Current concepts in minimal access surgery for children

The Use of Massage Therapy as a Nonpharmacological Approach to Relieve Postlaparoscopic Shoulder Pain: a Pediatric Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Postlaparoscopic shoulder pain (PLSP) has been well documented to effect patients following an abdominal or thoracic laparoscopic surgery. PLSP is characterized by referred pain that can occur both unilaterally or bilaterally, and is typically caused by phrenic nerve irritation. Current literature has focused on pharmacological treatment; however, there is limited evidence for the use of nonpharmacological management of PLSP in the pediatric population.

CASE DESCRIPTION

This retrospective case report study explores the use of a single-session massage therapy treatment for a 17-year-old patient with PLSP following laparoscopic abdominal surgery.

INTERVENTION AND RESULTS

Therapy intervention included a 25 min Swedish massage involving the effected shoulder with an emphasis on passive touch to the shoulder and at the level of the diaphragm. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pre- and postintervention. Following therapy the patient reported 0/10 pain.

CONCLUSION

This case report provides evidence for the use of massage therapy treatment as a noninvasive, nonpharmacological approach to reducing or eliminating PLSP in a pediatric patient.

Minimally Invasive Hepatobiliary Surgery

Comparative studies and large-scale case series that confirm the advantages of laparoscopy in children with hepatobiliary diseases are scarce, and the use of laparoscopy remains a matter of debate. This article reviews the current literature on the role of laparoscopic and robotic surgery in pediatric patients with choledochal cyst, biliary atresia, gallbladder diseases, and hepatobiliary malignancies. Studies were identified through a search of the MEDLINE database. Laparoscopy may be beneficial for resection of choledochal cyst and cholecystectomy. However, more data are required before recommendations on the use of minimally invasive techniques for other hepatobiliary conditions can be published.

Early experience with laparoscopic surgery in children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy is not yet routinely employed in many Paediatric Surgical Units in Nigeria despite the advantages it offers. This study describes the preliminary experience with laparoscopic procedures in a single centre.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all children who had laparoscopic surgery between January 2009 and December 2013 at the Paediatric Surgical Unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex Ile-Ife was carried out. Their sociodemographic, preoperative and intraoperative data along with postoperative records were subjected to descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

Eleven (44%) diagnostic and 14 (56%) therapeutic procedures were performed on 25 children whose age ranged from 5 months to 15 years (Median: 84 months, Mean: 103 ± 64.1 months), including eight (32%) females and 17 (68%) males. Indications included acute appendicitis in 12 (48%), intra-abdominal masses in six (24%), three (12%) disorders of sexual differentiation, two (8%) ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunctions and impalpable undescended testes in two (8%) children. The procedures lasted 15-90 minutes (Mean = 54 (±21.6) minutes). Conversion rate was 17% for two patients who had ruptured retrocaecal appendices. No intra operative complications were recorded while three (12%) patients had superficial port site infections post-operatively. All diagnostic (11) and two therapeutic procedures were done as day case surgery. The mean duration of hospital stay was 3.1 (±3.3) days for those who had appendectomies.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery in children is safe and feasible in our hospital. We advocate increased use of laparoscopy in paediatric surgical practice in Nigeria and similar developing settings.

Pediatric minimally invasive surgery: laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in infants and children

This article discusses the potential benefits and challenges of minimally invasive surgery for infants and small children, and discusses why pediatric minimally invasive surgery is not yet the surgical default or standard of care. Minimally invasive methods offer advantages such as smaller incisions, decreased risk of infection, greater surgical precision, decreased cost of care, reduced length of stay, and better clinical information. But none of these benefits comes without cost, and these costs, both monetary and risk-based, rise disproportionately with the declining size of the patient. In this review, we describe recent progress in minimally invasive surgery for infants and children. The evidence for the large benefits to the patient will be presented, as well as the considerable, sometimes surprising, mechanical and physiological challenges surgeons must manage.

