Effects of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on the inflammatory response and bacterial translocation in intraabdominal infection.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on intraabdominal infection and bacterial translocation in intraabdominal infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis were injected separately into the abdominal cavities of 30 New Zealand white rabbits to establish two animal models of intraabdominal infection. Each model was divided into a laparotomy group, a pneumoperitoneum group, and a control group. Before and 1, 2, 4, and 7 days after surgery, blood and peritoneal fluids were obtained to determine bacterial culture and serum interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The total number of white blood cells (WBCs) was measured. Seven days after surgery, the animals were sacrificed and dissected, and liver, kidney, and spleen tissues were obtained for bacterial culture. RESULTS: In the two bacterial models, incidence rates of bacteremia were higher in the laparotomy and pneumoperitoneum groups than in the control group. However, there were no significant differences between the laparotomy and pneumoperitoneum groups. Visceral bacterial translocation was detected in each group with no significant difference among the three groups. The change of inflammatory factors in the E. coli group and the B. fragilis group was nearly the same: the inflammatory factor levels and WBC counts in the laparotomy group were significantly higher than in the pneumoperitoneum group. The inflammatory factor levels and WBC counts in the pneumoperitoneum group increased slowly and were restored to normal quickly. CONCLUSIONS: In the intraabdominal infection animal model of the pneumoperitoneum group, the inflammatory response was weaker and the immune function was less affected and restored to normal more quickly than in the laparotomy group. The incidence rate of visceral bacterial translocation was not higher than that in the laparotomy group.

A new classification of duplex kidney based on kidney morphology and management.

BACKGROUND: The initial classic classification of duplex kidney into complete (two ureters) and incomplete ("Y" shaped ureter) types are based on the ureter status. At the meantime, the features of the upper and lower moieties of duplex kidney were very crucial for appropriate procedure of hemi-nephrectomy, which was most commonly used for addressing the issues caused by a duplex kidney; and recently more applications of laparoscopy were used. In this study, we aimed prudently to propose a new classification based on the features of the upper and lower moieties of duplex kidney. METHODS: Sixty-five children with 83 duplex kidneys were reviewed retrospectively. Based on kidney morphology found in CT urography and surgical findings, duplex kidney was classified into five types. RESULTS: The first was the appendant type (36/83) and its feature was that the mini upper moiety was located on top of the lower one, with a visualized shallow groove between them. The ureter was dilated with an ectopic orifice or ureterocele. The second was the embedded type (13/83), the feature of which was that mini upper moiety located in the interior top of the lower one within the same capsule. The upper ureter was dilated with an ectopic orifice or ureterocele. The third was the hydronephrosis type (12/83). The severe hydronephrotic upper moiety was almost as big as the lower moiety. The upper ureter was severely dilated and circuitous with an ectopic orifice. The forth was the dual-poor type (2/83). The two moieties were all very small with "Y" shaped ureters and ectopic orifices. The last was the dual-well type (20/83). The upper moiety was almost the same size as the lower one, without apparent dilation of "Y" shaped or double ureters. CONCLUSION: Based on kidney morphology, duplex kidney can be mainly classified into five types which can be depicted by CT urography prior to management and can provide an aid in selecting a successful course of surgical correction.

Adenomatoid tumor of the testis in a child.

Adenomatoid tumors are rare benign neoplasms thought to be of mesothelial origin. Although most reported cases arise from the epididymis, rare cases have been reported in the spermatic cord, testicular tunica, ejaculatory ducts, prostate, and suprarenal recess. We describe a 4.5-year-old boy who presented with a relatively asymptomatic right testicular mass that was resected and confirmed to be adenomatoid tumor of the testis by histopathology. Because of its rarity, the clinical and histopathologic aspects are discussed.

Long-term outcome of penile appearance and sexual function after hypospadias repairs: situation and relation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term cosmetic and sexual outcomes of hypospadias surgery performed in childhood and to analyze the relation between them. METHODS: A long-term follow-up was made to 174 patients who were operated for hypospadias in this institute between 1984 and 1992. Their records were analyzed retrospectively, and a detailed questionnaire was mailed to them. Responses from returned questionnaires were pooled and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-three (24.7%) of 174 patients finished the questionnaire. The mean patient age of the 43 patients was 21.6 years. Twenty-three (53.5%) of 43 patients were dissatisfied with penile appearance. The main reason for dissatisfaction was smaller penile size and curvature. Thirty-six (83.7%) of 43 patients were satisfied with overall sexual function. Of these 43 patients, 76.7% reported good quality of erection, but 23.3% reported the existence of problems during erection. The main complaint was smaller penile size and curvature. There were 17 patients (39.5%) with ejaculation problems, mainly including impotent ejaculation. Sixteen (88.9%) of the 18 patients who had experienced sexual intercourse reported no problems during intercourse. Depending on the severity of hypospadias, these patients with proximal hypospadias were more dissatisfied with penile appearance than those with distal hypospadias (76.5 vs. 38.5%, P < 0.025). And they complained more problems during erection (41.2 vs. 11.5%, P < 0.05), ejaculation (100 vs. 0%), and sexual intercourse (50 vs. 0%, P < 0.05), and were less likely to experience sexual intercourse (23.5 vs. 53.8%, P < 0.05), compared to those with distal hypospadias. Depending on their self-evaluation on penile appearance, these patients who were satisfied with penile appearance had less problems in achieving erection (5.0 vs. 39.1%, P < 0.025) and ejaculation (20 vs. 56.5%, P < 0.025) and were more likely to experience sexual intercourse (60 vs. 26.1%, P < 0.05), compared to those who were dissatisfied. The self-rated satisfaction scale correlates positively with the penile appearance and sexual function (r = 0.469, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had been operated for hypospadias have a significantly careful concern on penile appearance. Penile size can obviously impact satisfaction with penile appearance and sexual function. Some patients have erection, ejaculation, and intercourse problems in adulthood, but majority have a rather normal sexual function. The more severe the hypospadias, the more dissatisfactory the long-term outcome. Better cosmetic outcome is related to better sexual outcome. Although remaining challenging, it is necessary to follow up hypospadias patients after surgeries into adulthood.