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Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in pediatric population is becoming more and more popular among pediatric urologists and now it can be considered the best treatment for nephroureterectomy that is one of the most frequent urological procedures. The main indications to MIS ureteronephrectomy in children are congenital or acquired benign conditions such as nonfunctional and/or damaging kidney, renal dysplasia, and destroyed kidneys due to obstructive or refluxing uropathy. Since ever in open urological surgery, the lateral retroperitoneal approach represents the typical way to approach this kind of surgery. Although different surgical approaches can be chosen (i.e., posterior retroperitoneal, lateral retroperitoneal, laparoscopic transperitoneal, and robotic approach), the lateral retroperitoneal approach represents the typical way to perform this kind of surgery, also with minimally invasive techniques. In this article, we illustrate the technique of retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy in infants and children, reporting our experience with this technique in the past 20 years.

Background: There are limited data about urolithiasis in young infants, especially in class age younger than 2 years. Case presentation: We report the case of a child

Background: Thoracoscopic correction of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has been increasingly widespread, but is still one of the most advanced pediatric surgi...

The literature reported an increased avoidance of the Emergency Department (ED) during COrona VIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, causing a subsequent increase of morbidity and mortality for acute conditions. Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency, which can lead to the loss of the affected testicle if a delayed treatment occurs. As testicular loss is time-related, outcome was hypothesized to be negatively affected by the pandemic.The aim is to investigate whether presentation, treatment and outcomes of children with testicular torsion were delayed during COVID-19.Medical records of pediatric patients operated for testicular torsion of six Paediatric Surgical Units in Northern Italy between January 2019 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided as for ones treated during (dC) or before the pandemic (pC). To reflect possible seasonality, related to lockdown restrictions, winter and summer calendar blocks were also analysed. For all cohorts, demographic data, pre-operative evaluation, operative notes and post-operative outcomes were reviewed. Primary outcomes were referral time, time from diagnosis to surgery and ischemic time, while secondary outcomes were orchiectomy and atrophy rates. Statistic was conducted as appropriate.A total of 188 patients with acute testicular torsion were included in the study period, 89 in the pre-COVID-19 (pC) period and 99 during COVID-19 (dC). Time from symptom onset to the access to the Emergency Department (T1) was not different among the two populations (pC: 5,5 h, dC: 6 h, p 0.374), and similarly time from diagnosis to surgery (pC: 2,5 h, dC: 2,5 h, p 0.970) and ischemic time (pC: 8,2 h, dC: 10 h, p 0.655). T1 was6 h in 46/99 patients (46%) pC and 45/89 patients (51%) dC (p = 0.88, Fisher's exact test). Subgroup analysis accounting for different lockdown measures, confirm the absence of any difference. Orchiectomies rate was 23% (23/99) dC and 21% (19/89) pC (p = 0.861, Fisher's exact test) and rate of post-operative atrophy was 9% dC (7/76) and 14% pC (10/70), p = 0,44, Fisher's exact test.Despite worldwide pediatric ED accesses reduction, we reported that neither ischemic time nor the long-term outcomes in children with testicular torsion increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the available literature, few studies investigated the topic and are controversial on the results. Similarly to our findings, some studies found that timing and orchiectomy rates were not significantly different during the pandemic, while others reported a correlation to pandemic seasonality. Furthermore, in the recent pediatric literature it has been reported a delayed testicular torsion diagnosis due to shame in informing parents. Strengths of this study are the large numerosity, its multicentric design and a long study period. Its main limitation is being retrospective.We reported our large cohort from one of the most heavily COVID-19-affected regions, finding that referral, intra-hospital protocols and ischemic time in testicular torsion were not increased during to the pandemic, as well as orchiectomy rate and atrophy.

