Elad Feigin

Colorectal carcinoma in childhood: a retrospective multicenter study.

Objectives:Colorectal carcinoma, a common adult malignancy, has an estimated childhood incidence of 0.3 to 1.5/million in Western countries and 0.2/million in Israel. Diagnosis is difficult because adult screening measures are unfeasible in children. The tumor is frequently associated with predisposing genetic factors, aggressive biological behavior, and poor prognosis. The aim of this multicenter study was to document the clinical profile, treatment and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma in children in Israel. Patients and Methods:The clinical, laboratory, therapeutic, and prognostic parameters of all 7 children from 4 medical centers in Israel who were diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma over a 25-y period were reviewed. Results:Patients presented with rectal bleeding (4 of 7), abdominal pain (2 of 7), and abdominal distension (2 of 7). Average time to diagnosis was 6 months. Six patients underwent surgery (1 refused), and 5 received chemotherapy. Histopathological studies showed poorly differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma, signet-ring type, in 4 cases, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in 2, and well-differentiated carcinoma in 1. Three patients died of the disease, 2 shortly after diagnosis. One patient with recurrent metastatic disease was lost to follow-up. Conclusion:Colorectal carcinoma in children is characterized by aggressive tumor behavior and delayed diagnosis, resulting in a worse prognosis than in adults. Heightened physician awareness of the possibility of this disease in children, with special attention to adolescents with predisposing factors and rectal bleeding, could help to improve outcome.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome: Risk of malignancy and timing of surgery in a paediatric and adolescent population

BACKGROUND Management of female phenotype XY disorders poses a series of problems for the treating clinician. Even after a series of investigations and imaging modalities, there are lingering doubts about the exact nature of the disease and the correct management option. Optimal timing and necessity for removal of their testes have been a debated issue by physicians. There is a generally accepted opinion among physicians that the risk of malignancy in androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is considerably lower than with other intersex disorders and occurs at a later age. OBJECTIVE The highlight of this presentation is to reinforce the value of laparoscopic gonadectomy in management of AIS in correlation with data suggesting higher risk of malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective review of 11 phenotypic females with XY karyotype was carried out. The patients were evaluated by a diagnostic protocol which included clinical, hormonal, sonographic and cytogenetic examinations. Patients/parents were counselled by the team concerning the different treatment modalities and contrary to the assigned gender, laparoscopy was offered to them. Uneventful bilateral gonadectomy was performed in all the patients and gonads submitted for histopathological examination. RESULTS A total of 11 patients (mean age, 10.4 ± 4.1 years), including six with complete AIS and five with partial AIS (PAIS) were reviewed. In two patients with PAIS (18.1%), histopathology revealed malignancy (bilateral seminoma and gonadoblastoma) and in an additional patient, a benign hamartoma was found. Literature evidence suggests that AIS female phenotype patients retaining their testes through puberty have a 5% chance for developing malignant tumours. Reviewing our results in correlation with literature, we found that PAIS patients may harbour a higher risk of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS In complementation to hormonal tests and cytogenetic techniques, laparoscopic gonadectomy is required to complete the diagnostic work up for AIS as it also adds a final therapeutic approach with low risk and huge benefit. Since laparoscopy is now a well-tolerated and widely accepted gold standard, it should be included in routine management for patients with AIS. Risk of malignancy in PAIS should be investigated in larger cohort of these patients.

Compliance with surgical antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines in pediatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) guidelines balance the need to prevent infection with the risks of adverse drug effects. Our aim was to assess compliance with AP guidelines. METHODS A retrospective study was performed in a pediatric medical center. Included were patients aged 0 to 18 years that underwent clean-contaminated surgery during a 1-year period (2008-2009) and required AP. Compliance with four AP bundle guidelines was evaluated. Risk factors for noncompliance were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS AP was given to 239 of 247 (96.8%) of patients. Complete compliance with AP guidelines was achieved in 16 of 247 (6.5%) patients. Compliance with guidelines for appropriate antibiotic, drug dose, correct timing, and treatment duration were found in 97.1, 52.2, 31.9, and 35.9% of patients, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that inappropriate timing was associated with age ≥ 4 years (p = 0.002), urgent surgery (p = 0.0018), surgical department AP administration (p = 0.0001), and night-time surgery (p = 0.015). Incorrect AP dose was associated with presence of comorbidities (p = 0.006). No risk factor was related to incorrect AP duration. CONCLUSIONS We have found a low rate of full compliance with AP guidelines. AP should only be given in the operating room. Increased awareness to AP guidelines is needed.

Meatotomy Using Local Anesthesia and Sedation or General Anesthesia With or Without Penile Block in Children: A Prospective Randomized Study

PURPOSE Meatotomy is a simple, common procedure for the treatment of meatal stenosis. We compared the outcomes of meatotomy performed using local anesthesia and sedation, and general anesthesia with and without penile block. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective comparative design was used. Participants included 76 boys 1.5 to 10 years old treated for meatal stenosis at a tertiary, university affiliated, pediatric medical center in 2008. Children were randomly allocated to undergo surgery with sedation and local anesthesia, or general anesthesia with or without penile block. All procedures were performed with the same method by the same surgeon. For local anesthesia EMLA 5% cream (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) covered with an occlusive dressing was applied 1 hour preoperatively, and midazolam (in patients younger than 5 years) or nitrous oxide (older than 5 years) was used for sedation. General anesthesia was induced with inhaled sevoflurane, and ropivacaine was used for dorsal penile nerve block. RESULTS There was no difference among the groups in pain level intraoperatively (no pain in 92% to 93% of patients), 24 hours postoperatively (no pain in 81% to 88%) or after 1 month, or in complication rates (bleeding in 3 patients, laryngospasm in 2). General anesthesia with penile block was associated with a trend of less dysuria. Quality of void was excellent in 87% of patients at 24 hours and in 70% at 1 month, and parental satisfaction was high (88% to 92%). CONCLUSIONS Meatotomy performed using local anesthesia and sedation has an equally good outcome to meatotomy performed using general anesthesia with or without penile block.

