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Growth parameters improved significantly in children after surgical intervention for portal hypertension. Overall improvement in scholastic abilities, physical activity, and social interaction was noted in a majority of the patients. As a one-time procedure in a developing country, surgery is also more cost effective.

Aim:To assess the changes in urethral morphology 3 months post fulguration of posterior urethral valves (PUVs) on micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) and correlate these changes with the overall clinical status of the patient.Materials and Methods:A total of 217 children, managed for PUVs during a period of 6 years in a single surgical unit were prospectively studied. The ratio of the diameters of the prostatic and bulbar urethras (PU/BU) was calculated on the pre- and post-fulguration MCUG films. They were categorized into three groups based on the degree of normalization of posterior urethra (post-fulguration PU/BU ratio).Results:Group A: Of the 133 patients, 131 had normal urinary stream and 4 (3%) had nocturnal enuresis. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), initially seen in 83 units (31% units), regressed completely at a mean duration of 6 months in 41 units (49%). Of the 152 non-VUR, hydroureteronephrosis (HUN) units, 11 were poorly functioning kidneys. Persistent slow but unobstructed drainage was seen in 23 units (16%) over a period of 1.5–5 years (mean 2.5 years). Group B: All the 11 patients had a normal stream. Four (36.4%) had daytime frequency for a mean duration of 1 year and one (9%) had nocturnal enuresis for 1 year. Grade IV–V VUR was seen in five patients (three bilateral), which regressed completely by 3 months in five units (62.5%). In the non-VUR, HUN patients, slow (but unobstructed) drainage was persistent in two units (14%) at 3 years. Group C: Of the 16 patients, only 5 (31.3%) were asymptomatic. Six patients (nine units) had persistent VUR for 6 months to 3 years. Of the 20 units with HUN, 17 (85%) were persistent at 1–4 years (mean 2 years). Eight patients (50%) required a second fulguration while 3 (18.7%) required urethral dilatation for stricture following which all parameters improved.Conclusions:Adequacy of fulguration should be assessed by a properly performed MCUG. A postop PU/BU ratio >3 SD (1.92) should alert to an incomplete fulguration or stricture. Patients within normal range ratio have faster recovery of slow draining units, reflux and less voiding dysfunction. There is a strong correlation between incomplete fulguration and persistent slow draining units, uremia, voiding dysfunction and urinary tract infections.

BackgroundHirschsprung’s disease (HD) is an anomaly characterized by the absence of myenteric and submucosal ganglion cells (GC) in the distal alimentary tract. Diagnosis of HD is made by the absence of GC and missing out on even a single ganglion cell can be very devastating. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry, done on frozen sections is said to be a very useful ancillary technique in the diagnosis and in aiding the operative procedures of HD.MethodsTo assess this, 73 samples from 42 suspected/known cases of HD were subjected to frozen section analysis with rapid haematoxylin and eosin, toluidin blue stain along with AChE histochemistry. The remnant sample was paraffin embedded for routine haematoxylin and eosin staining.ResultsOn frozen section analysis, 33 samples showed absence of ganglion cells, AChE histochemistry showed a positive staining pattern in 17 samples and paraffin embedded routine, H&E stained sections showed absence of ganglion cells in 19 samples. Sensitivity and specificity of both tests ie frozen section rapid H&E/AChE histochemistry in the diagnosis of HD, were calculated taking paraffin embedded H&E stained sections as the gold standard. Sensitivity of frozen section rapid H&E in the diagnosis of HD is 57.57 % and specificity is 79.10 %. The p-value is <0.0001, which is significant. The sensitivity of AChE histochemistry in the diagnosis of HD is 90.47 % and specificity is 96.36 %. The p-value is <0.0001, which is significant.ConclusionsAcetylcholineesterase (AChE) histochemistry is a very useful ancillary technique in the diagnosis and in aiding the operative procedures of HD. It acts as a double check in the diagnosis of HD.

A high divided sigmoid colostomy has been recommended for staged management of high anorectal malformation. We audited our cases of neonatal colostomy for high anorectal malformation to assess its effectiveness. A retrospective study was carried out of all surgical newborns admitted with high imperforate anus as the single diagnosis at our centre between December 1998 and December 2000. Morbidity and mortality were analysed after retrospective stratification into two groups (group A: birth weight >2.5 kg; group B: birth weight <2.5 kg). The chi square test was used to test the statistical significance in terms of outcome in the two groups. Overall mortality was 16%. Group A consisted of 34 babies: 30 with divided sigmoid colostomy and four with transverse loop colostomy. One baby with a divided sigmoid colostomy died from wound complications and septicaemia (mortality 2.9%). All four babies with transverse loop colostomy done under local anaesthesia survived, despite being sick on arrival. Group B consisted of 16 babies: 15 with sigmoid colostomy and one with transverse loop colostomy, with seven deaths (44%). None of the five babies with transverse loop colostomy done under local anaesthesia died, despite being sick on arrival, whereas all eight babies who died had undergone sigmoid colostomy under general anaesthesia. The difference in the outcomes of babies in groups A and B is highly significant ( p <.01). Sick, small (<2.5 kg) and septic babies arriving late to the unit do not appear to tolerate general anaesthesia and divided sigmoid colostomy well, despite that procedure's long-term advantages. Divided sigmoid colostomy has produced excellent results in babies >2.5 kg, but in the context of the developing world and limited critical care availability, transverse loop colostomy under local anaesthesia may save lives.