European Pediatric Surgeons' Association Survey on Timing of Inguinal Hernia Repair in Premature Infants.

AIM: This article evaluates the practice patterns of European Pediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA) members regarding the timing of inguinal hernia (IH) repair in premature infants. METHODS: Online survey containing 29 questions distributed to EUPSA members during January 2023. RESULTS: A total of 180 responds were received. Overall, IH repair prior to discharge was favored by 60% of respondents when there was a history of incarceration and 56% when there was not. In the case of very/extremely premature infants (< 32 weeks) with no history of incarceration, fewer (43%) respondents postpone the surgery until after discharge. The majority of respondents cited the risk of incarceration as the reason for advocating surgery prior to discharge, whereas a reduced risk of apnea was the most cited reason for respondents who prefer delayed surgery. Open approach under general anesthesia was favored by 54% of respondents, with 27% of them preferring open approach with spinal anesthesia. Laparoscopic surgery for premature infants is used in 11% while 7% of them preferred in all premature infants including extremely/very premature ones. Contralateral side evaluation was never done by 40% of respondents and 29% only performed it only during laparoscopic repair. The majority of respondents (77%) indicated that they have an overnight stay policy for premature infants < 45 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: There is variation in the practice patterns of pediatric surgeons in the treatment of IH in premature infants. Due to the concern for the high risk of incarceration, IH repair before discharge was the most prevalent practice. Lower risk of postoperative apnea was cited as the most common reason for delaying surgery. Randomized studies are required to establish the optimal timing for IH repair in premature infants.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of postoperative complications and readmissions after appendectomy in children.

To analyze the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting the development of postoperative complications and readmission after appendectomy in children. A retrospective single-centered case-control study was conducted on children who underwent appendectomy between 2017 and 2020. Demographics, time since symptoms onset, laboratory tests at admission, postoperative complications, and readmissions in the first 30 days after surgery were recorded. Sensitivity and specificity analysis of the parameters evaluated were determined by the area under the curve (AUC) represented on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A total of 1,214 patients (765 males; 449 females) were included, with a median age at diagnosis of 10.4 years. The median time from symptom onset was 24 h. During the first 30 days after surgery, 149 postoperative complications were reported (12.3%). NLR at admission presented the highest AUC (0.753), with a cut-off point of 10.5 for maximum sensitivity (68.7%) and specificity (86.1%). Readmissions were reported in 45 cases (3.7%). NLR at admission presented an AUC of 0.794 significantly higher than neutrophils (0.696), leukocytes (0.654), and time since symptom onset (0.622), making these differences statistically significant (p < 0.001). The cut-off point of NLR > 12.4 was estimated, with a maximum sensitivity and specificity of 71.0% and 82.3% for predicting readmission. NLR is an independent predictor of postoperative complications and readmission in children with acute appendicitis. While its application in routine clinical practice has yet to be established, the NLR may provide clinicians with a tool for identifying high-risk surgical patients.

Application of Ultrasound Scores (Subjective Assessment, Simple Rules Risk Assessment, ADNEX Model, O-RADS) to Adnexal Masses of Difficult Classification.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound features help to differentiate benign from malignant masses, and some of them are included in the ultrasound (US) scores. The main aim of this work is to describe the ultrasound features of certain adnexal masses of difficult classification and to analyse them according to the most frequently used US scores. METHODS: Retrospective studies of adnexal lesions are difficult to classify by US scores in women undergoing surgery. Ultrasound characteristics were analysed, and masses were classified according to the Subjective Assessment of the ultrasonographer (SA) and other US scores (IOTA Simple Rules Risk Assessment-SRRA, ADNEX model with and without CA125 and O-RADS). RESULTS: A total of 133 adnexal masses were studied (benign: 66.2%, n:88; malignant: 33.8%, n:45) in a sample of women with mean age 56.5 ± 7.8 years. Malignant lesions were identified by SA in all cases. Borderline ovarian tumors (n:13) were not always detected by some US scores (SRRA: 76.9%, ADNEX model without and with CA125: 76.9% and 84.6%) nor were serous carcinoma (n:19) (SRRA: 89.5%), clear cell carcinoma (n:9) (SRRA: 66.7%) or endometrioid carcinoma (n:4) (ADNEX model without CA125: 75.0%). While most teratomas and serous cystadenomas have been correctly differentiated, other benign lesions were misclassified because of the presence of solid areas or papillae. Fibromas (n:13) were better identified by SA (23.1% malignancy), but worse with the other US scores (SRRA: 69.2%, ADNEX model without and with CA125: 84.6% and 69.2%, O-RADS: 53.8%). Cystoadenofibromas (n:10) were difficult to distinguish from malignant masses via all scores except SRRA (SA: 70.0%, SRRA: 20.0%, ADNEX model without and with CA125: 60.0% and 50.0%, O-RADS: 90.0%). Mucinous cystadenomas (n:12) were misdiagnosed as malignant in more than 15% of the cases in all US scores (SA: 33.3%, SRRA: 16.7%, ADNEX model without and with CA125: 16.7% and 16.7%, O-RADS:41.7%). Brenner tumors are also difficult to classify using all scores. CONCLUSION: Some malignant masses (borderline ovarian tumors, serous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, endometrioid carcinomas) are not always detected by US scores. Fibromas, cystoadenofibromas, some mucinous cystadenomas and Brenner tumors may present solid components/papillae that may induce confusion with malignant lesions. Most teratomas and serous cystadenomas are usually correctly classified.