Missed cancerous lesions in emergency laparoscopic surgery: retrospective study of 2074 cases

Abdominal laparoscopy is a widely accepted surgical procedure effective even for acute abdominal ailments. However, one major concern in using abdominal laparoscopy is missed lesions, in the past this has not been adequately explored. The aim of this retrospective study, therefore, is to evaluate cancerous lesions that are missed during emergency laparoscopic surgeries. The medical records of 2074 patients who had a laparoscopy from March 1996 to April 2006 for acute abdomen symptoms, including diagnostic laparoscopy (n = 119), laparoscopic appendectomy (n = 1336), laparoscopic duodenorrhaphy (n = 30), and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 589) were reviewed. Missed cancerous lesions included cecal cancer (n = 2), sigmoid cancer (n = 1), and jejunum lymphoma (n = 1). The incidence of missed cancerous lesions in an emergency laparoscopic surgery is 0.19%, mainly due to its lower tactile sensitivity compared to the direct hand palpation and masqueraded by inflammatory process. Therefore, careful observation is recommended for post-emergency laparoscopic patients and follow-up should be performed within three months, especially for patients with intra-abdominal and/or severe inflammation status.

Prior thoracic surgery has a limited impact on the feasibility of consecutive thoracoscopy in children: a prospective study on 228 procedures

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the impact of prior thoracic surgery on consecutive ipsilateral thoracoscopic surgery in children.

METHODS

We prospectively analyzed 228 thoracic procedures, which were performed in 190 children (99 male,91 female; mean age, 5.1 years; range, 1 day to 18 years) over a 7-year period (January 2000 to August 2007).Of these, 137 were thoracoscopies and 91 conventional operations. A panel of pediatric pulmonologists, anesthetists,and pediatric surgeons decided whether a thoracoscopy or a conventional approach was indicated. The endpoints were conversion rate, intraoperative events, and complications in subsequent thoracoscopies with regard to the type of prior thoracic surgery. In addition, the reasons for exclusion from thorascopy of those patients,who had a previous thoracic operation, should be identified.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients (14%) had prior ipsilateral thoracic surgery; 20 of these underwent thoracoscopy,12 after prior thoracotomy and 8 after prior thoracoscopy. The type of initial approach had no significant impact on the conversion rate of subsequent thoracoscopy (1/12 after thoracotomy vs. 0/8 after thoracoscopy; not significant). The conversion rate was not significantly different in patients with or without prior surgery (1/20 vs. 19/117; not significant). However, there was a higher number of reconstructive procedures in patients without prior surgery, which was reflected in conversions due to lack of overview (n 12), bleeding (n 3), tension during reconstruction of a diaphragmatic defect (n 2) and esophageal atresia (n 2), and intraoperative respiratory problems (n 1). Twelve patients with a prior operation underwent thoracotomy due to limited respiratory capacity (n 5), advanced tumor stage, prior sternotomy (n 6), and limited visibility, leading to conversion during initial thoracoscopy (n 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Prior thoracic operation has, independent of the initial approach, a limited impact on the feasibility of ipsilateral consecutive thoracoscopic surgery in children. The feasibility of thoracoscopy after prior operation is excellent.

Total laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma using the hanging method and a vessel-sealing device

An 11-year-old girl presented with a homogeneous right retroperitoneal tumor 5 cm in diameter. Nonfunctioning benign neurogenic tumor was suspected, and a laparoscopic resection was performed. The inferior vena cava ran just behind the tumor, and there were small vessels between the tumor and inferior vena cava. To create a space behind the tumor, we suspended the tumor by using a traction suture, and to obtain adequate hemostasis, we used a vessel-sealing device. The tumor was safely removed and the pathological diagnosis was benign ganglioneuroma. The postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient left her bed and started a regular diet on the postoperative day 1. Laparoscopic surgery is a safe, feasible method for the diagnosis and treatment of benign retroperitoneal tumors, such as ganglioneuroma.

