Efficacy and safety of Hyadex for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux: a multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dextranomer/cross-linked hyaluronic acid (Hyadex) in patients with a clinical diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). METHODS: In this cross-sectional multicenter observational study, Hyadex was used in four different centers for the endoscopic treatment of VUR from 2020 to 2022. The study involved 74 patients (93 renal units) who were diagnosed with VUR according to voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) findings and were considered suitable for subureteric endoscopic treatment. The follow-up time (control VCUG time) was 3 months. RESULTS: In the VCUG evaluation, grade I VUR was found in 13 renal units, grade II in 23 renal units, grade III in 42 renal units, and grade IV in 12 renal units. The success rates of Hyadex treatment according to the degree of VUR were as follows: 84.6% for grade I, 82.6% for grade II, 71.4% for grade III, and 66.0% for grade IV. No major complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic subureteric Hyadex injection had high success rates in appropriately selected patients with VUR and may be used as the first-line treatment for children with VUR.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric appendicitis hospital admission time and length of hospital stay.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies among children. In this retrospective clinical study, we attempted to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic period on hospital admission time and length of hospital stay (LOS) in pediatric appendicitis cases. METHODS: We retrospectively compared pediatric appendectomies from the date of the first reported COVID-19 case to June 1, 2020, which is considered as the start of the normalization process, with pre-pandemic pediatric appendectomies of the same number of days in terms of age, gender, hospital admission time, LOS, parental educational level, laboratory values, and histopathological findings. RESULTS: There was an average increase of 2 days in the time from the onset of symptoms to hospital admission in pediatric appen-dicitis patients in the COVID-19 period (p=0.001). Furthermore, C-reactive protein value was statistically significantly higher in the COVID-19 period (p=0.018). Given the LOS, it was calculated as an average of 5 days in the pre-pandemic period and 4 days in the COVID-19 period, and this difference was statistically insignificant (p=0.273). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of histopathological findings (p=0.176). The parental educational level had no effect on the admission time. CONCLUSION: The hospital admission time of pediatric appendicitis patients is significantly prolonged in the COVID-19 pandemic, but this prolongation had no histopathological effect. During the pandemic, the recovery of patients who required urgent treatment during the 'stay-at-home' period was also negatively affected. Notwithstanding, we are of the opinion that the absence of an increase in the LOS may be due to the willingness of both families and physicians to keep the LOS as short as possible. Despite the increase in hospital admission time in pediatric appendicitis during the Covid 19 pandemic process, the lack of increase in the rate of complicated appendicitis may be an indicator of the importance of other factors in the development of complicated appendicitis.

The new therapeutic option for female stress and stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence: Periurethral hypertonic saline (10%) injection.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of periurethral hypertonic saline (10% NaCl) injection in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence (S-MUI) in women. METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted between January 2014 and April 2018 with 64 women (44 SUI and 21 S-MUI). Patients with SUI and S-MUI were evaluated using the Urinary Distress Inventory 6. Quality of life was evaluated with the Incontinence Quality of Life Scale and lower urinary tract symptoms of the women were evaluated with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules. Incontinence status and treatment success were assessed via the Stamey incontinence grade and pad test. RESULTS: The subjective success rate was 58.5%, and the objective success rate was 81.5%. The rate of reinjection was 21.5%, and the mean duration of reinjection was 8.92 months (3-19 months). Minor adverse effects were observed in 30.4% of the 79 injections. International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules and Incontinence Quality of Life Scale scores improved remarkably starting from the first month. Urinary Distress Inventory 6 scores in the S-MUI group also improved. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that hypertonic saline injection is an effective and safe method in the treatment of SUI and S-MUI. Since hypertonic saline is a much cheaper and more accessible substance compared to bulking agents, it seems to be a viable alternative for urinary incontinence treatment in women.

Comparison of Urinary Tract Dilatation and Society of Fetal Urology systems in the detection of vesicourethral reflux and renal scar.

