Nickel Allergy After a Negative Test Result Following Nuss Procedure for Pectus Excavatum: a Case Report.

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Digital Thoracic Drainage System: A New Tool For Pediatric Thoracic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Digital thoracic drainage systems usage in pediatrics is underreported, making current recommen- dations based on those for adults. We aim to review our experience on the use of this digital system and to evaluate the adequacy of those recommendations. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients in whom digital thoracic drainage system was used. All patients were submitted to thoracoscopic bleb/apical lung resection for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Initially patients were man- aged using the few existing recommendations for children, but after 2 unsuccessful cases we changed our approach into tube clamping after continuous air leak < 5mL/min for at least 24 hours. RESULTS: Seventeen procedures (median 17.2-years) were performed; there were no intraoperative complications. After changing the air leak target, 11 procedures were consecutively managed without complications; the median number of chest radiographs per procedure was 3.0 and the median number of days with chest tube was 4.0 days. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the usage of this system in children in Portugal. This system constitutes an important technological innovation, but it needs more data gathering and prospective trials in order to maximize its use in children. The authors suggest an algorithm for the management of thoracic digital drainage in children: removal of chest tubes when the air leak is <5mL/min for 24 hours and to perform chest tube clamping for a minimum of 6 hours before removal.

Preoperative Metal Patch Testing and Titanium Bar Use Criteria in Nuss Procedure: A 56-Patients' Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Nuss procedure is the main reason for metal implants use by pediatric and thoracic surgeons. There is an ongoing debate on how to avoid allergic complications. Herein we describe our 8-year experience with systematic preoperative metal patch testing and our selective titanium bar use in Nuss procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single center retrospective observational cohort study of patients who underwent the Nuss procedure from 2013 to 2020. Preoperative metal patch testing was done in all cases. Criteria for titanium bar utilization were: a positive test for a major component of the stainless-steel bar; or a positive metal patch test and a positive history of atopy, food or metal allergy, or previous allergic reaction to an implant or device. RESULTS: In total, 56 patients were included. Most were male (91.1%) with a median age of 15.0 (13.0-22.0) years old. 19.6% had a positive preoperative metal patch test and 54.5% of these had no personal history of atopy. Stainless-steel bars were used in 27.3% of those patients and titanium bars were used in 72.7%. One patient had a documented minor allergy reaction. None of the 56 patients required early bar removal. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that routine preoperative allergy testing and a judicious use of titanium bar are safe and avoid metal allergic complications.

ULTRASOUND-GUIDED CENTRAL LINE INSERTION IN CHILDREN: HOW MUCH IMAGING IS REALLY NEEDED?

INTRODUCTION: A recent survey revealed that most pediatric surgeons use intraoperative fluoroscopy and routine postoperative chest radiography for catheter tip location in central line placement. The aim of this study is to review all cases of ultrasound-guided central line placements and to evaluate the role of postoperative chest radiography. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis of children submitted to percutaneous central line insertion under ultrasound control over a 2-year period in a pediatric surgery department. Data collected included: age, indication for central venous access, catheter type, usage of intraoperative fluoroscopy and postoperative chest radiography, complications, and whether chest radiography dictated any catheter-related intervention. RESULTS: Fifty-five long-term central lines were successfully established in children aged between 1 month and 17 years. All patients had the catheter tip position confirmed either by intraoperative fluoroscopy (96%), chest radiography (85%) or both (82%). Catheter tip overlying the cardiac silhouette (right atrium) on chest radiography was reported in 4 cases; these findings led to no change in catheter positioning or other catheter-related intervention. There were no catheter-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous central line insertion under US-control is safe and effective even in small children. Post- operative chest radiography did not dictate any modification of catheter tip positioning after central line placement with ultrasound and fluoroscopic control or identified any other complication, thus should not be used routinely.

15-Year varicocelectomy outcomes in pediatric age: Beware of genitofemoral nerve injury.

BACKGROUND: Varicocele affects 15% of adolescents. The main postoperative complications are recurrence and hydrocele; nerve injury is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are: to assess the complications after laparoscopic varicocelectomy, namely nerve injury; and to assess if nerve injury is more frequent using "hot" or "cold" ligation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of varicocele cases submitted to laparoscopic correction in our department from April 2006 to March 2020. Parameters analyzed were: age, clinical findings, surgical indication, operative technique, and outcomes. Comparison was done between the "cold" versus "hot" vessel section technique. RESULTS: 110 patients, with median age 14-years-old, were included. Most cases were on the left side and grade 3. Fifty patients (45%) presented complications: 21% recurrence; 18% hydrocele; and 3% genitofemoral nerve injury. Nerve injury was independent of the technique used. DISCUSSION: Genitofemoral nerve injury is a complication with unknown cause and all cases are related to laparoscopic technique. It was suggested that "hot" methods of ligation of the vessels can lead to higher incidence of the lesion, but that was not corroborated in our analysis. Possible explanations for its occurrence are: a wide peritoneal window opening created with electrocautery near the internal inguinal ring; and additional dissection required to isolate the testicular veins from the artery. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the real incidence of genitofemoral nerve injury and its causes. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy seems to be safe and effective, although complications remain frequent regardless of the technique used. Genitofemoral nerve injury is a complication rarely described that may require rehabilitation, and so awareness for this problem is of paramount importance.

