Search

Background/Aims: Prevention of renal scarring is the main therapeutic goal in children with spina bifida. We aimed to determine factors affecting renal scar development in these patients. Materials and Methods: Records of 312 children admitted between 1994 and 2005 with spina bifida were reviewed. Age on admission, gender, presence of previous febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and initial urodynamic findings were noted. Patients were grouped regarding presence/absence of renal scars on DMSA scans. χ2 and Student’s t tests were used for statistical evaluation. Results: Seventy-two patients had renal scars on admission. Mean age was 4.62 ± 4.59 years for patients without renal scars and 6.35 ± 4.9 years for patients with scars. Male/female ratio was 1:1 in the scarless group and 1:2 in the group with scars. Previous febrile UTI was present in 11 of 240 scarless patients in contrast to 7 out of 72 patients in the scar group (p > 0.05). VUR was present in only 16.3% of cases without scars, whereas 36.1% of patients in the scar group had VUR. Detrusor overactivity and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia were observed in 67.1% of scarred patients, whereas this figure was 42.4% in the scarless group. The comparison of age on admission, gender, detrusor overactivity, and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia revealed significant differences between patients with and without renal scars. Conclusions: Late referral, female gender, overactive detrusor, and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia have detrimental effects on renal parenchymal function in spina bifida patients. Patient selection for aggressive treatment using these features may prevent renal parenchymal deterioration. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The role of multiorgan damage in the mortality caused by ischemic limb injury is still not clarified. The objective of this study was to examine the potential protective effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and iloprost (IL) therapy on lung damage induced by limb ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rabbit model, using both biochemical and histopathological aspects. Methods Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into one of five study groups: HBO group (single session of HBO treatment); IL group (25 ng/kg/min infusion of IL); HBO + IL group (both HBO and IL); Control group (0.9% saline only); and a sham group. Acute hind limb ischemia-reperfusion was established by clamping the abdominal aorta for 1 h. HBO treatment and IL infusion were administrated during 60 min of ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion period. Blood pH, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide and levels of bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were determined at the end of the reperfusion period. Malondialdehyde was measured in the plasma and lung as an indicator of free radicals. After sacrifice, left lungs were removed and histopathological examination determined the degree of lung injury. Results In the control group, blood partial pressure of oxygen and bicarbonate levels were significantly lower and creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were significantly higher than those of the HBO group, IL group, HBO + IL group and sham group. Similarly, the malondialdehyde levels in the lung tissue and plasma levels were significantly lower in the treatment groups compared with the control group. The extent of lung injury according to the histological findings was significantly higher in the control group. Conclusions These results suggest that both HBO and IL therapies and their combination might be effectively used in the prevention of lung injury after ischemia/reperfusion injury of the lower extremities.

Aim: Acquired post-transplant diaphragmatic hernia (PTDH) is a rare complication of liver transplantation (LT) in children. We aimed to present our experience in PTDH, and a possible causative background is discussed., Methods: Medical records of patients who had undergone diaphragmatic repair following LT between 2015 and 2023 were reviewed. Demographic information, details of primary diseases necessitating LT, transplantation techniques, and clinical findings associated with PTDH were evaluated., Results: There were seven patients with PTDH. Median age at transplantation was 69 (range: 9-200) months. Five patients received a left lateral sector, one patient had a right lobe, and one had a left lobe graft. Time between LT and PTDH was 9 (2-123) months. One patient who was diagnosed in the postoperative 10th year was asymptomatic. Respiratory distress and abdominal pain were the main symptoms among all. All patients underwent laparotomy, and primary repair was performed in six patients, and one patient required mesh repair because of a large defect. Small intestine herniated in most cases. There were two complicated cases