PURPOSE: The presence and degree of hydronephrosis is very important in the management of many diseases of the urinary tract. In this study, we aim to compare the sensitivity and specificity of 2 classification systems that are used for hydro-nephrosis grading in ultrasound, for reflux and scar detection. The classification systems were the Society of Fetal Urology (SFU) and Urinary Tract Dilatation (UTD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ultrasounds and dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphies (DMSA) of all patients who underwent voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) due to urinary tract infection were examined retrospectively. DMSA was accepted for scar detection and VCUG for reflux detection as reference methods. SFU classification was used for hydronephrosis in ultrasound reports, and UTD classification was made over the reports. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of UTD and SFU classification systems for reflux and scar detection were calculated, and these 2 systems were compared. RESULTS: 103 (39%) of the patients were male and 162 (61%) were female. Pathologies were detected in 192 (35%) of 530 kidneys in ultrasound. In 110 (42%) of the children, reflux was detected in VCUG. Scars in DMSA were detected in only 16% (44) of 266 kidneys. Sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of the UTD classification system were statistically significantly higher than the SFU system for scar and reflux detection (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: If we use the UTD system in ultrasounds of patients with urinary tract infections, children reported as UTD 0 may not need VCUG, which reduces radiation exposure to children and the cost of the diagnostic interventions.

Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, S-100 Protein and Synaptophysin Expression in Biliary Atresia Gallbladder Tissue.

PURPOSE: Biliary atresia (BA) is a disease that manifests as jaundice after birth and leads to progressive destruction of the ductal system in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate histopathological changes and immunohistochemically examine the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), synaptophysin, and S-100 protein in the gallbladder of BA patients. METHODS: The study included a BA group of 29 patients and a control group of 41 children with cholecystectomy. Gallbladder tissue removed during surgery was obtained and examined immunohistochemically and histopathologically. Tissue samples of both groups were immunohistochemically assessed in terms of GDNF, S-100 protein, and synaptophysin expression. Expression was classified as present or absent. Inflammatory activity assessment with hematoxylin and eosin staining and fibrosis assessment with Masson's trichrome staining were performed for tissue sample sections of both groups. RESULTS: Ganglion cells were not present in gallbladder tissue samples of the BA group. Immunohistochemically, GDNF, synaptophysin, and S-100 expression was not detected in the BA group. Histopathological examination revealed more frequent fibrosis and slightly higher inflammatory activity in the BA than in the control group. CONCLUSION: We speculate that GDNF expression will no longer continue in this region, when the damage caused by inflammation of the extrahepatic bile ducts reaches a critical threshold. The study's findings may represent a missing link in the chain of events forming the etiology of BA and may be helpful in its diagnosis.

Whole exome sequencing analysis for mutations in isolated type III biliary atresia patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Biliary atresia is an idiopathic, destructive disease that affects both extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts with severe inflammation and manifests as progressive jaundice within the first few months of life. In this study, we aimed to investigate the significance of genetic mutations in the onset of biliary atresia disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: With the approval of the ethics committee and parental consent, blood was taken from patients to obtain their DNA, and the study commenced. In this prospective study, we examined the DNA of 10 patients with no disease other than biliary atresia, and an exome sequence analysis was performed with the new-generation DNA sequencing method. The genetic structure of biliary atresia disease was examined by statistical analysis of the mutations, which were determined according to the reference DNA sequencing. RESULTS: In the exome sequence analysis, the number of mutations detected among the patients changed significantly; the lowest number was 12,591, and the maximum was 19,863. By examining these mutations, we identified the mutated genes that were common to all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the highest mutation rates were detected in the PRIM2 and MAP2K3 genes. These genes have not previously been associated with biliary atresia.

