Meconium Concentrations of Pesticides and Risk of Hypospadias: A Case-Control Study in Brittany, France.

BACKGROUND: Hypospadias is a male genital tract defect for which an increase in prevalence has been documented over the last few decades. A role for environmental risk factors is suspected, including prenatal exposure to pesticides. OBJECTIVES: To study the risk of hypospadias in association with multiple pesticide measurements in meconium samples. METHODS: The Brittany Registry of Congenital Anomalies (France) conducted a case-control study between 2012 and 2018. Cases were hypospadias, ascertained by a pediatrician and a pediatric surgeon, excluding genetic conditions, following European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies guidelines (N = 69). Controls (N = 135) were two male infants without congenital anomaly born after each case in the same maternity unit. Mothers in the maternity units completed a self-administered questionnaire, we collected medical data from hospital records, and medical staff collected meconium samples. We performed chemical analysis of 38 pesticides (parent compound and/or metabolite) by UHPLC/MS/MS following strict quality assurance/quality control criteria and blind to case-control status. We carried out logistic regression accounting for frequency-matching variables and major risk factors. RESULTS: Among the 38 pesticides measured, 16 (42%) were never detected in the meconium samples, 18 (47%) were in <5% of samples, and 4 (11%) in ≥5% of the samples. We observed an association between the detection of fenitrothion in meconium and the risk of hypospadias (OR = 2.6 [1.0-6.3] with n cases = 13, n controls = 21), but not the other pesticides. CONCLUSIONS: Our small study provides a robust assessment of fetal exposure. Fenitrothion's established antiandrogenic activities provide biologic plausibility for our observations. Further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Complications after Heller myotomy in children: a national multicenter study on the impact of prior endoscopic dilatation and identification of risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Although esophageal achalasia has been historically treated by Heller myotomy, endoscopic esophageal dilatations are nowadays often the first-line treatment in children. The aim was to assess whether performing an endoscopic dilatation before a Heller myotomy is associated with higher risks of esophageal perforation in children. METHODS: A retrospective multicentric study was performed, including children that underwent a Heller myotomy (2000-2022, 10 centers). Two groups were compared based on the history of previous dilatation before myotomy. Outcomes esophageal perforation (intra-operative or secondary) and post-operative complications requiring surgery (Clavien-Dindo III). Statistics Comparisons using contingency tables or Kruskal-Wallis when appropriate. Statistical significance: p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: A Heller myotomy was performed in 77 children (median age: 11.8 years), with prior endoscopic dilatation in 53% (n = 41). A laparoscopic approach was used in 90%, with associated fundoplication in 95%. Esophageal perforation occurred in 19% of children (n = 15), including 12 patients with intra-operative mucosal tear and 3 with post-operative complications related to an unnoticed esophageal perforation. Previous endoscopic dilatation did not increase the risk of esophageal perforation (22% vs 17%, OR: 1.4, 95%CI: 0.43-4.69). Post-operative complications occurred in 8% (n = 6), with similar rates regardless of prior endoscopic dilatation. Intra-operative mucosal tear was the only risk factor for post-operative complications, increasing the risk of complications from 5 to 25% (OR: 6.89, 95%CI: 1.38-31.87). CONCLUSIONS: Prior endoscopic dilatations did not increase the risk of esophageal perforation or postoperative complications of Heller myotomy in this cohort of children with achalasia. Mucosal tear was identified as a risk factor for post-operative complications.

Long-Term Functional Outcomes of an Anorectal Malformation French National Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess long-term functional outcomes of children with anorectal malformations (ARMs) across a network of expert centers in France. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients ages 6-30 years that had been surgically treated for ARM. Patient and ARM characteristics (eg, level, surgical approach) and functional outcomes were assessed in the different age groups. RESULTS: Among 367 patients, there were 155 females (42.2%) and 212 males (57.8%), 188 (51.2%) cases with, and 179 (48.8%) higher forms without, perineal fistula. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses with logistic regression showed correlation between the level of the rectal blind pouch and voluntary bowel movements (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84 [1.31-2.57], P < 0.001), or soiling (OR = 1.72 [1.31-2.25], P < 0.001), which was also associated with the inability to discriminate between stool and gas (OR = 2.45 [1.28-4.67], P = 0.007) and the presence of constipation (OR = 2.97 [1.74-5.08], P < 0.001). Risk factors for constipation were sacral abnormalities [OR = 2.26 [1.23-4.25], P = 0.01) and surgical procedures without an abdominal approach (OR = 2.98 [1.29-6.87], P = 0.01). Only the holding of voluntary bowel movements and soiling rates improved with age. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study confirms a strong association between anatomical status and functional outcomes in patients surgically treated for ARM. It specifically highlights the need for long-term follow-up of all patients to help them with supportive care.

