The most commonly cited articles in pediatric surgical journals.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the most frequently cited articles published in 3 main journals dedicated to the field of pediatric surgery (Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Surgery International and European Journal of Pediatric Surgery). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search was initiated using the database (1985 - 2006) of the Science Citation Index of the Institute for Scientific Information. The total number of publications and their citation numbers were found and the most cited articles were investigated in detail. A total of 600 (200 from each journal) most cited articles were identified and chosen for further analysis. RESULTS: The total number of citations in these 3 journals was 20 271. The citations of the most cited articles ranged from 10 to 224. The articles were published between 1985 and 2003 and the mean number of citations/article was 33.78. Articles originated from 39 counties and 256 institutions. The leading countries were the United States (203 articles from 75 institutions), Germany (50 articles from 21 institutions), Japan (34 articles from 17 institutions), Switzerland (34 articles from 8 institutions), United Kingdom (32 articles from 19 institutions), and Canada (28 articles from 7 institutions). Of the institutions with the highest number of cited articles, four institutions were from the USA followed by Switzerland with two institutions. The leading topics were the gastrointestinal system (n = 239), respiratory system (n = 94), urology (n = 61) and oncology (n = 56), and diaphragmatic hernia (n = 41) was the most common special topic. There were 42 case reports (7 %) and 75 experimental research articles (12.5 %). Thirty-four authors from 14 countries and 30 institutions had articles in more than one journal. The most cited author was N. S. Adzick from the USA with 224 citations. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that the Journal of Pediatric Surgery predominated with the greatest number of cited articles. The most cited articles, authors and institutions originated from the USA and English-speaking countries. The gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, urology and oncology were the leading topics and diaphragmatic hernia was the most common special topic.

Expression of estrogen and androgen receptors in children with hypospadias: preliminary report.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the presence of estrogen and androgen receptors in penile tissues of patients with hypospadias. The biopsy specimens from prepuce, glans, and urethral plate were sampled during the hypospadias surgery in five patients and were analyzed immunohistochemically. Twelve specimens were investigated for the presence of estrogen or androgen receptors (n: 24); the result was negative in 9 (37%) and positive in 15 (63%). Estrogen receptors were present in 10 specimens (42%) (prepuce: 5, glans: 3, and urethral plate: 2). Androgen receptors were present in 5 specimens (21%) (prepuce: 3, glans: 1, and urethral plate: 1). There was expression of both estrogen and androgen receptors in 5 specimens and only estrogen receptors in the remaining 5. Dominant expression of estrogen receptors in penile tissues of children with hypospadias may be the postnatal finding of disrupted estrogen and androgen receptor interaction during the intrauterine development of external genitalia.

Plasma testosterone and estradiol levels in unilateral cryptorchidism.

This research was conducted to investigate the relationship between plasma hormone level during activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis at the postnatal period and at puberty in unilateral cryptorchidism. Plasma testosterone and estradiol levels of 80 patients with unilateral cryptorchidism at different ages (range: 6 months-12 years) were measured. The mean plasma testosterone level is 40 (15-60) pg/ml at 6 months of age, 55 (30-120) at ages between 9 and 12 years, and 20 (11-22) at ages between 1 and 9 years. The mean plasma estradiol level is 12, 11 and 11 (5-24) pg/ml, respectively, in these groups. The patients with unilateral cryptorchidism do not have similar peaks of plasma estradiol level as plasma testosterone level at the postnatal period and at puberty. Peak of plasma testosterone at puberty occurs if the patients were not operated on.

Estrogen receptor beta type in the rat urinary bladder.

This study was conducted to localize estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) in the rat urinary bladder respect to gender. The bladder dome and trigone of 16 Sprague Dawley rats (Male: 8, Female: 8) were evaluated utilizing the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique (RT-PCR) to detect ERbeta signal. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. ERbeta was present in the bladder of 13 rats and absent in 3. The side of expression was bladder trigone in 13 rats and besides ERbeta (M: 1, F: 2) was also present in the bladder dome of 3. The relationship between the distribution of ERbeta in the bladder and gender was not different. ERbeta is present in the bladder trigone of rats independent of gender. Estrogen action in the bladder trigone is also important in males besides females.

Moderate approach to the antenatally diagnosed unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction: experience with 93 patients.

