Worldwide variation of dialysis-associated peritonitis in children.

Peritonitis is the most common cause of dialysis failure in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis. We performed a prospective study of 501 peritonitis episodes in 44 pediatric dialysis centers located in 14 countries that examined peritonitis etiology, efficiency of opinion-based management guidelines, and final outcomes. Culture-negative incidence varied significantly from 11% in North America to 67% in Mexico. Argentina and North America had the highest rate of Gram-negative episodes. Pseudomonas-based peritonitis was eightfold more common in the United States than in Europe, and correlated with the frequency of exit site cleansing and topical mupirocin administration. Significant regional variation in antibiotic susceptibility was noted for the first generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. Initial response rates to standardized empiric antibiotic treatment did not differ between regions; however, final outcomes were significantly less favorable in Eastern Europe. The wide regional variation in culture-negative peritonitis, and the distribution and antibiotic susceptibilities of causative bacteria needs to be taken into consideration when the guidelines for empiric therapy of pediatric dialysis-associated peritonitis are revised.

Eversion with four sutures: an easy, fast, and reliable technique for microvascular anastomosis.

In this study, a microvascular anastomosing technique called "eversion with four sutures" is introduced. For microvascular anastomosis, this technique requires fishmouth incisions at both vessel ends and the completion of four sutures. In 120 Wistar-Albino rats, 120 eversion and 120 conventional anastomoses were done in 240 femoral arteries. Each rat received both treatments. Operating time, bleeding time, number of sutures used, patency rates, and pseudoaneurysm formation were analyzed statistically; healing was evaluated with both light and electron microscopy. When compared with the conventional technique using nine sutures, the eversion with four sutures technique was found to be a faster and easier method of anastomosis and as reliable as the conventional technique. Without compromising patency rates, bleeding time, or rates of pseudoaneurysm formation, anastomosis time and amount of suture material exposed to the lumen were significantly reduced when using this technique. In conclusion, the authors think that eversion with four sutures is a reliable alternative to the conventional suturing technique, especially for emergency cases that require multiple microvascular anastomoses.

The sandwich technique for closure of a palatal fistula.

A full-thickness fistula of the hard palate can be closed by various methods. Recurrences are seen many times and more stable methods of closure have been researched. The authors attempted to close a palatal fistula by adhering to the main rule of reconstruction as stated by Gillies, "replace the lost tissues in kind." They used a buccinator musculomucosal transposition flap for the nasal lining, a cranial bone graft for the palatal bone, and a local mucoperiosteal transposition flap for the oral closure. The flaps and bone adapted well to the fistula. There were no recurrences during 12 months of follow-up. This "sandwich flap"--a three-layer closure--is a reliable technique for the repair of a full-thickness palatal fistula.

Deflazacort treatment in progressive diaphyseal dysplasia (Camurati-Engelmann disease).

Progressive diaphyseal dysplasia (PDD), a rare disorder of bones, in recent years has been accepted as a systemic disease within the spectrum of connective tissue disorders associated with immunological abnormalities. Steroids have been used in the treatment of PDD with variable success. In this report PDD is described in a 5-year-old boy who presented with leg pain, fatigue, headache and anorexia with an onset in infancy. Physical examination revealed a waddling gait, thorax deformity and thickening in the upper extremities. The diagnosis was made by radiologic demonstration of cortical thickening and a narrowed medullary cavity of the long bones of extremities. Bone scintigraphy showed areas of increased osteoblastic activity in the diaphyseal part of the long bones of extremities and the skull. Electron microscopic examination revealed myopathic and vascular changes. Serum immunoglobulin A, G and M levels were elevated and CD4 positive T cell numbers were low. Deflazacort, a steroid with a similar anti-inflammatory effect to prednisolone but with fewer adverse effects, was started in a dose of 1.2 mg/kg/day. Deflazacort treatment resulted in clinical and radiological improvement within 12 months with no side effects. In conclusion, steroids may be recommended as an effective method of treatment in PDD and deflazacort may be a safe alternative steroid.

Calvarial tuberculosis.

We report a six-year-old boy who presented with swelling of the forehead, and had calvarial tuberculosis, a rare form of tuberculous osteitis.

Treatment of a neck burn contracture with a super-thin occipito-cervico-dorsal flap: a case report.

Postburn neck contractures still represent a surgical challenge due to their exposed location; and early operative treatment is necessary for both functional as well as aesthetic reasons. An excellent functional result was obtained by using a supercharged super-thin occipito-cervico-dorsal flap described by Hyakusoku to repair a large defect of the anterior neck following a very wide neck burn contracture release. In this case report, the technique and its advantages among the other reconstructive modalities are discussed briefly.