Peripheral artery disease and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with NAFLD

PURPOSE

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first cause of death in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and risk stratification is recommended by current guidelines. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with NAFLD and its association with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.

METHODS

9145 participants 40 years or older attended a mobile examination center visit in the 1999-2004 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PAD was defined as an ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.90 in either of the legs and mortality data through December 2015 were obtained from the National Death Index. NAFLD was defined by a fatty liver index ≥ 60 in the absence of other liver conditions, leading to a final sample of 3094 subjects.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of PAD was 5.9% (95% CI 5.0-6.9). Over a median follow-up of 13 years, 876 participants died, 208 of cardiovascular causes. Incidence rates of all-cause mortality (for 1000 person-years) were 20.2 (95% CI 18.7-21.7) and 70.0 (95% CI 60.1-81.6) for participants without and with PAD, respectively. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models showed that PAD was associated with a higher risk of all-cause (1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.4) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.3) after adjustment for potential confounders including prevalent CVD.

CONCLUSION

Current guidelines strongly encourage the screening of CVD in patients with NAFLD and the use of the simple and inexpensive measurement of ABI in routine clinical practice may find indication.

The role of laparoscopy in recurrent right lower quadrant pain in children

According to scientific literature, laparoscopy as aid in diagnosis and therapy for chronic pain in the right iliac quadrant shows a undeniable advantage thanks to its mini-invasiveness, the possibility of a methodical and thorough exploration of the entire abdominal cavity in those cases of recurrent pain, emotionally and socially debilitating, that do not find an answer in the usual etiological diagnostic clinical-instrumental. In those cases in which any significant organic pathology that justifies the recurring pain in the right iliac fossa is found during laparoscopic exploration, it has been seen that it is useful to perform appendectomy anyway, that leads to the disappearance of symptoms, which are probably due to inflammatory recurrent catarrhal phenomena of appendix in such patients, as it is demonstrated by the adhesions found at cecum-appendicular level. From January 2011 to December 2013, 24 children with chronic recurrent right lower quadrant pain were subjected to diagnostic laparoscopy. Ages varied from 11 to 18 years (mean, 14 years). There were 6 males and 18 females. Laparoscopic findings included macroscopical signs of acute appendicitis in 15 patients; cecal adhesions in 20 patients, kink of the appendix in 3. The abdominal pain completely resolved in all the patients following laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic approach to Meckel's diverticulum

AIM: To retrospective review the laparoscopic management of Meckel Diverticulum (MD) in two Italian Pediatric Surgery Centers.

METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2012, 19 trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted (TULA) procedures were performed for suspected MD. The children were hospitalized for gastrointestinal bleeding and/or recurrent abdominal pain. Median age at diagnosis was 5.4 years (range 6 mo-15 years). The study included 15 boys and 4 girls. All patients underwent clinical examination, routine laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound and technetium-99m pertechnetate scan, and patients with bleeding underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy. The abdominal exploration was performed with a 10 mm operative laparoscope. Pneumoperitoneum was established based on the body weight. Systematic overview of the peritoneal cavity allowed the ileum to be grasped with an atraumatic instrument. The complete exploration and surgical treatment of MD were performed extracorporeally, after intestinal exteriorization through the umbilicus. All patients’ demographics, main clinical features, diagnostic investigations, operative time, histopathology reports, conversion rate, hospital stay and complications were registered and analyzed.

RESULTS: MD was identified in 17 patients, while 1 had an ileal duplication and 1 a jejunal hemangioma. Fifteen patients had painless intestinal bleeding, while 4 had recurrent abdominal pain and exhibited cyst like structures in an ultrasound study. Eleven patients had a positive technetium-99m pertechnetate scan. In the patients with bleeding, gastrointestinal endoscopy did not name the source of hemorrhage. All patients were subjected to a TULA surgical procedure. An intestinal resection/anastomosis was performed in 14 patients, while 4 had a wedge resection of the diverticulum and 1 underwent stapling diverticulectomy. All surgical procedures were performed without conversion to open laparotomy. Mean operative time was 75 min (range 40-115 min). No major surgical complications were recorded. The median hospital stay was 5-7 d (range 4-13 d). All patients are asymptomatic at a median follow up of 4, 5 years (range 10 mo-10 years).

