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BACKGROUND Circumcision refers to the removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis and is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in childhood. Even though circumcision is a well-standardized operation, several minor and major complications may be experienced by paediatric surgeons. Glans ischemia (GI) has been widely reported in the paediatric literature as a complication following circumcision. Nonetheless, etiopathogenesis of GI is not well defined and management guidelines are lacking. CASE SUMMARY We describe our experience with this rare and scary complication using subcutaneous enoxaparin alone or in association with a topical vasodilator. CONCLUSION Hypothetical causes and different management strategies are discussed.

Twin obstructive megaureters associated with duplex renal system is a rare malformation, particularly when a giant ureter dilation is present. We report an original case, initially misinterpreted, of a right incomplete duplex renal system with huge disproportion between the upper pole giant megaureter and the lower pole moderate megaureter, with severe obstruction at the uretero-ureteral junction and minor obstruction at the uretero-vesical junction. Uromagnetic resonance imaging allowed conclusive diagnosis and the laparoscopic approach was effective for definitive, successful treatment.

The aim of our study is to share a single pediatric institution’s experience with complicated Meckel’s diverticulum. The clinical records of a series of 15 cases treated between January 2006 and December 2020 were reviewed. Patients were divided according to the presenting symptoms (obstructive versus painful bleeding) and subcategorised according to demographic details, intraoperative findings, surgical technique, histological examination and length of stay. Patients older than 17 years of age were excluded from the study. Males were more prone to present with complicated Meckel’s diverticulum than females, and obstructive symptoms were the most frequent presentation (60%). Median age at presentation was 9 years. The surgical technique of choice was an explorative laparoscopy in 12 cases, even though 25% of patients required conversion to laparotomy. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of length of stay. Results are discussed with reference to current literature.

Background Sactosalpinx means a collection of fluid (serum, blood or pus) in the fallopian tube. CAH (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia) is a typical 46XX DSD (Disorder of Sex Development) due to a steroidogenic enzymatic defect. Both conditions are rare and can lead to reduced fertility rate. Case presentation We describe two post-menarche virgin girls with CAH who were hospitalized for acute abdomen due to laparoscopically confirmed sactosalpinx. Case 1 recovered after conservative management, case 2 after a second-look and bilateral salpingectomy. The first case consisted of right sactosalpinx and previous peritonitis reported; the second one of bilateral symptomatic pyosalpinx and previous vaginal stenosis. Recurrent abdominal pain persisted at follow-up in Case 1: post-operative MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) showed bilateral hydrosapinx that disappeared at a following ultrasound scan control. Follow-up was uneventful 36 months after surgery in Case 2, except for the surgical revision of the vaginal introitus. Conclusions CAH-sactosalpinx association is a very rare but not negligible event. We suggest a conservative approach for sactosalpinx if tubal and/or ovary torsion can be excluded. Pyosalpinx is more challenging to treat, but during pediatric age we suggest starting with a conservative approach, especially in patients with CAH who have a potential low fertility rate. Careful gynecological follow-up after menarche is recommended to rule out any further causes of infertility.

Acute abdominal pain remains a major diagnostic challenge to date. Omental torsion is an infrequent cause of abdominal pain in children, which usually presents with non-specific symptoms. Herein, we report a case of persistent abdominal pain after a minor abdominal trauma. A solid mass was found in the lower abdomen at ultrasound imaging evaluation. Surgical exploration demonstrated an omental torsion secondary to a rare neoplasm of childhood.

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is an acquired benign vascular hyperplasia. Even though PG is not so rare, its etiology is still unclear. Assuredly, an association between vascular anomalies and PG is an extremely rare finding, and a proper management of these cases is not well standardized to date. Herein, we report our experience with a giant PG arising spontaneously within a port-wine stain of the thorax. Previous cases reported in the pediatric literature and strategies of treatment are also discussed.

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Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed the routine activities of pediatric surgical centers, and it determined the reduction of admissions in the pediatric emergency departments (PED). We reviewed the records of patients affected by acute appendicitis (AA) during the COVID-19 pandemic period in a large Italian COVID-19 pandemic area.Methods: Data regarding demographics, age, macroscopic and microscopic findings, and time between symptom onset and PED admission of patients affected by confirmed AA in the period between March and April 2020 were considered. The data were compared with those obtained during the same period of 2019, 2018, and 2017 in the included centers. Data were quoted as median (range) or absolute number. Non-parametric statistical tests were used to compare groups. A p ≤ 0.05 was regarded as significant. Since only anonymous data have been used and the data storage meets current data protection regulations, ethical committee approval was not required for this study.Results: Eighty-six patients underwent surgical appendectomy for AA between February 20th, 2020 and April 20th, 2020; 32.5% were complicated appendicitis and 67.5% were uncomplicated. Fifty-three patients were males and 33 were females. Patients' age ranged from 3 to 17 years and the median age was 10 years. The median time between the onset of symptoms and the admission in PED was 1.85 days. The average time between the symptom onset and PED admission was 1.8 days.Conclusions: Although fear from the COVID-19 pandemic determined a delayed diagnosis of serious pediatric diseases, the increasing prevalence and severity of AA were not demonstrated in the most COVID-19-affected areas of Italy.

