Does preoperative screening VCUG affect the outcomes and complications of pyeloplasty in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction?

INTRODUCTION: The role of voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) in evaluating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in patients with known ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) remains unclear. While VCUG is frequently performed, the incidence of concomitant VUR and UPJO is low, and VUR is often low-grade with high rates of spontaneous regression. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical relevance of VCUG in patients with UPJO by determining its incidence and studying the difference in clinical outcomes between patients with known, unknown, and negative VUR. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients with UPJO who underwent pyeloplasty from 2012 to 2020 with <18 years-old, unilateral UPJO, postoperative follow-up of ≥2 months and had at least 1 renal ultrasound (US) after pyeloplasty. Results were compared among 3 groups: patients who underwent VCUG before pyeloplasty and were found to have VUR (group 1), patients who underwent VCUG before pyeloplasty without VUR (group 2), and patients who did not have a VCUG before pyeloplasty (group 3). RESULTS: A total of 275 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 21 patients were classified in group 1, 166 patients in group 2, and 88 patients in group 3 (Table). The age at preoperative VCUG was 14.7 ± 32.9 months in group 1 and 15.17 ± 35.8 months in group 2 (p = 0.960). Overall, the incidence of concomitant UPJO and VUR was 11.2%. In group 1 the initial VUR grade was 5 in 2 patients, 4 in 3, 3 in 5, 2 in 7, and 1 in 4 patients. Of these, only 1 patient required ureteral reimplantation after pyeloplasty. Post-pyeloplasty, no significant differences were observed in complications (p = 0.7436), length of follow up (p = 0.3212), SFU grade 4 hydronephrosis (p = 0.2247), postoperative UTIs (p = 0.1047) and pyeloplasty success rate (p = 0.4206) among the 3 groups. Despite the use of antibiotic prophylaxis being significantly different amongst the three groups (p < 0.001), it was not associated with a lower incidence of postoperative UTIs (group 1 p = 0.068, group 2 p = 0.486, group 3 p = 1). In patients with reflux, an increase in age was associated with a decrease in the rates of complications (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: We found no significant difference in the outcomes in patients who had a preoperative VCUG as compared to those who did not. The preoperative diagnosis of VUR by VCUG changed the management in less than 1% of the study population and thus its role in patients with UPJO should be reevaluated.

[Duodenal hematoma after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in pediatric graft vs host disease: Report of two cases]. / Hematoma duodenal posvideoendoscopia digestiva alta para diagnóstico de enfermedad de injerto contra huésped en pediatría: a propósito de dos casos.

Graft versus host disease is a serious complication that occurs following bone marrow transplant with significant morbidity and mortality. The gold standard to diagnose gastrointestinal graft versus host disease is upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy with histological validation. The development of intramural duodenal hematoma is a rare complication associated with this procedure. We present two cases of intramural duodenal haematoma after duodenal biopsies in bone marrow transplant patients that presented clinically with severe abdominal pain and intestinal bleeding. In both cases, CT scans confirmed the diagnosis and they were treated conservatively with favorable outcomes. Final diagnosis of gastrointestinal graft versus host disease was based on the colonic samples with normal duodenal histoarchitecture, which could lead to avoiding duodenal samples in future patients in order to prevent this serious complication and thus diminish morbidity.

La enfermedad de injerto contra huésped es una complicación grave que se presenta después del trasplante de médula ósea, con morbilidad y mortalidad elevadas. El patrón de oro para evaluar su compromiso gastrointestinal es la endoscopia digestiva alta y baja con toma de biopsia. El desarrollo de hematoma duodenal intramural es una complicación poco frecuente asociada con este procedimiento. Se presentan dos casos de hematoma duodenal intramural posendoscopia en pacientes con trasplante y sospecha de enfermedad injerto contra huésped que presentaron un cuadro agudo de dolor abdominal y sangrado intestinal. El diagnóstico se realizó por tomografía y recibieron tratamiento conservador, con un resultado favorable. En ambos casos, el diagnóstico de enfermedad injerto contra huésped gastrointestinal se hizo a través de las biopsias colónicas con histología duodenal normal, lo que sugiere evitar la toma de muestras duodenales para prevenir esta grave complicación en pacientes de alto riesgo y, de este modo, disminuir la morbilidad.

Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la población pediátrica con apendicitis aguda: experiencia en un hospital general de tercer nivel / Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric population with acute appendicitis: Experience at a general, tertiary care hospital

Introducción. La apendicitis constituye la principal causa de abdomen agudo quirúrgico en pediatría. Durante la pandemia por COVID-19, se replantearon las estrategias de manejo ydisminuyeron las consultas en las guardias, lo que podría asociarse a diagnósticos tardíos y complicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el impacto de la pandemia en los niños con apendicitis aguda. Métodos. Estudio analítico retrospectivocomparativo de pacientes pediátricos conapendicitis aguda durante los cinco meses del confinamiento por COVID-19 versus los meses equivalentes del año previo. Se analizaron la incidencia, la clínica, el estadio, el abordajequirúrgico y las complicaciones. Resultados. Los casos totales de apendicitisse redujeron un 25 % (n = 67 versus n = 50 en 2020). El tiempo medio hasta la consulta fue de 24 horas en ambos períodos (p = 0,989). La incidencia de peritonitis fue del 44 % (n = 22) versus el 37 % (n = 22) (p = 0,22) en 2019. No se evidenció diferencia en los estadios deenfermedad de acuerdo con lo informado en los partes quirúrgicos. En 2019, todas las cirugías se realizaron por vía laparoscópica; en 2020, solo un42 % (n = 21). La incidencia de complicaciones fue del 6 %, contra 7,5 % en el período previo (p = 0,75). Un paciente fue COVID-19 positivo. Conclusión. A pesar de la reducción en el númerode casos de apendicitis, no se evidenció una demora en la consulta en nuestra población. El mayor impacto se asoció a la readecuación del manejo, evitando el abordaje laparoscópico para reducir la diseminación del virus.

Introduction. Appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, management strategies were reassessed and the number of visits to the emergency department dropped down, which may be associated with delayed diagnoses and complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic on children with acute appendicitis. Methods. Analytical, retrospective, comparative study of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis in the 5 months of COVID-19 lockdown versus the same period in the previous year. Incidence, clinical data, stage, surgical approach, and complications were analyzed. Results. The total number of appendicitis cases went down by 25 % (n = 67 versus n = 50 in 2020). The mean time to consultation was 24 hours in both periods (p = 0.989). The incidence of peritonitis was 44 % (n = 22) versus 37 % (n = 22) (p = 0.22) in 2019. No differences were  observed in terms of appendicitis stage based on surgery reports. In 2019, all surgeries were laparoscopic; while in 2020, only 42 % (n = 21). The incidence of complications was 6 % versus 7.5 % in the previous period (p = 0.75). One patient was COVID-19 positive. Conclusion. Although in our population the number of appendicitis cases dropped down, consultation was not delayed. The greater impact was associated with the reformulation of management strategies, in which the laparoscopic approach is avoided to reduce virus transmission.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical skills training in pediatric surgery residents.

PURPOSE: To analyze the initial impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on surgical skills training and performance of Pediatric Surgery Residents. METHODS: Retrospective study considering the modifications on the Pediatric Surgery Residency training from March 1st-May 31st, 2020. Exposure to OR learning opportunities was compared to the same 2018-2019 trimesters. An anonymous survey about self-perception on surgical skills development was also performed. RESULTS: Residents performed 209 procedures as leading surgeons during the 2020 trimester with a mean number of surgeries per resident of 20.9, representing a reduction of 46% and 56.8% compared to the 2018-2019 averages, respectively. Reduction in both the number and the percentage of total procedures (n: 209, 56.8%) compared to both 2019 (n: 354, 68.7%, p: 0.000272) and 2018 (n: 420, 76.1%, p < 0,00,001) showed statistical correlation with no changes in their complexity pattern. From the survey (response rate: 100%), hours dedicated to simulation-based training were highly increased. More time was spent studying, but only 60% achieved better preparation for surgery and 70% perceived a decrease in surgical confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the pandemic promoted new teaching strategies and the use of simulation-based training, it drastically reduced "on-the-job" learning opportunities with potential effects on residents' performance and self-confidence during surgery.

