Diagnosis and treatment strategies for pediatric urogenital tract foreign bodies: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Foreign bodies in the pediatric urogenital tract are rare but urgent clinical conditions that can cause severe symptoms and complications. The current management remains challenging. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the clinical characteristics, diagnostic challenges, and treatment strategies for pediatric urogenital tract foreign bodies. Through a retrospective analysis of patient data, valuable insights into the management of this condition are offered to facilitate the development of more effective management strategies. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study design was employed, reviewing clinical data of 30 pediatric patients with urogenital tract foreign bodies admitted to Anhui Children's Hospital from October 2016 to May 2023. This included 16 cases of urethral and bladder foreign bodies and 14 cases of vaginal foreign bodies. Among them, there were 14 males and 16 females, with a median age of 6.3 years. Treatment methods included transvaginal endoscopic removal, cystoscopic removal, pneumovesicum laparoscopy removal, and perineal incisional foreign body removal. Surgical time, blood loss, hospitalization days, and postoperative follow-up results were recorded. RESULTS: Key clinical presentations included vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, hematuria, dysuria, urinary retention, and perineal pain. Preoperative routine examinations included ultrasound, abdominal radiography, and, in some cases, CT scans. All 30 patients underwent successful surgery, with a median surgical time of 30.5 min (IQR 16.8-50.8), minimal intraoperative bleeding, and a median postoperative hospital stay of 2 days (IQR 2-3). Follow-up from 3 months to 1 year revealed no abnormalities in the urogenital system, no residual foreign bodies, and no occurrence of severe complications. No cases of recurrent foreign body insertion were observed. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric urogenital tract foreign bodies are crucial to reduce patient suffering and the risk of complications. The choice of surgical method depends on the type, size, and location of the foreign body, with endoscopy being the preferred option. Laparoscopic cystoscopy and open surgery are also effective treatment modalities.

Comparative analysis of laparoscopic and open ureteroureterostomy for the treatment of pediatric duplicated kidneys: a clinical efficacy and safety study.

Background: Duplicated kidneys, though rare, are common in pediatric urinary issues. For children with complete kidney duplication and symptoms or complications, surgery is often needed. Ureteroureterostomy (UU) is a common procedure for this condition. This study aims to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy (LUU) and open ureteroureterostomy (OUU) in the treatment of pediatric duplicated kidneys. Methods: A retrospective study at Children's Hospital of Anhui Province from February 2017 to January 2023 included pediatric patients who underwent LUU or OUU for completely duplicated kidneys. Comparative measures included operative time, postoperative hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, pre- and postoperative renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter, pre- and postoperative upper renal parenchymal thickness, pre- and postoperative upper ureteral diameter, and postoperative complications. Results: There are 30 patients, 20 in the LUU group and 10 in the OUU group. All patients underwent surgery successfully, with no conversions to open surgery in the LUU group. Comparison between the LUU group (average age 3.7±3.4 years) and the OUU group (average age 1.6±1.3 years) showed that laparoscopic surgery had a mean duration of 178.8±60.71 min, intraoperative blood loss of 4.3±0.92 mL, drainage tube removal time of 1.8±0.6 days, and postoperative hospital stay of 4.2±2.2 days. In contrast, the OUU group had a mean surgery duration of 181.6±37.8 min, drainage tube removal time of 2.3±0.7 days, intraoperative blood loss of 6.4±4.06 mL, and postoperative hospital stay of 5.8±1.8 days. Although the LUU group had a shorter surgical duration, the difference was not statistically significant. However, intraoperative blood loss, drainage tube removal time, and postoperative hospital stay were significantly reduced in the LUU group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). After surgery, one case of urinary tract infection occurred in each group. Both groups had double-J stents placed postoperatively, which were removed cystoscopically 4-6 weeks later. Preoperative examinations showed no significant differences between the LUU and OUU groups in terms of upper renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter, upper renal ureteral diameter, and upper renal parenchymal thickness. However, in terms of postoperative recovery indicators, the LUU group outperformed the OUU group significantly, including upper renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter, upper renal ureteral diameter, and upper renal parenchymal thickness, with statistical significance (P<0.05). No hydronephrosis or worsening hydronephrosis was observed in the lower kidneys and ureters of the 30 patients postoperatively. Symptoms disappeared in patients with preoperative dribbling, and pain symptoms in the waist and abdomen relieved. No postoperative febrile urinary tract infections were observed. Conclusions: UU is an effective and safe method for treating pediatric completely duplicated kidneys. Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic surgery is associated with less trauma, faster postoperative recovery, and superior postoperative recovery of anatomical parameters (anteroposterior diameter, ureteral diameter, and parenchymal thickness) of the upper kidneys.