COMPLEX CHEST WALL DEFORMITY CAUSING CARDIAC ARREST: A PECULIAR PEDIATRIC CASE.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital chest wall deformities are common in children, causing self and parental concern mainly due to cosmesis. These defects rarely cause severe symptoms in patients. CASE REPORT: 11-year-old girl with a complex chest wall deformity and severe scoliosis causing progressive neurological loss of function. When mobilized to prone position for orthopedic surgery, she suffered sudden hypotension immediately followed by a cardiac arrest, that reverted after moving the child back to supine position. The cardiac arrest was interpreted as a result of a decrease in venous blood return secondary to heart and great vessels compression. She was then proposed and submitted to a modified Ravitch procedure with retrosternal metal bar placement in order to allow ventral positioning. This was successfully achieved, and the patient underwent scoliosis correction 3 months later. After more than a year of follow up, she reduced the need for non-invasive ventilation and tolerates prone positioning. CONCLUSION: This case report alerts medical community that beyond cosmesis concerns, severe chest wall deformities can cause life-threatening events if not correctly managed.

Simultaneous Testicular and Appendix Testis Torsion: A Novel Clinically Relevant Association.

ABSTRACT: Torsion of the appendix testis (TAT) and testicular torsion (TT) are the most common causes of acute scrotum in the pediatric population. They usually present as separate conditions and have distinct managements. We report a unique case of a 16-year-old boy with concomitant TAT and TT. The role of TAT as a trigger factor to TT is addressed, and its clinical repercussion on the management of acute scrotum is discussed.

Single-Instrument Thoracic and Abdominal Surgery in Children: Minimizing Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Introduction: The use of single-port surgery is widely accepted in pediatric surgery, but the majority of reports are on its use for appendectomy or inguinal hernia repair using multiple instruments. The aim of this report is to demonstrate that both thoracic and abdominal single-instrument procedures are feasible and safe in children. Materials and Methods: The following cases were managed in our department for the past 12 months. Two types of telescopes (10- and 5-mm) with inbuilt working channels were used in all cases. Results: The 10-mm endoscope with a 6-mm inbuilt channel was used to partially reduce and then exteriorize an intussusception secondary to Meckel's diverticulum in a 9-year-old boy, to reduce a left ovarian torsion in a 8 year-old girl, and to perform a thoracoscopic exploration and lung decortication in a 16 year-old girl with empyema. A 5-mm endoscope with a 3-mm working channel was used to perform bilateral 2-level thoracic sympathotomy in a 13-year-old girl with palmar primary hyperhidrosis. There were no perioperative complications and follow-up was uneventful in all patients. Conclusion: Minimally invasive surgery is well established at present. Thoracic and abdominal single-port single-instrument procedures are safe and effective in children. This is a unique report on single-port single-instrument use in four completely different procedures and the first to describe its usage for thoracoscopic sympathotomy in children. Increasing technology development, allied to surgeons' skills, is crucial to worldwide adoption of this surgical modality.

Manual detorsion in testicular torsion: 5 years of experience at a single center.