A 15-day-old full-term newborn was admitted to the emergency department for right scrotal swelling, irritability and poor feeding that started 12 hours earlier, without fever or vomiting. Parents reported that his last defecation occurred 3 days before admission. Physical examination was remarkable for a swollen, erythematous and tender right hemiscrotum (figure 1). Figure 1 Erythema and swelling of the right hemiscrotum. Scrotal ultrasonography showed an inguinal hernia with an air-filled tubular structure that seemed somehow different from a typical intestinal loop; the plain radiography confirmed this finding. Emergency surgical exploration of the right groin …

Whilst most surgeons agree that conservative treatment of appendiceal abscess in children is an adequate treatment, the need for subsequent interval appendectomy is still controversial. We analyzed the histopathology in interval appendectomy in search of signs of inflammation. All patients admitted between 2010 and 2017 with appendiceal abscess and scheduled for interval appendectomy were reviewed. The specimens were evaluated for grade of inflammation, type and distribution of cellular infiltrate, presence of necrosis or hemorrhage and infiltrate in the serosa. Forty-two patients had appendiceal abscess and were treated conservatively. Seven underwent emergent appendectomy. Thirty-three out of 35 patients underwent elective interval appendectomy. Thirty-two specimens were revised. Carcinoid tumor or other malignant lesions were not found. All of them presented some amount of inflammation, grade 1 to 2 in 53%, grade 3 to 4 in 47%. Twenty-five percent of the specimens had signs of necrosis accompanied by hemorrhage and in more than the half (53%) the infiltrate extended to the serosa. Conclusions: Although the appendix was mostly found not macroscopically inflamed intraoperatively, histology confirmed a certain grade of inflammation even months after the conservative treatment. No correlation was found between histopathologic findings and lapse of time between abscess treatment and interval appendectomy.

Aim of the Study: In pediatric patients with liver trauma and hemodynamic stability, conservative treatment is acknowledged as the gold standard. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 116 consecutive pediatric patients (

Introduction A fast surgical treatment is the gold standard when a testicular torsion is diagnosed. However, an early diagnosis of torsion may not be feasible in case of torsion associated with undescended testis in the patients affected by cerebropalsy. Case presentation A Bolivian 16 year old male with acquired cerebropalsy and spastic neuromuscular disease was admitted to our Institute for a right inguinal swelling observed by the father in the morning. Indeed, the father had reported that the swelling had may be started two days before without pain or any other symptoms apparently. Two episodes of vomiting were only reported. At the general examination the patient, apparently, seemed to laugh repeatedly and a spastic movements increase were observed. The child had an infrainguinal bilateral cryptorchidism. An urgent left infrainguinal orchyectomy had been performed in the past and controlateral cryptorchidism was not corrected. At the right inguinal exploration, a complete twist of the spermatic chord was observed and a right orchyectomy was then performed. Discussion Testicular torsion in the inguinal canal is a rare reported condition that usually can involve patients with spastic neuromuscular disease. Processing, communication and verbalization of a chronic or acute pain seems to be different in a child with or without intellectual disability. It could be a lot more difficult to correct pain interpretation, with an important repercussion on pain accurate assessment and management. Conclusion In the patients with intellectual disability, a control of the testicles, it should always be done, mostly in case of atypical behaviour., Highlights • An early diagnosis of a testicular torsion may not be feasible in case of torsion associated with undescended testis in the patients affected by intellectual disability. • Processing, communication and verbalization of a chronic or acute pain seems to be different in a child with or without intellectual disability. • Atypical behaviour could be present in the children without capacity to verbalize the pain. • In the patients with intellectual disability, a control of the testicles should always be carried out, mostly in case of atypical behaviour.

A 2870 g male infant was born at 36+1 weeks’ gestation by cesarean section due to mild polyhydramnios and a non-reassuring cardiotocography. An ultrasound at 31 weeks demonstrated transient hyperechogenic fetal bowel (HFB). At birth, the Apgar scores were 9 and 10. The abdominal examination was unremarkable. He spontaneously passed meconium. After 20 hours, he developed left hemiabdominal distension with visible dilated bowel loop sign (figure 1) and bile-stained vomiting. Figure 1 ‘Bowel loop sign’ on abdominal wall due to a segmental intestinal dilatation. Abdominal radiography showed …

