Alp Numanoglu

Peritoneal Dialysis for Acute Kidney Injury

Renal Unit,1 Greys Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Renal and Intensive Care Units,2 Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, United Kingdom; Pediatric Nephrology Unit,3 Soba University Hospital, University of Khartoum, Sudan; Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences and Madras Medical Mission,4 Chennai, India; Department of Medicine,5 Botucatu School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Division of Nephrology-Hypertension,6 University of California, San Diego, USA; Division of Pediatric Nephrology,7 Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Pediatric Nephrology Unit,8 Instituto da Criança of the Hospital das Clinicas of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Pediatric Nephrology Department,9 Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Surgery,10 Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; School of Medicine,11 Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Parana, Curitiba, Brazil; Division of Pediatric Nephrology,12 University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, USA; Division of Nephrology,13 Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada; and Yale University,14 New Haven, USA ispd guidelines/ReCOMMendATiOns

Colonic atresia: spectrum of presentation and pitfalls in management. A review of 14 cases

Fourteen cases of colonic atresia seen over a 38-year period are reviewed with particular reference to clinical presentation and pitfalls in management. Seven had Type I atresia, two Type II and five Type IIIa. Ten had associated gastrointestinal anomalies. Management varied considerably. Six had primary colonic anastomosis. Two of these developed complications due to unrecognized distal hypoganglionosis, two had associated jejunal atresias resulting in short bowel syndrome, and two had primary anastomosis protected by proximal ileostomies. Seven had a staged repair with initial defunctioning enterostomy with only one complication, an unfixed mesentery that later resulted in midgut volvulus. The only mortality was a patient in which a jejunal atresia repair leaked as a result of a missed colonic atresia. Operative strategy should depend on the clinical state of the patients, the level of atresia, associated small bowel pathology and exclusion of distal pathology. Primary anastomosis would only rarely be advised with a circumspect approach. Long-term outlook, as in small bowel atresia is generally excellent.

Outcomes of human immunodeficiency virus–infected and –exposed children undergoing surgery—a prospective study

AIM Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a worldwide pandemic. Mother-to-child transmission programs should theoretically minimize vertical transfer of the virus, but with variable effectiveness of implementation a significant number of children become infected and may present for emergency, diagnostic, and elective surgery. The aim of this study was to prospectively document the clinical presentation, the spectrum of pathology, and surgical outcomes of patients presenting to our hospital. This formed part of a pilot study of a collaborative international working group studying HIV infection in children, which included the Buzzi Childrens Hospital Milan, Italy; the University of San Diego, California, USA; and the Red Cross War Memorial Childrens Hospital and University of Cape Town, School of Adolescent and Child Health, Cape Town, South Africa. METHOD Clinical data from all children admitted to the surgical service of the Red Cross War Memorial Childrens Hospital between July 2004 and December 2006 with either a history of HIV exposure (born to an HIV-infected mother) or confirmation of HIV infection by ELISA or polymerase chain reaction was collected. The clinical course was documented prospectively for the duration of admission and subsequent follow-up as recorded in case records review. The spectrum of pathology, surgical intervention, outcome, complications, World Health Organization stage of AIDS, and type of antiretroviral therapy were all noted. Comparative outcomes and subgroup analysis were not done in this part of the study. RESULTS One hundred and thirteen patients were included in the study over the 30-month period. The average age was 24 months (1 day to 11 years). Seventy-nine (70%) of the 113 patients were infected and 34 (30%) were exposed, 9 of whom subsequently tested negative. Of the infected group, 53 (67%) patients were on antiretroviral therapy. The extent of disease in the infected group of patients according to the 2006 World Health Organization criteria was as follows: stage 1, 4 (5%); stage 2, 12 (15%); stage 3, 51 (65%); and stage 4, 12 (15%). All patients had nutritional assessments and were plotted on growth curves. Sixty-two (54%) were found to be malnourished and 41 (36%) of the children were found to have comorbid disease processes. Eighteen patients (16%) were treated with antibiotics or conservative therapy alone. The remaining 95 patients (84%) underwent an average of 1.6 procedures (range, 1-35), 59 (52%) in an elective manner and 36 (31%) as an emergency. When assessing the relationship of HIV to the presenting disease state, 58 (73.4%) had HIV-related diseases and 52 (46%) presented with sepsis. A total of 29 (25%) patients had surgical complications of which 6 (20%) were not considered to be HIV related. Nine (31%) had, in retrospect, incorrect management of the presenting disease, leaving 14 (48%) who potentially had HIV-related complications of poor wound healing and sepsis. A total of 100 (88%) were discharged alive, 6 (5.3%) died, and 7 (6 %) were lost to follow-up. Long-term follow-up of 50 patients for an average of 8 months revealed one further mortality. CONCLUSION Human immunodeficiency virus-positive and -exposed patients present a unique challenge in management which is complicated by concomitant disease and poor nutrition. These patients require an expanded differential diagnosis. We believe that, although on the surface there may be a higher complication rate, this needs to be confirmed in an expanded comparative cohort study, which is underway and that patients should still receive the benefit of full surgical intervention.

