Early Surgery Versus Watchful Waiting Strategy for Infantile Abdominoscrotal Hydrocele

BACKGROUND

Infantile abdominoscrotal hydrocele is generally managed with early surgery. However, whether these patients actually benefit from an initial watchful waiting strategy is yet to be determined.

METHODS

This single-center, comparative observational analysis included 36 consecutive patients (9 bilateral cases) diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2019. Initial 16 patients (21 lesions) underwent surgical repair shortly after diagnosis (Group A) at a mean (SD) age of 8 (4) months. Remaining 20 patients (24 lesions) underwent initial nonoperative management (Group B). Overall follow-up was 82.74 (63.84) months.

RESULTS

Six lesions of Group B spontaneously regressed at a mean age of 23.8 (7.8) months. Remaining 18 hydroceles underwent surgical management at a mean age of 18.7 (12.6) months. Early postoperative morbidity was high (43%) in both groups (Clavien-Dindo grade I-II). During follow-up, there were 1 recurrent hydrocele and 1 testicular atrophy, both events occurring in Group A patients. Group B patients required a higher need for concomitant ipsilateral orchidopexy (61% versus 14%; p = 0.001), and developed a higher rate of ipsilateral inguinal hernia (39% versus 5%; p = 0.01), occurring within 8.3 (3.53) months of surgery. On multivariable analysis, nonoperative management was associated with unplanned second surgery (odds ratio 5.5, 95% CI 1.25-24.17, p = 0.02), regardless of the type of hydrocelectomy performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonoperative management provides effective spontaneous resolution in about 25% of infantile abdominoscrotal hydrocele. Clinicians must balance the potential benefits of such strategy against the impact of pressure induced detrimental effects on the success of future surgery when dealing with longstanding lesions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Female splenogonadal fusion: A PLEA for conservative management

Splenogonadal fusion in female patients is seldom reported. We describe a 6-month-old girl who represents the youngest living female with splenogonadal fusion reported to date. The lesion was diagnosed as an incidental finding during screening abdominal ultrasonography performed for a vulvar infantile hemangioma. A tail-like structure with splenic echotexture connecting a normally located spleen and the left ovary was detected and better characterized by MRI. We also reviewed the pertinent literature on managing this usually asymptomatic condition, especially in female patients. Greater professionals' awareness of this benign anomaly is paramount to avoid the unnecessary removal of an otherwise normal gonad.

The Role of Manual Detorsion in Pediatric Testicular Torsion During the Global COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience From 2 Centres

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of emergency manual detorsion as first line management for testicular torsion in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study includes 90 pediatric patients ≤14 years old with diagnosis of testicular torsion made at 2 tertiary centers between October 2020 and June 2022. Variables examined included age, presentation delay, surgical wait time, number of attempts at manual testicular detorsion, and manual testicular detorsion success. All patients finally underwent surgery, including contralateral testicular fixation. Outcomes included predictors of successful manual detorsion, testicular findings at surgery, and operation time.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 11.51 (2.64) years. Mean presentation delay was 11.76 (13.79) hours. Detorsion was attempted in 72 (80%) patients, resulting successful in 58 (80.5%). Surgical wait time after successful manual detorsion was 22.85 (16.94) hours. On multivariable analysis, successful manual detorsion was associated with a presentation delay<6 hours (odds ratios [OR] 0.154, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.036-0.655, P = 0.01) and absence of scrotal edema (OR 0.171, 95% CI 0.038-0.769, P = 0.02). Vice versa, a heterogeneous echo-texture (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.007-0.461, P = 0.007) and absent blood flow on Doppler ultrasound scan (OR 0.256, 95% CI 0.067-0.971, P = 0.045) were significantly associated with the likelihood of manual detorsion failure.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, manual detorsion provided safe and effective emergency treatment for pediatric testicular torsion, especially in absence of edema and when presentation delay is <6 hours. This maneuver should be more widely attempted immediately after diagnosis as temporizing rescue.