Benign intra-abdominal cystic masses in infancy are fairly uncommon and their etiopathogenesis, histology and clinical presentation differ significantly. Our aim is to report our experience in their treatment in order to discuss the best diagnostic and treatment modality. The medical records of 5 children (2M, 3F) with cystic intraabdominal masses referred to our hospital between November 2012 and September 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent open surgery and subsequent histopathologic analysis. Different clinical presentations, localizations of the masses, diagnostic tools, surgical approaches, histological examinations and outcomes were reviewed. Patients mean age was 5.4 years (range: 8 months-9 years). Two patients presented recurrent abdominal pain and abdominal distension, 1 patient had a palpable mass discovered incidentally and 2 complained acute abdominal pain. Routine laboratory tests, tumor markers and abdominal ultrasound were immediately done in all patients. Three patients underwent MRI and 1 abdominal CT. At laparotomy 2 hepatic cysts, 2 mesenteric cyst and 1 retroperitoneal cyst were discovered. Histology reports described: 1 hepatobiliary cystadenoma, 1 benign hepatic hamartoma and 3 cystic lymphangiomas (1 retroperitoneal and 2 mesenteric). There were no major postoperative complications, deaths, or recurrences in our series (follow-up 3-24 months). Despite the rarity of these lesions, benign cystic abdominal masses in children are not so uncommon and should be considered as causes of acute abdominal pain. The differential diagnosis is not always possible preoperatively. In our series, radical excision of the lesions was possible in all cases, allowing reliable histological results and avoiding recurrences.

No agreed recommendations exist for timing of urethral stent removal, after distal hypospadias surgery. We compared our preliminary case series with outcomes from literature: 18/44 patients were treated with catheter and 26/44 without it. The surgical outcome was comparable in the two groups. After hypospadias surgery, the main advantage of the immediate postoperative catheter removal was the shorter hospital stay without negatively affecting the care and home management.

Background Hypertension (HT) is rarely reported in patients affected by Neuroblastoma (NB), and management guidelines are lacking. Clinical features and perioperative medical treatment in such patients were reviewed to 1) ascertain whether a shared treatment strategy exists among centers and 2) if possible, propose some recommendations for the perioperative management of HT in NB patients. Methods A retrospective multicenter survey was conducted on patients affected by NB who presented HT symptoms. Results From 2006 to 2014, 1126 children were registered in the Italian Registry of Neuroblastoma (RINB). Of these, 21 with HT (1.8%) were included in our analysis. Pre- and intraoperative HT management was somewhat dissimilar among the participating centers, apart from a certain consistency in the intraoperative use of the alpha-1 blocker urapidil. Six of the 21 patients (28%) needed persistent antihypertensive treatment at a median follow-up of 36months (range 4–96months) despite tumor removal. Involvement of the renal pedicle was the only risk factor constantly associated to HT persistency following surgery. A correlation between the presence of HT and the secretion of specific catecholamines and/or compression of the renal vascular pedicle could not be demonstrated. Conclusion Based on this retrospective review of NB patients with HT, no definite therapeutic protocol can be recommended owing to heterogeneity of adopted treatments in different centers. A proposal of perioperative HT management in NB patients is however presented. Level of evidence IV.

BACKGROUND: To prevent malnutrition and food aspiration in children with chronic neuromuscular problems, enteral nutrition provided by gastrostomy is recommended. Long-term follow-up data about surgical and medical complications of PEG are available, but few papers have addressed all of the issues in the same series. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled patients under 18 years who had a gastrostomy tube placed at our institution between 2003 and 2017. The aim is to evaluate outcomes after gastrostomy placement, focusing both on surgical complications (early and late), and its effect on their nutritional status, on the prevention of pulmonary infections, and their parents&rsquo, opinion. RESULTS: Eighty-four gastrostomies were placed in total (35 F, 49 M). Seventy-seven patients had a severe neurocognitive impairment (GMFCS 5). The principal indication for gastrostomy was severe dysphagia (53.3%). No gastrostomy-related death was observed. Early surgical complications were observed in five of 84 (5,9%) patients, late complications were observed in 15 of 84 (17.8%) patients. Twenty-two patients were diagnosed with subsequent gastroesophageal reflux, five patients developed dumping syndrome (6%). Complete medical follow-up data were available for 45 patients. A progressive improvement of nutritional status was observed in 29 patients, and 11 maintained the same percentile, the occurrence of respiratory infections and need for hospitalization decreased. In 90% of cases, parents were fully satisfied with the g-tube. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the positive nutritional outcomes of gastrostomy-tube with an associated small risk of surgical complications and a reduction in the number of respiratory infections, with most parents scoring their experience as positive.

