Complications of trans-anastomotic externalised stents in open pyeloplasty: influence of the method of placement, the duration of stenting, and the associated bladder drainage.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of the method for stent placement, the duration of stenting, and the presence of bladder drainage on the complication rate of open pyeloplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Complications were, retrospectively, compared in 228 consecutive open pyeloplasties performed at institution A using a trans-pyelostomic 6-Fr splint/stent for 5 days and no bladder drainage, and 150 consecutive open pyeloplasties performed at institution B using a trans-nephrostomic 6-Fr splint/stent for 9 days plus bladder drainage. RESULTS: Median age at surgery was comparable between groups. The overall complication rate was 13% and was comparable at the two institutions, but for the presence of perioperative bleeding that was more common when the stent was placed trans-nephrostomically (institution B) and the rate of stent dislodgements, which was lower at institution A, perhaps due to some technical details aiming to prevent any inadvertent traction on the stent. Additional procedures, such as double J internal stent insertion, were required in <2% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: A 5-day period of stenting after open pyeloplasty is generally enough. Trans-nephrostomic and trans-pyelostomic stent placement is equally effective. However, the former can be associated with a slightly higher bleeding rate. Details during stent placement are keys to avoid postoperative dislodgement and malfunctioning. Systematic bladder drainage seems unnecessary.

'Preemptive hydrocelectomy' in subinguinal varicocelectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hydrocele rate is very low after microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy, but microsurgical expertise is not always available in pediatric centers. We describe a modified technique to reduce the hydrocele rate after subinguinal varicocelectomy performed without an operating microscope. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 142 non-microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomies performed at a single pediatric center. In 96 patients, varicocelectomy was combined with the excision and eversion of the tunica vaginalis ('pre-emptive hydrocelectomy') while in the remaining 46 cases the vaginalis was left untouched. RESULTS: Pre-emptive hydrocelectomy allowed a significant reduction in the hydrocele rate in comparison to cases in whom the vaginalis was left untouched, hydrocele rate 4.3 vs. 13% (p = 0.04). In patients undergoing preemptive hydrocelectomy, hydrocele occurred in 3 of 54 (5.5%) cases in whom the vaginalis was only excised and only 1 of 42 (2.4%) in whom it was also everted. No testicular complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In centers performing subinguinal varicocelectomy without the aid of an operating microscope, pre-emptive hydrocelectomy with eversion of the vaginalis might be offered as an adjunctive treatment with limited associated morbidity that might be able to reduce the incidence of postoperative hydrocele.

Is the stripping technique a tissue-sparing procedure in large simple ovarian cysts in children?

BACKGROUND: Stripping of the cystic wall is performed by gynecologists to treat large ovarian cysts. Information in the pediatric population is poor. We prospectively evaluated the pathologic specimens of large ovarian cyst to determine whether the stripping technique is a tissue-sparing procedure even in this age. METHODS: We evaluated 5 patients. Samples were taken from the intermediate part of the cystic wall and from the layer covering the cyst during excision. The presence of ovarian tissue adjacent to the cyst wall, and the morphological features of the surrounding tissue were both evaluated. Pelvic ultrasound follow-up was also performed. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 4.5 years (7 days to 12 years). All cysts were removed because all were symptomatic. The mean diameter was 86.6 mm (74-100 mm). Cysts were follicular in 2 cases, serous in other two, and endometriotic in 1 case. Adjacent ovarian tissue was present in 1 of 5 specimens and was approximately 1 to 2 mm in thickness. The layer adjacent to the cystic wall always appeared as normal ovarian tissue. Ultrasound scans at follow-up revealed presence of ovarian tissue. CONCLUSION: The stripping procedure for large ovarian cyst excision allows to spare the adjacent normal ovarian tissue even in pediatric age because ovarian tissue is rarely excised with the cyst wall during the procedure.

Predictors of testicular viability in testicular torsion.

AIM: Testicular torsion (TT) requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid testicular loss. Most studies have focused on the ideal work up to rule TT out in cases of acute scrotum. We attempted here to define objective criteria to select between orchidopexy and orchidectomy in patients undergoing surgery for TT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen boys with a median age at presentation of 7.8 (range 6.4-12) years undergoing surgical treatment for TT underwent color-Doppler ultrasound (CDU) preoperatively, and a bleeding test intraoperatively. Duration of preoperative history, degree of torsion, CDU findings and degree of bleeding were analyzed. RESULTS: Salvageability was independent of the degree of torsion. In patients with a history longer than 10h, no flow on CDU and no bleeding, after orchidectomy all the testicles were necrotic on pathology. When all these variables were negative, all the testicles did well during follow up. In the group of patients with no agreement among the analyzed variables, the outcome was unpredictable. Five out of six underwent orchidopexy, but in two cases the testicle atrophied (in spite of flow on CDU in one). CONCLUSIONS: No predictive parameters were found for testicular salvageability. Taken as a whole, the parameters studied can be of help in treatment choice. In patients with no agreement among the parameters, orchidopexy seems the appropriate option, but parents should be informed of the risk of testicular atrophy during follow up.