Robot-assisted resection of gastric duplication cysts in a child: a detailed case report

Gastric duplication cysts: literature review and a case report of rare multiple gastric duplication cysts treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection

Gastric duplication cysts (GDCs) are rare structural abnormalities, especially in adults. We first report a rare case of small multiple GDCs in a woman, which presents as a submucosal tumor (SMT) at the gastric antrum. In consideration of the patient's request for surgical treatment and minimally invasive resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed to remove the cyst. The case provides a reference for ESD surgery to remove small GDCs. So far, there is no consensus or practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of GDCs. Herein we perform a comprehensive literature review and discussion on GDCs. GDCs are 'repetitive' cystic or tubular structures of gastric mucosa and muscularis mucosae, and share the muscularis propria and serous layer with the normal gastric wall. GDCs protruding into the stomach cavity can be diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), which has higher specificity and accuracy than CT and MRI. Some GDCs may cause complications, even cancerization. Therefore, we suggest that once found, the GDCs could be completely resected. For GDCs protruding into the stomach cavity, endoscopic surgery such as ESD can be adopted to remove the lesion. Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) may become an option for larger GDCs in the future. For extraluminal GDC, laparoscopic surgery is currently preferred. In this review, we summarized the structural and histopathological characteristics of GDCs and various treatment therapies, in order to provide experience and reference for the diagnosis and treatment of GDCs in the future.

A retroperitoneal supra-adrenal non-communicating gastric duplication cyst: a case report and comprehensive literature review

Background

Gastric duplication cyst is a rare congenital anomaly. It is usually located in close proximity to the stomach. Nevertheless, there have been seldom reports in the literature that describe unusual locations. Retroperitoneal gastric duplications cysts are extremely rare and are usually confused with renal or adrenal cysts.

Case presentation

In this case report, we are presenting a 2-year-old girl with a complaint of bouts of abdominal pain, found to have a retroperitoneal supra-adrenal cyst on imaging. She underwent laparoscopic resection of the cyst with uneventful post-operative course. The histopathological diagnosis was surprisingly gastric duplication cyst.

Conclusion

In our review of the literature, the variability of this condition and its clinical manifestation are apparent. We also conclude that this diagnostic entity should be part of the differential diagnosis of intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal cysts and that laparoscopic resection of retroperitoneal cysts is the preferred approach.

Conversion Rate in Pediatric Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Looking for the Culprit

Introduction: Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is increasingly used in adulthood but its application in pediatric population is limited. We report our initial experience in pediatric RAS, focusing on conversions to analyze their causes. Methods: All pediatric patients who underwent RAS between June 2015 and April 2019 were included, analyzing demographics, comorbidities, previous surgery, and intraoperative surgical and anesthetic parameters. A three-arms robotic technique was used in all cases. Additional laparoscopic ports were added, when needed. The surgical team did not change during the program, whereas the anesthesiology team varied. Results: Thirty-nine patients (23 females, 16 males; mean age ± SD = 9.33 ± 4.73 years [range = 1-16]; mean weight ± SD = 35.2 ± 20.0 kg [range = 9-85]) underwent 40 different procedures (18 gastrointestinal, 15 urogynecological, 5 oncological, and 2 miscellaneous). Three procedures (7.5%) were converted to open surgery for inadequate working space (two marked bowel distension and one insufficient hepatic retraction). Converted patients were of significant lower age (mean ± standard error of mean [SEM] = 2.97 ± 1.03 versus 9.83 ± 0.77 years, P = .01) and lower weight (mean ± SEM = 11.83 ± 1.74 versus 35.47 ± 3.16 kg, P = .03). The two groups did not differ statistically for duration of facial mask ventilation before intubation (mean ± SEM = converted 10.67 ± 2.33 versus completed 10.31 ± 0.91 minutes), neuromuscular block dosage (rocuronium; mean ± SEM = converted 0.46 ± 0.06 mg/kg versus completed 0.62 ± 0.03 mg/kg) and in the type of bowel preparation (mechanical and/or pharmacological). Discussion: Conversion rate in initial pediatric RAS program is acceptable. In children, the need for conversion is mainly because of inadequate working space, particularly in smaller children, but it seems not to be influenced by measurable anesthetic factors or different regimen for bowel preparation.

[A case of gastric duplication presenting as a retroperitoneal cystic lesion]

Gastric duplication is a rare congenital anomaly accounting to 4% of all gastrointestinal tract duplications. It is usually diagnosed pre-natally or during infancy. Retroperitoneal gastric duplication is very rare in adult patients. It is generally asymptomatic or presents with non-specific symptoms. The sensitivity of classical imaging modalities for retroperitoneal gastric duplication is weak. Retroperitoneal gastric duplication could be misdiagnosed as other retroperitoneal cystic lesions and it could be definitely diagnosed by typical findings of abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) plus EUS:guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in gastric duplicated cyst. A female adult patient was diagnosed by an exceptional hospital CT as retroperitoneal cystic lesion and was admitted in our hospital in March 2019. The abdominal enhanced CT in our hospital preoperatively indicated a cystic lesion above the left kidney and the maximum cross section was 9.0 cm×5.2 cm. Lymphocysts and others should be identified and the lesion might be from the stomach. The retroperitoneal gastric duplication was not diagnosed before operation. In the operation laparoscopy revealed the cystic lesion in the retroperitoneum. The pancreas, left adrenal gland, and left kidney were compressed by the cystic lesion. The top of the lesion was connected with the small curvature of the stomach, but it was not communicated with the stomach. The retroperitoneal cystic lesion was completely excised and the surrounding organs were not damaged. The retroperitoneal gastric duplication was clearly diagnosed by the findings in the operation and the pathology of the lesion. The patient was discharged a week after surgery without gastrointestinal and pancreatic injuries. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal cysts should consider the possibility of retroperitoneal gastric duplication. For patients with typical CT findings or unclear boundaries between the tumor and the stomach wall, gastric duplication could be diagnosed by EUS plus EUS:guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in the cyst. Retroperitoneal gastric duplication cyst could be completely excised by laparoscopy through abdominal cavity and the stomach wall could be completely repaired.