DECONbench: a benchmarking platform dedicated to deconvolution methods for tumor heterogeneity quantification.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of tumor heterogeneity is essential to better understand cancer progression and to adapt therapeutic treatments to patient specificities. Bioinformatic tools to assess the different cell populations from single-omic datasets as bulk transcriptome or methylome samples have been recently developed, including reference-based and reference-free methods. Improved methods using multi-omic datasets are yet to be developed in the future and the community would need systematic tools to perform a comparative evaluation of these algorithms on controlled data. RESULTS: We present DECONbench, a standardized unbiased benchmarking resource, applied to the evaluation of computational methods quantifying cell-type heterogeneity in cancer. DECONbench includes gold standard simulated benchmark datasets, consisting of transcriptome and methylome profiles mimicking pancreatic adenocarcinoma molecular heterogeneity, and a set of baseline deconvolution methods (reference-free algorithms inferring cell-type proportions). DECONbench performs a systematic performance evaluation of each new methodological contribution and provides the possibility to publicly share source code and scoring. CONCLUSION: DECONbench allows continuous submission of new methods in a user-friendly fashion, each novel contribution being automatically compared to the reference baseline methods, which enables crowdsourced benchmarking. DECONbench is designed to serve as a reference platform for the benchmarking of deconvolution methods in the evaluation of cancer heterogeneity. We believe it will contribute to leverage the benchmarking practices in the biomedical and life science communities. DECONbench is hosted on the open source Codalab competition platform. It is freely available at: https://competitions.codalab.org/competitions/27453 .

Post-natal co-development of the microbiota and gut barrier function follows different paths in the small and large intestine in piglets.

Gut microbiota and intestinal barrier co-develop after birth, establishing a homeostatic state whereby mucosal cells cohabit with commensal bacteria. We hypothesized that this post-natal co-development follows different timings depending on the intestinal site considered. Jejunal, ileal, and colonic luminal contents and mucosa were sampled in suckling piglets at post-natal day (PND) 0, 2, 7, 14, and 28. Jejunal, ileal, and colonic luminal microbiota (evaluated by 16S DNA sequencing followed by beta-diversity analysis) clustered at PND2 but colonic microbiota diverge afterwards (P < .05). Mucosal permeability, evaluated in Ussing chambers, increased with age in the jejunum and ileum (P < .05) but not the colon. Expression of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) exhibited different patterns (gradual or sharp increase, decrease, or no change with age, P < .05) depending on PRR and intestinal site considered. Principal component analysis of mucosa data revealed clear clustering of colonic samples, irrespective of the age and clustering of jejunal and ileal samples, with gradual changes with age. Correlation analysis highlighted three families correlating with mucosal parameters: Enterobacteriaceae in the jejunum, Peptostreptococcaceae in the ileum, and Micrococcaceae in the colon. In conclusion, small and large intestine display close microbiota composition early in life but distinct mucosal phenotype and follow very different post-natal development.

Unresectable thoracic neuroblastic tumors: Changes in image-defined risk factors after chemotherapy and impact on surgical management.