with perforation of the stomach and colonic volvulus. There is no recurrence or long-term complications for the median 60 (20-119) month follow-up period., Conclusion: PTDH is a rare but serious complication. Majority of symptomatic cases present within the first postoperative year, whereas some late-presenting cases may not be symptomatic. Inadvertent injury to the inferior phrenic vasculatures due to excessive use of cauterization for control of hemostasis may be a plausible explanation in those cases., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: The management of pediatric ovarian neoplasms (ON) is based on finding a balance between adequate surgical treatment and future reproductive capacity. We aimed to evaluate long-term results of patients who underwent surgery for ON., Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was used. Medical records of patients with ON were reviewed. They were invited to participate in a telephone-based survey assessing complaints, menstrual status, and post-surgical recurrence., Results: Eighty-five patients were operated for ON between 1995 and 2015. Median age at surgery was 14.7 years. 62.4% of patients had ovary-sparing surgery (OSS). Median tumor size in oophorectomy group was significantly larger than OSS group (p = 0.029). Median length of follow-up was 5.1 years. Recurrent/metachronous disease was not significantly different between OSS and oophorectomy groups (p = 1.000). In OSS group, irregular menses (p = 0.004) and painful menses (p = 0.002) were significantly higher than oophorectomy group., Conclusion: The main goal of treatment in pediatric ON is to find the right balance between adequate and appropriate tumor resection and maximal effort for fertility preservation. Our results showed no difference between oophorectomy and OSS in the terms of recurrence. Although irregular and painful menses were found to be significantly higher in the OSS group, longer follow-up and prospective studies are needed to clarify this issue., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the swallowing problems by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) study in both short- and long-gap patients after esophageal atresia (EA) repair., Methods: Hospital records of patients who had undergone surgery for EA were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups as short-gap (SG) group (n:16) and long-gap (LG) group (n:10) to compare the swallowing problems. FEES study was performed, and the results were discussed in detail., Results: There were twenty-six (16 M/10 F) patients with a mean age at evaluation was 7.52 ∓ 3.68 years. Mean follow-up period was 75.35 ∓ 44.48 months. In FEES study, pharyngeal phase abnormalities were detected in 10 patients (38.4%). Pharyngeal phase abnormalities were detected significantly higher in LG group (p:0.015). Laryngeal penetration/aspiration was seen in four patients on FEES study (15.3%). All of them was in LG group (40%). Laryngeal penetration/aspiration was seen significantly higher in LG group (p:0.014)., Conclusion: This is the first study to conduct FEES study in children after esophageal atresia repair to evaluate their swallowing conditions. Even though our sample is small, swallowing problems are more common than expected in the cases of LG when compared to SG., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: Perioperative hypothermia occurs in the pediatric age group in the perioperative period at a high rate. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the incidence of perioperative hypothermia and the risk factors that play a role in its development in pediatric circumcision cases that have a brief operation duration., Materials and Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 100 children who underwent circumcision under general anesthesia. All patients were heated with a passive heater and hypothermia was interpreted as a drop in body temperature below <36˚C. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (patients with body temperature <36˚C) and group 2 (≥36˚C). Demographic data, the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Classification of Physical Health Score, premedication method, operation time, fluid amount, preoperative and postoperative temperature of patients as tympanic were recorded., Results: The average age of the patients was 70 ± 40 months (median: 84) and 93% were ASA I. In 71% of patients, a decrease in body temperature and hypothermia developed in 39% compared to baseline. The duration of operation was longer in the group with hypothermia (30 min [15-70] vs. 25 min [15-60], P < .001). Only the duration of operation was determined as the independent risk factor associated with hypothermia (odds ratio: 1.103 [1.017-1.197], P=.018)., Conclusion: In this study, it was found that high rates of hypothermia developed even in minor operations such as pediatric circumcision. The risk of hypothermia increases with the prolongation of surgery.

