No abstract

Anal canal duplication (ACD) represents an extremely rare intestinal congenital anomaly of unknown origin. Usually evidenced within 2 years of age, nearly 45% of reported cases present associated malformations such as presacral mass, anorectal malformation (ARM) and genitourinary anomalies. The confirmative diagnosis is histopathological, with evidence of an anal mucosal lining (squamous +/- transitional epithelium), surrounded from a smooth muscle coat and anal glands. We review a conjoined experience from two European pediatric surgical departments. From 1970 to 2005, 12 patients were observed, seven in Pescara, Italy (1997-2005), five in Barcelona, Spain (1970-2004) - mean age at diagnosis 17.8 months, range 0-60; M:F = 1:11. Clinical presentation, diagnostic-surgical approach, and complications were reviewed. According to clinical presentation, patients could be divided in three age groups: asymptomatic (mean age 4.8 months, six patients - one with an associated complex genitourinary malformation, one with a presacral mature teratoma, one with ACD evidenced hysthologically on a retroanal mass removed during the correction of an ARM), mildly symptomatic - constipation, mucous discharge (mean age 29.2 months, four patients - one with associated presacral ependymoma and intestinal neuronal dysplasia type B, one with presacral mass) and complicated - perineal abscess, recurrent fistula (mean age 34 months, two patients). In 11 cases a perianal orifice was evident (ten posteriorly located). The pelvic-MRI was the preferred diagnostic tool in Pescara (5/7, with presacral mass in two patients), fistulography in Barcelona (5/5), where one presacral mass was discovered intraoperatively. Eleven patients underwent surgical removal of the ACD (five perineal approach, five posterior sagittal approach, and one PSARP). Histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis in operated cases (11). The parents of the male patient denied the consent to surgical treatment. The only major post-operative complication was a sphincteric insufficiency (one case), surgically treated. When facing a perianal orifice, attention should be paid to ACD, particularly in female patients with coexistent genitourinary or intestinal malformations. Pelvic US and MRI are the gold standard to evidence the not rarely associated presacral mass. Surgical early removal (mucosectomy or perineal/posterior sagittal approach, depending on length of ACD and associated presacral mass) is warranted, also in asymptomatic patients, because of the risk of inflammatory complications and cancer (the latter reported in literature in adults).

TULAA is the best approach in uncomplicated appendicitis. It is less invasive and traumatic, permits a complete evaluation of the peritoneal cavity with superior cosmetic results, especially in obese patients and in cases of ectopic appendicitis.

Neurologically impaired children (NIC) suffer severe gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with poor fundoplication outcome. Aims of the study were: (1) to determine the recurrence of GER after fundoplication in NIC; (2) to compare fundoplication versus gastro-jejunal tube feeding insertion (GJ) and fundoplication versus total esophagogastric dissociation (TEGD) in primarily treating GER in NIC. Using defined search strategy, two investigators identified all comparative studies reporting the mentioned procedures to primarily treat GER in NIC. The study was conducted under PRISMA guidelines. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. Data are mean ± SD. Of 3840 titles/abstracts screened, 14 studies on fundoplication (2716 pts.) reported a recurrence/persistence of GER higher in NIC (14.2 ± 8.3%) than in neurologically normal (9.4 ± 5.2%; p = 0.0001), with an increased incidence of re-do fundoplication (12.6 ± 7.0% versus 9.1 ± 4.5%; p < 0.01). Three studies revealed a similar risk of undergoing subsequent fundoplication after GJ (4.9 ± 2.1%) or initial fundoplication (12.0 ± 0.6%; p = ns). Four studies showed a lower recurrence of GER following TEGD (1.4 ± 1.1%) than fundoplication (24.8 ± 1.4%; p = 0.002). NIC are at risk of recurrence/persistence of GER after fundoplication or GJ. TEGD seems more effective to primarily treat GER in NIC. Prospective randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish which is the ideal treatment of GER in NIC.

No abstract

Introduction Management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is mainly based on adults. Data are controversial with regards to its management in children. We aimed to assess: (1) the length of hospital stay (LOS) between conservative management (i.e., observation with O2 administration), aspiration/chest drain, and surgical management; (2) the risk of recurrence after nonsurgical treatment versus surgery; (3) the risk of recurrence in the presence of bullae. Materials and Methods Using a defined search strategy, three independent investigators identified all the studies on the management of PSP in children. Case reports, opinion articles, and gray literature publications were excluded. The study was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Results Of 3,089 abstracts screened, 95 full-text were analyzed, 23 were included in the quantitative analysis, and 16 were included in the meta-analysis (1,633 patients). LOS was similar between conservative and surgical management (6.2 ± 0.8 days vs. 5.9 ± 1.4 days; p = ns). Recurrence of PSP was significantly higher among children with a nonsurgical management (32%) versus those surgically treated (18%; p = 0.002). The incidence of recurrence was slightly higher in patients managed by aspiration/chest drain (34%) compared with those with a conservative management (27%; p = 0.05). Risk of recurrence in patients with or without documented bullae was not significantly different (26 vs. 38%, respectively; p = ns). Conclusion Given the lack of a standardized management of pediatric PSP, the present study seems to demonstrate a better outcome in children treated with surgery as first-line of management. Level of Evidence This is a Level III study.

No abstract

Adipose tumors are rare in pediatric age and are commonly represented by benign forms: lipoma and lipoblastoma/lipoblastomatosis. Generally localized in subcutaneous tissue of the trunk and extremities, they can exceptionally occur as giant intra-peritoneal or pelvic masses. These tumors could reach considerable size prior to diagnosis since they are asymptomatic. The authors report a case series of three giant abdomino-pelvic adipose tumors.