Ultrasound Features and Ultrasound Scores in the Differentiation between Benign and Malignant Adnexal Masses.

BACKGROUND: Several ultrasound (US) features help ultrasound experts in the classification of benign vs. malignant adnexal masses. US scores serve in this differentiation, but they all have misdiagnoses. The main objective of this study is to evaluate what ultrasound characteristics are associated with malignancy influencing ultrasound scores. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of ultrasound features of adnexal lesions of women managed surgically. Ultrasound characteristics were analyzed, and masses were classified by subjective assessment of the ultrasonographer (SA) and other ultrasound scores (IOTA Simple Rules Risk Assessment SRRA, ADNEX model, and O-RADS). RESULTS: Of a total of 187 adnexal masses studied, 134 were benign (71.7%) and 53 were malignant (28.3%). SA, IOTA SRRA, ADNEX model with or without CA125 and O-RADS had high levels of sensitivity (93.9%, 81.1%, 94.3%, 88.7%, 98.1%) but lower specificity (80.2%, 82.1%, 82.8%, 77.6%, 73.1%) with similar AUC (0.87, 0.87, 0.92, 0.90, 0.86). Ultrasound features significantly related with malignancy were the presence of irregular contour, absence of acoustic shadowing, vascularized solid areas, ≥1 papillae, vascularized septum, and moderate-severe ascites. CONCLUSION: IOTA SRRA, ADNEX model, and O-RADS can help in the classification of benign and malignant masses. Certain ultrasound characteristics studied in ultrasound scores are associated with malignancy.

Sarcopenia as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Hepatoblastoma: Does It Influence Surgical Outcomes and Survival? Preliminary Retrospective Study.

