Evaluation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) as a previous step to liver transplantation in pediatric patients. / Evaluación del shunt portosistémico intrahepático transyugular (TIPS) como puente terapéutico al trasplante hepático en pacientes pediátricos.

INTRODUCTION: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was designed to treat complications of portal hypertension (PH). The objective of this study was to analyze the results of the TIPS performed in pediatric patients in our institution as a previous step to liver transplantation (LT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive study of pediatric patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing TIPS prior to LT from 2015 to 2020 was carried out. RESULTS: TIPS was performed in 10 patients. The reason for TIPS was hard-to-control ascites in 7 patients (70%), upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to esophageal varices in 1 patient (10%), and portal hypoplasia in 2 cases (20%). No intraoperative complications were recorded. Stent patency was achieved in all cases. TIPS patency until LT was observed in 6 patients (60%). Indirect signs of patency were noted in 1 patient (10%). 2 patients (20%) required re-intervention, with patency being achieved in the second attempt. And finally, no patency was observed after 3 attempts in 1 patient (10%). A decrease in portocaval gradient (p = 0.001) and an increase in portal velocity (p = 0.006) were observed. No platelet count changes were found. A slight, non-significant increase in ammonia was noted. CONCLUSION: TIPS is a safe and effective procedure to reduce complications of hard-to-control PH in pediatric patients. It allows general condition to be optimized, deterioration to be avoided, and portal vein narrowing to be alleviated in cirrhosis patients as a previous step to LT.

INTRODUCCION: El shunt portosistémico intrahepático transyugular (TIPS) es un procedimiento para tratar las complicaciones de la hipertensión portal. El objetivo del estudio es analizar los resultados de los TIPS realizados en nuestro centro, a pacientes pediátricos como puente al trasplante hepático (TH). MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de pacientes pediátricos con cirrosis hepática a los cuales se les ha realizado un TIPS previo al trasplante hepático entre los años 2015 y 2020. RESULTADOS: Se realizó el TIPS a 10 pacientes. El motivo fue en 7 por ascitis de difícil control (70%), un caso por hemorragia digestiva alta por varices esofágicas (10%) y en 2 por hipoplasia portal (20%). No hubo complicaciones intraoperatorias y en todos los casos se logró permeabilidad de la endoprótesis. En 6 pacientes (60%) se observó permeabilidad del TIPS hasta el TH, en un paciente se observaron signos indirectos de permeabilidad (10%), 2 casos requirieron reintervención, lográndose permeabilidad en el segundo intento (20%) y en otra paciente (10%) no se observó permeabilidad tras 3 intentos. Se apreció una disminución del gradiente portocava (p = 0,001) y un aumento en la velocidad portal (p = 0,006). No se evidenció cambios en la cifras de plaquetas y se produjo un ligero aumento del amonio, sin ser significativos. CONCLUSION: El TIPS es un procedimiento seguro y eficaz para paliar las complicaciones de la hipertensión portal de difícil control en pacientes pediátricos. Nos permite optimizar el estado general, evitar el deterioro y paliar el estrechamiento de la vena porta de los pacientes cirróticos como puente al TH.

Pediatric living donor liver transplantation: results of laparoscopic vs. open graft removal. / Trasplante hepático pediátrico de donante vivo, resultados en función de extracción del injerto por laparotomía vs. laparoscopia.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic graft removal for pediatric living donor liver transplantation (PLDLT) reduces morbidity and surgical aggressiveness for the donor. It is important to assess whether the approach used for removal purposes compromises implantation. The objective of this study was to analyze PLDLT progression in children according to whether the graft had been removed laparoscopically or through open surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, analytical cohort study of PLDLTs carried out in our institution from 2009 to 2020 was carried out. RESULTS: Transplantation was performed in 14 patients, with a median age of 34.5 (R: 6-187) months. In 6 donors (42%), graft removal was conducted laparoscopically. In 1 donor (7%), removal was initiated laparoscopically, but conversion was required. This patient was included within the open surgery group, which consisted of 8 (58%) donors. No differences were found in terms of operating times, ICU stay, hospital stay, complications during admission, or complications post-admission in the recipient. The surgical approach did not compromise the length of the vessels to be anastomosed in any graft, and it added no extra difficulty to implantation. No differences were found in terms of removal times or hospital stay for the donor. Only 1 donor from the laparoscopy group required re-intervention due to bleeding following port insertion. CONCLUSION: PLDLT patients had similar results regardless of the removal approach used, which did not compromise the structures of the graft to be anastomosed, or add any extra difficulty to implantation.

