Rectal Biopsy for Hirschsprung's Disease: A Multicentre Study Involving Biopsy Technique, Pathology and Complications.

BACKGROUND: The heterogeneity of rectal biopsy techniques has encouraged us to search for a surgical and pathological standardisation of this diagnostic technique to exclude Hirschsprung's disease. The different amounts of information on the anatomopathology report prompted us to compile a template for the anatomopathology report for diagnostic rectal biopsies for surgical colleagues and pathologists working on Hirschsprung's disease. METHODS: We gathered the anonymous biopsy information and its pathology information from five hospitals for all patients in which rectal biopsies were taken to diagnose Hirschsprung's disease over two years (2020-2021). RESULTS: Of the 82 biopsies, 20 suction (24.4%), 31 punch (37.8%) and 31 open biopsies (37.8%) were taken. Of all biopsies, 69 were conclusive (84.2%), 13 were not (15.8%). In the suction biopsy group, 60% were conclusive and 40% were not; for punch biopsy, the values were 87% and 13%, respectively and for open biopsy, 97% and 3%. Inconclusive results were due to insufficient submucosa in 6/8 suction biopsies, 4/4 punch biopsies and 0/1 open biopsies. An insufficient amount of submucosa was the reason for an inconclusive result in 6/20 cases (30%) after suction biopsy, 4/31 (12.9%) cases after punch biopsy and 0 cases (0%) after open biopsy. We had one case with major postoperative bleeding post suction biopsy; there were no further adverse effects after biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic rectal biopsies in children are safe. Non-surgical biopsies are more likely to give inconclusive results due to smaller amounts of submucosa present in the specimen. Open biopsies are especially useful when previous non-surgical biopsies are inconclusive. An experienced pathologist is a key factor for the result. The anatomopathology report should specify the different layers present in the specimen, the presence of ganglion cells and hypertrophic nerve fibres, their description and a conclusion.

Effect of Suture Used for Closure of Mesenteric Defects After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Single-Center Study.

INTRODUCTION: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) due to internal herniation (IH) is a well-known complication of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). The objective of this study is to evaluate different types of non-absorbable sutures used for closure of the defects regarding the incidence of SBO due to IH/adhesions, adhesion formation in general, or reopening of the defects. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was performed. Patients who underwent LRYGBP were divided in 3 groups: group A closure of the defects with monofilament Polypropylene suture (Prolene®), group B with braided polyester suture (Ethibond®), group C with barbed knotless Polybutester suture (V-Loc®). Descriptive statistics were performed regarding SBO due to IH/adhesions, adhesion formation, and reopening of closed defects. RESULTS: From 5145 patients, 224 patients underwent exploratory laparoscopy for suspicion of SBO. Mean time interval was 28.4 months. IH or intermittent IH was found in 1.94% in group A, 1.78% in group B, and 1.40% in group C. Obstruction due to adhesions was found in 0.70%, 0.36%, and 0.42% per group, respectively. Adhesions in general were observed in 1.47% in group A, 1.43% in group B, and 1.06% in group C. The incidence of reopening was higher in group A (2.24%) in comparison with group B (1.13%, P = 0.041) and group C (1.05%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After descriptive analysis, these results can withhold no difference among the 3 non-absorbable sutures regarding incidence of SBO due to IH or SBO due to adhesions, yet tendency for higher reopening rates after closure with monofilament Polypropylene suture is observed.

