Thoracoscopic-Assisted Esophageal Replacement with a Detached Reversed Gastric Tube Pedicled Graft: Technical Report and Preliminary Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Reflux is one of the most common late complications after gastric tube esophageal replacement in children. Herein, we report a novel approach for safely and selectively replacing the caustic strictured thoracic esophagus with a detached reversed gastric tube (d-RGT) pedicled graft with preservation of the cardia and implementation of thoracoscopy for optimizing the mediastinal pull-through process, and its outcomes. METHODS: All children who presented to our facility with an intractable postcorrosive thoracic esophageal stricture through 2020 and 2021 were enrolled in this study. The primary operational steps were thoracoscopic esophagectomy, laparotomy for d-RGT fashioning, and cervicotomy for anastomosis after the thoracoscopically monitored mediastinal pull-through process. RESULTS: Eleven children met the enrollment criteria, and their perioperative characteristics were assessed. The mean operative time was 201 min. The average duration of hospitalization was 5 days. There was no perioperative mortality. A transient cervical fistula was reported for one patient and a cervical side anastomotic stricture in another patient. A third patient developed kinking of the lower end of the d-RGT at the diaphragmatic crura level and this was treated satisfactorily by redoing the abdominal side surgery. After a mean follow-up of 8.5 months, none of the patients experienced reflux, dumping syndrome, or neoconduit redundancy. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of vascular supply of the d-RGT allowed for its total irrigation. Thoracoscopy assisted in preparing the mediastinal path for a safe and precise pull-through process. The lack of reflux seen on imaging and endoscopy in these children suggests that retaining the cardia may be beneficial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The dilemma after an unforeseen aortic arch anomalies at thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia: Is curtailing surgery still a necessity?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are several forms of relevant epi-aortic branching anomalies, and perhaps that is why different views as to the best approach have been reported. To help resolve this dilemma, we examined the unforeseen arch anomalies found at thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and the outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort, all consecutive patients who were thoracoscopically approached for esophageal atresia over a 5-year period with unforeseen aortic/epi-aortic branching were identified and grouped. Thoracoscopic views, operative interventions, and outcomes were studied. RESULTS: A total of 121 neonates were thoracoscopically approached for EA, of whom 18 cases with aberrant aortic architecture were selected. Four (3%) cases were diagnosed on a preoperative echocardiography as a right-sided aortic arch, whereas unforeseen anomalous anatomies were reported in 14 cases (11.6%): left aortic arch with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) (n = 10), right-sided aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA) (n = 3), and mirror-image right arch (n = 1). Single postoperative mortality was reported among the group with left arch and ARSA (10%), whereas all the cases with right arch and ALSA died. CONCLUSIONS: In all, 11.6% of the studied series exhibited unexpected aberrant aortic architecture, with higher complication rates in comparison to the typical thoracoscopic repairs. For EA with left aortic arch and ARSA, the primary esophageal surgery could safely be completed. Meanwhile, curtailing surgery-after ligating the TEF-to get advanced imaging is still advised for both groups with the right arch due to the significant existence of vascular rings.

Topographic Labeling of Glans Penis and Corpus Spongiosum When Planning Surgery for Distal Hypospadias.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of hypospadias surgery continually lagged behind anticipations among practitioners, prompting continuing refinement of approaches. Refinements typically involved modified surgical techniques. OBJECTIVE: Herein, the author aimed for reporting the comparative anatomical topography of distal hypospadias anomaly vs normal controls, to boost its reparative approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective clinical study of distal hypospadias cases presented to the author's facility between June 2018 and June 2020. Anatomical topography of the hypospadias penis was studied concerning the corresponding marks in another control cohort with normal penile development. Meatal marks, glans wings alignment, frenulum, and corpus spongiosum were the anatomical landmarks looked into. Operative correction of the anomaly was carried out considering these landmarks, aiming for pinpoint reassembly. The control group served to identify the normal topography. RESULTS: The author studied 49 cases of distal hypospadias and 10 uncircumcised boys with an otherwise normal penile anatomy. In distal hypospadias, the corpus spongiosum splayed out - at about mid-penile level - ending at a consequently splayed glans penis, rather than involving a primary glans defect. After the corpus spongiosum had been closed/zippered up, no further glans wings' surgical dissection was deemed necessary to attain the anatomical topography identified by the control group. By the end of a median follow-up period of 14 months, no urethrocutaneous fistulae or meatal stenoses were reported, with a typical apical re-assembled meatus, glans ventrum, and frenulum. CONCLUSION: Topographic mapping against control subjects revealed that the glans penis is fully developed in boys with distal hypospadias. After the spongiosal plate has been adequately zippered up, no glans wings' surgical dissection was deemed necessary to attain the typical glanular topography identified by the control group.

Thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a new anatomical reconstructive concept for tension dispersal at primary closure.

BACKGROUND: Several measures were implemented among authors striving to tail off recurrence rates of thoracoscopic congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair. In the presented study, we extended the use of rib-anchoring stitches to reorient the diaphragmatic muscle leaflets in the types B&C diaphragmatic hernias, to achieve tension dispersal at primary thoracoscopic repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Included in this study were early and late-onset lateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients, who had been operated upon in the years 2012 through 2018. A preliminary stitch was taken between posterior muscle edge and rib cage to reorient the diaphragmatic defect into a reversed C-shaped line. The lateral portion was closed by additional rib-anchoring stitches, while the medial one necessitated muscle to muscle stitches. Primary outcome being validated was the recurrence rate within a year post repair. RESULTS: In the 7-year inclusion period, 36 congenital diaphragmatic hernia cases were managed using the described approach. The repair was accomplished thoracoscopically in all but two cases, who were excluded from the study. Mean operative time was 76 min. No pledgets or synthetic patches were applied. Mean length of hospital stay was 7.6 days. Early postoperative course was uneventful in all but four cases; two ventilatory barotrauma and two mortalities. After a mean follow-up period of 29 months, five recurrences were reported (16%). Ipsilateral chest wall deformity was noticed in one case 3 years post repair. CONCLUSION: In the presented study, authors adopted thoracoscopic reorientation of diaphragmatic muscle leaflets in lateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia cases to achieve tension dispersal at primary repair. Short and mid-term results supported the efficacy and reproducibility of the described approach. However, long-term comparative studies seemed a necessity to validate this outcome.

Outcome of thoracoscopic repair of type-C esophageal atresia: a single-center experience from North Africa.

Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia is gaining popularity worldwide attributable to availability and advances in minimally invasive instruments. In this report, we presented our experience with thoracoscopic esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) repair in our tertiary care institute. A prospective study on short-gap type-C EA/TEF was conducted at Cairo University Specialized Pediatric Hospital between April 2016 and 2018. Excluded were cases with birth weight < 1500 gm, inability to stabilize physiologic parameters, or major cardiac anomalies. The technique was standardized in all cases and was carried out by operating team concerned with minimally invasive surgery at our facility. Primary outcome evaluated was successful primary anastomosis. Secondary outcomes included operative time, conversion rate, anastomotic leakage, recurrent fistula, postoperative stricture, and time till discharge. Over the inclusion period of this study, 136 cases of EA/TEF were admitted at our surgical NICU. Thoracoscopic repair was attempted in 76 cases. In total, 30 cases were pure atresia/long gap type-C atresia and were excluded from the study. Remaining 46 cases met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Mean age at operation was 8.7 days (range 2-32), and mean weight was 2.6 Kg (range 1.8-3.6). Apart from five cases (10.8%) converted to thoracotomy, the mean operative time was 108.3 minutes (range 80-122 minute). A tension-free primary anastomosis was possible in all thoracoscopically managed cases (n = 41) cases. Survival rate was 85.4% (n = 35). Anastomotic leakage occurred in seven patients (17%). Conservative management was successful in two cases, while esophagostomy and gastrostomy were judged necessary in the other for five. Anastomotic stricture developed in five cases (16.6%) of the 30 surviving patients who kept their native esophagus. Despite the fact that good mid-term presented results may be due to patient selection bias, thoracoscopic approach proved to be feasible for management of short-gap EA/TEF. Authors of this report believe that thoracoscopy should gain wider acceptance and pediatric surgeons should strive to adopt this procedure.