INTRODUCCION: La extracción laparoscópica del injerto para el trasplante hepático pediátrico de donante vivo (THPDV) es una herramienta que reduce la morbilidad y agresividad quirúrgica en el donante. Es importante estudiar si la vía de extracción compromete el implante. El objetivo del estudio es analizar la evolución del THPDV en el niño en función de si el injerto fue extraído por vía abierta o laparoscopia. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo y analítico de los THPDV realizados entre 2009 y 2020 en nuestro centro. RESULTADOS: Se trasplantaron 14 pacientes, con edad mediana de 34,5 (R: 6-187) meses. En 6 donantes (42%) se realizó la extracción del injerto vía laparoscópica. En un donante se inició la extracción por laparoscopia, pero fue necesaria la conversión (7%), esté se clasificó en el grupo de laparotomía, compuesta por 8 (58%) donantes. No se encontraron diferencias en el tiempo quirúrgico, en los días en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, en la estancia hospitalaria, en las complicaciones durante el ingreso ni en las complicaciones postingreso en el receptor. El abordaje quirúrgico no comprometió en ningún injerto la longitud de los vasos a anastomosar, sin suponer una dificultad en el implante. No se evidenciaron diferencias en el tiempo de extracción ni en los días de hospitalización del donante. Solo un donante del grupo de laparoscopia precisó reintervención por sangrado de la incisión de un trocar. CONCLUSION: Los pacientes con THPDV presentan resultados similares, independientemente de la vía de extracción del injerto. La vía de abordaje no comprometió las estructuras del injerto a anastomosar, ni dificultó el momento del implante.

Evaluación del shunt portosistémico intrahepático transyugular (TIPS) como puente terapéutico al trasplante hepático en pacientes pediátricos / Evaluation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) as a previous step to liver transplantation in pediatric patients

Introducción: El shunt portosistémico intrahepático transyugular(TIPS) es un procedimiento para tratar las complicaciones de la hiper-tensión portal. El objetivo del estudio es analizar los resultados de losTIPS realizados en nuestro centro, a pacientes pediátricos como puenteal trasplante hepático (TH).Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de pacien-tes pediátricos con cirrosis hepática a los cuales se les ha realizado unTIPS previo al trasplante hepático entre los años 2015 y 2020.Resultados: Se realizó el TIPS a 10 pacientes. El motivo fue en 7por ascitis de difícil control (70%), un caso por hemorragia digestivaalta por varices esofágicas (10%) y en 2 por hipoplasia portal (20%).No hubo complicaciones intraoperatorias y en todos los casos se logrópermeabilidad de la endoprótesis.En 6 pacientes (60%) se observó permeabilidad del TIPS hasta elTH, en un paciente se observaron signos indirectos de permeabilidad(10%), 2 casos requirieron reintervención, lográndose permeabilidaden el segundo intento (20%) y en otra paciente (10%) no se observópermeabilidad tras 3 intentos.Se apreció una disminución del gradiente portocava (p = 0,001) yun aumento en la velocidad portal (p = 0,006). No se evidenció cambiosen la cifras de plaquetas y se produjo un ligero aumento del amonio,sin ser significativos.Conclusión: El TIPS es un procedimiento seguro y eficaz parapaliar las complicaciones de la hipertensión portal de difícil control enpacientes pediátricos. Nos permite optimizar el estado general, evitarel deterioro y paliar el estrechamiento de la vena porta de los pacientescirróticos como puente al TH.

Introduction: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)was designed to treat complications of portal hypertension (PH). Theobjective of this study was to analyze the results of the TIPS performedin pediatric patients in our institution as a previous step to liver trans-plantation (LT).Materials and methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of pedi-atric patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing TIPS prior to LT from 2015to 2020 was carried out.Results: TIPS was performed in 10 patients. The reason for TIPSwas hard-to-control ascites in 7 patients (70%), upper gastrointestinalbleeding due to esophageal varices in 1 patient (10%), and portal hypo-plasia in 2 cases (20%). No intraoperative complications were recorded.Stent patency was achieved in all cases.TIPS patency until LT was observed in 6 patients (60%). Indirectsigns of patency were noted in 1 patient (10%). 2 patients (20%) requiredre-intervention, with patency being achieved in the second attempt. Andfinally, no patency was observed after 3 attempts in 1 patient (10%).A decrease in portocaval gradient (p = 0.001) and an increase inportal velocity (p = 0.006) were observed. No platelet count changeswere found. A slight, non-significant increase in ammonia was noted.Conclusion: TIPS is a safe and effective procedure to reduce com-plications of hard-to-control PH in pediatric patients. It allows generalcondition to be optimized, deterioration to be avoided, and portal veinnarrowing to be alleviated in cirrhosis patients as a previous step to LT.