CONCLUSION: Trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted Meckel’s diverticulectomy is safe and effective in the treatment of MD, with excellent results.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery and conventional laparoscopic treatment of varicocele in adolescents: Comparison between two techniques

BACKGROUND

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has gained great popularity in paediatric surgery due to its minimally invasive approach and improved cosmetic results. Notwithstanding, reports describing its adoption in children are still fragmentary and some perplexities have been raised by some surgeons. We reviewed our experience with the SILS Palomo varicocelectomy procedure (SIL-V) in children and adolescents, comparing this group with a similar series operated using conventional laparoscopic varicocelectomy (CL-V).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 69 Palomo laparoscopic varicocelectomies were performed in patients aged 11-17 years from January 2011 to January 2013. Indications for surgery included grades II-III varicocele or ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy. The SIL-V procedure was performed in 44 patients with roticulating and conventional 5 mm instruments. Testicular vessels were isolated "en bloc," clipped and cut. Operating time, visual analogue scale and post-operative results were compared to a similar group of 25 patients operated with CL-V.

RESULTS

No patient of the SIL-V group required conversion to conventional laparoscopy, none to open surgery. Mean operative time was 22 min (range: 19-28) in the SIL-V group, not significantly different compared with CL-V (mean 21 min, range: 18-25). All patients experienced a smooth recovery from surgery without any complications, and were discharged on day 1. No difficulties were found in the SIL-V group. The post-operative pain score was significantly better in SIL-V.

CONCLUSION

The SIL-V procedure is safe and effective and allows a fast and efficient isolation of the vascular bundle. The use of conventional instruments is technically feasible in SIL-V.

Spermatogenesis and cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism represents the most common endocrine disease in boys, with infertility more frequently observed in bilateral forms. It is also known that undescended testes, if untreated, lead to an increased risk of testicular tumors, usually seminomas, arising from mutant germ cells. In normal testes, germ cell development is an active process starting in the first months of life when the neonatal gonocytes transform into adult dark (AD) spermatogonia. These cells are now thought to be the stem cells useful to support spermatogenesis. Several researches suggest that AD spermatogonia form between 3 and 9 months of age. Not all the neonatal gonocytes transform into AD spermatogonia; indeed, the residual gonocytes undergo involution by apoptosis. In the undescended testes, these transformations are inhibited leading to a deficient pool of stem cells for post pubertal spermatogenesis. Early surgical intervention in infancy may allow the normal development of stem cells for spermatogenesis. Moreover, it is very interesting to note that intra-tubular carcinoma in situ in the second and third decades have enzymatic markers similar to neonatal gonocytes suggesting that these cells fail transformation into AD spermatogonia and likely generate testicular cancer (TC) in cryptorchid men. Orchidopexy between 6 and 12 months of age is recommended to maximize the future fertility potential and decrease the TC risk in adulthood.

[Laparoscopic treatment of UPJ obstruction in ectopic pelvic kidneys in children]

