Lessons learned from early experience of per oral endoscopic myotomy in children.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Achalasia cardia (AC) is rare in children, and the standard treatment is open or Laparoscopic Heller's myotomy with or without fundoplication if pneumatic dilatation has failed. Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel technique for management of achalasia with good results in adults. We report POEM in four children and the outcome with special emphasis on the technique and management of intra-operative complications. METHOD: Four children aged 7-15 years presenting with progressive dysphagia, cough, night-time aspirations, and weight loss of six months to one year were investigated with upper GI contrast study, flexible endoscopy and biopsy, oesophageal manometry, and a diagnosis of Type 1 & 2 AC was made. An experienced adult endoscopist in collaboration with the paediatric surgical team performed POEM. RESULTS: POEM was performed successfully using ERBE HYBRID knife setup and waterjet injection for the submucosal tunnelling. Operative time was 25-40 min (mean 31 min). The hospital stay was 3-8 days with last 3 patients discharged on day three. No major intraoperative or post-operative complications were seen. The Eckardt score changed from above 4 to 0 at one-month follow-up. All four are well at one year post-operatively and beyond. Two patients had subcutaneous emphysema post-operatively. One developed pneumoperitoneum intra-operatively. CONCLUSION: POEM was successfully performed with only minor adverse events in experienced hands. Anticipation and preparation for potential intraoperative complications and assigned responsibilities to each team helped the safe completion in the shortest time. Rectifying pneumoperitoneum concurrently without interruption of the operation exemplified teamwork. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Racial disparity in an outreach pediatric surgical service.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether racial disparities in healthcare exist within a New Zealand pediatric surgical outreach service in a high indigenous Maori population. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study assessed all pediatric surgical procedures performed within a secondary center in New Zealand between May 2014 and May 2016. The days between the date of surgery booking on the waiting list and actual date of surgery were calculated and compared to their corresponding elective surgery waiting target times set by the New Zealand Ministry of Health (MoH). Patient demographic data were collated to then identify any discrepancy between ethnic groups. RESULTS: A total of 203 pediatric surgical procedures were performed on 193 patients. Of the 194 (95%) procedures that were included in the study, 30 breached a maximum waiting time. Though this represented a small proportion of patients, Maori were significantly over represented in this group. CONCLUSION: The majority of our patients with delayed elective surgery were of Maori ethnicity, for reasons not entirely accounted for by common socioeconomic determinants of health. Our study suggests the possibility of innate systemic causes not detected by standard models of health. However, further research with larger cohorts is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Childhood cholecystectomy in New Zealand: A multicenter national 10year perspective.

AIM: International studies show increasing incidence of cholelithiasis in childhood and an increasing caseload for the pediatric surgeon. We reviewed pediatric cholecystectomy in all four centers in New Zealand, examining changes in incidence and the demographics of the patient population. METHOD: Coding data were used to retrieve case notes and extract demographic data, diagnosis, comorbidities, length of stay, and complications for patients less than 16years old undergoing cholecystectomy from January 1st, 2004-December 31st, 2013. Patients with congenital biliary malformations were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. RESULTS: 170 children required cholecystectomy. On average, 15 procedures were performed annually (IQR 8-24). There was a slight upward trend, with a gradient of 0.34 (P=0.63). Median age was 14 (range 2-15)years, male:female 2:3. While 72% of children were Caucasian, Maori were significantly overrepresented (20%). Numbers of Pacific Islander increased significantly over time (P=0.05), in line with population increases. Of 114 patients with complete dataset, 31% were overweight or obese. Complication rates were 8.8% overall, but 27% of complications occurred in Maori children. 40% of those suffering a complication were obese. Three complications were major, requiring return to theater. Mean length of stay was 5days. CONCLUSIONS: New Zealand has not seen the rapid increase in pediatric cholecystectomy experienced elsewhere in the OECD. However, the problem of adolescent biliary disease is prevalent. The average recipient of a cholecystectomy is 14years old, overweight, and Caucasian; though Maori have a high relative risk of both biliary disease and complicated postoperative course. The reasons for this remain unclear and require further study.

