Self-management Behaviors and Anthropometric Indices after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to correlate the connection between self-management behaviors and anthropometric indices after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: A sample of 180 patients suffering from obesity were treated with RYGB in 2019; 6 and 18 months after surgery, anthropometric indices, including weight, waist circumference, waist- to-height ratio, body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio, were gauged, and participants completed the post-bariatric surgery self-management behaviors questionnaire. RESULTS: Correlation matrix results showed that all anthropometric indices had a significant positive relationship with self-management behaviors after RYGB; the results of the 18-month post-surgical follow-up exhibited no significant difference between anthropometric indices and self-management behaviors, 6 and 18 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the more self-management behaviors increase, the greater decrease in anthropometric indices will happen after RYGB.

Effects of partial internal biliary diversion on long-term outcomes in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis: experience in 44 patients.

PURPOSE: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a hereditary disease characterized by cholestasis, which may cause jaundice, severe pruritus, and cirrhosis in the later stages. By the invention of biliary diversion methods, these patients were prevented from undergoing liver transplant. Using biliary diversion techniques, the entero-hepatic cycle was interrupted. This lowers the bile acid pool and resolves the pruritus. Herein, we report 44 cases of PFIC who underwent partial internal biliary diversion (PIBD) and long-term follow-up of these children. This comprises the largest case series of PIBD. METHODS: All patients were diagnosed by liver biopsy as PFIC before the operation. All underwent cholecysto colic bypass by jejunal interposition due to severe pruritus unresponsive to medication. Laboratory blood tests, sonography, and physical exam were done before and after the operation once every 3 months. Besides, a questionnaire was designed to ask the patients about the symptoms after the operation, and a pruritus score was measured using the 5D-itch scale. RESULTS: 44 children (25 boys, 19 girls), between 1.75 and 27.5 years (at the time of this study) were followed for a median period of 54 months. Age at operation ranged from 2 months to 18 years, with a median of 29 months. Of these children, 14 were lost to follow up. Results showed a significant decrease in pruritus and sleep disturbance after the surgery (p < 0.001). Also, jaundice decreased from 82.1 before to 7.1% following the surgery. 50% of the patients became medication-free at follow-up. CONCLUSION: PIBD is a safe procedure which helps non-cirrhotic children preserve their liver function. Therefore, PIBD prevents them from undergoing liver transplant. Effective results were achieved in terms of severe pruritus and jaundice, and children were able to regain their sleep patterns. It also avoided external stoma, which is more convenient from the patient's point of view.

Complications After endoscopic balloon dilatation of esophageal strictures in children. Experience from a tertiary center in Shiraz - Iran (Nemazee Teaching Hospital).

BACKGROUND: Esophageal stricture is one of the most important complication of the caustic ingestion. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate complications of balloon dilatation among children with esophageal stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study 82 children were included. Children who underwent balloon dilatation for esophageal stenosis were included in our study. Duration of study was 14 year starting from 2001. Mean age of the cases was 3.95±0.4 year (Min: 15 days, Max: 14 year). Chart review and telephone calling were the methods of data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: In this study, 47% of the patients were male and 53% of the cases were female. Caustic ingestion (33.7%) was the most common etiology for the esophageal stricture. Vomiting (87.8%) was the most common presenting symptom. Among our cases, 76.8% had no compliant after esophageal dilatation. Chest pain was the most common compliant after esophageal dilatation. Response rate was similar among boys and girls. Toddler age had the best treatment response after esophageal dilatation. CONCLUSION: Among our cases, 76.8% had no post procedural compliant after esophageal dilatation. Esophageal perforation was seen in 4.9% of the cases. Chest pain was the most common post dilatation complication.

An experimental study in six fresh human cadavers using a novel approach to avoid abdominal wall incisions in total colectomy: totally transanal laparoendoscopic single-site pull-through colectomy with J-pouch creation.