Trasplante hepático pediátrico de donante vivo, resultados en función de extracción del injerto por laparotomía vs. laparoscopia / Pediatric living donor liver transplantation: results of laparoscopic vs. open graft removal

Introducción: La extracción laparoscópica del injerto para el tras-plante hepático pediátrico de donante vivo (THPDV) es una herramientaque reduce la morbilidad y agresividad quirúrgica en el donante. Esimportante estudiar si la vía de extracción compromete el implante.El objetivo del estudio es analizar la evolución del THPDV en el niñoen función de si el injerto fue extraído por vía abierta o laparoscopia.Material y métodos: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo y analíticode los THPDV realizados entre 2009 y 2020 en nuestro centro.Resultados: Se trasplantaron 14 pacientes, con edad mediana de34,5 (R: 6-187) meses.En 6 donantes (42%) se realizó la extracción del injerto vía la-paroscópica. En un donante se inició la extracción por laparoscopia,pero fue necesaria la conversión (7%), este se clasificó en el grupo delaparotomía, compuesta por 8 (58%) donantes.No se encontraron diferencias en el tiempo quirúrgico, en los díasen la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, en la estancia hospitalaria, en lascomplicaciones durante el ingreso ni en las complicaciones postingresoen el receptor.El abordaje quirúrgico no comprometió en ningún injerto la longitudde los vasos a anastomosar, sin suponer una dificultad en el implante.No se evidenciaron diferencias en el tiempo de extracción ni en losdías de hospitalización del donante. Solo un donante del grupo de lapa-roscopia precisó reintervención por sangrado de la incisión de un trocar.Conclusión: Los pacientes con THPDV presentan resultados simi-lares, independientemente de la vía de extracción del injerto. La vía deabordaje no comprometió las estructuras del injerto a anastomosar, nidificultó el momento del implante.

Introduction: Laparoscopic graft removal for pediatric living donorliver transplantation (PLDLT) reduces morbidity and surgical aggressive-ness for the donor. It is important to assess whether the approach used forremoval purposes compromises implantation. The objective of this studywas to analyze PLDLT progression in children according to whetherthe graft had been removed laparoscopically or through open surgery.Materials and methods: A retrospective, analytical cohort study ofPLDLTs carried out in our institution from 2009 to 2020 was carried out.Results: Transplantation was performed in 14 patients, with a me-dian age of 34.5 (R: 6-187) months. In 6 donors (42%), graft removalwas conducted laparoscopically. In 1 donor (7%), removal was initiatedlaparoscopically, but conversion was required. This patient was includedwithin the open surgery group, which consisted of 8 (58%) donors.No differences were found in terms of operating times, ICU stay,hospital stay, complications during admission, or complications post-admission in the recipient.The surgical approach did not compromise the length of the ves-sels to be anastomosed in any graft, and it added no extra difficulty toimplantation.No differences were found in terms of removal times or hospitalstay for the donor. Only 1 donor from the laparoscopy group requiredre-intervention due to bleeding following port insertion.Conclusion: PLDLT patients had similar results regardless of theremoval approach used, which did not compromise the structures ofthe graft to be anastomosed, or add any extra difficulty to implantation.

¿Es posible el manejo ambulatorio de la invaginación intestinal? / Is it possible the outpatient management of intussusception?

Introducción: la invaginación intestinal es la causa más frecuente de obstrucción intestinal en menores de tres años. Habitualmente, tras la desinvaginación, los pacientes permanecen ingresados 24-48 horas. Recientemente se ha propuesto el manejo ambulatorio mediante observación clínica durante 12 horas. Nuestro objetivo es valorar la implementación de esta actitud terapéutica. Material y métodos: revisión retrospectiva de las invaginaciones intestinales atendidas en nuestro centro durante los últimos 12 años. Resultados: se incluye 458 pacientes, el 60,3% de ellos varones. Edad media de 24,1 meses, siendo la localización ileocólica la más frecuente (77,7%). El 2,4% presentó alguna causa secundaria. Se realizó neumoenema en 370 niños, requiriendo cirugía el 10,7%. Se registraron 78 recidivas en 56 pacientes (12,2%), 15 de ellos intrahospitalariamente. El tiempo medio para la reintroducción de la alimentación y la estancia media fueron de 28,6 y 64,4 horas respectivamente, sin diferencias significativas entre aquellos que recidivaron y los que no (60,8 frente a 69 horas; t = -0,4; p = 0,689). No se registraron diferencias entre el tiempo de evolución clínica y la tasa de éxito del neumoenema (t = 0,478; p = 0,634); aunque hubo diferencias en la necesidad de intervención quirúrgica (χ² = 5,604; p = 0,018), no hubo ninguna complicación. La reintroducción precoz de la alimentación no se relacionó con más recidivas ni diferencias entre los grupos (30,2% en el grupo que recidivó y 23,1% en el grupo sin recidiva, p = 0,608). Conclusiones: el ingreso hospitalario más allá de 12 horas no disminuye la tasa de complicaciones. Por tanto, consideramos que la observación en urgencias tras la desinvaginación durante 12 horas es una medida segura y coste-efectiva (AU)

