Impact of Surgical Timing (Primary, Delayed, or Second Look) on Surgical Morbidity and Outcomes in Malignant Germ Cell Tumor of the Ovary in Children

BACKGROUND

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT) are rare in children. Surgery with or without chemotherapy is the primary treatment approach. This study aimed to analyze the impact of primary and delayed surgery on surgical morbidity and outcomes. Second-look surgery after inadequate surgical staging and the various components of surgical staging were also evaluated.

METHODS

Children below 15 years with MOGCT treated between 2006 and 2022 were analyzed. A comparison of patients undergoing primary, delayed, and second-look surgery was performed.

RESULTS

118 patients with a median age of 12 (0.11-15) years were eligible. Forty patients underwent primary, 51 delayed, and 27 second-look surgeries. Overall complications, including tumor rupture, blood loss, and adjacent organ removal, were significantly higher in the primary compared to the delayed surgery group (p = 0.0001). Second-look surgery conceded more blood loss (p = 0.0001), extended duration (p = 0.03), and complications (p = 0.004) than delayed surgery. The compliance with surgical guidelines was 100% for most components, with a positive yield rate of 10-80%. At a median follow-up of 5.2 years, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort are 86% and 89%, respectively. The OS and EFS did not differ by the timing of surgery, although the second-look surgery demonstrated relatively inferior outcomes consequential to initial suboptimal surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

MOGCT shows favorable outcomes. Delayed surgery after chemotherapy in appropriately selected patients minimizes the morbidity of surgery with similar outcomes compared to primary surgery. An optimal initial surgery is essential since second-look surgery produces significant morbidity. Prognosis Study, Level II evidence.

Imaging Recommendations for Diagnosis, Staging, and Management of Pediatric Solid Tumors

Paediatric extra-cranial solid tumours are one of the common causes for paediatric malignancies. Lack of appropriate imaging at presentation, staging and for follow-up is a major challenge for paediatric solid tumours. We have reviewed the paediatric solid tumour imaging protocols suggested by the major oncological societies/groups around the world (mainly the SIOP – Society International Pediatric Oncology, and the COG – Children's Oncology Group). We have adapted some of those protocols to develop imaging recommendations for the diagnosis, staging and management of extra-cranial solid tumours based on the treatment protocols followed in India.

Wilms’ tumor in low- and middle-income countries: survey of current practices, challenges, and priorities

Purpose

To identify the current practices and priorities in Wilms’ tumor management for surgeons in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

One hundred thirty-seven pediatric surgeons from 44 countries completed surveys on Wilms’ tumor surgical strategy in LMIC. This survey was distributed through the Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery, Pan-African Pediatric Surgical Association, and Latin American Pediatric Surgical Oncology Group.

Results

Ninety-two respondents (67.2%) participated from 19 lower middle-income countries (43.2%). Twenty-one respondents (15.3%) participated from nine lower income countries (20.5%). Nineteen respondents (13.9%) participated from 13 upper middle-income countries (29.5%). Most providers do not obtain biopsy for suspected Wilms’ tumor (79%). Delayed resection after preoperative chemotherapy is the preferred approach (70%), which providers chose due to protocol (45%), to decrease tumor rupture (22%), and to decrease complications (8%). The providers’ goal was to prevent tumor spillage and upstaging (46%) or to prevent bleeding, complication, or other organ resections (21%). Most surgeons believed that upfront resection increased the risk of tumor spillage (72%).

Conclusion

Providers in LMICs prefer delayed resection after preoperative chemotherapy to reduce the incidence of tumor spillage and upstaging of Wilms’ tumor. An evidence-based guideline tailored to the LMIC context can be developed from these findings.

Assessment of outcomes of elective cancer surgeries in children during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Retrospective cohort study from a tertiary cancer center in India

To describe the outcomes of elective cancer surgeries and adverse consequences on the patients and medical staff due to the surgical interventions in children during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.The study included children younger than 15 years who underwent elective cancer surgeries from March 4, 2020 and December 3, 2020.A total of 121 patients (62% male; median age, 3 years) underwent surgery. The surgical procedures included nephrectomies (n = 18), neuroblastoma (n = 26) and soft tissue tumor resections (n = 24) and complex surgical procedures like extended liver resections (n = 2), intra-atrial thrombectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 2), pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 1), and free microvascular flaps (n = 7). Clavien-Dindo Grade III complications were 5% (n = 6), and there were no postoperative deaths. Preoperative COVID-19 testing was performed in 82% of children, and only 2% showed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positivity. Postoperatively, 26 children were tested because of specific symptoms and, 6 tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Except for a median delay of 23 days in treatment, none of the patients with COVID-19 required critical hospital management. None of the surgical residents or faculty acquired COVID-19, while 4 each medical and support staff were tested positive in the study period.COVID-19 was not a deterrent for continued cancer care, and surgeries could be safely performed adopting universal preventive measures without any added morbidity from COVID-19. Caregivers and centers dealing with childhood cancers can be encouraged to sustain or seek early healthcare.

