Ovarian torsion in the pediatric population: predictive factors for ovarian-sparing surgery-an international retrospective multicenter study and a systematic review.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Ovarian torsion (OT) in pediatric age is a challenging condition to diagnose and treat. To date, there is still no clear consensus about its management. Our aim was to assess some possible associated factors that can help surgeons in decision-making. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective multicentric study of pediatric OT surgically treated between 2010 and 2020 in six Italian and German institutions, comparing our findings with a literature review of the last 10 years (2010-2020). PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 0-18 years with a diagnosis of OT intraoperatively confirmed and surgically treated at the involved institutions. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients with a mean age at diagnosis of 8.37 years were enrolled in the study. Severe abdominal pain was present in 82 patients (84.5%). Eighty children (82.5%) presented an enlarged ovary with an US diameter > 5 cm and only 32 (40%) of them underwent conservative surgery. A laparoscopic approach was performed in 60 cases (61.9%) although in 15 (15.5%) conversion to open surgery was deemed necessary. A functional cyst was present in 49 patients (50.5%) while 11 children (11.3%) suffered from OT on a normal ovary. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that a post-menarchal age (p = .001), a pre-operative US ovarian size < 5 cm, (p = .001), the presence of severe abdominal pain (p = .002), a laparoscopic approach (p < .001), and the presence of a functional cyst (p = .002) were significantly associated with conservative surgery.

[Flap Reconstruction as Alternative Anastomosis Technique for the Surgery of Oesophageal Atresia with Distal Oesophagotracheal Fistula]. / Die Lappenplastik als alternative Anastomosentechnik für die operative Korrektur der Ösophagusatresie mit distaler ösophagotrachealer Fistel.

AIM: The creation of a primary anastomosis in newborns with oesophageal atresia and distal oesophageotracheal fistula (EA-DF) is technically challenging, especially in small children. The goal is to approximate the fragile oesophageal ends without suture disruption and to minimize the mobilisation of the lower segment. We describe an alternative anastomosis technique aiming at reducing the tension on the first sutures at the posterior wall. INDICATIONS: EA-DF was corrected in 13 newborns either by open (n = 11) or thoracoscopic (n = 2) surgery using this technique. METHOD: The anastomosis technique is based on creation of a dorsal flap of the upper oesophageal pouch and insertion in the spatulated lower oesophageal segment after the fistula has been separated. Subsequently, the first sutures of the posterior wall can be accomplished with reduced tension. Upon completion of the anastomosis, a diagonally shaped anastomotic plane results. CONCLUSION: The method is a helpful alternative to approximate the oesophageal stumps of newborns with EA and distal oesophagotracheal fistula. By this technique, the first stabilising sutures of the posterior wall can be accomplished with reduced tension. This results in reduced tensile stress on the individual sutures and simplifies the anastomisation in comparison to the conventional end-to-end anastomosis.

Does metabolic alkalosis influence cerebral oxygenation in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis?

BACKGROUND: This pilot study focuses on regional tissue oxygenation (rSO2) in patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a perioperative setting. To investigate the influence of enhanced metabolic alkalosis (MA) on cerebral (c-rSO2) and renal (r-rSO2) tissue oxygenation, two-site near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology was applied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Perioperative c-rSO2, r-rSO2, capillary blood gases, and electrolytes from 12 infants were retrospectively compared before and after correction of MA at admission (T1), before surgery (T2), and after surgery (T3). RESULTS: Correction of MA was associated with an alteration of cerebral oxygenation without affecting renal oxygenation. When compared to T1, 5-min mean (± standard deviation) c-rSO2 increased after correction of MA at T2 (72.74 ± 4.60% versus 77.89 ± 5.84%; P = 0.058), reaching significance at T3 (80.79 ± 5.29%; P = 0.003). Furthermore, relative 30-min c-rSO2 values at first 3 h of metabolic compensation were significantly lowered compared with postsurgical states at 16 and 24 h. Cerebral oxygenation was positively correlated with levels of sodium (r = 0.37; P = 0.03) and inversely correlated with levels of bicarbonate (r = -0.34; P = 0.05) and base excess (r = -0.36; P = 0.04). Analysis of preoperative and postoperative cerebral and renal hypoxic burden yielded no differences. However, a negative correlation (r = -0.40; P = 0.03) regarding hematocrite and mean r-rSO2, indirectly indicative of an increased renal blood flow under hemodilution, was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: NIRS seems suitable for the detection of a transiently impaired cerebral oxygenation under state of pronounced MA in infants with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Correction of MA led to normalization of c-rSO2. NIRS technology constitutes a promising tool for optimizing perioperative management, especially in the context of a possible diminished neurodevelopmental outcome after pyloromyotomy.