Analysis of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Laparoscopic Treatment for Fibroepithelial Polyps of the Ureter in Children.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of pediatric ureteral fibroepithelial polyp (FEP) patients. Our hypothesis is that laparoscopic surgery can effectively treat FEPs while minimizing patient discomfort and complications. Our research aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the surgery, including postoperative symptom relief, improvement in kidney function, and risk of postoperative complications. Methods: The clinical records of 34 patients who underwent ureteral polyp surgery at the Department of Urology at Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital between May 2014 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. Among the 34 pediatric patients, there were 31 males and 3 females, with 2 on the right side and 32 on the left side. Of these cases, 24 polyps were located at the ureteropelvic junction, while seven were found in the upper segment of the ureter and three in its middle segment. Patients' ages ranged from 4 years and 3 months to 15 years, with a median age of 8 years and 6 months. All children presented with varying degrees of hydronephrosis, and preoperative clinical symptoms included ipsilateral flank or abdominal pain, hematuria, and other discomfort. Preoperative examinations mainly comprised ultrasound, intravenous pyelography, CT, or magnetic resonance urography imaging studies, as well as diuretic renography. All pediatric patients underwent laparoscopic excision of the polyp segment of the ureter, followed by renal pelvis ureteroplasty or ureter-to-ureter anastomosis. Results: All patients underwent surgery without conversion to open surgery. The surgical duration ranged from 72 to 313 minutes, with an average of 179.5 minutes. The average intraoperative blood loss was 14 mL. Postoperatively, one patient experienced leakage at the anastomotic site; however, no other significant complications occurred during or after the procedure. Postoperative histopathology confirmed the presence of FEPs in the ureter for all cases. All patients experienced a favorable postoperative recovery, with hospitalization periods ranging from 3 to 16 days and an average stay of 8.6 days. A Double-J stent was inserted in all patients for a duration of 1 to 2 months after surgery, and upon removal, follow-up color Doppler ultrasound revealed reduced hydronephrosis within 1 to 3 months. Follow-up examinations were conducted at intervals ranging from 3 to 108 months postsurgery, with an average follow-up time of 42.2 months, during which no recurrence of ureteral polyps or symptoms such as pain and hematuria was observed. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that laparoscopic excision of the polyp segment of the ureter, renal pelvis ureteroplasty, and ureter-to-ureter anastomosis represent safe and effective treatment modalities for pediatric FEPs in the ureters. This technique offers several advantages, including minimal invasiveness, rapid recovery, and definitive therapeutic efficacy, which effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and improve hydronephrosis.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Scrotal Approach for the Treatment of Inguinal Cryptorchidism with Patent Processus Vaginalis: Clinical Efficacy Analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of two surgical approaches, laparoscopic-assisted scrotal incision and conventional inguinal-scrotal incision, for treating cryptorchidism with unobliterated processus vaginalis. Methods: Clinical data from 60 pediatric patients with inguinal cryptorchidism who were admitted to our institution between January 2018 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Depending on the surgical technique used, the patients were split into two groups: the laparoscopic group (n = 30) underwent a laparoscopic-assisted scrotal incision, whereas the conventional group (n = 30) underwent a conventional inguinal-scrotal incision for testicular descent and fixation. The length of the procedure, intraoperative blood loss, and the typical hospital stay following the procedure were compared between the two groups. Also assessed was the frequency of postoperative complications including wound infection and hematoma development. Results: The laparoscopic group demonstrated a notably shortened average surgical duration compared with the traditional group, and this discrepancy held statistical significance (P = .017). Moreover, the laparoscopic approach resulted in a reduced volume of intraoperative blood loss, with a statistically significant distinction (P = .002), along with a decreased average length of hospital stay after surgery, also statistically significant (P = .009). Testicular retraction, atrophy, inguinal hernias, or hydrocele were not present in any group. Although the difference between the laparoscopic and open groups was not statistically significant (P > .05), the laparoscopic group saw a reduced frequency of scrotal hematoma. The frequency of wound infection was also decreased in the laparoscopic group compared with the open group, although there was no statistically significant difference (P > .05). Conclusion: The laparoscopic-assisted scrotal incision approach for testicular descent and fixation offers precise localization of cryptorchidism, reduced surgical trauma, shorter postoperative recovery time, and results in smaller scars with minimal tissue damage. The procedure showcases enhanced overall clinical effectiveness, fewer postoperative complications, heightened safety, and superior cosmetic outcomes.

The diagnosis and treatment of testicular torsion in children with non-scrotal initial symptoms.

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of testicular torsion in children with non-scrotal initial symptoms who were misdiagnosed. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 73 cases children with testicular torsion and non-scrotal symptoms who were admitted to our department from October 2013 to December 2021 was performed. Patients were divided into misdiagnosis (27 cases) and clear diagnosis at first visit (46 cases) groups. Clinical data, including age at surgery, clinical presentation, physical examination, number of visits (≥2 times), affected side, time from initial symptoms to surgery, and surgical outcomes, were collected. The TWIST (Testicular Workup for Ischemia and Suspected Torsion) score was calculated and analyzed. Results: Statistically significant differences between the misdiagnosis and clear diagnosis groups were seen in the time from initial symptoms to surgery, the number of visits, the degree of testicular torsion, and the rate of orchiectomy (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in age, affected side, TWIST score, guardian, direction of testicular torsion, intra-vaginal or extra-vaginal torsion, and Arda classification. Postoperative follow-up was 6-40 months. Of the 36 patients who required an orchiopexy, 1 had testicular atrophy at six months and 2 were lost to follow-up. The contralateral testis of the 37 children who underwent orchiectomies developed normally without torsion. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of testicular torsion in children are diverse and can easily lead to misdiagnosis. Guardians should be aware of this pathology and seek timely medical attention. When the initial diagnosis and treatment of testicular torsion is difficult, the TWIST score during the physical examination may be useful, especially for patients with intermediate-to-high risk scores. Color Doppler ultrasound can assist in making the diagnosis, but when testicular torsion is highly suspected, routine ultrasound is not necessary as it may lead to delayed surgical treatment.