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Aim: Surgery for pediatric choledochal cyst (CC), complete excision (CE), and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis (HJA) can be performed using laparoscopy (Lap), robotic-assistance (Rob; da Vinci Xi/Si), or both (Lap/Rob). Methods: Lap was used exclusively between 2009 and 2021 (n = 31) and Rob was introduced in 2017 (n = 23). All subjects were matched for age, weight, BMI, and episodes of preoperative pancreatitis. For Rob, the first 15/23 were Lap-CE/Rob-HJA and the last 8/23 were Rob-CE/Rob-HJA. Results: Total anastomotic time (TAT), TAT per suture during HJA, and time taken for dissection during CE were significantly shorter with less variance for Rob, although overall operative times were similar. Serum amylase on postoperative days 3, 5, and 7 were significantly higher for Lap. Times taken to ambulate, for return of bowel sounds, and discharge home were all significantly shorter for Rob. All postoperative complications occurred after Lap; HJA leak (n = 1; 3.2%), HJA stricture (n = 1; 3.2%), both treated by open re-HJA; and pancreatic fistula (n = 6; 19%), all treated conservatively. Conclusion: Dissection and recovery were faster with Rob while overcoming Lap-associated shortcomings to prevent complications associated with suturing. Both CE and HJA were safer and more reliable with Rob, a reflection of Rob's superiority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cerebral and renal regional oxygen saturation (C-rSO2 and R-rSO2, respectively) were monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy in pediatric patients (range: 0.3–14.3 years) during minimally invasive surgery (MIS) taking at least 3 hours performed by laparoscopy (Lap), thoracoscopy (Tho), or retroperitoneoscopy (Ret) from January 2019 to December 2021. Materials and Methods: Criteria compared were operative time, preoperative/intraoperative hemoglobin, blood loss, mean arterial pressure, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), C-rSO2, and R-rSO2. Pathological desaturation (PD) was defined as >20% decrease from baseline, and statistical significance as P < .05. Results: Subjects (n = 79) were similar for gender, age, and body mass index. MIS procedures were: Lap = 45, Tho = 20, Ret = 14; one Lap case required conversion for severe adhesions, not PD. Intraoperative PaCO2 (mmHg) was significantly higher in Tho (maximum: 59.5 ± 17.0, minimum: 39.9 ± 7.5) versus Lap (maximum: 39.9 ± 5.1, minimum: 34.6 ± 3.9) and Ret (maximum: 37.8 ± 4.2, minimum: 35.0 ± 3.3); P < .0001 (maximum), P = .0013 (minimum). Minimum intraoperative SpO2 was significantly lower in Tho (P < .0001). Mean operative times were significantly shorter in Tho (259 ± 114 minutes) versus Lap (433 ± 154 minutes) and Ret (342 ± 100 minutes); P < .0001, respectively. PD was absent during Ret (C-rSO2: 0/14 = 0% and R-rSO2: 0/14 = 0%). Differences in PD for Lap (C-rSO2: 7/45 = 15.6% and R-rSO2: 10/45 = 22.2%) and Tho (C-rSO2: 9/20 = 45.0%, and R-rSO2: 7/20 = 35.0%) were significant; P = .0028 for C-rSO2 and P = .0497 for R-rSO2. Hemoglobin and blood loss were similar. Conclusions: PD was absent during Ret, despite longer operative times. If Ret is indicated for a procedure, neurodevelopmental sequelae of MIS could be minimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To report the value of adult cadavers for training in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques for pediatric surgery (PS). Materials and Methods: Three teams, each consisting of a board-certified consultant pediatric surgeon (CS), a senior trainee (ST), and a junior trainee (JT), attended a cadaver surgical training (CST) course involving five procedures: thoracoscopic esophagoesophagostomy (TEE), thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy (TRL), laparoscopic fundoplication (LFN), laparoscopic hepaticoduodenostomy (LHD), and laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy (LUU). The same teams also performed LFN on live pigs. Attendees (3 CSs, 3 STs, and 3 JTs) were administered a questionnaire to rate their CST experience according to five criteria (tissue texture, organ size, operative field, "feel," and anatomic relationships) using a 4-point scale with 0 being the worst response. Scores were averaged per procedure