Lessons learned from lethal cardiac injury by nuss repair of pectus excavatum in a 16-year-old.

This report investigates cardiac injury and arrest during a Nuss repair of severe pectus excavatum in a 16-year-old boy in 2006. The injuries of the right atrial auricle and the right ventricle were sutured, and the patient was resuscitated. Ultimately he died on the 11th day of progressive malignant cerebral edema and respiratory distress syndrome despite cerebral decompression and hypothermia. Typical morphologic features of cardiac injuries are demonstrated, and strategies to avoid inadvertent organ injury in pectus operations are discussed.

New Berlin-Buch "reversed Nuss," endoscopic pectus carinatum repair using eight-hole stabilizers, submuscular CO2, and presternal Nuss bar compression: first results in 35 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2001 we minimized access (2.9-4.7 cm) for universally applicable endoscopic hybrid carinatum technique with two transsternal Willital bars in 173 endoscopic hybrid (EH) patients with very satisfactory results. In 2008-2009, endoscopic Nuss bar compression with endoscopic repair of costal flaring applied a new eight-hole stabilizer, which allows the use in pectus carinatum (PC) beyond adolescence including redos and combined deformities. This prospective study of 35 "endoscopic Berlin-Buch reversed Nuss" repairs intends to establish indications for this improved technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In February 2008 to February 2010, we used endoscopic Nuss bar compression by applying a bilateral new eight-hole stabilizer fixed to the bar without screws or wires, which allows unprecedented versatility and the use in pectus carinatum beyond adolescence. Thirty-five patients aged 17.05 ± 10.2 years (range: 11.3-33.1 years) were recorded prospectively and followed at 3 monthly intervals. We implanted a standard Nuss bar (11-14') into an endoscopically dissected submuscular presternal pocket correcting PC by sternal pressure. The bars were put under tension by traction via bilateral eight-hole stabilizers and three pericostal wire sutures on each side. Bars were removed after 2 years. RESULTS: All 35 "reversed Nuss" pectus carinatum repairs, including 2 redos after Ravitch, were successful, with no conversion. So far there was no local or general complication and no seroma or bar dislocation. Thirty-one patients judged their result as excellent and 4 as good. CONCLUSIONS: Although this is a very early experience, "reversed Nuss" is safe and effective and new technical improvements have expanded the range of applicability to older patients and suitable redos.

Laparoscopic approach to ovarian mass in children and adolescents: already a standard in therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Functional cysts, ovarian torsion, and benign neoplasms are the most common ovarian masses among young adolescents. The laparoscopic approach to giant ovarian cysts in the pediatric population maybe difficult due the limited working space and the high risk of spillage. In this paper, we evaluate the role of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of adnexal disease occurring in young girls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With the approval of the institutional review board, a retrospective chart review(2007-2003) of patients with adnexal disease was conducted. RESULTS: Overall, 12 patients were evaluated with preoperative imaging, sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and laboratory values. None resulted in malignant histology. All resections of ovarian cysts were performed laparoscopically. The outcome was uneventful in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment is indicated if the diagnosis is in question, the cyst persists, in the case of ovarian torsion,or if the patient is symptomatic. Laparoscopy is becoming the favored approach by most pediatric surgeons for the treatment of ovarian cysts. All surgical procedures for ovarian cysts should spare functional ovary as much as is technically possible. Simple cysts can be fenestrated, but complex or functional cysts should be excised, with the preservation of the remaining ovary by careful dissection. The laparoscopic approach for adnexal masses can be performed in an acceptable manner, with comparable results to an open approach, plus the cosmetic advantages of minimally invasive surgery, which is an important aspect for the treated patients.

New endoscopic minimal access pectus carinatum repair using subpectoral carbon dioxide.

PURPOSE: This study establishes a minimal access hybrid technique for pectus carinatum repair. Based on 132 conventional repairs (1984-2000) and our own endoscopic technique for correcting prominent costal arches, the conventional carinatum repair was adapted to an endoscopic-assisted technique. DESCRIPTION: Inserting two submuscular trocars and inflating CO2, the entire ventral thoracic wall was dissected endoscopically detaching pectoral muscles from ribs and sternum. February 2001 to February 2004, we repaired 37 patients (32 male) of 16.8 +/- 4.3 years (12 to 36 years). Endoscopic-assisted rib resection and axial reanastomosis, transsternal struts, and sternotomies were performed semi-open from a 2.9 to 4.7 cm incision. EVALUATION: All were completed minimally invasively, one seroma was managed conservatively. Thirty-three patients rated their result as excellent, 4 as good with a follow-up of 29.1 +/- 9.5 months (range, 18 to 55 months). Twenty-one struts were removed with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal access pectus carinatum repair is safe, effective, and offers high comfort for the patient. The results are at least as good as conventional repairs, but hospital stays could be halved. Encouraging results of this early experience warrant further evaluation by other centers.

Extrapleural, submuscular bars placed by bilateral thoracoscopy--a new improvement in modified Nuss funnel chest repair.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic Nuss funnel chest repair still has a significant complication rate. Bar dislocation, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, and pericarditis seem to be caused mechanical irritation by the bar. We intended to reduce these problems by further technical modification of the Nuss technique. METHODS: Of 157 prospectively followed modified Nuss repairs, the last 57 patients had the bars placed in an extrapleural position and fixed by 10 to 14 pericostal sutures under bilateral thoracoscopy. RESULTS: Entirely, extrapleural bar position was feasible in 53 of 57 patients. Four patients had minor holes over one of the bars, predominantly on the left side of the thorax. Pleural effusions, pneumothorax, and pain were greatly reduced, so that we discontinued the so far routine use of bilateral pleural drainages. CONCLUSIONS: Extrapleural bar position is feasible in more than 90% of modified Nuss repairs. It reduces pleural secretion and pain, and seems to reduce pneumothorax, pulmonary bar adhesions, and pericardial effusions. The technique is easy and safe, and reduced the incidence of most complications in this early experience of 57 adolescent patients, although no sportive restrictions were imposed at all.

The technique of laparoscopic retroperitoneal splenopexy for symptomatic wandering spleen in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Wandering spleen is an uncommon diagnosis, difficult to prove by standard investigations. The authors report a new method for laparoscopic splenopexy in children using a balloon-dilated retroperitoneal pouch. METHODS: From 3 accesses, the spleen is mobilized and displaced into a retroperitoneal pouch dilated to the double splenic volume. The pouch is dilated by a self-made balloon via a further intercostal access and narrowed by sutures incorporating the cranial and caudal edge of the gastrosplenic ligament. RESULTS: The peritoneal pouch contracts around the retroperitoneal spleen resulting in a firm fixation of the organ. This technique was successful in a 9-year-old girl with a 5-year history of severe recurrent abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic retroperitoneal pouch splenopexy is a safe and effective procedure for symptomatic wandering spleen precluding the use of foreign materials in this age group.