Henri Steyaert

Laparoscopic renal surgery via a retroperitoneal approach in children

PURPOSE Laparoscopic procedures are still not widely performed by pediatric urologists due to operative time and costs as well as the lack of indications and, thus, the lack of sufficient surgeon experience. We report our experience with the retroperitoneal approach using special inexpensive methods for various indications in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 1994 to 1997 we performed 42 retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedures in 41 children with a mean age of 4 years, including 31 nephrectomies, 8 partial nephrectomies, 2 renal cystectomies and 1 pyelolithotomy. A total of 13 patients were younger than 1 year. Followup ranged from 6 months to 3 years. RESULTS Mean operative time was 104 minutes (range 35 to 150) for nephrectomy, 153 (range 90 to 210) for upper pole nephroureterectomy, 135 for pyelolithotomy and 60 for renal cystectomy. Average postoperative stay was 2 days. Conversion was required in 2 cases of partial nephrectomy due to unidentified polar vessels, including 1 involving duodenal perforation. CONCLUSIONS The indications for retroperitoneal laparoscopy are expanding with the experience of the surgical team. The retroperitoneal approach provides a technique comparable to that of conventional renal surgery.

Abdominal cystic lymphangioma in children: Benign lesions that can have a proliferative course

Twenty-one pediatric cases of abdominal cystic lymphangioma (CL) treated in the past 20 years are reviewed. To date, this is the largest reported series. CL is a rare congenital malformation that presents either with chronic abdominal distension (and is detected by palpation of a cystic mass) or acutely with bowel obstruction or signs of peritonitis. It is more common among boys and most often occurs in children under 5 years of age. Abdominal ultrasonography is the procedure of choice for establishing the diagnosis. Acute cases with intracystic hemorrhage are more difficult to diagnose. Computed tomography and celioscopy may be useful. With these techniques, a correct diagnosis should be achieved in nearly every case. Enucleation (when feasible) or segmental intestinal resection (when the cyst is intimate to the bowel) is effective treatment. In a few cases the malformation is diffuse, and extensive bowel resection is necessary, with the risk of short bowel syndrome.

Umbilical one-puncture laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy in children

Abstract. To perform a laparoscopic appendectomy, three trocars are usually needed. In order to reduce abdominal wall trauma, we have adopted an umbilical one-puncture laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (UOPLAA). We did a retrospective study of UOPLAA performed during last 2 years on 200 children aged from 5 to 18 years (median, 9 years). The patients were selected after clinical examination. No child with advanced generalized peritonitis or an abscess with a palpable mass was a candidate for this technique. UOPLAA was successful in 184 patients (92%). In 16 cases (8%), an additional trocar was required to manage perforated or retrocecal appendicitis. The mean operative time was 15 min, and the mean hospital stay was 2 days. There were no intraoperative complications. There were 10 (5%) postoperative complications (three parietal and seven intraabdominal). Four patients (2%) needed reoperation under general anesthesia. The UOPLAA is our preference in cases of acute nonperforated appendicitis because it is simple and fast, with good cosmetic results; but in 8% of our cases, an intraoperative difficulty (retrocecal location, abnormal adhesive band, peritonitis, etc.) arose that required the introduction of additional devices to ensure the safety of the laparoscopic procedure.

Treatment of Ureterocele on Duplex Ureter:: Upper Pole Nephrectomy by Retroperitoneoscopy in Children Based on a Series of 24 Cases

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to present the results of a preliminary series of 24 upper pole nephrectomies performed by retroperitoneoscopy in children between 1995 and 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS The patient was placed in the lateral supine position and 3-4 trocars were inserted. Parenchymal section was performed by ultrasound or unipolar scalpel. This series of 24 children consisted of 15 girls and 9 boys with a mean age of 22 months. RESULT Three cases (12.5%) required open conversion. Nine intraoperative complications (37%) were observed and repaired intraoperatively. Five postoperative complications (20%) consisted of residual perirenal collections, requiring drainage under anaesthesia in only one case. The mean operating time was 2 hours 40 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. The mean follow-up was 32 months. No cases of secondary atrophy of the lower pole were observed. CONCLUSION Overall, these preliminary results are comparable to those of conventional open surgery. The advantage of this method is a reduction of skin and musculo-aponeurotic scars.