Laparoscopic repair of anorectal malformations at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital: taking stock

BACKGROUND The current standard repair for anorectal malformations in children is a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty. Recently, laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty (LAARP) was performed at the Red Cross Childrens Hospital. METHODS A detailed case note review was conducted. Patient outcome was prospectively evaluated by colorectal nurse specialists using the Krickenbeck standardized questionnaire. Comparison among patients undergoing posterior sagittal anorectoplasty was performed. RESULTS Between September 2005 and June 2009, 24 children underwent LAARP. Sixteen had associated anomalies, including 7 children with renal and 4 children with cardiac abnormalities. Median age at surgery was 7.5 months (range, 2.6-15.0 months). Subtypes of anorectal malformation were as follows: vestibular, 2; bulbar, 9; prostatic, 7; vesical, 3; and with no fistula, 3. There was a 16% early complication rate. Redo-anoplasty was required in 9 patients. Eleven children had difficulties with follow-up. Thirteen children had regular follow-up and were analyzed further. Toilet training had been completed in 7 children (median age, 4.3 years; range, 3.5-6 years). Six children developed voluntary bowel motions. Six children are awaiting toilet training or are unable to train because of incontinence. CONCLUSIONS Anal stenosis was the most common complication post-LAARP. Etiology appeared to be multifactorial, but poor compliance with dilatations was a leading cause.

Single-Port Laparoscopic Gastrostomy

Basic paediatric laparoscopic surgery generally involves the use of three ports, a 5-mm port at the umbilicus for the camera, in addition to two 3or 5-mm working ports. As laparoscopic surgery techniques improve and minimally invasive surgery becomes more established, the trend is towards using fewer ports. In this article we describe a method to create a gastrostomy using a single 5-mm port, functioning as the camera, working port and gastrostomy site.

Caring for children with colorectal disease in the context of limited resources

The management of patients with colorectal disease in the pediatric population is challenging. Such management is all the more challenging when facing the constraints imposed by an environment with limited clinical resources. Three types of colorectal problems are highlighted in this article: anorectal malformations, Hirschsprungs disease, and acquired rectovaginal fistula in the human immunodeficiency virus-positive population. Through the use of illustrative cases, the authors discuss the pitfalls and challenges encountered in the diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate disposition of these patients. The bulk of the experience used to write this article was acquired in low- and middle-income countries in Africa. The authors hope that the lessons learned will help others manage such patients in the context of limited resources, but recognize that challenges will vary from place to place. There is no substitute for local, contextual expertise.

Laparoscopic insertion with tip suturing, omentectomy, and ovariopexy improves lifespan of peritoneal dialysis catheters in children.

