Volvulus of the small intestine associated to left paraduodenal hernia: a case report

To report a rare case of a left paraduodenal hernia presenting as volvulus of the small intestine associated to an intestinal malrotation. A 2 months-old girl presented with history of bilious vomiting, sonography showed signs of volvulus and emergency laparotomy was performed and confirmed left paraduodenal hernia containing a part of the ileon, coecum with right colon and volvulus of the small intestine out of the hernia sac. Paraduodenal hernia is an uncommon cause of small bowel volvulus. It can be suspected by clinical and radiological findings, surgery is always required to prevent small bowel necrosis and to repair the defect

Indications for Nephrectomy in children: what has changed?

The last decade has witnessed significant refinements in preoperative diagnostic evaluation and an improvement in surgical techniques and postoperative management for paediatric patients. There has been an improvement in our understanding of the natural history of some congenital renal anomalies which has caused some changes in management approach. To review the indications for nephrectomy in children between 1996 and 2008, at the departement of paediatric surgery, children's hospital in Tunis. There were 80 nephrectomies. A retrospective review of the patients' notes was performed. The 13-year period was divided into two halves [1996-2000 and 2001-2008] which were then compared. The total number of nephrectomies per year significantly increased over the period of the study [4,6 and 8 nephrectomies per year for 1996-2000 and 2001-2008, respectively; P< 0.05], as did the number of nephrectomies for Multicystic dysplastic kidney [MCDK] [zero and 5 for 1996-2000 and 2001-2008, respectively] and wilms'tumour [8,3% and 29,16% for 1996 - 2000 and 2001 - 2008, respectively].Wilms' tumour, vesico-ureteric reflux [VUR] and pelvi-ureteric junction [PUJ] obstruction accounted for more than half of the nephrectomies [80% and 58% for 1996-2000 and 2001-2008, respectively]. The proportion of nephrectomies performed for VUR did not change [15% and 12% for 1996-2000 and 2001-2008, respectively] but fewer nephrectomies were performed for pelvi-ureteric junction [PUJ] obstruction in the second half of the study period [44% and 4,16% for 1996-2000 and 2001-2008, respectively ;P<0.05]. The total number of nephrectomies, including partial nephrectomies, has increased significantly. The decrease in nephrectomies for PUJ obstruction could be accounted for by a more aggressive approach in the management and follow up of prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis. Of note is that there was no significant change in the proportion of nephrectomies performed for VUR. On the contrary, the proportion of nephrectomies increased for neoplastic lesions and MCDK

[Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. A 142 cases report]

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis [HPS] is a common condition affecting infants before the first three months of life. Analysis of our results and comparison with literature to determine particularities of HPS in our country. We conducted a retrospective review of 142 patients presenting HPS, between 1990 and 2003. In this study male sex was predominant, with a sex-ratio of 3,8/1. The classical symptom of projectile vomiting was always present, a pyloric tumor was palpated in 19,7% of the cases, metabolic disturbance was noted in 44,3% of patients. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography and sometimes contrast upper gastrointestinal study. All the infants were treated surgically unless three patients dying before operation, because of a late diagnosis. Postoperative courses were uneventful in 87.4% of cases. Three patients were dead after operation, because of medical complication. The cause of HPS is unknown. The diagnosis is suggested by clinic features and confirmed by imaging. Early diagnosis prevents from metabolic complications due to vomiting. Surgical treatment allows early feeding and is associated with a low complication rate and a good long-term outcome

[ adnexal torsion in children]

Adnexal torsion is the most frequent gynaecological emergency in children. It requires an early diagnosis and an urgent surgical treatment. To study the clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic aspect of adnexal torsion in paediatric population this is a retrospective review of nine girls with the diagnosis of ovarian torsion observed over a 7 years period [January 1999 to December 2005]. The average age is 9 years [extreme 6 to 13 years]. This pathology was located in 5 cases on the right side and in 3 cases on the left side; a case of bilateral torsion of poly-cystic ovary was encountered in a girl with Down's syndrome. Clinical presentation is made in all the cases by abdominal pains and vomiting. The disorders of the transit and the urinary signs are associated in 3 and 2 cases respectively, the clinical examination objectified a pelvic defense in all the cases and an abdominal mass in 2 cases. Pelvic ultra-sonography was made in 6 observations and give the diagnosis of torsion of the ovary in 4 cases, whereas it was doubtful in the 2 remaining cases when an ovarian mass was observed. In the 3 remaining cases, this examination was not performed since one the diagnosis of acute appendicitis was retained and the patient operated in emergency. All the children of our series were operated; in 1/3 of the cases we found a necrosis of the ovary. 4 cases out of 9 present a torsion on pathologic ovary [cyst, dysplasia], whereas in the 5 remaining cases. We noted a torsion on healthy ovary 4 young girls have undergoes a annexectomy, of which one was bilateral. The evolution was favorable in all the cases. Adnexal torsion is a surgical emergency that need an early diagnosis and management to preserve ovarian function in girls and Doppler sonography every must be done every time there is a pelvic pain without fever in girls