PURPOSE: Neuroblastoma management in children is multimodal and depends on multiple factors, including the possibility of complete surgical resection. Image-defined risk factors (IDRFs) are used to assess the feasibility of primary surgery. We studied the changes in IDRFs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for thoracic neurogenic tumors. METHODS: We performed a multicenter review of 27 patients presenting with unresectable thoracic neurogenic tumors. Patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, according to their risk group. IDRF at diagnosis and before surgery were retrospectively analyzed by a radiologist and a surgeon, blind to the initial assessment. Surgical and oncologic outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: None of the patients presented MYCN amplification, and 78 IDRFs were identified at diagnosis. Vascular IDRFs were the most frequent, with 28 vascular IDRFs detected in 18 patients, 22 of which disappeared after chemotherapy. Reductions of tumor volume were associated with a regression of IDRFs. Patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery had smaller tumor volumes than those undergoing open surgery, and no vascular IDRF. Two patients received two additional courses of chemotherapy to reduce tumor volume sufficiently for surgery. One patient with ganglioneuroblastoma underwent early surgery due to a lack of response to initial chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Tumor volume reduction with neoadjuvant chemotherapy eliminates most IDRF in thoracic neurogenic tumors. Vascular IDRF are rapidly resolved at this site, making surgical resection and minimally invasive surgery possible.

Performance of diagnostic ultrasound to identify causes of hydramnios.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of ultrasonography in the identification of the etiology of hydramnios, and the added value of MRI or amniocentesis. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including pregnancies with confirmed hydramnios (defined as deepest pocket ≥8 cm) between January 2013 and May 2017. Twin pregnancies, secondary hydramnios discovered after the diagnosis of a causal pathology, and pregnancies of unknown outcome were excluded. All pregnancies underwent a targeted scan, and selected cases underwent MRI or amniocentesis. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients with confirmed hydramnios were included. Hydramnios was associated with a fetal pathology in 37 cases (23.4%), with diabetes in 39 (24.6%), isolated macrosomia in 16 (10.1%), and considered idiopathic in 66 (41.7%). Ultrasonography established a diagnosis of the underlying pathology in 73% of cases. Amniocentesis was done in 31 cases (20%) and it allowed diagnosis of chromosome anomalies, esophageal atresia, myotonic dystrophy congenital type, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Bartter syndrome. MRI was done in 15 cases (10%) and it allowed one additional diagnosis of esophageal atresia. The diagnostic yields of MRI and amniocentesis were 91.7% and 95.2%, respectively. There were five false positive diagnoses at ultrasonography, and one false positive diagnosis at MRI. CONCLUSION: Hydramnios can be associated with a wide variety of underlying pathologies. Diagnostic ultrasound can attain a diagnosis in the majority of cases. Amniocentesis offers a valuable complementary assessment.

Multicystic and diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in children.

BACKGROUND: Malignant and multicystic peritoneal mesotheliomas are extremely rare tumors in children, developing from mesothelial cells. No specific guidelines are available at this age. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all identified children (< 18-year-old) treated in France from 1987 to 2017 for a diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) or a multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (MCPM). RESULTS: Fourteen patients (5 males and nine females), aged 2.2 to 17.5 years, were included. The most frequent presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, ascitis, and alteration in the general condition. Eight patients had epithelioid mesothelioma, three had biphasic mesothelioma, and three had MCPM. Eight patients with DMPM diagnosis received cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Among them, six patients had neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy, one patient, post-operative chemotherapy, and one patient CRS and HIPEC only. Three patients received only systemic chemotherapy. All patients with MCPM had only surgery. After a median follow-up of seven years (2-15), six patients (6/11; one death) with DMPM and two patients (two/three) with MCPM had a local and distant recurrences. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal mesothelioma in children is a rare condition with difficult diagnosis and high risk of recurrence. Worldwide interdisciplinary collaboration and networking are mandatory to help diagnosis and provide harmonious treatment guidelines.

