Endoscopic cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation under carbon dioxide bladder insufflation: a novel technique.

PURPOSE: To report on a novel technique of endoscopic intravesical ureteral mobilization and cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation under carbon dioxide insufflation of the bladder (pneumovesicum) for correcting primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in infants and children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten boys and six girls with dilating primary VUR (7 bilateral; 23 refluxing ureters) associated with recurrent urinary-tract infections and multiple pyelonephritic renal scars underwent endoscopic Cohen's cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation with CO(2) pneumovesicum. Their ages ranged from 10 months to 13 years (mean 4.1 years). The endoscopic procedure was preceded by distention of the bladder with saline and insertion of a 5-mm Step port over the bladder dome under cystoscopic guidance. The bladder was then drained and insufflated with CO(2) to 10 to 12 mm Hg pressure with a suction catheter inserted per urethra to occlude the internal urethral meatus. A 5-mm 30 degrees endoscope was used to provide intravesical vision. Two more 3- to 5-mm working ports were inserted on the lateral bladder wall on either side. Endoscopic intravesical mobilization of the ureter, dissection of a submucosal tunnel, and a Cohen's type of crosstrigonal ureteral reimplantation using interrupted 5-0 monofilament sutures was then performed under videoscopic guidance. Bladder drainage by a urethral catheter was maintained for 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Endoscopic cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation under CO(2) pneumovesicum was successfully performed in all except one patient, who had displacement of a port into the extravesical space after completion of the ureteral reimplantation necessitating a small vesicotomy for closure of the mucosal defect. The mean operating time was 136 minutes (range 80-230 minutes), being 112 minutes for unilateral cases and 178 minutes for bilateral cases. Two boys developed mild suprapubic and scrotal emphysema postoperatively that subsided spontaneously. All other patients recovered uneventfully and remained well. Follow-up cystograms showed complete resolution of VUR in all except one unit that had persistent grade I reflux, thus giving a success rate of 96%. CONCLUSIONS: This early experience illustrates that endoscopic intravesical ureteral mobilization and crosstrigonal ureteral reimplantation can be performed safely and effectively with routine laparoscopic surgical techniques and instruments under CO(2) insufflation of the bladder, achieving a high success rate in reflux resolution that is equivalent to that obtained with the open technique but with minimal invasiveness and much faster recovery. The longer-term outcome and potential physiological effects of CO(2) pneumovesicum on the bladder and upper-tract function will need to be evaluated further.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung: indications and timing of surgery.

We review a single surgeon and surgical centre's experience with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAML) in relation to clinical spectrum, operative experience, and postoperative course. A retrospective hospital record review was done on surgically treated cases of CCAML over a 10-year period, focusing on number with antenatal diagnosis, spectrum of postnatal presentation, type of surgery performed, and outcome. Forty-seven patients from birth to 14 years of age underwent surgery for CCAML. Antenatal diagnosis (ante) was made in 30 cases. Of these, 10 became symptomatic before surgery. Six of the 17 postnatally-diagnosed (pnd) cases were an asymptomatic incidental finding. Overall, 16 were symptomatic in the 1st year of life, and five were symptomatic beyond 1 year of age. Symptoms varied from respiratory distress (seven ante, six pnd) to chronic cough (three, and recurrent chest infection (three ante, two pnd). All preoperative diagnoses were confirmed with chest CT. Most patients (25) were operated on before 3 months of age. Eleven were operated on in the first 2 weeks of life as emergency surgery for respiratory distress. The most common lobe involved was the right upper lobe (16), and lobectomy was performed in 42 cases, segmentectomy in four, and pneumonectomy in one. Seventeen cases were extubated immediately postoperatively; 29 required postoperative ventilation overnight, and nine needed more prolonged ventilation. Early postoperative complications included pneumothorax (two), pleural effusion (one), and chylous effusion (one). Late complications included recurrence in three cases (all segmentectomy), who then subsequently underwent lobectomy. There was one death from respiratory failure. Because there is an increasing trend in the detection of asymptomatic antenatally-diagnosed CCAML, consideration of early surgical excision to prevent complications is suggested by our series. CT scanning is mandatory for postnatal evaluation because chest x-ray could be normal. Safe elective excision after 3 months is supported by our low morbidity and less need for postoperative ventilation. Lobectomy is the procedure of choice to prevent recurrence.

Selective approach for transperitoneal and extraperitoneal endoscopic nephrectomy in children.