In pediatric patients appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain and surgery. Torsion of vermiform appendix is a rare cause, clinically indistinguishable from appendicitis with usually an intraoperative diagnosis. The first description of vermiform appendix torsion was made by Payne in 1918. Clinical presentation is similar to acute appendicitis. Preoperative investigations play a minimal role. Etiology of this condition is unclear, but is possible to distinguish a primary and a secondary torsion. We report a case of 5-years-old boy who presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. His clinical signs, symptoms and investigations mimicked an acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively we found a 720° appendix torsion on its base with its mesentery rotated in counter-clockwise direction. The appendix was gangrenous in appearance. A video-assisted trans-umbilical appendectomy was performed. We describe clinical presentation and management of this rare condition reviewing the literature.

Majority of sequestrations fall into two categories: Intra-Lobar (ILS) and Extra-Lobar (ELS). Rarely the abnormal lung could be attached to the gastrointestinal tract, Bronchopulmonary Foregut Malformation (BPFM). We described a case of a girl of 3-years-old with antenatal diagnosis of left intrathoracic mass of the inferior lobe. Postnatal Computed-Tomography (CT) revealed a bilateral ELS with an isthmic bridge crossing the vertebral spine. She follows a MRI follow-up at 18months/30months confirming the lesion. Before surgery, a three-dimensional-CT-angiography was performed to study the mass, its blood supply and to plan surgery. She underwent to thoracoscopic resection. Two aberrant blood vessels were dissected from the thoracic aorta and ligated. The postoperative course was uneventful. She was discharged after 3 days. The rarity of our case is due to the bilateral extension. An appropriate preoperatory imaging study is necessary for the success of surgery while thoracoscopy is particularly appropriate in surgical treatment.

In the last three decades, fetal ovarian cysts were diagnosed more frequently, due to technological improvement and the increasing use of prenatal screening ultrasound. Nonetheless, treatment uncertainties are still present, either prenatally or postnatally. Recently, significant innovations on diagnosis and treatment have been proposed and a more conservative, minimally invasive approach may be offered to the Pediatrician or the Surgeon who face with this condition during prenatal or neonatal age. (...)

The most appropriate treatment for the infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (HPS) is still debated. The non-surgical conservative treatment with oral or intravenous administration of atropine does not enjoy a widespread appreciation for several factors (...)

Introduction: The management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in children still remains controversial. The current literature shows a lack of scientific evidence supporting a standardized management. Materials and Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was performed, patients admitted for PSP in five Pediatric Surgical Units over a 9-year period (from 2008 to 2017) were included. Patient data were reviewed for each case. Management and outcomes were statistically analyzed. Results: Overall 159 patients (135 males and 24 females) were included in this study. During the first hospital admission, 62/159 patients (39%) were conservatively managed with oxygen therapy; 95/159 patients (60%) required a chest drain insertion; 2/159 patients (1%) underwent surgery because of a bilateral pneumothorax. Thoracoscopy was performed in 75/159 (47%) patients after the second hospital admission or for persistent air leak during the first access. Postoperatively, 8/75 (11%) patients developed recurrent pneumothorax requiring chest drain insertion in 3/8 (37%) cases or aspiration in 1/8 (13%), whereas 4/8 (50%) patients were conservatively managed. All of the patients but one, were confirmed to be affected by emphysematous-like changes at histology. Conclusions: Despite the limitations of being a retrospective study, we suggest that the early surgical management in children with PSP is feasible and safe and it seems to significantly reduce the recurrence rate. To the best of our knowledge there are no pediatric guidelines for the management of PSP, therefore, we support the need for prospective studies to create the evidence-based pillars for correct and standardized management of this condition.