AIMS

To assess the feasibility and safety of a laparoscopic approach to UPJ obstruction (UPJO) in ectopic pelvic kidneys.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a retrospective analysis we selected 14 children, aged 6 months to 17 years, 12 males, 2 females, who had been treated in our Department between January 2004 and June 2011. 9 patients presented ureteropelvic junction obstruction (in 3 cases pelvic stones coexisted) with normal/moderately reduced (> or = 25%) relative function at radionuclide scan (MAG3), 3 nonfunctioning kidneys associated or not to hypertension, 2 congenital hypo-dysplastic kidneys. The evaluation of each patient involved the medical history, ultrasound examination, VCUG, MAG3 diuresis renogram and MRI in some cases. Of the patients presenting UPJO, 5 underwent dismembered pyeloplasty with pyelolithotomy, if required, and 4 pelvic derotation with straightening of the uretero-pelvic junction. A previous cystoscopic placement of a Double J stent was utilized. This facilitated the identification and dissection around the pelvis. With the patient in Trendelenburg position we utilized an umbilical trocar and two trocar in the right and left iliac fossae; an additional trocar, when required, was inserted more cephalad on the midclavear line contralaterally to the lesion. The derotation of ureteropelvic junction was obtained by freeing the kidney's lower pole and by placing intraperitoneally the junction protected with a Double J stent. This was obtained by suturing the peritoneum behind the ureteropelvic junction resulting in a forward rotation of the major axis of the kidney and a straightening of the junction. The 5 patients presenting nonfunctioning ectopic kidneys underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy. While the removal of congenital hypoplasic kidneys resulted easy, the removal of nonfunctioning kidneys was more difficult due to their complex vascular situation and for the embryonic disposition.

RESULTS

The operating time varied between 40 to 200 minutes. No patient required conversion to open surgery. The hypertension resolved after nephrectomy in all cases. 2 cases of dismembered pyeloplasty required a placement of Double J stent due the recurrence of symptoms and ! patient is waiting for redo operation. The pelvic derotation showed an improvement of diuretic MAG3 renogram and the function remained stable and patiens are symptoms-free.

CONCLUSION

The UPJO in ectopic pelvic kidneys presents a large spectrum of presentation. The laparoscopic approach provides good surgical exposure, and operative times are acceptable compared to those of laparoscopic procedure in anatomically normal kidneys. It has also proved a very useful tool in the non-functioning kidney nephrectomy thank to the help of magnification in the identification of numerous aberrant vessels that are quite often found in the pelvic kidneys. The derotation of the pelvis seems a useful procedure in moderate obstruction even if a longer followup is needed.

An unusual case of intra-abdominal testicular torsion: role of laparoscopy

The authors report a case of intra-abdominal testicular torsion, where laparoscopy has been useful for diagnosis and surgical management. A boy was presented with a left impalpable testis. Laparoscopy revealed a twisted spermatic cord at the inlet pelvis, which ended in a testicular remnant located in the sub-umbilical area. After orchiectomy, the pathologist confirmed testicular atrophy. Diagnosis of intra-abdominal testicular torsion should be considered in patients with impalpable testis and abdominal pain, but could not be excluded in those with no symptoms.

"Spaghetti maneuver": a useful tool in pediatric laparoscopy - our experience

AIMS

The laparoscopic "Spaghetti Maneuver" consists in holding an organ by its extremity with a grasper and rolling it up around the tool to keep the organ stable and facilitate its traction within a small space. We describe our experience with the "Spaghetti Maneuver" in some minimally invasive procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We successfully adopted this technique in 13 patients (5F : 8M) aged between 6 and 14 years (average age, 10) on whom we performed 7 appendectomies, 2 ureteral reimplantation and 4 cholecystectomies. In all cases, after the first steps, the appendix, the gallbladder and the ureter were rolled around the grasper and easily isolated; hemostasis was thus induced and the organ was mobilized until removal during cholecystectomy and appendectomy, and before the reimplantation in case of ureteral reimplantation.

RESULTS

We found that this technique facilitated significantly the acts of holding, isolating and removing, when necessary, the structures involved, which remained constantly within the visual field of the operator. This allowed a very ergonomic work setting, overcoming the problem of the "blind" zone, which represents a dangerous and invisible area out of the operator's control during laparoscopy. Moreover the isolation maneuvers resulted easier and reduced operating time.

CONCLUSION

We think that this technique is easy to perform and very useful, because it facilitates the dissection of these organs, by harmonizing and stabilizing the force of traction exercised.

