The effect of azygos vein preservation on postoperative complications after esophageal atresia repair: Results from the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry.

AIM: Preservation of the azygos vein (AV) maintains normal venous drainage of the mediastinum and decreases postoperative congestion. The modification of esophageal atresia (EA) repair by preserving AV may prevent postoperative complications and may lead to better outcomes. The data from the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry (TEAR) were evaluated to define the effect of AV preservation on postoperative complications of patients with EA. METHODS: Data from TEAR for a period of five years were evaluated. Patients were enrolled into two groups according to the preservation of AV. Patients with divided (DAV) and preserved AV (PAV) were evaluated for demographic and operative features and postoperative complications for the first year of life. The DAV and PAV groups were compared according to the postoperative complications, such as fistula recanalization, symptomatic strictures, anastomotic leaks, total number of esophageal dilatations, and anti-reflux surgery. In addition, respiratory problems, which required treatment, were compared between groups. RESULTS: Among 502 registered patients; the data from 315 patients with the information of AV ligation were included. The male female ratio of DAV (n = 271) and PAV (n = 44) groups were 150:121 and 21:23, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean body weight, height, gestational age, and associated anomalies were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). The esophageal repair with thoracotomy was significantly higher in DAV group, when compared to the PAV group (p < 0.05). The rates of primary anastomosis and tensioned anastomosis were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). There was no difference between DAV and PAV groups for anastomotic leaks, symptomatic anastomotic strictures, fistula recanalization, and the requirement for anti-reflux surgery (p > 0.05). The rate of respiratory problems, which required treatment, was significantly higher in the DAV group (p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: The data in the TEAR demonstrated that preserving the AV during EA repair led to no significant advantage on postoperative complications, with exception of respiratory problems. AV should be preserved as much as possible to maintain a normal mediastinal anatomy and to avoid respiratory complications.

Outcome of Very Low and Low Birth Weight Infants with Esophageal Atresia: Results of the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry.

INTRODUCTION: The data of the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry (TEAR) was evaluated to define the outcome of very low birth weight (VLBW) and low BW (LWB) infants with esophageal atresia (EA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data registered by 24 centers between 2014 and 2018 were evaluated for demographic features, prenatal findings, associated anomalies, surgical treatment, and outcome. Patients were enrolled in three groups according to their BWs (VLBW <1,500 g), LWB = 1,500-2,500 g), and normal BW (NBW; >2,500 g). RESULTS: Among the 389 cases, there were 37 patients (9.5%) in the VLBW group, 165 patients (42.4%) in the LBW group, and 187 patients (48.1%) in the NBW group. Prenatal diagnosis rates were similar among the three groups (29.7, 34.5, and 24.6%, respectively). The standard primary anastomosis was achieved at a significantly higher rate in NWB cases than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In patients with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), patients of the NBW group had significantly higher rates of full oral feedings, when compared with VLBW and LBW cases (p < 0.05). At the end of the first year, when we evaluate all patients, the number of cases with fistula recanalization and esophageal anastomotic strictures (AS) requiring esophageal dilatation was similar among the groups. The weight and height measurements at 6 months and 1 year of age of the survivors were similar in all the groups. The overall mortality rate was significantly higher in the VLBW and LBW groups, when compared with the NBW patients, even in patients with tension-free anastomosis (p < 0.05). The incidence of the associated anomalies was 90.6% in cases with mortality, which was significantly higher than in survivors (59.6%; p < 0.05). According to Spitz's classification, the survival rate was 87.1% in class I, 55.3% in class II, and 16.7% in class III. The most common causes of mortality were associated with cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, and sepsis. CONCLUSION: The national data of TEAR demonstrates that the developmental and feeding parameters are better in NBW patients. Although VLBW patients have higher risk of developing fistula canalization than the LBW and NBW groups, long-term complications, such as anastomotic strictures, weight, and height values, after 1 year are similar in both groups. According to our results, associated anomalies and LBWs are still significant risk factors for mortality in cases with EA.

Neonatal Appendicitis as a Rare Cause of Intestinal Perforation in a Preterm Neonate.

Intestinal perforation or inflammation due to appendicitis is rarely encountered in the neonatal period. The diagnosis may be delayed due to the lack of specific clinical symptoms and its rarity in this patient population. Early surgical treatment is the main treatment strategy with a good prognosis. However, delayed diagnosis may result in complications and even death. Herein, we describe a late preterm female neonate without any risk factors who had a diagnosis of perforated appendicitis at postnatal day 5. To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the earliest presentation of neonatal perforated appendicitis elucidated by prompt diagnostic laparotomy. Neonatal appendicitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infants with abdominal clinical findings.

Unusual Presentation of Duplex Kidneys: Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction.