per attendee groups and compared. LFN was also compared between a cadaver and a pig. Results: End-point (1): For LFN, cadaver scores were significantly higher than pig scores for anatomic relationships (P = .0001), operative field (P = .0053), and organ size (P = .0481). End-point (2): TRL and LFN were ranked together as being most realistic, followed by TEE and LUU, then LHD. End-point (3): Anatomic relationships and operative field consistently scored highly for all attendee groups. End-point (4): CSs and STs tended to award higher scores than JTs although differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: CST is a valuable opportunity for PS trainees to experience highly realistic training in minimally invasive surgery. Pig training was inferior. IRB Number: 2019173. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Thoracoscopic lobectomy (TL) and open lobectomy (OL) were compared for treating congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) with preoperative complications, specifically pneumonia/abscess formation (PA).Methods: The medical records of 46 CPAM patients treated by lobectomy at our institution from 1990 to 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Four groups, TL for patients without PA (n = 17; TL-), TL for patients with PA (n = 8; TL+), OL for patients without PA (n = 16; OL-), and OL for patients with PA (n = 5; OL+) were compared for operative time, intra/postoperative complications, blood loss, duration of chest tube insertion, postoperative analgesia, pre: postoperative white blood cell (WBC) ratio, and duration of hospitalization.Results: Operative time for TL+ was longest, but not statistically significant. Incidences of intra/postoperative complications were similar in all groups. Blood loss was significantly less for TL+ versus OL+ (p < .05). WBC ratio was significantly lower in TL+ versus OL+ (p < .05), similar for TL+ and TL-, and significantly higher in OL+ versus OL- (p < .01). Chest tube insertion was significantly longer in OL- versus TL- (p < .01).Conclusion: PA would not appear to be a contraindication to perform TL in CPAM. TL is associated with less surgical stress than OL despite longer operative time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several questions and answers related to pediatric surgery is presented including indications and timing for laparoscopic pyloromyotomy, similarity between surgical technique and complication rate of laparoscopic pyloromyotomy, and indications for laparoscopic fundoplication.

Purpose: We present EDCAT (epidural catheter-assisted Deflux(®) treatment) for treating vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and confirming ureteric patency after Deflux(®) treatment.Methods: We treated 147 ureters in 101 children (M:F 62:39; VUR ≤ grade III: n = 72; VUR ≥ grade IV: n = 75) using EDCAT between 2011 and 2014. EDCAT involves injecting 1-3 mL of diluted indigo carmine solution through an epidural anesthesia catheter inserted into the Deflux(®)-treated ureter and observing for up to 15 min to confirm patency.Results: For EDCAT, mean age was 4.9 years and mean operative time was 30.1 ± 12.1 min; overall cure of VUR after initial treatment was 87.7 % for VUR grades I-V, 88.9 % for VUR ≤ grade III, and 86.6 % for VUR ≥ grade IV; VUR was cured in 129/147 after 1 treatment, 7/18 after 2 treatments, 7/11 after 3 treatments, and persistent in 4/4. We experienced 1 case of obstruction after an EDCAT catheter was removed before confirming patency. EDCAT catheters were left overnight in 2 ureters in 2 cases when patency could not be confirmed after 15 min to prevent obstruction. Both did not develop obstruction. Four ureters with recurrence of VUR (all grade ≤ II) are being observed.Conclusion: EDCAT allows ureteric patency to be confirmed immediately and prevents obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There are few reports about postoperative outcome of penoplasty (PP). We present the results of mid- to long-term follow-up of PP performed for congenital megaprepuce (CMP). Methods: Data from 65 CMP cases treated by PP performed by a single surgeon from 2000 to 2014 were collected prospectively. All cases were treated using the technique reported by Cuckow (Pediatric surgery. Springer, Berlin, pp 543-554, ). Results: Mean