Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Approach, Laparoscopic Evaluation and Treatment of Impalpable Testis.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the clinical presentation, utility of ultrasound for diagnosis, laparoscopic findings and treatment for clinically impalpable testis. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Paediatric Surgery, National Institute of Child Health, Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi, from September 2019 to April 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients with clinically impalpable testis were included. Ultrasound of inguinal region was done to locate testis. Presence of testis and its position was confirmed at laparoscopy and surgical procedure done according to the findings. Data was stratified according to the age and Chi-square test and Student t-test were applied to find out statistical significance among different variables in children below and above five years of age. A p <0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients with 113 testes were included. The median age of the children was 48 months. Sixty-nine (75.8%) patients had unilateral undescended testis and 22 (24.2%) bilateral undescended testes. Fifty-three (58.2%) patients were less than five years of age. On ultrasound, testis was found near deep ring in 23 (25.3%) patients. At laparoscopy, 74 (81.3%) testes were found within the abdominal cavity. In 7 (7.7%) patients, only nubbin of tissue was identified and removed. The first stage of Fowler Stephen procedure was done in the majority of the patients. There was statistically no significant difference following stratification in relation to laterality and position of undescended testis (p = 0.556 and p = 0.846, respectively). However, mean size of the testis was found statistically significant (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients were above five years of age. Ultrasound helped in identifying low-lying intra-abdominal testis in more than 80% of patients. Laparoscopy was helpful in further defining the position of the testis and selection of surgical procedure. KEY WORDS: Undescended testis, Cryptorchidism, Laparoscopy, Orchiopexy.

Analysis of challenges faced and the scientific content of a hybrid pediatric surgical conference arranged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Scientific conferences which are considered as an important event for dissemination of research and related academic activities were badly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual format for interaction was used as an alternative method to continue such academic discourse. However, this did not provide the same level of communication and interest as that of in-person meetings. With evolving knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic especially its transmission, role of vaccine, and observing standard operating procedures (SOPs), fear among healthcare providers is mitigated to some extent. Keeping in mind the importance of scientific conferences in the context of sharing knowledge and its impact on the training of faculty members and postgraduate residents, a hybrid conference was planned by the national association of pediatric surgeons.The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review the challenges faced during the organization of this conference as well as to analyze the pattern of registration, number of abstracts received, the gender of the participants and their status, region of the country they represented, type of presentation made, and scientific subject covered. SPSS version 22 was used for data entry. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present data. Chi square test was applied to find out the association between categorical variables and a p value < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: A total of 170 pediatric surgeons and postgraduate residents participated from all over the country and abroad. Nearly half (47.1%) of the registrants were postgraduate residents. Most of the participants (90%) opted for in-person attendance. The venue was selected with a capacity to house more than double the number of registrants with provision of safe distance. Availability of face masks, gloves, and sanitizers was ensured by the organizers. Packed meal boxes were arranged and served at the venue site in an open place on the terrace. A total of 97 abstracts were accepted for presentation that included 57 (58.8%) long oral podium and 40 (41.2%) poster presentations. Most of the studies (n=48-49.4%) were related to the subject of gastroenterology including pancreatico-hepatobiliary system and spleen. Majority of the presenters were male (p = 0.046) and postgraduate residents (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was possible to organize a hybrid annual medical conference where most of the participants preferred physical presence. A rich scientific program was made to cater the needs for pediatric surgical fraternity. Residents made attractive presentations. It was noted that physical presence during clinical conference produced effective communication and learning.

Effect of Strict Lockdown on Pediatric Surgical Services and Residency Programme during COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To document the measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic strict lockdown on pediatric surgical services and residents' training at a tertiary care hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Pediatric Surgery, National Institute of Child Health, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, from April 2020 to June 2020. METHODOLOGY: Data from the Outpatient Department, Emergency Department, and Operation Theatre records were collected. The number of patients seen in the outpatient department, surgeries performed, index emergency cases dealt with, and the residents' duty roster and teaching methodology were documented. Descriptive statistics were used for reporting. RESULTS: During the strict lockdown period, outpatient services continued; however, elective cases were not operated. A total of 2,930 patients were seen in clinics, and 1,316 surgical procedures were performed. The index cases managed included anorectal malformation (n=35), esophageal atresia with and without tracheoesophageal fistula (n=13), small bowel atresia (n=11), omphalocele (n=6), acute appendicitis (n=35), intestinal obstructions (n=23), intussusceptions (n=18), and intestinal perforations (n=16). On-call days of residents were reduced from every third to the fifth day, and online educational sessions were added. During the pandemic, 13 members of surgical and anaesthesia teams got infected with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic elective surgical services were restricted; however, emergency cases were managed as per routine. In clinical teaching, virtual technologies were incorporated. Working hours of residents were limited to decrease the exposure to infected persons. Key Words: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Healthcare workers, Residency programme.

Early Surgical Management of Appendicular Mass in Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the feasibility and safety of early surgery in pediatric patients who presented with appendicular mass. STUDY DESIGN: Analytical observational study.  Place and Duration of Study:  Department of Paediatric Surgery, National Institute of Child Health, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, from September 2019 to April 2020. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted on 60 children, who were diagnosed with appendicular mass. Patients were operated after initial stabilisation and investigations. Variables analysed included demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, intraoperative surgical difficulties and postoperative complications. Data were entered into SPSS version 22. Chi-square test and Fisher Exact test were used for finding statistical significance among variables. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as significant.  Results: There were 41 (68.4%) male and 19 (31.6%) female patients with the mean age of 8.3 + 2.9 year. Mean duration of pain was 3.8 + 1.8 days. In 41 (68.4%) patients, mass was composed of appendix with adherent ileal loops and omentum, while in 19 (31.6%) patients frank pus was also found within the mass. Thirty-four (56.6%) patients had suppurative appendix without gross perforation, while in 26 (43.4%) patients partially sloughed / gangrenous perforated appendix found. Intraoperative difficulties were more in patients with complex mass (p=0.004). Postoperative complications were observed in 14 (23.3%) patients. These were more frequent in female patients (p=0.001), with sloughed, gangrenous perforated appendix (p=0.034) and complex mass (p=0.008). Superficial wound infection was the most common complication noted in 9 (15%) patients. In 5 (8.3%) children, deep seated intra-abdominal collections were found. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 + 1.5 days.   Conclusion: Early surgery in pediatric patients with appendicular mass was found feasible with minimal complications. This obviated the need of prolonged follow-up and interval appendectomy with its inherent risks. Key Words: Appendicular mass, Appendicular lump, Appendectomy, Child.