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Background:  Numerous studies from Asian countries, including large collectives, have reported excellent results after laparoscopic resection of choledochal malformation (CM). However, the role of laparoscopic CM resection is still controversial outside Asia. We aimed to analyze the outcome of laparoscopic CM resection in our institution and to compare our outcome with the data reported in the literature.Methods:  All patients who underwent laparoscopic CM resection in our pediatric surgical department from 2002 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed for surgical details and postoperative complications, which were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. A systematic literature search identified all reports on over 10 cases of laparoscopic pediatric CM resection and surgical details, follow-up, and complication rates were extracted.Results:  Fifty-seven patients (72% female) with a mean age of 3.6 + 4.1 years underwent laparoscopic CM resection in our department. Conversion rate was 30%. Total complication rate was 28%. The rate of major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III or more) was 16% and included stricture of the biliodigestive or enteric anastomosis (n = 4), adhesive ileus (n = 3), portal vein thrombosis (n = 1), and recurrent cholangitis with consecutive liver transplantation (n = 1). With increasing experience, complication rates decreased. The majority of publications on laparoscopic CM resections originated from Asia (n = 36) and reported on low complication rates. In contrast, publications originating from non-Asian countries (n = 5) reported on higher complications following laparoscopic CM resection.Conclusion:  Our data indicate that laparoscopic CM resection can be safely performed. The learning curve in combination with the low incidence calls for a centralization of patients who undergo laparoscopic CM resection. There seems to be a discrepancy on complications rates reported from Asian and non-Asian countries following laparoscopic CM resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Martin L. Metzelder (1), Claus Petersen (1), Michael Melter (2), Benno M. Ure (1) Keywords: Laparoscopic partial external biliary diversion; Technical modification; Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis; Adolescents Abstract: Definitive medical treatment for benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) is not available and the significance of surgical treatment is a matter of debate. It has been postulated that BRIC may progress to progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), which leads to liver insufficiency and cirrhosis. External biliary diversion represents an option for both conditions and we recently introduced a new laparoscopic technique for infants with PFIC. However, limited umbilical incision may interfere with creating a jejunal conduit by infraumbilical exteriorisation, in particular in obese adolescents. Therefore, we modified our technique by exteriorising a small bowel loop via the right midabdominal trocar incision at the position of the jejunostomy. The technique was used in a 17-year-old obese patient with BRIC. This is the first report on a patient with BRIC undergoing laparoscopic external biliary diversion. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover, 30625, Germany (2) Department of Nephrology and Metabolic Disorders, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover, 30625, Germany Article History: Registration Date: 31/03/2006 Accepted Date: 24/03/2006 Online Date: 05/05/2006

Introduction Laparoscopic techniques have evolved quickly in recent years and are regarded as standard procedures in pediatric surgery today. However, most studies comparing laparoscopic operations with the corresponding open procedure do not reach a high level of evidence according to the criteria of the Oxford Centre for Evidence- Based Medicine. For evidence Level 1a, a meta-analysis (MA) of different randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is required. For evidence Level 1b, at least one RCT is required. The aim of our study was to evaluate the availability of Level 1 studies comparing laparoscopic procedures with the corresponding open operation in pediatric surgery. Materials and Methods Systematic review of clinical Level 1 studies using PubMed. All MA and RCT were identified and individually reviewed. Only studies comparing pediatric laparoscopic procedures with the corresponding open operation were included. RCTs included in MA were only individually analyzed if they focused on additional endpoints. Endpoints of the study were advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopy compared with the open operation. Results A total of 20manuscriptsmet the inclusion criteria (9 MA and 11 RCT). Studies providing evidence Level 1a were identified for five types of laparoscopic procedures (laparoscopic appendectomy, inguinal hernia repair, orchidopexy, pyloromyotomy, and varicocelectomy). Studies providing evidence Level 1b were identified for two types of laparoscopic procedures (fundoplication and pyeloplasty). The advantages of laparoscopy were