age at PP was 5.9 years (range 0.4-13.9). All cases presented as infants and some 12 cases (18.5 %) had PP when 10 or more years old. There were no intra- and postoperative complications. Mean duration of follow-up was 3.6 years (range 0.1-17.5). Duration of follow-up was 4 years or less in 48 (73.8 %), 5-9 years in 13 (20.0 %), and 10 or more years in 4 (6.2 %). While postoperative penile cosmesis was good in 63/65 (96.9 %) cases without scrotal deformity, 2/65 (3.1 %) had redundant penile skin excised upon the recommendation of the treating surgeon even though the patients and parents were unconcerned. Conclusion: Mid- to long-term follow-up of our PP cases shows that outcome is cosmetically acceptable and stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopically assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP), first described by Georgeson, is now considered to be the radical surgical treatment of choice for rectourethral fistula (RUF) in boys with high/intermediate-type imperforate anus. Accurate positioning of the pull-through canal, with pelvic floor muscles surrounding it symmetrically, is well recognized as the most important prognostic factor irrespective of the procedure performed. Surgical intervention should be LAARP with intraoperative measurement of the RUF, with follow-up focused on bowel habit. Complications such as diverticulum formation, have been reported with increasing frequency after LAARP and are most likely related to incomplete excision of the RUF, especially in bulbar cases. Thus, complete excision, while technically challenging, is crucial. Based on the results of a multicenter study comparing LAARP with other surgery, the most reliable investigation for detecting the presence of a diverticulum is MRI. At Juntendo University Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, blunt dissection with mosquito forceps to identify the potential pull-through canal, measuring the length of the RUF directly, and closer placement of trocars (in bulbar fistula cases) are homegrown refinements that we feel improve outcome and we present a review of our approach to the surgical management of ARM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy (R-neph) is still not generally favored by pediatric surgeons for various reasons, including lack of experience of retroperitoneal anatomy compared with pediatric urologists, concern about long operative times, and related complications. Materials and Methods: We compared nephrectomies/heminephrectomies planned, performed, and managed by five senior pediatric surgical trainees (SPST) under the supervision of a board-certified pediatric surgeon (BCPS) (A.Y.) using four-trocar retroperitoneoscopy (R-neph) ( n=11) with conventional open nephrectomy and heminephrectomy (O-neph) ( n=20) performed by 4 BCPS. Results: O-neph comprised 14 nephrectomies and 6 upper pole nephrectomies; R-neph comprised 9 total nephrectomies and 2 upper pole nephrectomies. Mean age and mean weight at nephrectomy were not statistically different. Mean operating time (MOT) was 137 (range, 85-290) minutes in O-neph versus 197 (116-341) minutes in R-neph. MOT for the first 5 R-neph cases was 249 minutes versus 153 minutes for the last 6 cases. Mean blood loss was 17 (range, 1-55) mL in O-neph versus 10.3 (2-40) mL in R-neph. One R-neph case required conversion to O-neph. There were no transfusions and no intraoperative complications. Two partial heminephrectomy patients (one O-neph and one R-neph) developed transient urinoma postoperatively that resolved conservatively. Mean duration of postoperative bed rest was 1.0 day in O-neph versus 0.6 days in R-neph. Differences in mean postoperative fentanyl requirement (O-neph, 21.5 [10-40] μg/kg; R-neph, 4.1 [0-20] μg/kg) and duration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory suppository usage (O-neph, 2.3 [0-5] days; R-neph, 0.9 [0-2] days) were significant (both P<.05). Full oral feeding was resumed after a mean of 1.6 (1-2) days in O neph and 1.2 (1-2) days in R-neph. Conclusions: R-neph was safely performed by SPST, and results were comparable to those with O-neph performed by BCPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We reviewed 24 consecutive cases of prenatally or immediately postnatally diagnosed