Combined use of perimeatal-based flap urethroplasty (Mathieu) with midline incision or urethral plate in hypospadias repair.

Perimeatal-based flap urethroplasty is commonly used for the primary correction of distal hypospadias. The Mathieu repair provides excellent function and satisfactory cosmetic results, but the risk of devascularisation of the neourethral flap is an inherent problem of this technique. The midline incision of the urethral plate is part of the Snodgrass method, which offers good urethral calibre and tension-free closure. Our aim was to test the effectiveness of the use of the perimeatal-based flap combined with a midline incision of the urethral plate in hypospadias repair. 19 boys, aged 20 months to 5 years, with distal hypospadias, underwent a one-stage repair using the above-described modification of the Mathieu technique. The meatal-based flap with a midline incision of the urethral plate was similar in all cases. The hypospadias repair was successful in all patients, only one boy developed a urethrocutaneous fistula which required subsequent operation. There was no postoperative scarring, chordee or urethral stricture during follow-up. Hypospadias repair using a perimeatal-based skin flap and combined with an incision of the urethral plate reduces complication rates and offers good cosmetic results.

Use of impedance cardiography to monitor haemodynamic changes during laparoscopy in children.

METHODS: Haemodynamic changes were measured noninvasively using impedance cardiography (ICG) in 30 ASA I children during laparoscopic varicocelectomy under general anaesthesia. After induction and intubation, mechanical ventilation was started, then pneumoperitoneum (PP) was created. During the course of anaesthesia, values of endtidal CO2 pressue (PECO2), peak inspiratory airway pressure (PIP), heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac index (CI) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) were recorded at 1 min intervals. We analysed four periods: T1, before induction; T2, after induction; T3, during PP; T4, after desufflation of PP until awake. RESULTS: After induction of anaesthesia a significant reduction of HR, MABP and CI was recorded. Creating PP together with the use of a 15 degrees head down tilt resulted in a further drop in CI, mainly caused by the reduction of SVI, and an elevation of MABP and SVRI. We measured a 25% total decrease of CI. CONCLUSION: Our patients tolerated this significant reduction of cardiac output well. We have demonstrated that ICG can be used to track the haemodynamic changes caused by PP in children, and suggest that this type of monitoring is useful in this group of age during laparoscopy.

The response of balanitis xerotica obliterans to local steroid application compared with placebo in children.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical effectiveness of topical steroid application for balanitis xerotica obliterans in children and analyzed the association of any clinical response with histological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study included 40 boys in whom balanitis xerotica obliterans was diagnosed clinically by cicatricial phimosis. The severity of phimosis was graded into 4 groups. Patients were randomized to receive the topical application of 0.05% mometasone furoate or placebo. After 5 weeks phimosis severity was reevaluated and all patients underwent circumcision. Surgical specimens were histologically typed as an early, intermediate or late form of balanitis xerotica obliterans. RESULTS: Seven patients were withdrawn from the study. In the steroid group 7 boys had clinical improvement and 10 had no change. Histological study showed an early, intermediate and late form of balanitis xerotica obliterans in 5, 5 and 7 cases, respectively. Of cases with clinical improvement 5 were the early and 2 the intermediate type. In the placebo group 5 cases worsened clinically and 11 did not change. Histological evaluation revealed an early, intermediate and late form of balanitis xerotica obliterans in 3, 7 and 6 boys, respectively. Of the 5 cases with histological worsening, disease was the early, intermediate and late type in 2, 2 and 1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Applying a potent topical steroid affects improvement in balanitis xerotica obliterans in the histologically early and intermediate stages of disease, and may inhibit further worsening in the late stage.

[Laparoscopic intervention in pediatric urology]. / Laparoszkópos beavatkozások a gyermekurológiában.

The authors summarise the short history of the laparoscopy, and main steps of its use in international and Hungarian practice of urological surgery. They evaluate the possibility of laparoscopy in paediatric urological practice. Finally, they present their experience with this minimally invasive technique from 1995. Between October 1995 and September 1998, 83 laparoscopic procedures were performed. In 59 patients the vena testicularis were ligated by laparoscopy and in 22 patients 24 non palpable testes were diagnosed and operated. In 9 of the cases laparoscopic orchidopexy was performed. The authors demonstrate their operative technique. All laparoscopic interventions were tolerated well by children and they were treated without any complication. Postoperative pain medication were given for 5 children. The operative time for varix ligation ranged from 15 and 20 minutes, and for laparoscopic orchidopexy from 30 and 40 minutes. The recurrence rate of varicocele was found to be 1.5%, and postoperative hydrocele developed in one patient (1.5%).

