Shasanka Shekhar Panda

Foreign body in the bronchus in children: 22 years experience in a tertiary care paediatric centre.

Background: Our objective was to assess types, presentation, duration of symptoms and usefulness of rigid bronchoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of bronchial foreign body (FB) in children. Materials and Methods: Records of children with documented FB aspiration treated in Department of Paediatric Surgery from January 1991 to December 2012 were analysed retrospectively. Diagnosis was made on the basis of history, clinical examination, radiological evaluation and bronchoscopy. Results: A total of 196 children underwent emergency rigid bronchoscopy for suspected bronchial FB and in 173 cases FB was found. Out of 173 cases, 118 (68.21%) were males and 55 (31.79%) were females. Mean age was 3.7 years (range: 2 months-12 years) while mean duration of symptoms was 28 h (range: from 3 h to 4 months). Most common FB bronchus found was peanut 141 (81.50%). FB was localised to right bronchus in 112 (64.74%) cases while in 44 (25.43%) cases left bronchus was involved. In 17 (9.83%) cases FB was seen at carina only. Cough was the most common presenting symptom in 131 (75.72%) cases. The most common finding in chest X-ray was consolidation-collapse lung or emphysematous lung in 83 (47.97%) cases followed by the flattening of the diaphragm in 17 (9.83%) cases. In 35 (20.23%) cases chest X-ray was found to be normal. Pre-operative endotracheal intubation was done in 13 (7.51%) cases while 20 (11.56%) cases required post-operative mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: High index of suspicion should be kept for bronchial FB in children who present with suggestive history of FB ingestion even with normal physical and radiological evaluation.

Acute perioperative pain in neonates: An evidence-based review of neurophysiology and management

Current literature lacks systematic data on acute perioperative pain management in neonates and mainly focuses only on procedural pain management. In the current review, the neurophysiological basis of neonatal pain perception and the role of different analgesic drugs and techniques in perioperative pain management in neonates are systematically reviewed. Intravenous opioids such as morphine or fentanyl as either intermittent bolus or continuous infusion remain the most common modality for the treatment of perioperative pain. Paracetamol has a promising role in decreasing opioid requirement. However, routine use of ketorolac or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is not usually recommended. Epidural analgesia is safe in experienced hands and provides several benefits over systemic opioids such as early extubation and early return of bowel function.

Study of environmental and genetic factors in children with craniosynostosis: A case-control study.

Background: Craniosynostosis is a congenital defect that causes one or more sutures on an infants skull to close earlier than normal. Though both genetic and environmental factors play a role in its pathogenesis, there is no published Indian data to verify this. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, we investigated the association of craniosynostosis with parental age in 50 children with craniosynostosis attending the surgical outpatient department of a tertiary care institution in North India. Results: There was a significant association of craniosynostosis with advanced parental [OR 2.17 (95% CI 1.08 to 4.36)] but not maternal age. Education status of parents also revealed that those having a higher education had an increased risk of having a child with craniosynostosis [maternal education, OR 2.32 (95% CI 1.2 to 4.76); paternal education, OR 2.51 (95% CI 1.21 to 5.0)]. Molecular analysis by sequencing confirmed following amino-acid substitution in different Exons of the FGFR2 gene. Besides these, we found other novel identical mutations in FGFR2 gene in both syndromic and non-syndromic craniosynostoses. Conclusion: This is the first epidemiological study in India that provides evidence that, advanced paternal age and higher parental education level might be associated with an increased risk of craniosynostosis. New mutations were identified in cases of both syndromic and non-syndromic craniosynostosis.

