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

Objective: Circumcision is one of the most common surgical procedures in pediatric surgery. Even though manual suture (MANS) is regarded as the gold standard technique, easy-to-use mechanical suture (MECS) devices have been recently developed, with better postoperative results in the adult population. The objective of our study was to compare the operating time and incidence of postoperative complications between both techniques in our environment.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study of patients undergoing circumcision in our institution from October 2021 to December 2022 was carried out. Operating time and complications observed in the first 14 postoperative days (edema, hematoma, dehiscence) were analyzed according to the technique used (MANS vs. MECS) and patient age (< 12 and ≥ 12 years old).

Results: 173 patients (147 MANS, 26 MECS) were included. Mean operating time was significantly lower in MECS patients, both in patients < 12 years old (16 min vs. 10 min, p= 0.002) and in patients ≥ 12 years old (23 min vs. 12 min, p< 0.001). Regarding complications, MECS patients ≥ 12 years old had a lower rate of suture dehiscence (23.5% vs. 0%, p< 0.001), with no significant differences in the younger group.

Conclusions: MECS circumcision is a simple and effective technique involving shorter operating times than MANS circumcision, regardless of age. It has a lower rate of complications in older children (≥ 12 years), which means it stands as a valid alternative to the conventional technique.

Introduction: In spite of the increase in the prevalence of cholelithiasis in the last decades, no recommendations regarding the best treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis (AC) in Pediatrics have been developed.

Clinical case: 4-year-old, 20kg male patient with no significant history referred to our institution as a result of abdominal sepsis. The blood count showed leukocytosis, with normal hemoglobin and bilirubin levels, and a normal liver function. The abdominal ultrasonography revealed cholelithiasis, gallbladder hydrops, and an inflammatory process compatible with appendicular plastron. In the diagnostic laparoscopy, the appendix was macroscopically normal, and acute cholecystitis was observed. Given the patient's situation, and in cooperation with the General Surgery Department, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out. The patient recovered uneventfully on hospitalization day 5 under piperacillin-tazobactam treatment.

Discussion: There are no recommendations regarding AC treatment in children. In septic patients, cooperation between general and pediatric surgeons allows urgent cholecystectomy to be considered as a safe option.

Objective: The use of double J (DJ) stents is frequent in urological pediatrics, but it is not exempt from morbidity. The objective of this study was to describe the risk factors (RF) of DJ complications in pediatric patients, and to analyze the quality of the information provided to the families with respect to the stent.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery with DJ placement in the urology department from 2017 to 2022 was carried out. Study patients were divided into two groups -complicated (C) and non-complicated (NC). A multivariate analysis was performed to identify complication-related RFs, and a quality analysis as perceived by the families was conducted by means of a satisfaction survey (0 = total dissatisfaction; 10 = maximum satisfaction).

Results: 180 patients were included (236 DJs). The main diagnoses included renal transplantation (29.8%), ureteropelvic stenosis (26%), and urolithiasis (20.7%). Complication rate was 21.9%, with a mean comprehensive complication index (CCI) of 26.8. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy was not associated with fewer complications (97.3% vs. 98.1%; p= 0.727). Complication RFs included more than one stent (p< 0.001; OR= 6.628) and bilateral placement (p< 0.05; OR= 4.871). Poor registration in the medical records was associated with greater complications (p= 0.025). In the information quality survey, 20% reported a score lower than 7/10.

Conclusions: DJ-associated morbidity has a direct relationship with DJ duration, bilaterality, and carrying more than one stent in a lifetime. Adequate registration in the medical records is associated with shorter DJ duration, and therefore, fewer complications. Antibiotic prophylaxis did not reduce complications, which means its routine use should be reconsidered.

Objective: To determine whether sacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (S-TENS) is an effective treatment in patients refractory to anticholinergic drugs (Achs).

Materials and methods: A prospective multi-center study of patients with overactive bladder (OB) refractory to Achs treated with S-TENS from 2018 to 2021 was carried out. S-TENS was applied over 3 months. Symptom progression was assessed using the voiding calendar and the Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Score (PLUTSS), excluding questions 3 and 4 -referring to enuresis- so that progression of daytime symptoms only (LUTS variable) was analyzed.

Results: 66 patients -50% of whom were female- were included, with a mean age of 9.5 years (range: 5-15). S-TENS significantly lowered PLUTSS (19.1 baseline vs. 9.5 final, p< 0.001) and LUTS (13.1 baseline vs. 4.8 final, p< 0.001). It also reduced the number of mictions (8.5 baseline vs. 6.4 final, p< 0.001), while increasing urine volume in the voiding records (214 ml baseline vs. 258 ml final, p< 0.001). Enuresis was the only variable refractory to S-TENS. Complication rate was 3% (2 patients with dermatitis in the S-TENS application area).

Conclusions: S-TENS is effective and safe in the short-term in patients with OB refractory to Achs. Further studies assessing long-term efficacy and potential relapses are required.

Introduction: Dysphagia is defined as difficulty swallowing. Up to 84% of patients undergoing esophageal atresia surgery have dysphagia beyond the neonatal period.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study of patients undergoing esophageal atresia surgery from 2005 to 2021 was carried out. The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) was used to assess dysphagia in 4 age groups (< 1 year old, 1-4 years old, 5-11 years old, and > 11 years old). FOIS scores < 7 or symptoms of choking, impaction, or food aversion were regarded as dysphagia.

Results: 63 patients were analyzed. 74% (47/63) had dysphagia during follow-up. Prevalence was 50% in patients < 1 year old (FOIS mean 4.32), 77% in patients aged 1-4 (FOIS mean 5.61), 45% in patients aged 5-11 (FOIS mean 5.87), and 38% in patients > 11 years old (FOIS mean 6.8). The most frequent causes of dysphagia were stenosis, which occurred in 38% of the patients (n=24), and gastroesophageal reflux (n=18), which was present in 28% of the patients. Both conditions were associated with significantly lower mean FOIS scores (p< 0.05) in the patients under 11 years of age. Differences (p< 0.05) were found in the dysphagia-associated perinatal factors in the various age groups, with longer ventilation assistance times, parenteral nutrition, and hospital stays.

Conclusions: Dysphagia is an extremely frequent symptom at any given age in patients undergoing esophageal atresia surgery. A standardized, cross-disciplinary follow-up is key to improve quality of life.