Prevalence, management, and outcome of cryptorchidism associated with gastroschisis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Cryptorchidism associated with gastroschisis has been poorly investigated. We aimed to assess the prevalence of this association, and to address the management and outcome of cryptorchidism in this context.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this systematic review, we searched electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), without language restrictions from inception to March 31, 2021, for studies on cryptorchidism and gastroschisis co-occurrence. Random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates of cryptorchidism in gastroschisis and spontaneous testicular descent in this population.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies were included for the systematic review. All were retrospective case reports or series for a total of 175 patients. Pooled prevalence estimate for cryptorchidism in gastroschisis was 19% (95% CI 13-26). Complete data sets for management and outcome analysis were available in 94 patients, involving 120 undescended testes [63 (52.5%) nonpalpable, 34 (28.3%) prolapsed outside the abdominal wall defect, and 23 (19.2%) palpable]. Fifty-five descended spontaneously, with a pooled prevalence estimate of 50% (95% CI 31-69). Twelve testes/remnants were primarily removed or absent, while 49 testes underwent orchiopexy (success rate, 63%). Excluding 4 testes still awaiting orchiopexy, 30 of the remaining 116 (25.8%) testes had a dismal outcome, including testicular loss (19), hypoplasia (8) or recurrent cryptorchidism (3).

CONCLUSION

Cryptorchidism in gastroschisis appears to occur more frequently than in the normal population. The overall mediocre testicular outcome seems to reflect the most unfavorable presentation of cryptorchidism in gastroschisis, which is represented by originally intrabdominal or prolapsed testis in the majority of cases.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Laparoscopic patch repair of a Morgagni hernia in Menkes disease

The association between Morgagni hernia and Menkes disease has not yet been described. Here, we report such a rare association in an 8-year-old boy who presented with subocclusive symptoms. He successfully underwent laparoscopic repair with a patch. The patch was fixed to the anterior abdominal wall by using transfascial sutures with extracorporeal knot tying and to the remaining edges of the diaphragmatic defect by using intracorporeal suturing and spiral tacks. At the 2-year follow-up, the child remained recurrence-free and without gastrointestinal symptoms. The potential relationship between the two conditions and the controversial use of spiral tacks to affix the mesh to the diaphragm are also discussed.

Zero-ischemia testis-sparing surgery for probably benign pediatric testicular tumors

Permanent ischemia-induced testicular damage may occur as early as 30 min in prepupertal rats. With the goal of potentially enhancing testicular function and fertility preservation, we performed testis-sparing surgery (TSS) without ischemia for testicular lesions in select children with negative markers and high likelihood of benignity on ultrasonography. Preliminary experience suggests that off-clamp TSS should be more liberally encouraged, especially in infants and prepubertal children, given their particularly vulnerable spermatic cord elements.

Feasibility, safety and outcome of inguinal hernia repair under spinal versus general anesthesia in preterm and term infants

BACKGROUND

Inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is a common operation in preterm and term infants. Recently, spinal anesthesia (SA) has been proposed as an alternative to avoid exposure to general anesthesia (GA) during early life. The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes of open IHR performed under SA versus GA in neonates and infants, and to detect criteria to predict the success or failure of SA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a 6-year, single center, nonrandomized interventional study (2013-2019). SA was performed with 0.5% bupivacaine. GA was given using propofol, fentanyl, sevoflurane, and laryngeal mask. Patient demographics, operative time, intraoperative events related to surgery or anesthesia, and complications were analyzed at short and long-term follow-up.