Hepatic pulmonary fusion is a rare malformation associated with right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), often only discovered during surgical repair of the defect. Fourteen previous cases have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of a full term male newborn with prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of right CDH who underwent a thoracoscopy converted to a thoracotomy, due to this rare aforementioned intraoperative incidental finding. We reviewed the previous reported literature, especially focusing on the chosen surgical approach, concluding that an early and appropriate preoperative imaging investigation may be crucial for the best management of these kinds of patients.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a soft tissue malignant tumor affecting 1% of children from 0 to 14 years. Preoperative imaging may not always be diagnostic for hepatobiliary rhabdomyosarcoma and differential diagnosis with choledochal cyst (CC) could be difficult. We report a case of 2-years-old girl with a strange CC pattern of presentation. A grapelike lesion involving the choledochal and biliary ducts was easily and completely resected by robotic assisted surgery. Since no previous reports were available about oncologic safety of robotic approach, the porto-enterostomy was performed in open surgery. On histologic examination, the specimen revealed a botryoidembryonal rhabdomyosarcoma affecting both the common bile duct and the common hepatic duct. One year postoperatively the child is safe of tumor relapse. Robotic approach seems to be safe and advantageous to obtain a radical excision of the tumor at the porta hepatis, even in case of misdiagnosed malignant lesion mimicking a CC.

Respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary hypoplasia is the main cause of death in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Lung growth is regulated by growth factors (GFs), whose imbalances are reported in pathological conditions. We measured amniotic fluid levels of GFs, regulating lung development, in pregnancies with CDH and compared them with normal gestations.Amniotic fluid was collected at amniocentesis and delivery from 4 women carrying fetuses with CDH and 12 with normal pregnancy. GFs were isolated and quantified. Same GFs were measured in lung biopsies collected during autopsy of three newborns dead of CDH.Impairment expression of lung GFs in the amniotic fluid of CDH pregnancies in comparison with normal was found. Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10), fibroblast growth factor 7, vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) were decreased at amniocentesis, while platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) increased. While FGF10 and PDGF tended to normalize at delivery, epidermal growth factor increased and TGFβ was still decreased. Same GFs were similarly expressed in both lungs of babies dead of CDH.Anomalies in lung GFs expression of embryos and fetuses with CDH can be detected by measuring their levels in the amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Further investigation would help to correlate prenatal expression of GFs and clinical outcome of babies with CDH after birth.

Tuberculosis (TB) has been described in association with different malignancies including Hodgkin's disease. However, the association with primary pulmonary Hodgkin's disease (PPHD) is hardly reported in literature and in teenage is quite exceptional. We report a case of an 11 years old boy in whom the diagnosis of tuberculosis preceded and delayed the diagnosis of PPHL.

The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of laparoscopic repair of Morgagni diaphragmatic hernia. A questionnaire was sent to members of the Groupe d'Etude en Coeliochirurgie Infantile (GECI) in January 2001. Data for 22 cases were collected. The mean age of the patients was 37 months. Associated anomalies were Down's syndrome (five cases) and myopathy (one case). Three trocars were sufficient in most of the cases. Reduction of the contents of the hernia occurred spontaneously in six cases and was easily accomplished in 15 cases. It was difficult in two cases. The sac was removed in 16 cases. The defect was closed without a prosthetic patch in 18 cases and with a prosthetic patch in four. One operation was converted because of a defect that was too wide. In 18 of the 22 patients, extubation could be performed immediately after the operation. The mean hospital stay was 5.4 days. One recurrence developed 3 months after primary closure without resection of the sac. Redo by laparoscopy was success...

Hintergrund. Bei 70–80% aller Patienten mit Morbus Hirschsprung reicht die Aganglionose vom Anus bis in das Colon sigmoideum. In diesem Erfahrungsbericht soll eine einfache, fur den Patienten wenig belastende Operationstechnik dargestellt und hinsichtlich ihrer Ergebnisse, Moglichkeiten und Grenzen evaluiert werden. Patienten. Uber 2 Jahre wurden 12 Kinder (20 Tage–6 Jahre; Median 4 Monate) mit Morbus Hirschsprung operiert.Der Nachbeobachtungszeitraum erstreckte sich auf 6–29 Monate. Methode. Bei allen Kindern wurde der Eingriff transanal durchgefuhrt. 3-mal erfolgte eine zusatzliche Laparoskopie.Nur 1-mal musste aufgrund von postentzundlichen Verwachsungen eine Unterbauchlaparotomie erfolgen. Ein Abszess trat 1-mal auf und erforderte eine Kolostomieanlage.Die Kinder konnten in der Regel ab dem ersten postoperativen Tag oral ernahrt werden.Alle zeigen eine gute Kontinenz bei normaler Stuhlfrequenz. Diskussion. Die Ergebnisse der transanalen Resektionstechnik sind uberzeugend und viel versprechend.Wir halten diese minimalinvasive Operationstechnik fur das Verfahren der Wahl bei den haufigen Formen des Morbus Hirschsprung.Unsere Erfahrungen decken sich mit denen anderer Arbeitsgruppen.

Purpose The study's aim was to evaluate how information related to a prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformation could modify parenthood experience descriptions during pregnancy and after the child's birth. Methods A longitudinal case–control clinical study was conducted. Data on parenthood experience descriptions collected using a validated semantic differential technique during pregnancy and after the child's birth were compared between seven couples of parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformation and seven couples without any fetal diagnosis. Results Our results show that during pregnancy parents in the clinical group describe themselves as more fragile, passive, and timid [p=0.007] than those in the control group. On the other hand, after the child's birth, there are no significant differences between groups. Conclusions Data are discussed with reference to better knowledge of the psychological dynamics involved in becoming a parent and to rational planning of support for parents receiving a diagnosis of fetal malformation.