BACKGROUND: This article aimed to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic vascular hitch (VH) as an effective alternative to dismembered pyeloplasty in the treatment of children with extrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) by crossing vessels (CVs), by reporting the experience of three Italian centers of Pediatric Surgery. METHODS: From 2006 to 2014, 54 children (18 girls and 36 boys, average age 10.7 years) affected by suspected extrinsic UPJO by CV were treated in three different institutions: 51 patients underwent laparoscopic VH, while 3 patients, in which a coexisting intrinsic etiology of UPJO was doubtful, underwent laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty. Preoperative diagnostic workup included: ultrasound (US)/Doppler scan, mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3)-renal scan, and functional-magnetic-resonance-urography (fMRU). Symptoms at presentation were recurrent abdominal/flank pain and hematuria. All patients presented intermittent hydronephrosis (range 18-100 mm) on US and an obstructive pattern on MAG3 renogram. RESULTS: Average operative time was 108 minutes, and average hospital stay was 1.8 days. As for complications, we reported a small abdominal wall hematoma and a high UPJ distortion without obstruction in 2 patients, not requiring reintervention (grade I Clavien-Dindo). At follow-up (range 12-96 months), all patients reported resolution of symptoms, decrease in the hydronephrosis grade, and improved drainage on MAG3 renogram. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic VH for treatment of extrinsic UPJO by CV, registering excellent outcomes in a very selected patient population. The careful selection of patients through intraoperative assessment of anatomical and functional aspects is a crucial step to confirm indications for VH and maintain a high success rate with the procedure. We believe that any concerns regarding the coexistence of intrinsic stenosis should certainly lead to opening the collecting system and to performing a classic dismembered pyeloplasty.

Ureteral atresia is a rare disease usually associated with a non-functioning dysplastic kidney. The condition may be unilateral or bilateral; focal, short or long and may involve any part of the ureter. Association with other urinary anomalies is rare. We report the case of a 10-month-old boy with prenatal diagnosis of multicystic right kidney. This suspicion was confirmed after birth by ultrasound and static scintigraphy; a right vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was recorded at cystography. The boy presented a regular renal function but was hospitalized twice for suspected pyelonephritis between the 8th and the 10th month of life and were recorded occasional mild changes in blood pressure. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered until surgery. When he was 10-month underwent retroperitoneoscopy to perform a nephroureterectomy finding a complete atresia of the upper third of the ureter with the blind end at the level of the uretero-pelvic-junction. The programmed surgery was performed. By a revision of literature, only few cases of imperforate distal ureter have been described. This condition is associated with a kidney dysplasia. The atresia of the ureter with no signs of infection in the dysplastic kidney may be unknown up to adulthood or throughout one’s life. Prognosis usually depends on the severity of the obstruction.

Linee guida della Società Italiana di Videochirurgia Infantile Le Linee Guida della Società Italiana di Videochirurgia Infantile (SIVI) sono uno strumento semplice e pratico redatto ed approvato dal Consiglio Direttivo della Società. Esse sono frutto di un lungo lavoro di revisione sistematica della letteratura integrato dal parere di esperti nel campo della Chirurgia Mininvasiva Pediatrica. Queste linee guida sono intese ad aiutare il chirurgo pediatra che si avvicina, o già pratica, la Chirurgia Mininvasiva, ed hanno lo scopo di facilitare la scelta dell’indicazione e del trattamento chirurgico ottimale per le principali patologie chirurgiche pediatriche. Tuttavia, data la complessità delle malformazioni congenite, delle patologie chirurgiche pediatriche e l’estrema varietà dell’ambiente sanitario, è importante sottolineare come l’approccio suggerito potrebbe non essere necessariamente l’unico approccio accettabile e/o percorribile. Le linee guida devono essere considerate uno strumento flessibile in quanto poi è il medico che, con il consenso dei genitori/tutori, avrà il compito di scegliere l’approccio più adatto al singolo paziente. Tale approccio sarà attuato in scienza e coscienza ed in base alla patologia ed alle eventuali variabili esistenti al momento della decisione. La massima accessibilità possibile alle Linee Guida è garantita dalla loro pubblicazione sulla rivista ufficiale della SIVI: La Pediatria Medica e Chirurgica. Il progetto Linee Guida è stato approvato dall’assemblea generale del Congresso SIVI 2016 di Madrid.

