Cysts of the ejaculatory system--a treatable cause of recurrent epididymo-orchitis in children.

PURPOSE: The commonest causes of acutely painful scrotum are torsion (of appendix of the testis or the testis itself) and epididymo-orchitis. Exploration is the only way to prove the diagnosis and multiple such procedures are performed in patients with recurrent epididymo-orchitis. The purpose of our study was to investigate the cause of recurrent epididymo-orchitis in pre-pubertal children. Four children, aged three years or less, were investigated for recurrent left epididymo-orchitis. All four had cystic dilatation of the ejaculatory duct in the region of the prostatic utriculus, associated in two children with ectopic opening of the vas in the bladder. Initial ultrasound appeared to be normal in all four patients, a retrospective review of the sonographic films, however, revealed a retrovesical cyst in three of them. The diagnosis was established by a combination of urethroscopy with retrograde contrast study via the utriculus and open vasography. All four cases were treated operatively by a transtrigonal approach. The cyst was excised in each case. In one, a vasovasostomy was performed between the left and the normal right vas; in the other three the left vas was anastomosed to the blind end of the contralateral seminal vesicle. All four are symptom-free at one year follow-up. Cysts of the ejaculatory duct are a treatable cause of recurrent epididymo-orchitis. Pre-pubertal children with recurrent epididymo-orchitis and no obvious underlying cause should have a thorough sonographic examination of the retrovesical region for cystic lesions.

Iatrogenic esophageal perforation during devascularization procedure managed with Thal wrap.

We describe the successful use of 270 degrees Thal's partial fundal wrap to close an iatrogenic esophageal perforation in a patient who underwent devascularization and splenectomy after failure of sclerotherapy for bleeding esophageal varices.

Primary suture-less closure of gastroschisis using negative pressure dressing (wound vacuum).

INTRODUCTION: Primary suture-less closure of gastroschisis using negative pressure dressing (wound vacuum) involves the application of an initial preformed Silo with subsequent bedside suture-less closure of the defect using negative pressure dressing. The advantages of this gentle approach are the simple bedside closure without intubation, paralysis or ventilation as well as reduced risk of barotrauma, abdominal compartment syndrome, acidosis, bowel infarction and necrotizing enterocolitis. This study is a report of the technique we used for gastroschisis closure at our institute. METHODS: The medical records of 15 newborns who underwent primary suture-less closure of gastroschisis using a negative pressure dressing (wound vacuum) technique between March 2008 and February 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome criteria such as time on ventilation, time to initiating feeds, time to full feeds, time to discharge from NICU and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 234 days (range: 13-528 days). The time on ventilation was (n = 8: no ventilation; n = 3: 1 day; n = 2: 2-5 days; n = 2: > 5 days). The median time to initiating feeds was 13 days (range: 6-61 days), the median time to full feeds was 20 days (range: 12-91 days) and the median time to discharge was 24 days (range: 21-131 days). 2 patients had a tiny umbilical hernia at last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Primary suture-less closure of gastroschisis using a negative pressure dressing (wound vacuum) technique is easily reversible, does not need intubation/ventilation, avoids a trip to the operating room (OR), has minimal to no complications and provides good cosmetic results.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children with transperitoneal division of the hernia sac and proximal purse string closure of peritoneum: our modified new approach.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our results of laparoscopic transperitoneal division of the hernia sac with purse string closure of the proximal peritoneum for inguinal hernia repair in children. METHODS: A retrospective case review of all patients undergoing laparoscopic herniorrhaphy with herniotomy by a single surgeon between January and August 2007 was performed evaluating perioperative and postoperative outcomes. TECHNIQUE: A complete intracorporeal laparoscopic technique was utilized to inspect bilateral inguinal canals followed by circumferential division of the peritoneum at the deep ring (patent processus vaginalis) followed by purse string closure of the proximal peritoneum. RESULTS: 31 inguinal hernias were repaired laparoscopically in 26 patients (23 boys, 3 girls). Median age was 36 months (range 1-168 months). 22 children had unilateral inguinal hernia repairs including 2 recurrent hernias; 4 children underwent repair of bilateral inguinal hernias. Mean operating time for unilateral and bilateral inguinal hernia repairs were 48.5 ± 14 min and 61 ± 13.8 min, respectively. 2 patients with a preoperative unilateral inguinal hernia were found to have bilateral inguinal hernias upon laparoscopic examination which were repaired. Postoperative pain was minimal in 20 (77%) patients at discharge. Mean telephone follow-up at 8 ± 9.6 months demonstrated no recurrences to date. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with transperitoneal division of the hernia sac and purse string closure of the proximal peritoneum allows for a minimally invasive option for pediatric inguinal hernia repair that mimics open inguinal hernia repair. At medium term follow-up there have been no recurrences to date, high parent satisfaction, minimal scarring and good cosmetic results.