left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) to evaluate pulmonary artery (PA) size as an indication for thoracoscopic repair (TR). Methods: CDH repair is planned once echocardiography confirms improvement in pulmonary hypertension. TR is chosen if cardiopulmonary status is stable more than 10 min in the decubitus position in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) under conventional mechanical or high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) with/without nitric oxide (NO) and the patient appears likely to tolerate manual ventilation during transfer to the operating room. Otherwise open repair (OR) is performed in NICU. Proximal right PA (RPA) and left PA (LPA) diameters measured at birth were assessed with respect to the type of repair. Results: 10/24 had TR and 14/24 had OR. TR cases had significantly larger RPA/LPA diameters (3.52 ± 0.23 vs. 3.10 ± 0.56 mm, p < 0.05 for RPA; 3.04 ± 0.26 vs. 2.48 ± 0.37, p < 0.01 for LPA), and significantly less requirement for HFOV (70 vs. 100 %, p < 0.05) and NO (20 vs. 86 %, p < 0.01). Four TR required conversion to OR for technical reasons ( n = 3) and cardiopulmonary instability ( n = 1). Conclusions: TR can be considered when RPA/LPA diameters are larger than 3.0/2.5 mm, respectively, and cardiopulmonary status is stable without NO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to report on laparoscopy-assisted gastropexy in a child with situs inversus, asplenia, and major cardiac anomaly. Case: A 15-month-old boy presented with a sudden onset of epigastralgia, nonbilious vomiting, and severe abdominal distention. After a nasogastric tube decompression of the stomach, symptoms resolved and an upper gastrointestinal contrast study confirmed situs inversus and asplenia. Computed tomography showed hepatic symmetry. Major cardiac anomalies (e.g., single atrium, single ventricle, common atrioventricular valve, and pulmonary atresia) were also present and had been treated elsewhere by a Blalock-Taussig shunt operation, the Glenn procedure, and pulmonary artery plasty. To prevent recurrent gastric volvulus, an anterior gastropexy procedure was performed laparoscopically. The patient's weight at the time of surgery was 8.1 kg, and the operating time was 65 minutes. Cardiopulmonary status was stable during insufflation and throughout the laparoscopic procedure. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was allowed oral fluids 1 day after surgery and an unrestricted diet on day 2. A Fontan procedure was performed 18 months later, and our patient is now 6 years old and well—with no recurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion: This is the first report about the successful application of laparoscopy for performing a gastropexy procedure in a child with gastric volvulus, situs inversus, major cardiac anomaly, and asplenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: During thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy (TPL) in larger children (>15 kg), an endoscopic stapler (ES) and endoscopic clipper (EC) are used during dissection and division of the pulmonary vessels (PVs) and bronchus. However, in smaller children (<15 kg), ES/EC cannot be used because of limited space. We report our technique for thoracoscopic dissection and division of the PVs and bronchus in smaller children. Subjects and Methods: Fifteen cases of sequestration/congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation weighing less than 15 kg (range, 8-15 kg; mean, 11 kg) were the subjects for this review. With the patient under single-lung ventilation in the lateral decubitus position, four ports ranging from 5 to 12 mm were placed. After the PVs and bronchus were exposed, thick silk was used to encircle them as a traction suture. By applying traction, the PVs and bronchus could be exposed, and ES/EC were used safely by applying countertraction. Results: All cases had uneventful TPL (upper in 3 patients, middle in 3 patients, and lower in 9 patients). ES/EC were easy to use. Mean operative time was 220 minutes. Conclusions: Our technique allows the PVs and bronchus in children weighing less than 15 kg to be divided safely using ES/EC. We strongly recommend our technique, although simple, be used during TPL in smaller children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]