RESULTS

68 infants (78 IHR) and 37 infants (44 IHR) received SA and GA at the discretion of the anesthesiologist, respectively. SA failure rate was 9%, and positively correlated with weight at surgery (p = 0.001; r_p = 0.38). Conversion from SA to GA occurred in 4 (6%) patients owing to prolonged operative time (43.75 ± 4.8 vs 23.02 ± 11.3 min; p = 0.0006). There were no differences regarding operative time and intra- and postoperative complications among the two groups at mean follow-up of 18.53 ± 21.9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study confirms that SA is safe, effective and not detrimental to surgical outcome of neonates and infants undergoing IHR. Additionally, it may help further define what patients may have a successful SA. Our experience suggests that SA is especially suitable in infants weighing <4000 g, and conversion to GA correlates with prolonged operative time.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Abdominal Recurrence after Robotic Nephron-Sparing Surgery for Wilms Tumor in an Adult Patient

A 31-year-old man was referred to an adult urologist for a renal polar mass that measured 7.2 cm in maximum diameter. Robotic assisted complete tumor excision for suspicious renal cell carcinoma was carried out, preserving the rest of the left kidney. Histopathology showed a Wilms tumor (WT) with positive margins. No postoperative therapy was made, and the patient shortly presented an abdominal recurrence. The patient was referred to our pediatric oncology unit; he received preoperative chemotherapy, followed by surgery (completion nephrectomy and removal of neoplastic deposits in the omentum and parietal peritoneum), postoperative chemotherapy, and abdomen radiotherapy. He is well at the 5-year follow-up. Peritoneal dissemination after laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in a child with a 10-cm WT was previously reported. We suggest open NSS for large WT may be safer than laparoscopic or robotic NSS because carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum and traumatic handling of tumor may predispose to tumor cell migration. An abdominal WT relapse in adults can be salvaged by multimodal therapy recommended by current pediatric WT guidelines.

Resection of Inferior Vena Cava Without Reconstruction for Intravascular Intrusion of Wilms Tumor

Persistent inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus in Wilms tumor patients represents a management challenge. We describe three pediatric cases with preoperative evaluation documenting complete IVC occlusion and well-developed collaterals. They underwent nephrectomy and tumor thrombus removal accomplished with circumferential resection of the retrohepatic IVC without vascular reconstruction. All patients are asymptomatic and disease-free at 9, 2.5, and 2 years after stopping therapy. Cavectomy without reconstruction is safe and well tolerated in Wilms tumor patients with completely occlusive IVC tumor thrombus. Additionally, when performed en bloc with nephrectomy and with clear margins, cavectomy obviates the need for radiotherapy per protocol.

Bedside surgery in the newborn infants: survey of the Italian society of pediatric surgery

Introduction

This is the report of the first official survey from the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery (ISPS) to appraise the distribution and organization of bedside surgery in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Italy.

Methods

A questionnaire requesting general data, staff data and workload data of the centers was developed and sent by means of an online cloud-based software instrument to all Italian pediatric surgery Units.

Results

The survey was answered by 34 (65%) out of 52 centers. NICU bedside surgery is reported in 81.8% of the pediatric surgery centers. A lower prevalence of bedside surgical practice in the NICU was reported for Southern Italy and the islands than for Northern Italy and Central Italy (Southern <Northern<Central, p < 0.03). The most frequent clinical characteristics of neonates was preterm neonates with birthweight < 1200 g, with cardiorespiratory instability and/or ventilatory dependence. The most frequently selected indications to surgery were pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, central venous catheter (CVC) positioning, intestinal perforation, patent ductus arteriosus ligation and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. More than 60% of respondents report no institutional recommendations and dedicated informed consent on bedside surgical procedures. The lack of dedicated areas and infrastructures is considered a relative contraindication to the performance of bedside surgery.

Conclusion

Bedside surgery is performed in the majority of the Italian pediatric surgery centers included in this census. The introduction of a national set of surgery guidelines would be widely welcomed.

