Comparison of cystectomy and lobectomy of lung hydatid cyst in pediatrics: a retrospective study.

Objective: Hydatid cyst is an endemic disease in Iran. The treatment of choice for paediatric lung hydatid cysts is surgical removal of the cyst. However, due to its high prevalence the risk of recurrence after the surgery, cystectomy with capitonnage, which preserves the lung tissue, is a favourable surgical approach compared to lobectomy. Herein, the authors compared the outcome of cystectomy and lobectomy of lung hydatid cysts. Methods and materials: This is a retrospective study conducted in the paediatric surgery department. Paediatric patients who had undergone surgery due to pulmonary hydatid cysts were enroled. The patients were divided into two groups including cystectomy and non-anatomic lobectomy. Then, the length of surgery, length of hospitalization, postoperative complications, and the time required to remove the chest tube were calculated in each group. Results: A total of 32 patients were enroled in this retrospective study. Age, sex, location, and size of cysts were not significantly different between the two groups. The duration of surgery in the lobectomy and cystectomy groups was 116.3±33.7 versus 116.1±28.2 min, respectively (P=0.53). Surgery complications including the need for blood transfusion, pneumothorax, need for bronchoscopy and atelectasis were not different between the study groups. The mean time for first chest tube removal was significantly different between the groups with the lobectomy group having a shorter time (P=0.02). The length of hospital and ICU stay were not different between the two surgical procedures. The time to remove the first chest tube was significantly higher in cystectomy compared to lobectomy (P=0.02). Conclusion: The complications and outcome of the cystectomy are comparable to the lobectomy technique. However, the cystectomy method has the advantage of preserving the lung tissue, therefore it's a favourable technique in endemic areas for hydatid cysts where reoperation may be indicated.

Investigating the effect of sudden occlusion of the testicular vessels on the testicular tissue in rat models.

One of the ways to treat undescended testicles is to use orchiopexy surgery, which is modified into the two-stage Fowler-Stephens technique in cases of short or immobile testes. The disadvantage of using this technique is the probability of testicular ischaemia following the sudden closure of the testicular artery; although the collateral arteries prevent atrophy, the testis loses its germ cells during this stress and may no longer be functional. Therefore, this study aims to examine the changes in testicular tissue regarding necrosis and infarction after the occlusion of the vessels. Methods and materials: In this experimental study 15 male rats weighing 200-250 g were prepared and first, one of the rats was sacrificed and testicles on both sides were used for pathology control. After general anaesthesia vascular ligature was performed with the left testes undergoing both venous and arterial occlusion and the right testes only arterial occlusion. After 1 month, all specimens were killed and the testes were completely removed and sent for histopathological evaluation. Results: A total of 14 rats and 28 testes were studied in two equal groups of case and control. There was no significant difference between the case and control groups in terms of testicular volume, consistency, and viability. Microscopic findings revealed that necrosis, infarction, and state of inflammation were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study show that abrupt closure of the testicular artery in rats is associated with necrosis and infarction, decreased spermatogenesis, and more inflammation. However, no significant differences were found in terms of macroscopic findings including volume, consistency, and viability.

Evaluating the utility of cystoscopy, distal colostography, and sonography for locating the fistula in patients with anorectal malformation: a case series.

Anorectal malformations are congenital conditions ranging from a simple perianal fistula to a complex cloacal malformation. Since the precise determination of the location of the fistula is the central pillar in choosing the type of surgery, this study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of three techniques, transperineal ultrasound, distal colostography, and cystoscopy. Materials and methods: This study was performed on patients with anorectal abnormalities who had undergone decompressive colostomy and were planned for anorectoplasty in the period from September 2017 to March 2019 in a pediatric surgical center. To answer our question, all three mentioned methods were conducted before the surgery and were compared with the intraoperative findings. Results: Sonography, distal colostography, and the second cystoscopy findings were similar to intraoperative conclusions concerning the presence of a fistula in patients, whereas blind cystoscopy had 30% accuracy and similarity. Regarding the type of fistula sonography, distal colostography, and second cystoscopy each had 50, 37.5, and 10 inconsistency with the intraoperative findings. In all cases where a fistula was detected in blind cystoscopy, the location of the fistula was correctly determined by this modality. Data analysis on the pouch to perineum distance measurements obtained from sonography and colostography were significantly different from that of surgery. Conclusion: The results of this study emphasize the need to perform several diagnostic modalities to determine the location and type of fistula to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in pediatric Wilms tumor.

