Evaluation of Thoracoscopic Lobectomy in Infants for Congenital Lung Lesions: Earlier Is Better!

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic lobectomy for congenital lung lesions in infants less then 4 months of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1997 to October 2022, 194 patients under 4 months of age and weight less then 5.6 Kg underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobe resection for CPAM, Sequestration, and CLE. All procedures were performed by or under the direct guidance of a single surgeon. RESULTS: 195 of 196 procedures were completed thoracoscopically. Operative times ranged from 25 min to 195 min (average, 82 min). There were 50 upper, 8 middle, and 136 lower lobe resections. There were 4 intraoperative complications (2.1 %), of which 1 (0.5 %) required conversion to an open thoracotomy. The postoperative complication rate was 3.1 % Hospital length of stay ranged from 1 to 8 days (Avg 1.8) for those admitted for surgery. There were no conversions to open or blood transfusions in the last 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic lung resection congenital lung lesions in infants is a safe and efficacious technique and avoids the morbidity of a thoracotomy. Early intervention allows surgery before clinical infections or symptoms occur. Newer instrumentation and techniques allow the operation to be safely performed in the first few months of life with shorter operative times, fewer complications, and decreased hospital stays. The minimal morbidity of this procedure should be considered when considering non-operative management of these patients.

Use of the 5-mm Endoscopic Stapler for Ligation of Fistula in Laparoscopic-Assisted Repair of Anorectal Malformation.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic anorectoplasty (LARRP) for the treatment of select anorectal malformations has gained popularity due to enhanced visualization of the fistula and the ability to place the rectum within the sphincter complex while minimizing division of muscles and the perineal incision. However, given the technical challenges and reported complications of ligation, a number of techniques have been described, including using clips, suture ligation, endoloops, or division without closure. We aimed to evaluate fistula closure and division for high imperforate anus using a 5-mm stapler (JustRight Surgical, Boulder, CO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent LAARP for imperforate anus between March 2015 and December 2016. RESULTS: Four patients underwent LAARP with division of the fistula using the 5-mm stapler. The average age was 3.2 months and average weight was 4.5 kg. The location of the fistula was rectoprostatic in 3 cases and rectobladder neck in 1 case. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: Division of a fistula at or above the level of the prostate can safely and effectively be performed with the 5-mm stapler. The stapler allows for division flush with the urethra or bladder ergonomically and quickly.

Outcomes of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Biliary Dyskinesia in Children.

PURPOSE: To determine the outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a treatment for biliary dyskinesia in children. METHODS: With ethics approval, a retrospective chart review was performed on children (<21 years) at a single center diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia (defined as gallbladder ejection fraction [EF] <35% and/or pain with cholecystokinin [CCK] on cholescintigraphy, in the absence of gallstones or cholecystitis on ultrasound) and treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy between March 2010 and February 2016. Demographic, medical history, diagnostic imaging, pathology, and outcome data were collected and analyzed based on degree of symptom resolution. RESULTS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 215 children with biliary dyskinesia (156/215 [72.6%] female, age 13.8 ± 3.4 years, body mass index [BMI] 22.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2). 181/206 (87.9%) had EF <35%. CCK reproduced symptoms in 149/177 (84.2%). 34/215 (15.8%) were lost to follow-up. Median follow-up time was 2.7 weeks. Pain improved in 162/181 (89.5%). Chronic cholecystitis was found in 183/213 (85.9%) and unexpected cholelithiasis in 4/213 (1.9%) on pathology. Postoperatively, 6/181 (3.3%) had wound infections and 8/181 (4.4%) required common bile duct stents for the following indications: 6 sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, 1 choledocholithiasis, and 1 stricture. Virgin abdomen (odds ratio [OR] 4.03, confidence interval [95% CI] 1.12-14.53, P = .0460) and follow-up <6 months (OR 7.35, 95% CI 2.68-20.21, P = .0002) were associated with better outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and effective in symptom resolution for biliary dyskinesia in children. Virgin abdomen and follow-up <6 months were associated with better outcomes. Prospective long-term studies comparing surgical and nonoperative management of biliary dyskinesia are required to determine the utility of cholecystectomy.