One-Year Outcome for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Results From the French National Register.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the status of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) management in France and to assess predictors of adverse outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the first-year outcome of all cases of CDH reported to the French National Register in 2011. RESULTS: A total of 158 cases were included. Of these, 83% (131) were prenatally diagnosed, with a mortality rate of 39% (44 of 112) for live born infants with a known outcome at hospital discharge. Mortality increased to 47% (60 of 128) including those with termination of pregnancy and fetal loss. This contrasts with the 7% (2 of 27) mortality rate of the patients diagnosed postnatally (P = .002). Mortality worsened with 1 prenatal marker of CDH severity (OR 3.38 [1.30-8.83] P = .013) and worsened further with 2 markers (OR 20.64 [5.29-80.62] P < .001). Classic postnatal risk factors of mortality such as side of hernia (nonleft P = .001), prematurity (P < .001), low birth weight (P = .002), and size of the defect (P < .001) were confirmed. Of the 141 live births (114 prenatal and 27 postnatal diagnosis) with known outcomes, 93 (67%) survived to hospital discharge, 68 (60%) with a prenatal diagnosis and 25 (93%) with a postnatal diagnosis. The median time to hospital discharge was 34 days (IQR, 19.25-62). Of these survivors, 71 (76%) were followed up for 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in management of CDH, mortality was high and associated with prenatal risk factors. Postnatally, severe persistent pulmonary hypertension was difficult to predict and presented persistent challenges in management.

Outcomes of intra-detrusor injections of botulinum toxin in patients with spina bifida: A systematic review.

CONTEXT: Bladder management in spina bifida patients relies on clean intermittent catheterization and oral antimuscarinics with a significant failure rate. The efficacy of intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin has been confirmed in patients with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis but not in patients with myelomeningocele. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of current evidence regarding the efficacy of intra-detrusor injections of Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A) in spina bifida patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to antimuscarinics. METHODS: A research has been conducted on Medline and Embase using the keywords: ("spina bifida" OR "myelomeningocele" OR "dysraphism") AND "toxin." The search strategy and studies selection were performed using the PICOS method according to the PRISMA statement. RESULT: Twelve published series were included (n = 293 patients). All patients were <18 years old. There was no randomized study comparing BTX-A versus placebo and most studies had no control group. Most studies reported a clinical and urodynamic improvement with resolution of incontinence in 32-100% of patients, a decrease in maximum detrusor pressure from 32 to 54%, an increase of maximum cystometric capacity from 27 to 162%, and an improvement in bladder compliance of 28-176%. Two studies suggested lower efficacy in patients with low compliance bladder compared to those with isolated detrusor overactivity. CONCLUSION: Intradetrusor injections of BTX-A could be effective in children with spina bifida but this assumption is not supported by high level of evidence studies. There is no data available in adult patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:557-564, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

What prenatal ultrasound features are predictable of complex or vanishing gastroschisis? A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prenatal ultrasound parameters as prognostic factors for complex and vanishing gastroschisis. METHODS: Retrospective multicentre study of 200 gastroschisis over 13 years (2000-2013). Collection of prenatal ultrasound evaluation on maternal and fetal growth parameters, intra- and extra-abdominal bowel and stomach dilation, abdominal wall defect diameter and changes in bowel appearance. Correlation of these factors with the presence of mechanical intestinal complications at birth, named 'complex gastroschisis'. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (26%) had complex gastroschisis (CG), including ten vanishing gastroschisis. The presence of intra-abdominal bowel dilation at the second (T2) or third (T3) trimester ultrasound was predictive for CG, with odds ratios at 6.69 (95%CI 2.41-18.55) and 4.72 (95%CI 2.16-10.28), respectively, with a cut-off value at the last examination of >19 mm. A small abdominal wall defect diameter was also predictive for CG, with cut-off values of <9.2 mm at T2 and <12.5 mm at T3. Vanishing gastroschisis recorded earlier intra-abdominal bowel dilation diagnosis, associated with a small wall defect and no extra-abdominal dilation. CONCLUSION: Intra-abdominal bowel dilation and a small abdominal wall defect diameter accurately predict CG and could be a first sign of vanishing gastroschisis when they occur early. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Transvesical Intra-Abdominal Pressure Measurement in Newborn: What Is the Optimal Saline Volume Instillation?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal saline volume bladder instillation to measure intravesical pressure in critically ill newborns weighing less than 4.5 kg, and to establish a reference of intra-abdominal pressure value in this population. DESIGN: Prospective monocentric study. SETTING: Neonatal ICU and PICU. PATIENTS: Newborns, premature or not, weighing less than 4.5 kg who required a urethral catheter. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were classified into two groups according to whether they presented a risk factor for intra-abdominal hypertension. Nine intravesical pressure measures per patient were performed after different volume saline instillation. The first one was done without saline instillation and then by increments of 0.5 mL/kg to a maximum of 4 mL/kg. Linear models for repeated measurements of intravesical pressure with unstructured covariance were used to analyze the variation of intravesical pressure measures according to the conditions of measurement (volume instilled). Pairwise comparisons of intravesical pressure adjusted mean values between instillation volumes were done using Tukey tests, corrected for multiple testing to determine an optimal instillation volume. Forty-seven patients with completed measures (nine instillations volumes) were included in the analysis. Mean intravesical pressure values were not significantly different when measured after instillation of 0.5, 1, or 1.5 mL/kg, whereas measures after instillation of 2 mL/kg or more were significantly higher. The median intravesical pressure value in the group without intra-abdominal hypertension risk factor after instillation of 1 mL/kg was 5 mm Hg (2-6 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS: The optimal saline volume bladder instillation to measure intra-abdominal pressure in newborns weighing less than 4.5 kg was 1 mL/kg. Reference intra-abdominal pressure in this population was found to be 5 mm Hg (2-6 mm Hg).

