may have after a high-velocity motor vehicle crash. A seat belt-shaped bruise may be present across the torso. A Chance fracture is a horizontal vertebral fracture, resulting from spinal hyperflexion, and in disruption of the three columns of the vertebral bodies. Its association with intra-abdominal injury is rare in children. A male, in early adolescence, was involved in a high-energy car crash. A total-body CT scan highlighted lacerations of the anterolateral abdominal wall and an acute L4 Chance fracture. Another CT scan performed because of clinical deterioration, showed cecal perforation, caused by a mesenteric tear and non-displaced fracture of the left sacral ala. He underwent a right hemicolectomy with ileocolic anastomosis and protective ileostomy and was immobilised in a body jacket orthosis for 3 months. The ileostomy was closed 3 months later. At 2-year follow-up, he is well.