The management of congenital primary obstructive megaureter (POM) is usually conservative, especially during the first year of life. Endoscopic high-pressure balloon dilatation (EHPBD) is indicated when symptoms, increasing dilatation and progressive renal damage are recorded, particularly in children younger than one year of age. We identified and described endoscopic prognostic factors predicting the success or failure of endoscopic dilatation. Thirty-eight patients (33 M;5 F) with POM from 2005-2018 were included. Diagnosis was based on US distal ureter dilatation (>7 mm), obstructive MAG-3 diuretic renogram and absence of vesicoureteral reflux (cystography). 24 patients were under 1 year of age. All patients underwent cystoscopy and high-pressure balloon dilatation with 3,5 Fr dilating balloon, after ascending pyelography. Median follow-up was of 6.5 years. We identified characteristics with poor prognosis: stenotic punctiform ureteral ostium and/or ostium located in a bladder diverticulum (9 pts) and stenotic tract longer than 1 cm (5 pts). The patients with a stenotic tract shorter than 1 cm (18 pts) were divided into two groups

Throughout history, the pediatric laparoscopic nephrectomy was first described at the beginning of the Nineties by Erlich and colleagues in a child and by Koyle and colleagues in an unweaned patient. (...)

Open or laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty (DP) is the gold standard procedure to treat UPJO since the procedure was first described by Anderson and Hynes (AHDP) in 1949 [1]. UPJO may be caused by intrinsic disorganization or by extrinsic compression from crossing vessels (CV); extrinsic causes often present symptomatically in older children. The association between UPJ obstruction and extrinsic aetiology by lower pole CV was first described by Von Rokitansky in 1842 [2]. UPJO due to CV, frequently observed in adults, is a rare condition in neonates and has a slight incidence in older children. An alternative approach to pure extrinsic UPJO was first described by Hellstrom [3] always in 1949; it involved displacing the lower pole vessels cranially and then anchoring them to the anterior pelvic wall using vascular adventitial sutures. Chapman [4] further modified this technique by securing a more superior position of the lower pole vessels within a wrap of the anterior redundant pelvic wall without the need for vascular adventitial sutures. This technique has since been described in children as an alternative to open DP, with the largest series reported in 1999 by Pesce [5]. Aberrant vessels usually cause intermittent UPJO. These cases present a normal perinatal history, followed by the subsequent onset of clinical signs and symptoms, often influenced by the child’s hydration status, characterized by intermittent hydronephrosis on imaging and normal kidney function. The CV typically cross over the UPJ to perfuse the lower pole of the affected kidney. Currently, there are no definitive imaging techniques or intraoperative procedures available to confirm the aetiology of UPJO. As noted by Schneider [6], frequently one encounters anatomic variability in the relationship between the renal pelvis and the lower pole vessels. Some authors have proposed DP to exclude intrinsic associated anomalies; others, in order to minimize technical difficulties and improve outcomes, have described simpler procedures that do not involve pyeloureteral anastomosis. We describe in this chapter the paediatric laparoscopic vascular hitch (LVH), a mini-invasive approach to UPJO by CV, suggesting a simple and uncomplicated intraoperative test, DT, to confirm the relief of the obstruction. This technique gives excellent results in our hands.

Purpose We report the results of laparoscopic vascular hitching (LVH) in a series of children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) owing to aberrant lower polar crossing vessels (CV). Our aim is to confirm if LVH associated with intraoperative diuretic test (DT) represents a good procedure to treat extrinsic-UPJO by CV. In order to confirm the relief of the obstruction we suggest performing an intraoperative DT. Materials and methods In our department from 2006 to 2014, 120 patients were treated for both extrinsic and intrinsic-UPJO. 85 (30 females, 55 males) presented an intrinsic obstruction and underwent dismembered pyeloplasty (AHDP), 61 open, 16 laparoscopic, 8 retroperitoneoscopic. 35 (23 males, 12 females) were studied for a suspected extrinsic-UPJO: 30 were treated with LVH (modified Hellstrom vascular hitch). Intraoperative-DT was performed in all patients before and after vessel transpositions confirming the UPJO and eventual relief after the procedure. We included in the study only patients with suspicion of vascular extrinsic-UPJO. Average age at surgery was 7.5years. Symptoms of presentation were recurrent abdominal/flank pain and hematuria. All patients presented ultrasound (US) detection of hydronephrosis. Preoperative diagnostic studies include: US/doppler scan, MAG3 renogram, urography, functional magnetic resonance urography (fMRU) and CT scan. Results 28 out 35 patients had a correct preoperative diagnosis, and the remaining needed an intraoperative diagnosis confirmation. All 35 patients had an intraoperative-DT: 30 patients underwent LVH (positive-DT); 3 patients (negative-DT) underwent laparoscopic-AHDP for intrinsic-UPJO; two with positive-DT and nonobstructive CV, had no surgical treatment. Median operating time was 95min; mean hospital stay was 4days. At 12–84months follow-up 29 patients remained symptoms-free, one needed after two years a laparoscopic-AHDP. Conclusions According our experience, LVH associated with intraoperative-DT may be considered a safe procedure to treat extrinsic-UPJO by CV in carefully selected patients. In particular, the very low incidence of relapse suggest that in suspicion of extrinsic-UPJO, performing intraoperative-DT after CV transposition allows to exclude intrinsic-UPJO confirming that the LVH-procedure has relieved the pelvic obstruction, precluding the need for AHDP.