PURPOSE: From the experience of a large combined series of transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (RP) endoscopic complete and partial nephroureterectomies in children, we present a logical selective endoscopic approach to benign renal pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 5-year period 122 complete nephrectomies and nephroureterectomies (bilateral 2, invisible ectopic 8) and 63 partial nephroureterectomies for duplex (52 upper, 8 lower) or singleton polar disease (xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis 1, cyst 2) were performed. Of the partial nephrectomies, ureterectomy, bladder repair and lower moiety reimplantation were performed in 8. Patient age ranged from 2.7 months to 14 years (mean 2.9 years). Preoperative weight ranged from 2.7 to 98 kg (mean 12.3). The position of the renal remnant, the presence or absence of a refluxing ureter and the need for ureterectomy were the major determining factors affecting choice of endoscopic approach. RESULTS: A total of 179 (96.7%) procedures were successfully completed endoscopically. The 6 open conversions (3.2%) occurred early in our experience. The operating time reflected the complexity of the excision and lower urinary reconstruction (lateral and posterior RP 25 to 145 minutes [mean 92]) TP with ureterocelectomy and bladder neck repair 105 to 355 minutes [mean 153]. Hospital stay for RP and simple TP was 1.5 days (mean 1 to 4) and for complicated TP 2 to 8 days (mean 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest a posterior retroperitoneal approach with isolated renal excision without extended ureterectomy. The lateral retroperitoneal approach allows complete ureterectomy as well as better exposure to horseshoe and pelvic kidneys and, therefore, avoids exposure to intraperitoneal structures. Finally, the transperitoneal approach is recommended when complete moiety excision with lower urinary reconstruction is anticipated.

Retroperitoneal paraganglioma in a child: resection and vena caval reconstruction.

Retroperitoneal paragangliomas (PG) are tumors of neuroectodermal origin rarely seen in children. A 10-year-old boy presented with back pain and a palpable mass secondary to a large right-sided retrocaval PG inferomedial to the kidney. Preoperative chemotherapy and perioperative embolisation were instigated to reduce tumor vascularity. En-bloc resection of the inferior vena cava below the left renal vein and above the caval bifurcation was achieved. Caval reconstruction was completed using a complex autograft of anterior uninvolved vena cava and right renal vein. At 4-year follow-up, the child remains tumor-free with normal caval flow and patency.

Laparoscopic management of complicated urachal disease in children.

PURPOSE: The laparoscopic approach to the complete excision of urachal abnormalities in adults has recently been advocated by some groups but little has been reported in the pediatric literature. We highlight the need for the complete removal of symptomatic urachal remnants as well as the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four children 5 months, 4, 8 and 10 years old, respectively, who presented with complicated urachal disease underwent laparoscopic resection of urachal remnants. We describe the manner of presentation and surgical technique in these 4 cases. RESULTS: Laparoscopic radical excision was successfully performed in all 4 cases with an uneventful convalescence. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that laparoscopic excision of urachal remnants can be safely and satisfactorily performed in children of all ages.

Neonatal intestinal obstruction from solitary intestinal fibromatosis.

Solitary intestinal fibromatosis (SIF) is a very rare condition, with only 13 cases reported. We present a new case of SIF causing neonatal intestinal obstruction and review the literature on this condition. SIF appears to be a condition of infancy and carries a very good prognosis after segmental resection.

Splenosis in a port site after laparoscopic splenectomy.

Splenosis, the autotransplantation of splenic tissue, is most commonly seen after traumatic splenic rupture and splenectomy. It also can occur during embryonic development. Intraperitoneal, intrathoracic, and retroperitoneal sites have been reported. Although the presence of the splenic tissue often is asymptomatic and an incidental finding, it may present with pain or be confused with various pathologies including neoplasia. Because most pediatric splenectomies are performed for hemolytic disorders, parenchymal disruption must be contained to avoid recurrent disease. We present a case in which the devascularized spleen was contained in a bag and fragmented in situ. Splenosis developed in the retrieval port site after laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy. Port-site splenosis needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of port-site pain and a palpable nodule postsplenectomy.

Surgical correction of pelviureteric junction obstruction in childhood--dorsal lumbotomy approach and selective internal ureteric stenting.

Ninety-four children (average age 3.6 years) underwent surgery for pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction between 1994 and 1999. There were 96 operations: 94 dismemberment pyeloplasties (2 bilateral) and 2 ureterocalycostomies. The surgical approach in all cases was by a dorsal lumbotomy incision. Internal ureteric stenting was employed selectively for solitary kidneys, inflamed renal pelves, long strictures, and ureterocalycostomies. The average operative time was 57 min and the average postoperative stay in hospital was 2.5 days. Of the 94 patients, 93 had a good outcome. Of the 78 pyeloplasties that were unstented, 7 (9%) required stenting in the early postoperative period for urinary leak or obstruction. There were no wound-related complications. PUJ surgery via a dorsal lumbotomy approach with selective internal ureteric stenting is recommended as a safe and effective approach to PUJ obstruction in childhood.

A comparison of the lateral and posterior retroperitoneoscopic approach for complete and partial nephroureterectomy in children.

