Policy statement of enteral nutrition for preterm and very low birthweight infants.

For preterm and very low birthweight infants, the mother's own milk is the best nutrition. Based on the latest information for mothers who give birth to preterm and very low birthweight infants, medical staff should encourage and assist mothers to pump or express and provide their own milk whenever possible. If the supply of maternal milk is insufficient even though they receive adequate support, or the mother's own milk cannot be given to her infant for any reason, donor human milk should be used. Donors who donate their breast milk need to meet the Guideline of the Japan Human Milk Bank Association. Donor human milk should be provided according to the medical needs of preterm and very low birthweight infants, regardless of their family's financial status. In the future, it will be necessary to create a system to supply an exclusive human milk-based diet (EHMD), consisting of human milk with the addition of a human milk-derived human milk fortifier, to preterm and very low birthweight infants.

Urethral caruncle in a 9-year-old girl: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Urethral caruncles are the most frequent benign tumors of the female urethra. Most of them are found in post-menopausal women, and they are rare in childhood. Only a few pediatric cases have been published in the literature. In this report, we present an unusual case of a pediatric patient with a urethral caruncle, along with a review of the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 9-year-old Mongolian girl was referred to our hospital with a 2-week history of frequent adherence of a small amount of blood to her underwear. We found a sessile smooth margin, a clear boundary and an elastic, soft red tumor over the entire circumference of the urethral meatus. At the beginning, because of the child's age, urethral prolapse was suspected. There was no response after 3 weeks of conservative treatment with steroid ointment. With the patient under general anesthesia, a partial tumor resection was performed for the purpose of histological examination. The tumor excision was limited to about 1/2 laps of the urethral meatus to prevent the development of urethral stricture. On the basis of clinical and histopathological examinations, a diagnosis of a urethral caruncle was made. Post-operatively, steroid ointment application to residual masses was continued, and these disappeared about 6 months later. Our patient was free of recurrence and had had no complications after 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral caruncles are rare in children, and the possibility of malignancy is slight during this period. Biopsy of the mass is not required for diagnosis. It should be indicated only if the mass has other characteristics that raise suspicion of malignancy. In previously reported cases, all of the tumor was removed. However, the trigger of the caruncle in childhood is chronic inflammation. Conservative therapy with steroid ointment should be the core treatment. However, it may be necessary to proceed to treatment because caruncles take a long time to heal. The case that we describe in this report will serve as an example for similar cases in the future.

Combined free autologous auricular cartilage and fascia lata graft repair for a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula.

Repair of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) after repair of congenital esophageal atresia continues to be a difficult problem. The most common re-operation for a recurrent TEF involves repair via a right thoracotomy and use of a flap as interposed tissue between the closure sites. Although several materials have been reported for recurrent fistula repair, natural pedicled flaps have been used in most previous reports. The harvesting of a pedicled flap can sometimes be difficult when the patient has had multiple surgeries. In this report, the successful use of a combined free autologous auricular cartilage and free fascia lata graft repair for a complex patient with multiple recurrent TEFs is described. We believe that our technique should be considered as an approach for patients with recurrent TEF.

Beneficial effects of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on ischemia-reperfusion testicular injury in rats.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were assigned to 5 groups. A sham operation was performed on the animals in group 1. In group 2, after 4 hours of unilateral testicular ischemia, 4 hours of testicular reperfusion was performed with EGCG administered 1 hour before reperfusion. In group 3, the same surgical procedure as in group 2 was performed, but without EGCG. Serum superoxide dismutase activity, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase were then measured in blood samples from groups 1 to 3. In group 4, after 4 hours of unilateral testicular ischemia, testicular reperfusion was performed. In group 5, the same procedure as in group 4 was performed, but with EGCG administered 1 hour before reperfusion. For groups 4 and 5, bilateral orchiectomy was performed for histologic examination 4 weeks after reperfusion was started. RESULTS: Serum superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 3. The ratios of bilateral testicular weight, mean seminiferous tubule diameter, and germinal epithelial cell thickness were significantly higher in group 5 than in group 4. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with EGCG before reperfusion might exert protective effects via antioxidant activities in a rat experimental model of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Outcome of laparoscopic modified Duhamel procedure with Z-shaped anastomosis for Hirschsprung's disease.

