Indirect inguinal hernia repair conducted with single conventional port intracorporeal conventional equipment-endoscopic surgery.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic or laparoscopy-assisted inguinal hernia repair (IHR) can be performed using one port plus two stab wounds. We herein present our experience with laparoscopic IHR conducted using a single conventional port and a single working instrument. METHODS: The records patients who underwent single conventional port intracorporeal IHR during November 2013-December 2018 were evaluated. The main outcome measurements were patient's demographic characteristics, hernia side, presence of incarceration, operative time, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 132 inguinal hernias (52 right, 40 left, and 20 bilateral) were repaired in 112 patients (76 boys, 36 girls). The mean ages of the patients were 69.8 ± 53.4 months (3 months to 17 years). In six patients, contralateral processus vaginalis was found to be patent during operation. Incarcerated inguinal hernia was present in two patients. Mean operative time was 17.9 ± 3.8 min (9-30 min) in unilateral hernias and 28.9 ± 6.5 min (24-45 min) in bilateral hernias. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were encountered. The mean hospital stay of the patients was 8.8 ± 5.0 h (4-36 h). Postoperative follow-up was 16.5 ± 5.1 months (6-24 months). No recurrent inguinal hernias were detected during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Single conventional port intracorporeal IHR obviates additional stab wounds. Additionally, present technique eliminates the risk of skin puckering, subcutaneous granuloma, infection, nerve, and muscle damage development induced by the subcutaneously placed knot in laparoscopy-assisted IHR. Single conventional port intracorporeal IHR in children is a feasible and safe operative technique with low complication rates.

Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for the treatment of penile fistulas after hypospadias repair.

OBJECTIVE: Urethrocutaneous fistula is the most common complication of hypospadias repair. Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) has been used for the management of distal fistulas. This study reports the usage of TIPU in the treatment of large penile fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2002 and September 2012, 15 patients with large penile fistulas who were managed with TIPU were included in the study. The fistulas were sited along the penile shaft from proximal to distal penile localization. Glanular and coronal fistulas were excluded. The surgical technique was completed according to the standard TIPU technique. The surrounding scar tissue of the fistula was circumferentially excised, and the urethral plate at the level of the fistula was incised to provide performance of loose urethral tubularization. A urethral stent was kept for 5-7 days. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 7.3 ± 3.1 years. Primary operation of these patients was tubularized preputial island flap (n = 6), on-lay preputial island flap (n = 4), and TIPU (n = 5). The sites of the hypospadias fistulas were as follows; penoscrotal (three), mid-penile (eight) and subcoronal (four). Fistulas recurred in two patients after fistula repair. The postoperative follow up of the patients was 12.4 ± 7.7 months. CONCLUSION: TIPU may be used safely for the treatment of fistulas after hypospadias repair.

Induction of fetal diuresis with intraamniotic furosemide injection reduces intestinal damage in a rat model of gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Contact with amniotic fluid causes intestinal damage (ID) in fetuses with gastroschisis. Intraamniotic meconium has been shown to be responsible for ID, and ID has been shown to correlate with intraamniotic meconium concentrations. ID can be prevented by lowering the intraamniotic meconium concentration. A new method to lower intraamniotic meconium concentration might consist in the induction of fetal diuresis with intraamniotic diuretic injection. This hypothesis was tested in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHOD: There were 4 experimental groups. CONTROL GROUP: Rat fetuses without any manipulation. Fetuses were harvested by cesarean section for examination at E21.5 (Term). SHAM GROUP: On E18.5, the hind limb of the rat fetuses were exteriorized by hysterotomy and replaced in the uterus. GASTROSCHISIS GROUP: Gastroschisis was surgically created in rat fetuses on E18.5, under a dissection microscope (16×). GASTROSCHISIS+FUROSEMIDE GROUP: After surgical creation of gastroschisis on E18.5, intraamniotic furosemide (5 mg/kg) was administered to the fetuses on E20. All fetuses were harvested on E21.5. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between intestinal serosal thicknesses of the control and sham groups. The serosal thickness was significantly higher in the gastroschisis group compared to the control group. In the gastroschisis+furosemide group, the intestinal serosal thickness was found significantly decreased compared with the gastroschisis group. CONCLUSION: Intraamniotic furosemide injection caused a substantial decrease in ID encountered in gastroschisis. The induction of fetal diuresis with intraamniotic furosemide injection seems promising as a prenatal treatment modality.

