VACTERL-H associated with central hypothyroidism: a case report.

The VACTERL-H syndrome is a rare combination of vertebral anomalies, anal atresia, congenital heart defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, abnormalities of kidneys and limb anomalies together with hydrocephalus. This condition is recognized as a hereditary entity with poor prognosis. We present a newborn weighing 3400 g, born by cesarean section to a 27 years old mother who had had an irregular antenatal follow-up. The patient had severe hydrocephalus, proximal esophageal atresia and distal tracheoesophageal fistula, gastric outlet obstruction, imperforated anus and recto-urethral fistula, patent ductus arterious, a bifid scrotum, a vertebral defect, sacral dimple and central hypothyroidism. The patient had no limb defects. The association of central hypothyroidism and VACTERL-H has previously not been reported.

Electrophysiological evaluation of cremasteric reflex in experimental testicular torsion.

AIM: The aim of the study was the electrophysiological evaluation of the cremasteric reflex after experimental testicular torsion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten male Wistar rats were enrolled into the study. Genitofemoral nerve (GFN) motor conduction and cremasteric reflex (CR) responses were evaluated electrophysiologically after being subjected to anesthesia with intramuscular ketamin hydrochloride. Testicular torsion was performed by rotating the right testicle 720 degrees in a clockwise direction from a midscrotal incision. Electrophysiological evaluations were repeated in the early (30 minutes) and late (90 minutes) periods of testicular torsion. Subsequently, detorsion of the testicles was performed and electrophysiological recordings were completed after 60 minutes of detorsion. The CR was also evaluated clinically before each electrophysiological evaluation. The latency and duration of GFN motor conduction and CR responses was compared for base, early torsion, late torsion and detorsion recordings. Friedman's test for repeated measurements was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The CR, which was detected clinically before torsion and after detorsion, was not detected during torsion. When base, early torsion, late torsion and detorsion recordings were compared, there was no statistical difference with respect to both latency and duration of GFN motor conduction and CR responses (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although CR was not detected clinically during testicular torsion, the electrophysiological parameters of the reflex did not differ in the early and late periods of torsion in rats. The GFN motor conduction parameters also showed no differences. In conclusion, the absence of the CR after testicular torsion could not be confirmed by electrophysiological studies.

Intestinal duplication cyst associated with intestinal malrotation anomaly: report of a case.

Duplications of the alimentary tract are rare congenital malformations and may occur anywhere in the intestinal tract. Intestinal duplication cysts have been rarely found with intestinal malrotation anomaly. We present a 2-year old boy who had intestinal duplication cyst, associated with intestinal malrotation anomaly.

Investigation of OH-proline contents of hernia sacs in children and comparison with adults.

PURPOSE: One of the factors suggested to be causative in hernia formation is defective collagen metabolism. In this study, we investigated whether there is any relationship between the collagen contents of indirect hernial sacs and certain demographic and anatomic parameters. METHODS: Hernial sac hydroxyproline levels were measured in 100 pediatric and 23 adult indirect inguinal hernia cases as indicators of collagen concentrations. Hydroxyproline levels were compared between boys and girls, right and left sided hernias, unilateral and bilateral cases, children and adults. Whether there was any relationship between patient age and hydroxyproline level was also investigated. RESULTS: No difference was found between males and females (p > 0.05), right and left sided hernias (p > 0.05) or unilateral and bilateral cases (p > 0.05). Hydroxyproline levels of adults were found to be significantly higher than those of children (p = 0.000). There was also a positive correlation between age and hydroxyproline levels of boys (r = 0.285, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Although a relationship between direct inguinal hernia and collagen structure has been shown by some investigators, we were unable to point to any significant findings which would indicate such a relationship in indirect inguinal hernia cases. Further studies on hydroxyproline levels in peritoneal samples will be necessary to understand the role of peritoneal hydroxyproline levels in hernia formation.

An investigation of the factors that affect surgical hand disinfection with polyvidone iodine.

This study investigated the factors influencing the effectiveness of 7.5% polyvidone iodine as a surgical antiseptic. The study involved 100 operating staff (75 doctors and 25 nurses) from hospital surgical teams. Fingertips of both hands of the subjects were pressed on to agar culture before and after washing and after completion of surgery. Handwashing lasting for more than 3 min led to a significant decrease in the number of colonies compared with handwashing lasting for less than 3 min. Moreover, the number of colonies was significantly higher when surgery lasted for longer than 95 min. However, the handwashing style (with or without brushing) was not found to have a significant effect on the outcome of the disinfection procedure in terms of bacterial colonization. Subjects who had colonization of their hands after surgery were found to have significantly higher colony counts before handwashing compared with those who did not have any colonization on their hands after surgery. The results of this study revealed that in order to attain effective disinfection with polyvidone iodine, the duration of handwashing should be at least 3 min. The risk of recolonization increases when the duration of surgery exceeds 95 min.

Postpneumonic empyema in children treated by early decortication.

We performed early decortication in 32 cases of postpneumonic empyema during the period of February 1991 to December 1995. Twenty of them were male and 12 of them were female. We evaluated these cases retrospectively. Decortication was saved for the patients where antimicrobial therapy and closed-tube drainage had failed to achieve a cure and was performed on the 10-15th day after the diagnosis was established. Indications for the decortication were persistent fever (9), pulmonary air leakage (7), localized effusion (7), persistent respiratory distress (5) and pleural thickening without resolution (28). Decortication was performed through the standard posterolateral thoracotomy. Patients were discharged on the 8th postoperative day with minimal morbidity and no mortality. Because of the simplicity of the procedure (short hospitalization periods, low mortality and morbidity rates) good results were achieved with early decortication.

A case of anterior sacral meningocele totally excised using the posterior sagittal approach.

Anterior sacral meningocele is a rare congenital anomaly. The authors present a case of anterior sacral meningocele successfully excised using the posterior sagittal approach. The diagnosis and treatment of this unusual anomaly are discussed.

Congenital lumbar hernia associated with the lumbocostovertebral syndrome: two cases.

Congenital hernias in the lumbar region are very uncommon. Two cases with congenital lumbar hernia associated with the lumbocostovertebral syndrome are presented. The first case of a 14-month-old girl presented with the type of a superior lumbar triangle hernia. The second case was a 2-year-old girl presenting with diffuse lumbar hernia. The anatomy, embryology and treatment of this congenital abnormality are discussed.

Cecal duplications: a rare cause for secondary intussusception.

Duplications of the alimentary tract are rare congenital anomalies that may occur at any level from mouth to anus. While the oesophagus and the ileum are the most common sites, duplications of the colon are rare. Two cases of ileocolic intussusceptions in 8-month-old girl and 6-month-old boy who were admitted to our hospital with acute abdomen findings are presented. Intraoperatively, cecal cystic duplications leading intussusception were revealed. Intussusception is one of the most important surgical emergence in infancy and typically, it does not involve a lead point in childhood. Although duplication cyst may act as lead point, the review of literature reveals its rarity.

Pelvic ganglioneuroblastoma totally excised using posterior sagittal and abdominal approach.

Neuroblastoma usually presents as an upper abdominal mass arising from the adrenal gland. Recent experience with neuroblastoma of the spermatic cord, bladder, and pelvis demonstrates the propensity of this tumor to arise in unusual areas. A 1-year-old boy was admitted with pollakiuria, acute urinary retention, and chronic constipation. Computed tomographic and ultrasonographic examinations revealed a 5×5.5×4-cm pelvic mass, which was totally excised using a posterior sagittal and abdominal approach. The pathologic diagnosis was ganglioneuroblastoma and 1-year follow-up was uneventful.