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is a very rare condition caused by ectopic tracheobronchial remnants (TBR), segmental fibromuscular hypertrophy (FMS) or membranous diaphragm (MD). In 25% of patients, CES is associated with esophageal atresia (EA). We present a challenging case report and we review the literature. Esophagogram conducted after a type III EA thoracoscopic correction, showed a sub-anastomotic CES 1 cm above cardia. EGDS confirmed it and CT-scan deposed for segmental fibromuscular hypertrophy. After conservative management failure (taper and balloon dilations), the patient underwent surgery through a laparoscopic approach. Intraoperative finding of a tracheobronchial remnant forced the surgeon to abandon the standard technique: because of the cardia proximity, esophageal resection and anastomosis were not possible without removing the cardia. New solution applied was successful: a postoperative contrast study and EGDS demonstrated CES resolution and, at one year follow up, the patient was symptom-free. The correct definition of CES anatomical features and position is critical to choose the best therapeutic approach. The technique we applied led to an anatomical and clinical resolution, but, as highlighted in literature, a longer follow up is needed to confirm the efficacy of treatment.

Epididymal cysts (ECs) are relatively common in adults, rare in children. Normally their treatment is conservative. They may be situated anywhere in the organ, frequently in the region of the head. Torsion of these cysts is extremely rare in both children and adults, causing acute scrotal swelling. The diagnosis is intraoperative. A 16-year-old boy was referred to our Divisional Clinic by the treating physician for scrotal swelling appeared 4 months earlier. Absence of a history of minor scrotal trauma. Ultrasonography showed a 40×50 mm fluid-filled right para-testicular mass. We performed surgery finding a large black cyst connected to the head of the epididymis with 720°-degrees rotation. Histology revealed an acquired EC. The particularity of our case is due to the absence of symptoms in association with a big EC twisted of 720° degrees. This is the only case reported in literature. All patients with EC torsion reported presented symptoms related to acute scrotum.

Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a congenital defect of the urinary tract that occurs in 0.25% of the general population. Laparoscopic Vascular Hitch (LVH) according to Hellstrom-Chapman represent an alternative approach in treatment of extrinsic hydronephrosis by crossing vessels (CV) in pediatric age. In our Department from 2006 to 2016, 36 children with extrinsic-Uretero-Pelvic-Junction (UPJ)-Obstruction (UPJO) underwent laparoscopic vessels transposition. Over the last 4years, we have treated three patients with extrinsic hydronephrosis in HSK; two males and one female respectively of 6, 7 and 8years. The side affected was the left in all patients; symptoms of onset: recurrent abdominal pain, vomiting with associated intermittent hydronephrosis at ultrasonography. The preoperative examinations performed were: ultrasound/Doppler scan, MAG3-renogram, functional-magnetic-resonance-urography (fMRU). Mean operative time was 120’; median hospital stay 3- days. Intraoperative diuretic-test (DT) confirmed an extrinsic-UPJO in all patients. No JJ-stents and drain were used and there were no perioperative complications. Clinical and ultrasound follow-up (18 months-4 years) show resolution of symptoms and decrease in hydronephrosis grade in all patients. Our series is the largest in pediatric population by a revision of the literature. We believe that LVH is feasible in patients with symptomatic hydronephrosis by CV in HSK. Intraoperative-DT and the correct selection of patients are crucial to the success of the technique. According to us, this procedure is appropriate in those cases where the UPJ-anatomy is disadvantageous to a resection/re-anastomosis between ureter and renal pelvis. Our initial results are encouraging, although long-term follow- up and a more significant patient sample are required.