BACKGROUND: Several laparoscopic Duhamel-type procedures for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) have been reported, but laparoscopic, Z-shaped, colorectal, side-to-side anastomosis has not been described. Z-shaped anastomosis has been used as the treatment of choice for HD at our clinic for a long time. A laparoscopic approach was adopted to perform this Z-shaped anastomosis in 2001. We describe herein our experiences with laparoscopic Z-shaped anastomosis and evaluate the clinical outcomes. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2010, 26 children with rectosigmoid HD underwent a laparoscopic modified Duhamel procedure comprising Z-shaped anastomosis. Mean age at operation was 17.2 months. Mean weight was 8.7 kg. No children had a colostomy. Seven children had trisomy 21 and one had Klinefelter syndrome. Laparoscopic modified Duhamel procedure was performed using three 5-mm trocars. Intra- and postoperative complications and functional outcomes were evaluated. Patients with trisomy 21 were excluded from the functional evaluation. RESULTS: The operation was completed laparoscopically for 25 of the 26 patients, with only one patient requiring conversion to an open procedure because of injury to the ureter. Mean operating time was 296 min. In one case, a minor leak was observed. No infections or related complications were observed. Mean follow-up period was 50.4 months. Sudden death secondary to rotaviral enterocolitis occurred 8 months postoperatively in one case. Twenty-one of the 25 patients (84%) showed episodes of constipation during the early follow-up period, and one child required late myectomy due to sphincter achalasia. As the child grew older, the need for medication was diminished. Of the 14 patients over 4 years old, excluding those patients with trisomy 21, all achieved normal defecation without incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Our series revealed that all patients over 4 years old who underwent laparoscopic Z-shaped colorectal anastomosis achieved normal defecation without fecal incontinence. Laparoscopic Z-shaped colorectal anastomosis for HD appears feasible and safe to perform with good results.

Primary anastomosis for meconium peritonitis: first choice of treatment.

PURPOSE: Newborn surgery for meconium peritonitis (MP) is sometimes very difficult owing to severe adhesions and bleeding. The aim of this study was to reveal the benefit of primary anastomosis (PA) for MP by comparing PA with multistep operations (MO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 38 patients with MP who underwent surgery in our institution from 1983 to 2009. From 1983 to 2000, we essentially used MO. After 2001, we used PA with the exception of 1 patient. We performed MO on 20 patients (group A) and PA on 18 patients (group B). RESULTS: Mortality was 4 in 20 in group A and 1 in 18 in group B. Three patients in group A and 2 in group B required reoperation because of complications. After 2001, 14 of 16 patients underwent PA. Of the 2 patients for whom PA could not be performed, one was postresuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest and the other was an extremely low-birth-weight infant. The only mortality among the patients who underwent PA occurred in a very low-birth-weight infant who died from intraoperative hepatic hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: PA can be performed for almost all patients with MP except for extremely low-birth-weight infants.

Esophagogastric separation and abdominal esophagostomy via jejunal interposition: a new operation for extreme forms of pathologic aerophagia.

Pathologic aerophagia is sometimes seen in patients with neurologic disorders. It rarely causes massive bowel distention, ileus, and volvulus. Here, we report the use of esophagogastric separation and abdominal esophagostomy via jejunal interposition to prevent bowel distention caused by severe aerophagia in 2 patients with neurologic disorders in whom the usual nonoperative methods of management failed. In both cases, swallowed air was evacuated via the jejunostomy, eliminating bowel distention. This operation may be useful in patients with neurologic disorders associated with severe aerophagia.

Free fascia lata repair for a second recurrent congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Repair of recurrent congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) continues to be a difficult problem. Although several materials have been used to repair recurrent CDH, the ideal material has yet to be established. We report the successful use of an autologous free fascia lata graft to repair the diaphragm following a second recurrence of CHD. The fascia lata is one of the strongest fascia in the body and is easy to obtain without extremity functional loss even in children. This procedure is regarded as effective for the repair of recurrent CDH.

Ovarian fibroma with marked ascites and elevated serum levels of CA-125 in a young girl.

