Diaphragmatic hernia repair porcine model to compare the performance of biodegradable membranes against Gore-Tex®.

BACKGROUND: Patch repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using Gore-Tex® is associated with infection, adhesions, hernia recurrence, long-term musculoskeletal sequels and poor tissue regeneration. To overcome these limitations, the performance of two novel biodegradable membranes was tested to repair CDH in a growing pig model. METHODS: Twelve male pigs were randomly assigned to 3 different groups of 4 animals each, determined by the type of patch used during thoracoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair (Gore-Tex®, polycaprolactone electrospun membrane-PCLem, and decellularized human chorion membrane-dHCM). After 7 weeks, all animals were euthanized, followed by necropsy for diaphragmatic evaluation and histological analysis. RESULTS: Thoracoscopic defect creation and diaphragmatic repair were performed without any technical difficulty in all groups. However, hernia recurrence rate was 0% in Gore-Tex®, 50% in PCLem and 100% in dHCM groups. At euthanasia, Gore-Tex® patches appeared virtually unchanged and covered with a fibrotic capsule, while PCLem and dHCM patches were replaced by either floppy connective tissue or vascularized and floppy regenerated membranous tissue, respectively. CONCLUSION: Gore-Tex® was associated with a higher survival rate and lower recurrence. Nevertheless, the proposed biodegradable membranes were associated with better tissue integration when compared with Gore-Tex®.

Minimally Invasive Neck Surgery: An Animal Model Study.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is replacing conventional surgery as the "gold standard" in different surgical areas. Although cervical MIS is already accepted in the adult population, its use in children is still new and controversial. The natural obstacles to this approach are the absence of a natural cavity, with the inherent complications of creating one artificially, and the limited existing workspace especially in pediatric patients. All endoscopic techniques in the field of neck surgery try to live up to the high cosmetic expectations and the transoral cervical approach as a natural orifice surgery technique excels at it. Aim: Besides the goal of feasibility, we aim to report on the pitfalls of this approach, by using an experimental rabbit model for minimally invasive thyroidectomy. Materials and Methods: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomies using a vestibular approach were performed in 10 anesthetized rabbits. All surgeries were video recorded. The surgical time, anatomy identified, difficulties, and intraoperative complications were documented. Results: Through one trocar in the vestibular area and two lateral stab incisions, it was possible to create a working space and to reach the peritracheal area. Total thyroidectomies were completed in the 10 animals with a mean operative time of 51 minutes. In all of them we were able to identify the fascial spaces of the neck and the major vessels. During surgery, the lack of space required surgical gestures to be very precise, soft, and gentle. There were 2 cases with a small amount of bleeding and one mild trachea laceration during the procedure, but none of them required suspension or conversion to an open procedure. Animals were euthanized immediately after the surgical procedure. Conclusions: The vestibular approach seems to be a feasible technique to access pediatric neck pathology. Despite the differences in the cervical anatomy, the limited workspace of the rabbit model perfectly matches the requirements of a pediatric training model.

Oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula, ileal atresia and Hirschsprung's disease: outcome of a rare phenotype.

Oesophageal atresia with or without tracheo-oesophageal fistula, ileal atresia and Hirschsprung's disease are surgical malformations of the gastrointestinal tract typically diagnosed early in the neonatal period and varying in severity and prognosis. This report describes a full-term male newborn presenting simultaneous oesophageal atresia with distal tracheo-oesophageal fistula, ileal atresia and Hirschsprung's disease. In addition to the complex types of gastrointestinal malformations involved, the combination of ileal atresia and Hirschsprung's disease, as well as ganglion cells distal to intestinal atresia, resulted in a challenging diagnosis. Despite a successful outcome, the patient presented increased morbidity and prolonged hospitalisation. We highlight some important findings that may aid the early diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease in this clinical setting. To our knowledge, the association of oesophageal atresia/tracheo-oesophageal fistula, ileal atresia and Hirschsprung's disease has not been previously reported.

Varicocele treatment in patients up to 35 years old: a multicentric retrospective study comparing 3 different techniques / Tratamiento del varicocele en pacientes hasta 35 años: estudio retrospectivo multicéntrico comparando 3 técnicas diferentes

OBJECTIVE: To report and compare the clinical outcomes after varicocele treatment managed by open surgery, laparoscopic approach and embolization, with an emphasis in terms of recurrence, complication rate and length of surgery. METHODS: 2 different Portuguese Centers collected pre and postoperative data of patients submitted to varicocele treatment. Over a period of 8 years, 251 cases were evaluated retrospectively and 161 were included and further divided in procedure-related groups. Patients older than 35 years-old were excluded. Laparoscopic Palomo (without artery-sparing technique), artery-sparing Open Palomo surgery and retrograde percutaneous embolization were performed. As outcome measures recurrence/persistence, postoperative hydrocele and other complications were analyzed. Patients were followed a mean of 11.84 months. RESULTS: In the 72 cases in the laparoscopy group, varicocele persisted in 7% and hydrocele developed in 18%. In the 41 patients who underwent retrograde percutaneous embolization recurrent varicoceles were identified in 17% and 10% presented postoperative hydroceles. Of the 48 patients who underwent suprainguinal retroperitoneal open surgery with artery preservation, varicocele recurred in 17%, while hydroceles developed in 6%. The overall success rate, defined as absence of recurrence or persistence of the varicocele during follow-up, was 87.6%. Comparison of reactive hydrocele and recurrence rates with the variables of age, degree of varicocele and length of follow-up showed that both parameters were statistically dependent on the duration of postoperative surveillance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of all 3 groups did not revealed significant differences in varicocele recurrence and hydrocele formation (p > 0.05). Pairwise group comparison showed that open surgery with artery preservation and retrograde embolization might carry a higher risk of recurrence/persistence compared to laparoscopic mass ligation of the spermatic vessels. On the other hand, the laparoscopic approach with en bloc ligation of the spermatic vessels may be associated with a higher risk of secondary hydrocele. According to our data varicocele embolization appears to be slightly less successful than laparoscopy, with similar overall complication rate. Most varicocele recurrences and postoperative hydrocele formation are seen in patients with more than 12 months of follow-up so appropriate length of postoperative surveillance is deemed necessary in these patients