Linee guida della Società Italiana di Videochirurgia Infantile Le linee guida della Società Italiana di Videochirurgia Infantile (SIVI) sono uno strumento semplice e pratico redatto ed approvato da consiglio direttivo della società. Sono frutto di un lungo lavoro di revisione sistematica della letteratura rivisto ed integrato dal parere di esperti nel campo della Chirurgia Mininvasiva Pediatrica. Esse sono intese ad aiutare il chirurgo pediatra che si avvicina o già pratica la chirurgia Mininvasiva; le linee guida della SIVI hanno lo scopo di facilitare la scelta dell’indicazione e del trattamento chirurgico ottimale per le principali patologie chirurgiche pediatriche. Tuttavia, vista la complessità delle malformazioni congenite, delle patologie chirurgiche pediatriche e l’estrema varietà dell’ambiente sanitario, è importante sottolineare come l’approccio suggerito potrebbe non essere necessariamente l’unico approccio accettabile e/o percorribile. Le linee guida devono essere considerate uno strumento flessibile in quanto poi è il medico che, con il consenso dei genitori/tutori, avrà il compito di scegliere l’approccio più adatto al singolo paziente. Tale approccio sarà attuato in scienza e coscienza e in base alla patologia ed alle eventuali variabili esistenti al momento della decisione. La massima accessibilità possibile è garantita dalla pubblicazione sulla rivista ufficiale della SIVI: La Pediatria Medica e Chirurgica. Il progetto linee Guida è stato approvato dall’assemblea generale del Congresso SIVI 2016 di Madrid. La revisione delle Linee Guida pubblicate è stata effettuata dal Consiglio Direttivo della SIVI e della Società Italiana di Urologia Pediatrica (SIUP).

Objective. Duodenal atresia (DA) routinely has been corrected by laparotomy and duodenoduodenostomy with excellent long-term results. We revisited the patients with DA treated in the last 12 years (2004–2016) comparing the open and the minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach.Methods. We divided our cohort of patients into two groups. Group 1 included 10 patients with CDO (2004–09) treated with open procedure: 5, DA; 3, duodenal web; 2, extrinsic obstruction. Three presented with Down’s syndrome while 3 presented with concomitant malformations. Group 2 included 8 patients (2009–16): 1, web; 5, DA; 2, extrinsic obstruction. Seven were treated by MIS; 1 was treated by Endoscopy. Three presented with Down’s syndrome; 3 presented with concomitant malformations.Results. Average operating time was 120 minutes in Group 1 and 190 minutes in Group 2. In MIS Group the visualization was excellent. We recorded no intraoperative complications, conversions, or anastomotic leakage. Feedings started on 3–7 postoperative days. Follow-up showed no evidence of stricture or obstruction. In Group 1 feedings started within 10–22 days and we have 1 postoperative obstruction.Conclusions. Laparoscopic repair of DA is one of the most challenging procedures among pediatric laparoscopic procedures. These patients had a shorter length of hospitalization and more rapid advancement to full feeding compared to patients undergoing the open approach. Laparoscopic repair of DA could be the preferred technique, safe, and efficacious, in the hands of experienced surgeons.