Dysmenorrhea among 12-year-old teenagers from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

BACKGROUND: The age of menarche has been gradually declining since the end of the 20th century. Few studies have been carried out about dysmenorrhea in Europe and they mainly included girls over the age of 15 years. METHODS: We conducted an observational study among sixth-grade schoolgirls (usually 11-12 years) during the 2020 academic year in 72 randomly selected public schools in a French region (approval number #20.94). RESULTS: Among 1712 girls interviewed, 257 (23 %) had reached menarche. Overall, 83 % of these teenagers had dysmenorrhea. Symptoms were reported to occur since the first periods in 59 % of the girls. School absenteeism was positively correlated with severe abdominal pain (p = 0.001). Median age at menarche was 11 years (10.7-11.5). Periods lasted less than 3 days, 3-8 days, and more than 8 days in, respectively, 18 %, 70 %, and 7 % of the girls. Symptoms were significantly more frequent and more severe in the urban group than the rural group (p = 0.005). Symptoms were abdominal pain (70 %), fatigue (48 %), difficulty in concentrating (26 %), headache (25 %), digestive disorders (16 %), and breast discomfort (11 %). Of the girls with dysmenorrhea, 61 % took painkillers; 10 % were uncomfortable despite taking painkillers. Sport exemption was more frequent in the urban group (p = 0.003) and among girls with severe abdominal pain (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The duration of the menstrual cycle was similar between the various socioeconomic groups, but symptoms and ways of coping were significantly different. Dysmenorrhea is definitely an issue that has to be raised with teenagers as soon as menarche occurs or even before that. Easy access to skilled health practitioners should be widespread.

Enhancing surgical planning for abdominal tumors in children through advanced 3D visualization techniques: a systematic review of future prospects.

Introduction: Preoperative three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction using sectional imaging is increasingly used in challenging pediatric cases to aid in surgical planning. Many case series have described various teams' experiences, discussing feasibility and realism, while emphasizing the technological potential for children. Nonetheless, general knowledge on this topic remains limited compared to the broader research landscape. The aim of this review was to explore the current devices and new opportunities provided by preoperative Computed Tomography (CT) scans or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Methods: A systematic review was conducted to screen pediatric cases of abdominal and pelvic tumors with preoperative 3D reconstruction published between 2000 and 2023. Discussion: Surgical planning was facilitated through virtual reconstruction or 3D printing. Virtual reconstruction of complex tumors enables precise delineation of solid masses, formulation of dissection plans, and suggests dedicated vessel ligation, optimizing tissue preservation. Vascular mapping is particularly relevant for liver surgery, large neuroblastoma with imaging-defined risk factors (IDRFs), and tumors encasing major vessels, such as complex median retroperitoneal malignant masses. 3D printing can facilitate specific tissue preservation, now accessible with minimally invasive procedures like partial nephrectomy. The latest advancements enable neural plexus reconstruction to guide surgical nerve sparing, for example, hypogastric nerve modelling, typically adjacent to large pelvic tumors. New insights will soon incorporate nerve plexus images into anatomical segmentation reconstructions, facilitated by non-irradiating imaging modalities like MRI. Conclusion: Although not yet published in pediatric surgical procedures, the next anticipated advancement is augmented reality, enhancing real-time intraoperative guidance: the surgeon will use a robotic console overlaying functional and anatomical data onto a magnified surgical field, enhancing robotic precision in confined spaces.