A novel technique for large lateral enterocutaneous fistula management after intestinal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is a serious and complex problem when affecting children, being responsible for a high morbidity burden, with an estimated mortality rate of 10 to 20%. There are many therapeutic options, including surgery and a wide variety of nonoperative strategies. Prognosis of ECF closure depends on the output and also on the patency of distal bowel. Spontaneous closure without operative intervention occurs in approximately 50% of patients with lateral ECF and distal bowel transit, but this drastically decreases in high output fistulas. High-volume fistula output and consequent skin damage are a great challenge for the health-care team. METHODS: We describe a postoperative complication that required a new nonoperative technique for the transient management of a lateral high-output ECF, involving the insertion of an occlusive device in order to redirect intestinal content to the distal bowel, reducing the fistula output. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The main benefit of this nonoperative technique is the ability to occlude a high-output fistula, allowing the distal flow to be restored and reducing abdominal wall damage, as a bridge to definitive surgical closure.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric population with acute appendicitis: Experience at a general, tertiary care hospital. / Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la población pediátrica con apendicitis aguda: experiencia en un hospital general de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: Appendicitis is the leading cause of surgical acute abdomen in pediatrics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, management strategies were reassessed and the number of visits to the emergency department dropped down, which may be associated with delayed diagnoses and complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the pandemic on children with acute appendicitis. METHODS: Analytical, retrospective, comparative study of pediatric patients with acute appendicitis in the 5 months of COVID-19 lockdown versus the same period in the previous year. Incidence, clinical data, stage, surgical approach, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The total number of appendicitis cases went down by 25% (n = 67 versus n = 50 in 2020). The mean time to consultation was 24 hours in both periods (p = 0.989). The incidence of peritonitis was 44% (n = 22) versus 37% (n = 22) (p = 0.22) in 2019. No differences were observed in terms of appendicitis stage based on surgery reports. In 2019, all surgeries were laparoscopic; while in 2020, only 42% (n = 21). The incidence of complications was 6% versus 7.5% in the previous period (p = 0.75). One patient was COVID-19 positive. CONCLUSION: Although in our population the number of appendicitis cases dropped down, consultation was not delayed. The greater impact was associated with the reformulation of management strategies, in which the laparoscopic approach is avoided to reduce virus transmission.

Introducción. La apendicitis constituye la principal causa de abdomen agudo quirúrgico en pediatría. Durante la pandemia por COVID-19, se replantearon las estrategias de manejo y disminuyeron las consultas en las guardias, lo que podría asociarse a diagnósticos tardíos y complicaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el impacto de la pandemia en los niños con apendicitis aguda. Métodos. Estudio analítico retrospectivo comparativo de pacientes pediátricos con apendicitis aguda durante los cinco meses del confinamiento por COVID-19 versus los meses equivalentes del año previo. Se analizaron la incidencia, la clínica, el estadio, el abordaje quirúrgico y las complicaciones. Resultados. Los casos totales de apendicitis se redujeron un 25% (n = 67 versus n = 50 en 2020). El tiempo medio hasta la consulta fue de 24 horas en ambos períodos (p = 0,989). La incidencia de peritonitis fue del 44% (n = 22) versus el 37% (n = 22) (p = 0,22) en 2019. No se evidenció diferencia en los estadios de enfermedad de acuerdo con lo informado en los partes quirúrgicos. En 2019, todas las cirugías se realizaron por vía laparoscópica; en 2020, solo un 42% (n = 21). La incidencia de complicaciones fue del 6%, contra 7,5% en el período previo (p = 0,75). Un paciente fue COVID-19 positivo. Conclusión. A pesar de la reducción en el número de casos de apendicitis, no se evidenció una demora en la consulta en nuestra población. El mayor impacto se asoció a la readecuación del manejo, evitando el abordaje laparoscópico para reducir la diseminación del virus.