Introduction: intussusception is the most frequent cause of bowel obstruction in children under three years. Usually, after reduction, patients remain admitted for 24-48 hours. Ambulatory management has recently been proposed, based on clinical experience of follow-up of the patient's evolution in the Emergency Department of the hospital during the following 12 hours. Our objective is to evaluate the implementation of this new therapeutic attitude. Material and methods: retrospective review of all the intussusceptions treated at our center during the last 12 years. Results: 458 patients were included, 60.3% ot them were male. Mean age was 24.1 months (SD 24.6), with the ileo-colic location being the most frequent (77.7%). 2.4% had secondary causes. A pneumoenema was performed in 370 children, requiring surgery 10.7%. There were 78 relapses in 56 patients (12.2%), 15 of them during admission. The mean time to reintroduce feeding and the mean hospital stay was 28.6 and 64.4 hours respectively, with no significant difference between those who relapsed and those who did not (60.8 vs 69 hours, t = -0.4, p = 0.689). There was no relationship between a longer clinical evolution and pneumoenema succeed rate (t = 0.478, p = 0.634). Although there were differences in the need for surgical intervention (χ² = 5.604, p = 0.018), there were no complications. Early reintroduction of feeding was not related to any recurrences or differences between groups (30.2% in the relapsed group and 23.1% in the non-recurrent group, p = 0.608). Conclusions: hospital admission beyond 12 hours does not decrease the rate of complications. Therefore, we consider that outpatient observation for 12 hours after reduction is a safe and economical measure (AU)

[Use of lipofilling in pediatric patients]. / Aplicaciones de autoinjerto graso en pacientes pediátricos.

OBJECTIVE: To Present the benefits of free autologous fat grafts in different pathologies of children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study was performed on 18 patients who received a treatment with an autologous fat graft during the 2009-2012 period. The surgical technique consisted in removing fat from a donor region, processing the fat in order to purify it by centrifugation and grafting injection. The following variables were analysed: age, sex, pathology, complications of the technique, visual aspects results, subjective results (by rating satisfaction from 1-4 in examination room, and by telephone), donor sites and number of sessions. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were studied. Eleven patients had scars (2 were burn sequelae, 8 were side effects of a previous surgery and 1 was postraumatic), 2 patients had breast asymmetry, 1 patient had bilateral breast agenesis and 4 patients had facial asymmetries (Parry-Romberg syndrome in 2 cases, Treacher-Collins and monorhinia). There were no complications with the surgical technique except for fat resorption in 11 patients that needed a new reinjection. All patients with scar sequelae showed considerable improvement. The patients with breast pathology, experienced objective improvement, with practically full symmetry and natural aesthetics. Three to four patients affected by facial asymmetry, achieved good results in contour and symmetry. In order to obtain optimal results, 7 of the patients required just one session and the rest of patients, needed more sessions. The donor area was the abdominal region in 12 patients and the calf region in 6. Similar results were achieved regardless of the donor area. The assessment of patient satisfaction showed these results: very satisfied in 12 patients, satisfied 4 patients, scarcely satisfied 2 patienst and no one was not satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the use of autologous fat grafts is feasible in the pathologies mentioned previously due to the technical simplicity, the good cosmetic results and the absence of complications in our series.

