Purpose Acute appendicitis in children represents a common problem. Diagnosis may be difficult due to lack of clinical data. Several scoring systems and laboratory investigations are used for diagnosis. This study aimed to build a model for diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children using urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and pediatric appendicitis score. Methods This study was conducted on 191 children with suspicion of acute appendicitis. They were divided into two groups A and B. Children were evaluated in group A with pediatric appendicitis score, ultrasound, and CRP. In group B children were evaluated in the same manner of group A plus measuring of 5-HIAA. Results mean age was 13.3 ± 5.2 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 2.2 ± 1.4 days. The mean level of urinary 5-HIAA was 43.53 ± 24.05 in appendicitis patients in group B. In group A there were 65 cases who had appendectomy. Seventy-five children were operated in group B. Negative appendectomies were found in 13 and 7 cases in groups A and B respectively. Thirteen cases were readmitted in group A with diagnosis of acute appendicitis while seven cases were readmitted in group B. Conclusion This combination of urinary 5-HIAA and pediatric appendicitis score builds a model for diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. This model improves the accuracy of diagnosis of acute appendicitis, reduces both the incidence of negative appendectomies and the incidence of readmission or missed cases in children.

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Context:Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is considered the standard approach for the treatment of children with nonmalignant hematological diseases due to the advances in the minimal invasive surgery over the conventional splenectomy (CS). Different techniques are involved in the operation to secure the hilum.Aim:The use of (Ligasure™) is a safe, effective, less time consuming and with less complications rate.Materials and Methods:Sixty children (33 with thalassemia, 20 with immune thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP] and seven with spherocytosis) were operated during the period from June 2007 to December 2014. These children had undergone LS using (Ligasure™). Three ports were used in small-sized spleens while four ports were used in large spleens.Results:There were 60 children (37 girls and 23 boys) with a mean age of 10.2 years had LS using Ligasure™ with mean operative time of 85 min for cases of ITP and 120 min for other cases. There was no mortality. Two cases were converted to CS.Conclusions:Use of Ligasure™ alone was safe, less time consuming with less complications rates.

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Introduction: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) became the standard choice for splenectomy in children with benign hematological disease. There are few reports about pancreatic injury during LS. The purpose of this study is to spot on factors increasing the risk of pancreatic injury during LS in children. Patients and Methods: A total of 140 children had LS for benign causes. Children were categorized into A and B groups. LigaSure™ was used to control pedicle in Group A, while endoscopic staplers were used in Group B. Preoperative levels of amylase, lipase, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were obtained. The mean of pancreatic enzymes and LDH values was calculated on the 3 postoperative successive days. Results: A total of 71 boys and 69 girls had LS. The mean splenic size was 13.50 cm in Group A and 12.51 cm in Group B. The mean operative time in Group A was 41.91 min and in Group B was 56.36 min. The mean level of amylase was 42.99 IU/ml in Group A and 75.70 IU/ml in Group B ( P = 0.001). The mean level of lipase was 37 IU/ml in Group A and 76.66 IU/ml in Group B ( P = 0.001). Conclusion: Pancreatic injury during LS is a rare complication usually presented on biochemical level. We believe that it is a hemostatic-dependent complication rather than splenic size or nature of disease.

Background: Distal hypospadias repair is one of the most frequent surgical interventions in the pediatric age group. Successful hypospadias repair should provide a functional penis and good cosmetic results. Mathieu urethroplasty is one of the most popular techniques used. The authors aimed at performing a modification that expanded the scope of indications and improved the final cosmetic results of classic Mathieu urethroplasty. Methods: Forty-three patients with distal hypospadias were operated by hybrid Mathieu urethroplasty (HMU) during the period from March 2012 to December 2020. All cases had small size glans. Creation of the perimeatal-based flap was performed as Mathieu disrobed. This was followed by the development of glanular wings. The additional step was deep incision of the urethral plate. Then, urethroplasty was performed. The catheter was left in place for 1-3 days. Results: The mean age was 1.5 years, and the mean operative time was 67 minutes (60-75 minutes). The mean size of glans was 12 mm (10-15 mm). Fistula developed in three cases. No stricture or meatal regression developed. Infection with disruption of repair occurred in one case. Conclusion: Hybrid Mathieu urethroplasty represents a reliable and successful solution for the cases of distal penile hypospadias with small glans and shallow urethral plate. It increases the scope of candidates of the Mathieu procedure, improves the final cosmetic results and has a reasonable rate of complications.

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