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A newborn was referred due to clinical and radiological suspicion of esophageal atresia (EA) type III. Surgery revealed an esophagus without evident interruptions; however, intraoperative advancement of the nasogastric tube was unsuccessful, and the distal esophagus inflated with each ventilation, indicating the presence of a distal fistula. An intraoperative esophago-tracheobronchoscopy showed a proximal esophageal pouch with a tiny tracheoesophageal fistula and a large distal tracheoesophageal fistula. The esophageal ends were blind but overlapping, with no external discontinuity observed. With the diagnosis of Krediet type IIIc2 esophageal atresia, we performed a meticulous esophago-tracheal dissection, distal fistula closure, and end-to-end anastomosis. Due to hemodynamic instability, the proximal fistula was closed two weeks later via cervicotomy without incidents.
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Between 16-40% of patients present with complicated appendicitis at the time of diagnosis, making early suspicion of appendicular perforation key for initiating timely treatment and reducing morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the accuracy of the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) as a predictor of complicated appendicitis. A diagnostic study was conducted, including patients aged 0-15 years who underwent appendectomy at a pediatric hospital between 2021-2022 (Reg. 2023/390894).
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Up to 20% of advanced appendicitis cases can be complicated by postoperative abscesses, adding morbidity and mortality and prolonging hospital stays. This study examines the utility of two cellular indices as predictors of post-appendectomy abscess compared to cell counts. A diagnostic study was conducted on patients <15 years old who underwent appendectomy at a pediatric hospital between 2021 and 2022 (Reg. 2023/390894). Preoperative values of leukocytes, neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR= neutrophils/lymphocytes), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR= platelets/lymphocytes) were compared between patients with post-appendectomy abdominal abscess (PAA) and those without this complication (NPAA). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to establish the predictive capacity of each parameter for PAA. A total of 89 patients with PAA and 93 NPAA children were included.
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Appendicitis stands as the most common surgical emergency in pediatric populations. Despite the existence of numerous diagnostic biomarkers, their utility is constrained by limitations in cost-effectiveness, potentially leading to therapeutic delays. This research aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) in appendicitis. Although its role in this context has been recently described, this is the first study to compare its performance against acute-phase reactants routinely employed in clinical practice. Following approval from the Research Committee (2023/390894), a diagnostic study was conducted including patients under 15 years old undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis (AA) and those presenting with non-surgical abdominal pain (AP).
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OBJECTIVE: The first-line treatment of lymphatic malformations (LMs) is pharmacological or interventional; however, surgery is still necessary in selected cases. Our aim was to identify factors associated with the occurrence of permanent postoperative complications. METHODS: This was a case series study of children operated on for LMs between 2001 and 2021 and followed-up in our institution. Patients who presented sequelae derived from surgical treatment (cases) and those who did not (controls) were compared. RESULTS: We included 112 children who underwent surgery for LMs in different centers. Forty-nine cases and 63 controls were included (58% male), with a mean age of 34 months. Patients younger than 1 year presented more complications than older children, 59% (n = 29/49) vs 41% (n = 24/49), respectively (P = .02). LMs were in the cervicofacial region in seven patients in the control group compared with 30 of the cases (P ≤ .001), with microcystic malformations the most associated with sequelae (n = 11/15; P = .019). Concerning permanent complications, 88% were neurological (n = 43/49), mainly peripheral facial palsy (n = 17). There was greater postoperative residual disease in controls compared with cases (65% vs 14%, respectively; P ≤ .0001). However, following a second procedure in the control group, there was no significant difference in long-term cure rates (P = .38). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of sequelae following surgery for LM increases significantly in patients younger than 12 months in cervicofacial and microcystic malformations. Because non-radical resections are associated with fewer complications and an optimal long-term cure rate, we consider that aggressive surgical approaches should be avoided if the absence of sequelae is not guaranteed.
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Anormalidades Linfáticas , Criança , Humanos , Masculino , Adolescente , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Resultado do Tratamento , Estudos Retrospectivos , Anormalidades Linfáticas/diagnóstico por imagem , Anormalidades Linfáticas/cirurgia , Escleroterapia/métodos , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
AIM: This survey analyzed techniques in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) across pediatric age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected through an online survey for pediatric surgeons, comprising of 38 questions, conducted by the European Pediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA) Trainees of European Pediatric Surgery (TEPS) LIHR Working Group. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 183 surgeons from 22 countries. Seventy-seven percent of respondents had performed LIHR at least once. Regarding preferences about the patient's gender, 7% respondents perform LIHR only in selected females, 9% routinely in females, 15% in both genders with age/weight restrictions, 24% routinely in both genders, 31% in selected cases, and 14% never perform LIHR. Percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) was the preferred technique in all age groups, with totally extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal repairs preferred by 9% in adolescents. The majority (59%) repaired a contralateral patent processus vaginalis if present. Hydro-dissection (21%) and additional intra-abdominal instruments (42%) were preferred more often for male patients. The distal hernia sac was left intact by most respondents (92%). Responses regarding recurrence rates varied: 40% responded that LIHR had recurrence rates comparable to open surgery, whereas 10% reported increased recurrences and hence limited its use, and 10% consider that slightly increased recurrences are outweighed by lower complication rates associated with laparoscopic methods and thus continue LIHR. CONCLUSIONS: PIRS is the preferred choice for pediatric LIHR. Surgical techniques vary and are influenced by patient gender and age. The survey gives insights into demographics, case selection, and approaches among pediatric surgeons with regard to LIHR.