Volvulus in term and preterm infants - clinical presentation and outcome.

AIM: Our aim was to assess if term and preterm infants with volvulus showed different patterns with regard to pathogenesis, clinical presentation and outcome. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and imaging data of infants aged less than six months with volvulus treated in a single surgical referral centre from 2006-2013. RESULTS: Volvulus was diagnosed in 19 infants, with no anatomical anomaly in three of the 12 preterm infants and one of the seven term infants. Most cases (74%) presented during the first eight days of life. Later presentations occurred exclusively in preterm infants, with only one of the five having no anatomic anomalies. Bilious vomiting was the leading symptom in six of the seven term infants, while the symptoms in preterm infants were rather nonspecific. Intestinal necrosis, with the need for bowel resection, occurred in one term (14%) infant and nine (75%) preterm infants. CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation and outcome of volvulus differed between preterm and term infants, but the rate and distribution of underlying anomalies did not differ. Symptoms in preterm infants were often nonspecific and led to a delay in diagnosis. This might have contributed to the higher rate of intestinal necrosis in preterm infants.

Transumbilical cord access (TUCA) for laparoscopy in infants and children: simple, safe and fast.

PURPOSE: We herein report a case series evaluating the safety and complication rate of transumbilical cord access (TUCA) for pediatric laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Data were collected for 556 infants and children. Access into the abdominal cavity was gained via a transverse infraumbilical stab incision passing the fibrotic umbilical cord remnant. Ninety-two infants underwent laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LPM), 159 female infants underwent herniorrhaphy (LHR) and 309 infants underwent appendectomy (LAP). Of the total operations, 70 % were performed by board-certified surgeons and 30 % were performed by non-board-certified surgeons. The median time of follow-up was 24 months. RESULTS: No cases of acute severe bleeding or organ laceration were noted. TUCA-related complications were observed in nine patients (1.6 %). Omphalitis and persistent wound secretion were detected in eight children and foreign bodies consisting of cyanoacrylate were removed from three of these patients. Meanwhile, umbilical pain leading to surgical revision was observed in one child, and eight umbilical hernias were repaired during the TUCA procedures. No signs of postoperative incisional hernia were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: TUCA is a safe and comfortable access method for pediatric laparoscopic surgery in various age groups. This method is easy to learn and can be quickly and safely performed in the vast majority of children.

Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in extremely low birth weight infants: Ommaya reservoir vs. ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze morbidity and initial surgery in infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) by comparing infants who were treated with a subcutaneous cerebrospinal fluid reservoir (Ommaya reservoir = CSF_R) with infants who primarily received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). METHOD: Inclusion criteria were infants born between January 2006 and June 2014 who had a diagnosis of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and underwent surgical intervention for hydrocephalus. RESULTS: Twenty-five infants, with a median gestational age (GA) of 26.5 (28 ± 4) weeks and a median birth weight (BW) of 980 g (1205 ± 837), were included. The median umbilical artery pH (UApH) was 7.30 (7.20 ± 0.25). The median Apgar score at 10 min was 8 (7.4 ± 2). Twenty-five peri- and postnatal adverse events were encountered preoperatively. The IVH grades were grade II (n = 1), grade III (n = 17), grade IV (n = 6), and unknown grade (n = 1). Primary treatment consisted of CSF_R (n = 18) or VPS (n = 7) placement. There was a statistically significant difference between the postnatal ages of infants with CSF_R (32.5 days; 42 ± 28) and infants with VPS (163 days; 161 ± 18). Furthermore, we found a difference regarding GA but not BW between both groups. Arrest of PHH with shunt independence occurred in two infants from the CSF_R group (11%). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, early insertion of CSF_R allowed stabilization of the infants and thus postponement of permanent VPS insertion. However, in a subgroup of patients, PHH develops over a more prolonged course, and VPS insertion can be performed initially without the need for CSF_R.