Thoracoscopic plication for diaphragmatic eventration in a 3-month-old infant.

A 3-month-old male presented with a 2-month history of intermittent shortness of breath with chest retractions and wheezing which worsened with feeding. The patient was diagnosed with bronchiolitis during one of several hospital admissions and treated with bronchodilators without success. On the third hospitalization, the patient was diagnosed with right-sided diaphragmatic eventration. Surgical intervention consisted of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with plication of the right diaphragm. The patient was discharged on the 2nd postoperative day. At the clinical visit 2 weeks postoperatively, the patient's respiratory symptoms as well as interrupted feeding secondary to shortness of breath had resolved. The chest X-ray revealed a significant improvement in the position of the right diaphragm. VATS with diaphragmatic plication is a viable approach for treating diaphragmatic eventration during infancy. To our knowledge, this 3-month-old male is the youngest patient reported to have undergone plication via VATS for diaphragmatic eventration.

Laparoscopic-assisted placement of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt tips in children with multiple previous open abdominal ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgeries.

BACKGROUND: Placing a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in children with hydrocephalus is the standard of care. Many of these children will require revision of this portion of the shunt for a variety of reasons. Previously, it was thought that in a child with multiple previous ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) revisions, laparoscopy was contraindicated. This study aims to show that laparoscopy can be used safely and effectively in children with multiple previous ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopically assisted placement of the peritoneal portion of the ventriculo-peritoneal shunt in children with multiple previous VPS revisions was performed in 8 consecutive children (4 female) with ages ranging from 7 months to 18 years between May 2003 and September 2007. All eight children had undergone more than two previous VPS operations. All shunts were placed in areas free of adhesions and flow was observed under direct visualization. RESULTS: All of the procedures were successful; none needed conversion to the standard mini-laparotomy approach. No obvious or occult injury to the abdominal components was noted during hospitalization or during follow-up. Six of 8 patients required lysis of adhesions at the time of the revision. Average length of hospital stay was 2.6 days and no revisions of the abdominal portion of the VPS have been required by any of the 8 patients after laparoscopic revision. Previously unknown complications of shunt surgery were corrected in 1 of 8 children. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic placement of the peritoneal portion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt can be done safely and effectively in children with multiple previous VPS revisions due to improved visualization and placement of the shunt tip in a virgin area of the abdomen. Additionally, any known or unknown complications from previous VPS surgeries can be corrected with the laparoscopic approach. When combined with the reduction in pain, shorter hospital stay, and fewer immediate and future complications, this is the procedure of choice for patients requiring revision VPS surgeries in our hospital.

Results of laparoscopic antireflux procedures in neurologically impaired children.

Although laparoscopic fundoplication is now performed commonly in children, its long-term results in neurologically impaired (NI) children is unknown. We present a single surgeon's experience. During an 8.5 year period, 54 consecutive NI children (age 5 months to 16 years; weight 2.7 to 42 kg) who had failed medical treatment for severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER) underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication without (7) or with (47) gastrostomy. Indications for surgery included failure to thrive and feeding difficulties in all, major vomiting in 42, recurrent chest infections in 44, and inability to take oral medication in 14. Hiatus hernia was present in 14 and delayed gastric emptying in 6 patients. Eight (15%) had undergone previous abdominal surgery. Access was modified according to individual anatomy and 4 or 5 cannulae were used in each patient. Postoperative epidural/morphine analgesia was used in the first 12 to 24 hours, and fluid intake and feeding were started on day 1 and 2, respectively. The average operating time for fundoplication was 2.2 hours (range 1.05 to 3) and for fundoplication and gastrostomy 2.3 hours (range 1.22 to 4.10). Three patients had conversion to open surgery (1 perforated esophagus, 1 hypercarbia and hepatomegaly, 1 camera failure). There were no other operative complications or mortality. One child with Down syndrome developed a food bolus obstruction 3 days postoperatively. The vast majority of patients were discharged home 3 to 4 days following fundoplication and 5 to 7 days following fundoplication and gastrostomy. Postoperative gas bloat was common, diarrhea developed in 4, dumping in 3, and major gastrostomy infection in 1 case. During follow-up (median 5.2, range 3 months to 8.6 years), 9 (16%) children showed signs of persistent/recurrent problems. Investigations showed a recurrent hiatus hernia in 1 (requiring re-operation) and minor reflux in 3 patients. To date 6 (11%) children have died of their background conditions. In NI children, laparoscopic fundoplication is safe and successful. Awareness of the differences in access and risks for NI and normal children is important. Compared with historical data for open technique, laparoscopic fundoplication produces lower mortality and morbidity and similar intermediate and long-term results.