Laparoscopic varicocele operation: a chance to prevent the recurrence.

There are recurrences and postoperative hydrocele of varicocele after any kind of surgical treatment. Laparoscopic clipping and dissection of internal spermatic vessels was performed without any complication in 73 children to treat varicocele in our department between 1995 and 1998. We have used a new method to detect etiological factors at laparoscopic surgery. The well-known Linton and Trendelenburg test was adapted to detect incidental collateral veins in 73 patients. Using these test, collateral veins were detected in 16 boys. The testicular artery identified in most of the cases as a pulsatile vessel. The operating time was 10-25 minutes. Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is a safe, effective treatment causing minimal discomfort and allowing patients an early to return to activity. These results suggest this technique a viable alternative to open ligation in paediatric urological practice.

Giant left main coronary artery aneurysm in association with severe atherosclerotic coronary disease.

Aneurysms of the coronary arteries occur in 1.5-4.9% of coronary angiograms. Only a few cases of a giant aneurysm of the left main coronary artery in conjunction with severe atherosclerotic coronary disease have been reported. This report details the exceptional case of a 72-year-old patient with a giant "true saccular" aneurysm branched on the left main coronary artery. The development of an aneurysmal dilatation in conjunction with progression of coronary arteriosclerosis, observed from two different angiographic studies at an interval of 25 years, is very illustrative for evolutive atherosclerotic heart disease. This finding may support the hypothesis that atherosclerosis may be the common etiology for coronary aneurysmal dilatation.

Results of surgical treatment in children with bladder exstrophy.

A series of 42 children (30 boys and 12 girls) underwent surgery for bladder exstrophy between 1972 and 1989. Primary bladder closure was performed in 11 patients and was successful in 6. Four of these children are about 2 years old and so it is not yet possible to assess their continence. Ureterosigmoidostomy was performed in 35 children, one of whom was converted to cutaneous ureterostomy. Follow-up ranges from 2 to 20 years (average 9 years 3 months) and 50% of the patients are symptom-free. The most frequent problems were acidosis and urinary tract dilatation. Other complications, such as hypokalaemia and pyelonephritis, were seldom seen. Although ureterosigmoidostomy has some disadvantages, our patients have adapted well and lead a normal life.

Isotope diagnostics, CT and MR in urinary tract diseases of infants and children.

Ninety-nine isotope, 4 CT and 10 MR examinations were carried out in 1990 to test urogenital disorders in infants and children. The procedures are described with sidelights on indication, difficulties of technical nature and comparison with internationally published reports. An examination strategy is devised, with estimation of its effectiveness in the follow-up and after-care.

Testosterone secretion in children with undescended testis.

Testicular testosterone (T) production was examined in thirty boys with undescended testes (UT) following the administration of 4500 U gonadotropic hormone. Twenty boys had bilateral UT and ten had UT plus hypospadias. As for possible causes of reduced Leydig cell activity it was investigated whether the testis was (1) hypoplastic; (2) abnormally fused with the epididymis; (3) located in the abdomen; (4) or UT was associated with hypospadias. Average T values were significantly lower when the testicle was hypoplastic or its fusion with the epididymis was imperfect; but remained largely undiminished when the testicle was located in the abdomen or when UT was combined with hypospadias. The occurrence of both pathologic and physiologic T reactions in each of the four groups suggests that the population of UT children is heterogeneous, probably due to differences in aetiology and in intrauterine hormonal processes. In the case of UT and hypoplasia the time and method of operation (orchidopexy) must be selected with utmost care, bearing in mind that an originally small testicle with impaired T secretion may become physiologic by the time of puberty.

[Removal of kidney calculi in children by extracorporeal shock wave therapy]. / Veseköeltávolítás gyermekkorban extracorporalis lökéshullám kezeléssel.

ESWL treatment for renal calculi was used in 19 occasion in 16 children aged 6-15 years. 13 children were stone free 3 months after the treatment. All of the stones were located in the renal calices or in the renal pelvis. The possibilities of the procedure, as well as its effects were examined with the use of urography, ultrasound, isotop studies and magnetic resonance imaging.

Nephrolithotomy in childhood by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy.

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) performed on 19 occasions in 6--15-year-old nephrolithic children is reported. The stones were present in the calyceal ends in the renal pelvis. The possibilities of treatment and its effects were examined by urography, ultrasound, camerarenography and magnetic resonance imaging procedures. After three months 13 children are free of stones.