INTRODUCTION: Although the sentinel lymph node Biopsy (SLNB) is well stablished in solid tumors among adults but the experience on SLNB in pediatrics is still limited. In this article we report our experience of sentinel lymph node detection that is applied on pediatric solid renal tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty 1-16 year old children with non-metastatic primary Wilms tumor regarding the radiological studies were enrolled. Radio tracer injection was carried out after renal vein, artery and ureter ligation, at the time of radical nephrectomy. Sentinel node detection and sampling was performed in every location with radiotracer count of 3 times more than background. Finally lymph node sampling was completed following the standard current discipline in Wilms tumor surgery. RESULTS: A single SLN was detected in 16 patients. 4 patients had more than one SLN. The most common site of SLN was inter aortocaval space. Histopathologic studies revealed tumor involvement in 3 sentinel nodes (15%). All other lymph node samples were also studied histologically and LN involvement was not detected in any of the cases with tumor free sentinel lymph node (no false negative case). Multiple LN involvement was reported in two patients with positive SLN in which, other involved lymph nodes were removed with the tumor during radical nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative SLNB is a safe and feasible tool to improve the accuracy of staging in pediatric Wilms' tumor. We suggest to ligate renal artery and vein prior to radiotracer injection to diminish the background confounding effect. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II (development of diagnostic criteria in a consecutive series of patients and a universally applied "gold standard") TYPE OF STUDY: Study of Diagnostic Test.

Bioavailability of rectal acetaminophen in children following anorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen is widely used as an analgesic and antipyretic agent in pediatrics. Although bioavailability of rectal acetaminophen is unpredictable, rectal route is a usual and acceptable method of prescription. Major anorectal surgery may alter the normal structure of the surgical site, especially the vascular elements and the normal connections between port and systemic vessels. As a result the pharmacokinetics of rectal medications might also be altered. Based on this hypothesis, we decided to study acetaminophen plasma concentration among children who underwent these types of surgeries to determine the pharmacokinetic of absorption, plasma concentration, safety, and efficacy of rectal acetaminophen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 20 cases with previous history of pull-through procedure owing to Hirschsprung's disease (HD), 20 cases with imperforate anus (IA) reconstructive surgeries who were admitted for colostomy closure, and 20 otherwise healthy cases of inguinal herniotomy. Venus blood sampling was done 4, 8 and 12 hrs after a single loading dose of rectal acetaminophen (40 mg/kg), and plasma acetaminophen concentration was compared between groups. RESULTS: Mean serum acetaminophen levels of the HD group were significantly higher than those of the herniotomy group (36.3 ±â€¯6.79, 27.4 ±â€¯8.42, 16.8 ±â€¯7.62 versus 25.9 ±â€¯9.12, 16.7 ±â€¯6.74, 8.1 ±â€¯5.79 (µg/ml) at 4, 8 and 12 hrs after drug administration and P < 0.05). The IA group had higher concentrations of plasma acetaminophen compared to the herniotomy group; however, the p values were not statistically significant. (31.4 ±â€¯10.39, 21.5 ±â€¯9.12, 13.3 ±â€¯6.79 versus 25.9 ±â€¯9.12, 16.7 ±â€¯6.74, 8.1 ±â€¯5.79 (µg/ml) at 4, 8 and 12 hrs after drug administration). Serum concentrations of acetaminophen in IA and HD patients were above the therapeutic range four hours after administering the loading dose (31.4 ±â€¯10.39 and 36.3 ±â€¯6.79 versus 5-20 µg/ml). CONCLUSION: Bioavailability of rectal acetaminophen might get altered after major anorectal surgery in children. Rectal acetaminophen should be administered with special caution among infants with history of anorectal operations. Repeated dose of rectal acetaminophen may cause the drug blood concentration to reach toxic levels in these patients. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective comparative study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Surgical Practice in the Shadow of COVID-19 Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 epidemic rapidly spread all around the world with over 1500 thousand infected cases and 95000 deaths. This rapid pandemic may overwhelm health care capacity and shortage of resources is a major concern. Literature provided guidelines on management of COVID-19 patients but healthcare service to the normal population should be continued meanwhile. Health system should act immediately and wisely to support essential surgical care while fighting against COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search in the major data bases since 2020, using the combination of MeSH words of "COVID-19 " and "surgery" and finally 34 full texts entered to data extraction phase to define a plan for surgical practice during COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Healthcare workers are at the higher risk of contamination by COVID-19 especially in early stage of outbreak when they were not aware of the different aspects of COVID-19 pandemic. All healthcare staff must be trained to properly use PPE. All patients have to be screened at the hospital triage. All elective surgical interventions must be postponed. Operation room is considered as a place with high risk of cross infection so the highest level of protection should be maintained. Anesthesia, endoscopy and oral surgery are considered as aerosol producing procedures with very high risk of contamination. There is not any evidence to support the risk of infection trough blood products. Postoperative respiratory problems are more common among COVID-19 patients that may increases the estimated risk of morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic is a dynamic challenge for health system to save the healthcare staff and equipment resources by timely decisions. Healthcare workers are at the higher risk of contamination by COVID-19 especially in early phase of epidemic when the protection is sub-optimal.