Prior thoracic surgery has a limited impact on the feasibility of consecutive thoracoscopy in children: a prospective study on 228 procedures

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the impact of prior thoracic surgery on consecutive ipsilateral thoracoscopic surgery in children.

METHODS

We prospectively analyzed 228 thoracic procedures, which were performed in 190 children (99 male,91 female; mean age, 5.1 years; range, 1 day to 18 years) over a 7-year period (January 2000 to August 2007).Of these, 137 were thoracoscopies and 91 conventional operations. A panel of pediatric pulmonologists, anesthetists,and pediatric surgeons decided whether a thoracoscopy or a conventional approach was indicated. The endpoints were conversion rate, intraoperative events, and complications in subsequent thoracoscopies with regard to the type of prior thoracic surgery. In addition, the reasons for exclusion from thorascopy of those patients,who had a previous thoracic operation, should be identified.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients (14%) had prior ipsilateral thoracic surgery; 20 of these underwent thoracoscopy,12 after prior thoracotomy and 8 after prior thoracoscopy. The type of initial approach had no significant impact on the conversion rate of subsequent thoracoscopy (1/12 after thoracotomy vs. 0/8 after thoracoscopy; not significant). The conversion rate was not significantly different in patients with or without prior surgery (1/20 vs. 19/117; not significant). However, there was a higher number of reconstructive procedures in patients without prior surgery, which was reflected in conversions due to lack of overview (n 12), bleeding (n 3), tension during reconstruction of a diaphragmatic defect (n 2) and esophageal atresia (n 2), and intraoperative respiratory problems (n 1). Twelve patients with a prior operation underwent thoracotomy due to limited respiratory capacity (n 5), advanced tumor stage, prior sternotomy (n 6), and limited visibility, leading to conversion during initial thoracoscopy (n 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Prior thoracic operation has, independent of the initial approach, a limited impact on the feasibility of ipsilateral consecutive thoracoscopic surgery in children. The feasibility of thoracoscopy after prior operation is excellent.

Plasma volume replacement with HES 130/0.42 obviates negative side effects of pneumoperitoneum in piglets

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based guidelines on optimal perioperative fluid management in infants have not been established. Recent randomized trials in major abdominal surgery in adults suggest that large volumes of fluid may increase morbidity and hospital stay. Our own clinical experience in infants undergoing laparoscopic surgery is different. So the aim of this study was to compare a crystalloid vs a plasma volume stabilizing fluid management regime during prolonged pneumoperitoneum (PP) in an experimental setting.

METHODS

Fifteen German landrace piglets were randomized to one of the following treatment groups: control (no PP, 5 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1) electrolyte solution); crystalloid (180 min of PP, 5 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1) electrolyte solution); colloid (180 min of PP, single bolus of 5 ml x kg(-1) followed by 5 ml x kg(-1) x h(-1) hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.42/6:2). After decompression, monitoring was continued for a further 120 min. During the investigation, the hemodynamic situation including transpulmonary thermodilution and blood gases was monitored periodically.

RESULTS

During the study, mean arterial pressure remained within the normal range in colloid-treated animals and controls, but was significantly lower in crystalloid-treated animals after decompression of PP. Cardiac output remained within the normal range in the colloid and control groups, but decreased in the crystalloid-treated animals. In the crystalloid group, the lactate concentrations were higher and base excess was lower than in the colloid and control groups at 240 and 300 min (study end).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the negative effects of prolonged PP on hemodynamics and acid-base balance can be obviated by a liberal plasma volume stabilization regimen with colloids.

