Laparoscopic Resurrection of an Old Technique: A New Approach for Total Urogenital Separation and Rectal Pull-Through in Patients with Long Common Channel Cloacal Malformation

Clinical application of middle descending colon-double lumen ostomy with distal stoma narrowing in the treatment of anorectal malformation

BACKGROUND

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are the most common congenital anomaly of the digestive tract. And colostomy should be performed as the first-stage procedure in neonates diagnosed with intermediate- or high-type ARMs. However, the most classic Pe˜na's colostomy still has some disadvantages such as complicated operation procedure, susceptibility to infection, a greater possibility of postoperative incision dehiscence, difficulty of nursing and large surgical trauma and incision scarring when closing the stoma. We aimed to explore the effectiveness of middle descending colon-double lumen ostomy (MDCDLO) in the treatment of high and intermediate types of anorectal malformations.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent MDCDLO for high or intermediate types of ARMs between June 2016 and December 2021 in our hospital. The basic characteristics were recorded. All patients were followed up monthly to determine if any complication happen.

RESULTS

There were 17 boys and 6 girls diagnosed with high or intermediate types of ARMs in our hospital between June 2016 and December 2021. All 23 patients were cured without complications such as abdominal incision infection, stoma stenosis, incisional hernia, and urinary tract infection in the postoperative follow-up time of 6 months to 6 years except one case of proximal intestinal prolapse was restored under anesthesia.

CONCLUSION

MDCDLO offers the advantages of simplicity, efficiency, safety, mild trauma, and small scarring in the treatment of high and intermediate types of anorectal malformations.

Clinical characteristics of congenital heart defects in mild congenital anorectal malformation: single-centre experience

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical characteristics and types of congenital heart defect (CHD) in mild congenital anorectal malformation (CARM), namely the rectoperineal and rectovestibular fistulas.

METHODS

The retrospective study of 183 patients with mild CARM was conducted with assessments of demographic information, color Doppler echocardiography results, and follow-up data. We performed an analysis of the clinical characteristics of CHD, grouping them based on sex and type of mild CARM.

RESULTS

Of the 183 patients, rectoperineal fistula occurred in 133 patients (72.7%), while the frequency of CHD was 79.8% (146/183). Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) occur more frequently in patients with rectoperineal fistula compared to those with rectovestibular fistula (1.5% vs. 10%), while the opposite trend was observed for patent ductus arteriosus (PDAs) (39.8% vs. 22.0%). Additionally, males presented higher frequency of PDA (42.7% vs. 26.4%) and self-healing (6 months: 87.2% vs. 42.6%; 12 months: 91.0% vs. 63.2%) than females. However, males had a lower rate of undergoing cardiac surgery (6.4% vs. 17.6%) and a younger median diagnosis age (1 day vs. 9 days).

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that there is a necessity for meticulous cardiac assessment and follow-up in neonates diagnosed with mild CARM.

Transhepatic ultrasound guided embolization as a successful novel technique in treatment of pediatric complex intrahepatic arterioportal fistula: a case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Intrahepatic vascular shunts "IHVS" are abnormal communications between intra-hepatic vasculature involving the arterial, portal, or hepatic venous system. Arterio-portal fistula "APF" is an intrahepatic communication between the hepatic arterial system and the portal venous system without any communication with the systemic venous circulation. APF is considered a rare cause of portal hypertension and gastrointestinal bleeding in infancy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 3-month-old Mediterranean female with known cardiac congenital anomalies presented to us with abdominal distension and diarrhea. Ultrasonography revealed massive ascites and computerized tomography (CT) abdomen with intravenous (IV) contrast revealed a left hepatic lesion. On further evaluation, an intrahepatic arterio-portal vascular malformation was detected. Attempted trans arterial embolization failed and radiology team successfully carried out direct trans hepatic ultrasound guided coiling of the aneurysmal venous sac followed by successful resection of segment 4 of the liver with the vascular malformation avoiding life threatening intra operative bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Any child with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, failure to thrive, vomiting, diarrhea, steatorrhea, splenomegaly, or ascites should be investigated for intrahepatic arterio-portal fistula "IAPF". Our novel technique of direct trans hepatic ultrasound guided coiling is an alternative method if trans arterial embolization "TAE" failed.

Evaluation of the Versius Robotic System for Infant Surgery-A Study in Piglets of Less than 10 kg Body Weight

BACKGROUND

We were able to demonstrate the feasibility of a new robotic system (Versius, CMR Surgical, Cambridge, UK) for procedures in small inanimate cavities. The aim of this consecutive study was to test the Versius^® system for its feasibility, performance, and safety of robotic abdominal and thoracic surgery in piglets simulating infants with a body weight lower than 10 kg.