BACKGROUND: The use of transanal laparoscopic access to completely avoid abdominal wall incisions represents the most current evolution in minimally invasive surgery. The combination of single-site surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES™) can be used for totally transanal laparoendoscopic pull-through colectomy with J-pouch creation (TLPC-J). The aim of the present study was to provide evidence for the feasibility of TLPC-J in adult human cadavers. METHODS: TLPC-J was performed in six fresh adult human cadavers. The procedure involved endorectal submucosal dissection from 1 cm above the dentate line to a point above the peritoneal reflection, where the rectal muscle was divided circumferentially. The edge of the mucosal cuff was closed distally in order to prevent fecal contamination and the endorectal tube was placed back into the abdomen. A Triport+™ or QuadPort+™ system was introduced transanally, and it served as a multiport device (MD). Resection of the entire colon, mobilization of the distal ileal segment, and extracorporeal suture of the ileal J-loop were performed via the transanal approach. The J-pouch was created using Endo GIA™. After removal of the MD, the J-pouch was sutured to the rectal wall. RESULTS: TLPC-J was performed in all cadavers, with a mean operation duration of 236 ± 22 min. Conversion to either transabdominal laparoscopy or laparotomy was not required in any of the cadavers. No bowel perforation or damage to other organs was observed. The use of a curved endoscope greatly facilitated visualization during transanal laparoscopic dissection for partial and total colectomy, making the procedure feasible. All specimens were retrieved through the anus, eliminating the need for additional transabdominal incisions. CONCLUSIONS: TLPC-J was technically feasible in adult human cadavers, and abdominal wall incisions were not required. However, clinical studies are needed to determine its feasibility in living adults.

Totally Transanal Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site ProctoColectomy-Ileoanal J-Pouch (TLPC-J): An Experimental Study of a Novel Approach.

BACKGROUND: The natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has become a commonly considered novel approach in the surgical field. The NOTES provide possibility of operation through the natural orifice and decreases the intentional puncture of the systemic organ and subsequent complications. Totally transanal laparo-endoscopic single-site proctoColectomy-Ileoanal J-Pouch (TLPC-J) is a novel method in minimally invasive surgery for total colectomy. The main goal of this study is to perform this new method on an animal model, to assess probable complication and to resolve probable issues by using patients that are candidate for total colectomy. METHOD: Five dogs were prepared in lithotomy position. The TLPC-I procedure consists of endorectal technique with full thickness rectal dissection starting 1 cm orally from the dentate line above the peritoneal reflection and the proximal bowel was replaced into the abdominal cavity. Afterwards, the TriPort system was inserted in the anal canal and mesentrial resection of the total colon, mobilization of a distal ileal segment and intracorporeal suture of an ileal J-loop was accomplished by this system. An incision in the J-loop was conducted transanally. The J-pouch was created with an Endo-GIA® and sutured to the rectal wall. RESULTS: All animals survived and passed stool with clear post operation situation. There was no infection in site of anastomosis. CONCLUSION: The TLPC-I provides the possibility of surgery without abdominal wall incision and decreases post operation complication such as pain, abdominal wound infection and wound dehiscence. This technique increases the quality of life and surgeons can discharge the patients early.

Epidemiological and Spatiotemporal Descriptive Analysis of Patients with Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A 12-Year Retrospective Study in Southern Iran.

Objectives: The current study is aimed at evaluating epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) in the south of Iran. Methods: Data were extracted from the 1840 medical records of patients who were referred to the Cleft Lip and Palate Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from January 1, 2011, to September 1, 2022. The collected variables included demographic data (gender, birth date and season, place, birth order, and weight), cleft types and the subtypes, parental information (health status, education level, marital status, and age during the pregnancy), and other basic parameters. The chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05 was used to analyze collected data. The geographic information system (GIS) analysis was also used for analyzing the spatial distribution of CL/P patients. Results: Based on our inclusion criteria, 1281 nonsyndromic patients were included in this study. The most common type was cleft lip and palate (CLP) with 48.32%, whereas cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip (CL) accounted for 40.75% and 10.93% of the patients, respectively. There was a progressive increase in the frequency of all types of clefts, and most of them were male (P ≤ 0.001). The urban population outnumbered the rural ones in all provinces. Parents were mostly healthy (>80%) with low educational status (47.5%). Most born CL/P patients were from consanguineous marriages (58.9%), especially between first-degree relatives. A majority of CL/P patients (73.1%) were born in the first two gestations with a birth weight of 2500-4000 g (77.4%). Most infants with CL/P (84.3%) were born from mothers who had at least one of the predisposing factors. Conclusion: In this study, the frequency of cleft types and subtypes was similar to the existing literature. However, high rate of consanguineous marriage, especially between first-degree relatives, was the most notable feature of this population.

The application of a new cyanoacrylate glue in pediatric surgery for fistula closure.