Cost Analysis of Minimally Invasive Surgery in a Pediatric Setting

AIMS

The aims of this study was to determine whether an active policy of cost curtailment would impact on the theater cost of laparoscopic surgery in a pediatric setting; to document the extent of cost changes over time and to identify factors that adversely influence expenditure; and to investigate whether the surgeon is a significant factor in the price of the procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective audit of laparoscopic procedures was performed in a single unit over a 36-month period. Detailed costs of theater inventory for all procedures were compiled on a case-by-case basis and recorded on a database. The cost of six index procedures were collated and changes over the period of the study analyzed. The factors responsible for increased expenditure were flagged and appraised to enable the implementation of cost-saving measures. The prices of the laparoscopic equipment were based on invoiced figures provided by hospital managers, and no long-term outcome measures were taken into account.

RESULTS

A total of 179 cases were performed by six surgeons over a 3-year period between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005, with no adverse intraoperative events. The procedures studied in further detail were appendicectomy (n = 50), fundoplication (n = 25), cholecystectomy (n = 12), nephrectomy (n = 10), Fowler Stevens for undescended testes (n = 10), and modified Palomo operations for varicocoele (n = 7). The mean cost of these procedures fell year by year over the period of study but was significant only in appendicectomy (P = 0.017). For this procedure, there was a significant difference in costs between the various surgeons (P = 0.007), but this trend was not noted with the other procedures. There were no major intraoperative events, although 2 patients required conversion owing to technical difficulties posed by the cases. Among the factors that influenced costs were the use of disposables, particularly for hemostasis and suctioning, and an inability to procure reuseable instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

The costs of commonly performed laparoscopic procedures are falling year by year. The surgeon is a factor in the costs of some procedures. A cost-saving strategy has not been compromised of patient safety; however, some cost-saving measures, though attractive, are labor intensive and are not practical. An overall commitment to the sensible use of health care resources translates into savings for hospitals, thereby strengthening the case for laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic resection of a benign liver tumor in a child

Laparoscopy for the resection of liver masses in children has remained undeveloped despite the wide acceptance of laparoscopy in the field of pediatric surgery. The authors report a case of nonanatomical laparoscopic hepatic resection of a large mesenchymal hamartoma in a 2-year-old boy. The procedure was performed using an innovative approach with a combination of different technologies that allowed for a safe and precise resection. This case demonstrates the feasibility of a nonanatomical laparoscopic hepatic resection, even for very large tumors. Both technical expertise and use of novel technologies are necessary to ensure a precise and controlled resection.

Teaching impact in pediatric minimal access surgery: Personal perspective from "Fellow"

The global objective of this paper is to review from the “Fellow” perspective, the current status of pediatric minimal access surgery (MAS) in terms of teaching feasibility, safety and impact on standard practice paradigms. In the pediatric general surgery field, surgeons are dealing with a wide range of pathology that includes thoracic, abdominal, urological and gynecological procedures. The learning curve is slow because of a relatively small volume of patients. However, gradually but steadily, a significant proportion of the procedures traditionally performed, with major open exposures at present, are preferentially performed by minimal access. Currently, minimal access surgery training is incorporated into adult general surgery residency/fellowship programs and teaching techniques of pediatric MAS are available only as seldom international workshops. Pediatric surgery fellowship programs with incorporated guidelines for MAS training are just recently feasible in select centers, mostly as “self” established programs. In many other pediatric surgery centers, teaching the “glamour” of MAS is quite dependent on a program director’s vision. Integration of MAS training into the secondary residency/fellowship curriculum of pediatric surgeons is the inevitable goal. MAS- minded education and research through adequate training will pay dividends and “manufacture” competent, contemporary trainees. National Pediatric Surgery Associations should be responsible for setting criteria that consider the MAS for accreditation with maintaining the international standards of these teaching programs.

Factors affecting innovation in pediatric surgery: hospital type and appendectomies

BACKGROUND

There are little data on whether patient or hospital characteristics affect utilization of innovative surgical techniques in children, especially with respect to laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), whose benefit over existing treatment remains unproven. This study examines the patterns of LA using a national database, focusing on variations in care between children's and general hospitals.