The value of laparoscopy in the management of non-palpable testis

OBJECT

To retrospectively review the value of laparoscopy in the management of impalpable testis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 1993-2006, 182 laparoscopies for impalpable testis were performed for a total of 194 testicular units. Five laparoscopic findings were considered: testicular ectopia, intra-abdominal testis, and cord structures that are blind ending, completely absent (agenesis) or entering the internal inguinal ring.

RESULTS

In 62 cases an intra-abdominal testis was found; 18 were classified as high and managed by a laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens procedure. Cord structures entering the inguinal ring were observed in 77 patients and 45 underwent an inguinal exploration: a testis was found in 12 cases and in 33 a remnant was excised. In 35 cases, intra-abdominal blind ending vas and vessels were observed and eight showed testicular agenesis. No major surgical complications were recorded. Follow up ranged from 1 to 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms the value of laparoscopy in the management of non-palpable testis, providing a definitive diagnosis by the direct view of spermatic bundle and testis. Ninety-three patients were managed by laparoscopy only, and in 44 it was essential for the subsequent surgical approach. When the internal inguinal ring is patent and/or normal spermatic vessels are present an inguinal exploration is mandatory.

Pneumovesicoscopic correction of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. Our experience

AIM

We report our experience with pneumovesicoscopic cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation to correct primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

14 children (10 girls, 4 boys, aged 4 to 12 years) with persistent VUR ≥ grade III (5 bilateral, 19 refluxing ureters) underwent pneumovesicoscopic Cohen's cross-trigonal reimplantation. Under cystoscopic control, a first midline 5-mm trocar was introduced for a 0°\30° telescope at the dome of the bladder, and 2 left and right 3- or 5-mm trocars were inserted through the anterolateral wall. The ureter was freed by creating a sharp plane between the detrusor muscle and the ureteral wall. If necessary, the ureter was tailored outside the bladder. Submucosal tunnel(s) were prepared with the help of scissors and graspers. The detrusor at the site of the ureter mobilization was repaired and ureteroneocystomy was performed using 4-5 interrupted absorbable sutures. A 12-Ch Foley catheter was introduced at the site of the dome port. The urethral and suprapubic catheters were removed 2-3 days after the procedure and the patients were discharged on day 3.

RESULTS

One boy developed mild suprapubic emphysema postoperatively. Mean operating time was 136 min (range 80-230 min). No patient required conversion to the open technique. Renal US, VCUG, and MAG3 radionuclide scans were obtained in all patients between 3-6 months postoperatively, and provided evidence of reflux resolution in 13 out of 14 patients.

CONCLUSION

Our experience seems to confirm that pneumovesicoscopic cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation can be performed safely and effectively.

Effectiveness of botulinum-A toxin for the treatment of refractory overactive bladder in children

AIMS

We describe our experience with botulinum-A toxin (BTX-A) in children presenting idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) refractory to anticholinergic drugs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

21 patients, aged 8-12 years, were treated over a 3-year period. BTX-A was administered at a dosage of 12.5 UI /kg body weight, without exceeding 200 UI, at 20 detrusor sites. To ensure a stable solution, each 100 UI of botulinum toxin was diluted with 5 cc saline solution just prior to performing the cystoscopy.

RESULTS

No patient presented with severe systemic complications or urinary retention after injection therapy; 6 patients presented with slight hematuria for 2-3 days. The clinical results were as follows. At 6 months, 8/21 patients (38%) showed full response, 12/21 (57%) had a partial response after a 2 (nd) injection, and 1/21 (4.7%) showed no response after a 2 (nd) injection. At 12 months, 16 patients (76%) had a full response, 4 (19%) showed a partial response after a 3 (rd) injection, and 1 patient (4.7%) still had no response. At 18 months, 18 patients (85%) showed a full response, 2 patients (9.5%) had a partial response, 1 patient (4.7%) had no response. At the end of this study, 8/21 patients (38%) were symptom-free, after only one botulinum detrusor injection, 13/21 patients (61.9%) received a second botulinum injection because of recurrence of urinary incontinence 6-7 months after the initial treatment, and 4/21 patients (19%) received a third injection 12-14 months after the initial treatment, of whom 2 had a full response and 2 had a partial response. Patient no. 20 refused any further botulinum treatment after the 2 (nd) unsuccessful injection series.