Use of Meckel's diverticulum as a temporary diverting ostomy

Meckel's diverticulum is among the most common congenital defects of the gastrointestinal tract, and is associated with a total lifetime risk of complications around 4%. While debate on prophylactic resection of incidental Meckel's diverticulum continues, there have been reports of its successful use for urinary diversion and reconstruction. In contrast, its use as a means of fecal diversion has been described anecdotally. Herein, we describe our technique of temporary fecal diversion using Meckel's diverticulum as reliable conduit for stoma formation in a toddler. The stoma functioned well until continuity of bowel was restored and diverticulum resected safely. We trust that our limited experience will encourage other colleagues to test the inventive use of Meckel's diverticulum as a potentially safe and effective option to fit in the surgical armamentarium for temporary fecal diversion. KEY WORDS: Anastomotic leak, Fecal diversion, Ileostomy, Meckel's diverticulum, Stoma.

Evaluation of Nephron-Sparing Surgery as Potential Risk Factor for Relapse in Unilateral Wilms Tumor

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic significance of nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) without tumor size limits as a risk factor for relapse in children with unilateral Wilms Tumor (WT).

METHODS

A 28-y retrospective single-center review was performed. Prognostic relevance of age, gender, stage, histology, nephrectomy (N), and NSS was analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine cases (42 females and 27 males) with WT, off-therapy from 21 to 325 mo after chemotherapy mainly based on the International Society of Pediatric Oncology trials, were treated at our institution. Five cases were excluded (three children with synchronous bilateral WT and two adults with unilateral WT). Of 64 children with unilateral WT, 51 underwent N and 13 NSS without tumor size limits. Indeed, two-thirds of children who underwent NSS presented with a tumor diameter >4 cm. Overall, nine patients (14%) had a relapse (male-to-female ratio = 1:8). Initial surgery was N in eight cases and NSS in another one. Relapse rates in N and NSS groups were 15.7% and 7.7% (P = nonsignificant), respectively; the relapse rates in N and NSS groups were 8.6% and 7.7% (P = nonsignificant) for stages I-II unilateral WT cohort, respectively. On univariate analysis, factors correlated with probability of relapse were unfavorable histology (P < 0.002) and stage III disease (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In unilateral WT, NSS, whenever feasible, does not seem to increase the risk of recurrence. A multicenter prospective trial is required to carefully evaluate this risk.

Renal function up to the 5th decade of life after nephrectomy in childhood: A literature review

The aim of the present study was to find out if in children ablation of 50% of renal mass may be associated with a progressive renal damage (Brenner's hypothesis). We collected 1035 adult or adolescent survivors who underwent nephrectomy for unilateral oncological or non-oncological causes during childhood. Stratification of all survivors for age revealed that the number of subjects with blood hypertension and/or renal dysfunction (glomerular filtration rate < 90 mL/min per 1.73 m² ) to be significantly higher in survivors ≥30 years old in comparison with younger patients. Available data on long-term renal function after nephrectomy during childhood support the Brenner's hypothesis.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia after exposure to a triple retinoic acid antagonist during pregnancy

AIM

To establish a mouse model for the study of congenital defects, using exposure of pregnant females to the teratogen BMS-189453, a multiple retinoic acid competitive antagonist.We found not less than 60% of fetuses had transposition of the great arteries and l5% had other congenital heart defects such as double outlet right ventricle, tetralogy of Fallot, truncus and right aortic arch. Newborns exposed in utero to BMS-189453 were affected by thymus aplasia or hypoplasia, and severe congenital anomalies of the central nervous system due to neural tube defects. An anterior rotation of the right lung was also frequently present in our model. We also report a case of murine congenital diaphragmatic hernia associated with thymic aplasia and transposition of the great arteries.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the hypothesis that the combination of diaphragmatic hernia and congenital heart defects may be related to an alteration of the retinoic acid signaling pathways.

Fire in the Operating Room During Hypospadias Repair

Fire in the operating room (OR) is a very distressful and shocking occurrence with potential dramatic consequences. Despite safety rules and rigorous recommendations, such unintentional events do occur every so often. Notably, the vast majority of cases have been reported in the adult population, with very few pediatric cases described to date. Herein, we report on a 16-month-old boy undergoing reconstructive surgery for penoscrotal hypospadias, who experienced an OR fire most likely related to the use of alcohol-based solution ignited by monopolar electrocautery.

