Initial experience with 3D laparoscopic choledochal cyst (CDC) excision and hepatico-duodenostomy (HD) in 21 children.

INTRODUCTION: Minimal access surgery has gradually become the standard of care in the management of choledochal cysts (CDC). Laparoscopic management of CDC is a technically challenging procedure that requires advanced intracorporeal suturing skills, and hence, has a steep learning curve. Robotic surgery has the advantages of 3D vision, articulating hand instruments making suturing easy and thus is ideal. However, the non-availability, high costs and necessity for large-size ports are the major limiting factors for robotic procedures in the paediatric population. Use of 3D laparoscopy incorporates the advantage of 3D vision and at the same time allows the use of small-sized conventional laparoscopic instruments. With this background, we discuss our initial experience with the use of 3D laparoscopy using conventional hand instruments in CDC management. AIM: To study our initial experience in the management of CDC in paediatric patients with 3D laparoscopy in terms of feasibility and peri-operative details. MATERIALS AND METHOD: All patients under 12 years of age treated for choledochal cyst in a period of initial 2 years were retrospectively analysed. Demographic parameters, clinical presentation, intra-operative time, blood loss, post-operative events and follow-up were studied. RESULTS: The total number of patients were 21. The mean age was 5.3 years with female preponderance. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom. All patients could be completed laparoscopically. No patient needed conversion to open procedure or re-exploration. The average blood loss was 26.67 ml. None of the patients required a blood transfusion. One patient developed a minor leak postoperatively and was managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: 3D laparoscopic management of CDC in the paediatric age group is safe and feasible. It offers the advantages of depth perception aiding intracorporeal suturing, with the use of small-sized instruments. It is thus a 'bridging the gap' asset between conventional laparoscopy and robotic surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Treatment study level IV.

An Unusual Case of Type A Posterior Cloaca Associated with 46XX Disorder of Sexual Differentiation with Y Duplication of Urethra.

We report an infant reared as a girl who presented with ambiguous genitalia and urine coming per rectum. On examination, she had minimal clitoromegaly with labial fusion and Y urethral duplication. On investigations, genetic, metabolic, and endocrine causes for disorder of sexual differentiation were ruled out. This girl was operated via a posterior sagittal approach. This case was unique in that the urogenital sinus was deviated posteriorly and opened in the anterior rectal wall and the accessory urethra opened in clitoris, along with ambiguity of external genitalia, thus making it a rare variant of the posterior cloaca. The diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion in clinician and a meticulous examination of the external genitalia. Very little literature is available for this rare anomaly. Few reports have classified them as female pseudohermaphroditism with cloacal and urogenital sinus defects. Hence, we hereby discuss and review the literature for previously reported cases.

Multidisciplinary Approach for Management of Pediatric Tumors: a Case Series.

Pediatric solid tumors have wide range of presentations. Multidisciplinary approach is often needed for their optimum management. There are no reports discussing such an approach to pediatric tumors involving pediatric surgeons, oncologists and cardiothoracic surgeons together for the management. We report 5 such cases being managed in our institution from 2010 to 2016. All cases needed chemotherapy followed by resection with a team of surgeons involving pediatric surgeon and cardiothoracic surgeon.

Posterior Sagittal Approach for Uterovaginal Anastomosis in a Case of Congenital Cervical Atresia with Anorectal Malformation.

Cervical atresia is a rare association with anorectal malformation (ARM) which can be missed till puberty in the presence of normal vaginal orifice. A 12-year-old girl operated for ARM in neonatal age presented with primary amenorrhea. She had a normal vaginal opening, short perineal body, and prolapsed anteposed anus and was diagnosed with cervical agenesis. As the posterior sagittal approach is standard to place the rectum in correct anatomical position, reconstruction of the anus along with adequate perineal body and uterovaginal anastomosis was performed through this approach. This report highlights the utility and versatility of this approach for the management of such complex cases.

Unusual Presentation of Metanephric Stromal Tumor in a Neonate.

Metanephric stromal tumor (MST) of kidney is an under-reported benign stromal specific renal neoplasm with good prognosis. This tumor is to be differentiated from congenital mesoblastic nephroma and clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney. In this case report, we describe the imaging, gross, and microscopic features of MST with ischemic left kidney in a 1-month-old child and discuss treatment with relevant literature.