Can pulse oxymetry be used for measuring intestinal blood flow?

AIM: When studying intestinal blood flow (IBF) using radiolabeled erythrocytes in the rabbit intestinal volvulus model, we also evaluated whether a pulse oxymeter (POX) could be used for the measurement of intestinal blood flow. METHODS: IBF was measured with radiolabeled erythrocytes and POX in the rabbit intestinal volvulus model. The study was performed on 3 groups: 1) baseline, 2) volvulus, 3) volvulus plus devolvulus. RESULTS: The POX and scintigraphic measurements were in correlation and showed that IBF stopped for 6 hours following volvulus. IBF was significantly decreased in the volvulus plus devolvulus group compared to the baseline group (p < 0.01). IBF measured with POX correlated with scintigraphic measurements. CONCLUSION: POX is useful for the measurement of IBF and thus may be a cheap and reliable alternative to other intestinal blood flow measurement methods.

A unique opportunity for the operative treatment of high anorectal malformations: laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Georgeson et al. have reported a new operative technique for the treatment of high anorectal malformations (ARM) instead of posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP). With this new operative technique, anorectal pull-through is performed without a posterior sagittal incision with laparoscopic assistance. Herein we report our experience with laparoscopy-assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP). METHODS: The hospital and the digital video records of 4 high ARM male patients who underwent LAARP between January 2002 and June 2004 were evaluated retrospectively. The LAARP procedure was accomplished as described by Georgeson et al. Dilatation of the neoanus was started on the 15th postoperative day and was continued twice daily until the desired anal diameter had been reached. The colostomies were closed thereafter. RESULTS: LAARP was performed in the presence of colostomy in four patients. The first two patients are passing stools two or three times a day. A bowel management program has been initiated for the third patient, who is 4 years old. The last patient still has a colostomy. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopically excellent visualization of the pelvic musculature, especially of the pubococcygeal muscles, provides a great opportunity for accurate placement of the rectum in its anatomically precise place, without dividing the sphincteric muscle complex. Although there is not enough data regarding fecal continence after LAARP, we think that LAARP provides a unique opportunity for the operative treatment of high ARM and should be the first choice procedure for the operative treatment of high ARM.

Is induction of fetal diuresis with intraamniotic furosemide effective for the removal of intestinal waste products from amniotic fluid?

AIM: In gastroschisis, contact with amniotic fluid (AF) causes intestinal damage. Intraamniotic meconium has been shown to be responsible for the intestinal damage, and intestinal damage has been shown to correlate with intraamniotic meconium concentrations. Intraamniotic meconium below a threshold level does not cause intestinal damage. Intraamniotic meconium concentrations can be lowered by AF exchange. Can induction of foetal diuresis by an intraamniotic injection of furosemide be used as an alternative method for the same purpose? METHOD: Pregnant rabbits on the 23rd - 25th gestational days (normal gestation time: 31 - 33 days) were divided into two groups, the control group and the furosemide group. Initial AF samples were taken, then either 5 mg/kg furosemide or a placebo was injected into the amniotic cavity. Final AF samples were obtained 6 hours later. AF urea nitrogen, creatinine, amylase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels were determined. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the initial and final levels of AF urea nitrogen, creatinine, bilirubin, amylase, and alkaline phosphatase in the control group, while the final AF urea nitrogen and creatinine levels of the furosemide group were not significantly different from the initial levels (p > 0.05). Final AF bilirubin, amylase and alkaline phosphatase levels of the furosemide group were significantly decreased compared with initial levels (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Induction of foetal diuresis with intraamniotic furosemide is effective for the removal of intestinal waste products from amniotic fluid.