The use of serological tests containing multiple immunodominant antigens rather than single antigens have the potential to improve the diagnostic performance in Cystic Echinococcoses (CE) as a complement tool to clear the inconclusive imaging data. Here, we comparatively evaluated the diagnostic value of Hydatid Fluid (HF) and the recently described recombinant multi-epitope antigen DIPOL in IgG-ELISA in a clinically defined cohort of CE patients. The serum samples from 149 CE patients were collected just before surgical or Percutaneous- Aspiration- Injection- Reaspiration (PAIR) procedures. Additionally, serum samples of patients with other parasitic infections (n=49) and healthy individuals (n=21) were also included in the study as controls. To investigate the association between the genotype of the parasite and DIPOL, cyst materials from 20 CE patients were sequenced. In terms of overall sensitivity, HF was higher than DIPOL (82.55%,78.52%, respectively). However, while the sensitivity of HF was higher than DIPOL in patients with active and transitional cysts (83.3%, 75.4%, respectively), sensitivity of DIPOL in inactive cysts was higher compared to HF (95.6%, 78.3%, respectively). The sensitivity of DIPOL depending on cyst stage was statistically significant (P= 0.041). In terms of specificity, DIPOL was found to be better than HF (97.71%, 91.43%, respectively). By genotyping, the majority of 20 patients showed G1 genotype (80%). All patients harboring G3 and G1/G3 cyst genotypes were positive with both antigens, while 87.5% of patients with G1 genotype were seropositive with HF and 75% with DIPOL. The overall sensitivity and high specificity of DIPOL suggest that this recombinant protein containing immunodominant epitopes is a potential substitute for the HF by serological tests for the diagnosis of CE., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Purpose: To evaluate the necessity of preoperative screening for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) prior to gastrostomy in neurologically impaired children., Methods: Medical records of neurologically impaired children, who have undergone laparoscopic gastrostomy between January, 2004 and June, 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. Before the year of 2014, all patients who required gastrostomy had been routinely screened for GER pre-operatively, but after the year of 2014, only the ones with GER-related symptoms were tested. The characteristics and outcomes of Routine Screening (RS) and Selective Screening (SS) periods were compared., Results: There were 55 and 54 patients in the RS and SS periods, respectively. Demographics, primary pathologies, and mean follow-up durations (> 2 years) were similar. The rate of GER screening was significantly lower in the SS period (29.6% vs. 63.6%). The rate of Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) combined with gastrostomy was significantly lower in the SS period (14.8% vs. 38.2%). During follow-up, the rates of new-onset GER symptoms (13% vs. 11.7%) and LNF requirement later on (6.5% vs. 8.8%) were statistically similar between the two periods., Conclusion: Routine screening for GER is not necessary prior to gastrostomy in neurologically impaired children. Symptom-selective screening algorithm is safe and efficient in the long term.

Introduction:  The data of the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry (TEAR) was evaluated to define the outcome of very low birth weight (VLBW) and low BW (LWB) infants with esophageal atresia (EA)., Materials and Methods:  The data registered by 24 centers between 2014 and 2018 were evaluated for demographic features, prenatal findings, associated anomalies, surgical treatment, and outcome. Patients were enrolled in three groups according to their BWs (VLBW <1,500 g), LWB = 1,500-2,500 g), and normal BW (NBW; >2,500 g)., Results:  Among the 389 cases, there were 37 patients (9.5%) in the VLBW group, 165 patients (42.4%) in the LBW group, and 187 patients (48.1%) in the NBW group. Prenatal diagnosis rates were similar among the three groups (29.7, 34.5, and 24.6%, respectively). The standard primary anastomosis was achieved at a significantly higher rate in NWB cases than in the other groups ( p  < 0.05). In patients with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), patients of the NBW group had significantly higher rates of full oral feedings, when compared with VLBW and LBW cases ( p  < 0.05). At the end of the first year, when we evaluate all patients, the number of cases with fistula recanalization and esophageal anastomotic strictures (AS) requiring esophageal dilatation was similar among the groups. The weight and height measurements at 6 months and 1 year of age of the survivors were similar in all the groups. The overall mortality rate was significantly higher in the VLBW and LBW groups, when compared with the NBW patients, even in patients with tension-free anastomosis ( p  < 0.05). The incidence of the associated anomalies was 90.6% in cases with mortality, which was significantly higher than in survivors (59.6%; p  < 0.05). According to Spitz's classification, the survival rate was 87.1% in class I, 55.3% in class II, and 16.7% in class III. The most common causes of mortality were associated with cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, and sepsis., Conclusion:  The national data of TEAR demonstrates that the developmental and feeding parameters are better in NBW patients. Although VLBW patients have higher risk of developing fistula canalization than the LBW and NBW groups, long-term complications, such as anastomotic strictures, weight, and height values, after 1 year are similar in both groups. According to our results, associated anomalies and LBWs are still significant risk factors for mortality in cases with EA., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Wnt/Beta-catenin pathway plays an essential role in liver development and regeneration. Abnormal activation in this pathway leads to development of hepatoblastoma (HB). Although its importance has invoked attention, its prognostic role is debatable. We aimed to evaluate the significance of intracellular localization of beta-catenin (BC) expression in the outcome of hepatoblastoma patients., Methods: Medical records of HB patients between 2004 and 2018 were reviewed. Patients were grouped according to intracellular localization of BC expression by immunohistochemistry as being cytoplasmic or nuclear. Demographics, radiological images, PRETEXT classifications, vascular involvement, risk groups, chemotherapy responses, and survival rates were analyzed and compared between groups., Results: There were 41 patients. Thirteen patients were excluded for unavailability of records in four, negative/unclear BC expressions in seven. Cytoplasmic expression of BC was observed in 17 patients whereas 13 patients displayed nuclear expression. Demographics were similar in both groups. Cytoplasmic BC expression was associated with poor chemotherapy response (p = 0.001) and increased vascular involvement (p = 0.0162) requiring more extensive surgeries (p = 0.039)., Conclusion: Although the numbers are limited in our series, the intracellular localization of BC expression has been found to be a promising determining factor for hepatoblastoma prognosis. With larger patient series, more reliable results can be achieved.