To evaluate the results of the treatment in patients with antenatally detected unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Ninety-three patients were analyzed according to the radiologic and scintigraphic findings and mode of the treatment. Fifty-eight patients were treated surgically while 29 patients were followed conservatively. All patients were reevaluated at the first year of the treatment with diuretic renogram (DR). Follow-up procedure was finished at first postoperative year in surgically treated patients, while mean follow-up duration was 14.9+/-6.9 months for the conservatively treated group. In the operated group, pelvic diameter was greater than 20 mm on ultrasound and overall rate of mean split renal function was 38.65+/-9.55% on DR and 39.65+/-12.55% at first postoperative year. In the conservatively treated group, mean split renal function was 46.17+/-3.42 at the beginning and 47.48+/-4.00 at first year of follow-up. Sixty-three percent of the patients underwent pyeloplasty while 83% of them were showing obstructive pattern on DR. We believed that surgery should be done in renal units which showed pelvic diameter greater than 20 mm and less than 40% of split renal function, while others might be followed conservatively, with or without an obstructive pattern on DR.

Elastic bandaging facilitates primary closure of large ventral hernias due to giant omphaloceles.

Large ventral hernias (VH) following conservative treatment of a giant omphalocele are a major challenge for pediatric surgeons. Although primary closure is accepted as the ideal procedure, these defects often require multi-staged operations, prosthetic support, and postoperative mechanical ventilation. Between 1990 and 2000, 34 patients with omphaloceles were admitted to our unit and 6 of them (17.6%) who had giant omphaloceles were treated conservatively. In the same period, a 5-year-old girl was admitted with a huge VH following application of subcutaneous tissue expanders in another center. In these 7 patients (6 girls, 1 boy, average age 20 months) we used preoperative elastic bandaging for facilitating primary closure. In all cases primary closure was successful following 3 to 6 weeks of bandaging. We did not use prosthetic material or postoperative mechanical ventilation in any case. Follow-up periods ranged from 2 to 10 years, and there were no recurrences or other problems. Out limited experience reveals that preoperative elastic bandaging is a safe and effective procedure for facilitating primary closure of the large VHs.

An unusual presentation of appendicitis: vaginal discharge.

An unusual complication of appendicitis, perforation of pelvic appendicitis into the uterinal cavity in a 3-year-old girl, is presented in this report.

Timing of surgery in perineal ectopic testes: analysis of 16 cases.

Between 1993 and 1998, 16 patients with perineal ectopic testes (PET) (1%) were diagnosed among the 1,576 patients operated upon for undescended testes (UDT) in two pediatric surgical centers. The mean age was 23 +/- 22.5 months. The clinical presentation was an empty scrotum with an ipsilateral palpable perineal mass in 16 patients and an inguinal hernia in 5. In all except 1 patient whose atrophic testis was removed, orchiopexy into the dartos pouch was easily performed through a standard inguinal skin-crease incision. The length of the testicular vessels and vas deferens was adequate and retroperitoneal dissection was not required. Although the complications of UDT are the same as for PET, the timing of surgery should be different. It is generally accepted that children must not be below 6 months of age for surgical correction of UDT, but there is no need to delay surgery in PET, which can easily be diagnosed by physical examination in the neonatal period. Surgery is indicated even if there is no hernia present.

Bronchoscopic removal of tracheobroncheal foreign bodies: value of patient history and timing.

Between 1990 and 1999, 741 bronchoscopic procedures were performed in 698 children, 594 of whom were evaluated for foreign-body aspiration (FBA) (mean age 3.9 years, male:female 287/307). Based on the presenting symptoms, clinical outcome, and complications, two major groups were identified. Group 1 consisted of 438 patients with a definitive history of FBA. Most were admitted soon after the aspiration with sudden onset of symptoms such as coughing, choking, wheezing, and respiratory distress. Group 2 comprised 156 patients with chronic pulmonary infections and/or atelectasis without a definitive history of FBA. The most common radiographic finding was emphysema of one lung in group 1 (61.1%) and pneumonia in group 2 (70%). Among the patients in whom a FB was removed, the percentage of normal radiography was 17%. The FB was identified and removed in 83% of cases in group 1. The complication rate in this group was 9.8%, and all the complications were treated medically. Only 2 patients required intercostal drainage. In group 2, a FB was identified in 25% of bronchoscopic examinations and 17% of the patients developed complications. One of these patients underwent an urgent thoracotomy due to bilateral tension pneumothoraces and 2 required tracheostomies. Patients with a definitive history of FBA, even with a normal physical examination and radiographic findings, must undergo bronchoscopic investigation. Cases with late presentation and chronic pulmonary infection are at high risk. In this group care should be take in determining the indication and timing of bronchoscopy in order to prevent life-threatening complications.

An alternative approach to bladder autoaugmentation.

This article describes in detail the alternative technique of bladder autoaugmentation. The authors applied a different autoaugmentation method to reliably create a diffuse circular bulge or diverticulum by incising detrusor muscle while leaving bladder mucosa intact. The results were assessed by urodynamic, radiological, and histopathological methods.