Feasibility of Nonanatomical Liver Resection in Diligently Selected Patients with Hepatoblastoma and Comparison of Outcomes with Anatomic Resection

INTRODUCTION

 Treatment guidelines for hepatoblastoma discourage nonanatomic liver resections. However, the evidence for this is inadequate and comes from a study performed almost two decades ago which additionally contained inherent limitations. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and oncologic outcomes of nonanatomic resections (NAR) performed in diligently selected patients and compare the results with anatomic resections (AR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A total of 120 patients who underwent liver resections for hepatoblastoma between January 2008 and July 2019 were reviewed. Feasibility of NAR was based on postchemotherapy relations to vessels, site of the lesion, and possibility of achieving negative resection margins.

RESULTS

 AR was performed in 95 patients and 25 had NAR. The NAR cohort had similar International Childhood Liver Tumors Strategy Group (SIOPEL) risk group distribution. Blood loss and operative times were lower in patients undergoing NAR. No differences were noted between the two groups concerning postoperative morbidity and hospitalization. There were no pathologic positive margins or local recurrences in the NAR patients. Relapse free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) was similar in the two groups (p = 0.54 and 0.96, respectively). Subgroup analysis of only posttreatment extent of tumor (POSTTEXT) I and II patients also showed no difference in RFS or OS for the two groups with a persistent significant difference in operative times and blood loss.

CONCLUSION

 NAR is feasible with clear margins in carefully selected patients. It is not associated with more complications and outcomes are not inferior to AR. NAR is associated with lesser blood loss and operative time.

Intravascular extension of Wilms tumor: Characteristics of tumor thrombus and their impact on outcomes

BACKGROUND

Studies describing intravascular involvement in Wilms tumor have focused on illustrating individual institutional experience and the elements of surgical management. Thrombus characteristics like extent, patterns of regression, and correlation with the surgical findings, intraluminal adhesion, and viable tumor in the thrombus, and patency of the inferior vena cava (IVC) have not been systematically described.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate these thrombus characteristics and explore their impact on the overall outcomes.

METHODS

All patients with histologically confirmed Wilms tumors with intravascular thrombus diagnosed in the pediatric oncology unit of Tata Memorial Hospital registered from 2006 to 2019 were included. Data regarding clinical, radiological, and surgical particulars were retrieved from the prospectively maintained institutional database. Specific data for the thrombus included: distal extent before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, correlation of extent with the surgical findings, completeness of thrombectomy, the presence of a viable tumor in the thrombus, and the patency of the IVC. Survival analysis was performed utilizing the Kaplan-Meier method on SPSS software version 25.

RESULTS

The study included 43 (9.9%) of the 432 patients with Wilms tumor having intravascular extension. Retrohepatic IVC (33.3%) followed by atrioventricular (26%) formed the frequent levels of thrombus with maximum regression occurring after chemotherapy in the latter (Summary figure). The overall concordance rate between computed tomography (CT) scan and surgical findings for the presence of thrombus was 86% and 4 patients had the thrombus limited to a lower level than the preoperative scan. At a median follow-up of 5-years, the 5-year event-free and overall survival was 81% and 82.2% respectively. Atrioventricular thrombus (p = 0.003) and postoperative patency of IVC (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with inferior survival, while the extent of regression, thrombus fracture, and viability was not significant.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this study bring forth the characteristics of intravascular tumor thrombus affecting the outcomes which can be validated in future prospective studies. Although the ideal method for radiological assessment of the intravascular thrombus is elusive, CT scan provided adequate information for the presence and level of the intravascular thrombus with reasonable accuracy in this study. Study limitations include small sample size, the limited number of events, and lack of multivariate analysis to rule out confounding factors that could influence the observed findings.

CONCLUSION

Atrioventricular thrombus and occlusion of IVC represent adverse prognostic factors. The extent of regression, fracture, and viability of thrombus did not affect survival in this study.

Standardizing lymph nodal sampling for Wilms tumor: A feasibility study with outcomes

BACKGROUND

Despite being mandated by cooperative groups, omission of nodal sampling is the most frequent protocol deviation in surgery for Wilms tumor. The stations as well as the number of nodes that should be sampled are not clearly defined resulting in a marked variation in practices among surgeons. We propose a systematic method for nodal sampling intending to reduce interoperator variation. In this study, we have assessed the feasibility and yield of systematic lymph node sampling and also evaluated the factors influencing nodal metastasis.

METHODS

Prospective evaluation of 113 Wilms tumor patients operated at a single tertiary cancer center between 2015 and 2019. All these patients underwent a systematic 5-station nodal sampling.

