Tips and Tricks-3 Use Cases of Interdisciplinary Knowledge Transfer in Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery.

In the pediatric surgical environment, we can enrich our knowledge and improve our skills through interdisciplinary knowledge transfer in exchange with other surgical or even non-surgical disciplines. To demonstrate this, we present in this article three patient cases of method transfer enabling new techniques in minimally invasive pediatric surgery. 1. The somewhat modified application of the AeroStat rigid tip laparoscopic cholangiography catheter during the single-step laparoscopic cholecystectomy facilitates the safe intraoperative cholangiography with common bile duct flushing. 2. A magnetic rod is used during laparoscopic enterotomy to locate and retrieve ingested magnets. 3. Using a patient-specific MRI 3D model representing a syndromic high anorectal malformation improves surgical planning and parental education.

Emerging magnetic resonance imaging techniques in open spina bifida in utero.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an essential diagnostic modality for congenital disorders of the central nervous system. Recent advancements have transformed foetal MRI into a clinically feasible tool, and in an effort to find predictors of clinical outcomes in spinal dysraphism, foetal MRI began to unveil its potential. The purpose of our review is to introduce MRI techniques to experts with diverse backgrounds, who are involved in the management of spina bifida. We introduce advanced foetal MRI postprocessing potentially improving the diagnostic work-up. Importantly, we discuss how postprocessing can lead to a more efficient utilisation of foetal or neonatal MRI data to depict relevant anatomical characteristics. We provide a critical perspective on how structural, diffusion and metabolic MRI are utilised in an endeavour to shed light on the correlates of impaired development. We found that the literature is consistent about the value of MRI in providing morphological cues about hydrocephalus development, hindbrain herniation or outcomes related to shunting and motor functioning. MRI techniques, such as foetal diffusion MRI or diffusion tractography, are still far from clinical use; however, postnatal studies using these methods revealed findings that may reflect early neural correlates of upstream neuronal damage in spinal dysraphism.

Comprehensive Review of 3D Segmentation Software Tools for MRI Usable for Pelvic Surgery Planning.

Patient-specific 3D modeling is the first step towards image-guided surgery, the actual revolution in surgical care. Pediatric and adolescent patients with rare tumors and malformations should highly benefit from these latest technological innovations, allowing personalized tailored surgery. This study focused on the pelvic region, located at the crossroads of the urinary, digestive, and genital channels with important vascular and nervous structures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of different software tools to obtain patient-specific 3D models, through segmentation of magnetic resonance images (MRI), the reference for pediatric pelvis examination. Twelve software tools freely available on the Internet and two commercial software tools were evaluated using T2-w MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI images. The software tools were rated according to eight criteria, evaluated by three different users: automatization degree, segmentation time, usability, 3D visualization, presence of image registration tools, tractography tools, supported OS, and potential extension (i.e., plugins). A ranking of software tools for 3D modeling of MRI medical images, according to the set of predefined criteria, was given. This ranking allowed us to elaborate guidelines for the choice of software tools for pelvic surgical planning in pediatric patients. The best-ranked software tools were Myrian Studio, ITK-SNAP, and 3D Slicer, the latter being especially appropriate if nerve fibers should be included in the 3D patient model. To conclude, this study proposed a comprehensive review of software tools for 3D modeling of the pelvis according to a set of eight criteria and delivered specific conclusions for pediatric and adolescent patients that can be directly applied to clinical practice.

Laparoscopic retroperitoneal approach for retrocaval ureter in children.

PURPOSE: Retrocaval ureter (RCU) is a rare congenital anomaly and published data on pediatric laparoscopic management are poor. The aim of this study was to report our experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for management of RCU in children. METHODS: A retrospective review of data from patients treated for RCU between 2002 and 2018 in our institution was performed. All patients were positioned in a flank position and underwent a three-port (5-mm optical trocar and two 3-mm trocars) laparoscopic retroperitoneal ureteroureterostomy. Anastomosis was made by 6/0 absorbable sutures. A JJ stent was always inserted. RESULTS: Five patients with a median age of 94 months (5-152) were operated on and followed up for a median time of 103 months (46-201). Median operating time was 200 min (160-270). No conversion and no transfusion occurred. Median hospital stay was 2 days (1-4). Ureteral stent was removed after 52 days (47-82). Complications included pyelonephretis (N = 1). In all cases, hydronephrosis decreased postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for RCU is safe and effective in children. Our video demonstrates different patients with specific surgical details to show how to manage these children. The global vision of the upper tract by laparoscopy leads to optimal management of these children even if the anomaly was not detected preoperatively.