Financial and relational impact of having a boy with posterior urethral valves.

Introduction: Childhood chronic diseases affect family functioning and well-being. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of caring for a child with PUV, and the factors that most impact the burden of care. Patients and method: We gave a questionnaire on the familial impact of having a child with posterior urethral valves to all parents of a child included in the CIRCUP trial from 2015 onwards. The questionnaire included questions about the parents' demographics, health, professional, financial and marital status and how these evolved since the child's birth as well as the "impact on family scale" (IOFS), which gives a total score ranging from 15 (no impact) to 60 (maximum impact). We then analyzed both the results of the specific demographic questions as well as the factors which influenced the IOFS score. Results: We retrieved answers for 38/51 families (74.5% response rate). The average IOFS score was 23.7 (15-51). We observed that the child's creatinine level had an effect on the IOFS score (p = 0.02), as did the parent's gender (p = 0.008), health status (p = 0.015), being limited in activity since the birth of the child (p = 0.020), being penalized in one's job (p = 0.009), being supported in one's job (p = 0.002), and decreased income (p = 0.004). Out of 38 mother/father binomials, 8/33 (24.2%) declared that they were no longer in the same relationship afterwards. Conclusion: In conclusion, having a boy with PUV significantly impacts families. The risk of parental separation and decrease in revenue is significant. Strategies aiming to decrease these factors should be put in place as soon as possible.

Transperitoneal Versus Retroperitoneal Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty for Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in Children. A Multicentre, Prospective Study.

Background: Robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) has been gaining acceptance among paediatric urologists. Objective: To compare surgical variables and clinical outcomes, including complications and success rate, with RALP using the transperitoneal (T-RALP) and retroperitoneal (R-RALP) approaches. Design setting and participants: We performed a multicentre, prospective, cohort study (NCT03274050) between November 2016 and October 2021 in three paediatric urology teaching centres (transperitoneal approach, n = 2; retroperitoneal approach, n = 1). The diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) was confirmed by renal ultrasound and mercaptoacetyltriglycine-3 renal scan or uro-magnetic resonance imaging with functional evaluation. The exclusion criteria were children <2 yr old, persistent UPJO after failed pyeloplasty, and horseshoe and ectopic kidney. Intervention: We performed dismembered pyeloplasty using running monofilament 6-0 absorbable suture. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: We assessed intra- and postoperative morbidity (primary outcome) and success (secondary outcome). Data were expressed as medians and interquartile range (25th and 75th percentiles) for quantitative variables, and analysed comparatively. Results and limitations: We operated on 106 children (T-RALP, n = 53; R-RALP, n = 53). Preoperative data were comparable between groups (median age 9.1 [6.2-11.2] yr; median weight 26.8 [21-40] kg). Set-up time (10 vs 31 min), anastomotic time (49 vs 73 min), and console time (97 vs 153 min) were significantly shorter with T-RALP than with R-RALP (p < 0.001). No intraoperative complications occurred. No conversion to open surgery was necessary. The median hospital stay was longer after T-RALP (2 d) than after R-RALP (1 d; p < 0.001). Overall, postoperative complication rates were similar. No failure had occurred at the mean follow-up of 25.4 (15.1-34.7) mo. Conclusions: In selected children, RALP is safe and effective using either the transperitoneal or the retroperitoneal approach, with a shorter hospital stay after R-RALP. Patient summary: In our multicentre, prospective study, we compared the results and complications of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) using the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches. We found that RALP is safe and effective using either approach, with a shorter hospital stay after R-RALP.

The Potential and the Limitations of Esophageal Robotic Surgery in Children.

