Cirugia pediatrica : organo oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Cirugia Pediatrica最新文献

Objective: To assess the efficacy of the vacuum bell during puberty, according to the daily hours of use and treatment duration.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of patients treated with vacuum bell during puberty in the 2010-2021 period was carried out. Several variables were collected, including baseline and final sinking, repaired sinking expressed in cm and as a percentage from baseline sinking, daily hours of use, treatment duration, and complications. Patients were categorized into groups according to the daily hours of use (≤ 3 hours; 4-5 hours; ≥ 6 hours) and treatment duration (6-12 months; 13-24 months; 25-36 months; > 36 months), and they were statistically analyzed.

Results: A total of 50 patients -41 male and 9 female- were studied, with a mean age of 12.5 years (range: 10-14 years). No significant differences among groups were observed in terms of baseline sinking, thoracic index, and final sinking. Repaired sinking did increase with the daily hours of use, with significant differences. Complications were mild. 3 patients withdrew from follow-up, and 5 out of the 25 patients who completed treatment achieved a good repair.

Conclusions: To increase treatment efficacy, the vacuum bell should be used for 6 hours/day during puberty. This method is well-tolerated, causes mild complications, and may be an alternative to surgery in some cases.

Objective: Considering that intubation time is the primary cause of subglottic stenosis, tracheostomy is suggested in adult patients following 10-15 days. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between intubation time and stenosis in pediatric patients, as well as to establish whether there is an adequate timing for tracheostomy in order to reduce the incidence of stenosis.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study (2014-2019) of tracheostomized newborns and children after an intubation period was carried out. Endoscopic findings at tracheostomy were analyzed.

Results: Tracheostomy was conducted in 189 patients, 72 of whom met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 40 months (1 month - 16 years). The incidence of stenosis was 21%, with a mean age of 23 months and a mean intubation time of 30 days vs. 19 days in the non-stenosis group (p= 0.02). The incidence of stenosis increased by 7% five days following intubation, reaching 20% after one month. Patients under 6 months old had greater tolerance to intubation periods without stenosis (incidence < 6% after 40 days, and median time to stenosis of 56 days vs. 24 days in patients over 6 months old).

Conclusions: In patients with long intubation periods, preventive measures should be taken in order to avoid laryngotracheal injuries, and early tracheostomy should be considered.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the results of a clinical guideline for the treatment and early discharge of patients with complicated acute appendicitis in terms of infectious complications and hospital stay.

Materials and methods: A guideline for appendicitis treatment according to severity was created. Complicated appendicitis cases were treated with ceftriaxone-metronidazole for 48h, with discharge being approved if certain clinical and blood test criteria were met. A retrospective analytical study comparing the incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) and surgical site infection (SSI) in patients under 14 years of age to whom the new guideline was applied (Group A) vs. the historical cohort (Group B, treated with gentamicin-metronidazole for 5 days) was carried out. A prospective cohort study to assess which antibiotic therapy (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or cefuroxime-metronidazole) proved more effective in patients meeting early discharge criteria was also conducted.

Results: 205 patients under 14 years of age were included in Group A, whereas 109 patients were included in Group B. IAA was present in 14.3% of patients from Group A vs. 13.8% from Group B (p= 0.83), while SSI was present in 1.9% of patients from Group A vs. 8.25% from Group B (p= 0.008). Early discharge criteria were met by 62.7% of patients from Group A. Median hospital stay decreased from 6 to 3 days. At discharge, 57% of patients received amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, whereas 43% received cefuroxime-metronidazole, with no differences being found in terms of SSI (p= 0.24) or IAA (p= 0.12).

Conclusions: Early discharge reduces hospital stay without increasing the risk of postoperative infectious complications. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is a safe option for at-home oral antibiotic therapy.

Introduction: Thyroid surgery has increased in the pediatric population. One of the main issues following this surgery is the presence of a neck scar, which has been reported to have an impact on quality of life. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy is used in adult patients with good results, but there are few reports on the use of this technique in pediatrics.

Clinical case: 17-year-old female patient diagnosed with toxic nodular goiter. As a result of the patient's refusal to undergo conventional surgery due to the scar, transoral endoscopic lobectomy was carried out. The surgical technique used will be described.

Discussion: In order to prevent the psychological and social impact of neck scars in children, and given the results published on the use of this technique in pediatrics, transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy stands as an alternative to conventional thyroidectomy in adequately selected patients eager to avoid neck scars.

Pediatric pneumonectomies are exceptional nowadays, being reserved for cases with destroyed lungs with frequent exacerbations and reinfections and only two cases of thoracoscopic pneumonectomy have been previously published. We present the case of a 4-year-old patient with no relevant history who developed complete atelectasis of the left lung (LL) after influenza A pneumonia, followed by secondary recurrent infections. A year later a diagnostic bronchoscopy without alterations was performed. A complete loss of volume and hypoperfusion of the LL (right lung perfusion 95%, LL perfusion: 5%) with bronchiectasis and hyperinsufflation and herniation of the right lung into the left hemithorax was observed in a pulmonary perfusion SPECT-CT. After unsuccessful conservative management and recurrent infections a pneumonectomy was indicated. The pneumonectomy was performed through a five-port thoracoscopy. The dissection of the hilum was made using hook electrocautery and sealing device. The left main bronchus was sectioned with an endostapler. There were no intraoperative complications. An endothoracic drain was removed the first postoperative day. The patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day. The patient has not presented any complications 10 months after surgery. Although pneumonectomy is an exceptional surgery in children, it can be performed by minimally invasive surgery with success and safety in centers with extensive experience in pediatric thoracoscopic surgery.

