Comparison of laparoscopic and open ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease in children.

PURPOSE: Ileocecal resection (ICR) is the most frequently performed surgery in paediatric Crohn's disease (CD) patients. The aim of the study was to compare laparoscopic-assisted and open ICR. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive CD patients undergoing ICR between March 2014 and December 2021 was performed. The patients were divided into open (OG) and laparoscopic (LG) groups. Compared parameters included patients' demographics, clinical characteristics, surgery, duration of hospitalisation and follow-up. Complications were classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDc). Risk factors were identified using multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (29 females, 46.7%) were included in the analysis, forty-two patients in OG. The median duration of surgery was 130 in OG versus 148 in LG (p = 0.065) minutes. Postoperative complications were reported in 4 patients (12.1%). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications according to CDc (OG 7.14 vs LG 5%, p = 1). The median length of hospitalisation was 8 in OG and 7 days in LG (p = 0.0005). The median length of follow-up was 21.5 months. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic-assisted approach had shorter hospital stay and was not associated with increased risk of 30-day postoperative complications. Laparoscopic surgery should be considered the preferred surgical approach for primary ICR.

Treatment of the congenital thoracic deformity pectus excavatum.

Pectus excavatum is the most common chest wall deformity in the Czech Republic. This chest deformity is typically characterized by a wall depression with sternal rotation. If the excavation of the chest wall does not cause any physical or psychological problems, the patient does not need any specific treatment. However, if the deformity is painful, affects the function of the lungs, heart or results in psychological problems, we can propose an appropriate treatment for the specific age category of the patient. Up to 10 years, we choose a procedure that includes targeted exercises and rehabilitation; in the age group of 10-15 years, we can add to the exercises the vacuum bell therapy according to the patient's wishes and compliance; and in the age category of 16 years and above, the patient can be offered a surgical solution. The Nuss operation (so-called MIRPE - minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum) is the gold standard in surgical treatment; during this surgery, a patient-shaped bar is inserted retrosternally into the patient's chest under thoracoscopic control and is left for 3 years. The aim of this article is to describe the most common modern methods used in the treatment of patients with pectus excavatum, supplemented by a historical overview.

Surgical treatment of Crohns disease in children in the era of biological treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of Crohns disease in the paediatric population has been increasing and requires surgical treatment in addition to conservative therapy. While surgical treatment used to be the last step after the failure of all conservative therapies, nowadays it is a standard part of complex treatment. Surgery can enter the treatment process at any stage of the disease and, with a proper indication, timing and preoperative optimization, it can induce immediate remission in patients. On the other hand, with inadequate or improper preoperative preparation and indication, surgical treatment can cause serious or even life-threatening complications. The spectrum of patients undergoing surgery is changing in the era of biological therapy. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge of the impact of biological (anti-TNF alpha) therapy on the development of postoperative complications in children and adolescents operated for Crohns disease. METHODS: We present a review based on literature available in MEDLINE-PubMed and Embase databases. CONCLUSION: According to current knowledge, no association was found between biological treatment in the preoperative period and the development of postoperative complications in paediatric patients. Surgical treatment of paediatric patients with Crohns disease is one of standard treatment modalities.

Initial experience with single incision laparoscopic appendectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Within the development of laparoscopy, the single incision laparoscopy method has been recently introduced in paediatric surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial experience with single incision laparoscopic appendectomy at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague. METHODS: A consecutive cohort of paediatric patients (18 years) undergoing laparoscopic single incision surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis between 4/30/2019 and 4/30/2021 was retrospectively evaluated. The following parameters were monitored: patients demographic characteristics, perioperative course, surgery duration, number and method of surgery conversions, length of postoperative hospitalization, postoperative complications classified according to Clavien-Dindo classification, occurrence of incisional hernias, and length of follow-up. RESULTS: In all, 160 patients (72 (45%) females) with uncomplicated appendicitis were included in the study. The median age at the time of surgery was 12 (IQR: 9.914.9) years. The median duration of surgery was 50 (IQR: 3860) minutes. Only one conversion to multiport laparoscopy and no conversion to open surgery were reported. The median postoperative hospital stay was 2 (IQR: 23) days. We observed 5 intra-abdominal and 9 wound complications. CONCLUSION: Single incision laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe, effective and rapidly adoptable method for the treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis in children.

Robotic pyeloplasty in children - a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Pyeloplasty for congenital hydronephrosis (pyeloureteral junction obstruction, PUJO) can be performed as an open, laparoscopic or robotic procedure in children. The aim of this study was to analyze a pilot cohort of pediatric patients operated robotically. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the cohort of patients 3 to 18 years of age who underwent primary robotic pyeloplasty between December 2018 (which is when the robotic program was launched at the University Hospital Motol) and June 2021. Patients already operated on for PUJO in the past were excluded. The indication criteria, clinical symptoms, operation time, hospitalization length and complications were evaluated from the medical records. RESULTS: During this period, we operated on 28 children aged 3 to 17 years (median 8); 2 patients were excluded. Of the 26 children analyzed, 6 (23%) were asymptomatic before surgery, 17 (65%) reported pain, 2 (8%) had acute pyelonephritis before the surgery, and 1 (4%) suffered from nephrogenic hypertension. The most common etiology of PUJO was an aberrant vessel in 22 (85%) patients. The time from incision to skin closure was 106 to 201 minutes (median 142 minutes). Patients were hospitalized for 3 to 5 days (median 4) after the surgery and followed up for 1 to 30 months (median 6). Twenty-four of the 26 patients showed regression of the pelvic dilatation according to the postoperative ultrasound scan and no symptoms of PUJO. Seven (27%) had postoperative complications requiring a procedure under general anesthesia (all Clavien-Dindo 3b); of these, 2 were re-operated. CONCLUSION: Robotic pyeloplasty is an alternative to laparoscopic and open surgery. It is a safe and successful (92%) method. We believe that the higher rate of complications (27%) in our cohort is due to the fact that this is a new technique and more experience is needed.

Management of ileocolic intussusception in the Czech Republic.

INTRODUCTION: Ileocolic intussusception is one of the most frequent causes of acute abdomen in infants and toddlers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment of ileocolic intussusception in the Czech Republic in 2019. METHODS: Fourteen departments of paediatric surgery participated in this multicentre retrospective study. A SurveyMonkey Inc. questionnaire was used for anonymous data collection of patients with ileocolic intussusception. RESULTS: In 2019, ileocolic intussusception was diagnosed in 162 patients; median age was 30 months (3 months to 9.5 years). Contrast enema was indicated in 133 patients, primary surgery in 14 patients and spontaneous reduction was found in 15 patients. All departments using contrast enema had a success rate of 89.5%; 12 departments approached the contrast enema procedure under general anaesthesia (including myorelaxation at 7 departments) and 2 departments under sedation. Contrast enema under general anaesthesia with/without myorelaxation was significantly more successful than contrast enema under sedation (108/113, 95.6% vs 11/20, 55%; p.