Intestinal damage in gastroschisis correlates with the concentration of intraamniotic meconium.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Contact with amniotic fluid (AF) causes intestinal damage in gastroschisis, which has been shown to be caused by intraamniotic meconium. However, whether this intraamniotic meconium-induced intestinal damage is concentration dependent has not been investigated previously. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of intraamniotic human meconium at various concentrations on the intestines of chick embryo with gastroschisis. METHODS: Five-day-old fertilized chick eggs were used. Gastroschisis was created through the amniotic cavity without opening the allantoic cavity. Sterile meconium was obtained from newborn humans. Meconium suspensions at various concentrations were prepared using saline and instilled into the amniotic cavity. RESULTS: Intraamniotic 1:200 and 1:400 meconium was found to cause intestinal damage. Meconium concentrations lower than 1:400 did not cause intestinal damage. Histopathologic examination of the intestines of the 1:200 and 1:400 meconium groups showed serosal thickening, inflammation, focal fibrin, and collagen deposits. Histopathologic features of the intestines of the 1:600 and 1:800 meconium groups did not differ from the intestines of the control group. CONCLUSION: Intraamniotic meconium, which is responsible for intestinal damage in gastroschisis, must reach a threshold level to induce intestinal damage. J Pediatr Surg 36:1811-1815.

Sacrococcygeal extraspinal ependymomas: the role of coccygectomy.

BACKGROUND: Ependymomas, the common glial tumors of the spinal cord, occur occasionally outside the central nervous system and are called exstraspinal ependymomas (EEP). EEPs are found primarily in sacrococcygeal region during childhood. The pathogenesis and the treatment of the sacrococcygeal (SC) ependymomas are still controversial. Therefore, we present our case with metaanalysis of other case reports to determine the optimal treatment modality for SC EEPs. METHODS: A metaanalysis of case reports of SC EEPs, including the current case, was conducted. Also all available case reports of EEPs, without age limit, were analyzed to determine the distribution of EEPs localization. RESULTS: EEPs usually are found in teratoma localizations such as the SC area, ovary, paraovarian structures, and medastinum. The distribution of EEPs localization differs with age. Local recurrence rate of EEPs after coccyx excision is zero, however, it increases to 71% when the coccyx was left behind. CONCLUSION: The identical clinical characteristics of the SC teratomas and EEPs imply that the SC EEPs may be monophasic teratomas as their ovarian counterparts are named. Coccyx excision is an important part of the surgical treatment of these tumors, with an apparent decrease in the recurrence rate.

Colonic atresia associated with Hirschsprung's disease: it is not a diagnostic challenge.

Colonic atresia Hirschsprung's disease association (CAHDA) is usually diagnosed after several failures of intestinal anastomoses. Having previously reported one of the cases of CAHDA, we established the diagnosis in a patient before attempting intestinal anastomosis for stoma closure. We herein report the first patient with CAHDA in the literature diagnosed before a therapeutic challenge. We recommend a biopsy of the distal colonic segment either during initial laparotomy or before attempting intestinal anastomosis for closure of colostomy to prevent therapeutic challenge in the patients with colonic atresia.

Prospective study investigating routine usage of ultrasonography as the initial diagnostic modality for the evaluation of children sustaining blunt abdominal trauma.

In this prospective study, 217 children sustaining blunt abdominal trauma were initially evaluated with ultrasonography (US) and those with any abnormal ultrasonographic findings were further evaluated with computed tomography. Results of ultrasonographic examination were normal in 157 children and showed abnormalities such as free intraperitoneal fluid (FIF), intra-abdominal organ injury, and intrapleural fluid in 60 children. Computed tomographic examination of the 42 children with organ injury, the seven children with minimal FIF of no definite source, and the three children with intrapleural fluid revealed findings consistent with ultrasonographic findings. Computed tomographic examination of the eight children with more than minimal FIF of no definite source detected by US showed the source as liver injury in one and spleen injuries in two patients. The source of FIF could not be identified with computed tomography in five patients. After clinic follow-up examination, one of these five patients was operated on for abdominal tenderness, fever, and air-fluid levels detected on plain abdominal radiographs, and duodenal perforation was encountered. Clinical courses of the patients with normal ultrasonographic findings were uneventful. We conclude that US, aside from being a screening tool, is alone sufficient in the evaluation of the majority of the children sustaining blunt abdominal trauma. Although this is a preliminary study with further work needed to be done, we propose that further evaluation with computed tomography should be performed on those children in whom more than minimal FIF of no definite source is detected with US.