Laparoscopic Diamond Antroduodenostomy for Postcorrosive Pyloric Cicatrization: A Novel Approach.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, Billroth I procedure or bypass gastrojejunostomy were the recommended approaches for management of postcorrosive complete gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), whereas Heineke Mickulicz pyloroplasty was recommended for moderate mucosal injury with partial cicatrization. In this study, laparoscopic diamond antroduodenostomy was carried out as an alternative minimally invasive approach for cases with pyloric cicatricial obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January and December 2017, children who were referred to Pediatric Surgery Department, Cairo University Hospital, with GOO as a consequence of caustic liquid ingestions were included in this study. Laparoscopic diamond antroduodenostomy was performed for the presented cases. RESULTS: Through the year 2017, 5 cases were approached with laparoscopic diamond antroduodenostomy. Isolated pyloric cicatrization was evident in 4 cases, whereas synchronous insult to thoracic esophagus and pylorus was manifest in the fifth case. Laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy completed the procedure for the case with esophageal stricture. Contrast study-24 hour postoperatively-assured no radiological leaks in the presented cases, where enteral feeding was gradually commenced, and patients discharged home a day later. After a mean follow-up of 13.5 months, neither recurrence of obstructive symptoms nor dumping was displayed. Cosmetic outlook inherent to the minimally invasive approach was appreciated by the parents. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic diamond antroduodenostomy is a feasible approach for management of postcorrosive pyloric obstruction. It allowed early enteral feeding, with no dumping symptoms, in addition to the fundamental advantages of minimally invasive surgery. A bigger series and longer follow-up is recommended to verify the reported results.

Neo-yoke repair for severe hypospadias: A simple modification for better outcome.

BACKGROUND: Although staged repair for reconstructing severe hypospadias is more popular, various one-stage repairs have been attempted. Koyanagi repair (parameatal-based and fully extended circumferential foreskin flap urethroplasty) has enabled correction of severe hypospadias in one stage. However, its un-acceptably high incidence of complications has initiated a series of technical modifications, including the "yoke" repair. OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively analyze the outcome of a proposed modification of the originally described yoke repair, for patients with severe hypospadias. This modification was developed to reduce complications. STUDY DESIGN: Over 4 years (between Jan 2011 and Jan 2015), all cases of severe hypospadias were included in this study; except those with prior attempts at repair, circumcised cases, and cases with severe hypogonadism - because of partial androgen insensitivity - not responding to hormonal manipulations. The make-up of the neo-urethra in this modification is the urethral plate with its spongiosal tissue proximally, a circum-coronal preputial pedicled flap in the middle, and an incorporated part of the augmented preputial flap and the preserved V-shaped glanular urethra, distally. Close postoperative follow-up was conducted to investigate the outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-one children with a median age of 32.48 months had repair of severe hypospadias using the neo-yoke technique. After a median follow-up of 26.7 months, the overall complication rate was 16.1%. Four children developed urethrocutaneous fistula (12.9%). Meatal drop-back occurred in one case (3.2%). No meatal stenosis or urethral sacculation was detected during follow-up of the studied group. Almost all cases had cosmetically appealing outlook. Single-staged repair of severe hypospadias using parameatal foreskin-based urethroplasty has passed through different modifications, all aimed at optimizing the outcome (Table). CONCLUSION: Neo-yoke repair for severe hypospadias is a natural development of established one-stage techniques, which resulted in better mid-term outcomes. However, an extended study is needed to declare the long-term results.

Major penile injuries as a result of cautery during newborn circumcision.

AIM: To report a grading system for complications of male circumcision, and to represent our experience with salvage surgery for postcircumcision electro-cautery penile ablation injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Circumcision injuries presented to our department between January 2010 and January 2015 were collected and graded into five categories according to the degree of penile injury, and the possibility for surgical reversibility. RESULTS: Salvage surgery was carried out on 5 cases of post circumcision total phallic loss (grade V injuries). One of the cases had a postoperative meatal stenosis that responded to dilation under general anesthesia. No skin graft problems were documented in the other cases. The cosmetic outlook was greatly appreciated by the family and the operating team at follow up of all cases. CONCLUSION: Grading the post circumcision penile injuries is of paramount importance, and reconstructing the phallus using the hidden corporal bodies is considered worthwhile.