Background: Intestinal duplications are rare congenital malformations. The different locations and sizes of these duplications require a specific diagnostic and surgical approach. This study reviews our paediatric patients with intestinal duplications in order to analyse the influence of prenatal sonography and laparoscopy on the clinical course. Patients and methods: Thirteen duplications of the alimentary tract in 12 patients have been treated over a 10-year period from 1989 to 1999. Six of our patients were diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound and were free of symptoms until surgery, except for one patient who had meconium-ileus owing to cystic fibrosis. In another five patients, the diagnosis was made on the basis of symptoms with signs of obstruction. In one child, the duplication was found incidentally during an operation for an anorectal malformation. The location of the 13 duplications was the stomach in three cases, the duodenum in one case, the jejunum in two cases, the ileum in six cases and the rectum in one case. Laparotomy was performed in ten patients. Two cases were treated by laparoscopic-assisted resection. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated intestinal duplications by means of prenatal sonographic screening and laparoscopic-assisted resection, respectively, are desirable in this congenital malformation. Resection of the duplication with or without minimal resection of the adjacent normal intestine should be mandatory.

It is impossible to determine whether or not a child will develop a contralateral hernia after inguinal hernia repair. There exists no risk score for the occurrence of a contralateral hernia. This well-known fact prompted us to perform the underlying study. In a retrospective trial, we reviewed the files of all children operated on for inguinal hernias in our department from January 1986 until December 1994. During this period, we performed 1721 hernia repairs on 1708 children aged 0–16 years. In 96 (5.6%) of these patients, the indication to operate was a contralateral hernia following previous unilateral repair. Comparison of the ages at the time of primary inguinal repair of those children who developed a contralateral hernia (n=96) and those who did not (n=1612) showed a significantly increased incidence of contralateral hernias if the primary operation was performed before the age of two months (p

Objectives: Pectus excavatum is the most common congenital hereditary chest-wall deformity. This study analyses a single-center experience of pectus excavatum– thoracic wall reconstruction using a uniform technique of internal stabilization employing stainless steel struts. Methods: From June 1984 to December 1997, we performed correction operations on 777 patients with pectus excavatum. The condition occurred more frequently in boys (621 patients) than girls (156 patients). Surgical repair was performed using a standard method of double bilateral chondrotomy parasternally and at points of transition to normal ribs. This was followed by detorsion of the sternum, retrosternal mobilization and correction of the inverted ribs. The anteriorly displaced sternum was stabilized by one trans-sternal and two bilateral parasternal metal struts. Results: The corrections were completed with successful repair in 765 pati-ents (98.5%) with a low complication rate of 6.7%. The follow-up period ranged from 4 weeks to 12 years, mean 6.4 years. Major recurrences were observed in 12 patients (1.5%) and mild recurrence were observed in 35 patients (4.5%). Conclusion: Significant reduction in postoperative cardiorespiratory disorders, low lethality, improvement of subjective complaints, satisfactory long-term results and improvement in psychological problems indicate the need to offer this method of surgical correction to low-risk children.

A giant omphalocele is a liver-containing protrusion through an abdominal defect wider than 5 cm in diameter. The giant form with a small abdominal wall defect is a rare condition which, to our knowledge, has not been described previously. We describe three cases with the typical features of elongated vascular liver pedicle and angiomatosis of the hepatic portal system. The abnormal liver organogenesis, due to extra-abdominal development, represented a significant risk factor for hepatic thrombosis after visceral reduction and liver rotation. All the neonates underwent surgery on the first day of postnatal life. One died because of a postoperative liver infarction, and the survivors needed prolonged respiratory support. Prenatal sonographic features, timing, delivery, type of surgical repair, and postnatal outcome are reviewed. A prenatal sonographic diagnosis could be useful to evaluate the abdominal ring and serial ultrasound examinations are recommended to detect promptly ominous signs of hepatic and bowel damage. Color Doppler may be useful to assess the anatomy of the abdominal vessels and their relationships with the herniated organs, although it was not used in any of the cases reported here. This congenital malformation might be considered as a pathological entity separate from giant omphalocele with large abdominal defect, with a severe prognosis due possibly to its different embryological development.

The authors present a magnetic resonance image showing a soft tissue mass misdiagnosed as sarcoma.

