Experiences with LESS-appendectomy in Children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS-A) through one transumbilical port vs. 3-port laparoscopic (3TA) appendectomy in children. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 309 children (65 LESS-A, 244 3TA) operated on between 2008 and 2012. One hundered forty-nine patients had acute catarrhalis (CA), 133 phlegmonous (PLA), and 27 perforated appendicitis (PA). We compared the duration of operation (DO) the incidence of abdominal abscesses (AA) and wound infections (WI), as well as the degree of appendiceal inflammation (DI) among surgeons with and without board certification. RESULTS: For all DI, LESS-A resulted in a shorter DO than 3TA (CA 57.9 ± 22.8 vs. 68.5 ± 23.2, P = 0.014; PLA 51.5±16.5 vs. 68.4±33.0, P = 0.006; PA 66.0 ± 29.0 vs. 97.3 ± 41.8, P = 0.039). LESS-A was not used for less complicated cases when compared to 3TA (CA 50.8% vs. 47.5%; PLA 33.8% vs. 45.5%; PA 15.4% vs. 7.0%; CA vs. PLA, P = 0.292; CA vs. PA, P = 0.142; PLA vs. PA, P = 0.031). Surgeons without board certification were assigned to a similar percentage to perform both techniques for any DI (CA 30.3% vs. 37.1%, P = 0.541; PLA 31.8% vs. 40.5%, P= 0.484; PA 40% vs. 35.3%, P = 1.0). We found no significant differences concerning AA (1.5% vs. 1.2%, P = 1.0) and WI (3.1% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: LESS-A can be done by surgeons with and without board certification for all DI, with shorter DO and similar complication rates as compared to 3TA.

Totally Transanal Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site ProctoColectomy-Ileoanal J-Pouch (TLPC-J): An Experimental Study of a Novel Approach.

BACKGROUND: The natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has become a commonly considered novel approach in the surgical field. The NOTES provide possibility of operation through the natural orifice and decreases the intentional puncture of the systemic organ and subsequent complications. Totally transanal laparo-endoscopic single-site proctoColectomy-Ileoanal J-Pouch (TLPC-J) is a novel method in minimally invasive surgery for total colectomy. The main goal of this study is to perform this new method on an animal model, to assess probable complication and to resolve probable issues by using patients that are candidate for total colectomy. METHOD: Five dogs were prepared in lithotomy position. The TLPC-I procedure consists of endorectal technique with full thickness rectal dissection starting 1 cm orally from the dentate line above the peritoneal reflection and the proximal bowel was replaced into the abdominal cavity. Afterwards, the TriPort system was inserted in the anal canal and mesentrial resection of the total colon, mobilization of a distal ileal segment and intracorporeal suture of an ileal J-loop was accomplished by this system. An incision in the J-loop was conducted transanally. The J-pouch was created with an Endo-GIA® and sutured to the rectal wall. RESULTS: All animals survived and passed stool with clear post operation situation. There was no infection in site of anastomosis. CONCLUSION: The TLPC-I provides the possibility of surgery without abdominal wall incision and decreases post operation complication such as pain, abdominal wound infection and wound dehiscence. This technique increases the quality of life and surgeons can discharge the patients early.

Severe Vaginal Burns in a 5-Year-Old Girl Due to an Alkaline Battery in the Vagina.

BACKGROUND: The ingestion or insertion of alkaline batteries in the body can cause severe damage to hollow organs. We report here a case of severe vaginal burns in a young patient caused by an alkaline battery. CASE: A 5-year-old girl presented to our outpatient department with pelvic pain and vaginal discharge. Further workup suggested the presence of a vaginal foreign body. Under general anesthesia, an alkaline battery was removed from her vagina, which showed severe burns with partial-thickness necrosis. Complete healing was confirmed at 3 months after initial presentation. CONCLUSIONS: In this rare case of an alkaline battery present in the vagina of a prepubescent girl, we discuss the available treatment and management options in comparison to similar previously reported cases.

Laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children has complication rates comparable with those of open appendectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic (LA) vs. open appendectomy (OA) in children with perforated appendicitis (PA). METHODS: We reviewed the medical files of 221 children who underwent LA (n=75), OA (n=122), and conversion (CO) (n=24), comparing duration of operation, re-admissions, re-operations, intra-abdominal abscesses (IAA), and wound infections. RESULTS: Compared to OA, LA resulted in fewer re-admissions (1.3% vs. 12.3%; P=.006), fewer re-operations (4% vs. 17.2%; P=.006), and fewer wound infections (0% vs. 11.5%; P=.001). No differences in the duration of operation (72.9 ± 23.0 min vs. 77.7 ± 48.0 min; P=.392) or IAA (4% vs. 11.5%; P=.114) were observed. Compared to LA, CO had more complications. CONCLUSIONS: We report that LA is superior to OA with regard to incidence of re-admission, re-operation, and wound infection.

Totally transanal LESS pull-through colectomy: a novel approach for avoiding abdominal wall incision in children with long-segment intestinal aganglionosis.

UNLABELLED: Abstract Introduction: Minimally invasive surgery in children with long-segment intestinal aganglionosis aims to reduce the number of abdominal wall incisions. Conventional laparoscopic and laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgeries fulfill this goal. In children, natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES™; American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy [Oak Brook, IL] and Society for American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons [Los Angeles, CA]) has been limited because of fear of access site complications. We present a novel technique of totally transanal LESS pull-through colectomy (TLPC), avoiding abdominal wall incision, which combines LESS technology and the NOTES approach. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two boys and one girl (2.5 months, 6 months, and 5 years of age, respectively) with sigmoid and transverse colon aganglionosis underwent surgery. The TLPC procedure consisted of an endorectal technique with submucosal dissection starting 1 cm orally from the dentate line to above the peritoneal reflection, where the rectal muscle was divided circumferentially. After ligation of the rectal mucosa, the proximal bowel was replaced into the abdominal cavity, and a TriPort(®) (Olympus Surgical Technologies Europe, Hamburg, Germany) was introduced transanally. Mesenterial resection of the aganglionic bowel was accomplished via transanal LESS until the normoganglionic colon segment was reached and pulled down to the site of anastomosis. After removal of the port, a conventional pull-through procedure was performed. RESULTS: All children displayed normal bowel movements and were complication-free during the follow-up period of up to 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: TLPC combines the minimally invasive LESS surgery with the scarless concept of NOTES and allows resection of long-segment aganglionosis without abdominal incision. TLPC is a safe, effective, and feasible surgical procedure in children with long-segment intestinal aganglionosis.