Surgical glues have been used in pediatric surgery because of the fragility of tissue, and to prevent major surgeries. The present report describes our experience with using a new cyanoacrylate Glubran 2 (Viareggio, Italy) in the treatment of five cases of tracheoesophageal atresia with fistula (one fistula protection, three recurrent fistula, and one unstable patients), two cases of hypospadias, one case of vesicutanouse fistula after bladder extrophy, and one case of cloacal extrophy from January-December 2008. Three cases of recurrent tracheoesophageal atresia with fistula were treated by bronchoscpic glue injection. The other two cases benefited from glue through its ability to plug the fistula and to act as a protecting layer on anastomosis. In two cases with hypospadias excessive use of the glue caused skin necrosis, which was repaired. The wounds of cloacal extrophy were protected from nearby colostomy contamination and infection, and the vesicocutanouse fistula was closed by deepithelialization and sealing with glue. Based on the outcomes of the cases, it may be possible to suggest that Glubran 2 may be used safely in Pediatric Surgery as a sealant for the prevention and treatment of fistulas.

Clinicopathological study of hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma and undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver: a single center study from Iran.

BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of liver (UESL) and hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma (HMH) are two rare entities which mainly affect the pediatric population. The aim of this investigation was to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients diagnosed with these two conditions in a tertiary referral center in Iran. METHODS: In this retrospective study patients diagnosed with UESL or HMH between 2012 and 2020 were studied. A comprehensive histopathologic evaluation of the cases along with immunohistochemistry evaluation using a panel of antibodies was conducted. Furthermore, clinical, paraclinical, and treatment data and follow up information was collected. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients (8 UESL, 8 HMH) were studied in this investigation. Patients with UESL had a significantly (p = 0.002) higher age at diagnosis compared with those with HMH. Histologically, UESL cases were characterized by anaplastic cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and bizarre nuclei and frequent atypical mitosis and spindling in a myxoid stroma while disordered arrangement of hepatic parenchyma, bile ducts, and primitive mesenchyme was seen in HMH. Furthermore, small round cells and extramedullary hematopoiesis were seen in 2 UESL and 3 HMH cases, respectively. Concurrent HMH was also seen in two UESL cases. Immunohistochemistry panel showed positive staining for Vimentin, Glypican-3, Desmin, CD56, CD10, and BCL2 in UESL cases and immunoreactivity for Vimentin, HepPar 1, Glypican-3, SMA, CD56, BCL2, and CD34 in various components of HMH. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the clinicopathologic features of UESL and HMH cases are presented. We also evaluated the utility of an immunohistochemistry panel in the diagnosis of these two rare entities and suggested novel markers. Our study corroborated the findings of previous investigations and expanded the clinicopathologic features of these two rare entities with diagnostic and potential therapeutic implications.

Case Report: Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis with Multi-Organ Involvement Presented with Intussusception.

Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is a rare, life-threatening fungal infection affecting immunocompetent individuals in tropical and subtropical regions. A diverse presentation of GIB has been reported, but no report has yet been published on intussusception. We describe a 23-month-old immunocompetent boy from a subtropical area in Iran who presented with intussusception. Prolonged fever, an abdominal mass, hepatomegaly, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and peripheral eosinophilia strongly suggested GIB. Accordingly, GIB was diagnosed based on the characteristic histopathology (the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon) detected in a liver sample taken via biopsy. Exploratory laparotomy showed several organs, including the colon, gall bladder, liver, and abdominal wall, were involved. Antifungal therapy with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, liposomal amphotericin B, a saturated solution of potassium iodide, and surgical resection of involved tissues were used with improved outcome. The presence of non-septate fungal hyphal elements in the colonic mucosa led to the thickening of the bowel wall, leading to secondary intussusception.

Self-Management Behaviors in Obese Patients Undergoing Surgery Based on General and Specific Adherence Scales.

BACKGROUND: Adherence has been defined as the degree to which a patient's voluntary behavior corresponds with the clinical recommendations of health care providers. The aim of this study was to predict self-management behaviors in obese patients undergoing surgery based on general and specific adherence scales. METHODS: All obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery in Ghadir Mother and Child Hospital, Shiraz, Iran from April 2017 to September 2017 were enrolled. By using available sampling method, 201 patients with BMI above 35 (36.43±35.11) and in the age range of18-65 years (13.38±80/5) were selected. A questionnaire containing general adherence scale (GAS), specific adherence scale (SAS) and post-surgery self-management behaviors questionnaire (BSSQ) was completed by all patients. RESULTS: The general and specific adherence scales were significant predictors for self-management behaviors after surgery, and positive relation was found for general and specific adherence scales with self-management behaviors. CONCLUSION: Self-management behaviors regarding eating behaviors, supplements, fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and fluid intake, physical activity, dumping syndrome management have significant relationship with general and specific adherence scales. So increasing knowledge, skills, motivation, self-confidence, self-efficacy and self-monitoring of obese patients after surgery seem necessary.