The paper reports the results of a retrospective review of the medical charts of 203 patients admitted to a pediatric surgical unit with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis between January 2006 and December 2010 when a transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) was introduced as a new surgical technique. Among 203 admitted patients, 7 (3.5%) had a localized appendiceal abscess and were treated with antibiotics. All of them responded to antibiotics and underwent TULAA interval appendectomy 8 weeks later. 196 patients (96.5%) underwent immediate surgery. In 12/181 (6.6%) urgent cases, conversion to laparotomy was necessary, in 3 patients because of bowel distension and in 9 for retrocecal position of appendix. In all 181 TULAA completed procedures, one trocar was used in 151 cases (89.4%), two trocars in 16 (9.4%), and three trocars in 2 (1.2%). The mean operative time for single port TULAA was 52′ Complications included 5 wound infections and 5 intra-abdominal abscesses, all managed conservatively. In conclusion, TULAA is a safe, minimally invasive approach with acute appendicitis, regardless of the perforation status, and can be recommended in the pediatric urgical settings.

Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery have had a tremendous impact on adult surgery, but are still rarely used in children. In the past 3 years 168 children have been treated endoscopically in the three cooperating institutions. The course of all patients was documented prospectively in order to determine the value and prove the safety of endoscopic surgery in children. The operations performed endoscopically comprised appendectomy (n = 39), diagnostic procedures (24), adhesiolysis (n = 22), cholecystectomy (n = 13), bowel resection (n = 8), pyloromyotomy (n = 6), ovarial resection (n = 6), hiatus hernia repair (n = 22), splenectomy (n = 6), first stage of Fowler-Stephens operation for kryptorchidism (n = 3) and interruption of persistent botallic ducts (n = 6) in preterm infants. Apart from four wound infections (2.4%) following perforated appendicitis, one of which required laparotomy for perityphlitic abscess there were no serious complications. No patient died, and overall morbidity related to the procedure was 1.8% (i.e. incidence of uneventful minor intraoperative complications). Furthermore endoscopic surgery provides a better diagnostic survey of the abdomen or thorax so that missing of secondary pathology is unlikely. Pain and reflectory impairment of bowel-function or respiration were diminished, the aesthetic results were excellent and hospitalization could be reduced to a minimum. It is concluded that laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery are safe and reliable procedures for children and yield very encouraging results.

Rectal atresia is an extremely rare anorectal malformation. A unique case of rectal atresia presenting as an imperforate membrane associated with congenital cardiac malformations and unilateral choanal atresia in a newborn is reported. Ultrasound examination in the newborn infant located the presence of the rectal membrane which was surgically treated successfully.

Minimally invasive pediatric surgery (MIPS) is a new dimension in pediatric surgery. The scope of methods replacing large operations in children by smaller endo- or laparoscopic interventions is presented.Electromagnetic double-segmental elongation has achieved auto anastomosis in 16 out of 22 children with long gap esophageal atresias since 1975. A new radial laser-applicator with entirely lateral radiation has led to a method for endoscopic occlusion of esophagotracheal and other fistulas with a 100% success rate in a minipig-model. Our experience with 54 laparoscopic interventions including large bowel resections, hiatus hernia, and a new technique for pyloromyotomy documents that laparoscopy halves hospitalisation-periods and may well become the most rapidly growing branch of pediatric surgery.