Bladder augmentation: urodynamic findings and clinical outcome in different augmentation techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the urodynamic findings and clinical outcome in different bladder augmentation techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1987 to 1996, 32 bladder augmentations were performed in 30 (M:F/18:12) patients. Mean age was 8.1 years (range: 1-15 years) and the mean follow-up period was 3.2 years (range: 6 months to 8 years). The following techniques were used for bladder augmentation: sigmoid colon in eleven cases, stomach in nine cases, ileum in six cases, ileocaecum in two cases and rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) in four cases. Seven patients also underwent Mitrofanoff procedure to create a continent stoma. RESULTS: According to the urodynamic evaluation the mean capacity was 237 +/- 120 ml in the colonic group, 115 +/- 86 ml in the gastric group, 240 +/- 45 ml in the ileal group, 250 +/- 0 ml in the ileocaecal group and 30 +/- 10 ml in the RAMF group. The mean compliance was 20.6 +/- 14 ml/cm H2O in the colonic group, 10.7 +/- 10.4 ml/cm H2O in the gastric group, 21.6 +/- 9 ml/cm H2O in the ileal group, 25.5 +/- 5.5 ml/cm H2O in the ileocaecal group, 5.8 +/- 1.5 ml/cm H2O in the RAMF group. The upper urinary tract was normal without hydronephrosis in all but except two patients. These two patients are still treated medically for chronic renal failure by the pediatric nephrology team. The patients are using their Mitrofanoff or native urethra with clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) or self-CIC technique for continence. CONCLUSION: Comparing these five different techniques, ileal, ileocaecal and colonic groups were in advantage to achieve high volume reservoirs, followed by the gastric group. Regarding complications; in colonic cases, mucus problems, stone formation and surgical complications related to gastrointestinal tract (intestinal obstruction, perforation) were the most common ones. Perineal dermatitis was the main complication in gastric cases. In the ileal group, complication rate was low. Absence of mucus production and the low postoperative complication rates were the two major advantages of RAMF technique. However this technique is not recommended as an augmentation procedure due to its low capacity and compliance rates. Recently, ileal augmentation has became the most popular method in our institution.

Jugular phlebectasia in children: is it rare or ignored?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Phlebectasia of the jugular veins is a venous anomaly that usually presents in children as a soft cystic swelling in the neck during straining. The purpose of this report is to discuss the differential diagnosis, the methods of imaging, the mode of treatment, and to demonstrate some factors that have made us believe that the condition may not be an actual rarity but rather has been ignored. METHODS: Eight cases of unilateral internal jugular phlebectasia were treated surgically (ie, excision of the dilated portion of the vein) from 1987 to 1998. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 14 years. There were 3 girls and 5 boys. The lesions were right sided in 6, and left sided in 2 children. The patients underwent surgery after comparative ultrasonographic confirmation of the diagnosis. Furthermore, the authors prepared a simple questionnaire for evaluating the level of knowledge about this lesion among the related specialists. One hundred ten physicians were asked to describe the jugular phlebectasia and its ideal treatment. RESULTS: All of the patients were discharged from the hospital 24 hours after surgery. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to 6 years and no complaints were noted at the time of most recent visits. Our questionnaire results showed that 96% of 73 pediatricians, 37% of 22 otorhinolaryngologists, and 40% of 15 pediatric surgeons did not know what the jugular phlebectasia was. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler sonography alone is sufficient for the diagnosis of jugular phlebectasia. The authors recommend surgical excision in asymptomatic cases for cosmetic and psychological purposes. The rarity of the lesion may be caused by a lack of knowledge among the related physicians and the tendency of reporting only surgical results.

Jeune's asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy of the newborn.

A 13-month-old patient with Jeune's thoracic asphyxiating dystrophy, was surgically treated using a methyl-methacrylate (acrylic) prosthesis. Although postoperative recovery was fast, the patient died of respiratory distress two months following surgery. Limitations of currently available surgical techniques and the need for long-term results will be discussed.

Congenital short bowel syndrome associated with appendiceal agenesis and functional intestinal obstruction.

Congenital short bowel with functional intestinal obstruction and absence of appendix vermiformis is a very rare condition with poor prognosis. Seventeen cases of congenital short bowel have been reported previously in the literature. The etiology is unknown. In this report, a case of congenital short bowel, combined with functional intestinal obstruction, mal-rotation, and absence of the appendix vermiformis, is presented and the pathogenesis discussed.