Laparoendoscopic removal of peroral extrusion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

INTRODUCTION: Ventriculoperitoneal shunts for hydrocephalic children are known to cause serious complications such as GI perforation. Peroral extrusion of the peritoneal part of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is very rare, and management could be a challenge. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: An 11-year-old girl presented with peroral extrusion of the distal end of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt tube. Endoscopy and imaging studies showed that the peritoneal end had perforated the stomach and then extruded from the mouth. We used a surgical technique that combined endoscopy and laparoscopy to manage this rare complication. DISCUSSION: Peroral extrusion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt tube occurs secondary to perforation of the upper GI tract. Managing this condition involves removing the shunt tube, attention to the perforated viscus and associated infection. A combination of endoscopy and laparoscopy provided superior views, enabled identification of the site and size of the perforated viscus, and facilitated the uneventful removal of the tube.

Rising incidence of gastroschisis and exomphalos in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: An apparent increase in the incidence of gastroschisis and exomphalos has been reported from several parts of the world. The exact mechanism of this trend is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the regional and national trends in the incidence of gastroschisis and exomphalos in New Zealand. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study involved collection of data from all 4 tertiary care pediatric surgical centers in New Zealand. The incidence was calculated per 10,000 live births. Data were analyzed to determine the regional and national trends. The statistical analysis was done using linear regression model and Poisson distribution. RESULTS: The incidence of gastroschisis has increased from 2.96 per 10,000 live births to 5.16 per 10,000 live births between 1996 and 2004. During the same period, the incidence of exomphalos has increased from 0.69 per 10,000 live births to 3.27 per 10,000 live births. Gastroschisis was observed more in younger mothers, whereas exomphalos was associated with older mothers. CONCLUSION: The incidence of gastroschisis and exomphalos is increasing in New Zealand, which is consistent with worldwide trends in showing the increasing incidence of anterior abdominal wall defects.

Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm low birth weight infants.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: In many preterm low-birth-weight infants, ductus arteriosus fails to close spontaneously. This study evaluates the results of surgical ligation of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm low birth weight infants. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all infants undergoing surgical closure of PDA from January 1987 to December 2005. Demographic data, age and weight at operation, surgical technique to close PDA and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-five infants underwent surgical closure of PDA in which either indomethacin treatment had failed or was contraindicated. The mean gestational age was 25.5 +/- 2.3 (range 24-36 weeks) and the mean birth weight was 837.7 +/- 277.2 g (450-1000 g). The average age and weight at operation were 14.1 (+/-1.8) days and 881.7 g (+/-338.1), respectively. PDA was surgically closed by left thoracotomy using either nonabsorbable suture (73%) or hemoclips (27%). Postoperative complications occurred in 10 patients, which included intraoperative bleeding (6), pneumothorax (1), left vocal cord paralysis (1), lymphatic leak (1), and injury to left phrenic nerve (1). There was no mortality related to surgical closure of PDA. CONCLUSION: We conclude that surgical closure of hemodynamically significant PDA is safe and effective in preterm low birth weight infants when pharmacological treatment is ineffective or contraindicated. The associated morbidity is minimal and no surgery-related mortality was observed.

Reduction labioplasty in adolescents.

PURPOSE: To look at the presentation and management of labial hypertrophy in 2 young adolescents. TYPE OF STUDY: Case report MAIN FINDINGS: We present two cases, a 10-year-old girl with concerns regarding a hypertrophied labia minora and a 12-year-old girl with spina bifida and difficulty in performing intermittent catheterization because of the hypertrophied labia. We discuss a simple technique for reduction labioplasty and the different surgical options. CONCLUSION: Hypertrophy of one or both labia minora can lead to functional, social, esthetic and sexual problems in females of all ages. As the age of sexual awareness and activity gets younger we can expect more presentations of this problem in the pediatric population. Many girls with spina bifida may also present with problems due to the hypertrophied labia. As pediatric surgeons are called upon to deal with adolescent gynecology we need to be competent in managing this condition.