PURPOSE: Testicular torsion is one of the most common causes of acute scrotum in pediatric age. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of preoperative manual detorsion in the management of testicular torsion. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis of pediatric patients treated for acute testicular torsion at a tertiary center over the last 5 years. Manual detorsion was attempted by surgeon's preference. Successful manual detorsion was defined as complete pain resolution with a normal color Doppler ultrasound. All patients underwent surgical exploration. Patient data analyzed included: age, pain duration, site of onset, attempt of manual detorsion, pain relief after manual detorsion, color Doppler ultrasound results, surgical findings and outcome. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two patients were included. Manual detorsion was attempted in 48% (58/122) cases. Manual detorsion was successful in 26% (15/58) patients. In the unsuccessful, residual cord torsion was found at surgery in 27.5% (16/58); in the remaining 27, there was no cord torsion at surgery. Five patients (5/15) with successful manual detorsion underwent elective orchiopexy. Gonadal loss after manual detorsion (9%, 5/58) occurred after unsuccessful manual detorsion, all submitted to emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular torsion warrants prompt detorsion. Manual detorsion is simple, immediately available, and maximizes testis salvage. A successful maneuver permits nonemergency orchiopexy. An algorithm for the management of testicular torsion that includes an attempt of manual detorsion prior to surgery is proposed. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Thoracoscopic sympathotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: How young is too young?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Primary hyperhidrosis affects 1%-3% of the general population, with increased incidence in teenagers, having an important impact in the quality of life. This study evaluates the efficacy and patients' satisfaction after bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with palmar primary hyperhidrosis that underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy over the last eight years. The procedure was performed with 2 ports and simple transection of the sympathetic chain. Pre and postoperative sweating severity was evaluated by telephone interview, using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). RESULTS: 23 patients (19 girls; 15.5 [11-19] years-old) underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy. All complained of palmar hyperhidrosis, which resolved in all cases. Compensatory sweating occurred in 47.8% of patients. 21 patients answered the telephone interview: all of them would recommend the surgery to others. Sweating severity improved in all patients, with a mean decrease of 1.95 values of the HDSS from preoperative to postoperative evaluation (p < 0.05). There was neither morbidity nor mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathotomy is a safe and effective treatment for primary palmar hyperhidrosis. Being the first report on pediatric application of HDSS, we conclude that children are very satisfied with the final outcome. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Abdominal pain in teenagers: Beware of testicular torsion.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Testicular torsion (TT) remains an important cause of testicular loss. Subtle presentations, such as abdominal pain, may be responsible for late diagnosis and increased testicular loss. This study assesses the influence of pain onset location over testicular outcome. METHODS: Data of children 17 years and younger submitted to surgical treatment for TT by our department from January 2017 to December 2018 were collected. Demographics, clinical presentation and outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: 73 patients (median age of 15.3 years old) were included in the study. 22% (16/73) patients presented with abdominal pain. When compared to patients with initial testicular pain, patients with abdominal pain showed a significant delay in TT diagnosis/treatment (median pain duration of 36 h vs 5 h) and a significantly higher rate of testicular loss [81% (13/16) vs 4% (2/57), p < 0.001]. The majority of testicular losses (68%, 13/19) occurred in patients with abdominal pain. In patients with abdominal pain, TT was initially overlooked in 69% (11/16) of cases, resulting in 81% (9/11) gonadal loss; none of these 11 patients were initially evaluated by a surgeon. All patients with testicular pain were evaluated in order to exclude TT. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal pain is a frequent presentation of TT, being an important cause of delayed diagnosis/treatment and associated higher testicular loss rate. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Yersinia Enterocolitis May Mimic Appendicitis: 12 Years of Experience in a Single Tertiary Center.

INTRODUCTION: Yersinia enterocolitica infection is a zoonotic disease that varies from self-limited gastroenteritis to more severe forms. Its propensity to affect the terminal ileum and to spread to regional lymph nodes explains the potential misdiagnosis with appendicitis. METHODS: We reviewed the Y. enterocoliticainfection cases in a pediatric population for the last 12 years. RESULTS: There were 11 cases of Y. enterocolitica infection in the selected period. Four patients had a suspected surgical diagnosis: 1 intussusception, 3 acute appendicitis. Patients who presented with appendicitis-like features were older, whereas younger children most commonly presented with diarrhea and fever. Ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography (CT) were performed in appendicitis-like patients and ruled out appendicitis in 2 of the 3 cases. The only patient submitted to surgery had abnormal CT findings and an important risk factor for this infection that was not recognized at presentation. CONCLUSION: This condition should be considered in patients with known risk factors (such as iron overload) and with the right epidemiological setting when presenting with abdominal symptoms. The suspicion of this diagnosis in these particular cases might obviate unnecessary surgical interventions.

INTRODUÇÃO: A infecção por Yersinia enterocolitica é uma zoonose que se pode apresentar como uma gastroenterite auto-limitada ou assumir formas mais graves. A sua propensão em afectar o íleo terminal e, consequentemente, os gânglios linfáticos regionais explica o potencial confundimento diagnóstico com a apendicite aguda. MÉTODOS: Foram revistos todos os casos reportados de infecção por Y. enterocolitica em população pediátrica, nos últimos 12 anos. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 11 casos de infecção por Y. enterocolitica no período selecionado. Em 4 destes pacientes foi suspeitado inicialmente um diagnóstico cirúrgico: 1 invaginação intestinal e 3 apendicites agudas. Os doentes que apresentaram caraterísticas típicas de apendicite aguda eram mais velhos, enquanto os pacientes de menor idade mais comumente se apresentaram com diarreia e febre. Nos doentes com suspeita de apendicite, a ecografia e a tomografia computorizada abdominal foram realizadas em todos os doentes e excluíram o diagnóstico em 2/3 casos. O único paciente submetido a cirurgia tinha relato de alterações radiológicas típicas de apendicite aguda e apresentava um factor de risco importante para a infecção por Y. enterocolitica que não foi inicialmente reconhecido. CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico de Yersinose deve ser suspeitado em doentes com sintomas gastrointestinais que apresentem fatores de risco (sobrecarga de ferro) e o contexto epidemiológico adequado. A suspeição precoce deste diagnóstico neste contexto pode evitar intervenções cirúrgicas desnecessárias.