Comparison of botulinium toxin injection and posterior anorectal myectomy in treatment of internal anal sphincter achalasia.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the efficacy of intra-sphincteric botulinum toxin (BT) injection and posterior anorectal myectomy (PARM) for the treatment of internal anal sphincter achalasia (IASA). METHODS: Twenty eight of 120 patients (23%) with chronic constipation, who were referred to our clinic from September 2005 to December 2006, were evaluated. Patients had an absence of rectoanal inhibitory reflex on anorectal manometry (ARM) and showed no transitional region on barium enema. Fourteen patients each underwent rectal biopsy, and were treated with either intrasphincteric BT injection (Group I) or PARM (Group II). Nine patients were excluded because of absent ganglion cells on histology or positive acetylcholinesterase staining (AChE). The remaining 19 patients were followed up. All patients underwent ARM and constipation severity score (CSS) assessment 2 weeks before, and 1 and 6 months after the treatment. Patients were followed up telephonically at 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Clinically good response was seen after 12 months in 3 patients each in Groups I and II. The median values of resting rectal pressure in Group I before and 6 months after BT injection were 60 mmHg and 40 mmHg (p< 0.0001), respectively, while in Group II the corresponding values were 60 mmHg and 45 mmHg (p< 0.0001), respectively. Compared to pre-treatment, median CSS improved in both Group I (14 to 13) and Group II (16 to 14) at 6 months after treatment (p< 0.0001 for both). However, there was no difference in resting rectal pressure and CSS between the groups. Three patients in Group II developed local abscess, postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: BT injection has a similar efficacy as compared with PARM for the treatment of IASA, is less invasive and, is also associated with fewer complications.

Role of rectal biopsy in predicting response to intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection for obstructive symptoms after a pullthrough operation.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to correlate the pathological results and clinical response in patients who underwent botulinum toxin (BT) injection for obstructive symptoms (OS) after a pullthrough operation for Hirschsprung's disease (HD). METHODS: Between August 2002 and February 2006, 16 of 107 HD patients (15%) were referred with persistent OS after pull-through (PT) operation in this center. They underwent rectal biopsy and BT injection in the internal sphincter. Their responses to BT injection were evaluated by the constipation score before, and at 1, 3 and 8 months after the injection, and anorectal manometry (ARM) before and at 2 weeks, and 1 and 8 months after the injection. The association between response to BT and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining of rectal biopsy was also assessed. RESULTS: Fourteen of 16 patients (87%) had improvement in bowel function after 2 weeks, and two patients did not respond at all. Six of the 14 patients with early response had recurrence of symptoms after 2-3 months. Eight patients with normal ganglia and negative AChE had good response with no recurrence on follow-up. However, 4 of 6 recurrences were neurogenic dysfunctions and 2 were intestinal neuronal dysplasia (2-4+AChE). Two patients with no response had an aganglionic segment (4+AChE). Four of 6 patients with recurrence showed improvement with BT re-injection and only 2 did not improve. CONCLUSION: A higher degree of AChE staining is associated with lack of response to BT injection. This is also a test for predicting the severity of neurogenic dysfunction in the intestinal wall.

Prevalence of colonization and mitochondrial large subunit rRNA mutation of Pneumocystis jiroveci among Iranian children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pneumocystis jiroveci is an important causative agent of Pneumocystis pneumonia. During childhood, exposure to Pneumocystis occurs and antibody was built in early childhood. The aim of this study was to describe the molecular epidemiology of P. jiroveci in children without any respiratory syndrome and survey the distribution of different mitochondrial large subunit, ribosomal ribonucleic acid (mtLSU- rRNA) genotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mini-bronchoalveolar lavage (mini-BAL) fluids from pediatric patients with no history of lung disorders were obtained during a 14-month period. P. jiroveci colonization was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining, nested PCR and sequencing. Genotypic characterization at the mitochondrial large subunit rRNA gene was performed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: Of 172 BAL specimens from patients, with mean age of 4.9 years, the prevalence of P. jiroveci colonization was 3.5% (6 samples). The results of sequencing revealed the two polymorphisms; 85/A; 248/C in 3 cases, and 85/T; 248/C in other cases. One sample also showed a mutation replacement at position 258 (T-to-C change), which was not reported previously. CONCLUSION: Colonized person as an environmental reservoir might play an important role in the progression of infection in immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis of the reservoir and genotyping can be essential for the prevention of nosocomial infections.