RESULTS

Median lymph node yield was 8 and 13.2% (15/113) patients harbored a histologically positive nodal disease. Of the patients with positive nodal disease, interaortocaval nodes had metastasis in 46.7% (n = 7). They represented isolated sites of nodal disease (skip metastases) in 28.6% (n = 4) of patients. Right-sided tumors had more frequent involvement of interaortocaval nodes and skip disease. Tumors with high-risk histology had 12.5 times more odds of harboring nodal disease as compared to low and intermediate-risk histology Wilms tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed method of systematic station wise sampling provides a template to guide surgeons in performing lymph node harvesting. Interaortocaval nodes sampling should be performed routinely as the incidence of disease at this station is sufficiently high and metastasis may skip hilar nodes.

STUDY OF DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Level III evidence.

Outcomes of Elective Major Cancer Surgery During COVID 19 at Tata Memorial Centre: Implications for Cancer Care Policy

BACKGROUND

Overburdened systems and concerns of adverse outcomes have resulted in deferred cancer surgeries with devastating consequences. In this COVID pandemic, the decision to continue elective cancer surgeries, and their subsequent outcomes, are sparsely reported from hotspots.

METHODS

A prospective database of the Department of Surgical Oncology was analysed from March 23rd to April 30th, 2020.

FINDINGS

Four hundred ninety-four elective surgeries were performed (377 untested and 117 tested for Covid 19 before surgery). Median age was 48 years with 13% (n = 64) above the age of 60 years. Sixty-eight percent patients were American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) grade I. As per surgical complexity grading, 71 (14·4%) cases were lower grade (I-III) and 423 (85.6%) were higher grade complex surgeries (IV - VI).Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade III complications were 5.6% (n = 28) and there were no postoperative deaths. Patients >60 years documented 9.3% major complications compared to 5.2% in <60 years (P = 0.169). The median hospital stay was 1 to 9 days across specialties.Postoperatively, 26 patients were tested for COVID 19 and 6 tested positive. They all had higher grade surgeries but none required escalated or intensive care treatment related to COVID infection.

INTERPRETATION

A combination of scientific and administrative rationale contributed to favorable outcomes after major elective cancer surgeries. These results support the continuation of elective major cancer surgery in regions with Covid 19 trends similar to India.

Incidence, treatment, and outcomes of primary and recurrent Non-Wilms renal tumors in children: Report of 109 patients treated at a single institution

INTRODUCTION

Non-Wilms renal tumors represent a compelling subset of childhood renal tumors. However, their relative rarity renders accurate diagnosis, and therapy challenging which in some instance is inferred from their adult counterparts.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the incidence and analyze the diagnostic challenges, therapies and, outcomes of non-Wilms renal tumors at the largest tertiary cancer centre in India.

METHODS

All patients with histologically confirmed non-Wilms renal tumours diagnosed in the paediatric oncology unit of Tata Memorial Hospital between 2006 and 2019 were included. Data regarding clinical and radiological features and treatment outcomes were retrieved from the prospectively maintained institutional database. At the outset, histological types were categorised into a high and low-risk group depending on anticipated survival. Survival analysis was performed utilising the Kaplan-Meier method on SPSS software version 24.0.

RESULTS

Of the 569 patients with renal tumors, 109 (19%) patients with primary (n = 97) or recurrent (n = 12) non-Wilms renal tumors were included. Histological high-risk group included clear cell sarcoma (CCSK) (39.4%), renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (19.3%), malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRTK) (12.8%), Ewing's sarcoma (rES) (15.6%), synovial sarcoma (2%), and undifferentiated sarcoma (2%). The low-risk group comprised of congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) (4.6%), cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma (2%), and other rare tumors (3%). Diagnostic error occurred in 2 patients in the high-risk group. All low-risk tumours were treated with surgery alone and most (97%) high-risk tumors were operated either upfront (61.5%) or after preoperative chemotherapy (38.4%). Adjuvant therapy based on histology was offered to 70%. The recurrent tumors received various salvage treatments including chemotherapy; radiotherapy; surgery and immunotherapy, however, only 2 patients could be salvaged. The 3-year overall survival for the entire cohort with primary tumors was 59%, and the survival rates were 76.7%, 77.9%, 0.0%, and 52% for CCSK, RCC, MRTK, and rES (summary figure). Low-risk tumors had 100% survival while the recurrent tumors had a median survival of 10.5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-Wilms renal tumors constitute a heterogeneous group of tumors, accounting for less than 20% of all renal tumors. Low-risk tumors are associated with excellent outcomes following surgery alone while the high-risk tumours have a variable outcome. MRTK and recurrent non-Wilms tumour have the worst survival. Favourable outcomes for CCSK and RCC and worst outcomes for MRTK were observed in this study. Renal ES have higher incidence of treatment failure and unsatisfactory outcomes. Recurrent non-Wilms tumours have an extremely poor outcome and more alternative or innovative approaches are needed for their treatment.