Immediate and long-term outcome analysis of lipomeningomyelocele repair in asymptomatic infants in a tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze immediate and long-term results of lipomeningomyelocele (LMM) repair in asymptomatic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients of LMM presented to Department of Paediatric Surgery over a period from 2011 to 2015 were evaluated preoperatively by magnetic resonance imaging of whole spine, and pre- and post-operative Ultrasound of kidney, ureter, bladder, and neurosonogram. Surgical procedure involved total excision of lipoma in 15 patients and near total excision in 2 patients. Division of filum terminale could be done in 15 out of 17 patients. Follow-up varied from 1 to 3.5 years (mean 1.9 years). RESULTS: This study included 10 (58.8%) patients of lumbosacral LMM, 5 (29.4%) patients of sacral, and 2 (11.7%) patients of thoracolumbar LMM. About 13 (76.4%) patients were operated before 3 months of age, 2 (23.5%) patients were operated between 3 and 6 months, and two patients were operated between 6 and 11 months. None of the patients had bladder/bowel dysfunction preoperatively. Preoperative lower limb power was normal in all patients. Objective improvement in lower limb motor function was observed in 3 (17.6%) patients and three patients had decreased lower limb power. Two patients developed altered sensations and weakness of lower limb about 2.5-3 years after initial LMM repair. They needed repeat detethering of cord. Two patients had fecal pseudoincontinence, whereas one patient developed constipation. Bowel dysfunction was managed by rectal washouts, and oral laxatives were added if required. One (5.8%) patient of lumbosacral LMM and 1 (5.8%) patient of sacral LMM had urinary incontinence postoperatively. This was managed by clean intermittent catheterization with continuous overnight drainage. Conservative management of bladder and bowel dysfunction was effective in all patients till the last follow-up. Two patients developed hydrocephalus after LMM repair for which low-pressure ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted. Wound infection occurred in 1 (5.8%) patient, whereas 7 (41.1%) patients developed seroma in wound which responded to repeated aspirations under aseptic precautions. CONCLUSION: With total excision of lipoma and division of filum terminale satisfactory outcome for asymptomatic patients of LMM can be achieved. Authors recommend early surgery for LMM even in asymptomatic patients. Patients with residual lipoma and undivided filum terminale should be observed closely for the development of progressive neurological changes.

Passage of nasogastric tube through tracheo-esophageal fistula into stomach: A rare event.

Esophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TEF) occurs in 1 in 3500 live births. Anorectal malformation is found to be associated with 14% of TEF. Esophageal atresia with TEF is a congenital anomaly which classically presents as excessive frothing from the mouth and respiratory distress. Rarely gastric position of the feeding tube in a case of TEF can be obtained delaying the diagnosis of TEF. We had an uncommon situation where a nasogastric tube reached the stomach through the trachea and tracheo-esophageal fistula, leading to misdiagnosis in a case of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. By using a stiff rubber catheter instead of a soft feeding tube for the diagnosis of esophageal atresia and TEF, such situation can be avoided.

Posterior urethral polyp with type I posterior urethral valves: a rare association in a neonate.

Urethral polyp is a rare cause of bladder outlet obstruction, voiding dysfunction, and hematuria in the pediatric age group. Urethral polyps are rarely associated with other congenital urinary tract anomalies. In this study, we report a case of solitary posterior urethral polyp with type I posterior urethral valve in a 7-day-old neonate presented with urinary retention and deranged renal function. The polyp was diagnosed on cystoscopy. Transurethral resection of the polyp with posterior urethral valve fulguration was performed. Pathologic assessment revealed a fibroepithelial lesion, which was consistent with congenital posterior urethral polyp.

Solitary crossed renal ectopia with vesicoureteric reflux presenting with impaired renal function in a neonate.

Solitary crossed renal ectopia (SCRE) is an exceedingly rare anomaly of the urinary tract. So far, only 34 cases have been reported in the literature. It usually presents after infancy. Most of these cases are diagnosed incidentally while patients are undergoing evaluation for associated genitourinary, cardiovascular, hematological or vertebral abnormalities. We report the first case of SCRE presenting in neonatal age with impaired renal function and vesico-ureteric reflux.

Gluteal flap for omphalocele repair in a case of epigastric heteropagus: A novel approach for surgical management.

Epigastric heteropagus is an extremely rare congenital anomaly, in which there is asymmetrical conjoined twinning, with the parasitic twin attached to the epigastrium. A 2-day-old male, with epigastric heteropagus and omphalocele, was operated in our institution. After excision of the parasitic twin, omphalocele was covered with a gluteal skin flap available from the parasitic twin. Post-operative course was uneventful, except for infection along the edges of the skin flaps, which was managed conservatively. Only 44 cases of epigastric heteropagus twins have been reported previously in world literature. We present a novel surgical approach for the repair of the omphalocele in a case of epigastric heteropagus twins, probably the 45(th) case to be reported in the world literature.