Comparative study between window and conventional enterostomies in preterm neonates with small bowel perforations.

OBJECTIVES: Small bowel perforations in the neonatal period can be secondary to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), ischemic necrosis, or occlusive anomalies of the small bowel; furthermore, they may be of no discernible cause. Depending on the clinical condition of the infant and the extent of the disease, a number of surgical options are available; one of which is exteriorization. To reduce the morbidity of stoma among patients, we adopted a technique called window enterostomy (WEnt). The objectives of this study were to describe the technique and to compare WEnt with conventional enterostomy (CEnt) in preterm infants undergoing surgery for focal NEC or isolated small bowel perforation (ISBP). METHODS: We reviewed all cases of NEC and ISBP between January 1996 and March 2006 from our institution. Patients with focal NEC or ISBP who required a surgical intervention were included and categorized into the WEnt and the CEnt groups. We collected multiple data as study variables: demographics; site of perforation; operative time; need for a second operation; postoperative morbidity; duration of total parenteral nutrition; and postoperative weight gain. RESULTS: Twenty-four neonates met the criteria for study inclusion. Of these, 14 underwent CEnt and 10 underwent WEnt. The median gestational age and birth weight of the neonates were 25.4 weeks (SD = 1.4) and 814.4 g (SD = 195.1), respectively. In comparing the 2 groups, we found statistically significant differences in the operative time for the primary and secondary procedures, duration of total parenteral nutrition, time to full oral feeding, and weekly postoperative weight gain. The rate of postoperative complications was higher among the infants from the CEnt group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that WEnt is a quick and workable technique with minimal morbidity for preterm neonates with focal NEC or ISBP.

Is contralateral exploration necessary in preterm infants with unilateral inguinal hernia?

PURPOSE: Contralateral inguinal exploration has been the preferred approach to preterm infants with unilateral inguinal hernia. There is no literature evidence to justify this. The aim of this prospective study is to analyze the incidence and to determine any risk factors for the development of contralateral metachronous hernia (MH) in the preterm when compared with term infants. METHODS: Preterm and term infants with unilateral inguinal hernia younger than 6 months who underwent surgery were included. Those infants who subsequently developed MH were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. One hundred five were preterm and 161 were term. Ten preterm (10.31%) and 9 term infants (5.92%) presented subsequently with MH (P =.18). All but 1 were male. There was no relation between the side of hernia, presentation with incarceration, age at surgery, sex of the patient, and the development of MH. However, a trend toward a higher incidence of MH in very low birth weight and early gestational age preterms was noted. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference between the occurrence of MH in preterm when compared with term infants. Routine contralateral exploration in preterm infants with its associated risks is therefore not justified in unilateral hernia.

Comparison of suture ligation and clip application for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates.

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed the experience of 2 centers performing surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates to identify whether the choice of surgical technique--suture ligation or clip application--affected outcome. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2005, 67 newborn infants had open surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus: 33 by suture ligation and 34 by clip application. The groups were similar in age and sex. RESULTS: The average length of the procedure was 55.8 +/- 13.7 minutes for suture ligation and 30.8 +/- 8.7 minutes for clip application (P < .05). Six neonates had intraoperative bleeding in the suture ligation group. Four patients had significant postoperative complications in the suture ligation group, compared with 2 in the clip application group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that clip application results in a significant reduction in the operative time and, possibly, in less morbidity.

Familial occurrence of imperforate hymen.

Imperforate hymen is uncommon, occurring in 0.1 % of newborn females. Non-syndromic familial occurrence of imperforate hymen is extremely rare and has been reported only three times in the English literature. The authors describe two cases in a family across two generations, one presenting with chronic cyclical abdominal pain and the other acutely. There were no other significant reproductive or systemic abnormalities in either case. Imperforate hymen occurs mostly in a sporadic manner, although rare familial cases do occur. Both the recessive and the dominant modes of transmission have been suggested. However, no genetic markers or mutations have been proven as etiological factors. Evaluating all female relatives of the affected patients at an early age can lead to early diagnosis and treatment in an asymptomatic case.