INTRODUCTION: There have been numerous reports of robotic pediatric surgery in the literature, particularly regarding urological procedures for school-aged children. Thoracic procedures appear to be less common, despite the fact that encouraging results were reported more than 10 years. Our aim was to report a national experience of esophageal robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (ERATS) and to discuss the most appropriate indications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted to compile the ERATS performed at five French surgical centers that have been involved in spearheading robotic pediatric surgery over the past 15 years. The data were supplemented by a review of the literature. RESULTS: Over the study period, 68 cases of robotic thoracic surgery were performed at the five pediatric centers in question. ERATS was performed for 18 patients (mean age 7.1 years [ ± 5.6]) in four of the centers. These comprised seven esophageal duplications, four esophageal atresias, five Heller's myotomies, and two cases of esophagoplasty. A conversion was needed for two neonates (11%) due to exposure difficulties. Four other procedures for patients who weighed less than 15 kg were successfully completed without causing postoperative complications. In the past 12 years, 22 other cases of ERATS were published worldwide. The indications were the same, except for esophagoplasty, which was not found. CONCLUSION: Aside from accessibility issues with the robotic platform, the main limitation is still very much that the low body weight of children results in incompatibility between the size of the trocars and the size of the intercostal space. ERATS is clearly a feasible procedure with technical advantages for most pediatric cases with body weights more than 15 kg. A transdiaphragmatic abdominal approach should be considered for lower esophagus surgery.

Different Fecal Microbiota in Hirschsprung's Patients With and Without Associated Enterocolitis.

Background and Objectives: Patients with Hirschsprung's disease are at risk of developing Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis, especially in the first 2 years of life. The pathophysiology of this inflammatory disease remains unclear, and intestinal dysbiosis has been proposed in the last decade. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate in a large cohort if Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis was associated with alterations of fecal bacterial composition compared with HD without enterocolitis in different age groups. Methods: We analyzed the fecal microbiota structure of 103 Hirschsprung patients from 3 months to 16 years of age, all of whom had completed definitive surgery for rectosigmoid Hirschsprung. 16S rRNA gene sequencing allowed us to compare the microbiota composition between Hirschsprung's disease patients with (HAEC group) or without enterocolitis (HD group) in different age groups (0-2, 2-6, 6-12, and 12-16 years). Results: Richness and diversity increased with age group but did not differ between HD and HAEC patients, irrespective of the age group. Relative abundance of Actinobacteria was lower in HAEC than in HD patients under 2 years of age (-66%, P = 0.045). Multivariate analysis by linear models (MaAsLin) considering sex, medications, birth mode, breast-feeding, and the Bristol stool scale, as well as surgery parameters, highlighted Flavonifractor plautii and Eggerthella lenta, as well as Ruminococcus gnavus group, as positively associated with Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis in the 0-2 years age group. Conclusion: Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis was associated with features of intestinal dysbiosis in infants (0-2 years) but not in older patients. This could explain the highest rate of enterocolitis in this age group. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02857205, MICROPRUNG, NCT02857205, 02/08/2016.

Risk factors for febrile urinary tract infection in boys with posterior urethral valves.

Objective: Boys with posterior urethral valves (PUV) present an increased risk of febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI). Identifying specific risk factors could allow for tailoring UTI prevention. The aim of this study was to use the data from the CIRCUP randomized controlled trial data to identify patient characteristics associated with a higher risk of fUTI. Patients and methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the data from the CIRCUP randomized trial which included boys with PUV, randomized to circumcision and antibiotic prophylaxis vs. antibiotic prophylaxis alone and followed for 2 years. There was only 1 episode of fUTI in the circumcision group vs. 17 in the uncircumcised group. We therefore only studied the antibiotic prophylaxis alone group and compared age at prenatal diagnosis, size and weight at birth, presence of dilating VUR at diagnosis, abnormal DMSA scan at 2 months, and nadir creatinine between children who presented a fUTI and those who did not, as well as age at first episode of fUTI. Results: The study group consisted of 42 patients of which 17 presented at least on fUTI. Presence of dilating VUR was significantly associated with risk of fUTI (p = 0.03), OR: 6 [CI 95% = (1.13-27.52)]. None of the other parameters were associated with increased risk of fUTI. We observed three distinct time periods for presenting a fUTI with a decrease in infection rate after the first 40 days of life, then at 240 days of life. Conclusion: In boys with PUV, presence of high-grade VUR is associated with a higher risk of presenting a fUTI. The rate of febrile UTIs seems to decrease after 9 months.