Aim. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is rarely associated with a duplex collecting system. We review this unusual anomaly in terms of presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical management. Method. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with a duplex system with UPJO. Result. Sixteen patients (6 girls, 10 boys) with 18 moieties were treated surgically and four patients were treated conservatively. The median age at surgery was two years (range, 2 months to 7 years). The lower pole and upper moiety were affected in 12 and two kidneys, respectively, and both were affected in two patients. The anomaly was right-sided in 12 moieties and left-sided in six. The duplication was incomplete in seven patients and complete in nine. The mean renal pelvis diameter at the time of surgery was 25.6 (range 11-48 mm) mm by USG. The mean renal function of the involved moiety was 28.3% before surgery. Management included pyelopyelostomy or ureteropyelostomy in six moieties, dismembered pyeloplasty in eight moieties, heminephrectomy in four cases, and simultaneous upper heminephrectomy and lower pole ureteropyelostomy in one patient. Conclusion. There is no standard approach for these patients and treatment should be individualized according to physical presentation, detailed anatomy, and severity of obstruction.

Therapeutic approaches and long-term follow-up for prenatal hydronephrosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study summarises the outcomes of 149 patients who underwent surgery for antenatally diagnosed unilateral hydronephrosis. METHODS: The medical records of such patients over a 23-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Age at the time of operation, preoperative and postoperative mean pelvic diameter on ultrasound, split renal function, washout patterns on scintigraphy, and early and late complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean preoperative follow-up period was five months (range: 1-66 months). One patient was operated on after 12 months and two patients after five years of follow-up. Mean preoperative pelvic diameter and renal function were 30.8 mm and 38.6%, respectively; all patients had an obstructive wash-out pattern. In the postoperative period, the corresponding measurements were 11.7 mm and 39.2%, with 111 non-obstructive, 24 partially obstructive, and 14 obstructive wash-out patterns. Three patients with severe caliectasis and low renal function underwent surgery despite mild hydronephrosis. The mean postoperative follow-up period was six (range 4-11) years. Complications developed in 14 (9.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with antenatal hydronephrosis may need surgery even after a follow-up period of six years. Because of the potential late development of complications, postoperative follow-up should be continued for 10 years.

Treatment of spontaneous rupture of lung hydatid cysts into a bronchus in children.

PURPOSE: While several publications have reported the treatment of ruptured lung hydatid cysts (HC) in adults, there is limited information on the treatment of children. This study summarizes the treatment approach and outcomes of 11 children with spontaneous rupture of lung HCs into a bronchus. METHODS: The complete medical records of 11 patients with spontaneous lung HC bronchus rupture between March 1993 and April 2012 were examined retrospectively. Gender, age at the time of diagnosis, patient symptoms, lung localization, dimensions of the cyst, medical treatment duration, and associated morbidities were evaluated. Routine chest x-rays, ultrasonography, computed tomography and serological tests were used. RESULT: The study included 11 patients [4 males, 7 females; average age 7.45 (range 5-11) years] presenting to the Emergency Department. The symptoms at the time of presentation were coughing in 81.8% (n=9), hemoptysis in 54.5% (n=6), and chest pain in 54.5% (n=6). The average cyst diameter was 8.71(35-15) cm. The rupture involved the left lung in 7 (63.6%) patients and the right in 4 (36.4%). Serological tests were positive in seven patients and all patients had eosinophilia. The treatment of one patient was discontinued, while all of the other patients were treated medically. Pneumonia developed in four patients and lung abscesses in two. Both patients who developed lung abscesses had cysts with diameters greater than 10 cm. The average follow-up period was 48.4 (range 15-85) months; no mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: In our experience, medical treatment is adequate for patients with lung HCs progressing to spontaneous bronchus rupture. There was a high rate of abscess development within the thoracic cavity in patients with cysts over 10 cm in diameter; these patients can be treated effectively with a medical approach.

Misdiagnoses caused by use of indwelling urethral catheters in children with ureterovesical junction anomalies.

PURPOSE: Children commonly undergo vesicograms for diagnosing vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This requires urethral catheterization with transurethral replacement. We report misdiagnosed or related complications due to indwelling urethral catheters unintentionally placed in the ureter. METHODS: From our computerized urology records over an 18-year period from January 1995 to May 2013, we retrospectively identified nine cases of 1850 vesicograms that had misdirection of a urethral catheter placed in a ureter. Foley catheters with inflating balloons were used to obtain the vesicograms. RESULTS: In all, 1850 vesicograms were performed (746 males, 1104 females; age 1 week to 14 years, mean age 3.8 years) using standard radiological techniques. Size 6-10 Fr indwelling urethral catheters were used, depending on the patient's age and gender. In nine cases (five females, four males), a misdirected urethral catheter was discovered in one of the ureters. The urethral catheter was in the left ureter in four patients and in the right ureter in five patients. Cystoscopic examination found ectopic ureteral openings in six patients: at the bladder neck in four and just below the bladder trigone in two. Three patients in this group with ectopic ureters were followed due a misdiagnosis of VUR. The remaining three patients had grade 3 or 4 VUR. In this group, the catheter passed into the ureter because of the enlarged ureterovesical junction. In one patient with VUR, intraparenchymal fluid leakage and transient hematuria occurred due to the rapid tension increase following the fast injection of contrast with liquid to one ureter. CONCLUSION: Although placing an indwelling urethral catheter is a relatively safe procedure, complications can occur, particularly in patients with ureterovesical anomalies, such as high-grade VUR or an ectopic ureter. Using catheters with inflating balloons can cause rapid increases in tension in the ureter, and related complications.