Limb sparing surgery with vascular reconstruction for nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma in infants: A novel solution using allogenic vein graft from the parent

Surgery continues to remain an integral component of treatment, especially for nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma as compared to rhabdomyosarcoma owing to their general insensitivity to chemotherapy. A key determinant of outcomes, particularly for extremity tumors includes complete tumor resection with negative margins; however, a significant limitation for limb salvage surgery is the adherence of sarcomas to vital vascular structures. Hitherto, vascular involvement constituted an adequate reason for amputation. However, modern reconstructive techniques and availability of prosthetic grafts in addition to autologous venous grafts have rendered limb salvage surgery possible in a substantial majority of patients. Vascular resection and reconstruction for extremity soft tissue sarcoma in children have not been used routinely for reasons like the small-caliber of native vessels, limited options for conduits and rapid somatic growth. The situation is inconceivable in infants owing to the contemporaneous diminutive caliber of the vessels. We report two infants with lower extremity nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma who underwent limb salvage surgery with resection of femoral vessels following which vascular reconstruction was successfully performed using the great saphenous vein allograft harvested from the father.

Gender-neutral bathroom surfaces recolonized by microbes more quickly than single-gender bathrooms

As humans become increasingly urban and spend more time inside the built environment, there will be increased interactions between humans and shared public surface microbiomes. Recent cultural changes in the United States have led to increased numbers of gender-neutral bathrooms. Given that bathroom surfaces are frequently sanitized, we used this increased availability of gender-neutral bathrooms to examine how single-gender or gender-neutral surfaces are recolonized with microbes. Given that male and female microbiomes vary, we hypothesized that rates of recolonization would differ between male, female and gender-neutral bathroom surfaces. We collected swabs from common hand-contacted surfaces in bathrooms and cultured microbes on selective and rich media to determine microbial abundance after cleaning. Recolonization was dominated by Gram-positive bacteria and was slowest on male, intermediate on female and fastest on gender-neutral surfaces. These results imply that gender-neutral surfaces approach normal climax microbial communities more quickly than single-gender bathrooms. SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Humans now spend substantial amount of time within the built environment, and as a consequence the human microbiome interacts frequently with indoor surfaces. Social changes are making gender-neutral public bathrooms more common, so it is important to study how humans and microbiomes interact with these bathroom surfaces. We found that the gender-neutral bathroom surfaces recolonize more quickly than single-gender, which suggests that there are more potential human-surface microbiome connections in these public spaces. These results will potentially add a new layer to our understanding of the interactions of humans, our microbiomes and how we design our built environment.

Portal Vein Embolization for Future Liver Remnant Enhancement and Combined Modality Treatment for the Management of Post-hepatic Resection Biliary Fistula in an 18-Month Old Child With Hepatoblastoma

Hepatic resection is the mainstay of treatment for hepatoblastoma. However, the presence of adequate future liver remnant (FLR) is essential to prevent postoperative liver failure. Portal vein embolization (PVE) is commonly utilized in adults for promoting hypertrophy of FLR, however, it is sparingly used in children. Secondly, bile leak after liver resections is a well-defined complication. Apart from conservative treatment such as drainage and antibiotic, several management strategies including endoscopic, percutaneous, and surgical approaches have been described for its management. We present an 18-month old child with hepatoblastoma for whom PVE was performed to enhance the FLR so that an extended right hepatectomy could be accomplished. The same patient endured delayed postoperative biliary leak wherein the conservative, and non-operative interventional procedure failed, however, surgery combined with intraoperative interventional radiology procedure was utilized with a favorable outcome.

Customized approach for upfront or delayed resection using radiological criteria in unilateral, nonmetastatic pediatric renal tumors: A prospective study

BACKGROUND

The availability of robust, equivalent data regarding outcomes for upfront or delayed surgery for renal tumors in children leads to a dilemma in selecting the initial treatment. Imaging criteria associated with the probability of rupture or incomplete resection may provide a more objective assessment for customization for the timing of surgery.

PROCEDURE

Eighty-three children with unilateral, nonmetastatic renal tumors were enrolled between January 2012 and April 2018. Upfront nephrectomy was performed in the absence or delayed surgery (after a biopsy and chemotherapy) in the presence of one or more imaging-based high-risk features, including perinephric spread or adjacent organ infiltration, tumors crossing the midline, intravascular thrombus, and extensive adenopathy. Post hoc analysis for interobserver concordance for high-risk imaging features was also performed.