Introduction: We present a novel approach to single-incision laparoscopy-assisted gastric transposition combined with thoracoscopic esophagectomy in a child with long-segment corrosive esophageal stricture (CES)., Materials and Surgical Technique: A 2.5-year-old boy with a history of caustic ingestion underwent periodic esophageal dilatations at 3-week intervals, four sessions of topical mitomycin C application, and a strict antacid/H 2 antagonist therapy for 8 months. The esophageal replacement was indicated because of persistent corrosive esophageal stricture. First, thoracoscopic native esophagus dissection was performed. After gastric mobilization with single-incision laparoscopy, esophagectomy and esophagogastric anastomosis were performed through the cervical incision. There was no complication, and the patient had gained weight by the end of the 12-month follow-up., Discussion: Single-incision laparoscopy-assisted gastric transposition combined with thoracoscopic esophagectomy is feasible, safe, and effective in patients with corrosive esophageal stricture., (© 2018 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Introduction: Various bulking agents were utilized for endoscopic correction of VUR. A study reviewing multi-institutional data showed that the amount of injection material has increased over time with the purpose of improving success rates, which also resulted in costs. We noticed an opposite trend in our center since we started using a new bulking agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate evolution of our practice with different bulking agents., Patients and Methods: Records of VUR patients who underwent subureteric injection with polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer (PPC) and dextronomere hyaluronic acide (DxHA) between 2005 and 2014 were reviewed. Variation of different parameters throughout the study period was evaluated along with the success rate. Success was defined as complete resolution of reflux., Results: A total of 260 patients with 384 refluxing units were included. The success rate was higher in PPC group compared to DxHA group. There was no statistically significant difference between years regarding distribution of VUR grade, body weight, patient height, and age in PPC group. Despite significant reduction in injection volume, success rate did not decrease through the years with PPC., Conclusion: Different bulking agents may require different injection volumes to achieve the same success rate in endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. Habits gained with previous experience using other materials should be revised while using a new agent., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.)

Background: Decision-making for management may sometimes be difficult in acute appendicitis (AA). Various diagnostic scoring systems exist, but their sensitivity and specificity rates are far from ideal. In this study, the determination of the predictors and the effect of radiological data and developing a new scoring system were aimed., Methods: Medical records of patients who were hospitalized for AA between February 2012 and October 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. All data were compared between patients with and without appendicitis. The multivariate analysis was performed to define significant variables and to examine the sensitivity and specificity of each group of predictors including radiological data. A new scoring system (NSS) was formed and was compared with two existing scoring systems: pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) and Alvarado scoring system (ASS) by using reclassification method., Results: Negative appendectomy rate was 11.3%. Statistical analysis identified 21 independently significant variables. The heel drop test had the highest odds ratio. Sensitivity and specificity rates of clinical predictors were 84.6% and 94.8%, respectively. Radiological predictors increased the sensitivity rate to 86.9%. Sensitivity and specificity rates for PAS, ASS, and NSS were 86.8% and 83.9%, 84.7% and 81.6%, and 96.8% and 95.6%, respectively. The "re-assessed negative appendectomy rate" was 6.2% and false positive results were remarkably more common in patients with duration of symptoms less than 24 hours., Conclusion: Radiological data improves the accuracy of diagnosis. Containing detailed clinical and radiological data, NSS performs superiorly to PAS and ASS, regarding sensitivity and specificity without any age limitation. The efficiency of NSS may be enhanced by determining different predictors for different phases of the inflammatory process.

