Giampiero Soccorso

20 mm lithium button battery causing an oesophageal perforation in a toddler: lessons in diagnosis and treatment

Swallowed button batteries (BB) which remain lodged in the oesophagus are at risk of serious complications, particularly in young children. The authors report a 3-year-old child, who rapidly developed an oesophageal perforation, following the ingestion of a 20-mm lithium BB which was initially mistaken for a coin. A thoracotomy and T-tube management of the perforation led to a positive outcome. BBs (20 mm) in children should be removed quickly and close observation is required as the damage initiated by the battery can lead to a significant injury within a few hours.

Investigating febrile UTI in infants: is a cystogram necessary?

OBJECTIVE Current imaging recommendations for investigating any infantile febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) are ultrasound scan (US), micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the need and indications for MCUG in the investigation of a first febrile infantile UTI, as doubts have been raised over its benefit. PATIENTS AND METHODS Information on 427 infants who had undergone US, MCUG and DMSA following a first febrile UTI was prospectively recorded. The infants were divided into two groups: A (354) with normal renal US and B (73) with abnormal US. DMSA findings were correlated with findings on MCUG. Main outcome measures were incidence of recurrent UTIs, change in management or intervention as a result of MCUG, and outcome at discharge. RESULTS Only 21/354 (6%) infants in Group A had both scarring on DMSA and vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), predominantly low-grade on MCUG. In Group B (abnormal US), 23/73 (32%) had scarring on DMSA and vesicoureteric reflux, predominantly high grade on MCUG. Of the infants with non-scarred kidneys, 73% had dilating reflux. Successful conservative treatment was performed in 423 infants, and 4 infants in Group B required surgery. CONCLUSION We recommend US and DMSA in all infantile febrile UTI cases. Where US is normal, MCUG should be reserved for those cases with abnormal DMSA. Where US is abnormal, MCUG should be performed irrespective of findings on DMSA scan. A randomized prospective study is necessary to evaluate this further.

Infantile urinary tract infection and timing of micturating cystourethrogram

OBJECTIVE The investigation of infantile febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) is still a subject of debate and controversy. To evaluate for vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) most authorities recommend a micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) to be performed at least 4 weeks after UTI to avoid false positive. PATIENTS AND METHODS At a tertiary centre for paediatric specialities, information on 427 infants who had undergone MCUG following a first febrile UTI was prospectively recorded and their case notes reviewed. The infants were divided into two groups: Group A (117) with MCUG performed less than 4 weeks from UTI diagnosis and Group B (310) with MCUG after at least 8 weeks from diagnosis. RESULTS Of the 427 children, VUR was detected in 33% of those for whom MCUG was performed less than 4 weeks after UTI diagnosis and in 24% of those for whom it was performed at least 8 weeks after diagnosis. CONCLUSION Neither the prevalence nor the grade of VUR in infants with a first episode of UTI is influenced by the timing of the MCUG following diagnosis. We therefore suggest that it is better to perform an MCUG as soon as possible, provided inflammation has subsided.

Idiopathic small bowel diaphragm disease identified by laparoscopic-assisted double-balloon enteroscopy in a child: an integrated successful definitive therapeutic method

In adults, small bowel diaphragm disease is a rare complication of small bowel enteropathy secondary to the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The main clinical manifestations are gastrointestinal bleeding and subacute obstruction, and management can be challenging. We present a case of a 5-year-old girl with small bowel diaphragm disease. To our knowledge, this is the first idiopathic case (no history of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use) in the pediatric age group. This report describes an integrated successful definitive therapeutic method of double-balloon enteroscopy and minimal invasive bowel surgery for small bowel pathology.

A Giant Ovarian Cyst in a Neonate

BACKGROUND Antenatally diagnosed abdominal cysts are common, and frequently are ovarian in origin, which usually regress spontaneously. Surgery is indicated in the infantile period in case of very large, persisting or symptomatic cysts. Many surgeons feel that watchful waiting can be justified in newborns with simple and complex cysts. CASE We present a neonate with an ovarian cyst diagnosed antenatally by ultrasound (US) and showing persistent enlargement within 3 months after birth when reached a diameter of 13 cm. Assessment and treatment is described. CONCLUSION The extremely large, non-resolving ovarian cysts in neonates present a major challenge for clinicians and should be treated by surgery to avoid complications. We advocate laparotomy and cystectomy when possible to avoid unnecessary loss of functional ovarian tissue.