OBJETIVO: Presentar y comparar los resultados clínicos después del tratamiento del varicocele mediante cirugía abierta, laparoscópica o embolización, poniendo énfasis en las recurrencias, complicaciones y duración de la cirugía. MÉTODOS: Dos centros portugueses diferentes recogieron los datos pre y postoperatorios de los pacientes remitidos para tratamiento del varicocele. Durante un periodo de 8 años, 251 casos fueron evaluados retrospectivamente y 161 se incluyeron y posteriormente se dividieron en los grupos relacionados con el procedimiento. Los pacientes mayores de 35 años fueron excluidos. Se realizaron la técnica de Palomo laparoscópica (sin conservación arterial), la cirugía abierta con conservación arterial y la embolización retrograda percutánea. Como medida de resultados se analizaron recurrencia/ persistencia, hidrocele postoperatorio y otras complicaciones. Los pacientes tenían un seguimiento medio de 11,84 meses. RESULTADOS: En los 72 casos del grupo laparoscópico, en el 7% persistió el varicocele y el 18% desarrollaron hidrocele. De los 41 pacientes sometidos a embolización percutánea retrógrada se identificaron varicoceles recurrentes en el 17% y un 10% presentaron hidrocele postoperatorio. De los pacientes sometidos a cirugía abierta retroperitoneal suprainguinal con preservación arterial, el varicocele recidivó en el 17%, mientras que desarrollaron hidrocele el 6%. La tasa global de éxitos, definida como la ausencia de recurrencia o persistencia del varicocele durante el seguimiento, fue del 87,6%. La comparación del hidrocele reactivo y las tasas de recurrencia con las variables edad, grado de varicocele y tiempo de seguimiento mostraron que ambos parámetros eran estadísticamente dependientes de la duración de la vigilancia postoperatoria (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La comparación de los 3 grupos no reveló diferencias significativas ni en la recurrencia del varicocele ni en la formación de hidrocele (p > 0,05). LA comparación de los grupos por pares mostró que la cirugía abierta con conservación arterial podría tener un mayor riesgo de recurrencia/persistencia en comparación con la ligadura masiva laparoscópica de los vasos espermáticos. Por otro lado, el abordaje laparoscópico con ligadura en bloque de los vasos espermáticos puede asociarse con un riesgo mayor de hidrocele secundario. De acuerdo con nuestros datos la embolización del varicocele parece ser ligeramente menos exitosa que la laparoscopia, con una tasa global de complicaciones similar. La mayoría de las recurrencias del varicocele y la aparición de hidrocele postoperatorio se ven en pacientes con más de 12 meses de seguimiento, así que se considera necesario un tiempo apropiado de seguimiento en estos pacientes

Varicocele treatment in patients up to 35 years old: A multicentric retrospective studycomparing 3 different techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To report and compare the clinical outcomes after varicocele treatment managed by open surgery, laparoscopic approach and embolization, with an emphasis in terms of recurrence, complication rate and length of surgery. METHODS: 2 different Portuguese Centers collected pre and postoperative data of patients submitted to varicocele treatment. Over a period of 8 years, 251 cases were evaluated retrospectively and 161 were included and further divided in procedure-related groups. Patients older than 35 years-old were excluded. Laparoscopic Palomo (without artery-sparing technique), artery-sparing Open Palomo surgery and retrograde percutaneous embolization were performed. As outcome measures recurrence/persistence, postoperative hydrocele and other complications were analyzed. Patients were followed a mean of 11.84 months. RESULTS: In the 72 cases in the laparoscopy group, varicocele persisted in 7% and hydrocele developed in 18% . In the 41 patients who underwent retrograde percutaneous embolization recurrent varicoceles were identified in 17% and 10% presented postoperative hydroceles. Of the 48 patients who underwent suprainguinal retroperitoneal open surgery with artery preservation, varicocele recurred in 17% , while hydroceles developed in 6%. The overall success rate, defined as absence of recurrence or persistence of the varicocele during follow-up, was 87.6%. Comparison of reactive hydrocele and recurrence rates with the variables of age, degree of varicocele and length of follow-up showed that both parameters were statistically dependent on the duration of postoperative surveillance (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of all 3 groups did not revealed significant differences in varicocele recurrence and hydrocele formation (p>0.05). Pairwise group comparison showed that open surgery with artery preservation and retrograde embolization might carry a higher risk of recurrence/persistence compared to laparoscopic mass ligation of the spermatic vessels. On the other hand, the laparoscopic approach with en bloc ligation of the spermatic vessels may be associated with a higher risk of secondary hydrocele. According to our data varicocele embolization appears to be slightly less successful than laparoscopy, with similar overall complication rate. Most varicocele recurrences and postoperative hydrocele formation are seen in patients with more than 12 months of follow-up so appropriate length of postoperative surveillance is deemed necessary in these patients.