Thoracoscopy Versus Open Surgery for Persistent Ductus Arteriosus and Vascular Ring Anomaly in Neonates and Infants.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to report our experience in thoracoscopy in infants and neonates for vascular surgical conditions in neonates and infants and to compare our results to open surgery regarding the short-term outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all the patients operated in a single institution from 1997 to 2016 for persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and vascular ring (VR) anomalies. We compared our thoracoscopic series to a historical control group operated by open surgery. Data collection from charts and office notes included age and weight at surgery, cardiac ultrasound data for PDA, preoperative clinical symptoms for VR, type of surgery, operating time, analgesic treatment requirements, ventilation status during postoperative course, and early complications. RESULTS: The thoracoscopic group included 13 PDA (median age and weight at surgery: 34 days and 1800 g) and 11 VR (median age and weight at surgery: 8 months and 7000 g). The thoracoscopic group did not differ in preoperative symptoms and work-up, operating time, ventilation status, length of hospital-stay, and postoperative complications with the group operated on by thoracotomy, for either PDA or VR. CONCLUSION: Our short-term results in thoracoscopic PDA closure and VR anomalies surgery in neonates and infants are comparable to open surgery. Thoracoscopy seems to provide less pain especially for neonates and premature babies and allows to decrease the risk for postoperative chest wall deformities. Long-term outcome is mandatory to confirm these preliminary results.

Calretinin Variant in Hirschsprung Disease: Pretransitional Sign and Surgical Planning.

Objectives Calretinin immunohistochemistry (IHC) with slight submucosal positivity (variant) has been reported in short forms of Hirschsprung disease (HD). The first aim of our study was to confirm this variant being a pretransitional sign. The second was to evaluate if its presence on suction rectal biopsy was reliable enough for surgical planning. Methods We performed a monocentric retrospective study of all rectosigmoid HD between 2009 and 2014. Suction rectal biopsy defined two groups of calretinin results: P- group with no staining and P+ group with slight positivity. P- group final resection specimen was retrospectively reanalyzed looking for the variant to appear within the aganglionic bowel. P+ group surgical management was analyzed in terms of initial symptoms, radiological results, type of surgery and outcome, before and after formal identification of the variant by our pathologists (2011). Results Overall, 54 patients with rectosigmoid HD were included from 2009 to 2014. In the P- group (48.2%), the variant pattern finally appeared on all surgical resection specimens, 1 cm before the transitional zone (minimum-maximum: 0-5 cm). In the P+ group, 46% of these patients had peroperative biopsies before the transanal pull through before 2011 against 10% after 2011, with 100% of ganglionic coloanal anastomosis and similar outcome. Conclusion We confirmed our hypothesis of this varied pattern of calretinin being a pretransitional sign only visible on rectal suction biopsies in short segment HD and reliable enough to plan direct transanal pull through.

Laparoscopic management of congenital duodenal atresia or stenosis: A single-center early experience.

BACKGROUND: The background is to review our experience with laparoscopic repair of congenital duodenal atresia or stenosis (CDAS) and compare postoperative outcome with a group control of laparotomy repair. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all cases of CDAS undergoing laparoscopic surgery at our institution between July 2013 and May 2014 and comparison with a group control of open operation performed between 2007 and 2010. Data were compared using Fisher's exact test for qualitative values and Mann-Whitney test for quantitative values. P values less than 0,05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Ten consecutive cases were identified in laparoscopic group (7 duodenoduodenostomy and 3 duodenojejunostomy) and 19 cases in laparotomy group (16 duodenoduodenostomy and 3 web excision). Median birth weight was lower in laparoscopic group (2125 grams Vs 2777 grams p=0,04). In laparoscopic group, there was no conversion and no intraoperative complication. Median duration of surgery was 90minutes (80-150). In both groups, the surgical morbidity rate was 10%. Median time to initiation of oral feeding was significatively shorter in laparotomy group (8days Vs 4 p=0,009). Median time to full oral feeding and length of stay were shorter in laparotomy but not statistically different. (36days Vs 16,5 p=0,14 and 45,5days Vs 25,5 p=0,09 respectively) After a median follow up of 149,5days (24-355) in laparoscopic group, 8 children had a full oral intake. Five children had a weight below the 10th percentile. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach for CDAS is safe and reproducible with outcomes similar to open repair even in the beginning of a learning curve for pediatric surgeons with appropriate laparoscopic skills. In this small series, laparoscopy did not appear to decrease time to full oral intake or length of stay. Larger studies are suggested to provide more conclusive results.