Noninvasive Therapy for Osteoid Osteoma: A Prospective Developmental Study with MR Imaging-guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Purpose To demonstrate that magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a safe, effective, and durable treatment option for the management of osteoid osteoma in children and young adults. Materials and Methods This prospective study was institutional review board approved and is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (identification number NCT02302651). Written informed consent was obtained from patients or their parents. Patients who had both clinical and radiologic findings that were diagnostic for nonvertebral osteoid osteoma and no contraindications to MR imaging-guided HIFU were enrolled between June 2010 and June 2013. The feasibility, safety, and clinical effectiveness of MR imaging-guided HIFU were considered primary outcomes; tumor control at imaging was considered a secondary outcome. Analyses were conducted on a per-protocol basis. Results Forty-five of the 50 recruited patients underwent MR imaging-guided HIFU. All patients were discharged without treatment-related complications. The median visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (scale, 0-10) decreased from 8 before treatment to 0 at 1-week and 1- , 6- , 12- , 24- , and 36-month follow-up. Similarly, median VAS scores for the degree to which pain interfered with sleep and physical and daily activities decreased to 0 within the 1st month after treatment and remained stable at subsequent follow-up. Overall, 39 (87%) of the 45 patients achieved and maintained a VAS score of 0 during the 3-year observation period. Quality of life, as assessed by using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Pain (FACT-BP) scores (scale, 0-60 points), improved, with the median FACT-BP score of 28 (points) before treatment increasing to a median score of 55 at 1-week follow-up and 60 at 6-month and subsequent follow-ups. At (final) 36-month follow-up, MR imaging depicted an absence of residual nidus vascularity in 32 (76%) of the 42 patients who were treated with MR imaging-guided HIFU only. Conclusion The durable clinical efficacy and safety of MR imaging-guided HIFU were demonstrated. These features are evidence of the potential of MR imaging-guided HIFU to be part of a routine strategy for the treatment of osteoid osteoma. ^© RSNA, 2017.

Bi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging applied to obstetrics

Foetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of foetal abnormalities. Over the years, we have successfully applied bi-parametric MRI (bp-MRI) to the following obstetric conditions: (1) neurologic vascular diseases; (2) assessment of lung parenchyma maturation; (3) renal pathologies, such as polycystic kidney, suspected renal infarction, unilateral or bilateral renal agenesis; (4) placental pathologies, as twin-twin transfusion syndrome or placenta accreta; (5) benignant and malignant congenital tumours or cysts of the liver, such as haemangioendothelioma, hepatoblastoma or metastatic neuroblastoma, of the kidney (e.g. mesoblastic nephroma) and of the retroperitoneum, such as teratoma. The information derived from bp-MRI, and concerned with water motions in different tissues, improved the morphologic details provided by conventional foetal MRI. It has the potential to increase the value of MRI in the assessment of a wide range of foetal pathologies, particularly in renal diseases, allowing an adequate management decision and therapy.

Plaque-Like Myofibroblastic Tumor of Infancy: A New Case Report and Literature Review

Plaque-like myofibroblastic tumor of infancy is a rare entity, with only a few reports described in the literature. Herein we present a new case of a nodular plaque-like lesion of the left lower back in an 18-month-old boy. The lesion might initially be thought to be a dermatofibroma, but the overall characteristics suggested the diagnosis of plaque-like myofibroblastic tumor of infancy. We also provide a summary of previous reports in the literature about this exceptional tumor.

