Foregut duplication cyst associated with esophageal atresia-one-stage neonatal surgical repair.

Foregut duplication cysts can occur anywhere along the foregut-derived structures. Its association with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is exceptionally rare, the majority of cases being diagnosed at an older age due to symptoms or complications. We present the third reported case in the literature, when diagnosis and treatment were done at the time of repair for EA-TEF.

Antley-Bixler syndrome: surgical management of ambiguous genitalia - a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of type 2 Antley-Bixler syndrome (ABS). SUBJECT AND METHODS: A 3-year-old boy who had been raised male, with facial dimorphism and malformations of both elbows and forearms, was referred to our unit for ambiguous genitalia. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of ABS. A surgical intervention was performed to correct the ambiguous genitalia through a combined perineal and transabdominal approach. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was released from the hospital 10 days after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Repair of the ambiguous genitalia in this patient was possible, but definitive inferences on the benefit of this intervention cannot be made without long-term follow-up.

An effective method to release anastomotic tension after repair of esophageal atresia using a Foley catheter.

Esophageal atresia (EA) is the most common malformation of the esophagus. Primary anastomosis is achievable in more than 90% of the cases and the milestone of the surgical intervention is achieving a watertight, low-tension anastomosis of the esophageal pouches. The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for releasing tension in the anastomosis and also to provide a safe way for enteral feeding in children with primarily repaired EA. From 2000 to 2012 twenty-one patients underwent primary esophageal anastomosis for EA in our department. During the surgical intervention, a 12-french Foley catheter is inserted through one of the nostrils, through the esophagus down to the site of the anastomosis and passed by into the stomach. After surgery, continuous gentile traction is maintained on the catheter for several days. We had no postoperative disruption of the anastomosis and anastomotic leaks occurred in 1 of the 21 cases. Overall survival rate was 67%. Using the Foley catheter to protect the anastomosis and to release the tension of the sutures provides a cheap and effective means to improve the outcomes of the treatment of EA.

Preliminary results after Nuss procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most frequent anterior chest deformity and occurs in approximately 1 in 1000 live births. In 1998 Donald Nuss introduced a new minimal invasive operative technique for PE which avoids any cartilage resection or sternum osteotomy. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the short and medium time results after minimal invasive correction of pectus excavatum and to present our improvements to the original Nuss technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a two years period seven PE patients were treated by us using Nuss technique. The intervention represents a premiere because it was the first Nuss operation performed by a team composed exclusively by Romanian surgeons. We present you the seven cases, our operative technique and the short and medium term outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: No itraoperative incidences were recorded. Postoperative course was good for all patients. Complication occurred in three cases: two pleural effusions and a wound dehiscence. They have been all successfully resolved with no further events. Overall the therapeutic and cosmetic results were considered good by patients and their parents. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results indicate that Nuss operation for PE correction is a safe surgical technique with excellent cosmetic outcomes. More cases and long time results are necessary to fully evaluate this technique.