Managing severe dermatitis caused by ileal peristomal leakage using a mushroom-type (de Pezzer) catheter in infants: a case series.

Skin damage secondary to peristomal leakage is a fairly common complication of ileostomies in infants. Traditional conservative measures, including skin barriers, ointments, and agents to reduce bowel movements, initially may be helpful but not in all patients. The purpose of this case series was to describe a new and relatively simple procedure to temporarily manage severe peristomal dermatitis caused by ileal peristomal leakage in infants. After obtaining informed consent from the parents, a mushroom-type (de Pezzer) catheter was inserted into the ileostomy of 11 1- to 4-month-old infants (seven males, four females) with severe peristomal dermatitis. Eight had total aganglionic colon (TAC), two had meconium ileus (cystic fibrosis), and one had meconium peritonitis due to bowel perforation proximal to ileal atresia. The severity of the peristomal dermatitis improved remarkably in all patients after 2 to 3 days. In eight patients, minimal (if any) dermatitis was noted within 5 to 7 days after tube insertion. Six patients who initially had poor weight gain (mean 345 g/month) developed acceptable weight gain (mean 648 g/month) (P <0.03) within 2 to 4 months. In seven patients with TAC, the tube was maintained for 2 to 4 months until definitive pull-through procedure; in four other patients, the tube remained in place for 3 to 7 days as a step for preoperative build-up. None of the patients developed any complications. The procedure requires the presence of a pediatric or trained surgeon, and care must be taken to prevent iatrogenic damage. In this case series, an appropriate-size, mushroom-type (de Pezzer) catheter placed within the ileostomy was a practical mode for temporary control of ileal peristomal leakage that causes severe peristomal dermatitis in infants, particularly in those not responding to medical therapy. Larger studies are needed to develop evidence-based protocols of care for the prevention and management of ileostoma complications in infants.

Role of rectal biopsy in predicting response to intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection for obstructive symptoms after a pullthrough operation.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to correlate the pathological results and clinical response in patients who underwent botulinum toxin (BT) injection for obstructive symptoms (OS) after a pullthrough operation for Hirschsprung's disease (HD). METHODS: Between August 2002 and February 2006, 16 of 107 HD patients (15%) were referred with persistent OS after pull-through (PT) operation in this center. They underwent rectal biopsy and BT injection in the internal sphincter. Their responses to BT injection were evaluated by the constipation score before, and at 1, 3 and 8 months after the injection, and anorectal manometry (ARM) before and at 2 weeks, and 1 and 8 months after the injection. The association between response to BT and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining of rectal biopsy was also assessed. RESULTS: Fourteen of 16 patients (87%) had improvement in bowel function after 2 weeks, and two patients did not respond at all. Six of the 14 patients with early response had recurrence of symptoms after 2-3 months. Eight patients with normal ganglia and negative AChE had good response with no recurrence on follow-up. However, 4 of 6 recurrences were neurogenic dysfunctions and 2 were intestinal neuronal dysplasia (2-4+AChE). Two patients with no response had an aganglionic segment (4+AChE). Four of 6 patients with recurrence showed improvement with BT re-injection and only 2 did not improve. CONCLUSION: A higher degree of AChE staining is associated with lack of response to BT injection. This is also a test for predicting the severity of neurogenic dysfunction in the intestinal wall.

Comparison of botulinium toxin injection and posterior anorectal myectomy in treatment of internal anal sphincter achalasia.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the efficacy of intra-sphincteric botulinum toxin (BT) injection and posterior anorectal myectomy (PARM) for the treatment of internal anal sphincter achalasia (IASA). METHODS: Twenty eight of 120 patients (23%) with chronic constipation, who were referred to our clinic from September 2005 to December 2006, were evaluated. Patients had an absence of rectoanal inhibitory reflex on anorectal manometry (ARM) and showed no transitional region on barium enema. Fourteen patients each underwent rectal biopsy, and were treated with either intrasphincteric BT injection (Group I) or PARM (Group II). Nine patients were excluded because of absent ganglion cells on histology or positive acetylcholinesterase staining (AChE). The remaining 19 patients were followed up. All patients underwent ARM and constipation severity score (CSS) assessment 2 weeks before, and 1 and 6 months after the treatment. Patients were followed up telephonically at 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Clinically good response was seen after 12 months in 3 patients each in Groups I and II. The median values of resting rectal pressure in Group I before and 6 months after BT injection were 60 mmHg and 40 mmHg (p< 0.0001), respectively, while in Group II the corresponding values were 60 mmHg and 45 mmHg (p< 0.0001), respectively. Compared to pre-treatment, median CSS improved in both Group I (14 to 13) and Group II (16 to 14) at 6 months after treatment (p< 0.0001 for both). However, there was no difference in resting rectal pressure and CSS between the groups. Three patients in Group II developed local abscess, postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: BT injection has a similar efficacy as compared with PARM for the treatment of IASA, is less invasive and, is also associated with fewer complications.

Esophageal Atresia: Migration of the gastrostomy tube into the bronchus.

A 2-day-old baby boy, 38 weeks gestation, weight 2000 g was brought due to hypersalivation and imperforate anus with gasless abdomen on plain X-ray. He underwent a gastrostomy tube insertion and colostomy. In contrast study of the stomach, on the 5th postoperative day, the dye spilled into the tracheo bronchial tree and the catheter was seen, entering the right main bronchus. The patient underwent right thoracotomy and the presence of fistula and catheter were confirmed. The fistula and distal esophagus were closed and fixed to the prevertebral fascia because of a long gap. He is under follow-up and recieving home care for a later delayed primary anastomosis.