Long-term outcome of laparoscopic Nissen and Toupet fundoplication in normal and neurologically impaired children.

Background: Laparoscopic fundoplication is a commonly performed procedure in children. This report describes the incidence of long-term recurrence and complications after laparoscopic Nissen or Toupet fundoplication in neurologically impaired and normal children. Methods: Fifty-three children operated on before 1999 were reviewed. All children were evaluated clinically and with a barium meal study thereafter. Symptomatic children and those with abnormal barium meal underwent 24 h pH monitoring. Results: A total of 45 patients were included in the study. The mean follow-up was 4.5 years. All, except one asymptomatic child that declined, had a barium meal. Four were abnormal (2 parahiatal hernias and 2 slight episodes of reflux). Four patients had symptoms related to the operation and 2 to clinical recurrence. Only 1 asymptomatic child with slight reflux at barium meal revealed abnormal 24 h pH monitoring. Finally, 6.6% patients were found to have late recurrence (2 clinical and 1 pHmetry). There was an obvious increase in childrens weight, especially in neurologically impaired patients. Conclusion: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is of value in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The long-term results are comparable with open surgery, and there was no difference in term of wrap failure between neurologically impaired and normal children.

Transvesicoscopic Cohen ureteric reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux in children: A single-centre 5-year experience

PURPOSE To evaluate our results with a new method of intravesical ureteric reimplantation using laparoscopic pneumovesicum in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-two patients (mean age 4.2 years, range 0.5-20 years) with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) underwent a laparoscopic transtrigonal ureteric reimplantation with CO(2) pneumovesicum. Ports were inserted suprapubically - 5mm for the camera and two 3-5-mm working ports. Having mobilized the ureter(s) intravesically, a submucosal tunnel is created and ureteric reimplantation performed with 5/0 and 6/0 absorbable sutures. Bladder drainage was maintained for 2-3 days postoperatively. Patients were followed up with clinical assessment and renal ultrasonography+/-voiding cystourethrogram. RESULTS Ninety percent had VUR grade > or =3. A total of 113 ureters were reimplanted. The mean operative time was 82min for unilateral and 130min for bilateral reimplantation. Four cases (6%) were converted. Three patients presented with temporary ureteric dilatation without symptoms on follow-up renal ultrasound. Seven patients had postoperative urinary tract infection without persistent reflux on cystography. Follow-up cystogram was performed in 50 patients (81 ureters). Reflux persisted in four patients (8%). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic ureteric reimplantation with CO(2) pneumovesicum is technically feasible with a high success rate (92%). The role of this new technique in the treatment of VUR remains to be determined.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in children : Preliminary report of 18 cases

Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a new procedure which remains to be evaluated in adults and children. This technique enables the reduction of parietal complications and sequelae. The majority of indications, e.g. renal dysplasia, destroyed kidneys due to obstructive or refluxing uropathy, are suitable for laparoscopic nephrectomy. Contraindications are Wilms tumor and trauma which represent only 20% of nephrectomies in our experience. As in open surgery, a retroperitoneal approach seems more logical and better adapted than a transperitoneal approach to perform nephroureterectomy for benign disease. From August 1993 to December 1995, we attempted 18 retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomies in children aged from 3 months to 14 years. The patient is placed in a lateral position, and after creation of a retropneumoperitoneum under direct vision control without balloon dissection, three or four ports are needed, renal vessels are dissected, then clipped or coagulated if small. Destroyed kidneys are generally of small size, so they can be extracted via a 10- or 12-mm cannula site without morcellation. Operative time is 35-210 min (median 106 min). There were no major complications and only one conversion. In conclusion, retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in children is a feasible and safe procedure in well-trained hands.