A traumatic intra-renal pseudo-aneurysm in a child.

Intra-renal pseudo-aneurysms after penetrating renal trauma have not been reported in children. We report a case of a 9-year-old girl who presented with gross haematuria 2 weeks following renal exploration for a penetrating injury. The diagnosis of intra-renal pseudoaneurysm was made by Doppler ultrasound and was successfully treated by selective arterial embolisation.

Blunt injury of the abdomen: a plea for CT.

A 3-year-old boy was brought to the emergency unit 1 h following a deceleration injury. On clinical examination there were no signs of injury and US showed only free intraperitoneal fluid. The following morning, contrast-enhanced CT showed the right kidney did not enhance and delayed scans showed contrast medium in the renal vein. This is an indirect sign of post-traumatic renal artery occlusion. Failure to recognise this sign may have disastrous consequences in a patient with solitary kidney or bilateral renal artery occlusion. Contrast-enhanced CT scan remains the most widely available investigation for accurate staging of blunt renal trauma.

Benefits of early diagnosis and preemptive treatment of biliary tract complications after major blunt liver trauma in children.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Nonoperative management of blunt liver trauma may delay diagnosis of related biliary complications leading to delayed surgical intervention and related morbidity. The aim of this study was to see whether technetium (tc) 99 trimethylbromo-im-indolacetic acid (TBIDA) nuclear scan would allow noninvasive early diagnosis of bile leak and pre-emptive management. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the patient records and radiologic investigations of 7 patients admitted between April 1998 and December 2000 with "major" blunt liver trauma (parenchymal fracture of less than 4 cm on computed tomography [CT] scan or involving porta hepatis) and various types of biliary complications. Patients with or without early TBIDA diagnosis were compared. RESULTS: There were 7 patients. The first 2 patients were treated conventionally without TBIDA, and late diagnosis was associated with further related problems (sepsis, life-threatening hemorrhage in both cases) and prolonged hospital stay. The subsequent 5 consecutive patients benefited from early diagnosis (TBIDA scan, 2 to 4 days after trauma), and preemptive management was done (tailored to each case). There was no further or related morbidity. All 7 patients currently are alive and well. CONCLUSIONS: A TBIDA nuclear medicine scan was efficient in providing an early diagnosis of biliary leakage, thus, allowing adequate preemptive management. In turn, this may have helped avoid related added morbidity compared with cases of late diagnosis. Early TBIDA scan should be performed routinely when the initial CT scan confirms liver trauma graded as "major."

Strategy for hepatoblastoma management: Transplant versus nontransplant surgery.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation now is proposed for managing selected hepatoblastoma cases. Indications are not yet well defined. METHODS: The case records of 34 children with hepatoblastoma treated over a period of 10 years (1991 to 2000) were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: All patients benefited from preoperative chemotherapy. Twenty patients underwent major hepatic resections. Twelve patients, in absence of residual metastasis, underwent liver transplant because the tumour remained unresectable after chemotherapy. Two patients who presented with recurrence after a right hepatectomy, benefited from transplant as a second option. Two other patients did not undergo surgery because of widespread disease or resistance to chemotherapy. Disease-free survival rates were 95% after surgical resection, 100% when primary transplant was performed in patients with good response to chemotherapy, 60% after transplantation in patients with poor response to chemotherapy, 50% in patients with transplant as second option, and 0% in patients not undergoing surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation is a potentially curative option for unresectable hepatoblastoma when chemosensitive (decrease in alpha-fetoprotein and decrease in tumour size). In this context, also favourable cases with good response but difficult resections with doubtful margins of resection may best be proposed for primary transplantation. Patients with recurrent or resistant disease are not good candidates.