New Oxidative Stress Markers Useful in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Children: Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis and the Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Level.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate 2 new oxidative stress markers, thiol/disulfide homeostasis status and the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level, in children with acute appendicitis (AA) and to evaluate their diagnostic utility. METHODS: This case-control study included 45 patients with AA and 35 healthy children. Age, sex, white blood cell count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, ultrasonographic findings, thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters (native and total thiol levels, native thiol/total thiol ratios [antioxidant parameters], and disulfide, disulfide/native thiol, and disulfide/total thiol ratios [oxidant parameters]), and the ADMA level were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The native and total thiol levels, and the native thiol/total thiol ratio, were significantly lower, and the disulfide level and disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios significantly higher, in the AA compared with the control group (all P < 0.001). The ADMA level was significantly higher in a perforated versus nonperforated subgroup of AA patients, but the thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters did not differ significantly between the two subgroups. In addition, the hs-CRP level and appendiceal wall thickness were higher in the perforated subgroup. The thiol/disulfide antioxidant parameters and ADMA level correlated negatively with the white blood cell count, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the hs-CRP level, in the AA group, but correlated positively with oxidant parameters. The sensitivity and specificity of the disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were high when used to diagnose AA, whereas the sensitivity of the ADMA level was high when used to diagnose perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: Thiol/disulfide homeostasis and the ADMA level, together with certain other parameters, may be useful biomarkers of AA in children.

Management of anesthesia and complications in children with Tracheobronchial Foreign Body Aspiration.

OBJECTIVES: Delayed diagnosis and treatment of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration (FBA) in children may lead to morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to evaluate the anesthetic management, peri- and post-operative complications, and predisposing factors for postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admission in children undergoing rigid bronchoscopy due to tracheobronchial FBA. METHODS: This retrospective study included 81 children who underwent rigid bronchoscopy between January 2010 to July 2018 at Inonu University, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Turkey. Data regarding demographic characteristics, anesthetic management, length of ICU and hospital stays, and peri- and post-operative complications were retrieved from the hospital database. RESULTS: The patients included 54 (66.7%) boys and 27 (33.3%) girls with a mean age of 29.6 ± 31.2 months. The most common presenting symptom was the suspicion of FBA, followed by acute-onset cough, cyanosis, wheezing and respiratory distress. Mean duration of anesthesia was 44.40 ± 14.72 min. Of the 81 patients, 18 (22.2%) were transferred to ICU and 63 (77.8%) patients were transferred to the ward postoperatively. Of the patients transferred to the ICU, 5 of them required mechanical ventilation. Some peri and postoperative complications, desaturation (n=16; 19.7%; p=0.001), mucosal bleeding (n=6; 7.4%; p=0.02), laryngeal edema (n=11; 13.6%; p<0.001), laryngospasm (n=13; 16.3%; p<0.001), were affected the frequency of intensive care transfer. CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopy with general anesthesia remains the golden standard for the management of tracheobronchial FBA. In such patients, a combination consisting of a detailed preoperative clinical evaluation of the patient, selection of short-acting anesthetic agents with minimal side effects for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia, and the administration of controlled ventilation can be recommended. Additionally, early diagnosis of peri- and post-operative complications, prediction of postoperative ICU requirement, and a close cooperation of anesthesiologists and surgeons are highly important.

External hemorrhoidal disease in child and teenage: Clinical presentations and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: Hemorrhoidal disease (HD), though mostly seen in adults, has recently emerged as a common problem among children. However, the diagnosis and treatment of HD in children is mostly based on the data obtained in adult studies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate risk factors, diagnostic and treatment modalities in the children diagnosed with external HD. METHODS: The study was conducted at Sakarya University Medical School Pediatric Surgery Department between January 2012 and July 2018. We reviewed children who were diagnosed as having HD at Pediatric Surgery clinic. Age, gender, presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, risk factors, and treatment outcomes were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: The study included 56 patients with a mean age of 140.8±45.2 months. The patients comprised 48 (85.7%) boys and 8 (14.3%) girls. Constipation and a positive family history were the most common risk factor (n=33; 58.9%, n=29; 51.8%, respectively). Conservative treatment was performed in 53 (94.6%) patients. Recurrence was observed in 5 (8.9%) and skin tag was detected in 6 (10.7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: External HD mostly occurs in boys in their second decade of life. Positive family history and constipation were the most common risk factors in our patients. Conservative treatment is sufficient for the management of external HD in children because of its low recurrence rates.

