Ermelinda Mele

Renal function adaptation up to the fifth decade after treatment of children with unilateral renal tumor: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

Mild‐to‐moderate renal function loss may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. As in adults with renal carcinoma nephrectomy is associated with an high risk for moderate renal function loss, we aimed to assess the renal function adaptation over a long period of time in children with unilateral renal tumor (URT).

Infantile Abdominoscrotal Hydrocele: A Not So Benign Condition

PURPOSE Infantile abdominoscrotal hydrocele is a rarely described condition. We report the outcome of the largest single institution experience managing these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed descriptive case series of all infants treated between January 1998 and December 2007. Postoperative followup ranged from 3 to 107 months (median 48). RESULTS A total of 18 consecutive patients underwent abdominoscrotal hydrocele repair at age 3 to 21 months (median 8). The first 13 patients underwent inguinal hydrocelectomy, which consisted of high ligation of the processus vaginalis and complete excision of the abdominal component of the lesion. The remaining 5 patients underwent plication of the tunica vaginalis accomplished through the scrotum. Included in this group were 2 patients initially treated expectantly because the lesion was without undue tension at diagnosis. Both cases demonstrated spontaneous resolution of the abdominal component of the lesion but ultimately required surgery for scrotal hydrocele. Overall 23 testes (5 bilateral lesions) were operated on, of which 18 had some degree of testicular dysmorphism detected by ultrasonography or during surgery and 15 fully recovered postoperatively. A total of 11 patients experienced 1 or more postoperative complications, including persistent scrotal swelling (7), hypoplastic testis (3), scrotal hematoma (2), inguinal hernia (1) and cryptorchidism (1). Morbidity related to scrotal hydrocelectomy was negligible. There were no recurrences of abdominoscrotal hydrocele in the series. CONCLUSIONS Tense infantile abdominoscrotal hydroceles are associated with a high rate of testicular dysmorphism, which is often reversed by early intervention. Simple transscrotal plication of the tunica vaginalis represents an effective procedure with decreased postoperative complications.

The eyelid crease approach to angular dermoid cysts in pediatric general surgery

PURPOSE We recently adopted an approach described by eyelid surgeons for angular dermoid cyst excision. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of this technique with that accomplished through a conventional trans-eyebrow incision. METHODS Prospective nonrandomized study of 34 consecutive children treated between January 2000 and December 2006. Twenty-six patients (group I) were operated on through a trans-eyebrow incision, whereas 8 (group II) received an upper eyelid crease incision. Performance measures included cosmesis, operative time, and complications. Cosmesis was assessed blindly with comparative photographs, using a 100-mm visual analog scale. RESULTS No significant differences were found between groups I and II with regard to age at surgery (22 +/- 17 vs 24 +/- 4 months; P = .07) and operative time (42 +/- 21 vs 40 +/- 16 minutes; P = .9). In group II, the scar resulted invisible when the affected side was assessed with the eye open and still significantly better than group I, when evaluated with the eye closed (96 +/- 7 vs 81 +/- 18 mm; P = .0001). All patients and their families reported great satisfaction and an excellent scar. There were neither major postoperative complications nor recurrence of the lesion. CONCLUSIONS Angular dermoid cyst excision using an eyelid crease approach yields excellent cosmesis and represents a safe, simple, and easily reproducible procedure in pediatric general surgical practice.

Posterior urethral valves: relationship between vesicoureteral reflux and renal function.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between renal function and vesicoureteral reflux before and after valve ablation in patients with posterior urethral valves. In these patients, back pressure may not be the only cause of renal damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of 37 patients with valves consecutively treated between 1970 and 2002. Data were available for 31 patients, 19 of whom presented reflux at presentation. Grade of reflux was ascertained by voiding cystourethrography. Overall renal function was measured by serum creatinine, and split renal function was estimated by dimercaptosuccinic acid scan available for all patients but two. RESULTS Before relief of obstruction, there was no correlation between split renal function and grade of reflux into 25 kidneys of the 17 patients (r = -.13; 95% CI, -.50 to .27; P = .51). High-grade reflux (grade IV-V) affected 6 of the 11 renal units, with split renal function >40% vs 11 of the 14 units with split renal function <40% (P = .38). After successful valve ablation, reflux resolved in all the 11 units with split renal function >40% vs 4 of the 14 units with split renal function <40% (P = .0005). CONCLUSION The good renal function of more than half of the renal units with high-grade reflux at presentation, and the persistence of reflux mainly in nonfunctioning or poorly functioning kidneys after valve ablation, support the concept that in some patients with valves, reflux and renal damage are associated anomalies.