Comparison of different bladder autoaugmentation techniques in a rabbit model.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the urodynamic, radiological and histopathological findings of a bladder autoaugmentation method combined with different seromuscular enterocystoplasty (mucosectomized) techniques and the rectus abdominis muscle-flap (RAMF) technique, and thus devise a method that may eliminate the potential risks of bladder autoaugmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 20 male New Zealand White rabbits in four groups. In group 1 (control), an autoaugmentation model was created by incising the detrusor muscle of the bladder, forming a large wide-mouthed bladder diverticulum. In group 2, a full-thickness RAMF with an intact vascular supply was used to cover the augmented bladder wall. In groups 3 and 4, besides the autoaugmentation procedure, a 5 cm ileal segment with an intact vascular supply was prepared and the muscosal layer of the segment removed. In group 3, the mucosectomized surface of the ileal graft was used to cover the autoaugmented bladder (seromuscular ileocystoplasty, SMEC) and in group 4, the serosal surface of the pedunculated ileal graft was used in reverse to cover the autoaugmented bladder wall (reversed SMEC, RSMEC). All groups were followed using intravenous pyelography (IVP), voiding cysto-urethrography (VCUG), urodynamic investigations and histopathological analysis for 2 months post-operatively. RESULTS: In all groups except 2 (RAMF), a diffuse bulging of the bladder wall was detected on IVP and VCUG. In groups 1, 3 and 4, there was a significant increase in mean bladder capacity and the compliance also increased. However, in group 2 there was a significant reduction in bladder capacity and compliance, and the histopathological analysis showed severe fibrosis. The fibrotic changes were moderate in groups 1 and 4 and mild in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: The urodynamic studies, IVP, VCUG and histopathology suggested that the SMEC technique decreased the potential risks of bladder autoaugmentation, had minimal side-effects and was the most appropriate coat over the uroepithelium after bladder autoaugmentation.

Rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) technique for the management of bladder exstrophies: late clinical outcome and urodynamic findings.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) technique for the closure and augmentation of small, non-compliant bladder exstrophies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The RAMF technique was used in two girls and two boys (mean age at operation, 31.7 months, range 3-72) with bladder exstrophy. The clinical outcome and urodynamics were assessed during a follow-up of 29 months to 6 years (mean 49.2 months) and included imaging, cystoscopy, biochemical and microbiological studies. RESULTS: There were no urinary tract infections, metabolic problems or electrolyte disturbances and kidney function remained normal in all patients. Radiography confirmed intact function and anatomy of the urinary tract and cystoscopy showed complete coverage of the inner peritoneal layer of RAMF with uroepithelium. No stone formation or mucus production were detected. Currently, three patients void using clean intermittent catheterization through the native urethra and the fourth through an appendiceal Mitrofanoff valve. However, the bladder volume was insufficient at the late follow-up and three patients required bladder augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The RAMF technique is a good alternative for closing bladder exstrophies and achieves an increase in bladder capacity; however, although there is a mild improvement in bladder capacity and compliance. RAMF should not be used as a bladder augmentation procedure. The technique is indicated in the closure of large bladder defects, bladder exstrophies with small, inelastic, non-compliant bladder remnants and failed primary closures.

Comparison of urodynamic investigations before and after posterior sagittal anorectoplasty for anorectal malformations.

METHODS: The authors evaluated 21 patients (10 boys, 11 girls) who had anorectal malformations (ARM). Ten of them had infralevator (low-group I) and 11 of them had supralevator (high-group II) type ARM. All of the patients underwent urodynamic investigation before and after posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) operation. RESULTS: Sacral and spinal anomalies were found in 54% (6 of 11) patients who had supralevator type ARM. None of the patients with infralevator type ARM had additional sacral or spinal anomalies. Before PSARP operation urodynamic investigations of all infralevator type ARM patients were within normal limits, whereas 82% (9 of 11) of patients with supralevator type ARM showed neurovesical dysfunction (NVD). There was no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative urodynamic findings. The possibility of additional sacral or spinal anomalies and NVD in supralevator type ARM was high. After PSARP operation no additional lower urinary tract dysfunction was detected in the urodynamic evaluation of ARM patients.

The effects of intranasal midazolam on urodynamic studies in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of midazolam on the function of the lower urinary tract when used to sedate the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Urodynamic studies were performed on 20 patients (seven boys and 13 girls, mean age 4.04 years, range 1 day to 10 years) before and after the intranasal administration of 0.5 mg/kg of midazolam. The patients' heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were monitored and the level of sedation recorded by an anaesthesiologist and a surgeon during the study. RESULTS: Heart rate and respiratory rate did not change and the percentage oxygen saturation remained stable throughout the study period. The childrens' behaviour began to change 3-5 min after the intranasal administration of midazolam. The sedation lasted 2 h and the full co-operation of the patient was assured. The difference between the initial and post-midazolam evaluation of maximal cystometric capacity, contractility, compliance, intravesical pressure, maximum flow rate, intravesical pressure at maximum flow and the amount of residual urine were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Electromyographic characteristics showed no significant change with the use of midazolam (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the suggestion that benzodiazepines, especially diazepam, are useful for the relaxation of pelvic floor striated musculature in voiding dysfunctions, there was no effect on urodynamic variables when midazolam was used in a single dose intranasally. The anxiolytic and sedative effects allowed children to undergo urodynamic studies in comfort.