CONCLUSION

Intravesical BTX-A injection appears to be safe and useful in children presenting with idiopathic overactive drug-resistant bladder.

[Syringocele in children: an unusual presentation as scrotal mass]

Syringocele is a cystic dilation of the excretory bulbourethral Cowper gland duct, and is a rather uncommon finding in pediatric age. It is frequently asymptomatic but sometimes may cause voiding symptoms and urinary tract infection (UTI). This case report describes an unusual manifestation of syringocele presenting with hydrocele. The case concerns a 2-year-old boy who was referred to our Clinic with a diagnosis of hydrocele. The patient underwent hydrocelectomy through a bilateral inguinal incision, but no clear communication with the patent peritoneal vaginal ducts could be demonstrated. The histology evidenced an epidermoid cyst. One year later the scrotal mass relapsed. Sonography, voiding cistography (VCG), computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. VCG, CT scan and MRI demonstrated the communication between the urethra and the scrotal mass. A surgical excision of the syringocele with endoscopic resection of the collar were performed. Syringocele is a rare entity in pediatrics. To this authors' knowledge there are no reports in the literature describing cases presenting with scrotal mass.

Unexpected finding of laparoscopic appendectomy: appendix MALT lymphoma in children

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas comprise a group of indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), which are rare in pediatric age. The clinical presentation of MALT lymphomas varies according to the location of the lymphoma. We report on a case of MALT lymphoma involving the appendix in a 6-year-old girl. A 6-year-old girl was referred to our institution in May 2005 with a diagnosis of appendicitis. The abdominal ultrasound showed slight effusion in the pelvic fossa. The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy using the three-trocar technique. The appendix appeared moderately hyperaemic with slight enlargement of the two-thirds of the distal portion. The postoperative course was uneventful and the girl was discharged on day 1 without any complication. The morphological and immunohistochemical examination showed typical findings of low-grade MALT lymphoma (positivity for CD20, no immunostaing for CD5 and CD10, positivity for anti-lambda light chain and low positivity for Ki-67). Further extensive examinations (abdominal MRI, gastroscopy, colonscopy and capsule endoscopy of the ileum) revealed that the lymphoma was limited to the distal two-third of the appendix (stage IA) and was not associated with any specific infection. At a recent follow-up the patients appeared to be doing well. Appendiceal MALToma is a rather uncommon pathology and, to our knowledge, there is only one report of appendiceal intussusception associated with appendiceal maltoma. According to our experience, low-grade MALToma can be managed by simple appendectomy. The histological examination should be the rule whenever an appendectomy is performed in children.

LigaSure vessel sealing system in laparoscopic Palomo varicocele ligation in children and adolescents

PURPOSE

We review our experience with laparoscopic Palomo varicocele ligation using the LigaSure device in children and adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between June 2003 and December 2004, 25 varicoceles were treated by laparoscopic Palomo varicocele ligation using LigaSure vascular sealing. Patient ages ranged from 10 to 19 years (mean, 14.5 years). Indications for surgery included grade II-III varicocele or ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy. One patient was affected by recurrent contralateral inguinal hernia and 2 presented with an ipsilateral patent processus vaginalis. We placed a 5-mm umbilical port for access, and kept pneumoperitoneum below 15 mm Hg. Under laparoscopic guidance, two additional ports of 3 and 5 mm were inserted in the lower right and left quadrants, respectively. Once the vessels were isolated, the vascular sealant was applied 3-4 times to ensure coagulation of the spermatic vessels; the vessels were then divided with laparoscopic 5-mm scissors. Inguinal hernia and patent processus vaginalis were treated according to Schier's technique. All procedures were performed in our day surgery facility.