METHODS

Using data from the 2000 Healthcare Costs and Utilization Project Kid's Inpatient Database for patients aged 5 to 20 years with a discharge diagnosis of appendectomy, we analyzed the relationship between LA and patient demographic and hospital characteristic variables.

RESULTS

The Healthcare Costs and Utilization Project Kid's Inpatient Database included 50,825 pediatric appendectomies (26% LA) representing 97,205 cases in the nation. Children's hospitals and children's units were significantly more likely to provide LA (36% and 28%, respectively) than general hospitals (25%). Higher LA rates were also associated with greater patient age, female sex, nonperforated appendicitis, private insurance, and white patient race. The children's hospital effect compared to general hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.88-2.38) and all other relationships remained significant in the multivariate model.

CONCLUSION

Utilization of LA is significantly higher in children's hospitals. Children's hospitals appear more likely to adopt innovative surgical procedures, such as LA, even when clear benefit over standard treatment has not yet emerged.

Impact of prior surgery on the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for children: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the impact of prior surgery on the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for children.

METHODS

A prospective study analyzed 471 consecutive children who underwent laparoscopic surgery over a 4-year period. Laparoscopic procedures were classified "easy," "difficult," or "demanding." The end points of the study were conversion rate, intraoperative events, and duration of operation.

RESULTS

A total of 89 patients (19%) had undergone previous abdominal surgery. The conversion rate was 18% for the patients with prior surgery versus 9% for those without a prior operation (16/89 vs 35/382; p < 0.05). This difference reflects a significantly higher conversion rate for "easy" procedures among patients with than among those without prior surgery, but not for "difficult" and "demanding" procedures. The type of prior surgery had no significant impact on the mean duration of the operation. Of 71 procedures, 12 (17%) after prior conventional surgery were converted, as compared with 4 (22%) of 18 after prior laparoscopy (p > 0.05). Intraoperative events, mainly attributable to adhesions and lack of overview, occurred in 8% of patients with prior procedures, as compared with 2% without former surgery (7/89 vs 9/382; p < 0.05). Relevant complications were not significantly more frequent after prior surgery. The incidence of conversions decreased with increased time between current and previous surgery. It was 64% for surgeries less than 1 year later, 25% for surgeries 1 to 5 years later, and 5% for surgeries more than 5 years later (7/11 vs 6/24 vs 3/54; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Prior surgery has a limited impact on the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for children. The conversion rate and the incidence of intraoperative events, mainly because of adhesions and lack of overviewing, is increased, but not the incidence of relevant complications. The feasibility improves considerably with increased time between surgery and prior surgery. The authors consider laparoscopy to be the first-choice technique after prior surgery.

Haemodynamic, acid–base and blood volume changes during prolonged low pressure pneumoperitoneum in rabbits

BACKGROUND

The anaesthetic management of small infants during advanced laparoscopic surgery can be complicated by the major pathophysiological effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure. In this study haemodynamic, acid-base and blood volume changes were investigated during pneumoperitoneum in a small animal model.

METHODS

Ten fasted, anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated and multi-catheterized New Zealand rabbits were randomized to carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum (PP, duration 210 min, pressure 8 mm Hg) or control group. Cardiac index was determined using trans-cardiopulmonary thermodilution and total blood volume was measured by thermal-dye dilution with indocyanine green using a fibreoptic monitor system.

RESULTS

In PP cardiac index (CI), central venous oxygen saturation (Scv(O(2))), total blood volume (TBV) and base excess (BE) decreased significantly during the study whereas all variables remained constant in the control group. After release of PP the measured variables did not return to baseline within 30 min [PP, baseline vs study end: CI 108 (22) vs 85 (14) ml kg(-1) min(-1), Scv(O(2)) 81.4 (8.9) vs 56.7 (9.8)%, TBV 318 (69) vs 181 (54) ml, BE -1.9 (2.7) vs -8.7 (1.8) mmol litre(-1); P<0.01].