Retroperitoneoscopic vs open dismembered pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children

PURPOSE To compare the effectiveness, potential advantages and complications of classical open pyeloplasty with retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two patient cohorts with confirmed ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) undergoing open or retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty over a 7-year period were analysed comparatively. RESULTS Operative time was significantly longer in the retroperitoneoscopic group (mean 155 min) compared to the open pyeloplasty group (mean 98 min, P<0.05). Mean hospital stay was shorter in the retroperitoneoscopic group (mean 4.1 days, compared to 5.1 days, open). Complication rates were similar (open, 27% vs retroperitoneoscopic, 29%). These included anastomotic urinary leakage, stenosis and infection. Anastomotic leakage was more common in the retroperitoneoscopic group. There was a 6.6% conversion rate in the retroperitoneoscopic group. Success, defined as improved ultrasonic or renographic parameters, with resolution of symptoms where discernable, was noted in 96% of the open group and 97% of the retroperitoneoscopic group with a mean follow up of 38 and 25 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty is as safe and effective as open pyeloplasty. This technique is now our procedure of choice for children>4 months old. The advantages are more obvious in children over 4 years than in infants. This technique remains difficult to perform and teach.

Thirteen cases of isolated tubal torsions associated with hydrosalpinx in children and adolescents, proposal for conservative management: retrospective review and literature survey

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Isolated tubal torsion associated with hydrosalpinx is a rare pathology. Our goal was to analyze the clinical and imaging features and discuss the different treatment options available. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all the cases of adnexal torsion treated in our department of pediatric surgery over a 10-year period. We searched 2 electronic databases (Medline and Sciencedirect) and targeted reports published during the same period using the key words tubal torsion and hydrosalpinx. RESULTS A total of 13 cases, 6 from our hospital and 7 in the medical literature, were identified and analyzed. In 9 (69%) of 13 cases (n = 9/13), torsion and hydrosalpinx occurred on the left fallopian tube. Salpingectomy was performed in 11 of the patients. The resected tubes showed the persistence of ciliated cells associated with signs of moderate ischemic infarction in 50% (n = 3/6) of the cases. CONCLUSIONS Isolated tubal torsion associated with hydrosalpinx is too often misdiagnosed and treated by salpingectomy regardless of the negative impact on the future reproductive potential of our young patients. As is commonly advocated for ovarian salvage in adnexal torsions, tubal conservation should be favored when possible.

Torsion of the adnexa in children: the value of laparoscopy

Abstract Experience with adnexal torsion in neonates and children is often disappointing. Delay between the first symptoms and operation is important, and adnexal loss the rule. The authors reviewed their experience and the literature to assess the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Diagnostic procedures (standard ultrasonography [US], color Doppler US, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, endorectal US, and diagnostic laparoscopy) are discussed; for neonates and premenarcheal girls a specific surgical approach is proposed. Twenty-seven adnexal torsions treated between 1985 and 1995 in the same institution were retrospectively reviewed. Neonatal (7) and premenarcheal cases (20) were separated. The neonatal cases (7) were all operated upon: 4 adnexectomies, 2 oophorectomies, and 1 detorsion with cystectomy were performed. In the premenarcheal group (20) 8 adnexectomies, 6 oophorectomies, 5 detorsions with cystectomy, and 1 salpingectomy were performed. There were only 6 salvaged adnexa in this series. In the neonatal group, US seemed accurate in predicting complicated cases. Prenatal puncture of large (>40 mm) ovarian cysts is possible. The authors advocate a laparoscopic approach in the first days of life of all uncomplicated cysts independent of size in order to increase the percentage salvaged. In ultrasonic complicated cases a delayed operation is proposed in the premenarcheal group, endorectal US will probably become the diagnostic method of choice for complicated ovaries; other methods were disappointing. In order to increase adnexal salvage, the authors recommend a laparoscopic approach in the emergency situation if a clinical examination is positive as well as better medical (pediatricians, gynecologists) and general (girls, parents) information. They suggest controlateral oophoropexy in cases of torsion of a normal adnexum.