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most frequent congenital abnormality of the small bowel and it is often difficult to diagnose. It is usually asymptomatic but approximately 4% are symptomatic with complications such as bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and inflammation. The authors report a case of a 7-year-old boy with a one-year history of recurrent periumbilical colicky pain with associated alimentary vomiting, symptoms erroneously related to a cyclic vomiting syndrome but not to MD. The clinical features and the differential diagnostic methods employed for diagnosis of MD are discussed.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has been described previously, but few neonatal cases of CDH have been reported. This study aimed to report the multicenter experience of these rare cases and to compare the laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approaches. Using MIS procedures, 30 patients (16 boys and 14 girls) from nine centers underwent surgery for CDH within the first month of life, 26 before day 5. Only one patient had associated malformations. There were 10 preterm patients (32–36 weeks of gestational age). Their weight at birth ranged from 1,800 to 3,800 g, with three patients weighing less than 2,600 g. Of the 30 patients, 18 were intubated at birth. The MIS procedures were performed in 18 cases by a thoracoscopic approach and in 12 cases by a laparoscopic approach. No severe complication was observed. For 20 patients, reduction of the intrathoracic contents was achieved easily with 15 thoracoscopies and 5 laparoscopies. In six cases, the reduction was difficult, proving to be impossible for the four remaining patients: one treated with thoracoscopy and three with laparoscopy. The reasons for the inability to reduce the thoracic contents were difficulty of liver mobilization (1 left CDH and 2 right CDH) and the presence of a dilated stomach in the thorax. Reductions were easier for cases of wide diaphragmatic defects using thoracoscopy. There were 10 conversions (5 laparoscopies and 5 thoracoscopies). The reported reasons for conversion were inability to reduce (n = 4), need for a patch (n = 5), lack of adequate vision (n = 4), narrow working space (n = 1), associated bowel malrotation (n = 1), and an anesthetic problem (n = 1). Five defects were too large for direct closure and had to be closed with a patch. Four required conversion, with one performed through video-assisted thoracic surgery. The recurrences were detected after two primer thoracoscopic closures, one of which was managed by successful reoperation using thoracoscopy. In the neonatal period, CDH can be safely closed using MIS procedures. The overall success rate in this study was 67%. The indication for MIS is not related to weeks of gestational age, to weight at birth (if >2,600 g), or to the extent of the immediate neonatal care. Patients with no associated anomaly who are hemodynamically stabilized can benefit from MIS procedures. Reduction of the herniated organs is easier using thoracoscopy. Right CDH, liver lobe herniation, and the need for a patch closure are the most frequent reasons for conversion.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare condition, requiring regular endoscopic or radiological diagnostic studies. Polyps are a potential source of dysplasia and malignancy. We present a case in which we used a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this pathology by performing a laparoscopically assisted endoscopic polypectomy. This approach is minimally invasive and can be repeated if necessary. It might also be adopted for diagnosis and treatment of other intestinal pathologies, such as vascular malformations in the small bowel.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is the most common treatment for hydrocephalus. Repeated shunt revisions and other previous surgical procedures can complicate the placement of the distal catheter. Occasionally, when conventional sites like the abdominal cavity and the right atrium are used up or unavailable, a ventriculopleural shunt can be inserted. Between April 2001 and August 2002, 7 children ranging in age from 5 months to 17 years underwent ten endoscopically-assisted cerebrospinal fluid shunt insertions. All patients had had previous multiple shunt revisions and other abdominal operations. In addition 4 children had suffered from severe peritonitis, 1 of them with a subsequent adhesion ileus. In 9 cases the terminal portion of the shunt was inserted with laparoscopic assistance and in 1 case with thoracoscopic assistance. The latter had previously undergone two conventional intercostal thoracotomies for shunt insertions. Placement of the shunt was performed in a suitable area under direct laparoscopic or thoracoscopic vision by a peel-off needle into the peritoneal or pleural cavity. In 2 children repeated endoscopic approaches were necessary for shunt replacement due to infections. We used this procedure successfully in each case without operation-related complications. Neither new adhesions nor difficulties in laparoscopic replacement of the shunt were observed. Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic assistance in the placement of the distal catheter has the benefit of allowing a safe and precise insertion with visual control of shunt function, even in patients with prior surgical interventions. Additionally, this minimally invasive technique appears to prevent new adhesions arising in the peritoneal cavity.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common finding in children of all age groups. The treatment can be conservative and surgical. In the last decade, minimally invasive approaches became very popular, and the number of surgeons performing endosurgical procedures for GER is constantly rising. GER is a very complex pathology with different aspects influencing the course of the disease and also complications resulting from surgery. The indications for surgery are fairly well described and appear to be clear. However, every patient must of course be regarded as an individual, and the treatment should be adjusted according to individual patient-related symptoms and findings.

Ingested metallic foreign bodies (MFBs) are usually diagnosed by taking X-ray films of the neck, chest and/or abdomen. This study evaluates the use of a hand-held metal detector (HHMD) for the diagnosis and localisation of MFBs. In a prospective study, 53 consecutive paediatric patients with history of a swallowed MFB were examined with X-rays and HHMD. In 47 children, the MFB could be verified radiologically. Coins were most frequently swallowed. The HHMD could detect and locate all coins but only 47% of other MFBs. There were no false-positive results. A HHMD is an effective tool for screening the location of suspected ingested coins. This method is easy, inexpensive and free of radiation. Very small MFBs cannot be reliably detected. Conclusion:if an innocuous metallic foreign body is clearly identified with a hand-held metal detector in the stomach or lower gastrointestinal tract of an asymptomatic child, additional radiological confirmation is not required.

70 cases of gastroschisis (GS) were surgically treated at the Pediatric Surgical University Clinic, Munster, from 1984 through 1998. The defect occurred more frequently in males (44) than females (26). The average birth weight was 2,383 g and mean gestational age 36.8 weeks. 9 infants (12.9%) were delivered vaginally and the rest (87.1%) by cesarean section; 34 of the 61 (55.7%) cesarean sections were done solely for prenatal ultrasonic identification of the abdominal-wall defect. 10 infants (14.3%) underwent primary closure; in 19 (27.1%) primary closure of the skin was possible, however, a single solvent-dried dura (SDD) graft was required for fascial enlargement. The remaining 41 infants (58.6%) had extensive defects and required two grafts for optimal closure. 22 patients (31.4%) had associated anomalies, the most common being bowel atresias and undescended testis. 14 (20%) required secondary laparotomies because of bowel-associated complications and 1 (1.4%) for a urinary-bladder perforation. 11 patients (15.7%) had non-bowel-associated complications. The average postoperative tracheal intubation time was 3.9 days and the average hospital stay was 75.6 days. The overall mortality was 2.8%. No major complications associated with SDD implants were encountered; only 4 patients (5.7%) had minor complications such as local inflamation and infection and were managed conservatively. The present data support the employment of SDD implants as acceptable biomaterial for the repair of large GS defects.

