[Transumbilical single-site single-port versus single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy for varicocele in adolescents].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of transumbilical single-site single-port with that of transumbilical single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele in adolescents. METHODS: We randomly assigned 80 varicocele patients aged 10 - 16 years to two groups of equal number to receive transumbilical single-site single-port and single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy, respectively. We compared the operation time, postoperative hospital stay, incisional pain, complications and satisfaction with the abdominal cosmetic outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: All the operations were successfully performed. The double-port group showed a significantly higher score on the Visual Analogue Scale than the single-port group (4.8 +/- 1.4 vs 3.6 +/- 1.1, t = -4.986, P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the operation time ([29.8 +/- 4.2] vs [31.2 +/- 4.6] min, t = 1.383, P = 0.171), postoperative hospital stay ([1.95 +/- 0.7] vs [1.82 +/- 0.8] d, t = -0.784, P = 0.436), complications (0 vs 0) and scores on the satisfaction with abdominal cosmetic outcomes (4.6 +/- 0.6 vs 4.8 +/- 0.5, t = 1.253, P = 0.214). No recurrence, umbilical hernia, hydrocele and orchiatrophy were found in the two groups of patients at 6 months after operation, and no visible scar was observed on the abdominal surface. CONCLUSION: With strict surgical indications, single-site single-port and single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomies have similar clinical effects in the treatment of varicocele, which leave no scar on the abdominal surface. Single-site double-port laparoscopy needs no special instruments and therefore is worthier of wide clinical application.

[A comparative study of trans-umbilicus laparoendoscopic one-trocar surgery and trans-umbilicus and abdominal wall two-trocar surgery in the treatment of pediatric hydrocele].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and clinical efficacies of umbilical one-trocar laparoendoscopic surgery versus trans-umbilicus and abdominal wall two-trocar laparoendoscopic surgery in the treatment of pediatric hydrocele. METHODS: Retrospective comparative analysis was conducted for 78 cases of hydrocele undergoing laparoscopic surgery at our hospital from January 2012 to May 2012. They were divided into two groups of umbilical one-trocar laparoscopic surgery (one-trocar, n = 32) and trans-umbilicus and abdominal wall two-trocar laparoscopic surgery (two-trocar, n = 46). And their profiles of operative duration, post-operative hospital stay and treatment cost were compared. RESULTS: All procedures were successful. No case converted into open surgery. Visual field of both methods was similar, but two-trocar group had a flexible visual angle. During a follow-up period of 3 - 6 months, there was no occurrence of postoperative complications. The average operative duration was (20 ± 10) min at one side and (31 ± 11) min at both sides in one-trocar group versus (20 ± 8) min and (29 ± 9) min in two-trocar group. There were no statistical significance (all P > 0.05). Cost in one-trocar group was (5199 ± 599) yuan RMB and (5117 ± 684)yuan RMB in two-trocar group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Trans-umbilicus laparoendoscopic one-trocar surgery is both feasible and safe in the treatment of pediatric hydrocele. Compared with two-trocar laparoscopic surgery, both approaches are similar in terms of operative duration, post-operative hospital stay and treatment cost. Since there is a single hidden navel scar, the former is labor-saving, may be handled by one operator and offers better cosmetic outcomes.

[Evaluation of the clinical and imaging examination in high-risk children with vesicoureteral reflux].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical data and result of voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in high-risk children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) for better awareness of VUR, and to assess the usefulness of non-radioactive voiding ultrasonography (VUS) in the diagnosis of VUR. METHOD: Ninety-three high-risk children with VUR who were hospitalized from July 2007 to April 2010 were studied. The study included 58 cases of urinary tract infection (UTI) and 35 cases of fetal or postnatal hydronephrosis detected on a B ultrasound scan. The results of urinalysis, urine culture, renal function, B ultrasound and VCUG were evaluated. Part of patients underwent VUS followed by VCUG immediately. RESULT: (1) Sixty-two boys and 31 girls (aged 1 month to 11.5 years, mean age 2 years) were included. VUR was detected in 26 patients (28%) by VCUG. In terms of kidney-ureter units, VUR was detected in 36 of 186 kidney-ureter units, including 6 grade I, 3 grade II, 6 grade III, 15 grade IV and 6 grade V. (2) VUR was detected in 20 of 58 UTI patients (34.5%) by VCUG. The proportion of VUR in recurrent UTI group was 61.1%, much higher than that in first UTI group (22.5%). Thirteen of 20 VUR (65%) occurred in UTI patients under 1 year of age (M/F 10/3), with more bilateral VUR and severe grades of VUR than the older group. VUR was detected in 6 of 35 fetal or postnatal hydronephrosis patients (17.1%) by VCUG. (3) Twenty-two patients underwent both VUS and VCUG. VUR was detected in 4 patients and 6 kidney-ureter units by VCUG, while in 6 patients and 9 kidney-ureter units by VUS. Taking VCUG as the reference standard, VUS had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 92.1%, positive predictive value of 66.7%, and negative predictive value of 100%. There was a concordance rate of 93.2% between VUS and VCUG. CONCLUSION: It is important to early screen VUR in UTI, fetal or postnatal hydronephrosis patients. There are more VUR, especially more bilateral VUR and severe grades of VUR, occurred in UTI patients under 1 year of age compared to older children. The incidence of VUR in recurrent UTI group was much higher than that in first UTI group. VUS is an accurate, reliable and radiation-free technique for the detection of VUR. It could be used to screen high-risk children for VUR and do the evaluation in the follow-up of VUR.