Background: Congenital hydronephrosis due to intrinsic or extrinsic uretero-pelvic-junction (UPJ) obstruction (UPJO) is a common problem in childhood UPJO may be caused by intrinsic disorganization or by extrinsic compression from crossing vessels (CV); extrinsic causes usually present symptomatically in older children. This report the large Italian experience in the treatment of children with extrinsic-UPJO by CV. Methods: We analyzed the data of 51 children (17 girls and 34 boys, median age 10, 7 years) affected by extrinsic-UPJO were treated in three Italian institutions with laparoscopic transposition of CV (Hellstrom Vascular Hitch modified by Chapman).The intraoperative diuretic-test was performed in all patients before and after the vessels transpositions confirming the extrinsic-UPJO. We included in the study only patients with suspicion of vascular extrinsic obstruction of the UPJ. Symptoms at presentation were recurrent abdominal/flank pain and haematuria. All patients presented intermittent ultrasound (US) detection of hydronephrosis (range: 18–100 mm). Preoperative diagnostic studies included: US/doppler scan, MAG3-renogram, functional-magnetic-resonance-urography (fMRU). Results: Median operative time was 108 minutes; median hospital stay: 3, 4 days. Unique complications: a small abdominal wall hematoma and higher junction-translocation without obstruction. During follow-up (range: 12–96 months) all patients reported resolution of their symptoms, a decrease in the hydronephrosis grade and improved drainage on diuretic renogram. Conclusions: We believe that Vascular Hitch is less technically demanding than laparoscopic pyeloplasty, resulting in a lower complication rate and a significantly reduced hospitalization. The results of our study allow us to conclude that laparoscopic VH may be a safe, feasible, and attractive alternative to treat obstructed hydronephrosis due to CV presenting a useful alternative to AHDP in the management of symptomatic children where CV are deemed the sole aetiology. We recommend careful patient selection based on preoperative clinical and radiologic findings that are diagnostic of extrinsic-UPJO, combined with intraoperative-DT to confirm the appropriate selection of corrective procedure.

Study Objective To report results of a retrospective multicentric Italian survey concerning the management of pediatric ovarian torsion (OT) and its recurrence. Design Multicenter retrospective cohort study. Setting Italian Units of Pediatric Surgery. Participants Participants were female aged 1-14 years of age with surgically diagnosed OT between 2004 and 2014. Interventions Adnexal detorsion, adnexectomy, mass excision using laparoscopy or laparotomy. Different kinds of oophoropexy (OPY) for OT or recurrence, respectively. Main Outcome Measures A total of 124 questionnaires were returned and analyzed to understand the current management of pediatric OT and its recurrence. The questionnaires concerned patient age, presence of menarche, OT site, presence and type of mass, performed procedure, OPY technique adopted, intra- and postoperative complications, recurrence and site, procedure performed for recurrence, OPY technique for recurrence, and 1 year follow-up of detorsed ovaries. Results Mean age at surgery was 9.79 ± 3.54 years. Performed procedures were open adnexectomy (52 of 125; 41.6%), laparoscopic adnexectomy (25 of 125; 20%), open detorsion (10 of 125; 8%), and laparoscopic detorsion (38 of 125; 30.4%). Recurrence occurred in 15 of 125 cases (12%) and resulted as significant ( P = .012) if associated with a normal ovary at the first episode of torsion. Recurrence occurred only in 1 of 19 cases after OPY (5.2%). Ultrasonographic results of detorsed ovaries were not significant whether an OPY was performed or not ( P = 1.00). Conclusion Unfortunately, oophorectomy and open technique are still widely adopted even if not advised. Recurrence is not rare and the risk is greater in patients without ovarian masses. OPY does not adversely affect ultrasonographic results at 1 year. When possible OPY should be performed at the first episode of OT.

Background: This report describes three Italian centers’ experience in the treatment of children with esophageal achalasia. Patients and Methods: Between June 2000 and June 2012, 31 children (13 girls and 18 boys, with a median age of 8.4 years) affected by esophageal achalasia were treated in three different institutions with an esophagomyotomy according to Heller’s procedure via laparoscopy associated with a Dor antireflux procedure. Between 2000 and 2005 (for 14 patients) we used mono- or bipolar coagulation to perform myotomy; after 2005 (for 17 patients) we used the new hemostatic devices to perform it. Results: Median length of surgery was 120 minutes. Median hospital stay was 4 days. We recorded eight complications in our series: 3 patients (9.6%) had a mucosal perforation, and 5 children (16.1%) presented dysphagia after surgery. When comparing the data before and after 2005, it seems that the new hemostatic devices statistically shortened the length of surgery (P < .01, Student’s t test). Conclusions: On the basis of our experience, laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy associated with an antireflux procedure is a safe and effective method for the treatment of achalasia in the pediatric population. Intraoperative complications were < 10%, and they occurred mostly at the beginning of our experience. Residual dysphagia occurred in about 16% of cases. The use of the new hemostatic devices seems to reduce the length of surgery and intraoperative bleeding. Considering the rarity of this pathology, we believe that patients with achalasia have to be treated only at centers with a strong experience in the treatment of this pathology.