A case study of virilizing adrenal tumor in an adolescent female elite tennis player--insight into the use of anabolic steroids in young athletes.

Eliakim, A, Cale-Benzoor, M, Klinger-Cantor, B, Freud, E, Nemet, D, Feigin, E, and Weintrob, N. A case study of virilizing adrenal tumor in an adolescent female elite tennis player-insight into the use of anabolic steroids in young athletes. J Strength Cond Res 25(1): 46-50, 2011-A 14-year-old Caucasian girl was referred to the endocrine clinic for evaluation of voice deepening, facial hirsutism, and acne starting 2 years previously. She had been a competitive tennis player since age 7 years, practicing for 4-6 hours daily. On physical examination she was noticed to have a masculine appearance with mild facial acne and moderate hirsutism. Tanner stage was 1 for breast tissue and 5 for pubic hair. Her androgen levels (testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) were extremely elevated. Adrenal ultrasonography revealed a round left 4.6 × 5.3-cm adrenal mass. Laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed. The histologic findings were compatible with a benign adrenocortical tumor. Postoperatively, androgen levels dropped to within the normal range. Breast development proceeded normally, menarche occurred 2 months after tumor resection, and menses has been regular since then. Muscle strength of the dominant and nondominant upper and lower extremities was measured 1 month before surgery and 1 year later, using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Systems II, Biodex, Shirley, NY, USA). There was no significant decrease in overall muscle strength after removal of the virilizing tumor and the marked drop in circulating androgens. In addition, the patient maintained her age category, number 1, national tennis ranking. The results suggest that even extremely high levels of tumor-related circulating androgens had no evident effect on muscle strength and competitive performance in a female adolescent tennis player. The lack of beneficial effect on performance in adolescents, combined with the potentially hazardous side effects of anabolic steroids, suggests that teenage athletes should avoid their use.

The 16 golden hours for conservative treatment in children with postoperative small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND Conservative treatment of postoperative small bowel obstruction in children is widely accepted, provided that there are no clinical signs of bowel strangulation. However, the length of time surgery can be safely deferred remains unclear. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the time limit for observant management of postoperative small bowel obstruction. METHODS The medical records of 128 children with 174 episodes of postoperative small bowel obstruction were reviewed. RESULTS Spontaneous resolution occurred in 63% of cases, 85% within 48 hours of admission. Bowel compromise was noted in 31% of the operated cases, and about half of them underwent bowel resection, accounting for 6% of all admissions. None of the cases treated surgically within 16 hours of admission was associated with bowel strangulation or need for resection. CONCLUSIONS In children presenting with postoperative small bowel obstruction, prolonging observant treatment for more than 48 hours yields only a small benefit in terms of spontaneous resolution. Bowel strangulation can occur within 16 hours of admission. On the basis of these findings, we suggest raising the index of suspicion for compromised bowel after 16 hours and making the decision for surgery at around 48 hours.

Dual versus Triple Antibiotics Regimen in Children with Perforated Acute Appendicitis

Introduction Acute appendicitis is the most common emergency condition in pediatric surgery. Historically, a triple‐antibiotic therapy consisted of ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin has been used postoperatively for perforated appendicitis. According to recently published trials, dual therapy consists of ceftriaxone and metronidazole only, offers a more efficient and cost‐effective antibiotic management compared with triple therapy. Based on these results, our department applied dual antibiotic therapy for children with perforated appendicitis that underwent appendectomy from 2009 and forth. Aim The aim of our study was to compare postoperative outcomes between patients treated with triple therapy (ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole) (group A) versus dual therapy (ceftriaxone and metronidazole) (group B). Methods Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected by review of the medical records for all children who underwent appendectomy for the perforated appendix at the Schneider Childrens Medical Center of Israel, a tertiary pediatric care center between 2007 and 2011. Children with perforated appendicitis received antibiotic therapy in accordance with the hospitals guidelines that were valid at the time the surgery took place. In the first period (years 2007‐2009) (group A) a triad of ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole and the second period (2009‐2011) (group B) dual therapy consists of ceftriaxone and metronidazole. The two groups were compared for outcome and complications, such as wound infections, changing of antibiotic therapy, and length of stay. Results During the study period 1,203 patients underwent an appendectomy. Of these, 175 patients were diagnosed with perforated appendix and were treated with postoperative antibiotics regimen. Group A and group B consisted of 89 and 86 patients, respectively. The two groups were not different significantly in terms of demographic data, length of stay, or readmission rates. However, more rates of wound infection and changing of antibiotic therapy were seen in group B, although not statistically significant (p = 0.064). Conclusion Dual antibiotic therapy for perforated appendicitis is a cost‐effective and efficient mode of therapy compared with triple‐antibiotics regimen. However, prospective studies are required to determine whether this policy is associated with higher rates of wound infections and change in antibiotic therapy.