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is the gold standard and is widely performed in adults, but its use in children is relatively new. We aim to present our experience in twenty-five children with diverse adrenal pathologies and to discuss an extensive review of pediatric LA in English literature., Methods: Medical records of children with adrenal tumors admitted to a tertiary center and treated with LA were reviewed. Characteristics and outcome of patients were compared with results of a systematic Pubmed/Medline literature review., Results: Transperitoneal LAs were performed for 12 malignant and 14 benign adrenal masses (size range: 2-8cm) in 25 children (median age:63months). Fourteen lesions were on the right side, and there was one bilateral case. There were no conversion and no complication within 36months of follow-up. A literature review revealed 437 pediatric LAs with left side predomination (51.4%). The indication was a malignant lesion in 60.2% of the cases (sizes range: 1-10cm). The transperitoneal route was preferred in 94.2% of the procedures. Conversion and complication rates were 7.5% and 3.1%, respectively., Conclusion: LA should be preferred in selected children with adrenal pathologies. The transperitoneal route seems to be the standard approach for pediatric surgeons. Preoperative planning and surgical expertise are the keys to success., Type of the Study: Case series with systematic literature review., Level of Evidence: IV., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The efficacy of ultrasonography (US) and abdominal X-ray in combination with Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) is complicated in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Abdominal X-ray is as useful as US with clinical assessment when evaluated by experienced pediatric radiologist in acute appendicitis. The aim of this study was to determine the value of US and abdominal X-ray for appendicitis in children when combined with clinical assessment based on PAS, and to establish a practical pathway for acute appendicitis in childhood., Methods: A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted at an urban, academic pediatric emergency department. Patients were classified at low (PAS 1-4), intermediate (PAS 5-7), or high (PAS 8-10) risk for appendicitis. Low-risk patients were discharged with telephone follow-up in ≤10 days; those at intermediate risk underwent X-ray and US. High-risk patients received immediate surgical consultation. Patients were grouped on histopathology as having either proven acute appendicitis or no appendicitis., Results: A total of 288 children were analyzed. Surgery was performed in 134 patients (46.5%), and 128 (95.5%) had positive histopathology. Mean PAS in the patients with and without appendicitis was 7.09 ± 1.42 and 4.97 ± 2.29, respectively (P = 0.00). The rate of missed cases was 6/288 (2%), and the negative appendectomy rate was 6/134 (4.4%). When the score cut-off was set at 6, the sensitivity and specificity of PAS was 86.7% and 63.1%, respectively. The diagnostic performance of daytime US had a sensitivity of 91.1% and specificity of 71.1%. Also, positive US or PAS >6 or both, had sensitivity and specificity 96.7% and 59.9%, respectively., Conclusion: US or abdominal X-ray in children with possible appendicitis should be integrated with PAS to determine the next steps in management. In the case of discordance between the clinical findings and radiology, prolonged observation or further imaging are recommended., (© 2017 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Scimitar syndrome represents a rare variant of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection with right lung hypoplasia, dextrocardia, and concomitant airway-vessel abnormalities. Surgical correction is preferred in symptomatic patients or in patients with increased left-to-right shunt. In this report, the first case of scimitar syndrome with dual arterial supply and venous drainage to be treated with thoracoscopic approach is presented.