Beware the Innocent Presentation of a Spontaneous Perforated Meckel Diverticulum: A Rare Case and Review of the Literature.

Perforation of a Meckel diverticulum in a preterm neonate is very rare. To our knowledge, only 7 cases of spontaneous Meckel perforation in a preterm neonate have previously been described in the literature. The etiology is uncertain. We present the case of a 30-week preterm female twin with a spontaneous Meckel diverticulum perforation discovered on day 3 of life and review the published cases. A possible etiological explanation for this rare entity at this age group is also suggested.

Pneumoperitoneum in a neonate weighing less than 500 g. What do we really know about it?

Pneumoperitoneum in preterm infants is a surgical emergency as it is usually indicative of intestinal perforation. Rare cases of idiopathic pneumoperitoneum have been described in the literature, the underlying causes and pathophysiology of which remain uncertain. We present a case of pneumoperitoneum in an extremely preterm infant with severe growth restriction. This occurred while she was receiving high frequency oscillatory ventilation. She had respiratory distress syndrome with pulmonary interstitial emphysema. The pneumoperitoneum occurred in isolation. Despite the insertion of two surgical drains and two exploratory laparotomies in which no obvious intestinal perforation was noted, the free air in the abdomen reaccumulated. A decision was made to manage it conservatively. She was successfully extubated on the fourth week of life and the pneumoperitoneum resolved spontaneously. She was discharged home on day 136 of life. This case highlights our limited understanding of the intricate physiology of extremely low birthweight preterm neonates.

[Implementation of a regional system for the emergency care of acute ischemic stroke: Initial results]. / Implementação de um sistema regional de resposta emergente ao acidente vascular cerebral: primeiros resultados.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Implementing integrated systems for emergency care of patients with acute ischemic stroke helps reduce morbidity and mortality. We describe the process of organizing and implementing a regional system to cover around 3.7 million people and its main initial results. METHODS: We performed a descriptive analysis of the implementation process and a retrospective analysis of the following parameters: number of patients prenotified by the pre-hospital system; number of times thrombolysis was performed; door-to-needle time; and functional assessment three months after stroke. RESULTS: The implementation process started in November 2005 and ended in December 2009, and included 11 health centers. There were 3574 prenotifications from the prehospital system. Thrombolysis was performed in 1142 patients. The percentage of patients receiving thrombolysis rose during the study period, with a maximum of 16%. Median door-to-needle time was 62 min in 2009. Functional recovery three months after stroke was total or near total in 50% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The regional system implemented for emergency care of patients with acute ischemic stroke has led to health gains, with progressive improvements in patients' access to thrombolysis, and to greater equity in the health care system, thus helping to reduce mortality from cerebrovascular disease in Portugal. Our results, which are comparable with those of international studies, support the strategy adopted for implementation of this system.

[Implementation of a national automated external defibrillator program in Portugal]. / Implementação do Programa Nacional de Desfibrilhação Automática Externa em Portugal.

AIM: To describe the stages of development and implementation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) program within the Emergency Medical Service System and in public places in Portugal. METHODS: Description of the implementation process in terms of logistics, training and supervision of activity. RESULTS: By the end of 2012 there were 442 emergency ambulances equipped with AEDs included in the AED program of the National Institute for Medical Emergencies (INEM). Between 2010 and 2012, 2130 emergency medical technicians were trained and considered qualified to use AEDs. With regard to AED programs in public places, by the end of 2012 there were 207 licensed programs, covering 302 public places, 66 patient transport ambulances, 463 AEDs and 6133 AED operators. Between 2010 and 2012, 19 organizations were licensed to provide training in basic life support and AEDs. In INEM's AED program in 2012, AEDs were used 3250 times, with shockable rhythms in 12.5% of cases (407). Of these, a pulse was restored in 38.6% (157) after a shock, with recovery of spontaneous circulation in 45.9% of these (72). Survival to hospital discharge was 26% (19 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the program followed recommended scientific criteria, and the results obtained, following significant growth in early access to AEDs, are satisfactory and in line with those in other countries. Strengthening the chain of survival requires the involvement of the community in general and in particular the widespread learning of basic life support measures, which must be the next step for all partners in the Emergency Medical Service System.