Two-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate two-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (2I-LC) in children, and compare outcomes with four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (4P-LC). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on children (≤21 years) with gallbladder disease treated with 2I-LC or 4P-LC between February 2010 and February 2016. 2I-LC is performed using two 5-mm ports and a 2-mm endoscopic grasper within a 12-mm umbilical incision, and a 3-mm subxiphoid port for dissection. Demographic, diagnostic, operative, and outcome data were recorded, and the two groups were compared with chi-squared, Fisher, and t-tests. Patients requiring conversion from 2I-LC to 4P-LC were examined to determine factors predicting the need for additional ports. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-nine laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed (2I-LC 72.0%, 4P-LC 19.0%). Body mass index (BMI) was greater in the 4P-LC group. 2I-LC was more commonly performed for biliary dyskinesia, but not biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, and gallstone pancreatitis. Operative time was greater in 4P-LC. There were 6 wound infections (2I-LC 1.8%, 4P-LC 1.5%), 1 common bile duct injury (2I-LC 0.4%, 4P-LC 0.0%), and 1 small bowel injury (2I-LC 0.0%, 4P-LC 1.5%). 2.4% of 2I-LC required conversion to 4P-LC, with BMI and operative time greater than the 2I-LC group, but not different from 4P-LC with no complications. CONCLUSIONS: 2I-LC is a safe alternative to 4P-LC for pediatric gallbladder disease, allowing for traction and countertraction to expose the critical view. Operative time was longer in the 4P-LC group, likely secondary to selection bias with higher BMI and preoperative diagnosis of gallstone disease. Overweight patients are more likely to require additional ports.

Two decades of experience with thoracoscopic lobectomy in infants and children: standardizing techniques for advanced thoracoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic lobectomy in infants and children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1994 to November 2013, 347 patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobe resection at two institutions. All procedures were performed by or under the direct guidance of a single surgeon. Patients' ages ranged from 1 day to 18 years, and weights ranged from 2.8 to 78 kg. Preoperative diagnosis included sequestration/congenital pulmonary airway malformation (n=306), severe bronchiectasis (n=24), congenital lobar emphysema (n=13), and malignancy (n=4). RESULTS: Of the 347 procedures, 342 were completed thoracoscopically. Operative times ranged from 35 minutes to 240 minutes (average, 115 minutes). Average operative time when a trainee was the primary surgeon was 160 minutes. There were 81 upper, 25 middle, and 241 lower lobe resections. There were four intraoperative complications (1.1%) requiring conversion to an open thoracotomy. The postoperative complication rate was 3.3%, and 3 patients required re-exploration for a prolonged air leak. Hospital length of stay (LOS) ranged from 1 to 16 days (average). In patients <5 kg and <3 months of age, the average operative time was 90 minutes, and the LOS was 2.1 days. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic lung resection is a safe and efficacious technique. With proper mentoring it is an exportable technique, which can be performed by pediatric surgical trainees. The procedures are safe and effective even when performed in the first 3 months of life. Early resection avoids the risk of later infection and malignancy.

Thoracoscopic segmentectomy for congenital and acquired pulmonary disease: a case for lung-sparing surgery.