Pre-operative hormone stimulation in hypospadias repair: A facilitator or a confounder.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative hormone stimulation (PHS) is popular in hypospadias reconstructive surgery. While still controversial, it is performed to have a more developed gross anatomy of the glans and penis for improvement of the surgical condition and outcome. OBJECTIVE: In this study we assessed morphometric and histologic effects of pre-operative testosterone therapy on the penis and prepuce in patients with hypospadias. STUDY DESIGN: 18 patients with hypospadias who received 3 monthly doses of 25 mg testosterone injections were compared with 23 patients with hypospadias who were managed without pre-operative androgen therapy. Penile morphometry and hormone side effects were assessed in monthly pre-operative visits. Intra operative observations and preputial histopathology were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: Glans diameter enlarged significantly after the first dose of testosterone. (P < 0.001) while morphologic changes were not significant by further injections. 72.2% showed one or more hormone related side effects that were mostly mild. Severe side effects such as thick pubic hair growth, frequent erections or considerable penis hyper-sensation were observed in 27.8%. Glans to corpus ratio was 0.2 ± 0.75 in PHS group compare to 0.3 ± 0.17 in control group. (P < 0.001). Hemorrhage needing tourniquet placement was reported in 44.4% of the PHS patients compared to 26.1% among the control group. Histopathologic studies revealed increased vascularity and less inflammation of the prepuce in PHS group compared to controls. DISCUSSION: The glans and penis enlargement wasn't significant in 22.2% of patients who underwent PHS. We identified the first dose of testosterone as the most effective one. This finding supports the idea of close clinical monitoring to stop PHS when a significant response is observed and the expected goals are reached. Androgen side effects were not uncommon among our patients although they were mainly mild. Intraoperative assessments showed a decreased glans wing thickness to corporal body ratio in PHS group compared to controls. This finding caused more complex glanuloplasty while wrapping the glans wings over neo urethra and enlarged corporal bodies. CONCLUSION: We suggest limiting PHS to carefully selected cases considering the observed anatomical and histological changes and the side effects. Monthly monitoring during PHS is recommended to stop androgen therapy as soon as the minimum defined targets are reached. This may decrease the rate of androgen side effects while providing better surgical conditions.

The Effect of Immediate Versus Delayed Addition of the Nasal Stent to the Nasoalveolar Molding Plate on Nostrils Shape and Cleft Width in Infants With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of immediate versus delayed addition of the nasal stent to the nasoalveolar molding plate on the nose shape and alveolar cleft area in unilateral cleft lip and palate infants. METHOD: Twenty nonsyndromic newborn infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate were scanned 3 dimensionally using Proface software. In the experimental group, the nasal stent was added on the day the molding plate arrived, and in the control group when the alveolar gap reached 5 mm. Two months after adding nasal stents in each group patients' faces were scanned again and some parameters were measured. In addition, immediately after treatment, 1 month later and at the end of investigation, impressions were taken, and stone casts were scanned by cone-beam computed tomography and the alveolar gap was measured. Fisher exact test, paired t test, and ANOVA were used for data analyses. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: In this study, changes in the parameters showed significant differences between the case and controls for the columellar angle, nostril width on the cleft side, nostril height on the cleft side, soft tissue cleft width, and nasal surface area. However, the nostril's width and height in the noncleft side, intercommissural distance, nasal surface area on the noncleft side, nostril area between the cleft and noncleft side after treatment, and the alveolar gap did not show significant differences between the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early use of nasal stents showed more desirable results in decreasing the width of the nostrils and increasing its height and correcting the angle of the columella without any adverse effects on the nostrils after treatment.