Posterior urethral valve: Prognostic factors and renal outcome

Objective: The aim was to study the outcome of posterior urethral valve (PUV) cases treated by stepladder protocol and the prognostic factors affecting the outcome. Materials and Methods: Hospital records of all PUV patients treated by stepladder protocol between January 1992 and December 2013 were reviewed. The studied parameters were: Age at presentation, serum creatinine, types of surgical intervention, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on initial voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), renal cortical scars, plasma renin activity (PRA), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Results: Of 396 PUV patients treated during the study period, 152 satisfied study criteria. The age at presentation ranged from 2 days to 15 years (mean 31.3 months). The mean follow-up period was 5 years (range: 2-18 years). Primary endoscopic valve ablation was the most common initial procedure. Chronic renal failure was seen in 42.7% patients at the last follow-up. Serum creatinine at presentation, initial PRA levels, initial GFR, and PRA levels at last follow-up were significant predictors of final renal outcome. Age at presentation (<1 vs. >1 year), presence/absence of VUR on initial VCUG and renal cortical scars had no significant correlation with ultimate renal function. Conclusion: Our study confirms the high prognostic significance of initial serum creatinine, PRA levels and GFR in cases with PUV. PRA also holds promise in long-term follow-up of these patients as a marker of progressive renal damage.

Presence of hernia sac in prediction of postoperative outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

We conducted this study to assess the value of presence of hernia sac in prediction of postoperative outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Data were obtained form medical records of 70 children operated for CDH between 2002-12. Postoperative neonatal death occurred in 1/10 (10%) of infants with a hernia sac and 26/60 (43.3%) in cases without a hernia sac, respectively (P =0.04). Perinatal morbidity in surviving infants was lower in the group with a hernia sac although not significantly. We conclude that the presence of a hernia sac is associated with better postoperative outcome and overall prognosis of CDH.

Tunica vaginalis flap cover in repair of recurrent proximal urethrocutaneous fistula: a final solution.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to assess the significance of tunica vaginalis flap cover in cases of recurrent proximal penile fistula. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included complicated cases of proximal penile hypospadias with recurrent fistula. Recurrent fistula was defined as fistula after at least two previous attempts of closure. Group 1 included cases with tunica vaginalis flap and Group 2 included cases with local flap. Outcome was assessed at day 10 after stent removal and at first follow-up. Fistula closure was considered successful in case with no leak. RESULTS Out of 39 cases of recurrent fistulas, 20 cases in Group 1 and 18 cases in Group 2 formed the study group. The mean age at fistula repair was 7.2 ± 0.9 years (range: 2.1-12 years) and 7.1 ± 0.7 years (range: 2.3-12 years) in Group 1 and 2 respectively. Leak at the time of stent removal was present in 1/20 (5%) and 3/18 (16.67%) cases in Group 1 and 2 respectively (P = 0.04). Leak at the time of first follow-up was present in 2/20 (10%) and 4/18 (22.22%) cases in Group 1 and 2 respectively (P = 0.03). Complete disruption of fistula closure was present in 1/20 (5%) and 2/18 (11.11%) cases in Group 1 and Group 2 respectively (P = 0.1). The overall success rate in Group 1 and 2 was 16/20 (80%) and 9/18 (50%) respectively (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Tunica vaginalis flap reinforcement is a viable and reliable option. With proper use cases of recurrent fistula can be managed successfully.

Congenital cystic lesions of the lungs: The perils of misdiagnosis - A single-center experience

Background: A majority of cystic lesions in the western world are detected antenatally, whereas, the diagnosis in our setup occurs once the child becomes symptomatic. Surgical management is primarily dictated by the presence of symptoms, recurrent infection, and rarely by the potential risk of malignant transformation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on all consecutive patients with cystic lung lesions managed at our center from January 2000 through June 2011 for antenatal diagnosis, presentation, diagnostic modalities, treatment, and complications. Results: Forty cystic lung lesions were identified. Only 8% were antenatally detected. Out of 40, the final diagnosis was congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation in 19, congenital lobar emphysema in 11, and bronchogenic cysts and pulmonary sequestration in five each. Of these, 20% had received a course of prior antitubercular therapy and 30% had an intercostal drain inserted prior to referral to our center. Postoperative morbidity in the form of bronchopleural fistula, pneumothorax, and non-expansion of the residual lung was noted in 10% of the patients. Conclusion: Antenatal diagnosis of these lesions is still uncommon in third world countries. Prior to referral to a pediatric surgical center a large number of patients received antitubercular drugs and an intercostal drain insertion, due to incorrect diagnosis.