Use of angiographic embolization in trauma-induced pediatric abdominal solid organ injuries.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the utility of angiographic embolization (AE) in pediatric cases of blunt abdominal solid organ trauma injuries is limited. The current study is an examination of AE as an effective and reliable method to control bleeding in patients with persistent bleeding due to blunt trauma-induced abdominal solid organ injury. METHODS: This was a retrospective examination of patients <17 years of age who had experienced blunt abdominal solid organ injury and who presented at a single institution within 4 years. A statistical analysis of the data was performed. RESULTS: The mean length of intensive care unit stay was 4 days for those who underwent embolization (n=11), and the mean length of hospital stay was 12 days. The average pre-AE blood loss, as measured by the decrease in hematocrit (%) from admission to embolization, was -7.33+-5.3% (p<0.001). The average post-AE blood loss, as measured by the change in hematocrit 72 hours post AE, was 2+-0.97% (p>0.05). All of the patients were discharged with a full recovery. CONCLUSION: AE was a safe and effective method to control solid organ hemorrhage in pediatric patients with blunt abdominal injuries.

Risk Factors for Pilonidal Sinus Disease in Teenagers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for pilonidal sinus in teenagers. METHODS: Between January 2013 and September 2015, 55 teenage patients who underwent surgery due to pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sakarya University Teaching and Research Hospital were included in this study. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), number of baths taken per week, time spent sitting per day, family history, and skin color were examined as risk factors. The control group comprised of healthy teenagers without pilonidal sinus disease. RESULTS: Out of the total 42 teenagers, 23 (54.8 %) were girls and 19 (45.2 %) were boys. Patients were classified as obese, overweight, or normal according to their BMI (14.3 %, 31 %, and 54.8 %, respectively). The number of baths taken per week in the PSD group was lower than that in the control group [odds ratio (OR): 3.690; p = 0.004]. The family history of PSD was significantly higher in teenagers with PSD, compared to the control group (OR: 8.652; p = 0.005). No differences were detected between the PSD and control groups with respect to sitting for ≥ 6 h per day (OR: 3.212; p = 0.028). Skin color was not found to be affected by PSD in teenagers (OR: 1.294; p = 0.392). CONCLUSIONS: Heredity and the number of baths taken per week were found to significantly affect the incidence of PSD, whereas other variables (gender, age, BMI, skin color, and time spent sitting per day) did not exhibit any significant influence on the rate of incidence.

A rare cause of acute abdomen: tumor rupture of nonpalpable testis.

Undescended testicle is the most common congenital anomaly among males. Testicular tumor develops in 3-5% of the boys with a complaint of undescended testicle. The clinical presentation of malignant intra-abdominal testicular tumors ranges from asymptomatic cases to acute abdomen. In this study, we present a child with testicular tumor rupture which is observed very rarely. A 16-year-old boy presented 24 hours after the sudden onset of right lower quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. On physical examination, extensive tenderness in the abdomen and abdominal guarding were found. The right testicle was not palpable. The serum white blood cell count was elevated. Ultrasonography and abdominal computerized tomography scan demonstrated a perforated, hyperdense mass with free fluid in the abdomen. The preoperative alpha fetoprotein level was found to be increased. We performed surgery with laparoscopy and a perforated right intraabdominal testicle was found in the right iliac fossa. The mass was excised. Histopathological examination revealed a yolk sac tumor. Ruptured nonpalpable testicular tumors are very rare. To our knowledge, this is the first adolescent case reported so far. Testicular tumor rupture should be considered in patients with nonpalpable testicle and acute abdomen. Laparoscopy may be performed in differential diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

Comparison of Polypropylene Mesh and Primary Repair in the Treatment of Blunt Testicular Rupture.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to show the applicability of Polypropylene mesh (PM) grafting in blunt testicular ruptures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 16 patients treated for testicular rupture following blunt scrotal trauma between March 2007 and April 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Eight primary repairs and eight PM graftings were performed to repair the tunica albuginea (TA). Postoperatively, patients underwent Doppler ultrasonography at 3 weeks and then at 3, 6, and 12 months, followed by annual scans. The measurement of plasma testosterone levels was performed 12 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 24.8 (range 12-48) and 42.8 (range 14-75) months for patients treated with PM grafting and primary repair, respectively. Differences in testicular size between treatment groups were only significant at 12 months postoperatively with the value of 26.5 mL (range 24-28) and 22.8 mL (range 13-27) in patients treated with a PM graft and primary repair, respectively (P = .045). There were no complications for those patients treated with the PM graft. Two patients who underwent primary repair developed testicular atrophy within 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION: PM grafting is a safe alternative to primary closure of a TA defect following blunt testicular trauma. .