Hematoma duodenal posvideoendoscopia digestiva alta para diagnóstico de enfermedad de injerto contra huésped en pediatría: a propósito de dos casos / Duodenal hematoma after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in pediatric graft vs host disease: Report of two cases

La enfermedad de injerto contra huésped es una complicación grave que se presenta después del trasplante de médula ósea, con morbilidad y mortalidad elevadas. El patrón de oro para evaluar su compromiso gastrointestinal es la endoscopia digestiva alta y baja con toma de biopsia. El desarrollo de hematoma duodenal intramural es una complicación poco frecuente asociada con este procedimiento .Se presentan dos casos de hematoma duodenal intramural posendoscopia en pacientes con trasplante y sospecha de enfermedad injerto contra huésped que presentaron un cuadro agudo de dolor abdominal y sangrado intestinal. El diagnóstico se realizó por tomografía y recibieron tratamiento conservador, con un resultado favorable. En ambos casos, el diagnóstico de enfermedad injerto contra huésped gastrointestinal se hizo a través de las biopsias colónicas con histología duodenal normal, lo que sugiere evitar la toma de muestras duodenales para prevenir esta grave complicación en pacientes de alto riesgo y, de este modo, disminuir la morbilidad.

Graft versus host disease is a serious complication that occurs following bone marrow transplant with significant morbidity and mortality. The gold standard to diagnose gastrointestinal graft versus host disease is upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy with histological validation. The development of intramural duodenal hematoma is a rare complication associated with this procedure. We present two cases of intramural duodenal haematoma after duodenal biopsies in bone marrow transplant patients that presented clinically with severe abdominal pain and intestinal bleeding. In both cases, CT scans confirmed the diagnosis and they were treated conservatively with favorable outcomes.Final diagnosis of gastrointestinal graft versus host disease was based on the colonic samples with normal duodenal histoarchitecture, which could lead to avoiding duodenal samples in future patients in order to prevent this serious complication and thus diminish morbidity.

Ruptura diafragmatica postraumatica en pediatria: A proposito de un caso / Post traumatic diaphragmatic rupture in children: Case report

La ruptura diafragmática es una entidad relativamente infrecuente en pediatría que se puede presentar como consecuencia de un traumatismo de alto impacto. Solo entre el 25% y el 50% de los casos es detectado en la evaluación inicial del paciente, lo que aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones. En este trabajo, se presenta el caso de una paciente asintomática, de 8 años de edad, que, tras un accidente vehicular y la evaluación inicial en otro centro, fue derivada a nuestra Institución para el control evolutivo. A las 36 horas del ingreso, presentó hipoventilación pulmonar izquierda. La tomografía demostró un ascenso intratorácico del ángulo esplénico del colon y asas de intestino delgado. Se efectuó la exploración y el tratamiento quirúrgico. Los controles radiográficos diferidos no mostraron signos de recidiva.

Diaphragmatic rupture is a relatively uncommon entity in pediatrics that can occur as a result of a high-impact trauma. Only between 25 and 50% of the cases are detected in the initial evaluation of the patient, which increases the risk of complications. This paper presents the case of an asymptomatic 8-year-old patient who was referred to our institution after a vehicular accident. A day and a half after admission, a left pulmonary hypoventilation was detected. Computed tomography scan showed intrathoracic elevation of the splenic angle of the colon and the small bowel. Surgical exploration and treatment were performed. Deferred radiographic controls showed no signs of relapse.