Laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion with omentopexy-sparing the omentum in children.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is an important modality of renal replacement therapy in children. Catheter dysfunction (commonly obstruction) is a major cause of morbidity and is a significant concern that hampers renal replacement therapy. As omentum is a significant cause of obstruction, some recommend routine omentectomy during insertion of the peritoneal dialysis catheter. Omentopexy rather than omentectomy has been described in adults to spare the omentum as it may be needed as a spare part in many conditions. Laparoscopic approach is commonly preferred as it provides global evaluation of the peritoneal space, proper location of the catheteral end in the pelvis and lesser morbidity due to inherent minimally invasive nature. AIM: The aim of this study is to present the technique of laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter placement in children with concurrent omentopexy. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated our patients who underwent laparoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheter with concomitant omentopexy or omentectomy. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were enrolled who received either omentectomy (n = 18) or omentopexy (n = 12). Four catheters were lost in the omentopexy group (33%) and 3 in the omentectomy group (17%), but none were related to omental obstruction. Three out of 4 patients in the omentopexy group and 2 out of 3 patients in the omentectomy group had a previous abdominal operation as a potential cause of catheter loss. Previous history of abdominal surgery was present in 6 patients (50%) in the omentopexy group and 3 patients (17%) in the omentectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: As omentum was associated with catheter failure, omentectomy is commonly recommended. Alternatively, omentopexy can be preferred in children to spare an organ that may potentially be necessary for many surgical reconstructive procedures in the future. Laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter placement with concomitant omentopexy appears as a feasable and reproducible technique. Although the catheter loss seems to be higher in the omentopexy group, none was related with the omentopexy procedure and may be related to the higher rate of history of previous abdominal operations in this group.

I Thought I Saw a Retrocaval Ureter; Don't Bite the Fish-Hook Sign So Easily.

Background: During the management of patients with hydronephrosis, a possibility of retrocaval ureter (RCU) may emerge indicated by a fish-hook sign or its mimickers. Owing to infrequent incidence, the proper way to diagnose or exclude an RCU is challenging and has not been discussed previously. Methods: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the children who were suspected to have an RCU during management for urinary tract dilation. An RCU may be missed or misdiagnosed owing to rare incidence. Results: The children with urinary tract dilation in whom RCU was considered are enrolled in the study (n = 13). The demographics of the patients, findings suggesting RCU, evaluation process, management, and final diagnosis are retrospectively evaluated. The final diagnosis of the patients was RCU (n = 4), ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) (n = 7), and duplicated collecting system (n = 2). An RCU was confirmed or excluded by ultrasonography (US) while there was a stent in the ureter in 6 patients and by laparoscopic exploration in the other 7 patients. Four underwent correction for RCU, 7 for UPJO, 1 for reflux, and 1 ureterocele puncture. Conclusion: The fish-hook sign is a rare conflicting radiological finding that can be encountered in imaging studies. This uncommon finding needs confirmation or exclusion of a possible RCU as missed cases manifested after failed pyeloplasty or ureteroneocystostomy were reported. Radiological evaluation (by US or cross-sectional studies) while there is a stent in the ureter is the most satisfactory radiological technique to confirm or exclude an RCU. Alternatively, being aware of a possible RCU and performing a more extensive dissection may be necessary during surgery to confirm or exclude it. If available, laparoscopy may provide this goal in a minimally invasive manner with superior visualization.

Is Preoperative Anxiety Affected by Watching Short Videos on Social Media? A Prospective Randomized Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of watching short videos in the preoperative waiting room on preoperative anxiety in children. DESIGN: This study was designed as a prospective, randomized trial including 69 ASA I-II patients aged 5 to 12 years who were scheduled for elective surgery. METHODS: The children were randomly allocated to two groups. The experimental group browsed short videos on a social media platform (eg, YouTube short, TikTok, Instagram reels) for 20 minutes in the preoperative waiting room, but the control group did not. Children's preoperative anxiety was determined by the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) at different time points: on arrival in the preoperative waiting room (T1), right before being taken to the operating room (OR) (T2), on entering the OR (T3), and during anesthesia induction (T4). The primary outcome of the study was children's anxiety scores at T2. FINDINGS: The mYPAS scores at T1 were similar in both groups (P = .571). The mYPAS scores at T2, T3, and T4 were significantly lower in the video group than in the control group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Watching short videos on social media platforms in the preoperative waiting room lowered preoperative anxiety levels in pediatric patients aged 5 to 12.