RESULTS

The upfront surgery group (19) had predominantly stage I or II diseases (89%) and the histological types were Wilms (13), non-Wilms (5) renal tumor, and an inflammatory lesion. The delayed surgery group had 60% with stage I or II diseases and the histological types were Wilms (60) and non-Wilms (4) tumor. In addition, high-risk pathology was identified in nine patients. Overall, 27 patients with Wilms tumors required radiotherapy and anthracycline because of stage III disease, including one in the immediate surgery group. The event-free and overall survival (OS) at a median follow-up of 39 months for Wilms tumor are 88% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78.5-94.9%) and 89% (95% CI: 81.4-96.6%), 85.1% (95% CI: 73.8-93.4%) and 86.5% (95% CI: 77.4-95.8%) for the delayed, and 100% event-free survival as well as OS (P = .1) in the upfront surgery group.

CONCLUSION

A customized approach pivoted on image-based high-risk features facilitates identification of patients with early-stage renal tumor when the timing of surgery is tailored. Moreover, non-Wilms tumor and high-risk pathology are also identified.

A cross-sectional study of the distribution of pediatric solid tumors at an Indian tertiary cancer center

Context

Pediatric solid tumors include a heterogeneous group of tumors, and the burden of these tumors, especially from resource-challenged countries, is not well described. AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of solid tumors in children and the treatment outcome of Wilms tumor and hepatoblastoma.

Patients and Methods

All patients under 15 years of age with histologically confirmed tumors presenting at a tertiary cancer center from January 2012 to December 2016 were identified from the hospital database. Patients with lymphomas, bone, and central nervous tumors were excluded. The demographic profile including age, sex distribution, and the treatment received were recorded for all patients.

Results

The mean age of the eligible 1944 patients was 5.7 years with majority (57.3%) in the 0-4 years age group. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1 with a male predominance in all tumors except germ cell tumors. Soft tissue tumors were the most common tumors followed by neuroblastoma and renal tumors, whereas liver tumors formed only 6.7% of all tumors. Seventy percent of the patients received treatment completely or partially at our institute, whereas 18.3% had no cancer-directed treatment. The 3-year overall survival of patients with Wilms tumor and hepatoblastoma was 85.4 and 78.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

Extracranial and extraosseous pediatric solid tumors include a wide range of tumors with a predilection for male sex and children below 4 years of age. Soft tissue tumors, neuroblastoma, and renal tumors are the most common; the outcomes of Wilms tumor and hepatoblastoma are favorable.

Outcomes and complications of surgery in patients with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma: experience from an Indian tertiary Cancer Centre

PURPOSE

The treatment of intermediate risk (IR) neuroblastoma has evolved with the focus now on reducing the drugs, dosage, and duration of chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to present the outcomes of treatment and the complications of surgery in patients with IR neuroblastoma treated at a tertiary cancer center in India.

METHODS

All eligible patients with IR neuroblastoma treated between April 2005 and August 2016 were identified. The presence and number of image-defined risk factors (IDRF) before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed as were the extent of surgery, complications, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 282 neuroblastoma patients treated during the study period, 54 had IR neuroblastoma. Complete excision was achieved in 25 patients. There were 26 surgical complications in 22 patients with a similar incidence in patients with complete (n = 13) or incomplete (n = 13) resection (p = 0.78). After a median follow-up of 47 months, the 4-year overall and event-free survival was 91.5% and 75%, respectively. There was no difference in survival between patients who underwent complete resection versus those with incomplete resection (p = 0.9).

CONCLUSION

Outcomes of IR neuroblastoma are favorable. The extent of resection does not affect the survival and complications can occur even when the resection is incomplete.

Excision of retroperitoneal germ cell tumor in children: A distinct surgical challenge

PURPOSE

The excision of retroperitoneal germ cell tumor (GCT) is a surgical challenge compounded by the absence of definite surgical guidelines. The aim of this study is to present the surgical difficulties and morbidity associated with resection of these tumors.

METHODS

Fifteen patients (7 males and 8 females) undergoing excision of retroperitoneal GCT between February 2008 and February 2016 were evaluated.

RESULTS

Except for an adolescent, the majority of patients were infants (median age: 4months). The surgical excision entailed extensive vascular dissection in all patients with associated significant blood loss in two, adjacent organ removal in five, and vessel repair in one patient. The resection was complete in all except two patients. Both the patients with incomplete resections had immature teratoma and received postoperative chemotherapy. At a median follow-up of 53months, 13 patients are alive and disease free, one patient is alive with stable disease, and one patient had died owing to respiratory complications. There were no local recurrences in the patients with complete excision.

CONCLUSION

Although the outcomes are excellent after surgery, resection of retroperitoneal GCT is a distinct surgical challenge. The surgical difficulties emanate from the need for extensive vascular dissection and risk to adjacent structures.

LEVEL IV EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study.