[Parasites in the Etiology of Pediatric Appendicitis]. / Çocuk Apandisitlerinin Etyolojisinde Parazitler.

OBJECTIVE: Appendicitis is the most common cause of operation in the children. Fekalit, lymphoid hyperplasia, parasites and foreign bodies are accused as the causes of appendicitis. In this study, we wanted to evaluate that the role of parasitic infections in pediatric appendicitis. METHODS: Histopathological results of the patients who underwent operations for acute appendicitis between January 2008 and 2014 were evaluated. The patients who have parasite in appendiceal specimens were detected and parasites were recorded. RESULTS: Fourteen of 846 patients underwent appendectomy, were classified as parasitic appendicitis. Enterobius vermicularis was observed in 12 and Taenia spp. was observed in 2 patients, Three children with appendicitis had parasitic infection in pathological examination. Two of them were Enterobius vermicularis, and one was Taenia spp. CONCLUSION: Enterobius vermicularis is the most common parasites in appendiks. Parasites often cause abdominal pain at right lower quadrant without any inflammation in the appendiks. However, parasites are responsible for some appendicitis as an etiologic factor. In our study, 0.39% of patients with appendicitis, parasites were also detected. As a result, we think that right lower quadrant pain and the incidence of appendicitis will reduce by time with the diagnosis and treatment of parasites.

Antienflamatuar and antiadhesive effect of clioquinol.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The aim of this study is to investigate the expected adhesion-modifying effect of clinoquinol which has metal-chelating feature that limits the inflammation and fibroblastic activity. METHODS: A total of 40 Wistar Albino rats were included, which were divided into 5 groups. Group-1 constituted the sham group. Other groups, adhesions were induced by performing cecal abrasion on the rats. For treatment, saline solution was added to Group-2, carboxymethylcellulose was added to Group-3, methylene blue was added to Group-4, and clioquinol was added to Group-5. Blood samples were obtained from the heart to measure IL-10 and TNF α-levels. Adhesions were evaluated both macroscopically and histopathologically. RESULTS: Clioquinol reduced adhesions at significant level via decreasing the inflammation and fibroblastic activity in the adhesion-induced rats. At macroscopic level, carboxymethylcellulose and clioquinol were the most potent agents in reducing adhesions. Nonetheless, significant foreign body-reaction was observed in the carboxymethylcellulose-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Clioquinol could reduce the formation of intra-abdominal adhesions. It exerts this activity by limiting the inflammation and fibroblastic activity between the intestines and serous surfaces. Furthermore, it does not induce a foreign body reaction. Due to these properties, we conclude that clioquinol can be used as an alternative agent to prevent adhesions.

Intrathoracic Kidney after Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abdominal trauma is responsible for most genitourinary injuries. The incidence of renal artery injury and intrathoracic kidney is quite low in patients who present with blunt trauma experiencing damage. There are four defined etiologies for intrathoracic kidney, which include real intrathoracic ectopic kidney, eventration of the diaphragm, congenital diaphragmatic herniation, and traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. The traumatic intrathoracic kidney is an extremely rare case. We presented intrathoracic kidney case after traumatic posterior diaphragmatic rupture.

Prevention of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis by resveratrol: a comparative experimental study with mesna.

PURPOSE: Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is the most common urotoxic side effect of cyclophosphamide (CP). The aim of this study was to compare the classical efficacy of mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium) with three different doses of resveratrol (RES) on cyclophosphamide-induced HC in rats. METHODS: Forty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 served as a negative control (sham). Five groups received a single dose of cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg) intraperitoneally at the same time. Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 received only CP, CP + 20 mg/kg RES, CP + 40 mg/kg RES, CP + 80 mg/kg RES, and CP + classical protocol of three doses of mesna (30 mg/kg three times), respectively. Antioxidants, cytokines, and malondialdehyde levels were measured in all groups. In addition, histopathological alterations in tissues were examined. RESULTS: CP administration induced severe HC with marked edema, hemorrhage, and inflammation in group 2. RES 20 mg/kg showed meaningful protection against bladder damage compared to the control group. It was seen that RES 40 mg/kg gave weaker protection but RES 80 mg/kg was not found to be effective. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, marked bladder protection was found in 20 and 40 mg/kg RES applications compared to the control group, but this protection was weaker than with mesna.