OBJECTIVE: To report the comparative results of a selective posterior or lateral retroperitoneoscopic approach (RPA) for nephroureterectomy in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following an established experience with RPA, 36 complete and 19 partial nephrouretectomies were prospectively randomized to a posterior and lateral retroperitoneoscopic approach The patients were aged 4 months to 14 years, with a body weight at operation of 5.7-82 kg. For posterior RPA the child is positioned prone, with three access ports. The operating space was created with balloon dissection and maintained with CO2 insufflation. The child was then rotated 30 degrees with the kidney in the dependent position, and the operator and assistant standing on the affected side. In the lateral approach the child is in the lateral decubitus position with the operator and assistant facing the dorsal aspect of the patient. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in operative duration between the lateral and posterior approaches for nephrectomy (65 and 47 min) or partial nephrectomy (85 and 75 min). Two lateral nephrectomies required open conversion (one upper pole and one lower pole). CONCLUSION: The posterior approach gives easy and quick access to the renal pedicle. It is preferable for complete nephrectomy alone and partial or polar excision. In children under 5 years old a near complete ureterectomy can be achieved. The lateral approach creates more inferomedial space, gives better access to ectopic kidneys and allows complete ureterectomy in all cases. Access to the pedicle in the normal position requires more frequent positioning of the kidney. Care must be taken as peritoneal tears are more common.

Laparoscopic orchidopexy for the intra-abdominal testis.

The role of laparoscopy in the management of the impalpable testis has been largely as a diagnostic tool only. Its therapeutic application as a single or two-stage Fowler-Stephens procedure for the intra-abdominal testis is assessed and a management algorithm derived. A retrospective review was performed of 26 children with 33 intra-abdominal testes (IAT) who were operated upon between 1992 and 1997; 5 had a single-stage (6 testes) and 21 had a staged approach. All children had the operated testis located in an acceptable scrotal position on review. Six operations were performed as a single-stage procedure. Four testes were palpably smaller at follow-up: 2 in the single-stage (33.3%) and 2 in the two-stage group (7%). Of the 26 children, 24 were day-case admissions. Minor self-limiting complications were observed in 5 cases. Laparoscopic localisation and Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy can be safely employed in the definitive management of the IAT.

Long-term followup of bladder mucosa graft for male urethral reconstruction.

Autologous bladder mucosa was used as a free graft for complex urethral reconstruction in 95 male patients, ranging in age from 1 to 21 years. Primary indications for surgery include previous failed hypospadias repair in 68 cases, primary hypospadias in 11, bladder exstrophy/epispadias complex in 10 and others in 6. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the configuration of the bladder mucosa replacement. Group 1 (37 patients) underwent complete urethral replacement to the tip of the glans. Group 2 (16 patients) underwent placement of a bladder mucosa onlay patch graft. Group 3 (42 patients) underwent a combined repair using tubularized bladder mucosa proximally and either a pedicled preputial tube (6), free preputial or penile skin tube (13), local glandular skin flaps (15), or intact glandular urethra or tubularized urethral plate (8) distally to avoid a terminal segment of bladder mucosa. All patients were followed for a mean of 3.4 years (range 6 months to 8 years). An overall good functional and cosmetic result was eventually achieved in 81 patients (85%). However, 63 patients (66%) required between 1 and 9 (mean 2.7) additional procedures to treat complications before achieving a good result. The most common complications were meatal stenosis and/or prolapse. Meatal problems were significantly more common in group 1 (68%) than in those who underwent a patch or combined procedure (12 and 36%, respectively). Although bladder mucosa provides an excellent and readily available material for urethral substitution in these challenging cases, the urologist should be aware of the significant incidence of postoperative problems and their management. The high incidence of meatal problems suggests that bladder mucosa should not be incorporated as a circumferential terminal urethral segment.

Cantwell-Ransley epispadias repair in male epispadias and bladder exstrophy.

A total of 16 boys (8 with primary epispadias and 8 with bladder exstrophy) underwent epispadias reconstruction as a 1-stage procedure. Reverse meatal advancement of MAGPI, ventral transposition of the neourethra and chordee correction by corporeal rotation or "cavernocavernostomy" were performed as primary (13 boys) or secondary/salvage (3 boys) procedures. At a mean followup of 27 months all children had a horizontal or downward angled penis while standing. Catheterization in 10 children revealed an easily negotiable neourethral channel. Minor revision surgery was necessary in the area of previous paraexstrophy flaps in 2 cases, and 1 child required neourethral tapering and proximal anastomotic revision. The Cantwell-Ransley epispadias repair produces a good functional and cosmetic result.

Continent cutaneous diversions in children: experience with the Mitrofanoff procedure.

Continent cutaneous diversions with a urinary reservoir emptied by clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) using a non-refluxing conduit--the Mitrofanoff principle--were carried out in 10 children. Their age range was 3.9 to 17.1 years (average 12.2). The underlying diagnoses were ectopia vesicae (7), myelodysplasia (2) and a cervical cord injury secondary to birth trauma (1). The indications were incontinence secondary to poor bladder neck resistance in 8 children and an inaccessible urethral orifice in 2. The catheterising conduits used were the appendix in 9 and a vascularised gastric tube in 1. Eight children are bone-dry with CISC. Another child needed a reoperation following dehiscence of her bladder neck closure. The other child has an intact bladder neck and urethra and occasionally leaks overnight. Mitrofanoff diversions are a reliable means of continence with CISC. This means of urinary diversion can be permanent or temporary in children who cannot or will not catheterise urethrally. Elective appendicectomy in children with potential urinary incontinence or complicated urogenital anomalies is not recommended.