AIM: Sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis in adult oncologic patients, with little evidence of this association in pediatric population, including hepatoblastoma. METHODS: Retrospective study in patients with hepatoblastoma, divided into those with or without sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was assessed by measuring psoas muscle area (PMA) at L4-L5 level on the CT/MR and defined as z-score values ≤ 2. Relapse and mortality were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (57.1% male) were included, with median age 35.7 months (IQR: 23.5-58.5). Seven (33.3%) had sarcopenia on initial studies compared to 14 (66.7%) who did not. No differences were found between groups in age, weight, PRETEXT, surgical treatment or. α-fetoprotein levels. Sarcopenia was associated with a higher rate of metastases at diagnosis (49.2% vs 0.0%; p = 0.026) and surgical complications (57.1% vs 21.4%, p = 0.047). After a median follow-up of 65.1 months (1.7-144.8), 2 patients (28.6%) had tumor relapse in sarcopenic group compared to 1 (7.1%) in non-sarcopenic group. Two patients died in sarcopenic group and 1 in non-sarcopenic group. Median event-free survival (EFS) was lower in sarcopenic group (100.38 ± 25.63 vs 118.91 ± 11.52 months) as well as overall survival (OS) (101.72 ± 24.86 vs 121.78 ± 8.75 months) with no statistical significance. Five-year EFS was also lower in sarcopenic group (71% vs 93%) as well as 5-year OS (71% vs 87%). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia at diagnosis was associated with a higher rate of metastases and surgical complications in hepatoblastoma. Our data shows the first evidence of its role as a possible poor prognostic factor, influencing survival and risk of relapse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II. TYPE OF STUDY: Original article. Retrospective study.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of surgical site infection in acute appendicitis.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common complications after appendectomy, which carries high associated morbidity. Therefore, it is essential to determine SSI predictive factors in order to prevent its occurrence. The aim of this study is to explore the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a predictor of SSI after appendectomy in children. Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was performed in children who underwent appendectomy between 2017-2020. Demographics, time since symptoms onset, laboratory tests at admission, ultrasound appendiceal diameter, rate of complicated appendicitis, surgical aproach, surgery time and SSI rate were analyzed. Follow-up was performed during hospitalization and at outpatient clinic at 2 weeks and 30 days postoperatively to assess the surgical wound aspect. Diagnostic cut-off values of these markers for SSI prediction were based on the significance in the univariate analysis. Variables with a P value <0.05 in the univariate analysis were then entered into the multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 1,136 patients (710 males; 426 females) were included. SSI was reported in 53 patients (4.7%) during the 30-day follow-up after appendectomy (SSI group), with no demographic differences with the control group. Time since symptoms onset was significantly higher in SSI group (24 vs. 18 hours; P=0.034), as well as ultrasound appendiceal diameter (10.5 vs. 8.5 mm; P=0.010). Complicated appendicitis was observed in about 60% of both groups, without differences in surgical approach between them. Surgery time was statistically higher in the SSI group (62.4 vs. 47.9 min; P<0.001). SSI group presented higher counts of leukocytes, neutrophils and NLR than control group (P<0.001). NLR was the parameter with the highest area under the curve (AUC) (AUC =0.808; P<0.001), with a cut-off point of 9.8 with maximum sensitivity (77.8%) and specificity (72.7%). NLR was an independent predictive factor for SSI in the multivariate analysis [odds ratio (OR) 1.82 (1.13-2.73); P<0.01]. Conclusions: NLR value at admission was the most promising predictive factor for the development of SSI in children undergoing appendectomy. It is an easy, simple, inexpensive, and rapid method to detect patients at high risk for SSI. However, further prospective studies are still needed to confirm these results.

Comparison of Ultrasound Scores in Differentiating between Benign and Malignant Adnexal Masses.

Subjective ultrasound assessment by an expert examiner is meant to be the best option for the differentiation between benign and malignant adnexal masses. Different ultrasound scores can help in the classification, but whether one of them is significantly better than others is still a matter of debate. The main aim of this work is to compare the diagnostic performance of some of these scores in the evaluation of adnexal masses in the same set of patients. This is a retrospective study of a consecutive series of women diagnosed as having a persistent adnexal mass and managed surgically. Ultrasound characteristics were analyzed according to IOTA criteria. Masses were classified according to the subjective impression of the sonographer and other ultrasound scores (IOTA simple rules -SR-, IOTA simple rules risk assessment -SRRA-, O-RADS classification, and ADNEX model -with and without CA125 value-). A total of 122 women were included. Sixty-two women were postmenopausal (50.8%). Eighty-one women had a benign mass (66.4%), and 41 (33.6%) had a malignant tumor. The sensitivity of subjective assessment, IOTA SR, IOTA SRRA, and ADNEX model with or without CA125 and O-RADS was 87.8%, 66.7%, 78.1%, 95.1%, 87.8%, and 90.2%, respectively. The specificity for these approaches was 69.1%, 89.2%, 72.8%, 74.1%, 67.9%, and 60.5%, respectively. All methods with similar AUC (0.81, 0.78, 0.80, 0.88, 0.84, and 0.75, respectively). We concluded that IOTA SR, IOTA SRRA, and ADNEX models with or without CA125 and O-RADS can help in the differentiation of benign and malignant masses, and their performance is similar to the subjective assessment of an experienced sonographer.

Fetal lung hypoxia and energetic cell failure in the nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia rat model.