Transversus abdominis plane catheters for postoperative pain relief in pediatric patients

Regional techniques provides excellent post operative pain relief in pediatric patients. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a newer regional technique available. Though there is emerging evidence proving the efficacy of TAP blocks, there is limited literature on use of TAP catheters in pediatric patients. TAP catheters were placed in two children following laparotomy with transverse incisions and in both epidural was avoided, with good post operative pain relief. Ultrasound guidance was used in one child, while in the other the catheter was placed under direct vision after dissection of the plane between transversus abdominis and internal oblique. Intermittent boluses of high volumes of local anesthetic (0.6-0.7 ml/kg) were used through the TAP catheter, ensuring that the maximum permissible level of bupivacaine was not exceeded. In adults, continuous abdominal catheters have found a place for post-operative pain management, when epidural analgesia is contraindicated. At present, the use of TAP catheters by pediatric anesthesiologists is limited, though there exists diverse clinical scenarios when these catheters may be of benefit. Contraindication of neuraxial blockade and septic patients are the two scenarios we have reported. In conclusion, TAP catheters are effective analgesia technique for laparotomies with transverse incision in pediatric patients.

Chyle leak following surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND

The incidence and optimal management of postoperative chylous leak of neuroblastoma is inadequately documented. We analyzed the risk factors, management, and the implication of chyle leak following surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma.

METHODS

One hundred sixty patients who underwent surgery for abdominal neuroblastoma between September 2004 and August 2014 were evaluated. To find the oncological implication we evaluated the delay in starting further treatment, local control, event free and overall survival.

RESULTS

Chyle leak was the most common complication (20%). The median measure of leakage was 100ml/day and it persisted for a median of 12days. All patients were managed conservatively except one who needed exploration for wound dehiscence. Number of lymph nodes resected was the only factor associated with the risk of chyle leaks (p=0.013). Adjuvant chemotherapy was not delayed in any patient because of chyle leaks per se and the local control, event free and overall survival were not different for patients with and without chyle leak.

CONCLUSION

Chylous leakage is a common postoperative complication of abdominal neuroblastoma, predisposed by the number of lymph nodes resected. It responds to conservative management and does not compromise further the oncological treatment and outcome hence; it should not be a deterrent to complete surgery.

Pancreatoblastoma masquerading as hepatoblastoma: A diagnostic dilemma

Clinicoradiological and histopathological differentiation of pancreatoblastoma from hepatoblastoma can often be a challenge in clinical practice owing to their peculiar resemblance. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy with a right hypochondriac region mass, which was diagnosed as hepatoblastoma on the basis of imaging, raised tumor marker, and biopsy; however, pancreatic origin of the mass was ascertained on exploration and pancreatoblastoma was confirmed on histopathology.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the breast: Report of two cases with the review of literature

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common soft-tissue neoplasm in the pediatric age group. Common locations are head and neck, genitourinary areas, trunk, and extremities. Two pathologic variants of this malignancy are embryonal and alveolar. The involvement of breast is rare. Herein, we report two cases of alveolar RMS of the breast of which one is an isolated breast metastasis from an orbital primary, whereas the other is a primary RMS of the breast. Both the patients were treated with surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy and are currently disease free at six and three year respectively, following completion of treatment.

Local therapy in non-metastatic primary Ewing sarcoma of the mandible and maxilla in children

Ewing sarcoma (ES) of the jaw bones comprises a small fraction of ES at all sites. Due to their rarity, a specific policy for local treatment is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local therapy for ES and recommend measures to individualize treatment options. Patients with primary non-metastatic ES of the jaw bones treated between August 2005 and February 2015 were analyzed. All patients received primary induction chemotherapy, following which lesions amenable to resection based on specific radiological criteria were resected; those with unresectable lesions were offered definitive radiotherapy. The maxilla was the primary site in 13 patients and the mandible in eight. The median age of patients was 11.6 years (range 5-17 years). Overall, surgery was performed in 17 patients and definitive radiotherapy was used in four patients. Postoperative radiotherapy was administered to 12 patients and was avoided in five patients with 100% tumour necrosis. The 3-year overall survival, event-free survival, and local control were 68.1%, 63.6%, and 80.2%, respectively. Mandible primary and a histological response to chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors. The stratification of patients based on radiological criteria aids in selecting local therapy. In eligible patients, surgery with contemporary reconstruction results in optimal oncological and functional outcomes. Surgery also has the added advantage of identifying patients who may not need radiotherapy.

Ectopic Cushing syndrome secondary to recurrent pancreatoblastoma in a child: Lessons learnt

Although rare, pancreatoblastoma is the most common pancreatic tumor in children. Cushing syndrome secondary to ectopic secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from a pancreatoblastoma is very rare with only two previously reported cases. We present the management and the lesson learnt in a 3-year-old child with recurrent pancreatoblastoma with Cushing syndrome.

Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcomas in children: Contemporary appraisal and experience from a single centre

Nonrhabdmyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) include a cluster of different types of soft tissue sarcomas clubbed together due to the rarity of individual subtypes. The diagnostic accuracy is lately reinforced due to the availability of immunohistochemical and molecular markers. Surgery is the central modality of treatment since many of them are insensitive to chemotherapy. With the availability of rational risk stratification system, efforts are in progress to evaluate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy to improve outcomes especially for the locally advanced disease. The survival remains dismal for metastatic disease. This review highlights the current status of NRSTS and also describes the experience from a single centre in treatment of NRSTS.

Benign liver tumors in children: outcomes after resection

PURPOSE

Benign liver tumors in children are rare and data regarding the surgical outcomes are deficient. We reviewed our experience in the management of these tumors particularly the extent, safety, and effectiveness of surgical resection.

METHODS

Between March 2005 and March 2014, 10/90 liver resections were performed for benign liver tumors. Three other patients received conservative treatment. Demographic characteristics, operative management, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 12 months. The distribution of pathology was infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma/hemangioma (n = 7), mesenchymal hamartoma (n = 4), adenoma (n = 1) and focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 1). Median tumor size was 12.25 cm (range 3.5-21 cm) with a median tumor volume of 576.64 cm(3) (range 13.9-1822.64 cm(3)). Non-anatomic resection was performed in 6/10 patients and the median blood loss was 100 ml (range 10-850 ml). Median length of hospital stay was 7 days (range 5-9 days). There were no mortality, none of the patients had a local recurrence, and all are alive at a median follow-up of 33 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-third patients with benign liver tumors were managed with surgical excision, which comprised 11% of our resectional practice. Non-anatomical resection whenever feasible can be performed safely and does not compromise the oncological outcomes.

Recurrent abdominal wall dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a child: a challenging reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is an uncommon low-grade soft tissue sarcoma with a high potential for recurrence as it has irregular finger like extensions.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a case of a large, recurrent dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a child involving the anterior abdominal wall, which posed a challenge for reconstruction. Peritoneum sparing full thickness resection of the anterior abdominal wall, meshplasty and a free anterolateral thigh flap was performed for reconstruction of the defect.

DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION

Large composite defect, involving more than half of the anterior abdominal wall, necessitate a free flap reconstruction. Although these reconstructions are technically challenging in children, they are the only option available.

CONCLUSION

Complete surgical excision is essential for DFSP of the abdominal wall, which may result in large challenging defects. Free flaps remain the only option in this scenario and hence it is essential to have expertise for microvascular flap reconstruction.

Primary non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma of the jaw in children: results of surgical resection and primary reconstruction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The rarity of Ewing sarcoma (ES) of the jaw coupled with the technical challenge of resection and associated functional and cosmetic impairment has resulted in deficient data on surgical management of these tumors. The purpose of this study is to describe the results of surgical excision and reconstruction of primary non-metastatic ES of the mandible and maxilla in children.

METHODS

Consecutive patients (mandible = 6, maxilla = 5) treated with surgery from August 2005 to January 2013 were selected. All patients received induction chemotherapy and were selected for surgical resection based on the presence of specific criteria for operability.

RESULTS

The median age was 11.5 years (range 5-16 years). Free fibular osteocutaneous flap was commonly used for reconstruction. There were no complications related to microvascular anastomosis or flap loss. Five patients had 100% tumor necrosis and did not receive radiotherapy. Teeth alignment, chewing, swallowing, and speech were normal in all and donor site morbidity occurred in one. The 5-year overall, event-free survival, and local control are 87.5%, 72.9%, and 90%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In eligible patients, surgery with contemporary reconstruction results in optimal oncological and functional outcome. Surgery also has the added advantage of identifying patients who may not need radiotherapy.

Prognostic factors in primary nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma of the rib in children and young adults

BACKGROUND

The rarity of Ewing sarcoma of rib has resulted in paucity of data, particularly on the prognostic factors and pattern of relapses. We analyzed the recurrences in patients with primary nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma of the rib and examined prognostic factors of poor outcome.

METHODS

From January 2004 to January 2011, 37 patients were treated. After induction chemotherapy, complete (from costal cartilage to vertebra) or partial excision of involved rib with or without adjacent ribs was performed. Postoperative radiotherapy was administered for positive margins, poor response to chemotherapy, and large primary tumors with significant soft tissue component at presentation.

RESULTS

Disease relapsed in 16 patients: at the local site (n = 5), both local and distant (n = 2), and distant site only (n = 9). The projected 5-year cause-specific, relapse-free survival and local control were 50%, 44%, and 72%. Poor response to chemotherapy (>5% residual tumor) and resection of adjacent lung parenchyma (a surrogate for tumor extension) were adverse prognostic factors for relapse-free survival in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Relapses occurred more often at distant sites and had a poor outcome. In this study, poor histologic response to chemotherapy (P = .04) and the infiltration of adjacent lung parenchyma (P = .01) are adverse prognostic factors.