Direct ligation of the internal ring incorporating the medial umbilical ligament (DIRIM): a new modification for laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair in children.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic hernia repair has not gained widespread acceptance. Relatively high recurrence rate is a major cause. To reduce recurrence, we report a novel modification of laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair in children by a retrospective cohort study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between February 2020 and August 2021, children who underwent a laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair with our modified technique were retrospectively evaluated. In our modification, we included the medial inguinal ligament in the Direct ligation of the internal ring incorporating the medial umbilical ligament (DIRIM): a new modification for laparoscopic percutaneous inguinal hernia repair in children. By doing so, the medial ligament is expected to act like a flep that reinforces the repair and prevent the peritoneal shearing and migration of the ligature. RESULTS: In total, 35 children were enrolled in the study with 23 boys and 12 girls. Right inguinal hernia (n = 23) was more common than left hernia (n = 10), while bilateral cases (n = 2) were less common. The median age of the patients was 38 months and median operative time was 30 min. An extraperitoneal hematoma was encountered in one patient that did not affect the postoperative course. No other intraoperative complication was encountered. No recurrence was observed during a median follow-up of 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: Our modification of laparoscopic percutaneous hernia repair is a simple and reproducible technique that may have a place in the armamentarium of a pediatric surgeons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of ileo-colic intussusception in childhood: first-line management for both primary and recurrent cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of ultrasonography-guided hydrostatic reduction in primary and recurrent ileo-colic intussusception in children. METHODS: The children (<18 years of age) who were managed for ileo-colic intussusception between January 2015 and December 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, presenting complaints, length of the intussuscepted segment, presence of lead point, treatment modalities, recurrence rates and duration of recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: 108 patients with ileo-colic intussusception were enrolled in the study; 59 were male and 49 were female with a mean age of 2.04 ± 1.71 years. Two patients underwent immediate surgery without any attempt of hydrostatic reduction. Nineteen patients (18%) were managed by conservative measures initially. Seventeen (89.5%) of them have recovered with expectant management and two patients required hydrostatic enema reduction during follow-up. In total, 89 patients underwent hydrostatic reduction; 48 were male and 41were female with a mean age of 1.9 ± 1.65 years. Twelve patients (13.5%) received surgery after failed hydrostatic reduction. In the patients with successful hydrostatic reduction, one more episode of intussusception is seen in 10 patients (13%) and 2 additional episodes in 2 (2.6%). Seven patients with relapse were male and 5 were female with a mean age of 1.16 ± 1.64 years. The median duration of the first relapse episode was 67.5 days (range 18-110 days). The ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction was also successful in patients with recurrence. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction is a non-invasive treatment of ileo-colic intussusception with high success rates in childhood. It can be performed safely in both initial and relapse episodes of intussusception.

Comparing Different Techniques in Children With or Without a Simultaneous Fundoplication: Does the Gastrostomy Technique Matter?

Purpose: To evaluate the results of different gastrostomy techniques and the impact of simultaneous fundoplication. Materials and Methods: The patients who underwent a gastrostomy procedure between 2009 and 2019 in a single tertiary center were evaluated retrospectively. The patients are divided into groups depending on the gastrostomy techniques as open gastrostomy (OG), laparoscopic gastrostomy (LG), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and laparoscopy-assisted PEG (LAPEG). Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes are compared among the groups. Results: Two hundred forty-four patients (75, 60, 91, and 18 patients in OG, LG, PEG, and LAPEG groups, respectively) are enrolled in the study. Although rates of minor or major complications did not demonstrate a significant difference among the groups, no major complications were encountered in the LAPEG group, while the lowest minor complications were observed in the PEG group (P > .05). Length of postoperative initiation of enteral feeding and length of hospital stay (LOS) were highest in the OG group (P = .000). Performing a concurrent fundoplication procedure significantly delayed the initiation of enteral feeding and increased the LOS in all of the groups (P < .005). Conclusions: Although PEG is a safe and reproducible technique of gastrostomy in selected patients, LAPEG may expand the boundaries of PEG by reducing the major complication rates. Although simultaneous fundoplication may complicate the perioperative period, it does not have significance on outcomes.

Independent Lung Ventilation in a Pediatric Patient with a Firearm Injury.

Background: Chest trauma is uncommon in pediatric patients, however, it may be a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. The type and extent of the injury may lead to ventilation and perfusion problems, therefore, there may be a need for mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: "Independent lung ventilation" may be an appropriate option in selected cases in which the aim is to protect the healthy lung or ventilation cannot be obtained with known mechanical ventilation methods. Case: We presented a pediatric patient followed up in the intensive care unit because of a firearm injury, in whom left lung expansion could not be obtained despite repeated interventions, and independent lung ventilation resulted in success.