PURPOSE: Over the last 15 years thoracoscopic lobectomy for congenital and acquired lesions has become an accepted modality in pediatric thoracic surgery. There is still debate about the need to perform a complete lobectomy for some of these lesions, and some advocate observation rather than resection, despite possible long-term complications of untreated lesions. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans and physical findings at the time of surgery, along with new advanced techniques, now allow for discrete partial anatomic resections, which may preserve normal lung. This study evaluates the feasibility and early results using these techniques in selected cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: With institutional review board approval, the records of all patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection were reviewed. From January 2006 to December 2012, 23 patients, ranging from 1 month to 16 years of age and weighing 3.8-42 kg, underwent thoracoscopy for planned resection. Pathology was congenital cystic lung disease in 19 patients, bronchiectasis in 3 patients, and arteriovenous malformation in 1 patient. In each case findings on CT scan and at the time of surgery warranted consideration of lung-preserving surgery. Procedures were performed through three ports using single lung ventilation and CO2 insufflation to achieve lung collapse. The LigaSure™ device (Covidien, Norwalk, CT) was the primary instrument used to seal and divide the lung parenchyma and seal vessels. RESULTS: All procedures were completed successfully thoracoscopically. An anatomic segmental resection was achieved in 22 of 23 cases. Operative time ranged from 30 to 300 minutes (mean, 120 minutes). Segmental resections included the left upper lobe apical/posterior (n=4), lingula (n=3), left lower lobe superior (n=5), medial or posterior basal (n=3), right middle lobe medial (n=1), right upper lobe apical (n=1), right lower lobe superior (n=4), and posterior basal (n=2). Two patients had more than one segment excised. Chest tubes were left in for 24 hours in 16 cases, 48 hours in 4 cases, and 5 days in 1 case. Hospital stay ranged from 1 to 6 days (mean, 2 days). Follow-up CT scans obtained at 1-6 years (mean, 28 months) show no residual disease in 20 of 21 patients. One patient underwent a nonanatomic resection and had evidence of recurrent congenital pulmonary airway malformation at the 4-year follow-up. This patient underwent a secondary thoracoscopic resection. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic lung-conserving therapy is technically feasible and safe in infants and children. The magnification provided by a thoracoscopic approach makes identification of segmental anatomic planes easier, aiding in safe dissection and resection. Anatomic resection appears to be associated with a low morbidity. It may be appropriate in the case of bilateral or extensive disease or in cases where the diseased tissue is clearly limited to an anatomic segment. Continued long-term follow-up is needed.

Incidental GIST after appendectomy in a pediatric patient: a first instance and review of pediatric patients with CD117 confirmed GISTs.

A 7-year-old boy underwent uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Incidentally, he was found to have a spindle cell tumor with CD117 immunopositivity, consistent with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the appendix. Although commonly reported in adults, pediatric GISTs are rare gastrointestinal malignancies that occur in only 1.4-2.7% of children and adolescents. Due to the paucity of reports, data are insufficient to adequately characterize tumor behavior, recurrence, and survival. We present the first case of pediatric GIST in the appendix. In addition, a review of the literature for CD117 confirmed pediatric GISTs was conducted to summarize its clinical features and current treatment options.

Thoracoscopic lobectomy in infants less than 10 kg with prenatally diagnosed cystic lung disease.

PURPOSE: Thoracoscopic lobectomy for congenital cystic lung lesions is an accepted technique in pediatric surgery. Since an increasing number of these lesions are detected prenatally, the safety and efficacy of infant resections have been questioned. We reviewed our experience over a 10-year period to evaluate early resection of these lesions. METHODS: From January 2001 to August 2009, 75 patients under 1 year of age and weighing <10 kg underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy at two institutions. Patients carried the following diagnoses: 52 had congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, 20 had bronchopulmonary sequestration, and 3 had congenital lobar emphysema. All lesions were confirmed after birth by computed tomography scan. Patient age at operation ranged from 4 days to 11 months and patient weight from 3.1 to 10 kg. RESULTS: Seventy-four of 75 lobectomies were thoracoscopically completed. There were 16 upper lobectomies, 1 middle lobectomy, and 55 lower lobectomies. Operative time ranged from 45 to 225 minutes. Hospital length of stay ranged from 1 to 5 days. A subset of 26 patients had surgery younger than 3 months of age and <5 kg, despite being asymptomatic. Their operative time averaged 90 minutes, and mean length of hospital stay was 1.5 days. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic lobectomy is safe for infants <10 kg and avoids the morbidity associated with thoracotomy. Operating early on younger patients may avoid the inflammatory changes associated with both clinically apparent and subclinical infections, even in patients weighing <5 kg. This may make the procedures less technically challenging and may result in lower complication and conversion rates.

Laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy in the neonate.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive procedures are performed in neonates for an ever-expanding list of congenital anomalies. The laparoscopic repair of duodenal atresia and stenosis in the neonate is one such indication. METHOD: We report our experience with the laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy for duodenal atresia and stenosis in the neonate over the past 4 years. A retrospective chart review was conducted on all cases of duodenal atresia and stenosis diagnosed at our center between January 2004 and January 2008. RESULTS: Seventeen neonates underwent laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy successfully during the period. Patient weight at surgery ranged from 1.35 to 3.75 kg. Most were operated on within the first week of life. Many had associated anomalies. There were no conversions to an open procedure, no intraoperative complications, and no anastomotic leaks observed. Time to full feeds averaged 12 days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy in the neonate can be safely and successfully performed with excellent short-term outcome.

Initial experience with surgical telementoring in pediatric laparoscopic surgery using remote presence technology.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of remote presence technology in surgical mentoring. METHODS: A self-propelled robot, which is controlled from a wireless remote control station (Laptop computer)and provides two-way audio and visual communication, was used to allow an experienced endoscopic surgeon to provide mentoring during three unique laparoscopic cases. This first was a laparoscopic exploration in a 9-month-old child with clinical evidence of intermittent obstruction but nondiagnostic imaging studies.The second was a 4-day-old, 3-kg infant with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and the third was a 1-day-old child with duodenal atresia. The robot was used to visualize the patient and radiologic studies, telestrate suggestions for trocar placement, visualize the laparoscopic procedure, and provide advice during the procedure.In the second case, another surgeon at a remote site control station watched the surgery and asked questions. RESULTS: The procedures were completed successfully in 90, 30, and 90 minutes. The first case included identification of the obstructing lesion (internal jejunal polyp) and intestinal resection and anastomosis. The second case involved resection of the hernia sac and repair of the congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The third consisted of identification of the site of atresia and identification of the site for the proximal and distal enterotomy. The robot allowed excellent visualization of the procedures and direct communication between the surgeon and mentor was uninterrupted throughout the case. Both surgeon and mentor felt the telementoring assisted in the case. CONCLUSIONS: While this is a limited series, the initial evaluation of this remote presence technology in the operating room suggests that it may be extremely usefully in adding surgical experience and expertise in minimally invasive surgery.

Ten years of experience with third and fourth branchial remnants.

BACKGROUND: Third and fourth branchial remnants may result in cysts and abscesses that are in close contact with the thyroid gland. These anomalies are rare and often present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. METHODS: The charts of patients diagnosed with a branchial anomaly between July 1991 and July 2001 at the Montreal Children's Hospital were reviewed. All cases of third and fourth branchial remnants or pyriform sinus fistulae were identified. Clinical presentation, imaging, treatment, and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Eight patients with a third or fourth branchial anomaly were identified and ranged in age from birth to 13 years. All anomalies were left sided. Presenting symptoms consisted of an asymptomatic cervical mass (n = 1), an infected mass (n = 5), neonatal respiratory distress (n = 1), and 1 incidental cyst found on magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasonography was useful in suggesting the diagnosis in 7 cases. Barium swallow was performed in 3 patients with 2 positive results. Pharyngoscopy results showed the internal opening in 2 of 7 patients. A portion of the thyroid gland was resected in 6 patients. One patient has not yet undergone a definitive procedure. There was 1 recurrence in a patient whose pathology did not confirm a branchial remnant. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and management of pyriform sinus anomalies are challenging. Ultrasound scan, computed tomography scan, barium swallow, and pharyngoscopy are all useful. The portion of thyroid involved in the fistula must be excised en bloc with the inflammatory mass, and the tract should be ligated at the level of the pharynx to minimize recurrence.