Feasibility and safety of thoracoabdominal approach in children for resection of upper abdominal neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND

A thoracoabdominal incision provides excellent exposure in the upper abdominal region. We present our experience with the use of this approach in children for resection of upper abdominal neuroblastoma.

METHODS

Fifty-one of the 106 consecutive patients with abdominal neuroblastoma who underwent tumor resection using the thoracoabdominal approach between June 2006 and May 2011 were selected from the prospective database for this interim analysis.

RESULTS

The median age was 3.1 years (range, 10 months-14 years), with 8 younger than 18 months and 22 younger than 4 years. Gross total resection was achieved in 44 patients. There were no major vascular injuries or perioperative mortality. Forty-two patients could be extubated immediate postoperatively, whereas 9 were extubated within 24 hours. Good pain relief was achieved in all patients, and prolonged analgesia was not required in any patient. There were no pulmonary complications, and wound infection occurred in 2 patients. The 2-year local control was 92%. The 2-year survival for stages 1 and 2 is 100%, 71.6% for stage 3, and 40.4% for stage 4.

CONCLUSION

The thoracoabdominal incision for difficult upper abdominal neuroblastoma is tolerated well in pediatric patients with no added morbidity. The enhanced exposure facilitates resection and improves local control.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the pancreas: An unusual primary site for an uncommon tumor

Pancreas is a rare location for desmoplastic small round cell tumor. The present case highlights the dilemma in diagnosis and ascertaining the site of tumor origin. Morphologic and immunohistochemical features were complemented with the molecular markers and tumor origin which was initially nebulous was subsequently confirmed on exploratory laparotomy.

Wilms' tumor: An update

Wilms' tumor (WT) is the commonest pediatric renal tumor, predominantly seen in children less than five years of age. The majority of patients present with an abdominal lump and CT scan is the usual imaging modality for determining the extent of disease. With multimodality management, the results of treatment of WT have improved dramatically over the last 50 years. The treatment protocols have been devised and modified repeatedly depending on evidence from randomized trials by several cooperative groups - mainly National Wilms' Tumor Study Group (NWTSG) and the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP). The NWTSG recommends primary surgery followed by chemotherapy while SIOP advocates four weeks of chemotherapy prior to surgery. The regimen, dose and duration of chemotherapy have been repeatedly modified to reduce toxicity while maintaining efficacy. The role of radiation therapy has also been customized. Most centers have reported excellent survival rates with the modern day treatment protocols, except in patients with an unfavorable histology. The results of treatment of relapsed WT have also improved with newer drugs and combinations being used for the same.

Fatal non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia after esophagectomy

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a disorder with an extremely high mortality. Salvage of affected patients requires early recognition and aggressive intervention to prevent intestinal gangrene. We present a case of NOMI developing after esophagectomy and discuss the pathophysiology diagnosis and therapy.

Unicystic ameloblastoma of the mandible masquerading as carcinoma of the oral cavity in a 10-year-old girl

A case of unicystic ameloblastoma of the mandible in a 10-year-old child is described. In addition to the mandibular swelling the patient also had a proliferative lesion over the alveolus that masqueraded as a neoplastic lesion.

Large adrenal ganglioneuroma with left inferior vena cava: implications for surgery

The contemporaneous occurrence of adrenal ganglioneuroma and left-sided inferior vena cava is uncommon and is previously never reported. We present a case wherein the two entities were fortuitously associated on preoperative imaging. This information facilitated successful surgical resection and avoided catastrophic vascular injury. A review of literature of the common venous anomaly affecting therapeutic decision-making is also presented.

Successful reconstruction of large oropharyngeal defect with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in a four-year-old boy with recurrent fibromatosis

Background

Pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap continues to be the workhorse in head and neck reconstruction. Although free tissue transfer has revolutionized the reconstruction in cancers of the oral region, PMMC is still considered a readily accessible source of vascularized soft tissue available to the reconstructive surgeon and especially in most developing nations where due to the cost, time, expertise, or infrastructural constraints free flaps cannot be generally offered. Although commonly used in adults, it has been hardly described for reconstruction in children.

Case presentation

We present a 4-year-old child with recurrent fibromatosis of the oropharyngeal region where the PMMC was used for reconstruction of the surgical defect and to the best of our knowledge is the youngest patient undergoing reconstruction with PMMC for neoplastic lesion of the head and neck.

Conclusion

The PMMC flap is justifiably a popular flap that continues to command an important place in the head and neck surgeon's reconstructive armamentarium.