The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio may distinguish complicated from non-complicated pediatric appendicitis: A retrospective study and literature review.

BACKGROUND: To date, no parameter with satisfactory accuracy exists for the diagnosis of appendicitis. This retrospective study describes the discriminatory value of preoperative hematologic factors associated with complicated and non-complicated pediatric appendicitis. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from 294 children diagnosed with appendicitis on admission and treated at our tertiary-level pediatric hospital from 2015 to 2017; they were divided into three groups: control group (n = 118), histologically proven complicated (n = 120), and non-complicated (n = 56) appendicitis. RESULTS: Complicated appendicitis was associated with male preponderance and elevated neutrophil and monocyte levels (all p < 0.001). Non-complicated appendicitis was associated with elevated eosinophil levels (p = 0.023), and unaltered lymphocyte levels (p = 0.30). Compared to non-complicated disease, the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) was decreased in complicated appendicitis (p = 0.003) but unaltered in the control group (p = 0.38). In the discrimination analysis, LMR had high accuracy (AUC 0.73 ± 0.05; p < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) 6.0 (2.4-15.3)) and was the only parameter independently associated with complicated appendicitis on regression analysis (OR (95% CI), 0.544 (0.359-0.825); p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: We identified LMR as a novel potential marker for the differentiation of complicated from non-complicated pediatric appendicitis. This has implications on the treatment approach, either surgical in complicated disease or conservative in non-complicated disease.

Meckel's Diverticulum in Children: A Monocentric Experience and Mini-Review of Literature.

Vitelline duct anomalies (VDA, including Meckel's diverticulum (MD)) result from failed embryologic obliteration. This study aimed for characteristics in symptomatic versus asymptomatic VDA, analyzing clinico-laboratory data from 73 children, aged 1 day to 17 years, treated at a tertiary Pediatric Surgery Institution from 2002-2017. A male preponderance was obtained (ratio 3.6:1). MD accounted for 85% of VDA. Incidence of symptomatic VDA decreased with older age. Leading symptoms were intestinal obstruction and hemorrhage. Mucosal heterotopia (present in 39% of symptomatic MD) was associated with anemia and lowered CRP-levels. On ROC-analysis, hemoglobin < 8.6 g/dL, CRP < 0.6 mg/dL and MD distance to ileocecal valve >40 cm were predictors of ectopic tissue in symptomatic MD. Our data confirmed known characteristics as male preponderance, declined incidence of symptomatic cases with age and predominance of gastric ectopia in symptomatic MD. Moreover, anemia and prolonged distance of MD to ileocecal valve were predictors of ectopic mucosa in symptomatic MD.

Stridor caused by duplication cyst in a female infant and temporary vocal cord paralysis. A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Congenital hypopharynx duplication cysts are a medical rarity; nevertheless, they offer an important differential diagnosis in neonatal dyspnea or feeding problems. CASE REPORT: Herein, we describe a case of delayed diagnosis but successful surgical removal of a large congenital hypopharynx cyst in a 4-month-old infant presenting with stridor. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Early and proper diagnosis and surgical handling of hypopharynx cyst can help to achieve the best prognosis and outcome. CONCLUSION: We present the successful management of a newborn with a pharyngeal duplication cyst. In our case, the temporary postoperative laryngeal nerve palsy resolved within four weeks. Overstretching of recurrent laryngeal nerve might have caused this complication.