PURPOSE: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) pathogenesis is poorly understood. We hypothesize that fetal CDH lungs are chronically hypoxic because of lung hypoplasia and tissue compression, affecting the cell bioenergetics as a possible explanation for abnormal lung development. METHODS: To investigate this theory, we conducted a study using the rat nitrofen model of CDH. We evaluated the bioenergetics status using H1 Nuclear magnetic resonance and studied the expression of enzymes involved in energy production, the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, and the glucose transporter 1. RESULTS: The nitrofen-exposed lungs have increased levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and the main fetal glucose transporter, more evident in the CDH lungs. We also found imbalanced AMP:ATP and ADP:ATP ratios, and a depleted energy cellular charge. Subsequent transcription levels and protein expression of the enzymes involved in bioenergetics confirm the attempt to prevent the energy collapse with the increase in lactate dehydrogenase C, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 and 2, adenosine monophosphate deaminase, AMP-activated protein kinase, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2, and liver kinase B1, while decreasing ATP synthase. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that changes in energy production could play a role in CDH pathogenesis. If confirmed in other animal models and humans, this could lead to the development of novel therapies targeting the mitochondria to improve outcomes.

Does the timing of appendectomy affect outcomes and postoperative complications?

PURPOSE: There is controversy about the necessity of nighttime appendectomy. The aim of this study was to determine whether timing of appendectomy performance plays a role on postoperative complications. METHODS: A retrospective single-center comparative study was performed in children who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis between 2017 and 2021. Patients were divided into groups based on the time slot in which surgery was performed: morning (8:00 h-15:00 h), afternoon (15:00 h-22:00 h) and night (22:00 h-08:00 h). Demographics, intraoperative data, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: A total of 1643 patients were included: 337 were operated in the morning, 751 in the afternoon and 555 at night. We found no demographic differences. When comparing the intraoperative data, no differences were observed in the percentage of complicated appendicitis. Night group patients presented a higher percentage of open appendectomies (64.5%) when compared to afternoon (49.6%) and morning (46.2%) groups (p < 0.001). Surgery time was also significantly shorter in the night group (45.2 min ± 18.9 min) (p < 0.001). There were no differences in length of hospital stay, postoperative complications rate or readmission rate. CONCLUSION: These results show that in our institution time slot in which the appendectomy is performed has no consequences in postoperative outcomes and complications.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of the Need for Surgical Treatment in Children's Intussusception.

OBJECTIVE: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an emerging inflammatory marker in abdominal pathologies. Ileocolic intussusception (ICI) involves a progressive intestinal inflammation, and the effectiveness of nonsurgical treatment (enema) might be related to the inflammation degree, although no previous studies have investigated this relationship. Our aim is to identify predictors of the need for surgical treatment in ICI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, retrospective, case-control study was performed in children with ICI, who were treated with initial nonsurgical management between 2005 and 2019. Patients were divided in two groups: A (effective enema) and B (need for surgery). Admission demographic and clinical and laboratory data were analyzed. Specificity and sensitivity of the different parameters as predictors of the need for surgical treatment were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: A total of 511 patients were included (410: group A; 101: group B), without statistically significant demographic differences. Group B presented significantly higher frequency of vomiting, bloody stools, and longer median time since symptoms onset (24 vs. 8 hours; p < 0.001). Group B presented higher median laboratory inflammatory markers than group A: NLR (6.8 vs. 1.8; p < 0.001), neutrophils (10,148 vs. 7,468; p < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP; 28.2 vs. 4.7; p < 0.001). In ROC curve analysis, NLR had an area under the curve of 0.925, higher than neutrophil count (0.776; p = 0.001), CRP (0.670; p = 0.001), and time since symptoms onset (0.673; p = 0.001). It was estimated a cut-off point of NLR greater than 4.52 (sensitivity: 73.2%; specificity: 94.5%). CONCLUSION: High NLR values imply a high degree of bowel inflammation and might anticipate the need for surgical treatment in ICI in children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Mutations in SCNM1 cause orofaciodigital syndrome due to minor intron splicing defects affecting primary cilia.

