Modified PATIO technique for urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair: Experience from a tertiary referral hospital

INTRODUCTION

Urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) is a common complication after hypospadias repair with an incidence of 5-10%. Several techniques are described for its repair: small UCFs are frequently corrected by isolation, excision, and closure with apposition of a protective second layer. In 2008 Malone described the PATIO technique: the fistula tract is turned inside out in the urethral lumen preventing contact with passing urine without direct urethral sutures.

OBJECTIVE

Aim of our study is to present our outcomes using a modified version of the PATIO technique, with a more reproducible isolation of the tract and without its fixation at the urethral meatus.

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of UCFs corrected with a modified PATIO technique at our center between 2016 and 2020. Data collected from electronical clinical notes were age at UCF closure, location of UCF, presence of meatal stenosis and clinical outcomes. Data are presented as median and IQR.

RESULTS

In the study period we performed 425 urethroplasties for distal and mid penile hypospadias. The incidence of UCFs was 7% (30/425) and 25 patients underwent UCF correction with modified PATIO. Median age at repair was 4.5 years (IQR: 2.5-6.2). At a median follow-up of 3 years (IQR: 2-4) recurrence was observed in 5 cases out of 24 with one patient who was lost at follow-up (20.8%). One case was corrected successfully with re-do modified PATIO technique, while 4 are awaiting repair. One cases was lost at follow-up. UFC-recurrence was homogeneously distributed along the study period.

DISCUSSION

Risk factors for UCF recurrence are mostly the type of hypospadias, neo-urethral length, and quality of the urethral plate. Among the many existing techniques, we propose a modified version of Malone's PATIO repair. We believe that the use of four stay-suture to isolate the fistula allows a well-defined dissection of the tract along its surface, compared to the use of a single stay-suture. In our experience, there is no need to keep and fix the traction on the fistula tract to the urethral meatus, probably reflecting the efficacy of the fistula closure during the introflection, which is then maintained without traction. Limitations to our study include the retrospective nature of the review, the small sample size of the cohort and the absence of control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results appear consistent with literature regarding the efficacy of PATIO principles in treating UCF. Modified PATIO seem to be particularly reproducible, showing encouraging results.

Combined procedures for surgical short bowel syndrome: experience from two European centres

BACKGROUND

Autologous gastrointestinal reconstructive surgery (AGIR) has become a key component of intestinal rehabilitation programs. However, the best surgical option for short bowel syndrome (SBS) remains unknown. This paper presents our experience using combined procedures as primary treatment.

METHODS

We collected data on SBS patients who underwent surgery from 2008 to 2021 in two tertiary European Centres. Combined procedures were defined as more than one technique used on the same patient. Charts were reviewed for demographics, type of procedures, complications, and outcomes. Data are presented as median and IQR. Wilcoxon signed rank was used for all paired analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-one children (12 females) underwent combined procedures. Preoperative median small bowel length was 20 cm (IQR: 15-35 cm); after lengthening, it was 35.5 cm (IQR: 30.75-50.50 cm) (P < 0.001). Combined procedures were simultaneous in 15 patients and sequential in 6. At a median of 9.2 years (IQR: 7.55-9.78 years) follow-up, complications were three bowel obstructions after strictures of anastomosis and two wound infections. Two patients achieved enteral autonomy, and others followed a weaning home parenteral nutrition regimen with a median of 4 nights off (IQR: 3-4 nights) starting with a median of 7 nights (IQR: 7-7 nights).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined AGIR techniques are practical and safe in SBS treatment when tailored to meet patients' needs, combining lengthening, tailoring, and reducing transit time procedures. Therefore, combined AGIR may be considered a resource in intestinal rehabilitation units' armamentarium.

Next generation sequencing panel target genes: possible diagnostic tool for ectodermal dysplasia related diseases

BACKGROUND

Ectodermal dysplasias (EDs) are a large and complex group of disorders affecting the ectoderm-derived organs; the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of these conditions renders an accurate diagnosis more challenging. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the clinical utility of a targeted resequencing panel through enhancing the molecular and clinical diagnosis of EDs. Given the recent developments in gene and protein-based therapies for X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, there is a re-emerging interest in identifying the genetic basis of EDs and the respective phenotypic presentations, in an aim to facilitate potential treatments for affected families.

METHODS

We assessed seventeen individuals, from three unrelated families, who presented with diverse phenotypes suggestive of ED. An extensive multidisciplinary clinical evaluation was performed followed by a targeted exome resequencing panel (including genes that are known to cause EDs). MiSeqTM data software was used, variants with Qscore >30 were accepted.

RESULTS

Three different previously reported hemizygous EDA mutations were found in the families. However, a complete genotype-phenotype correlation could not be established, neither in our patients nor in the previously reported patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted exome resequencing can provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis of EDs, while further contributing to the existing ED genetic data. Moreover, the identification of the disease-causing mutation in an affected family is crucial for proper genetic counseling and the establishment of a genotype-phenotype correlation which will subsequently provide the affected individuals with a more suitable treatment plan.

Use of Teduglutide in Children With Intestinal Failure: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives

Short-bowel syndrome (SBS) results from the loss of a significant portion of the small intestine leading to a state of malabsorption. After an intestinal loss, there is a process of adaptation involving the Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 (GLP-2), an enteroendocrine peptide also involved in nutrient absorption. Teduglutide is a recombinant analog of GLP-2 approved in 2016 to treat selected SBS pediatric patients who are dependent on parenteral support. The present systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of Teduglutide in pediatric patients with SBS in reducing the need for parenteral nutrition (PN).

Materials and Methods

We performed a literature search on MEDLINE and Embase to include articles up to November 2021. We included articles that involved using Teduglutide in the SBS pediatric population to define its efficacy in reducing the need for PN. The key words used were GLP-2, teduglutide, child.

Results

Fourteen studies completely fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two hundred 23 patients were treated with Teduglutide, and the median duration of treatment was 45 weeks (IQR: 36–52.5 weeks). One-hundred and fifty-two patients were treated with 0.05 mg/Kg/d of subcutaneous Teduglutide, 38 received 0.025 mg/Kg/d and 8 received either 0.125 mg/Kg/d or 0.20 mg/Kg/d. A total of 36 patients achieved enteral autonomy (EA) after a median of 24 weeks of treatment (IQR: 24–48 weeks) and 149 patients showed a reduction in PN needs in terms of volume, calories, or hours per day. Eleven studies reported complications: gastrointestinal were the most common, with 89 cases reported in treated patients and 11 in non-treated patients.

Conclusion

Teduglutide appears safe and effective in reducing PN requirements and improving EA in the pediatric population. However, more studies are needed to understand its efficacy in the long term and after discontinuation and possible complications.

Systematic Review Registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42022301593].

Epidemiology and Surgical Management of Foreign Bodies in the Liver in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Retention of foreign bodies (FB) in the liver parenchyma is a rare event in children but it can bring a heavy burden in terms of immediate and long-term complications. Multiple materials can migrate inside the liver. Clinical manifestations may vary, depending on the nature of the foreign body, its route of penetration and timing after the initial event. Moreover, the location of the FB inside the liver parenchyma may pose specific issues related to the possible complications of a challenging surgical extraction. Different clinical settings and the need for highly specialized surgical skills may influence the overall management of these children. Given the rarity of this event, a systematic review of the literature on this topic was conducted and confirmed the pivotal role of surgery in the pediatric population.