Tunica vaginalis flap cover in hypospadias cripples: Our experience in a tertiary care center in India

Objective: The objective of the following study is to assess the outcome of treatment with tunica vaginalis flap cover in cases of proximal penile hypospadias cripples. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included cases of proximal penile hypospadias cripples managed by thiersch-duplay urethroplasty. Cases were divided into three groups. Group I included cases with tunica vaginalis flap, group II with dartos flap and group III included staged hypospadias repair on Bracka′s principle. All cases were managed by a uniform protocol. Outcome was assessed at day 10 after stent removal and at first follow-up. Urethroplasty was considered successful in case with no leak. P value was considered to be significant if less than 0.05. Results: Out of 67 cases, 18 cases were in group I, 24 cases were in group II and 24 were in group III. They formed the study group. Leak at the time of stent removal was present in 1/18 (5.57%), 4/24 (16.67%), 2/24 (8.33%) cases in group 1, II and III respectively (P = 0.04 and 0.4). Leak at the time of first follow-up was present in 1/18 (5.55%), 5/24 (20.83%) and 3/24 (25%) cases in group I, II and III respectively (P = 0.03 and 0.3). Complete disruption of urethroplasty was present in 1/18 (5.57%), 2/24 (8.83%) and 1/24 (4.16%) cases in group I, II and III respectively (P = 0.1). The overall success rate in group I, II and III were 15/18 (83.83%), 13/24 (54.16%) and 18/24 (75%) respectively (P = 0.01 and 0.1). Conclusions: Tunica vaginalis flap reinforcement in cases of hypospadias cripples is a viable and reliable option. This should be favored over dartos flap.

Role of 99mTc-ECD SPECT in the management of children with craniosynostosis.

Purpose of the Report. There is a paucity of data on correlation of various imaging modalities with clinical findings in craniosynostosis. Moreover, no study has specifically reported the role of 99mTc-ECD SPECT in a large number of subjects with craniosynostosis. Materials and Methods. We prospectively analyzed a cohort of 85 patients with craniosynostosis from year 2007 to 2012. All patients underwent evaluation with 99mTc-ECD SPECT and the results were correlated with radiological and surgical findings. Results. 99mTc-ECD SPECT revealed regional perfusion abnormalities in the cerebral hemisphere corresponding to the fused sutures preoperatively that disappeared postoperatively in all the cases. Corresponding to this, the mean mental performance quotient (MPQ) increased significantly (P < 0.05) postoperatively only in those children with absent perfusion defect postoperatively. Conclusions. Our study suggests that early surgery and release of craniosynostosis in patients with preoperative perfusion defects (absent on 99mTc-ECD SPECT study) are beneficial, as theylead to improved MPQ after surgery.

A survey of musculoskeletal and aesthetic abnormalities after thoracotomy in pediatric patients

Objective: To study the incidence and type of musculoskeletal and aesthetic abnormalities after thoracotomy in children. Materials and Methods: Children below 12 years of age who had undergone thoracotomy for any condition and have at least 2 years follow up were included in the study. Detailed assessment of the patients included: history and general examination, clinical examination of chest and musculoskeletal system, X-ray chest including bilateral shoulders [antero-posterior (AP), lateral, oblique], X-ray whole spine (AP, lateral, right and left side bending AP view). Results: Fifty-two pateints were recruited. The incidences of various clinically and radiologically assessed musculoskeletal and aesthetic abnormalities observed were: winging of scapula (5.7%), ipsilateral elevation of shoulder (5.7%), fixation of skin cicatrix to bony thorax (7.7%), maldevelopment of pectoral muscles (11.5%), asymmetry of the level of nipples (1.9%), rib fusion (5.7%), crowding of ribs (9.6%), mediastinal shift (3.8%), decreased space available for lungs (3.8%), Scoliosis with Cobbs angle >100 (1.9%). Conclusions: The incidences of musculoskeletal and aesthetic abnormalities after posterolateral thoracotomies in children were low. Longer follow up of patients after thoracotomy is needed to pick up these abnormalities as the children grow.