Simple patch closure for perforated peptic ulcer in children followed by helicobacter pylori eradication.

OBJECTIVE: Peptic ulcer disease in children is rare. Therefore, the diagnosis can be missed until complications such as perforation or hemorrhage occur. Few reports have investigated the procedures and outcomes of children who have undergone operations for perforated duodenal ulcers. We report our experience with the modified Graham technique for perforated duodenal ulcers in nine children and review the literature. Methods : The records of patients operated on for a perforated duodenal ulcer in the last 8 years in two pediatric surgery centers were evaluated retrospectively. Patient demographics, symptoms, time to admission to hospital, operative findings, and postoperative clinical course were evaluated. Results : Nine children (mean age 13.2 years, range 6-170 years) were included. All patients were admitted in the first six hours after their abdominal pain started. In three patients, there was free air on plain x-rays, while the x-rays were normal in six. All perforations were located on the anterior surface of the first part of the duodenum and repaired with primary suturing and Graham patch omentoplasty. The recovery was uneventful in all patients. In five patients, urea breath tests were performed postoperatively for Helicobacter Pylori, and the results were positive. All patients underwent triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. The mean follow-up time was 58 (range 3-94) months. Conclusions : Peptic ulcer perforation should be suspected in children who have acute abdominal pain and peritoneal signs, especially when their suffering is intense. The simple patch repair and postoperative triple therapy for Helicobacter Pylori are safe and satisfactory for treating peptic ulcer perforation in children.

The role of laparoscopy in suspicious abdomen pain in children.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal pain is a frequently encountered problem in children. Suspicious right lower quadrant pains are sometimes a problem for pediatric surgeons. In this study, we wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of children with suspicion of abdominal pain. METHODS: The files of 84 patients treated with a diagnosis of suspicious right lower quadrant peritonitis between 2005 and 2011 were investigated. Laparoscopic exploration was performed for all cases with right lower quadrant pain where the appendix was not seen on USG/CT and the cause of acute abdomen could not be determined. RESULTS: In this process, 84 patients consisting of 60 (71%) females and 24 (29%) males were included in the study. The mean age was 10.5 years (7-16 years). Appendicitis was determined during diagnostic laparoscopy in 35 (41.6%) patients. The appendix was normal in the remaining 49 (58.3%) patients. In 36 of these patients, gynecological diseases were encountered on pathology as the most frequent cause of the acute abdomen. The appendix was preserved in patients where the cause of the abdominal pain was explained. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with suspected acute abdomen that imitates acute appendicitis and cannot be differentiated with physical examination and laboratory methods. Delays in diagnosis and unnecessary appendectomy will be prevented in this way.

[Analysis of risk factors for the development of pediatric appendicitis]. / Çocuk apandisitlerinde risk faktörlerinin analizi.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common form of abdominal pain requiring surgery among children. This study evaluates the association of age, sex, seasonal, and familial factors with the histopathology of appendectomies. METHODS: 588 patients who underwent operations for acute appendicitis between 2009 and 2011 were included in this study. The patients were classified in one of three groups based on histopathological results: acute, perforated, and negative appendectomy. This study evaluates the association between age, sex, seasonal, and familial factors and the histopathological classification. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 11.8±3.26 years (range 1 to 16 years). Among these patients, appendicitis was 2.41 times more common in children greater than 10 years old. Appendicitis occurred 4.63 times more often among males than in females. Negative appendectomy occurred more often in children greater than 10 years of age. Appendicitis was associated with both seasonal factors and family history; however this association did not meet the threshold for statistical significance (p>0.05). DISCUSSION: The age and sex of the patient should be taken into account when considering appendicitis surgery to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis. In addition, the histopathology of appendicitis is influenced by familial and environmental factors.