Experiences with LESS-appendectomy in Children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS-A) through one transumbilical port vs. 3-port laparoscopic (3TA) appendectomy in children. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 309 children (65 LESS-A, 244 3TA) operated on between 2008 and 2012. One hundered forty-nine patients had acute catarrhalis (CA), 133 phlegmonous (PLA), and 27 perforated appendicitis (PA). We compared the duration of operation (DO) the incidence of abdominal abscesses (AA) and wound infections (WI), as well as the degree of appendiceal inflammation (DI) among surgeons with and without board certification. RESULTS: For all DI, LESS-A resulted in a shorter DO than 3TA (CA 57.9 ± 22.8 vs. 68.5 ± 23.2, P = 0.014; PLA 51.5±16.5 vs. 68.4±33.0, P = 0.006; PA 66.0 ± 29.0 vs. 97.3 ± 41.8, P = 0.039). LESS-A was not used for less complicated cases when compared to 3TA (CA 50.8% vs. 47.5%; PLA 33.8% vs. 45.5%; PA 15.4% vs. 7.0%; CA vs. PLA, P = 0.292; CA vs. PA, P = 0.142; PLA vs. PA, P = 0.031). Surgeons without board certification were assigned to a similar percentage to perform both techniques for any DI (CA 30.3% vs. 37.1%, P = 0.541; PLA 31.8% vs. 40.5%, P= 0.484; PA 40% vs. 35.3%, P = 1.0). We found no significant differences concerning AA (1.5% vs. 1.2%, P = 1.0) and WI (3.1% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: LESS-A can be done by surgeons with and without board certification for all DI, with shorter DO and similar complication rates as compared to 3TA.

Evaluation of Calretinin as a New Marker in the Diagnosis of Hirschsprung Disease.

BACKGROUND: Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is a congenital intestinal motility disorder with absence of ganglion cells in the colonic wall. Diagnosis of the disease is mainly based on the identification of the lack of ganglion cells in the pathology sections of the colon which is very difficult and time consuming and also needs several serial cut sections. There are many proposed markers in this field in the literature but none of them has been satisfactory. Calretinin immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been introduced as a new diagnostic marker to overcome the problems in diagnosis of this disease about 5 years ago. However there are few studies regarding the benefits and pitfalls of this marker. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic value of calretinin IHC in detecting aganglionosis (HD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 27 HD patients and 28 non-Hirschsprung's disease (NHD) patients were collected in a prospective study and calretinin IHC was performed on 31 aganglionic and 51 normoganglionic full wall thickness sections of colectomies (some of the cases had more than 1 section). The IHC slides were evaluated by two pathologists and the diagnostic value was calculated in comparison with gold standard which is the presence or absence of ganglion cells in serial Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) stained sections of the colectomies. RESULTS: There was great concordance between the final diagnosis of both pathologists and gold standard (k > 0.9). Calretinin immunostaining showed 100% specificity and positive predictive value and more than 90% sensitivity and negative predictive value. High agreement was present between the two pathologists (k > 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Calretinin IHC is a very convenient, useful and valuable method to demonstrate aganglionosis in HD patients. Loss of calretinin immunostaining in lamina propria and submucosa is characteristic of HD.