The transanal approach (TAA) is a new technique for surgery of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) that was introduced by de la Torre in 1998. The purpose of this multicenter study, including experience from three Austrian and one Italian departments of peadiatric surgery, was to evaluate the role of this approach in HD in 18 children aged 1-72 months. In 14 children the TAA only was performed; in 3 an additional laparoscopy was performed and in 1 conversion to a laparotomy was necessary. One complication (abscess) occurred after laparoscopic-assisted pull-through. The postoperative recovery was rapid, no severe long-term problems were observed. The transanal pull-through technique is generally possible in most classic cases of HD with extension of the disease to the sigmoid colon. If necessary, it can be combined with laparoscopy. Our preliminary results show that the technique is safe, less invasive, and gives excellent cosmetic results, and allows rapid recovery. Long-term results are still pending.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is becoming a standard procedure in pediatric surgery. Anterior gastropexy is often performed in antireflux procedures, as well as in children with recurrent and intermittent volvulus of the stomach. We present a simple and secure technique for anterior laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy.

To evaluate absorbable materials for use for replacement of the diaphragm, we implanted materials in experimentally-created diaphragmatic defects in pigs. As a short-term absorbable material, bovine serosa (BS) was used. Its absorption was complete after 4–6 weeks. In a control group, the defect was repaired with a continuous running polypropylene suture. In two other groups the defect was closed with lyophilized dura (LD) and a modified transverse abdominal muscle flap according to Hecker, respectively. Physical studies (load capacity and elasticity) and histologic investigations were performed in one-half of the animals of each group after 3 and 6 months, respectively. Considering their physical properties, it could be shown that all materials tested are suitable for replacement of the diaphragm, but that BS best resembled native diaphragm. We conclude that short-term absorbable BS is suitable for replacement of the diaphragm in pigs.

Gas gangrene is not a frequently encountered toxic wound infection in childhood. We present a case of postoperative Clostridium perfringens infection with proximal forearm myonecrosis. In order to reveal the full extent of tissue viability in the right upper extremity, infrared thermography was performed. Although dyschromia was evident in the proximal forearm, thermographs revealed viable tissue only up to the supracondylar region. Angiography, which provided valuable clues to the patency of the vascular supply, and subsequent intraoperative findings confirmed the extent of tissue perfusion as revealed by infrared thermography.

Abdominal cysts in girls are frequently observed by abdominal ultrasound (US) and are usually ovarian. In this case a cystic structure located in the right abdomen was seen in a female newborn without symptoms and was initially described as a possible ovarian cyst. Frequent US examinations showed an increase in volume and diameter, and temporary, recurring episodes of hyperbilirubinemia were observed. The US scans showed no relationship to the biliary tree. During a diagnostic laparoscopy, a cystic structure attached to the pyloric region was seen. A laparotomy revealed a cystic duplication of the stomach, which could be resected completely. The finding is discussed emphasizing the importance of clinical findings and diagnostic methods in the diagnosis and management of abdominal cystic masses in females.

A total of 128 pediatric pyogenic perianal infections were recorded prospectively in 1984–1995; over 70% arose in children below the age of 2 years. A quarter of all perianal abscesses developed a recurrence between 3 weeks and 3 years after the initial operation, while five children had an anal fistula after deroofing of anal abscesses. The early age of onset and frequent anomaly of anal crypts (12%) suggests a partly congential etiology due to impaired fusion of the proctodaeal membrane or rudimentary anorectal duplications for both conditions.

A 2-y-old male, weighting 10 kg, was admitted to authors institute for recurrent swelling in the right groin. No pain, redness or other symptoms were described. Testicles were scrotal. Suspecting a right inguinal hernia, the authors decided to perform a planned inguinal herniotomy. Two months after the diagnosis, the patient was hospitalized and underwent surgical exploration through a right inguinal incision. After opening the roof of inguinal canal, hernia sac was identified and the appendix was found inside it. The authors decided not to perform appendectomy, because the appendix was normal (Fig. 1). Therefore they only reduced the appendix into the abdomen and closed the basis of the sac though a biodegradable suture. No antibiotic therapy was given. The patient did not require any analgesic therapy after surgery and was discharged the same evening. On a 6-mo follow-up, no complications were seen. Amyand’s hernia is defined as an inguinal hernia containing the vermiform appendix [1–3]. Some authors suggest appendectomy in case of young patients with normal appendix within an inguinal hernia [1–3]. The authors believe that appendectomy can be avoided in young patients, in case of normal appendix, by simply reducing appendix into the abdomen. Infact, in addition to the immunological function, the possible roles of appendix have been rediscovered today. It has uses in the MACE and Mitrofanoff procedures and has been used in case of ureteral damage and for other reconstructive techniques [4–7].