Human and Doll's Hair in a Gastric Trichobezoar, Endoscopic Retrieval Hazards.

Trichobezoars are masses of ingested hair, usually the individual's own hair, that accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the stomach. When extending into the small intestine, this is termed "Rapunzel syndrome." Removal has traditionally been by laparotomy; however, successful endoscopic removal has also been described. We report the case of a 9-year-old-girl with undiagnosed coeliac disease and Rapunzel syndrome who underwent endoscopic removal of a large trichobezoar, which was followed by unexpected multiple perforations of the small bowel and stomach. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) and snare electrocautery were employed during endoscopy to remove the trichobezoar piecemeal, and approximately 70% was removed without any clear signs of damage to the mucosa. It was discovered subsequently that about 20 of her dolls were found without hair. On investigating the composition of a specific doll hair from the manufacturer, it was discovered that it could be hazardous if burned. It was, therefore, hypothesized that a constellation of factors had conspired to lead to perforation, that is, the potentially hazardous gas produced from the electrical energy applied to the synthetic hair and possible mucosal damage by the physical abrasion of this hair. A review of the literature on endoscopic attempts to remove trichobezoars irrespective of the result reveals a success rate of 30.7%.

Development of a gastroschisis core outcome set.

OBJECTIVE: Outcome reporting heterogeneity impedes identification of gold standard treatments for children born with gastroschisis. Use of core outcome sets (COSs) in research reduces outcome reporting heterogeneity and ensures that studies are relevant to patients. The aim of this study was to develop a gastroschisis COS. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic reviews and stakeholder nomination were used to identify candidate outcomes that were subsequently prioritised by key stakeholders in a three-phase online Delphi process and face-to-face consensus meeting using a 9-point Likert scale. In phases two and three of the Delphi process, participants were shown graphical and numerical representations of their own, and all panels scores for each outcome respectively and asked to review their previous score in light of this information. Outcomes were carried forward to the consensus meeting if prioritised by two or three stakeholder panels in the third phase of the Delphi process. The COS was formed from outcomes where ≥70% of consensus meeting participants scored the outcome 7-9 and <15% of participants scored it 1-3. RESULTS: 71 participants (84%) completed all phases of the Delphi process, during which 87 outcomes were assessed. Eight outcomes, mortality, sepsis, growth, number of operations, severe gastrointestinal complication, time on parenteral nutrition, liver disease and quality of life for the child, met criteria for inclusion in the COS. CONCLUSIONS: Eight outcomes have been included in the gastroschisis COS as a result of their importance to key stakeholders. Implementing use of the COS will increase the potential for identification of gold standard treatments for the management of children born with gastroschisis.

Management of large primary spontaneous pneumothorax in children: radiological guidance, surgical intervention and proposed guideline.

PURPOSE: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is managed in accordance with the adult British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines due to lack of paediatric evidence and consensus. We aim to highlight the differences and provide a best practice surgical management strategy for PSP based on experience of two major paediatric surgical centres. METHODS: Retrospective review of PSP management and outcomes from two UK Tertiary Paediatric hospitals between 2004 and 2015. RESULTS: Fifty children with 55 PSP (5 bilateral) were referred to our Thoracic Surgical Services after initial management: 53% of the needle aspirations failed. Nine children (20%) were associated with visible bullae on the initial chest X-ray. Forty-nine children were assessed with computed tomography scan (CT). Apical emphysematous-like changes (ELC) were identified in 37 children (75%). Ten children had also bullae in the asymptomatic contralateral lungs (20%). In two children (4%), CT demonstrated other lung lesions: a tumour of the left main bronchus in one child; a multi-cystic lesion of the right middle lobe in keeping with a congenital lung malformation in another child. Contralateral asymptomatic ELC were detected in 20% of the children: of those 40% developed pneumothorax within 6 months. Best surgical management was thoracoscopic staple bullectomy and pleurectomy with 11% risk of recurrence. Histology confirmed ELC in 100% of the apical lung wedge resections even in those apexes apparently normal at the time of thoracoscopy. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that adult BTS guidelines are not applicable to children with large PSP. Needle aspiration is ineffective. We advocate early referral to a Paediatric Thoracic Service. We suggest early chest CT scan to identify ELC, for counselling regarding contralateral asymptomatic ELC and to rule out secondary pathological conditions causing pneumothorax. In rare instance if bulla is visible on presenting chest X-ray, thoracoscopy could be offered as primary option.