Background: Primary ovarian fibrosarcomas are rare and usually observed in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. To our knowledge, to date, there are only 3 reports of ovarian fibrosarcoma in childhood and adolescence in the English-language literature. In this report, we aimed to present to our knowledge, the first pediatric case with advanced stage primary ovarian fibrosarcoma and to compare with previous cases., Case: A 14-year-old teenage girl was admitted because of a giant abdominal mass. Imaging techniques revealed a giant heterogeneous and vascular ovarian mass. Salpingo-oophorectomy along with staging procedures were performed. Pathologic examination confirmed grade III ovarian fibrosarcoma with severe nuclear atypia and high mitotic count. Because of pulmonary metastasis, she received 4 courses of adjuvant combination chemotherapy (Ewing protocol). The patient withstood the treatment well and is disease-free at 2 years of follow-up., Conclusion: Fibrosarcoma of the ovary is an uncommon neoplasm with poor prognosis. To our knowledge, the presented patient is the first pediatric case with advanced staged primary ovarian fibrosarcoma to be treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy., (Copyright © 2017 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Thoracoscopic treatment of pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) has been considered to be a good treatment option in both children and adults for nearly 25 years. However, there have been very few pediatric studies published during this period. Our goal is to review our results and evaluate the efficiency of thorascopy in pediatric patients., Materials and Methods: The medical records of patients with PHC who were surgically treated between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. As all cysts larger than 5 cm in diameter were surgically removed, cysts less than 5 cm in diameter were medically treated and were not included in the study. Demographics, cyst characteristics, and operative/postoperative data were compared between patients who underwent thorascopy (thoracoscopy group) and patients who underwent thoracotomy (thoracotomy group). Chi-square and t-test were used for statistical analysis where appropriate., Results: There were 26 consecutive children (14 girls, 12 boys; mean age 9.4±2.7) included in the study. Except for 2 incidentally diagnosed patients, all were symptomatic, 4 had multifocal lesions, and multiorgan involvement was detected in 11 patients. Thoracoscopy was performed in 10 patients, and conversion was necessary in 2 patients due to unsuccessful fistula ligation attempts. The thoracoscopy group included 8 thoracoscopically treated patients, and remaining patients constituted the thoracotomy group (n=18). Comparison of preoperative characteristics of the groups was insignificant, whereas the overall complication rate (residual bronchial fistula, prolonged air leak, pneumothorax, and localized air cyst) and median hospital stay were significantly higher in the thoracoscopy group. There was no mortality and no recurrence at the postoperative follow-up after 37.4 months., Conclusion: The thoracoscopic approach to PHC may have a high risk of conversion and postoperative complication rate. Thoracotomy in children still seems to be the approach of choice for PHC larger than 5 cm. Routine thoracoscopic hydatid cyst treatment is yet far from being the gold standard, whereas thoracoscopy may be preferred in selected patients., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Purpose: Several treatment techniques may be used in the treatment of esophageal strictures. The purpose of this study was to present the effects of topical mitomycin C (TMC) as an useful adjunct to dilatation therapy in esophageal strictures., Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TMC between February 2015 and July 2016 was performed. Dysphagia score, periodic dilatation index, and number of dilatations were compared before and after intervention to investigate the efficacy of TMC., Results: TMC was performed on 20 patients with a median age of 3.5 years (2 to 17 y). The diagnosis was corrosive esophageal strictures in 14 patients, anastomotic strictures in 5 patients, and congenital esophageal stricture in 1 patient. The length of the stricture was long in 10 patients (50%). The median dysphagia score decreased from 2 (1 to 3) to 0 (0 to 2) after application (P<0.001). The median number of dilatation sessions decreased from 5 (1 to 41) to 1 (0 to 11) after intervention (P<0.001). The median periodic dilatation index decreased from 1 (0.66 to 1.34) to 0 (0 to 1.33) after TMC (P<0.001). Regular esophageal dilatation was not necessary in 16 patients after application (80%). The length of the stricture did not affect the efficacy of TMC. The success of treatment was lower in patients with a long treatment period before TMC (>3 y) (50%). No complications were seen in a median follow-up period of 16 months (7 to 22 mo)., Conclusions: TMC application has a significant positive effect as an adjunct to dilatation therapy in most of the patients with different types of esophageal strictures. It should be performed as a safe and efficient treatment option even in patients who were resistant to dilatation therapy.