Orofaciodigital syndrome (OFD) is a genetically heterogeneous ciliopathy characterized by anomalies of the oral cavity, face, and digits. We describe individuals with OFD from three unrelated families having bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in SCNM1 as the cause of their condition. SCNM1 encodes a protein recently shown to be a component of the human minor spliceosome. However, so far the effect of loss of SCNM1 function on human cells had not been assessed. Using a comparative transcriptome analysis between fibroblasts derived from an OFD-affected individual harboring SCNM1 mutations and control fibroblasts, we identified a set of genes with defective minor intron (U12) processing in the fibroblasts of the affected subject. These results were reproduced in SCNM1 knockout hTERT RPE-1 (RPE-1) cells engineered by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated editing and in SCNM1 siRNA-treated RPE-1 cultures. Notably, expression of TMEM107 and FAM92A encoding primary cilia and basal body proteins, respectively, and that of DERL2, ZC3H8, and C17orf75, were severely reduced in SCNM1-deficient cells. Primary fibroblasts containing SCNM1 mutations, as well as SCNM1 knockout and SCNM1 knockdown RPE-1 cells, were also found with abnormally elongated cilia. Conversely, cilia length and expression of SCNM1-regulated genes were restored in SCNM1-deficient fibroblasts following reintroduction of SCNM1 via retroviral delivery. Additionally, functional analysis in SCNM1-retrotransduced fibroblasts showed that SCNM1 is a positive mediator of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Our findings demonstrate that defective U12 intron splicing can lead to a typical ciliopathy such as OFD and reveal that primary cilia length and Hh signaling are regulated by the minor spliceosome through SCNM1 activity.

European Pediatric Surgeons' Association Survey on the Use of Splenic Embolization in Blunt Splenic Trauma in Children.

INTRODUCTION: This article assesses (1) access to splenic embolization (SE), (2) indications for SE, and (3) post-embolization management in high-grade splenic trauma in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent in 2021 to all members of European Pediatric Surgeons' Association. RESULTS: There were a total of 157 responses (50 countries, 83% academic hospitals). Among them, 68% have access to SE (SE) and 32% do not (nSE). For a hemodynamic stable patient with high-grade isolated splenic trauma without contrast extravasation (CE) on computed tomography (CT) scan, 99% SE and 95% nSE respondents use nonoperative management (NOM). In cases with CE, NOM decreases to 50% (p = 0.01) and 51% (p = 0.007) in SE and nSE centers, respectively. SE respondents report a significant reduction of NOM in stable patients with an associated spine injury requiring urgent surgery in prone position, both without and with CE (90 and 28%, respectively). For these respondents, in stable patients the association of a femur fracture only tends to decrease the NOM, both without and with CE (93 and 39%, respectively). There was no significant difference in NOM in group nSE with associated injuries with or without CE. After proximal SE with preserved spleen vascularization on ultrasound Doppler, 44% respondents prescribe antibiotics and/or immunizations. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of respondents have access to SE. For SE respondents, SE is used even in stable patients when CE showed on initial CT scan and its use increased with the concomitant need for spinal surgery. There is currently a variation in the use of SE and antibiotics/immunizations following SE.

Postoperative Pneumoperitoneum in Pediatric Patients: Residual Air or Surgical Complication? A Prospective Study.

Background: Residual postoperative pneumoperitoneum (RPP) can be confused with postoperative complications. Our aim was to study RPP characteristics in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: Prospective study in children with noncomplicated appendicitis, from July to December 2019, divided into open appendectomy (OA) or laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). Abdominal ultrasounds were performed daily to assess RPP. Demographic, surgical data, and RPP characteristics were analyzed. Results: Forty-one patients (63% male) aged 9.8 ± 2.9 years were included: 19 had OA and 22 LA. RPP was present in 90.9% of LA patients versus 21.1% of OA (P < .001). RPP disappeared by the postoperative day (POD) 2, in all OA patients. RPP was present in 90.9% of LA patients in POD 1, 53.8% on POD 2, 25% on POD 3, and in no patient from POD 4. RPP prevalence was not associated with surgical duration, age, gender, or type of appendicitis. RPP was associated with pain radiating to the shoulders (PRS) (P = .018), with a sensitivity of 50.0% and specificity of 88.23% for diagnosis. Conclusions: Surgical approach was the main factor associated with RPP persistence. PRS in the physical examination may be helpful for diagnosis when RPP is suspected. The persistence of RPP beyond POD 4 is uncommon, and should be considered when making decisions.

Recurrence of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Risk Factors, Management, and Future Perspectives.

