ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Previously, concomitant antireflux surgery was performed in all neurologically impaired children undergoing gastrostomy tube placement in our department. This fundoplication procedure, not necessarily performed for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux, increased the postoperative complications. This practice was changed and fundoplication was offered to only those children who had clear surgical indications for an antireflux procedure on follow-up after a feeding gastrostomy. METHODS: In the period from 1996 to 2007, all children who underwent gastrostomy with fundoplication were compared with those in whom feeding gastrostomy alone was done. The clinical symptoms, investigations and indications for gastrostomy and fundoplication were recorded. The children who underwent gastrostomy were followed up for symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and the need for subsequent fundoplication was studied. The complications directly related to surgery were also studied and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 137 children had gastrostomy insertion, 60 of whom underwent fundoplication. Of these 60 children, 45 had concomitant fundoplication and gastrostomy. In the patients who had gastrostomy alone, a subsequent fundoplication procedure was required only in 17.1% (14 of 82). The complication rate as well as the severity of complications directly related to surgery was found to be higher in the gastrostomy+fundoplication group (18 of 60) compared with those who had only gastrostomy (12 of 82) (p=0.036). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic fundoplication may not be necessary in neurologically impaired children undergoing gastrostomy for feeding purposes. It increases the postoperative morbidity compared to gastrostomy alone in this group of children. It should be offered selectively to children continuing to have reflux-related complications after gastrostomy. The technical difficulties with a pre-existing gastrostomy can be overcome in the hands of experienced laparoscopic surgeons.
Subject(s)
Fundoplication/methods , Gastroesophageal Reflux/prevention & control , Neurodegenerative Diseases/congenital , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal , Enteral Nutrition/adverse effects , Enteral Nutrition/methods , Esophageal pH Monitoring , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gastroesophageal Reflux/etiology , Gastroesophageal Reflux/surgery , Gastrostomy/adverse effects , Humans , Infant , Male , Neurodegenerative Diseases/therapy , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
AIM: To determine what should be done with incidentally discovered urachal remnants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 10-year retrospective study revealed 24 patients with urachal remnants. The histology of the urachal remnants was reviewed. A review of the data on urachal carcinoma in adults diagnosed and treated during the same period in an adjacent adult hospital was carried out. A review of the literature was also performed. RESULTS: In the 23 patients where histology was available 17 had normal urothelial lining and 6 (25%) showed abnormal epithelium. This included colonic epithelium, small intestinal epithelium and squamous epithelium. Four of the patients with abnormal epithelium were in the group of "incidental removals". During the 10-year period, 4 cases of urachal carcinoma were managed at the adult urology centre. Three had extensive disease at presentation. Two died of the disease while the third died of myocardial infarction 5 months after resection. Only one was alive at one-year follow-up. The occurrence of such documented complications makes a strong case for "prophylactic" surgery when urachal remnants are diagnosed incidentally or recognised during other operative procedures. All paediatric patients who underwent excision of urachal remnants had an uncomplicated clinical course.
Subject(s)
Urachus/abnormalities , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Incidental Findings , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Retrospective Studies , Urachal Cyst/pathology , Urachus/pathology , Urachus/surgery , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare malignant neoplasm affecting children. A retrospective review was carried out of patients diagnosed as having PPB at one institute over a period of 16 years. The presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and family history were studied. PPB usually presents with symptoms and signs of respiratory tract infection, and the diagnosis may be delayed. There are no distinguishing clinical features or imaging studies. The diagnosis is made on histologic examination of tumour material and is sometimes difficult to differentiate from benign cystic lung lesions. The treatment is primarily complete excision of the tumour, followed in some cases by intense chemotherapy. PPB is a strong predictor of the presence of tumours in close relatives. Four patients treated at our institute are discussed along with a review of the literature.