Gastroesophageal reflux as cause of chronic respiratory symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a relatively common disorder in infants and children. It maybe associated with severe complications. The coexistence of GER and a wide range of respiratory symptoms has been reported. The purpose of our study was to investigate the relationship between chronic respiratory symptoms and GERD as an underlying cause. To our knowledge, there is not a method known study for identifying this relationship and prevalence in our area. METHODS: The study group consists of fifty-two (4 months-10 years) children who were referred to pediatric surgery ward for evaluation of GERD as a cause of chronic respiratory symptoms by 24 hours PH monitoring. Additionally, 10 patients with only one episode of pneumonia were evaluated as the control group. Chronic respiratory presentations include the following: chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia, asthma, and respiratory distress. RESULTS: 24 hour esophageal PH monitoring revealed GER in 22 (42.2%) patients as a cause of their chronic respiratory symptoms, while (30 (57.7%) children did not show any evidence of GER. GER was detected in 11 of 24 (45.7%) patients with chronic cough. Thirty-three patients presented with recurrent pneumonia, 13 (39.9%) of whom had GER. In 8 patients with asthma, GER was found in 4 cases. None of the 6 patients with respiratory distress had GERD. CONCLUSION: The possibility of GERD was significantly higher in study group (children with chronic respiratory symptoms) compared to control group (p-value<0.01). All patients with chronic cough, recurrent pneumonia and asthma should be aggressively investigated for the possibility of GER. Documenting abnormal gastroesophageal reflux helps direct appropriate therapy before occurrence of major complications.

Complications After endoscopic balloon dilatation of esophageal strictures in children. Experience from a tertiary center in Shiraz - Iran (Nemazee Teaching Hospital) / Complicaciones posteriores a dilatación endoscópica con balón en niños con estenosis esofágica. Experiencia de un centro de referencia en Shiraz - Iran (Nemazee Teaching Hospital)

Background: Esophageal stricture is one of the most important complication of the caustic ingestion. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate complications of balloon dilatation among children with esophageal stenosis. Material and methods: In this retrospective study 82 children were included. Children who underwent balloon dilatation for esophageal stenosis were included in our study. Duration of study was 14 year starting from 2001. Mean age of the cases was 3.95±0.4 year (Min: 15 days, Max: 14 year). Chart review and telephone calling were the methods of data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: In this study, 47% of the patients were male and 53% of the cases were female. Caustic ingestion (33.7%) was the most common etiology for the esophageal stricture. Vomiting (87.8%) was the most common presenting symptom. Among our cases, 76.8% had no compliant after esophageal dilatation. Chest pain was the most common compliant after esophageal dilatation. Response rate was similar among boys and girls. Toddler age had the best treatment response after esophageal dilatation. Conclusion: Among our cases, 76.8% had no post procedural compliant after esophageal dilatation. Esophageal perforation was seen in 4.9% of the cases. Chest pain was the most common post dilatation complication.

Antecedentes: La estenosis esofágica es una de las más importantes complicaciones de la ingesta de caústicos. Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las complicaciones de la dilatación endoscópica con balón en niños con estenosis esofágica. Material y métodos: En este estudio retrospectivo se incluyeron 82 niños. Se incluyeron todos los niños que se sometieron a una dilatación endoscópica con balón por estenosis esofágica. La duración del estudio fue 14 años iniciando en el año 2001. La edad media de los pacientes fue 3,95 +/- 0,4 años (Min. 15 días, Máx. 14 años). La recolección de datos se realizó revisando las historias clínicas y con llamadas telefónicas. Los datos se analizaron con el Sistema SPSS. Resultados: En este estudio, 47% de los casos fueron varones y 53% fueron mujeres. La ingesta de caústicos fue la causa más frecuente de estenosis esofágica (33,7%). El síntoma más común fueron los vómitos (87,8%). Entre nuestros casos, 76,8% no presentaron molestias luego de la dilatación esofágica. El dolor torácico fue la molestia más común luego de la dilatación esofágica. La tasa de respuesta al tratamiento fue similar entre hombres y mujeres. Los niños pequeños tuvieron la mejor respuesta al tratamiento luego de la dilatación esofágica. Conclusiones: Entre nuestros casos, 76,8% no presentaron molestias luego de la dilatación esofágica. La perforación esofágica se presentó en 4,9% de los casos. El dolor torácico fue la complicación más común posterior a la dilatación.

Pulmonary atypical carcinoid tumor in a 15-year-old girl: a case report and review of the literature.

Primary pulmonary neoplasms in children are very rare, and because of their rarity, delays in diagnosis and treatment are common. Bronchial typical carcinoid accounts for 80% of primary malignant tumors, but, there are less than 40 proven cases in children reported in literature. Atypical carcinoids (AC) are the least common type of pulmonary carcinoids among children and to the best of our knowledge less than 10 cases have been reported in the English literature so far. Herein we present an extremely rare case of AC in a 15-year-old child and review the previously reported and published cases of pulmonary AC in pediatric age group.