Utilización de tubo de Kehr en anastomosis intestinales complejas / Using Kehr's tube in complex anastomoses

Objetivo. Presentar una nueva técnica utilizando el tubo de Kehr (TK) en las anastomosis intestinales complejas.material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de 8 pacientes, intervenidos desde 2007 hasta 2011, con anastomosis intestinal tutorizada por un TK. 7 pacientes fueron operados por atresia intestinal (5 yeyunales, 1 ileal y 1 duodenal) y 1 caso por estenosis yeyunal asociada a gastrosquisis. 4 casos (50%) fueron pacientes que habían sido intervenidos previamente, y en los que existieron complicaciones con la primera cirugía. técnica quirúrgica: consiste en introducir un TK por el asa dilatada. Un extremo de la "T" del TK se deja, con una ligadura, proximal a la sutura y el otro distal a la misma, actuando como tutor transanastomó-tico. El cabo restante es abocado a la piel y utilizado para alimentación enteral. Las variables estudiadas fueron: inicio de alimentación enteral, tiempo de alimentación a través del TK, de recuperación del tránsito intestinal, tiempo hasta alimentación oral completa y complicaciones. Resultados. No se presentaron complicaciones derivadas de la técnica. La alimentación se inició a través del TK entre 2º-10º día (mediana: 4.5), con una duración de 4-33 días (mediana: 7). Iniciaron tránsito intestinal con deposiciones entre el 2º-7º día (mediana: 3,5). Los pacientes que habían sido intervenidos previamente presentaban signos de colestasis y sepsis, que se solucionaron tras la cirugía. El TK se mantuvo entre 11-51 días (mediana: 22), retirándose sin incidencias. Conclusiones. Este estudio preliminar sugiere que el uso de TK en anastomosis complejas presenta ventajas, como la alimentación enteral precoz y tutorización de la sutura previniendo su acodamiento. Este procedimiento no ha sido reportado en la literatura consultada (AU)

Objective. To present a new technique using the Kehr’s T tube (KT) in complex intestinal anastomoses. materials and methods. Restrospective descriptive analysis of 8 patients intervened from 2007 to 2011. We performed intestinal anastomoses guided by a KT in 7 patients with intestinal atresia (yeyunal n=5, ileal n=1, duodenal n=1), and in 1 patient with yeyunal stenosis associated with gastroschisis. 4 cases (50%) were reoperations because of complications after the first surgery. Surgical technique: the KT is introduced through the dilated proximal bowel. The proximal end of the "T" is tied and the distal one acts as a transanastomotic guide and feeding tube. The long end of the T is externalized through the skin and used for the administration of the enteral nutrition formula. Studied variables were: beginning of enteral feeding, feeding time through the KT, time of intestinal motility recovery, time to complete oral feeding and complications. Results. There were no complications derived from the technique. Feeding was started through the KT between day 2 and 10 (median: 4.5), with a period of 4 to 33 days (median: 7). Patients started intestinal transit between days 2 and 7 (median: 3.5). Reoperated patients showed cholestasis and/or sepsis signs, which were solved with surgery. The KT was left in place between 11-51 days (median: 22), with no complications during or after the removal. Conclusions. The results of this preliminary study suggests that the use of the KT in complex anastomoses as a transanastomotic guide and feeding tube presents advantages, such as early enteral feeding and prevention of leakage and kinking of the intestinal suture. There were no complications derived from the procedure.As far as we know, this technique has not been previously reported in the literature (AU)

[Using Kehr's tube in complex anastomoses]. / Utilización de tubo de Kehr en anastomosis intestinales complejas.

OBJECTIVE: To present a new technique using the Kehr's T tube (KT) in complex intestinal anastomoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Restrospective descriptive analysis of 8 patients intervened from 2007 to 2011. We performed intestinal anastomoses guided by a KT in 7 patients with intestinal atresia (yeyunal n = 5, ileal n = 1, duodenal n = 1), and in 1 patient with yeyunal stenosis associated with gastroschisis. 4 cases (50%) were reoperations because of complications after the first surgery. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: the KT is introduced through the dilated proximal bowel. The proximal end of the "T" is tied and the distal one acts as a transanastomotic guide and feeding tube. The long end of the T is externalized through the skin and used for the administration of the enteral nutrition formula. Studied variables were: beginning of enteral feeding, feeding time through the KT, time of intestinal motility recovery, time to complete oral feeding and complications. RESULTS: There were no complications derived from the technique. Feeding was started through the KT between day 2 and 10 (median: 4.5), with a period of 4 to 33 days (median: 7). Patients started intestinal transit between days 2 and 7 (median: 3.5). Reoperated patients showed cholestasis and/or sepsis signs, which were solved with surgery. The KT was left in place between 11-51 days (median: 22), with no complications during or after the removal. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this preliminary study suggests that the use of the KT in complex anastomoses as a transanastomotic guide and feeding tube presents advantages, such as early enteral feeding and prevention of leakage and kinking of the intestinal suture. There were no complications derived from the procedure. As far as we know, this technique has not been previously reported in the literature.