Yolk sac tumor in the abdominal wall of an 18-month-old girl: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric germ cell tumors account for approximately 3.5 % of all childhood cancers for children under the age of 15 years. Up to one-third are extragonadal neoplasms. Germ cell tumors are a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors with a wide variety of histopathological features. Yolk sac tumor is the predominant variant in newborns and younger children. We report for the first time, the presentation of a primary yolk sac tumor in the abdominal wall of a small child. CASE PRESENTATION: An 18-month-old white girl underwent resection of a small, round subcutaneous lump (1.5×1.3×0.8 cm) of the abdominal wall in her right hypochondriac region. The histopathology was compatible with yolk sac tumor. Her alpha-fetoprotein was initially elevated but normalized after the resection. Magnetic resonance imaging of her abdomen was normal. The surgeon decided to observe and follow her alpha-fetoprotein level closely. One year after resection a local recurrence appeared and her alpha-fetoprotein rose to 58 ng/mL. The surgeon performed a wide resection of the lesion with normalization of her alpha-fetoprotein. Follow-up consisted of measuring alpha-fetoprotein, clinical evaluation, and abdominal ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that a yolk sac tumor can present in an unusual extragonadal place, for example in this case it was subcutaneous. In some cases, conservative treatment can be carried out with careful monitoring of the patient and their alpha-fetoprotein.

Soft tissue swelling in children: case report, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic delay.

A general practitioner faces regularly soft tissue swelling in otherwise healthy children. Delay in diagnosis of soft tissue malignancies is often due to asymptomatic nature and the unfamiliarity with the age-dependent differential diagnosis. Hence, an accurate knowledge is important to prevent important delay in diagnosis of potential malignancies.

Thrombolysis for Severe Intestinal Ischemia due to Midgut Volvulus in a Neonate.

Intestinal malrotation complicated by the development of midgut volvulus presents a difficult management dilemma because of the risk of short bowel syndrome. Here, we present our experience with a case of severe intestinal ischemia after derotation in a newborn successfully managed using systemic tissue plasminogen activator. The present report supports the usefulness of thrombolysis as a therapeutic option for reperfusion of ischemic small bowel due to midgut volvulus in neonates.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in children is not a minor procedure: risk factors for major complications.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) provides for enteral nutrition in children with feeding problems. PEG, however, is not without complications. The present study has a twofold aim: (1) comparing our incidence of major complications after PEG with the incidence in other centers, and (2) identifying risk factors for major complications. All patients receiving a PEG or laparoscopic-assisted PEG (lap PEG) in the period 1992-2008 were reviewed. Primary outcome was the occurrence of major complications, defined as the need for surgery, non-prophylactic antibiotics, or blood transfusion, and procedure-related death. Potential risk factors, eg, age under 1 year, mental retardation, scoliosis, constipation, hepatomegaly, upper abdominal surgery, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, peritoneal dialysis, esophageal stenosis, and coagulopathy, were analyzed. Of the 467 patients (448 PEG, 19 lap PEG), 12.6% developed major complications. The complication rate significantly decreased (P = 0.003) over the years. A significantly higher complication rate of 32% (P = 0.02) occurred in children with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. None of the lap PEG procedures was associated with a major complication, but the difference was not significant, perhaps because of the small numbers in the latter group. The major complication rate after PEG in children is high. Preexisting ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a significant risk factor. Laparoscopically assisted PEG procedures seem to be associated with a lesser major complication rate.

Free jejunal autograft reconstruction after total pharyngolaryngeal resection.

A free jejunal autograft reconstruction after debulking high stage larynx and hypopharynx tumors has become a popular method in our 10-year experience. We retrospectively studied the efficacy and outcome. Nine patients (M/F, 8/1) underwent a total of 10 free jejunal autograft reconstructions. The median age was 58.6 years (range, 48-78 years). The median hospital stay was 32 days (range, 13-67 days) and the graft failure rate was 10% (1/10), 9/10 successfully retransplanted. Postoperative mortality rate was 0%; one patient was lost during follow-up, one patient died of lung cancer, three died of local recurrence, and four patients have no evidence of disease at this moment (mean follow-up of 16.5 months; range, 9-41 months). Salivation fistulas were present postoperatively in four patients: one closed spontaneously and three closed after surgery. In our hands, the free jejunal graft is the preferred method for single-stage reconstruction of circumferential defects of the gullet.