Introduction: Various graft and flap techniques have been proposed for urethral reconstruction in proximal hypospadias repair. The Bracka repair involving the transfer of inner prepuce like a Wolfe graft mostly results in satisfactory results besides a high fistula rate., Aim: The aim was to decrease the high fistula rate with Bracka repair; we wanted to use the advantages of vascularized skin in the Bracka method. The aim of this study was to evaluate our results with this modification., Study Design: Our modification involves using a flap instead of a graft. In the first stage, chordee was corrected by transection of the urethral plate and dorsal midline plication when necessary. Instead of a graft as suggested by Bracka, inner preputial skin with ample blood supply was transferred and stitched to the denuded ventral penile surface. In the second stage after 6 months, this flap was tubularized in the Thiersch-Duplay fashion. Hospital records of patients who had undergone two stage modified Bracka repair between June 2007 and July 2012 were reviewed, including complaints, complications, and need for interventions., Results: Thirty-eight patients had undergone this operation. Four patients were lost to follow-up. The main complaint was obstructed urinary flow. Voiding symptoms were first attributed to urethral stenosis, but were, however, found to be due to diverticulum and vortex of the urine in the dilated urethra. Twenty-one patients (61%) had voiding problems and 10 patients (29%) had urinary tract infections. Fistula was observed in 23 and diverticula were observed in 24 patients. Of these, 16 patients had both fistula and diverticula. Only two patients (5%) were free of complications and totally satisfied with the operation, and 23 of the 34 patients had complications requiring intervention (Figure)., Discussion: Inner preputial flaps used in proximal hypospadias repairs are prone to diverticula formation. They become redundant in time requiring reoperation, thus decreasing the success rate. Careful fixation of the flap to the corpora and allowing time for additional attachment of the urethral plate substitution through fibrotic activity could not overcome this complication., Conclusion: Our modification of the Bracka technique using a flap for the plate resulted in a high rate of complications (in particular diverticulum formation) and was therefore abandoned. We recommend careful use of flaps in hypospadias surgery and long-term follow-up studies to evaluate actual functional and cosmetic results., (Copyright © 2016 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of the Study: Esophageal dilatation can be insufficient in the treatment of severe corrosive esophageal strictures. In this study, we aimed to present the efficacy of intralesional steroid injection as an adjunct to dilatation therapy., Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of children who underwent intralesional steroid injection between 2004 and 2014 was performed. Patients' age, type of corrosive substance, length of stricture, number of injection and dilatation sessions and complications were reviewed. The success was evaluated by the comparison of number, frequency, and requirement of dilatation therapy before and after injection., Results: Intralesional steroid injection was performed to 32 children with a mean age of 3.6±2.5 years. The types of corrosive agents were alkali (24) or acid (8). Mean number of injection sessions was 2.5±1.1(1 to 6). Mean number of dilatation sessions was decreased from 10±8.8 to 5.4±4.6 after injection (P=0.003). Mean frequency of dilatations was extended from 3.6±0.9 weeks to 8.7±3.9 weeks (P=0.000). Dilatation treatment was successfully terminated in 25 of 27 children with short-segment strictures after injection (92%). Whereas all of the children with long-segment strictures could not resolved and finally required esophageal replacement (5 patients). One patient had transient cushingoid phenotype as a complication. There was not seen any major complication-like perforation. The mean follow-up period was 6±3 years., Conclusions: Intralesional steroid injection is an effective adjunct to dilatation in most of the children with short-segment strictures. It should be performed as a safe and efficient treatment option in patients with short-segment corrosive esophageal strictures resistant to dilatation therapy.

Although pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) are relatively rare in children, they are important in the differential diagnosis of common pulmonary problems, such as hypoxemia, hemoptysis and dyspnea on exertion. We report the cases of two PAVM patients with different presentations and describe the treatment strategies., (© 2015 Japan Pediatric Society.)

Neonatal appendicitis is a rare clinical condition that may cause high morbidity and mortality if diagnosis is delayed. There is usually an underlying disease; it can also be a localized form of necrotizing enterocolitis. Here, we present a term neonate who was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin because of severe isoimmune hemolytic jaundice. The patient developed abdominal symptoms within 10 hours of therapy, was diagnosed with acute perforated appendicitis and completely recovered after surgery.