Bariatric surgery in severely obese adolescents: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of severely obese young people undergo bariatric surgery in the USA with reports of substantial weight loss after 1 year. National Institute for Clinical Excellence 2006 suggests considering surgery for young people in 'exceptional circumstances'. We present six patients operated upon 2004-2012 at our centre in the UK. CASE SERIES: Six patients (4 male) aged 14-16 years (mean age 15.10) underwent surgery. Mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 62.7 kg/m(2) and BMI SDS +4.4. Comorbidities included hypertension, insulin resistance, obstructive sleep apnoea, limited mobility, benign intracranial hypertension and psychosocial issues. All six patients had prior involvement with local lifestyle weight management services and had pharmacological intervention. Four laparoscopic gastric bypass procedures, one laparoscopic gastric banding (patient had a gastric balloon prior to band) and one laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were performed. RESULTS: There were no major postoperative procedural complications (one patient had a port rotation). Mean percentage of weight loss, as a percentage of total body weight at 6 and 12 months, was 22 and 27%, respectively. Average absolute weight loss at current follow-up is 54 kg. Mean BMI at 12 months postprocedure was 46.5 kg/m(2)-a mean fall of 16.2 kg/m(2). Mean BMI SDS fell from +4.4 to +3.8 at 12 months and +3.1 at 2 years. Resolution of hypertension, improved school attendance and no progression to T2DM were the benefits noted. CONCLUSIONS: Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that bariatric surgery results in sustained and clinically significant weight loss in paediatric populations. The surgical option should continue to be exercised with extreme caution only in severely obese adolescents and done so in appropriate case results in positive outcomes.

Reduction of intussusception: defining a better index of successful non-operative treatment.

The reported non-operative reduction rate for intussusception is usually the proportion of attempted non-operative (radiological) reductions that succeed, which we term the "selective reduction rate." This value shows wide variation that may result from selection bias that is difficult to quantify because data regarding primary operative treatment are frequently lacking. The proportion of patients with late clinical presentation or pathological lead points can also distort the apparent efficacy of non-operative treatment. We found no definitions of outcome measures in the literature or practice guidelines to inform analysis. Based on analysis of our own audit data we derived a "composite reduction rate" from first principles that can account for variations in radiological and surgical treatment thresholds that might bias other measures of successful non-operative treatment. This index is the proportion of intussusceptions not requiring resection that are successfully reduced non-operatively. We propose that the composite reduction rate be used as a key component of standardised multidisciplinary outcome reporting for intussusception rather than the selective reduction rate. The reduced bias and confounding would allow fairer comparisons and lead to better outcome standards.

Idiopathic small bowel diaphragm disease identified by laparoscopic-assisted double-balloon enteroscopy in a child: an integrated successful definitive therapeutic method.

In adults, small bowel diaphragm disease is a rare complication of small bowel enteropathy secondary to the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The main clinical manifestations are gastrointestinal bleeding and subacute obstruction, and management can be challenging. We present a case of a 5-year-old girl with small bowel diaphragm disease. To our knowledge, this is the first idiopathic case (no history of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use) in the pediatric age group. This report describes an integrated successful definitive therapeutic method of double-balloon enteroscopy and minimal invasive bowel surgery for small bowel pathology.

20 mm lithium button battery causing an oesophageal perforation in a toddler: lessons in diagnosis and treatment.

Swallowed button batteries (BB) which remain lodged in the oesophagus are at risk of serious complications, particularly in young children. The authors report a 3-year-old child, who rapidly developed an oesophageal perforation, following the ingestion of a 20-mm lithium BB which was initially mistaken for a coin. A thoracotomy and T-tube management of the perforation led to a positive outcome. BBs (20 mm) in children should be removed quickly and close observation is required as the damage initiated by the battery can lead to a significant injury within a few hours.