Recurrence is one of the most common surgical complications in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). It could remain clinically silent for a long time or present as an acute complication week, months, or even years after the primary surgery. Several risk factors have been identified so far. An extended diaphragmatic defect represents one of the leading independent risk factors, together with indirect signs of large defect such as the liver position related to the diaphragm and the use of the prosthetic patch and with the use of a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach. However, the exact contribution of each factor and the overall risk of recurrence during the life span still need to be fully understood. This mini-review aims to give an overview of the current knowledge regarding CDH recurrence, focusing on predisposing factors, clinical presentation, management and follow-up of high-risk patients, and future perspectives.

Indocyanine Green (ICG)-Guided Identification of Hypermetabolic Pancreatic Nodules in Focal Congenital Hyperinsulinism: A Case Report in a 3-Month-Old Infant.

Indocyanine green (ICG)-guided near-infrared fluorescence has been recently adopted in pediatric surgery, although its use in the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism has not been reported. We present a case of focal congenital hyperinsulinism in which ICG-navigation with ICG was used during surgical treatment. A 3-month-old infant was referred to our institution from a peripheral hospital for episodes of persistent hypoglycemia since birth, with no response to intravenous treatment with diazoxide, octreotide, or hydrochlorothiazide. An abdominal positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan showed a hypermetabolic nodule in the proximal portion of the body of the pancreas, compatible with focal congenital hyperinsulinism. A heterozygous mutation in the ABCC gene (Ala1516Glyfs*19) frameshift type inherited from the father was identified, which supported this diagnosis. Laparoscopy-assisted surgery was performed with ICG-guided near-infrared fluorescence, with intravenous injection of 16 mg ICG (2 mg/mg), which allowed localization of the focal lesion in the body of the pancreas. The lesion was resected with bipolar electrocautery and intraoperative histological study confirmed complete resection. Plasma glucose values normalized 6 hours after surgery and the patient was discharged 5 days later. In conclusion, the use of ICG in the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism helps to identify hypermetabolic pancreatic nodules, decreasing the likelihood of incomplete resection.

Complicated Acute Appendicitis during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Hidden Epidemic in Children.

INTRODUCTION: Since home confinement for novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began, pediatric visits to the emergency department (ED) have decreased, including consultation for abdominal pain. Our aim is to investigate the incidence of complicated acute appendicitis (AA; peritonitis or appendicular mass) during confinement for COVID-19 pandemic and to compare it with the previous 5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in children with AA who underwent surgery between March 9 and April 13 from 2015 to 2020; patients were divided into six groups according to the year of surgery. We analyzed demographic variables, time from onset of symptoms, mean hospital stay, cumulative incidence, and incidence rate of complicated appendicitis. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients were included with no differences in the number of patients, gender, and age between groups. Patients in 2020 (COVID-19 group) presented longer symptom progression time (46.8 hours; p = 0.046), higher rate of complicated appendicitis (48.4%; p = 0.004), longer mean hospital stay (4.9 days; p < 0.001), increased cumulative incidence (8.27 cases per 100,000 children per 0.1 years; p < 0.001), and increased incidence rate of complicated appendicitis (83 cases per 100,000 children; p < 0.001) when compared with other groups. CONCLUSION: Delayed ED visit of children with AA during home confinement lead to an increased rate of complicated appendicitis. It is crucial to make parents aware of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of abdominal pain.

European Pediatric Surgeons' Association Survey on the Management of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Children.

AIM: To evaluate the practice patterns of the European Pediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA) members regarding the management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in children. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to all members of EUPSA. RESULTS: In total, 131 members from 44 countries participated in the survey. Interventional approach (78%) is the most common choice of treatment in the first episode, and most commonly, chest tube insertion (71%) is performed. In the case of a respiratory stable patient, 60% of the responders insert chest tubes if the pneumothorax is more than 2 cm. While 49% of surgeons prefer surgical intervention in the second episode, 42% still prefer chest tube insertion. Main indications for surgical treatment were the presence of bullae more than 2 cm (77%), and recurrent pneumothorax (76%). Eighty-four percent of surgeons prefer thoracoscopy and perform excision of bullae with safe margins (91%). To prevent recurrences, 54% of surgeons perform surgical pleurodesis with pleural abrasion (55%) and partial pleurectomy (22%). The responders who perform thoracoscopy use more surgical pleurodesis and prefer shorter chest tube duration than the surgeons performing open surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the responders prefer chest tube insertion in the management of first episode of PSP and perform surgical treatment in the second episode in case of underlying bullae more than 2 cm and recurrent pneumothorax. The surgeons performing thoracoscopy use more surgical pleurodesis and prefer shorter chest tube duration than the responders performing open surgery. The development of evidence-based guidelines may help standardize care and improve outcomes in children with PSP.