RESULTS

Mean operative time was 18 minutes, which is significantly less than the time required in a similar group of 12 patients who underwent laparoscopic clip ligation. There were no perioperative complications. Eleven of 16 patients recovered testicular size. Two patients had postoperative hydrocele: the first was treated successfully with scrotal aspiration, while the other patient required scrotal hydrocelectomy.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic Palomo varicocele sealing can be performed safely and rapidly and is highly successful in correcting varicoceles in young males. We also found it to be the ideal technique to correct the associated inguinal hernia or patent processus vaginalis.

Local and systemic impact of pneumoperitoneum on prepuberal rats

Pneumoperitoneum (PN) and the gas used to insufflate the abdominal cavity during laparoscopy seem to be responsible for local and systemic modifications. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of intra-abdominal carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and air insufflation on the peritoneum, as well as the cortico-surrenal response in prepuberal rats. Sixty prepuberal rats were divided into three groups: in the first (S, n = 36), PN was induced with CO(2), whereas in the second (A, n = 14), it was induced with filtered room air; in both conditions, insufflation lasted 30 min at a pressure of 10-12 mmHg. The third group (C, n = 10), underwent general anesthesia only. Two hours after inducing anaesthesia, 12 rats in group S, 6 in group A and 6 in group C were killed and the remaining, after 24 h; specimens of the visceral and the parietal peritoneum were obtained for histological examination, blood sample was taken for cortisol and DHEA-S assays at the different study periods. At the histological examination performed 2 h later, the groups S and A presented inflammatory cell infiltrate in the parietal and visceral peritoneum; this finding was even more marked in group A, which presented also congestion, hemorrhage and disruption of the cell line. Twenty-four hours after the experiment, the peritoneum of the two insufflated groups presented chronic infiltrate and reactive mesothelial cells with congestion, which was more evident in group A, but totally absent in group C. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in groups S and A (2.15:1 ratio) killed 2 h later compared to those killed 24 h later and to the control group. DHEA-S levels were not significantly different between the groups. Our results demonstrate that the chemical, physical and molecular impact of CO(2) on the peritoneum causes inflammation and tissue damage, this was even more evident 24 h after our experiment and in the air insufflated group. PN induced a significant variation in blood cortisol levels at 2 h. The CO(2) insufflation should be limited in patients with pre-existing peritoneal damage.

[Painful defecation and chronic functional constipation in children: Diagnosis and treatment]

AIM

The aim of this study was to report our results on the treatment of chronic constipation associated with pain during defecation.

METHODS

From January 1999 to January 2004, 60 patients (25 females, 35 males; age range, 6 months to 12 years) who met the ROMA II diagnostic criteria for chronic functional constipation associated with pain on defecation were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent anorectal manometry to determine rectosphincter inhibitory reflex function. A retraining program for daily defecation, a diet high in fiber and lactulose, and local administration of prilocaine/lidocaine were instituted. At rectal anal endosonography, 7 drug-treatment-resistant patients presented with increased thickness of the internal anal sphincter and received botulin toxin A injection at the sphincter. Because symptoms persisted in 2 of these patients, they received a sphincterectomy.

RESULTS

At the end of treatment, 40 (71.4%) of the 56 patients who completed the study had a daily bowel movement without pain; 9 experienced a relapse; in the 2 surgical patients the alveus returned to normal function at 2 and 6 weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our treatment strategy breaks the vicious circle of spasm-pain-spasm with use of prolonged analgesic treatment and feces softener over the course of the day. In treatment-resistant patients with functioning rectosphincter reflexes and thickened internal anal sphincter, administration of botulin toxin A may be a valuable aid in place of standard sphincterectomy.

[Efficacy of toxin-A Botulinum for treating intractable bladder hyperactivity in children affected by neuropathic bladder secondary to myelomeningocele: an alternative to enterocystoplasty]

AIM

To verify the efficacy of botulinus toxin A (TB-A) in treating children with neuropathic bladder secondary to myelomeningocele (MMC) with detrusor hyperactivity/low compliance, resistance to pharmacological therapy, and candidates for enterocystoplasty.