Background: Neuroenteric cysts (NC) are rare pathologies and localized generally in posterior mediastinum or abdomen where they may extend to spinal canal through a vertebral defect. Isolated spinal lesions require dorsal/ventral laminectomy and thoracic ones thoracotomy or thoracoscopy. Posterolateral approach via thoracotomy is generally performed for lesions with both thoracic and spinal components. Minimal invasive excision of a thoracic NC with spinal extension in an infant is presented herein., Case Report: A term female newborn with an antenatal (26th week) diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) was admitted. On physical examination, she was normal except mild dyspnea and CDH were excluded on radiogram. Left parenchymal opacity necessitated thorax tomography that revealed lobulated cystic lesion (6 × 3.5 × 4.5 cm) in posterior mediastinum. MRI showed intraspinal extension of the lesion through a hemivertebrae (6th). Two-stage procedure was planned for suspected neuroenteric cyst. First, intraspinal component was excised with dorsal laminectomy and the connection was closed. Then, the thoracic component was excised thoracoscopically. Histopathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis. Total parenteral nutrition and high dose somatostatin analog was needed due to transient left chylothorax on postoperative course. She was well and symptom-free in postoperative period., Conclusion: Neuroenteric cysts may lead to misdiagnoses in antenatal period. MRI is critical to show spinal and vertebral pathologies in suspected cases. Thoracoscopy may safely be performed for thoracic lesions with spinal extension in two-stage approach following closure of the connection and excision of the spinal component.

Objective: To evaluate an outcome of endoscopic correction of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) using Vantris (Promedon, Cordoba, Argentina) in terms of its effectiveness and morbidity in a multicenter study., Materials and Methods: From 2009 to 2013, 611 patients (210 boys and 401 girls) with a mean age of 3.56 years (range, 1 month-18 years) were treated at 7 centers worldwide endoscopically with Vantris injection. VUR was unilateral in 413 and bilateral in 198 patients comprising 809 renal refluxing units (RRUs). Of these, primary VUR was present in 674 RRUs (83.3%) and 135 (16.7%) were complex cases. Reflux was grades I-V in 24 (2.96%), 123 (15.2%), 451 (55.8%), 158 (19.5%), and 53 (6.6%) RRUs respectively. The follow-up continued from 6 to 54 months., Results: Reflux resolved in 759 RRUs (93.8%) after first Vantris injection, in 26 (3.1%) after second, and in 6 (0.7%) after third injection, respectively. VUR improved to grade I after 1 or 2 injections in 5 ureters (0.6%), which needed no further treatment. Thirteen ureters (1.6%) failed endoscopic correction and required ureteral reimplantation. Vesicoureteral junction obstruction requiring ureteral reimplantation developed in 6 ureters (0.7%) and in 4 (0.5%) required stent insertion. Twenty-three patients (3.8%) suffered afebrile urinary tract infection. Seven (1.2%) developed febrile urinary tract infection. None of the studied patients demonstrated VUR recurrence on voiding cystourethrography., Conclusion: The results of this multicenter survey confirm that endoscopic subureteral Vantris injection is a simple, safe, and effective outpatient procedure for treating all grades of VUR., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Oxidized regenerated cellulose (Surgicel(®)) is a commonly used material in Pediatric Surgery. We present a case of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (RTEF) repaired by Surgicel(®). In this case, tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) recurred due to migration of Surgicel into the tracheal and esophageal lumen., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Clostridial collagenase A (CCA) has been shown effective in degrading collagen in eschar tissue and promoting healing in partial-thickness burns. As there are also reports of fever, leukocytosis, increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and septic complications during treatment with CCA, we aimed to determine in rats whether CCA aggravates the systemic inflammatory response., Methods: Rats with partial-thickness burns were randomly divided into groups with either no dressing (ND), povidone-iodine dressing (PID) or CCA dressing (CCAD). Body weights and temperatures, blood leukocyte counts, and serum levels of CRP, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), were measured at 0, 3, and 24h and days 3 and 7 from burn. Wounds were cultured on days 1, 3 and 7 and burn depth was evaluated on day 1., Results: Body weights for all groups were significantly lower after burn, with highest loss (25.5%) in the CCAD group. At 3h a significant drop in rectal temperature was noted in all groups. The CCAD group had higher rectal temperature levels than the PID group on days 3 and 7 (p<0.05). Changes in serum levels of CRP, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were not significant in the ND and PID groups; the CCAD group showed a significant rise in serum levels of CRP on day 1, of IL-6 on day 3 and of TNF-alpha on day 7. Wound infection was more common in CCAD group and increased on days 3 and 7, but this was insignificant., Conclusion: CCA aggravated the systemic inflammatory response in rats with partial-thickness burns, which is accompanied by a higher risk of infection.