Ultrasonography-guided hydrostatic reduction of ileocolic intussusception in childhood: First-line option for management of primary and recurrent cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of ultrasonography-guided hydrostatic reduction in primary and recurrent ileo-colic intussusception in children. METHODS: The children (<18 years of age) who were managed for ileocolic intussusception between January 2015 and December 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Age, gender, presenting complaints, length of the intussuscepted segment, presence of leading point, treatment modalities, recurrence rates and duration of recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: 108 patients with ileocolic intussusception were enrolled in the study; 59 were male and 49 were female with a mean age of 2.04 ± 1.71 years. Two patients underwent immediate surgery without any attempt of hydrostatic reduction. Nineteen patients (18%) were managed by conservative measures initially. Seventeen (89.5%) of them have recovered with expectant management and two patients required hydrostatic enema reduction during follow-up. In total, 89 patients underwent hydrostatic reduction; 48 were male and 41were female with a mean age of 1.9 ± 1.65 years. Twelve patients (13.5%) received surgery after failed hydrostatic reduction. In the patients with successful hydrostatic reduction, one more episode of intussusception is seen in 10 patients (13%) and 2 additional episodes in 2 (2.6%). Seven patients with relapse were male and 5 were female with a mean age of 1.16 ± 1.64 years. The median duration of the first relapse episode was 67.5 days (range;18-110 days). The ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction was also successful in patients with recurrence. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction is a non-invasive treatment of ileocolic intussusception with high success rates in childhood. It can be performed safely in both initial and relapse episodes of intussusception.

Sentinel nubbin: A potential pitfall in the management of undescended testis secondary to epididymo-testicular nonunion.

INTRODUCTION: Epididymal anomalies are common in boys with undescended testis. Epididymo-testicular non-union with a nubbin in the scrotum is a rare anomaly and may be confusing during management of cryptorchidism. The non-fused epididymis and vas deferens which are descended to the scrotum, may be regarded as nubbin tissue secondary to testicular atrophy and proximal testis may be overlooked. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a relatively rare anomaly of epididymo-testicular non-union in which vas deferens and epididymis are descended to the scrotum resembling a nubbin tissue, while a separate testis remains in a proximal peritoneal fold (hernia or processus vaginalis)which could potentially be missed during the management of patients with undescended testis. STUDY DESIGN: The charts of the fourteen patients with epididymo-testicular non-union and a scrotal nubbin are retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Median age of the patiens was 1.5 years (0.5-12), 11 were left and 3 were right. No connection could be demonstrated between the testis and vaso-epididymal unit in any of the patients. Orchidopexy was performed in 13 patients while orchidectomy in1 patient. The scrotal nubbin tissue is excised in 4 patients and histological examination revealed sections of vas deferens and epididymis. One of the patients underwent inguinal exploration and orchidectomy for assumed testicular atrophy elsewhere but histological examination revealed vas deferens and epididymis without any sign suggesting an atrophic testis. An intrabdominal testis was found incidentally in this patient and he underwent 2 additional procedures for orchidopexy. DISCUSSION: Although epididymo-testicular anomalies are common in boys with undescended testis, nonunion is the rarest type of this anomaly. Similar cases are reported in the literature as simple fusion anomalies with indefinite clinical significance or even polyorchidism although no accessory testis could be demonstrated. However, the scrotal nubbin tissue which actually contains epididymis and vas is a potential decoy and may result in missing of the proximal testis if regarded as a sign of testicular atrophy and further evaluation is obviated. As this is retrospective study, actual incidence of the condition is yet to be determined. CONCLUSION: A scrotal nubbin tissue may be secondary to epididymo-testicular nonunion as well as testicular atrophy. As feasibility of radiological imaging studies are limited, a laparoscopic exploration may be considered to confirm or to exclude a separate testis in patients with scrotal nubbin. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the actual incidence of the condition and gain-loss analysis of laparoscopic exploration.

Histopathological and mechanical effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® on wound healing in rats: an experimental model