The THUNDERBEAT system for tissue dissection and vascular control in laparoscopic splenectomy

The advent of new energy sources for hemostasis has greatly facilitated advanced laparoscopic procedures. We describe a straightforward technique of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) accomplished using the THUNDERBEAT™ system (TS) (Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Tokyo, Japan) as the sole means of tissue dissection and hemostasis in two patients aged 19 and 6 years, respectively. The specimens were removed intact via a Pfannenstiel incision. Total operative time was 165 and 150 min, and length of hospital stay was three and 4 d, respectively. The TS is an appealing and reliable alternative to currently available energy devices, allowing fast dissection and secure hemostasis during laparoscopic splenectomy.

Renal Function Recovery after Nephrectomy or Nephron-Sparing Surgery in Children with Unilateral Renal Tumor

Introduction Children with unilateral renal tumor (URT) and preoperative renal dysfunction (PRD) may benefit from nephron-sparing surgery (NSS). To test this hypothesis, we studied the outcome of baseline renal function after nephrectomy or NSS among children with URT. Materials and Methods Retrospective records review of children with URT who underwent nephrectomy (25 children) or NSS (11 children) at our institution. We analyzed the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) changes over time among patients, stratified by both preoperative renal function (with or without PRD) and surgical extent (NSS vs. nephrectomy). The primary end point was evaluation of compensatory recovery of preoperative eGFR after surgery. Only children older than 2 years at surgery were included in the study. Renal dysfunction was defined as an eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m². Results After nephrectomy or NSS, patients with PRD presented, on average during adolescence, a significant increase in eGFR, whereas patients without PRD presented, on average during adolescence, a stable eGFR. However, after nephrectomy, 5 of 17 (29%) and 7 of 8 (87%) adolescent patients with baseline eGFR ≤ or > 100 mL/min/1.73 m², respectively, achieved or maintained two-kidney eGFR values (T-KEV) (p = 0.01). After NSS, four adolescent patients with PRD and seven without PRD achieved or maintained T-KEV. Conclusion The majority of children with URT and low baseline eGFR present with an impaired renal function recovery after nephrectomy and may benefit from NSS. Collaborative studies are needed to support present findings.

Effective compression bandage for repair of a complicated radial artery pseudoaneurysm

We describe a 10-week-old hemophilic infant who developed a large-sized pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery after arterial puncture. Based on our previous experience, compression bandage was elected as first-line treatment. The clinical course was complicated by skin ulceration. However, compression bandage was continued, and complete thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm occurred after 4 weeks of treatment, preserving arterial patency. Bedside clot evacuation and enzymatic debridement promoted rapid wound healing with negligible scar formation. Compression bandage is a safe and valuable measure for repair of radial artery pseudoaneurysm, even in patients with clotting disorders. Professionals are encouraged to consider the benefit of such an artery-sparing treatment option.

Renal function adaptation up to the fifth decade after treatment of children with unilateral renal tumor: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Mild-to-moderate renal function loss may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. As in adults with renal carcinoma nephrectomy is associated with an high risk for moderate renal function loss, we aimed to assess the renal function adaptation over a long period of time in children with unilateral renal tumor (URT).

PROCEDURE

Seventy-two children who underwent surgery for URT were enrolled in this study. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated (eGFR) with the Modification of Diet in Renal Study or the Schwartz equation, as appropriate for the age.

RESULTS

Twelve patients treated by nephron-sparing surgery (Group A) and 42 treated by nephrectomy (Group B) had an age between 2 and 30 years; 18 patients treated by nephrectomy had an age between 33 and 51 years (Group C). At cross-sectional follow-up 8% patients of Group A, 42% of Group B and 78% of Group C presented a mild-to-moderate renal function. The longitudinal data stratified by post-operative intervals showed that patients of Group C presented a significant progressive decrease in mean ± standard deviation eGFR (88.1 ± 22.6 during the third decade after surgery vs. 66.6 ± 15.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2) during the fifth decade after surgery; P = 0.02). The longitudinal data stratified by age showed that patients with an age between 45 and 54 years presented a mean eGFR significantly lower than that expected for the physiological renal function decline with aging (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Aging is associated with a mild-to-moderate renal function loss in many adult patients following nephrectomy during childhood for URT.