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INTRODUCTION: Pediatric ovarian torsion (OT) is an emergency condition that remains challenging to diagnose because of its overall unspecific clinical presentation. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of clinical, ultrasound, and inflammatory laboratory markers in pediatric OT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicentric case-control study in patients with clinical and ultrasound suspicion of OT, in whom surgical examination was performed between 2016-2022 in seven pediatric hospitals. Patients were divided into two groups according to intraoperative findings: OT group (ovarian torsion), defined as torsion of the ovarian axis at least 360°, and non-OT group (no torsion). Demographics, clinical, ultrasound, and laboratory features at admission were analyzed. The diagnostic yield analysis was performed using logistic regression models, and the results were represented by ROC curves. RESULTS: We included a total of 110 patients (75 in OT group; 35 in non-OT group), with no demographic or clinical differences between them. OT-group patients had shorter time from symptom onset (8 vs. 12 h; p = 0.023), higher ultrasound median ovarian volume (63 vs. 51 mL; p = 0.013), and a significant increase in inflammatory markers (leukocytes, neutrophils, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein) when compared to the non-OT group. In the ROC curve analysis, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) presented the highest AUC (0.918), with maximum sensitivity (92.4%) and specificity (90.1%) at the cut-off point NLR = 2.57. CONCLUSIONS: NLR can be considered as a useful predictor of pediatric OT in cases with clinical and ultrasound suspicion. Values above 2.57 may help to anticipate urgent surgical treatment in these patients.
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INTRODUCTION: Parkes Weber's syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by overgrowth and vascular malformations, primarily affecting the extremities. While PWS is known to be associated with arteriovenous and capillary malformations, the potential involvement of lymphatic malformations (LMs) has not been previously reported. The objective of this study is to investigate the presence of lymphatic anomalies in PWS patients and their role in the development of limb asymmetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with PWS in a Vascular Anomalies Center from 1994 to 2020. Clinical data were obtained from medical records including diagnostic imaging, lymphoscintigraphy, and genetic testing. The Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee have approved this study. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients aged 18 interquartile range 14.7 years diagnosed with PWS were included (50% female). Six of the 16 patients with PWS had clinical and imaging data suggestive of LM (37.5%) and 3 of them had genetic variants in RASA1 (2/3) or KRAS (1/3). Limb asymmetry was greater in patients with isolated PWS (2.6 ± 0.8 cm) than in the PWS-lymphatic anomalies population (2 ± 0.7 cm), although not significant (p = 0.247). One in 6 patients with PWS-LM required amputation (16.6%) versus 1 in 10 in isolated PWS (10%). CONCLUSION: Lymphatic anomalies may be present in a significant number of patients with PWS and could have a role in limb asymmetry and outcomes. It is paramount to investigate their existence and distinguish them from true overgrowth.
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Malformações Vasculares , Humanos , Feminino , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Malformações Vasculares/complicações , Malformações Vasculares/diagnóstico , Capilares/anormalidades , Extremidades , Proteína p120 Ativadora de GTPase/genéticaRESUMO
Intra-abdominal abscesses are a common issue after appendectomy. Antibiotics have shown efficacy in treating smaller abscesses, while larger ones have traditionally been treated with drainage. This study assesses the efficacy of antibiotics for post-appendectomy intra-abdominal abscess (PAA) in children regardless of size. Case-control study of children with PAA admitted at our hospital from 2010 to 2022. The efficacy of antibiotics was compared between abscesses less and more than 6 cm in diameter. The Institutional Review Board has approved this study. A total of 1766 appendectomies were performed from 2010 to 2022 with an incidence of PAA of 5% (n = 89): age 9.3 IQR 5.8, 63% male (n = 56). Sixty-seven patients presented with a ≤ 6 cm abscess (controls) and 22 children had a > 6 cm PAA (cases). Length of intravenous antibiotics were higher in cases (15 IQR 7 days) than controls (12 IQR 4 days), p = 0.003. The efficacy of antibiotics in controls was 97% whereas 86.4% in cases (p = 0.094), reoperation was needed in 2/67 controls and 3/22 cases, with no differences in complications or readmission. The length of stay was longer in cases (15 IQR 6 days) than controls (13 IQR 5 days), p = 0.042. Antibiotics seem a safe treatment for PAA in children regardless of the size. However, this approach is associated with a longer period of intravenous antibiotics and hospital stay, although not with a higher rate of therapeutic failure, complications or reoperations.