Controlled vs Spontaneous Ventilation for Bronchoscopy in Children with Tracheobronchial Foreign Body.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration is a common life-threatening condition in children. There are controversies in the management of this condition, including the type of ventilation during bronchoscopy. This study aims to compare anesthesia with controlled ventilation versus spontaneous ventilation in rigid bronchoscopy in children with foreign body aspiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who were candidates for rigid bronchoscopy due to foreign body aspiration were randomly assigned to either anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation or controlled ventilation. End tidal CO2 (ETCO2), electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) and complications and accidents during the surgery and recovery were recorded for each patient. Surgeon comfort during the procedure was also evaluated for each patient. A 20% change in HR or NIBP was considered significant. SpO2 values under 90% are considered desaturation. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (31 male and 20 female) entered the study. The mean age was 26.76 months, ranging from 6 to 100 months. Choking and cough were present in 94% and 96.1% of the patients, respectively. Nuts were the most common foreign body (76.9%). The controlled ventilation group had significantly fewer complications, and surgeon comfort was significantly higher in this group. Oxygen desaturation was significantly more prevalent in the spontaneous ventilation group during laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Controlled ventilation has the potential to be used as an effective alternative option in anesthesia for patients with suspected foreign body aspiration.

Thoracoscopic Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair: The First Iranian Group Report, Passing the Learning Curve.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic treatment of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA+TEF) is accepted as a superior technique at least in cosmetic point of view but it is considered as an advance endoscopic procedure that needs a learning curve to be performed perfectly. This is the first report of Iranian group pediatric surgeons in thoracoscopic approach to EA. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Since 2010, twenty four cases with EA+TEF underwent thoracoscopic approach in Sarvar Children Hospital (Mashhad -Iran). During the first 6 months, thoracoscopic approach to 6 cases of EA+TEF was converted to open procedure because of technical and instrumental problems. The first case of successful thoracoscopic EA repair was accomplished in 2010 and since then, 10 cases of EA+ TEF among 18 patients were treated successfully with thoracoscopic approach RESULTS: Overall conversion rate was 58.3% but conversion rate after the primary learning curve period, was 35.7%. The main conversion causes include difficulties in esophageal anastomosis, limited exposure and deteriorating the patient's condition. Anastomotic leak and stenosis were observed in 20% and 40% respectively. Overall mortality rate was 4.2%. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia seems feasible and safe with considerable superiorities to the conventional method although acceptable results needs a prolonged learning curve and advanced endoscopic surgical skill. Clear judgment about the best surgical intervention for EA according to all cosmetic and functional outcomes needs further studies.

Two-stage endoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair has recently been gaining popularity and is the first choice in most departments. Loss of space in an undeveloped abdomen may cause serious problems such as difficult visceral reduction and need for conversion or postoperative complications such as abdominal compartment syndrome. A 4-month-old boy with delayed diagnosis of CDH underwent MIS repair via thoracoscopy, but the abdominal space was not large enough to accept the herniated viscera so a wide transverse fasciotomy was performed via laparoscopy and an iatrogenic ventral hernia induced. The abdomen was distended by pneumoperitoneum, which was retained for 2 days. Finally thoracoscopic CDH repair was completed successfully and the diaphragmatic defect reconstructed by prosthetic patch. Laparoscopic transverse abdominal fasciotomy is suggested as the first step in MIS repair of CDH in an undeveloped abdomen.

Two staged modified substitution urethroplasty using appendix-free flap.

Reconstruction of long posterior urethra defect is technically challenging. Substitution urethroplasty is used in long, complex, recurrent posterior urethral strictures. This article presents a modified technique and the clinical outcome of two-stage substitution urethroplasty with appendix free flap and microvascular anastomosis. A three-year-old boy with a 5 cm iatrogenic posterior urethral defect was managed by urethral substitution using the appendix. An appendix-free flap was used according to anatomic limitations, employing the transposed inferior epigastric artery and saphenous vein to maintain conduit blood supply. The conduit was buried in the scrotum for 3 weeks and its viability monitored until the final reconstructive stage. Two-year follow-up with ultrasound and cystoscopy revealed satisfactory results. A well-vascularised bed and flap are the mainstays of substitution urethroplasty, so we suggest inferior epigastric artery perineal transposition and staged reconstruction as alternatives that may improve the blood supply of the neourethra.

"Tie over ring" sutureless compression based gastrointestinal anastomotic method: experimental rat model.