METHODS

From January 2002 to June 2003, a group of 7 patients was selected (4 females, 3 males, mean age, 9.8 years, age range, 5-17 years) with detrusor hyperactivity, clean intermittent catheterization and resistance to pharmacological therapy. Two patients presented with grade 2-3 monolateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). All patients were incontinent despite catheterization. Botulinus toxin A was administered under general or local anesthesia by the injection of 200 IU of toxin diluted in 10 cc of physiologic solution with a metal or a flexible needle (3.7 F/21 GA). The needle was fully inserted into the detrusor muscle in about 20 sites, and 0.5 cc of solution were injected in each site, except the trigonum vesicae. Follow-up included ultrasound examination of the urinary tract and urodynamic studies performed at 6, 12 and 24 weeks and biannually thereafter. Micturition cystography was performed 3 months after the intervention. Urodynamic parameters were leak point pressure (LPP), leak point volume (LPV) and specific volume at 20 cm H2O pressure. The results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS

A significant increase in LPV (range, 30-108%, mean, 77.6%) and in specific volume at 20 cm H2O pressure (CS 20) was observed in all patients. No significant change in LPP was found. One patient previously treated with the Cohen reimplantation technique experienced transient VUR which resolved spontaneously within 1 month. No major side effects from the injection of TB-A occurred. All patients were hospitalized for 24 hours with catheterization.

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary results in this small sample of patients suggest that the use of TB-A is efficacious in significantly improving urodynamic parameters and urine storage volume at low pressures in patients with neuropathic bladder resistant to pharmacological therapy.

Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens procedure is contraindicated for intraabdominal testicular major duct anomalies

The laparoscopic one- and two-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure has gained large popularity in the treatment of the child with a high intraabdominal testis. It is largely debated which technique (e.g., testicular autotransplant or Fowler-Stephens procedure) offers the best results for high intraabdominal testes. We describe a case of a 3-year-old boy for whom previous bilateral inguinal exploration results were negative for testes or testicular remnants. The diagnostic laparoscopy showed two iliac intraabdominal testes with short spermatic vessels, closed inguinal rings, and complete dissociation of didime-epididime. A left open orchidopexy was perfomed, and testicular autotransplant was proposed for the right testes located 4 cm from the internal inguinal ring. Long-term follow-up evaluation (1.8 years) of the left testis showed it in the scrotum with good testicular size (1.5 cm). We believe that there are two main reasons to contraindicate the Fowler-Stephens technique: associated malformation that does not permit the development of the collateral blood flow via the vasal artery necessary for a viable testis, and previous surgery that represents a risk factor for testicular atrophy. The laparoscopic anatomic classification for the intraabdominal testis is reliable and can disclose the most suitable surgical technique. Laparoscopy is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of the nonpalpable testicle.

[Megarectum in childhood]

The criteria employed in the classification of megarectum in infancy are briefly reviewed and its diagnosis is discussed. Stress is laid on the importance of clyster radiology and rectal manometry. Biopsy extended to the point of true sphincteromyectomy may also prove resolutive. Lastly, infantile neuropsychiatry is unmistakably indicated in diagnosing the psychological origin of many of these forms. Aganglionic forms are quickly described and attention is directed to those due to fibrosis of the inner sphincter. Most of such cases are shown to be of secondary, reactive, rather than primary congenital, origin on histological inspection after surgery. Lastly, consideration is given to essentially psychogenic forms. The picture observed in a case treated by sphincteromyectomy with histological evidence of interstitial fibrosis with muscle and nerve regression suggested that affective disturbances lead first to persistent constipation, followed by abnormal distension of the last segments of the intestine. Subsequent regression results in an organic evolution independent of the original disturbance, so that surgery must be resorted to, as well as neuropsychiatric treatment.