The use of Tachosil® as hemostatic sealant in nephron sparing surgery for Wilms tumor: Preliminary observations

BACKGROUND TachoSil, which is an absorbable collagen sponge coated with human fibrinogen and thrombin, has proven to enhance hemostasis and promote optimal wound healing in adults undergoing nephron sparing surgery (NSS). We report our preliminary experience using this hemostatic agent during NSS in children. METHODS Prospective analysis of 3 patients with Wilms tumor (synchronous bilateral in one) undergoing NSS at our institution over an 18-month period. Primary outcome measures were intraoperative bleeding control and surgery-related postoperative sequelae. RESULTS Overall, 4 kidneys underwent 5 NSS procedures, which included 3 partial nephrectomies and multiple tumor excisions performed on another kidney at initial and second-look surgery. After control of major bleeding and suturing of the collecting system, which was entered during 2 of the 5 NSS procedures, TachoSil was applied to the parenchymal surface of the kidney, achieving immediate hemostasis. All NSS procedures were performed without hilar clamping, drainage or stent placement. None of the patients required blood transfusion. Small perirenal fluid collections were documented postoperatively, and all spontaneously resolved within 4 weeks of surgery. CONCLUSION In children undergoing NSS, TachoSil represents an effective and safe tool for control of mild to moderate bleeding, and also facilitates sealing and wound dressing.

Laparoscopic pyloroplasty for idiopathic non-hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a child

Acquired gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) during infancy and childhood represents an uncommon event. We describe a 6-year-old boy with GOO who did not respond to medical treatment or to endoscopic pyloric balloon dilatations. The stenosis was successfully treated with laparoscopic pyloroplasty which relieved the obstruction.

Intrahepatic Paratesticular Cyst: Unique Presentation of Vestigial Remnants of Wolffian Duct

To report on a case of a progressively enlarging intrahepatic cyst in a 1-year-old boy who also presented with bilateral undescended testes. At surgery, the lesion emerged from the anterior surface of the liver but was unexpectedly found to arise from the epididymis of the right testis, which was located intra-abdominally. The histologic findings were consistent with a paratesticular cyst of vestigial remnants derived from the Wolffian duct. Such an unusual event has not been previously reported among the possible location of a paratesticular cyst, nor has it been described in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the liver.

Low cervical skin crease approach for superior sternal cleft repair

Superior sternal cleft repair aims to restore bony protection to mediastinal structures and to eliminate visible deformity. We describe a 4-day-old neonate with an isolated defect who successfully underwent primary repair using a low cervical skin crease incision. Such a novel approach combined optimal surgical exposure and excellent cosmesis.

Asymmetric sweating and flushing in infants with esophageal atresia

Of 136 infants with repaired esophageal atresia, one presented an unilateral facial flushing and 2 presented a flushing and sweating of one half of the body. The topography of these disorders and/or the associated clinical manifestations suggest that the asymmetry may be related to an instability of unilateral autonomic centers more than to a surgical injury of upper thoracic sympathetic chain during esophageal repair.

Stepladder incision technique for radical excision of suprasternal thyroglossal duct remnant

Thyroglossal duct remnant localized to the suprasternal notch is an exceedingly rare condition. We report on a novel case occurring in an 8-year-old girl who presented with acute onset of a suprasternal abscess. After incision and drainage, a Sistrunk procedure was successfully carried out using 2 stepladder incisions. This approach combined optimal surgical exposure and satisfactory cosmesis.