[Multilayer repair of palatal fistula with an interpositional collagen matrix]. / Reparación multicapa de la fístula palatina con interposición de matriz de colágeno.

OBJECTIVE: Palatal fistula after the repair of cleft palate appears in 7.7-35% of patients. We present two cases of palatal fistula, detailing a multi-layer repair with an interpositional collagen graft. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient 1: girl with a cleft palate operated using a Furlow technique. A reintervention was performed due to a Pittsburgh type III fistula. Patient 2: male with cleft palate operated using a Furlow technique. A reintervention was performed due to a type V fistula. RESULTS: We used a multilayer repair with a local rotational flap and the interposition of a collagen matrix between the nasal and oral layers. The suture was reinforced with a fibrin hemostatic adhesive. No recurrence of the fistula after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The three-layer closure is simple, safe, effective and avoids refistulizations. Interpositional grafts of a resorbable collagen membrane provide a "scaffold" for tissue growth, revascularization and epithelialization of the mucosa.

OBJETIVO: La fístula palatina tras la reparación del paladar fisurado aparece en un 7,7-35% de pacientes. Presentamos dos casos de fístula palatina, detallando la técnica de reparación multicapa con injerto interposicional de colágeno. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Paciente 1: niña con fisura de paladar blando, operada mediante técnica de Furlow. Se programa reintervención por fístula secundaria tipo III de Pittsburgh. Paciente 2: varón con fisura de paladar blando, operado mediante técnica de Furlow. Se programa reintervención por fístula secundaria tipo V. RESULTADOS: Reparación multicapa mediante flap rotacional y matriz de colágeno entre las capas nasal y oral. Refuerzo con adhesivo hemostático de fibrina. Ausencia de recidiva tras 2 años de seguimiento. CONCLUSIONES: El cierre en tres capas es sencillo y efectivo a la hora de evitar refistulizaciones. Los injertos interposicionales de membrana reabsorbible de colágeno proporcionan un "andamio" para el crecimiento de los tejidos, revascularización y epitelialización de la mucosa.

[Achalasia in children and adolescents, a therapeutic challenge]. / La acalasia en la infancia y la adolescencia, un reto terapéutico.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of achalasia in children is in permanent discussion. It is a rare disorder without cure, which makes its management challenging. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients under 18 years old treated for achalasia in our Hospital between 2000 and 2012, by either pneumatic dilatation (PD) or Heller myotomy (HM). RESULTS: Thirteen children were treated during this time. Mean age was 12 years (4-18), interval time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 15 months (2-48) and mean follow-up was 66,8 months (4-144). Dysphagia and vomits were the main symptoms (61%). A single PD was performed in 5 patients; four were the oldest children of the series (16-18). Three girls remain asymptomatic and 2 boys suffer from moderate dysphagia. Six patients required multiple PD and, after a mean of 3 dilatations, HM was needed in all of them. The last 2 children of the series received surgery as the first treatment. In total, eight patients underwent HM and fundoplication, with 6 laparoscopic procedures. Two boys suffer from low-moderate dysphagia, but additional treatments have not been required. The mean of total hospital stay was 12,7 days (2-45) for PD and 9 days (3-30) for HM. Two patients were reoperated because of oesophagic perforation, one after PD and one after open HM. CONCLUSION: Although PD and HM could be complementary, laparoscopic Heller myotomy should be considered the first therapeutic option, specially in young boys.

[Testicular cancer and cryptorchidism: myth or reality]. / Cáncer testicular y criptorquidia. Mito o realidad.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the previous history of cryptorchidism in patients with testicular cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a study using 175 patients diagnosed with testicular cancer, in our hospital, from 1999 to 2010. We analyzed the previous history of cryptorchidism and its characteristics, testicular placing, histology and intervention age. RESULTS: 5 out of the 175 patients (2,8%) with testicular neoplasm presented a history of cryptorchidism, The average age was 31 years old, an orchidopexy was only carried out in 2 patients. The histology was different depending on the treatment chosen to battle cryptorchidism and in 2 cases it developed in the adjoining testicle. The average ratio was of 1,9. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reflect that the association of cryptorchidism with testicular neoplasm is in fact lower than in the past. A good and proper handling of cryptorchidism can prevent it from turning malignant, presenting these patients similar incidences to the rest of the population.