Background/aim: To evaluate the histopathological and mechanical effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) application on wound healing. Materials and methods: A total of 24 Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. In each group, a 3 cm-long midline vertical skin incision was performed in the back of the rats. In Group 1, the incision was sutured primarily. In Group 2, incision was left to secondary healing. In Group 3, ABS was applied to the incision. On the 10th day, burst pressure width was measured, and rats were sacrificed. The tissue samples were examined histopathologically. Statistical analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS program. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean burst pressure widths of wound separation were 13.66 ± 0.457, 7.18 ± 2.599, and 13.66 ± 1.11 mm for Groups 1­3, respectively. The difference in burst pressure width between Groups 1 and 3 was not significant (P > 0.05) but was significant between Groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.000). The vascular proliferation median values were 1, 2, and 2, for Groups 1­3, respectively. Although the difference was significant between Groups 1 and 2 in terms of vascular proliferation score (P = 0.047), no significant difference was observed between Group 3 and others. No statistically significant difference was observed among the groups in terms of collagen score, mononuclear cell infiltration, and polymorphonuclear cell proliferation (P > 0.05). The median values of fibroblast proliferation score were 1, 2, and 3, in Groups 1­3, respectively. Fibroblast proliferation score significantly differed between Groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.003). Conclusions: ABS application results in a clean wound healing that is as strong as primary repair. However, additional studies are required to evaluate the late results of increased fibroblastic activity in the early period of ABS application alone.

Management of perinatal testicular torsion: experience of two tertiary centers.

PURPOSE: Perinatal testicular torsion is a rare condition in which testicular salvage rates are significantly low and management is controversial. We retrospectively evaluated our patients and aimed to go through our management approach. METHODS: The newborn patients who underwent surgery for testicular torsion in two tertiary referral centers between 2000 and 2019 are enrolled. Radiological and clinical findings are retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-two newborns are enrolled in the study. All of the cases were unilateral and 30 ended up with immediate orchidectomy while 2 received orchidopexy but both underwent atrophy on follow-up. No bilateral torsion is demonstrated neither in 16 patients with bilateral exploration nor in the follow up of the rest 16 with unilateral exploration. Intravaginal torsion was encountered in five patients (16%). No morbidity or mortality related to anesthesia is documented. No malignancy is encountered in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Although ipsilateral testicular salvage rates are low, urgent bilateral exploration in a multidisciplinary center seems reasonable to give a chance to the ipsilateral testis and to avoid the rare but catastrophic bilateral torsion, after discussing with the family.

Evaluation of the histopathological effects of salbutamol inhaler treatment in an experimentally induced rat model of pulmonary contusion

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of salbutamol inhaler treatment in an experimentally induced model of pulmonary contusion. Materials and methods: Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (CG), sham group (SG), treatment group 1 (TG1), and treatment group 2 (TG2). Experimental contusion was established by targeting the right lung tissue. After 72 h, histopathological evaluation for the severity of edema, hemorrhage, and leukocyte infiltration was performed in both sides of the lungs. Results: Examination of right lung tissues revealed a significant difference in edema, hemorrhage, leukocyte infiltration, and total lung injury scores between the CG and SG. Both TG1 and TG2 had less edema, hemorrhage, and leukocyte infiltration and lower total lung injury scores compared with the SG. There was no significant difference in edema, hemorrhage, and total lung injury scores between the CG and TG1 or TG2. A significant difference in hemorrhage scores between the SG and TG1 and edema scores between the SG and TG2 was observed, with treatment groups having lower values. A significant difference in total lung injury score was also found between SG and TG1. Conclusion: Salbutamol inhaler therapy during pulmonary contusion may prevent complications by reducing edema, hemorrhage, leukocyte infiltration, and total lung injury score.

Isolated tubal torsion: A rare cause of acute abdomen in childhood.

Isolated fallopian tube torsion is a rare cause of acute abdomen mostly seen in women of reproductive age. It is often diagnosed during surgery. In this study we aimed to present a case of isolated fallopian tube torsion in a child. An 11-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain. With the help of radiological evaluation we diagnosed. It should be kept in mind that even if ovarian blood flow is normal in girls with abdominal pain, it may be an isolated tubular torsion and requires immediate intervention.

Using theatre in education in a traditional lecture oriented medical curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Lectures supported by theatrical performance may enhance learning and be an attractive alternative to traditional lectures. This study describes our experience with using theatre in education for medical students since 2001. METHODS: The volunteer students, coached by experienced students, were given a two-week preparation period to write and prepare different dramatized headache scenarios during three supervised meetings. A theatrical performance was followed by a student presentation about history taking and clinical findings in diagnosing headache. Finally, a group discussion led by students dealt with issues raised in the performance. The evaluation of the theatre in education lecture "A Primary Care Approach to Headache" was based on feedback from students. RESULTS: More than 90% of 43 responding students fully agreed with the statement "Theatrical performance made it easier to understand the topic". More than 90% disagreed with the statements "Lecture halls were not appropriate for this kind of interaction" and "Students as teachers were not appropriate". Open-ended questions showed that the lesson was thought of as fun, good and useful by most students. The headache questions in the final exam showed results that were similar to average exam results for other questions. CONCLUSION: Using theatrical performance in medical education was appreciated by most students and may facilitate learning and enhance empathy and team work communication skills.