CONCLUSION

Our animal model suggests that a decrease in CI, metabolic acidosis and hypovolaemia could occur after prolonged low pressure pneumoperitoneum in small infants, which is possibly not detectable by the standard monitor setting. Therefore, the routine use of an extended monitoring including measurement of central venous oxygen saturation and acid-base parameters should be considered during and soon after operation, when pneumoperitoneum will last longer than 2 h.

Ovarian germ cell tumors in children: a clinical study of 66 patients

BACKGROUND

Ovarian germ cell tumors are rare in childhood. The aim of this study is to review clinical presentation, management, and outcome in a two-center series of girls with ovarian germ cell tumor.

PROCEDURE

The records of 66 patients (median age 9 years) with histologically proven ovarian germ cell tumor (either benign or malignant), treated over a 44-year-span, were reviewed.

RESULTS

Pain and an abdominal mass were the most frequent symptoms. The tumors were right-sided in 35, left-sided in 28, and bilateral in 3. Most patients (52) were stage I, 4 were stage II, 6 stage III, and 1, with liver metastases, stage IV. Sixteen patients had an emergency operation for tumor torsion. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was the most frequently performed procedure (n = 46), and ovarian-sparing tumorectomy was performed in 9 patients (one bilaterally). Histologically, teratomas were found most frequently (mature: 45, immature: 9), followed by mixed tumors (n = 7), yolk sac tumors (n = 3), dysgerminoma (n = 2), gonadoblastoma (n = 2), and embryonal carcinoma (n = 1). Surgical removal of the tumor with or without the ovary and/or adnex was the sole treatment in 55 patients, chemotherapy was administered in 10 and radiotherapy + chemotherapy in one. Intra-operative spillage of tumoral fluid occurred in six; this did not influence outcome in five. Recurrence was observed in three patients. Two patients, with malignant disease, died. The 64 survivors are now between 8 months and 44 years after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

With a recurrence rate of 4.5% and a mortality rate of 3%, this series confirms the excellent prognosis for girls with ovarian germ cell tumor (GCT).

Total laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy performed in a child with benign liver mass

Despite the increasing number of recent reports on laparoscopic liver resection in adults, there are only rare reports on such a procedure being performed in children. The authors report here on a total laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy that was performed in a 5-year-old girl who had a cystic tumor of the liver. The operative time was 150 minutes, the estimated blood loss was about 100 mL, and no intraoperative transfusion was required. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 11 without any significant complications. The postoperative pathology of the specimen confirmed it to be a mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver with a disease-free resection margin. This case demonstrates that laparoscopic liver resection can be a safe and feasible operative procedure for the pediatric patient with liver disease.

Tolerance of laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in neonates

OBJECTIVES

Video-surgery in neonates is recent. Data on the respiratory, hemodynamic, and thermic effects during the first month of life are still sparse. This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of video-surgery in neonates and to determine the risk factors of per-operative complications.

METHODS

From 1994 to 2004, 49 neonates (mean age: 11 days; weight: 3285 g) underwent 50 video-surgical procedures. Indications for laparoscopy were duodenal atresias, volvulus with malrotation, pyloric stenosis, gastroesophageal reflux, cystic lymphangiomas, ovarian cysts, biliary atresia, and congenital diaphragmatic hernias; indications for thoracoscopy were esophageal atresias and tracheoesophageal fistula.

RESULTS

Median operative time was 79 minutes. Mean insufflation pressure was 6.7 mm Hg (range: 3-13). Oxygen saturation decreased, especially with thoracic insufflation or high-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Systolic arterial pressure, which decreased in 20% of the patients, was controlled easily with vascular expansion. Thermic loss (mean postoperative temperature: 35.6 degrees C) was proportional to the duration of insufflation. No surgical incident was noted. Ten anesthetic incidents occurred (20%), 3 of which required temporary or definitive interruption of insufflation (O2 saturation <70%). Risk factors for an incident were low preoperative temperature, high variation of end-tidal pressure of CO2, surgical time >100 minutes, thoracic insufflation, and a high oxygen or vascular expansion requirement at the beginning of insufflation.