Pediatric Urachal Anomalies: Monocentric Experience and Mini-Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the current mainstay for the treatment of urachal anomalies (UA). Recent literature data support the theory of a spontaneous resolution within the first year of life. The aim of this study, comprising solely surgically treated children, was to identify age specific patterns regarding symptoms and outcomes that may support the non-surgical treatment of UA. METHODS: Retrospective review on the clinico-laboratory characteristics of 52 children aged < 17 years undergoing resection of symptomatic UA at our pediatric surgical unit during 2006-2017. Data was dichotomized into age > 1 (n = 17) versus < 1 year (n = 35), and complicated (pre-/post-surgical abscess formation or peritonitis, n = 10) versus non-complicated course (n = 42). RESULTS: Children aged < 1 year comprised majority (67%) of cohort and had lower complication rates (p = 0.062). Complicated course at surgery exclusively occurred in patients aged > 1 year (p = 0.003). Additionally, complicated group was older (p = 0.018), displayed leukocytosis (p < 0.001) and higher frequencies regarding presence of abdominal pain (p = 0.008) and abdominal mass (p = 0.034) on admission. Regression analysis identified present abdominal pain (OR (95% CI), 11.121 (1.152-107.337); p = 0.037) and leukocytosis (1.435 (1.070-1.925); p = 0.016) being associated with complicated course. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that symptomatic disease course follows an age-dependent complication pattern with lower complication rates at age < 1 year. Larger, studies have to clarify, if waiting for spontaneous urachal obliteration during the first year of life comprises a reasonable alternative to surgery.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio Might Predict Pediatric Ovarian Torsion: A Single-Institution Experience and Review of the Literature.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical and laboratory characteristics of ovarian torsion (OT; n = 28) compared with a non-OT control (OC; n = 64) group. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center review performed between January 2006 and December 2016. SETTING: Academic department of pediatric surgery. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Postoperative diagnosis of pediatric ovarian pathology (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code N83) in 88 patients who underwent 92 surgeries for suspected OT, aged from 3 days to 17.8 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictive value for OT according to biometric, procedural, and laboratory parameters at the time of admission. RESULTS: Compared with OC, OT in patients aged older than 1 year was associated with elevated values regarding white blood cell count, neutrophils, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR; all P < .001), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR; P = .003), platelets (P = .011), and a trend toward raised C-reactive protein (P = .054), whereas lymphocytes and lymphocyte to C-reactive protein ratio (both P < .001) were decreased. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis for differentiating OC from OT, besides lymphocytes and NLR (both area under the curve > 0.9), PLR elicited strongest discriminatory accuracy (area under the curve = 0.946 ± 0.037; P < .001; sensitivity 82%; specificity 90%). At binary logistic regression analysis PLR (P = .018) was independently predictive of OT. OT was suspected on ultrasound imaging in 15/18 (83%), showed a right-sided dominance in 13/18 (72%), and was associated with younger age (P = .003). No differences regarding laboratory or procedural parameters in patients aged younger than 1 year were discerned. CONCLUSION: Blood count indices such as PLR, NLR, and lymphocyte to C-reactive protein ratio might be helpful in identification of inflammatory processes as induced by ischemia in OT. Together with ultrasound and clinical features, these parameters constitute potential predictors of OT in girls aged older than 1 year.

Diagnostic value of blood inflammatory markers for detection of acute appendicitis in children.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is a common surgical problem that is associated with an acute-phase reaction. Previous studies have shown that cytokines and acute-phase proteins are activated and may serve as indicators for the severity of appendicitis. The aim of this study was to compare diagnostic value of different serum inflammatory markers in detection of phlegmonous or perforated appendicitis in children. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 211 consecutive children. Laparotomy was performed for suspected AA for 189 patients. Patients were subdivided into groups: nonsurgical abdominal pain, early appendicitis, phlegmonous or gangrenous appendicitis, perforated appendicitis. White blood cell count (WBC), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), acid alpha1-glycoprotein (alpha1GP), endotoxin, and erythrocyte sedimentation reaction (ESR) were estimated ad the time of admission. The diagnostic performance was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: WBC count, CRP and IL-6 correlated significantly with the severity of appendiceal inflammation. Identification of children with severe appendicitis was supported by IL-6 or CRP but not WBC. Between IL-6 and CRP, there were no significant differences in diagnostic use. CONCLUSION: Laboratory results should be considered to be integrated within the clinical assessment. If used critically, CRP and IL-6 equally provide surgeons with complementary information in discerning the necessity for urgent operation.