Foreskin preputioplasty and intralesional triamcinolone: a valid alternative to circumcision for balanitis xerotica obliterans.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported our short-term experience of foreskin preputioplasty as an alternative to circumcision for the treatment of foreskin balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO). In this study, we aimed to compare this technique with circumcision over a longer period. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2007, boys requiring surgery for BXO were offered either foreskin preputioplasty or primary circumcision. The preputioplasty technique involved triradiate preputial incisions and injection of triamcinolone intralesionally. Retrospective case-note analysis was performed to identify patient demographics, symptoms, and outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-six boys underwent primary surgery for histologically confirmed BXO. One hundred four boys opted for foreskin preputioplasty, and 32, for circumcision. At a median follow-up of 14 months (interquartile range, 2.5-17.8), 84 (81%) of 104 in the preputioplasty group had a fully retractile and no macroscopic evidence of BXO. Of 104, 14 (13%) developed recurrent symptoms/BXO requiring circumcision or repeat foreskin preputioplasty. In the circumcision group, 23 (72%) of 32 had no macroscopic evidence of BXO. The incidence of meatal stenosis was significantly less in the foreskin preputioplasty group, 6 (6%) of 104 vs 6 (19%) of 32 (P = .034). CONCLUSION: Our results show a good outcome for most boys undergoing foreskin preputioplasty and intralesional triamcinolone for BXO. There is a small risk of recurrent BXO, but rates of meatal stenosis may be reduced.

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: predicting the resolution of biochemical abnormalities.

PURPOSE: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is a common condition of infancy, often presenting with marked biochemical derangement, requiring correction. Previous studies have looked at the relationship between serum electrolytes and acid-base balance in HPS but not at the relationship between the degree of biochemical derangement and time taken to resolve the biochemical abnormality. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on all 151 infants undergoing pyloromyotomy over a 3 year period. Of these, 105 met the inclusion criteria of: compliance with the unit HPS fluid protocol, and the documentation of at least three serial biochemical investigations. The rate of correction for each biochemical marker (sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, pCO2, hydrogen ion concentration, bicarbonate and the base excess) was plotted against the degree of disturbance and then against time. RESULTS: A significant relationship (P < 0.01) was found between the rate of correction of an abnormal chloride, urea or base excess and the degree of initial derangement. This enables the prediction of the time taken for the required correction of biochemical abnormalities prior to theatre. CONCLUSION: This method of analysis may be of value in comparing the effectiveness of different fluid regimes in use for the correction of biochemical abnormalities in infants with IHPS.

Cystoscopy assisted transvesical biopsy of prostatic rhabdomyosarcoma.

The treatment of prostatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) depends on tumour stratification based on site and histology. An increasing range of cytogenetic, molecular, and immunohistochemistry studies are required. This is difficult to achieve using standard cystoscopic biopsies alone. We present a 5-year-old male, diagnosed with a prostatic RMS. He underwent cystoscopy to confirm the diagnosis and at the same time tissue was obtained for histology using laparoscopic graspers via a STEP Port inserted percutaneously into the apex of his bladder. Histology and cytogenetics confirmed an embryonal botryoid RMS for which he received chemotherapy followed by a radical prostatectomy for residual disease.

Intraoperative colonic lavage in infants using a Replogle tube.

On-table colonic lavage for preparing obstructed bowel prior to anastomosis or stoma formation is now routine in adults, but it is seldom used in paediatric practice. We describe a simple technique for intraoperative colonic lavage using inexpensive medical devices that are also readily available and disposable, a Replogle tube, a fine-bore sucker, and a 20-ml syringe. We have used this technique in infants with intestinal obstruction due to anorectal malformations, intestinal atresias, and post-NEC strictures, to good effect.

Precocious puberty secondary to massive ovarian oedema in a 6-month-old girl.

A 6-month-old girl was referred with breast and pubic hair development. Investigations excluded an adrenal or central cause for her precocity. Ovarian ultrasound scans showed bilaterally enlarged ovaries with both solid and cystic changes. A follow-up examination suggested progression of the precocity and in view of the young age of the child, and concerns regarding underlying malignancy, she underwent laparotomy. Histology showed no evidence of neoplasia but there was stromal oedema consistent with a diagnosis of massive ovarian oedema. This entity is poorly recognised in the paediatric literature as a cause of sexual precocity, and has never previously been described in such a young patient. This is an unusual cause of precocity in a young child and its recognition and management are reviewed.