We report a case of ovarian fibroma with marked ascites and elevated serum CA-125 levels in a young girl. Ovarian fibromas are rare in children. They usually present as a solid mass and may be associated with ascites and elevated serum CA-125 levels. Because of their solid nature and these associations, they can be mistaken for a malignant tumor, resulting in unnecessary oophorectomy. Ovarian fibromas are benign neoplasms, and the prognosis is extremely good. Surgical management should be an ovarian-sparing tumor excision. Although uncommon in pediatric patients, ovarian fibromas should be included in the differential diagnosis of ovarian mass in children.

Totally laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst: Roux-en-Y Jejunojejunostomy and wide hepaticojejunostomy with hilar ductoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy is the treatment of choice for choledochal cyst. However, late complications after definitive surgery develop occasionally, including intrahepatic stones and cholangitis, because of bile stasis resulting from anastomotic stricture, intrahepatic bile duct stricture, and remnants of intrahepatic ductal dilatation. In type IV-A choledochal cysts in particular, biliary stricture is frequently observed around the hepatic hilum, and ductoplasty for stricture is necessary. In this article, we present our experiences with totally laparoscopic surgery comprising excision of the extrahepatic bile duct, Roux-en-Y jejunojejunostomy, and wide hepaticojejunostomy combined with hilar ductoplasty for choledochal cyst. METHODS: We performed totally laparoscopic surgery on 8 children with choledochal cyst between June 2009 and October 2010. One of them had undergone bile drainage through gallbladder laparoscopically for biliary perforation. Four patients (1 Ic and 3 IV-A cysts) had hepatic duct stricture around the hepatic hilum. Laparoscopic surgery comprising excision of the extrahepatic bile duct and wide Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with ductoplasty was performed by using four trocars. RESULTS: The operation was completed laparoscopically for all patients. The mean operation time was 390 minutes (range, 310-460). The mean postoperative stay was 8.4 days (range, 7-14). After surgery, the dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct was remarkably reduced in size, and all patients are doing well. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery comprising excision of the extrahepatic bile duct, Roux-en-Y limb formation, and wide hepaticojejunostomy with hilar ductoplasty appears to be feasible for children with choledochal cyst. When there is a stricture near the confluence of the hepatic ducts, laparoscopic ductoplasty appears to be feasible for the surgeon with an advanced laparoscopic skill set.

Laryngotracheal separation using skin flap formation: a novel surgical procedure.

Laryngotracheal separation is often performed to prevent intractable aspiration for children with severe mental and physical disabilities. However, tracheo-innominate artery fistula after surgery can occur as a severe complication and cause fatal hemorrhage. We have therefore developed a novel procedure to prevent tracheo-innominate artery fistula. Surgery was performed by making an H-shaped incision and creating skin flaps. The trachea was not raised anteriorly and the skin flaps were sutured to the trachea. We performed this procedure on nine patients, and no major complications occurred in any case. This procedure can be expected to reduce the occurrence of tracheo-innominate artery fistula.

Ectopic pancreas as a cause of jejunal obstruction in a neonate.

This report describes a case of symptomatic ectopic pancreas in the jejunum. A review of the literature revealed no other case of ectopic pancreas manifesting as jejunal stenosis during the neonatal period. Ectopic pancreas should be excised in consideration of the potential late complications.

Colorectal screening with single scan CT colonography in children.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of single scan CT colonography (CTC) using polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution with contrast medium (PEG-C) bowel preparation in children. Seven patients suspected of colorectal elevated lesions were subjected to CTC. All patients underwent bowel preparation using polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG) at a dose of 32 +/- 3 ml/kgBW before the day of CTC. The water-soluble contrast agent was given to the patients at a dose of 0.6 +/- 0.1 ml/kgBW the next morning. After colonic air insufflation, the patient was scanned axially with a single run. After evaluation of multiplanar reformation images, 3-dimensional images (CT enema and virtual endoscopy image) were reconstructed. CT enema image was composed from air image and contrast-medium image. All studies were performed without complications. CTC showed the entire colon without blind spots in all patients with only single scan. In conclusion, the single scan CTC using PEG-C preparation is safe and less invasive compared to conventional CTC due to the shorter examination time and lower radiation dose.