METHODS

A total of 24 procedures (from explorative laparoscopy to thoracoscopic esophageal repair) were performed in 4 piglets with a mean age of 12 days and a mean body weight of 6.4 (7-7.5) kg. Additional urological procedures were performed after euthanasia of the piglet. The Versius^® robotic system was used with 5 mm wristed instruments and a 10 mm 3D 0° or 30° camera. The setup consisted of the master console and three to four separate arms. The performance of the procedure, the size, position, and the distance between the ports, the external and internal collisions, and complications of the procedures were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

We were able to perform all surgical procedures as planned. We encountered neither surgical nor robot-associated complications in the live model. Whereas all abdominal procedures could be performed successfully under general anesthesia, one piglet was euthanized early before the thoracic interventions, likely due to pulmonary inflammatory response. Technical limitations were based on the size of the camera (10 mm) being too large and the minimal insertion depth of the instruments for calibration of the fulcrum point.

CONCLUSIONS

Robotic surgery on newborns and infants appears technically feasible with the Versius^® system. Software adjustments for fulcrum point calibration need to be implemented by the manufacturer as a result of our study. To further evaluate the Versius^® system, prospective trials are needed, comparing it to open and laparoscopic surgery as well as to other robotic systems.

A giant choledochal cyst in a 17 year old female managed in a resource limited setting: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital bile duct anomalies that lead to cystic dilatations of the biliary tree. This condition is very rare in Africa. When these cysts exceed 10 cm in diameter, they are referred to as giant choledochal cysts, which are much rarer. Giant choledochal cysts present both a diagnostic and surgical challenge. We present a case of a giant Choledochal cyst surgically managed in a resource limited setting with excellent outcome.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 17-year-old female presented with 4 months history of progressive abdominal distension associated with abdominal pain, yellow discoloration of eyes, and occasional constipation. Abdominal CT-scan revealed a huge cystic mass in the right upper quadrant extending inferiorly to the right lumbar region. Complete excision of a type IA choledochal cyst was done plus cholecystectomy in addition to bilioenteric reconstruction. The patient recovered uneventfully.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest giant Choledochal cyst reported in literature. Even in a resource limited settings, sonography and a CT scan may be all that is required to make a diagnosis. During surgical excision, the surgeon should take extra caution to carefully dissect the adhesions off the giant cyst for a successful complete excision.

3-year-old with Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome and anorectal malformation: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Anorectal malformation is associated with congenital anomalies affecting other body systems, including vertebral, anorectal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal and limb defects. Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome is a collection of several congenital defects in the female reproductive system, including congenital agenesis of the uterus, cervix, and upper two-thirds of the vagina, that could be associated with anorectal malformation.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 3-year old female initially treated for vestibular fistula as she had only two orifices, who intra-operatively was discovered to have Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome associated with cardiac, skeletal (foot), and anorectal anomalies.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The diagnosis Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome should be considered in a female patient presenting with anorectal malformation especially when two orifices are encountered in the perineum. Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome can be associated with vestibular or rectovaginal fistula, of which the former is the most common type that coexists. Treatment involves surgical and nonsurgical approaches, Surgically a new cavity is created to replace the vagina with a mucous membrane lined canal such as a bowel segment.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates that anorectal malformation with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome can be mistaken for a vestibular fistula, even in specialized centers like ours. Therefore, a high index of suspicion should be noted especially when examination under anesthesia confirms only two orifices in the perinium.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in bladder exstrophy, a new modified solution to an old problem: A cohort study

PURPOSE

Open inguinal hernia repair in children with bladder exstrophy is challenging and associated with a high recurrence rate (15%-22%). We report our initial experience with laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias in five children with repaired bladder exstrophy. This study is the third describing inguinal hernia repair in bladder exstrophy patients using the laparoscopic approach. In this study, we report a different laparoscopic technique.

METHODS

This retrospective study was performed on data regarding laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair collected over one year (July 2019-2020). We carried out the laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, closing the internal inguinal ring using a non-resorbable sliding knot suture and incorporating the transversalis fascia for reinforcement, followed by purse-string closure of the peritoneum. Peri- and postoperative outcome parameters, including recurrence rate, were evaluated over a follow-up period of 14 months.

RESULTS

A total of seven male patients from July 2019 to 2020 were admitted to our center with a history of repaired bladder exstrophy and reducible inguinal hernias. Two patients had open inguinal hernia repair due to parental preference and five patients had laparoscopic repair. In the laparoscopic group three patients had bilateral inguinal hernias in one of them a metachronous hernia was discovered intraoperstively, and the remaining two patients had unilateral hernias, one on the right side and the other on the left side. All patients in the laparoscopic group had an uneventful recovery and were discharged within 24 h and there were no complications or recurrences during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a better alternative to managing inguinal hernias in children with bladder exstrophy.