Is radical lobectomy required in congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation?

BACKGROUND: The extent of surgical resection in the management of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) located in 1 pulmonary lobe remains controversial. Although lobectomy seems to be the best treatment to avoid recurrent pulmonary infection and neoplasia, neither retrospective nor prospective studies have been done to our knowledge. Besides, many reports claim that there are advantages of parenchyma-saving resections. The aim of our study was to determine whether it was necessary to perform an extended resection in these cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who had undergone a thoracoscopic lobectomy for CCAM located to 1 pulmonary lobe between January 2007 and January 2009. A thoracic radiologist performed a single blind review of all preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans, mentioning the presence or absence of distant lesions from the main cysts of CCAM within the pulmonary lobe. The pathologist who analyzed the pulmonary lobectomy specimen was aware of the diagnosis but not the CT report. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy for congenital lung malformations, including 12 with CCAM. All had a positive prenatal sonogram. The median age at surgery was 12 months (range, 2-24 months). The preoperative CT showed only 2 cases with distant lesions within the affected pulmonary lobe, whereas the histologic study of the surgical specimen identified 6 cases. The sensitivity of the CT scan was low, 33%, whereas its specificity was high, 100%. Furthermore, the preoperative CT negative predictive value was 60%. The median time of follow-up was 7.5 months. CONCLUSION: Adequate treatment of CCAM in children requires a lobectomy because of poor sensitivity and very poor negative predictive value (60%) of the preoperative CT to determine distal adjacent lesions. A prospective study on a larger number of patients is required to confirm these observations.

Does the radiographic transition zone correlate with the level of aganglionosis on the specimen in Hirschsprung's disease?

PURPOSE: The correlation between radiographic transition zone on contrast enema in Hirschsprung's disease and the total length of aganglionosis is known to be inaccurate. The aim of our study was to analyse this correlation more precisely to improve preoperative planning of the corrective surgery. METHODS: From 1998 to 2009, 79 patients were operated on for Hirschsprung's disease. All available preoperative contrast enemas (n = 61) had been single blind reviewed by the same radiologist who defined the radiographic transition zone when present in vertebral level. Four groups were determined (rectal, rectosigmoid, long segment, and absence of transition zone) and by Kappa coefficient of agreement correlated to the length of aganglionosis in the pathological report. RESULTS: Radiological findings were concordant with the specimen in pathology in 8 cases of 19 in rectal form (42 %), in 20 cases of 35 in rectosigmoid form (57 %), in all 6 cases of long-segment form (100 %), in the 2 cases of total colonic form (100 %) with a global agreement of 58.1 %, κ = 0.39 CI [0.24; 0.57]. CONCLUSION: Correlation between level of radiographic transition zone on contrast enema and length of aganglionosis remains low. Systematic preoperative biopsy by coelioscopy or ombilical incision is mandatory.

Long-term outcome of subcutaneous pyelovesical bypass in extended ureteral stricture after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Extended ureteral stricture is a rare complication of renal transplantation. Its management remains challenging. The aim of our study was to report our 15 years of experience with subcutaneous pyelovesical bypass graft (SPBG) in selected renal transplant patients who presented with extended ureteral stricture and who were not eligible for open ureteral reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients were operated on between 1992 and 2007-six men and one woman-with a mean age at surgery of 47 years (range 30-67 y). RESULTS: We report no encrustation or dislodgment with a mean follow-up of 6 years (range 1-14 y). Postoperative mortality was null. During the follow-up, three patients died: Two from an extrarenal cause with a functional SPBG and a stable renal function; one from septic shock after fungic colonization of the prosthesis. Asymptomatic urinary tract infection developed in two other patients, with no renal function impairment. CONCLUSION: Despite a 47% rate of infection (3/7), SPBG can be a safe and efficient alternative to open surgery to save many years of graft function in renal transplant patients who present with extended ureteral stricture.