less wound infections, ileus and postoperative pain (appendectomy), less retching (fundoplication), lower incidence of metachronous inguinal hernia, shorter hospital stay (appendectomy, orchiopexy, and pyeloplasty), and shorter time to full feeds (pyloromyotomy). Conclusion Studies providing evidence Level 1 are only available for seven laparoscopic procedures in pediatric surgery. Effort has to be made to extend the existing Level 1 evidence and to gain high level evidence for further laparoscopic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Evaluation of the feasibility, safety, and outcome of laparoscopic heminephrectomy for duplex kidneys in children above and below the age of 12 months. Patients and Methods: The transperitoneal surgical technique included division of the parenchyma with a sealing device (LigaSure™; Covidien, Mansfield, MA) and amputation of the ureter as low as possible. A follow-up study was performed. Patients' records were analyzed retrospectively for operative details and postoperative complications. Long-term outcome was assessed during follow-up visits and a final telephone interview. Outcome was compared between two groups: Group 1 (G1), age at surgery<12 months; Group 2 (G2), age at surgery >12 months. Results: Between July 2004 and September 2012, in total, 22 laparoscopic heminephrectomies (20 upper poles and 2 lower poles) were performed in 20 patients (G1, 12 cases; G2, 10 cases). A mean (range) age at surgery was 7.1 (3-11) months in G1 and 49.4 (15-128) months in G2. Mean (range) operative time was 152 (81-220) min in G1 and 197 (90-265) min in G2 ( P=.06). All procedures were completed laparoscopically. Major postoperative complication was one urinoma in G1, which was surgically revised. Mean hospital stay was 3.6 days (G1, 4.0 days; G2, 3.1 days). During long-term follow-up (median, 5.2 years) febrile urinary tract infections occurred to the same extent in both groups (G1, 1/12; G2, 2/10; P=.57). Conclusions: Laparoscopic transperitoneal heminephrectomy for duplex kidneys is safe and feasible even in small infants. Long-term results are excellent irrespective of the patient's age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The benefit of laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy remains controversial. With the progression of the disease, significant numbers of patients require liver transplantation. It has been reported that reduced internal scarring and fewer adhesions could facilitate the subsequent liver transplantation and thus represent a potential advantage of the laparoscopic technique. Subjects and Methods: All patients undergoing liver transplantation in our hospital between 2006 to 2008 after a laparoscopic or conventional Kasai procedure were included in this retrospective analysis. Primary outcome measure was duration of liver explantation. Secondary outcome measures were total duration of transplantation, amount of blood transfusion, and need for reoperation within the first year. Results: In total, 19 patients were included: 11 patients after open Kasai and 8 patients after laparoscopic Kasai. There was no significant difference in patient characteristics. The mean duration of liver explantation was comparable in laparoscopic (125±8 minutes) and conventional (116±6 minutes) ( P>.05) patients. Moreover, we did not identify any significant difference in the need for blood transfusions, total liver transplantation duration, and need for reoperation. Conclusions: We did not detect any measurable benefit of laparoscopic compared with conventional portoenterostomy for subsequent liver transplantation. Thus, prevention of adhesion formation and facilitating subsequent liver transplantation are not rationales for laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intermittent work breaks are common in fields with high workload but not yet for surgeons during operations. We evaluated the effects of intraoperative breaks during complex laparoscopic surgery (5 min every half hour) on the surgeon. Methods: Fifty-one operations were randomized to a scheme with intraoperative breaks and release of the pneumoperitoneum (intermittent pneumoperitoneum (IPP)) or conventional conduct (CPP). Stress hormones and α-amylase were determined in the surgeon's saliva pre-, intra-, and postoperatively. Mental performance and error scores, musculoskeletal strain, and continuous ECG were secondary endpoints. Results: Regular intraoperative breaks did not prolong the operation (IPP vs. CPP group: 176 vs. 180 min, p > 0.05). The surgeon's cortisol levels during the operation were reduced by 22 ± 10.3% in the IPP vs. the CPP group ( p < 0.05). There were significantly fewer ( p < 0.05) intraoperative events in the IPP vs. the CPP group, which yielded higher α-amylase peaks. The pre- to postoperative increase in the error rates of the bp-concentration test was fourfold reduced in the IPP group ( p = 0.052). The relevant locomotive strain-scores were grossly reduced by IPP ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data support the idea that work breaks during complex laparoscopic surgery can reduce psychological stress and preserve performance without prolongation of the operation time compared with the traditional work scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: A survey on the practice of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery in pediatric surgical departments in Germany is presented. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was sent to all 71 pediatric surgical departments in Germany (population 82 million). Fifty institutions (70%) took part in the survey that mainly included data for the year 2004: spectrum of minimally invasive operations, quantity of procedures, conversions, major complications, number of performing surgeons and residents. Results: Laparoscopic techniques were used in 48 departments (96%) and thoracoscopic techniques in 37 (74%). The annual frequency of laparoscopies was less than 100 in 30 departments (62%) and more than 100 in 15 (31%). The number of thoracoscopies was less than 50 in 35 departments (73%) and more than 50 in 2 (4%). Appendectomy was offered in 45 (90%), varicocelectomy in 32 (64%), and Fowler-Stephens operation in 33 (66%). Twenty-one departments (42%) covered more advanced procedures such as laparoscopically assisted pull-through for Hirschsprung disease. Most demanding procedures such as laparoscopic choledochal cyst resection, duodeno-duodenostomy, heminephrectomy, or pyeloplasty were offered by 10 departments (20%). Minimally invasive surgery was performed by 1 surgeon (12%) in 6 institutions and by more than 5 surgeons (14%) in 7 institutions. Conclusion: Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly accepted in most German pediatric surgical institutions for a wide range of indications. However, the number of departments offering major minimally invasive procedures remains limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: There are varying data regarding the degree and extent of abdominal acidification during laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of peritoneal acidification during carbon dioxide insufflation and the effects of different pressures, insufflation rates, and free intraperitoneal fluids. Materials and Methods: Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250–300 g were anesthetized and a two-point pH probe was inserted in the abdominal cavity. After closure of the abdominal wall, each group of 4 rats was subjected to one of four insufflation regimens: low pressure (2 mm Hg, no leakage); high pressure (10 mm Hg, no leakage); leakage (2 mm Hg, leakage 0.5 mL/min); and fluid (2 mm Hg, 10mL intraperitoneal 0.9% NaCl). During insufflation peritoneal pH was continuously measured. Results: Carbon dioxide insufflation significantly decreased the peritoneal pH to <7.0 only in areas exposed to the insufflation gas. Neither changes in pressure nor insufflation rate had major effects on the peritoneal pH. The addition of 10mL normal saline into the abdominal cavity significantly enhanced the pH change during insufflation. Conclusion: Acidification associated with carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum is limited to the area of inspection and manipulation. The increased acidification following injection of normal saline could offer a useful mechanism to alter the inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present a 3-month-old patient with a congenital choledochal cyst, which was asymptomatic until treatment. On laparoscopy, a type I choledochal cyst was confirmed and excised laparoscopically. A Roux-en-Y anastomosis was constructed after exteriorization of the small bowel via the infraumbilical trocar incision. A laparoscopic end-to-side hepaticojejunostomy was carried out. The operation lasted 4½ hours, without intraoperative problems. Oral food intake was started on day 2 and well tolerated with bile stained stools. Symptoms of bowel obstruction occurred on day 8. On minilaparotomy, the Roux-en-Y anastomosis was found to be adherent to the mesenterium of the colon, leading to obstruction. After mobilizing the loop, the postoperative course was uneventful. We conclude that laparoscopic resection of congenital choledochal cyst and choledochojejunostomy was feasible in the youngest patient operated on so far. However, adhesive small bowel obstruction can also occur, as after conventional operation, when the bowel is exteriorized for Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Gastric perforation is a rare, life-threatening condition in neonates. To avoid deterioration, prompt surgical treatment is mandatory. Patients: We report on 2 neonates (1 and 8 days old) with feeding tube associated gastric perforation managed laparoscopically by single layer suture repair. Both children suffered from severe peritonitis. Operative time was 60 minutes in both cases. Oral feeding was started on postoperative day 3 and 7, respectively. No complications regarding the gastric perforation were encountered on follow-up (11 and 8 months, respectively) in both cases. Conclusions: We recommend laparoscopic suture repair as a safe and feasible method for surgical treatment of gastric perforation in neonates. These appear to be the first reported cases using this procedure for treatment of neonatal gastric perforation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]