Synchronous volvulus of the cecum and sigmoid colon: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction.

A 102-year-old female with a past medical history of sigmoid volvulus resolved by colonoscopy a year ago presents to the emergency department with sigmoid volvulus, which is resolved by colonoscopy and rectal tube placement. Three days later, she presented abdominal distention and recurrence of the volvulus, for which a surgical resolution was decided. Laparotomy was performed, where sigmoid and cecal volvulus was found. A cecal detorsion and a cecopexy were performed, and an extended left hemicolectomy with a terminal colostomy to treat the sigmoid volvulus. The patient presents an adequate postoperative period and is discharged. Three months later, the patient was in good clinical condition, eating normally without complications. Volvulus refers to the torsion of a segment of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common sites for colonic volvulus are sigmoid and cecum; however, it is infrequent for these to occur together. We only found six cases reported in the literature of synchronous volvulus of the cecum and sigmoid colon. None of the cases was the diagnosis made preoperatively, suggesting a difficult diagnosis. Treatment depends on the patient's condition; in most reported cases, a subtotal colectomy was performed. The prognosis depends on prompt surgical intervention.

Se reporta un caso de una femenina de 102 años de edad, con antecedente de vólvulo sigmoideo resuelto por medio de colonoscopia hace un año. Se presenta al servicio de urgencias con vólvulo sigmoideo, el cual se resuelve por medio de colonoscopia y se coloca un tubo rectal. Tres días después, presenta nuevamente distensión y recurrencia del vólvulo, por lo cual se decide resolución quirúrgica. Durante la cirugía se encuentra un vólvulo sigmoideo, así como cecal. Se realiza una detorsión con cecopexia y hemicolectomía izquierda con colostomía terminal. La paciente presenta adecuada evolución. Sin complicaciones tres meses después. Vólvulo se refiere a la torsión de un segmento del tracto gastrointestinal. Los sitios más comunes de vólvulos colónicos son sigmoides y ciego, sin embargo, es extremadamente raro que estos se presenten juntos. Únicamente encontramos seis casos reportados en la literatura de vólvulo sincronico sigmoideo y cecal. En ninguno de los casos, se hizo el diagnóstico preoperatoriamente, lo que sugiere un diagnóstico complicado. El tratamiento depende del estado del paciente; en la mayoría de los casos reportados, se realizó una colectomía subtotal. El pronóstico depende de la intervención quirúrgica oportuna.

Environmental Exposure during Pregnancy: Influence on Prenatal Development and Early Life: A Comprehensive Review.

Preconception and prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants may affect future health. Pregnancy and early life are critical sensitive windows of susceptibility. The aim of this review was to summarize current evidence on the toxic effects of environment exposure during pregnancy, the neonatal period, and childhood. Alcohol use is related to foetal alcohol spectrum disorders, foetal alcohol syndrome being its most extreme form. Smoking is associated with placental abnormalities, preterm birth, stillbirth, or impaired growth and development, as well as with intellectual impairment, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Negative birth outcomes have been linked to the use of drugs of abuse. Pregnant and lactating women are exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals present in foodstuffs, which may alter hormones in the body. Prenatal exposure to these compounds has been associated with pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and thyroid function. Metals can accumulate in the placenta, causing foetal growth restriction. Evidence on the effects of air pollutants on pregnancy is constantly growing, for example, preterm birth, foetal growth restriction, increased uterine vascular resistance, impaired placental vascularization, increased gestational diabetes, and reduced telomere length. The advantages of breastfeeding outweigh any risks from contaminants. However, it is important to assess health outcomes of toxic exposures via breastfeeding. Initial studies suggest an association between pre-eclampsia and environmental noise, particularly with early-onset pre-eclampsia. There is rising evidence of the negative effects of environmental contaminants following exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which should be considered a major public health issue.