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Abscesso Abdominal , Apendicite , Laparoscopia , Criança , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Abscesso/tratamento farmacológico , Abscesso/etiologia , Abscesso/cirurgia , Apendicectomia/efeitos adversos , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Estudos Retrospectivos , Apendicite/tratamento farmacológico , Apendicite/cirurgia , Apendicite/complicações , Laparoscopia/efeitos adversos , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Abscesso Abdominal/tratamento farmacológico , Abscesso Abdominal/etiologia , Abscesso Abdominal/cirurgia , Drenagem/efeitos adversos , Resultado do Tratamento , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Provisionally unclassified vascular anomalies (PUVA) are a group of diseases with unique characteristics that make them unclassifiable within vascular tumors or malformations. We describe a PUVA as the cause of recurrent pericardial effusion and its response to sirolimus. A 6-year-old girl was referred with a cervicothoracic vascular anomaly, a violaceous, and irregular lesion in the neck and upper chest, diagnosed as "hemangioma". She had pericardial effusion at the neonatal age that required pericardiocentesis, propranolol, and corticosteroids. She remained stable for 5 years, when she presented with a severe pericardial effusion. A magnetic resonance visualized a diffuse vascular image in the cervical and thoracic region with mediastinal extension. The pathological study showed a vascular proliferation in the dermis and hypodermis with positive staining for Wilms' Tumor 1 Protein (WT1) and negative for Glut-1. Genetic testing found a variant in GNA14 , for which the diagnosis of PUVA was established. When a pericardial drain was placed without response, treatment with sirolimus was started with resolution of the effusion. Sixteen months later, the malformation is stable and there has been no recurrence of pericardial effusion. In a significant group of patients, definitive diagnosis is not possible despite pathological and genetic analysis. Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors may become a therapeutic option if symptoms are severe enough, with a low rate of reported side effects.
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Among the causes of acute surgical abdomen, infection of a urachal remnant may go unnoticed despite routine complementary studies. We present three cases in boys aged 11, 6, and 4 years who were brought to the emergency department for right iliac fossa pain, fever, and urinary symptoms. Examination and complementary tests results were compatible with acute complicated appendicitis and were sent to surgery. While in the operating room, appendicitis was excluded and inflammatory changes suggestive of infection of the urachal remnant were documented. Complications of urachal remnants should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute surgical abdomen, since advanced infection of the urachus may be a cause of confusion. A more accurate presumptive diagnosis can change the therapeutic/surgical approach and follow-up.
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Abdome Agudo , Apendicite , Cisto do Úraco , Úraco , Masculino , Humanos , Abdome Agudo/diagnóstico , Abdome Agudo/etiologia , Cisto do Úraco/complicações , Cisto do Úraco/diagnóstico , Cisto do Úraco/cirurgia , Apendicite/diagnóstico , Apendicite/cirurgia , Apendicite/complicações , Úraco/cirurgia , Diagnóstico DiferencialRESUMO
Case description: A 5-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with a history of foreign body ingestion. A cervico-thoracoabdominal radiograph demonstrate a foreign body in the esophagus, which seemed to show a double rim sign suspecting a button battery. After an emetic episode and expelling a coin, the child became asymptomatic. Close inspection of the X-ray demonstrated that the image was formed by superimposition of 3 circumferential objects of different sizes. Another X-ray observed the persistence of two superimposed objects. Clinical findings: The girl presented with sialorrhea, odynophagia, and nausea. Vital signs and physical examination were normal. There was no significant medical history. Treatment and Outcome: With the suspicion of multiple impacted esophageal objects, the patient was then taken to the operating room. During the flexible esophagoscopy 2 coins were found in the esophagus, both were removed without difficulty. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and there have been no long-term complications. Clinical relevance: Unusual radiographic findings regarding esophageal foreign bodies have been reported, however, we describe the first case of a child with 3 coins impacted in the esophagus and a new radiological finding in foreign bodies ingestions that allow to avoid misdiagnosis and improve outcomes.
Descripción del caso: Una niña de 5 años es llevada a urgencias tras la ingesta de un cuerpo extraño. La radiografía cérvico-toraco-abdominal evidenció un cuerpo extraño esofágico con signo de doble halo, lo que hizo sospechar una pila de botón. Tras un vómito con expulsión de una moneda los síntomas desaparecieron. Una inspección minuciosa de la radiografía demostró que la imagen estaba formada por la superposición de 3 objetos circunferenciales de diferentes tamaños. Una nueva radiografía mostró persistencia de dos objetos superpuestos. Hallazgos clínicos: La niña refería odinofagia, náuseas y tenía sialorrea. Los signos vitales y el examen físico eran normales. No tenía antecedentes médicos relevantes. Tratamiento y desenlace: Con la sospecha de impactación esofágica múltiple, la paciente fue llevada al quirófano. Durante la esofagoscopia se encontraron 2 monedas en el esófago que fueron extraídas sin dificultad. La evolución postoperatoria fue favorable y no hubo complicaciones a largo plazo. Relevancia clínica: Aunque se han reportado hallazgos radiográficos inusuales en cuerpos extraños esofágicos, describimos el primer caso de un niño con 3 monedas impactadas en el esófago y un nuevo hallazgo radiológico en la ingesta de cuerpos extraños que permite evitar diagnósticos erróneos y mejorar los desenlaces.