CONCLUSION

The neonate's high sensitivity to insufflation is an important limiting factor of video-surgery. The described profile of the neonate at risk may help to reduce the frequency of adverse effects of this technique and improve its tolerance.

The role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis of intestinal vascular anomalies affecting two small infants

Two infants affected by intestinal vascular anomalies causing lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage are reported. Upper and lower gastrointestinal tract endoscopy and radionuclide scan were negative. The authors found laparoscopic exploration very useful in detecting the cause and the site of bleeding. Because the usual investigations for gastrointestinal bleeding have been proven to be time-consuming and often unreliable in small infants, the authors suggest considering laparoscopic exploration as a first-line diagnostic tool in this subset of patients. A new diagnostic algorithm for gastrointestinal bleeding in infants is proposed.

Endoscopic pyloromyotomy for congenital pyloric stenosis

BACKGROUND

The advent of sophisticated endoscopic devices allows for a variety of procedures heretofore performed surgically. This study describes the results of endoscopic pyloromyotomy for congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (CHPS).

METHODS

Ten consecutive infants (7 boys, 3 girls; age range 3-7 weeks), with a diagnosis of CHPS, underwent endoscopic pyloromyotomy while under conscious sedation by using an endoscopic electrosurgical needle knife or a sphincterotome. Incisions were made from the antral to the duodenal side of the pylorus. All procedures except one were performed on an outpatient basis.

RESULTS

No complication was encountered in any patient. All patients began regular feedings as soon as they recovered from the effects of the sedative medication and were discharged on the same day. At follow-up (range 6 months to 2 years), all patients were doing well.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for CHPS has undergone little change in recent decades except for the advent of the laparoscopic approach. Surgical pyloromyotomy is considered simple, inexpensive, and safe. Endoscopic pyloromyotomy is equally simple, probably less expensive, and it can be performed as an outpatient procedure.

Laparoscopic seromuscular colonic biopsies: a surgeon's experience

BACKGROUND

Colonic dysmotility is a recognised cause of chronic constipation in children. Colonic dysmotility is better analysed by examination of the colonic muscle than rectal biopsy, which does not examine the defective area and has a low yield. We explored the role of laparoscopic colonic muscle biopsies to investigate children with intractable constipation. The authors describe the technique, its application, and results from a large series.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all patients undergoing laparoscopic seromuscular colonic biopsies (hepatic flexure, mid-transverse colon, splenic flexure, and sigmoid colon) by a single surgeon for the investigation of chronic constipation over a 10-year period. Patient records were reviewed to determine the perforation frequency and management, postoperative recovery time and the frequency of an immunohistochemical abnormality.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-seven patients (118 boys) were investigated by laparoscopic biopsy during the period. The mean age was 8.0 +/- 4.0 years (range, 1.4-22.4). The patients took 28.7 +/- 13.6 hours (range, 8-120) to recover, with 37 (19%) having nausea and/or vomiting requiring antiemetics. Most patients (160/197, 81%) were discharged the following day. Six patients (3%) had a mucosal perforation recognised at operation (treated by an Endoloop) with no change in postoperative outcome. Two patients (1%) had an unrecognised mucosal perforation requiring laparoscopic reoperation and Endoloop closure (laparotomy/colostomy not required), with no further sequelae. Eight-six patients (44%) had a specific immunohistochemical neuropeptide anomaly (reduced substance P [84], reduced vasoactive intestinal peptide [2]).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic biopsy is a valuable tool to investigate chronic constipation in children, allowing a pathological diagnosis to be made in many cases. The complications of the procedure are acceptably low with this technique.