INTRODUCTION: Giving the ever-rising trend of pediatric minimally invasive surgery besides early neonatal surgical interventions, intestinal anastomosis turns out to be a time consuming stage due to several anatomical as well as technical difficulties. A perfect bowel anastomosis method should be easy, rapid, safe and reliable in creation of bowel continuity with minimal tissue damage. In this light, sutureless anastomotic methods have been introduced, using compression based anastomosis with biofragmentable rings or powerful magnets. Accordingly, this experimental animal model study has evaluated the result of an easy, rapid intestinal sutureless anastomotic technique via simple tying over an intraluminal ring, in comparison with conventional handsewn bowel anastomosis. METHODOLOGY: Thirty Wistar-Albino male rats were enrolled and small bowel was transected via a midline laparotomy. A grooved plastic ring was inserted into the ileal lumen and both intestinal cutting ends were fixed over the ring with a simple tie in the first group. On the other hand, enteroenterostomy was performed by the conventional method of handsewn anastomosis in the second group. After 14 days, rats were sacrificed to evaluate for intraperitoneal adhesion and abscess formation in addition to other evidences of anastomotic leakage. Furthermore, the anastomotic site integrity, tensile strength and healing stage were assessed microscopically. RESULTS: The mean operative time and intraoperative bleeding in the tie over ring group were significantly less than those in the handsewn anastomosis group. Anastomotic stricture was more common in the conventional anastomosis group while the anastomotic tensile strength was significantly higher in the tie over ring group. Histopathological healing parameters and final healing score were almost similar in both groups but mean inflammatory cell infiltration in handsewn anastomosis was significantly higher. CONCLUSION: "Tie over ring" is a simple method of anastomosis that is feasible, fast, safe and functionally effective for bowel reconstruction in animal models that could be reconsidered in human bowel anastomosis.

Lateral Traumatic Esophago-Cutaneous fistula in a Child; Platelet-Rich Fibrin Glue Challenge.

INTRODUCTION: The endoscopic fibrin glue or platelet-rich fibrin glue (PRFG) injection is an easy, safe and effective technique for the fistula. So far, the use of fibrin glue has been limited to selected cases. CASE REPORT: Our case is a three years old male child with a neck trauma resulting in a Esophago-Cutaneous fistula after a 3 month period of follow up we decided to use PRFG for this lesion after fine debridement of the fistula tract, and the surrounding fibrosed tissue twice with a one week interval. Our visit after two weeks showed complete recovery and normal general condition. A contrast study revealed complete disappearance of the lesion. CONCLUSIONS: In our case the PRFG completely resolved a long-standing fistula resistant to exhaustive conservative management. The treatment with PRFG has been proved to be effective in the selected cases and it seems that traumatic esophago-cutaneous fistula may be one of these selections. Application of fibrin sealant should be considered early in the management of these difficult clinical problems.

Megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome.

Megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a multisystemic disorder in which impaired intestinal motor activity causes recurrent symptoms of intestinal obstruction in the absence of mechanical occlusion, associated with bladder distention without distal obstruction of the urinary tract. MMIHS and prune belly syndrome may overlap in most of the clinical features and discrimination of these two entities is important because the prognosis, management and consulting with parents are completely different. MMIHS outcome is very poor and in this article we present two neonates with MMIHS that both died in a few days.

Thoracoscopic esophageal atresia repair made easy. An applicable trick.

Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia is becoming more popular but technical difficulties in handsewn anastomosis still remain challenging. This article presents an easy and applicable maneuver by passing the trans-esophageal tube before starting to suture in order to minimize the gap, reduce the tension over primary sutures and provide a better visualization of posterolateral parts of the anastomosis in thoracoscopic esophageal atresia repair. Using this maneuver makes tying easier and minimizes grasping and crushing damages to the anastomotic site.

Pediatric clear cell sarcoma of the kidney with atriocaval thrombus.

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is an uncommon neoplasm that accounts for almost 3 % of pediatric renal tumors. Cavoatrial tumor thrombosis is very rare and because of poor response to chemotherapy, invasive surgical interventions such as open heart surgery may be indicated. A 6-year-old girl with CCSK of right kidney was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. According to poor chemosensitivity, surgical intervention was planned. Right atriotomy was done, but intra-atrial part of tumor was very firm and unsuctionable; so the procedure was completed by laparotomy and en bloc resection of tumoral kidney and its cavoatrial extension through a limited venotomy on inferior vena cava. Although radical resection of CCSK with intracaval involvement should be considered as a multidisciplinary approach and intensive care and supports should be provided, atriocaval tumor in growth in CCSK is firm, non friable and non-adherent, and tumor en bloc resection may be possible through a limited venotomy via primary abdominal approach.

Spontaneous perforation of common bile duct in a pediatric patient: application of hepatobiliary scintigraphy.

We report a case of spontaneous biliary perforation in a 21-month old female pediatric patient with the presenting symptoms of abdominal distension, jaundice, and umbilical hernia. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed tracer accumulation in the peritoneal cavity. Preliminary diagnosis of spontaneous biliary perforation was confirmed during surgery. After surgical repair of the biliary leakage, the patient recovered fully. This case shows the importance of hepatobiliary scintigraphy in patients suspicious for this condition.