ABSTRACT
Objective This report documents the authors' experiences in the management of "complex" jejunoileal atresia (JIA) and provides a review of the recent literature on "simple" and "complex" JIA. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study of eight cases of "complex" JIA managed at the Pediatric Surgical Unit of Infermi Hospital in Rimini from 2002 to 2012. The inclusion criteria are all cases of JIA associated with distal bowel deformities and Types IIIb or IV. One patient had gastroschisis. Results The authors of this study performed primary anastomosis on three patients and enterostomies on five patients. In one case in which a patient presented with gastroschisis, the V.A.C. Therapy System (KCI Medical Ltd., Langford Locks, Kidlington, UK) was used to close the abdominal defect. All patients needed central venous catheter (CVC). Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was administered for a mean of 12 days. Oral feeding was introduced on mean day 7 (7.71 ± 3.40 standard deviation). Patients with enterostomy began extracorporeal stool transport on mean day 14. No outcomes resulted in short bowel syndrome (SBS). The mortality rate was zero. The authors of this study performed more enterostomies and CVC insertion than other authors in "complex" JIA and reported a percentage of SBS, complications of TPN, and start of oral feeding comparable to "simple" case reported by other authors. Conclusions The results demonstrate that the complexity of JIA alone is not associated to a worsening prognosis than simple atresia if the surgical and clinical approach is as conservative as possible.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We review our experience with laparoscopic Palomo varicocele ligation using the LigaSure device in children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2003 and December 2004, 25 varicoceles were treated by laparoscopic Palomo varicocele ligation using LigaSure vascular sealing. Patient ages ranged from 10 to 19 years (mean, 14.5 years). Indications for surgery included grade II-III varicocele or ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy. One patient was affected by recurrent contralateral inguinal hernia and 2 presented with an ipsilateral patent processus vaginalis. We placed a 5-mm umbilical port for access, and kept pneumoperitoneum below 15 mm Hg. Under laparoscopic guidance, two additional ports of 3 and 5 mm were inserted in the lower right and left quadrants, respectively. Once the vessels were isolated, the vascular sealant was applied 3-4 times to ensure coagulation of the spermatic vessels; the vessels were then divided with laparoscopic 5-mm scissors. Inguinal hernia and patent processus vaginalis were treated according to Schier's technique. All procedures were performed in our day surgery facility. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 18 minutes, which is significantly less than the time required in a similar group of 12 patients who underwent laparoscopic clip ligation. There were no perioperative complications. Eleven of 16 patients recovered testicular size. Two patients had postoperative hydrocele: the first was treated successfully with scrotal aspiration, while the other patient required scrotal hydrocelectomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Palomo varicocele sealing can be performed safely and rapidly and is highly successful in correcting varicoceles in young males. We also found it to be the ideal technique to correct the associated inguinal hernia or patent processus vaginalis.