Customized silicone implant for the correction of acquired and congenital chest wall deformities: A valuable option with pectus excavatum

BACKGROUND Surgical remodeling and correction of congenital and acquired chest wall deformities (CWD) is undertaken many times for cosmesis. Although reportedly minimally invasive, commonly used Nuss procedure for correction of pectus excavatum (PE) is not without complications. Nuss procedure is also not suitable for complex deformities and Poland syndrome cases. Insertion of custom-made silicone implants for the reconstruction of defects has been adopted from adult plastic reconstructive surgery as primary repair of CWD or rescue procedure for recurrence of PE after recurrence or residual deformity. METHODS We present our experience with CWD reconstruction in children with customized silicone prosthesis made from a surgically implantable liquid silicone rubber (NuSil MED-4805, Ca). RESULTS Since 2006 we treated 26 patients with CWD: six were children (age <17years, median 14.6) with PE. Implants were custom made for each patients chest. The implants were inserted under general anesthesia. Postoperatively all patients were fully satisfied with the cosmetic result and subjective patient satisfaction remained excellent at follow-up in all the children. Only one child developed postoperative complications (seroma). CONCLUSIONS Customized silicone implant for PE in the pediatric age is an alternative therapeutic method, as primary or rescue treatment, with equally good cosmetic outcome, fewer significant complications, less postoperative pain and a faster recovery.

Mind the gap: delayed diagnosis of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula due to passage of a nasogastric tube

Two neonates developed sialorrhoea and feeds intolerance. A nasogastric tube (NGT) was passed with difficulty …

H-type tracheoesophageal fistula with type III laryngotracheoesophageal cleft

H-type tracheoesophageal fistula and laryngotracheoesophageal cleft are both rare anomalies. Laryngotracheoesophageal clefts are identified as a part of Opitz-Frias syndrome. We report a neonate with this combination of rare congenital anomalies. These associated malformations can have major implications in terms of resuscitation, diagnosis and surgical management, which are discussed.

Characterization of the upper pouch tracheo–oesophageal fistula in oesophageal atresia

AIM A small proportion of infants with oesophageal atresia (OA) are thought to have a proximal tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF). Failure to recognize these can hamper mobilization of the upper pouch and lead to life-threatening episodes of aspiration once oral feeding starts. We reviewed our experience of upper pouch fistulae to identify characteristic features of proximal TOF. METHODS A retrospective review of TOF/OA patient notes and bronchoscopy photographs and videos, identified from our database from 01/01/2006 to 12/31/2015, was performed. RESULTS Eight (6.1%) infants were identified (M:F 5:3) from a total population of 131 newly diagnosed TOF/OA infants during the period. Their median gestational age was 33 (range 28-39) weeks, and median birth weight was 1647g (range 1100-3400g). Five were initially diagnosed with pure OA and 3 with a distal TOF. All patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy at the initial surgery but only one proximal fistula was identified. The 7 missed proximal fistulae were subsequently found either during on-table oesophagograms for gap assessment (n=2), at the time of thoracotomy when mobilizing the upper pouch (n=3), or during subsequent bronchoscopy for symptoms post OA repair (n=2). Two patients needed a further operation to divide the fistula. Review of the bronchoscopy videos identified four characteristic differences between upper and lower pouch fistulae. Proximal fistulae are found just distal to the vocal cords, are very small, often no more than a pit, do not open and close with ventilation, and are best identified by insufflation of the esophagus. CONCLUSION Upper pouch fistulae are relatively easy to miss because of different characteristics compared with H-type or distal fistulae that have not previously been mentioned in the literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE level IV.

Esophageal replacement in children: Challenges and long-term outcomes

Replacement of a nonexistent or damaged esophagus continues to pose a significant challenge to pediatric surgeons. Various esophageal replacement grafts and techniques have not produced consistently good outcomes to emulate normal esophagus. Therefore, many techniques are still being practiced and recommended with no clear consensus. We present a concise literature review of the currently used techniques and with discussions on the advantages and anticipated morbidity. There are no randomized controlled pediatric studies to compare different types of esophageal replacements. Management and graft choice are based on geographical and personal predilections rather than on any discernible objective data. The biggest series with long-term outcome are reported for gastric transposition and colonic replacement. Comparison of different studies shows no significant difference in early (graft necrosis and anastomotic leaks) or late complications (strictures, poor feeding, gastro-esophageal reflux, tortuosity of the graft, and Barrett′s esophagus). The biggest series seem to have lower complications than small series reflecting the decennials experience in their respective centers. Long-term follow-up is recommended following esophageal replacement for the development of late strictures, excessive tortuosity, and Barrett′s changes within the graft. Once child overcomes initial morbidity and establishes oral feeding, long-term consequences and complications of pediatric esophageal replacement should be monitored and managed in adult life.