UNLABELLED Over the past two decades, chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) has emerged as the first choice pediatric dialysis modality. A recent study visually identified the cause of malfunction of PD catheters at the Red Cross Childrens Hospital in Cape Town. The reasons that could be found, lead to changed Tenckhoff insertion-techniques from open to laparoscopic. This included suturing of the tip, omentectomy and ovarian-pexy by laparoscopy. In the present paper we prospectively analyzed, if changed insertion technique lead to an improved outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS 26 Patients required 36 laparoscopic Tenckhoff insertions during the period August of 2003 and July of 2006. Overall a total number of 222.5 catheter-months have been observed. Laparoscopic insertion technique required 3 port placements. The tip of the catheter was sutured to pelvic peritoneum, omentectomy performed through a port site and ovariopexy done when required. RESULTS The mean lifespan of all Tenckhoffs was 6.4 +/- 6.3 months. The tip of the catheter was sutured 20 times, omentectomy done in 9 cases and 6 patients underwent ovarian pexy. In the group where the tip was sutured to the pelvic peritoneum catheter life was 8.4 months compared to the non-sutured group which was only 4.1. Omentectomy lead to an overall catheter survival of 8.0 months compared to the no omentectomy group, which had a survival of 5.8 months. The complication-rate concerning early problems and malfunctions in the sutured and omentectomy groups was also lower. Patients who underwent both, suturing of the tip and omentectomy had no malfunctions at all. CONCLUSION Omentectomy and suturing the tip can lower the complication-rate and prolong catheter survival. Using these procedures could decrease costs and morbidity and prevent patients from having further operations.

Management of traumatic complete pancreatic fracture in a child: case report and review of literature.

UNLABELLED Blunt abdominal trauma is the most common cause of pancreatic injury in children. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in a child with complete duct disruption has not been reported in the literature in children, although it has been well described in adults. METHODS In this paper report a case of a 7-year-old male, with grade 4 pancreatic trauma, who was treated nonoperatively in the acute phase and subsequently by laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy 3 months after the trauma. DISCUSSION Although in adults the surgical management of grade 3-4 pancreatic traumatic injury is well described, including the laparoscopic approach, no report of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was found in the literature. We would like to emphasize the importance of using a conservative management in the acute phase of pancreatic injury, including grade 4 injuries. After this phase, the use of the high-definition computed tomography scan and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography were fundamental. CONCLUSION Magnification of laparoscopic technique allowed us to identify the structures much better than open surgery.

Effect of maternal human immunodeficiency virus status on the outcome of neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis

AIM The aim of the study was to assess the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure on survival and extent of disease in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients with NEC requiring surgery between June 1998 and June 2008 were analyzed. Three groups were identified: those born to HIV-positive (HIV+) mothers, those born to HIV-negative (HIV-) mothers, and those with an unknown HIV status. Primary outcome measure was survival to discharge. Secondary outcome measure was extent of disease. RESULTS One hundred nine infants (mean gestational age, 31 weeks; birth weight, 1413 g) underwent surgery for NEC. Gestational age, birth weight, and day of presentation were similar in all 3 groups, showing no statistical difference. The HIV+ group consisted of 22 infants, of which 13 (59%) died and 2 (9%) had panintestinal necrosis. The HIV- group consisted of 48 infants, of which 11 (23%) died, with 3(6%) having panintestinal necrosis. The remaining group of HIV (unknown) consisted of 38 infants, of which 14 (37%) died, with 2 (5%) having panintestinal necrosis. The latter group was not included in the analysis; but comparing the HIV+ and HIV- groups, there was a statistically higher chance of death (odds ratio = 4.8, P = .05). There was no difference statistically in the extent of disease. CONCLUSION Neonates with NEC born to HIV+ mothers have a higher mortality.

Prediction of outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract The case records of 59 patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) who presented between 1984 and 1997 were studied retrospectively. Included in the study were infants born with CDH who required respiratory support within the first 6 h of life. Twenty-three were excluded from the study for various reasons; 36 were enrolled in the study; the male-to-female ratio was 18:18. Twenty-nine hernias were left-sided and 7 were right-sided. All patients were ventilated using conventional techniques. Arterial blood gases were measured on average 1.76 h following admission and the initial period of resuscitation (range 1–4 h). Three formulae were applied in an attempt to predict outcome: ventilation index against PCO2, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, and a newly derived formula from this institution (Red Cross formula) that comprises respiratory rate × PCO2× FiO2× mean airway pressure/PaO2× 6000. Seventeen patients (47.2%) survived and 19 died (52.8%); 21 became stable enough to undergo surgery. The average time from presentation until surgery was 1.98 days (range 6 h to 4 days). The Red Cross formula, with a 100% predictive value for mortality, 85% predictive value for survival, and an overall predictive value of 91.6%, appeared to be superior to the other formulae studied. The availability of a highly accurate predictive formula may facilitate management of this frequently lethal disease.