We report our experience with preoperative lymphography to identify and perioperatively preserve the ligature of the lymphatic vessels to reduce the incidence of postoperative testicular hydrocele in patients undergoing laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy for adolescent varicocele.Twenty-seven consecutive patients with varicocele had preoperative lymphography. The mean age was 13.5 years (range, 8-18 years) and the mean grade of varicocele was III. We performed lymphography with intrascrotal isosulfan blue. The laparoscopic Palomo procedure was successfully carried out in all patients.In 17 patients (63%) we were able to identify and conserve the lymphatic vessels by lymphography. Mean follow-up was 9.5 months (range, 6-24 months). None of the 27 patients had a recurrence. None of the 17 patients with positive lymphography had a testicular hydrocele. One of the 10 remaining patients developed a sizable hydrocele.Preoperative lymphography prior to laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy is a simple and feasible method for preventing testicular hydrocele. However, the method should be standardized to identify the exact site, the correct level of injection of blue dye, and to determine the optimal time to perform lymphography prior to the procedure.

Purpose: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy according to the Palomo technique is the most common procedure adopted in children with testicular varicocele. This procedure involves the ligation of the internal spermatic cord and is associated with a 3%-5% incidence of recurrence and up to 30% incidence of hydroceles. We sought to determine the impact of lymphatic preservation on hydrocele formation and the success of varicocelectomy. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 396 patients with a mean age of 13.2 years who underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent a lymphatic-sparing (LS) procedure using isosulfan blue scrotal intra-dartoic injection and those who underwent a non-LS (NLS) technique. The incidences of recurrence/persistence and postoperative hydrocele formation requiring surgery or aspiration were analyzed statistically using the chi-squared test. Results: Of 396 patients, 244 received a laparoscopic LS procedure, and 152 received an NLS operation. The LS patients in whom the lymphatic vessels were not identified (26/244 [10.6%]) were considered NLS repairs. The follow-up was at least 12 months. LS surgery (218 patients) was associated with a decreased incidence of postoperative hydrocele (0/218 [0%] versus 18/178 [10.1%]; chi-squared test=25.84, difference statistically significant). There was no significant difference in incidence of persistent or recurrent varicocele requiring reoperation following the initial procedure (5/218 [2.2%] versus 5/178 [2.8%]; chi-squared test=0.41, difference statistically not significant). Conclusions: Laparoscopic LS varicocelectomy using isosulfan blue is preferable to laparoscopic Palomo repair that does not preserve the lymphatics. It has a significantly lower incidence of postoperative hydroceles and still maintains a low incidence of persistence/recurrence.

The first cases of atresia or web in the pyloric and prepyloric regions were described in the literature since 1937. To date, only one case of atresia at the junction between the fundus and the body of the stomach has been reported. We want to describe a complex case with incomplete atresia between fundus and gastric body, with left lateral diaphragmatic hernia, treated in several stages by endoscopic, open surgery and minimally invasive surgery

Objective: To determine the role of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of pediatric urachal disorders. Methods: Case reports and a literature review of laparoscopic excision of urachal remnants. Results: In a five-year period, three children were diagnosed with urachal anomalies presenting as abdominal or urinary symptoms, and were treated by laparoscopic surgery. The average age was 8.3 years (range, 4–13), and there were two girls and one boy. Mean operative time was 90 minutes (range, 60–120), and there were no postoperative complications. The three patients were all discharged by postoperative day four. Conclusion: Laparoscopy is an effective and safe minimally invasive technique in the management of pediatric urachal anomalies. It is effective even in cases of infected urachal cysts.