Introduction: Circumcision is one of the most frequent urological surgical procedures in the pediatric population globally. Complications, although rare, can be severe.

Clinical case: We present the case of a Senegalese 10-year-old male patient who had undergone ritual circumcision in his early childhood and developed a progressive circumferential tumor in the penile body with no further associated symptoms. Surgical exploration was carried out. A fibrotic-looking penile ring, which was interpreted as an injury secondary to the non-absorbable suturing material used in the previous surgery, was identified. The tissue involved was removed, and on-demand preputioplasty was conducted. Due to technical limitations, the resected tissue could not be analyzed, which means diagnosis could not be histopathologically confirmed. The patient had a favorable progression.

Conclusions: This case demonstrates that the medical personnel in charge of performing circumcisions should be adequately trained in order to prevent severe complications.

Objective: To analyze the risk factors associated with hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) severity and the treatment strategies available in HC patients following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT).

Materials and methods: A retrospective study of medical records was carried out. Patients with HC following AHSCT treated from 2017 to 2021 were divided into two groups according to severity -mild and severe. Demographic data, disease-specific characteristics, urological sequelae, and overall mortality were compared between both groups. The hospital's protocol was used for patient management.

Results: 33 episodes of HC were collected in 27 patients, 72.7% of whom were male. HC incidence following AHSCT was 23.4% (33/141). 51.5% of HCs were severe (grades III-IV). Severe graft host disease (GHD) (grades III-IV) and thrombopenia at HC onset were associated with severe HC (p= 0.043 and p= 0.039, respectively). This group had longer hematuria times (p< 0.001) and required more platelet transfusions (p= 0.003). In addition, 70.6% required bladder catheterization, but only 1 case needed percutaneous cystostomy. None of the patients with mild HC required catheterization. No differences were found in terms of urological sequelae or overall mortality.

Conclusions: Severe HC could be predicted thanks to the presence of severe GHD or thrombopenia at HC onset. Severe HC can be managed with bladder catheterization in most of these patients. A standardized protocol may help reduce the need for invasive procedures in patients with mild HC.

Objective: The use of sirolimus in vascular anomalies is a special indication not authorized in its data sheet. The objective of this study was to increase the evidence of oral or topical use of sirolimus for this indication in the pediatric population.

Materials and methods: An observational, retrospective study of patients under 18 years of age treated with oral or topical sirolimus for vascular anomalies was carried out. Diagnosis and location of lesions, administration route and dosage of sirolimus, blood levels of sirolimus in patients who received oral treatment, treatment duration, response, and toxicity were collected.

Results: 18 patients - 7 with oral treatment and 11 with topical treatment - were included. With oral sirolimus, the overall response rate was 85.7%. Sirolimus was discontinued in 2 cases - as a result of full resolution and progression. 57.1% of patients had adverse effects, most of which were mild. Dyslipidemia was the most frequent adverse effect. Blood levels were monitored in all patients for dose adjustment purposes. With topical treatment, the overall response rate was 72.7%. Sirolimus was discontinued in 3 cases -due to progression in 2 cases and to stability in 1. 27.3% of patients had adverse effects, with itching standing out as the most frequent one.

Conclusions: The favorable results of sirolimus treatment in our patients seem to confirm its effectiveness and safety in vascular anomalies, which make it stand as a therapeutic option in pediatric patients. However, further research is required to establish the optimal treatment regimen, treatment duration, and potential long-term adverse effects.

Objective: To compare the perioperative results of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) with those of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and to analyze whether there were any differences between both techniques in our patients.

Materials and methods: A retrospective, observational analysis was carried out in non-homogeneous groups of patients under 15 years of age undergoing LC and SPLC over a 6-year period. LC was conducted using four ports, while SPLC was performed through an umbilical incision using a wound retractor to which a surgical glove was coupled for the insertion of 3 ports and instruments curved as required. 15 clinical, surgical, and economic variables were compared by means of a univariate and bivariate analysis.

Results: 11 patients underwent surgery - 5 through SPLC and 6 through LC. No significant differences were found in terms of mean operating time (SPLC: 144 minutes vs. LC: 139, P= 0.855) or hospital stay, but a slight increase in hospital cost was noted (SPLC: 1,160 € vs. LC: 1,177 €). The cost of LC was 1,322 € vs. 1,367 € for SPLC, with a premium of 44.30 € owing to the use of the wound retractor. None of the patients had perioperative complications, and all of them felt the cosmetic result was excellent.

Conclusions: In our limited experience, the differences between SPLC and LC do not clearly support one or the other. SPLC could provide patients with a better cosmetic result and allow surgeons to improve their skills. However, we believe cholecystectomy is not the most adequate procedure to start a career in single-port laparoscopy because potential complications may be severe.