Clinical experience of thoracoplasty with absorbable rib substitutes.

PURPOSE: Malignant chest wall tumors are rare in pediatrics. They require multimodal oncological treatment and local surgical control. Resections are extensive; therefore, thoracoplasty should be planned to protect intrathoracic organs, prevent herniation, future deformities, preserve ventilatory dynamics, and enable radiotherapy. METHODS: We present a case series of children with malignant chest wall tumors and our surgical experience with thoracoplasty using absorbable rib substitutes (BioBridge®), after local surgical control. BioBridge® is a copolymer made of a polylactide acid blend (70% L-lactic acid y 30% DL-lactide). RESULTS: In 2 years, we had three patients with malignant chest wall tumors. Resection margins were negative, without recurrence at follow-up. We achieved good cosmetic and functional results, and no postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Alternative reconstruction techniques such as absorbable rib substitutes provide protection, guarantee a flexible chest wall, and do not interfere with adjuvant radiotherapy. Currently, there are no management protocols in thoracoplasty. This option represents an excellent alternative for patients with chest wall tumors. Knowledge of different approaches and reconstructive principles is essential to offer children the best onco-surgical option.

Colecistitis acalculosa: complicación del lupus eritematoso sistémico pediátrico / Acalculous cholecystitis: complication of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus

Se describe un caso de una niña de 12 años con diagnóstico previo de lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) de tres años de evolución, que se presentó con dolor abdominal epigástrico tipo cólico. En la evaluación se demostró activación de la enfermedad por clínica y serología. La ecografía abdominal inicial fue normal y la endoscopia digestiva alta mostró gastritis antral, por lo cual se inicio omeprasol con dieta. Por persistencia del dolor y no mejoría con manejo medico para gastritis se repitió la ecografía abdominal 6 días después, que mostró engrosamiento de las paredes de la vesícula sin cálculos en su interior. Se hizo colecistectomía laparoscópica con mejoría de la paciente. La patología mostró evidencia de vasculitis de las arterias medias de las paredes de la vesícula. La colecistitis acalculosa por vasculitis es una complicación raramente descrita en adultos con LES; en la literatura consultada se encontró un solo caso pediátrico. Como este caso es de interés, se informa y se revisa la literatura.

This is a 12 year old girl with systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed since 9 years of age, who came in to the University Hospital in Cali Colombia with epigastric abdominal pain. Clinical and serological evidence of lupus activation was found at the admittance. Initial abdominal ultrasound was normal, and upper endoscopy showed antral gastritis. Treatment with omeprasol and diet was established. The patient did not improved and a second abdominal ultrasound was done 6 days later, which showed increased gallbladder wall thickness without gallstones. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed, with improvement of the patient condition. Pathology showed evidence of vasculitis in midium size arteries of the gallbladder. Acalculous cholecystitis by vasculitis is a rare complication of adult patients with lupus and only one pediatric patient has been describe in the literature. We report the case and review the literature.