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Laparoscopic learning curves are slow, and there are no uniform surgical skill acquisition models. Therefore, our objective was to assess a laparoscopic skill learning program in individuals without any surgical experience, analyzing the learning curve by means of a certified custom-made simulator, and evaluating whether previous surgical experience had an impact on the learning curve.A certified custom-made simulator and laparoscopic instruments were used to assess 20 university students who performed 10 repetitions of 3 exercises of growing difficulty (eye-hand coordination, hand-hand coordination, and cutting). Three parameters were analyzed: total time with each hand, total mistakes with each hand, and three items of the OSATS technical skill scale. The two first exercises were compared with a group of 14 experienced surgeons. Statistical analysis using repeated-measures Anova and Student's t-test was carried out (p0.05).Significant time improvement with each repetition was demonstrated in the three exercises. Curve stabilization was faster in surgeons (2-4 repetitions) than in students (8-9). Time reduction was noted in the first and second exercises in both groups, with 44.08% and 33.1% shorter times, respectively.Individuals without surgical experience acquired basic laparoscopic skills using a custom-made simulator, which allows simple surgical techniques to be carried out in an inexpensive, accessible fashion. Previous surgical experience was associated with a shorter learning curve. The custom-made simulator allowed individuals with and without surgical experience to be distinguished from each other.La curva de aprendizaje en cirugía laparoscópica es lenta y no existen modelos uniformes de adquisición de habilidades quirúrgicas. Tratamos de establecer la idoneidad de un programa de aprendizaje de habilidades laparoscópicas en sujetos sin experiencia quirúrgica, analizando la curva de aprendizaje utilizando un simulador artesanal homologado. Comprobar si la experiencia quirúrgica previa modifica la curva de aprendizaje.Se empleó un simulador artesanal validado e instrumental laparoscópico para evaluar a 20 estudiantes universitarios que realizaron 10 repeticiones de tres ejercicios de dificultad creciente (coordinación ojo-mano, coordinación mano-mano y corte). Se evaluaron tres parámetros: tiempo total y con cada mano, errores totales y con cada mano y tres ítems de habilidad técnica OSATS. Comparación de los dos primeros ejercicios con un grupo de 14 cirujanos con experiencia. Análisis estadístico mediante Anova para medidas repetidas y t de Student (p0,05).Se demostró la mejoría significativa del tiempo con cada repetición en los tres ejercicios. La estabilización de la curva fue más precoz entre los cirujanos (2-4 repeticiones) que los estudiantes (8-9). Se comprobó la reducción del tiempo invertido para el primer y segundo ejercicio en ambos grupos, que en los estudiantes fue del 44,08% y 33,1% respectivamente.Individuos sin experiencia quirúrgica desarrollan habilidades laparoscópicas básicas utilizando un simulador artesanal, que permite practicar técnicas quirúrgicas sencillas de forma barata y accesible. La experiencia quirúrgica previa se asocia con el acortamiento de la curva de aprendizaje. El simulador artesanal permite discriminar entre sujetos con y sin experiencia quirúrgica.

Even though thyroid surgery is rare in pediatric patients, frequency has increased in the last years. The objective of this study was to analyze the causes and results of these procedures in a pediatric surgical facility.Retrospective study including all patients requiring thyroid surgery in our department from 2000 to 2019. Demographic data, diagnostic data, associated pathology, type of surgical procedure, pathological results, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.47 patients with a mean age of 8.9 ± 3.9 years at surgery were included. The most frequent diagnosis was MEN syndrome (n = 30, 29 MEN 2A and 1 MEN 2B), followed by thyroid papillary carcinoma (n = 5), follicular adenoma (n = 5), multinodular goiter (n = 4), follicular carcinoma (n = 1), thyroglossal duct papillary carcinoma (n = 1), and Graves-Basedow syndrome (n = 1). 38 total thyroidectomies (73.7% of which were prophylactic), 3 double hemithyroidectomies, 5 hemithyroidectomies, and 5 lymphadenectomies were performed. No intraoperative complications or recurrent laryngeal nerve lesions were noted. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.3 ± 0.6 days. 7 patients had transitory asymptomatic hypoparathyroidism, and 1 patient had persistent symptomatic hypoparathyroidism. Pathological results of prophylactic thyroidectomies were: 18 C cell hyperplasias, 7 microcarcinomas, and 3 cases without histopathological disorders.Thyroid surgery in pediatric patients is safe if performed by specialized personnel. Even though it remains rare, frequency has increased in the last years.La cirugía tiroidea es poco frecuente en la edad pediátrica, aunque ha aumentado su frecuencia en los últimos años. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las causas y los resultados de estos procedimientos en un centro quirúrgico pediátrico.Estudio retrospectivo que incluyó a todos los pacientes que necesitaron cirugía tiroidea en nuestro servicio entre 2000-2019. Se recogieron datos demográficos, diagnóstico, patología asociada, tipo de procedimiento quirúrgico realizado, resultados anatomopatológicos y complicaciones intra y posoperatorias.Se incluyeron 47 pacientes con una edad media en el momento de la intervención de 8,9 ± 3,9 años. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue síndrome MEN2 (n = 30, 29 MEN2A y 1 MEN2B), seguido de carcinoma papilar de tiroides (n = 5), adenoma folicular (n = 5), bocio multinodular (n = 4), carcinoma folicular (n = 1), carcinoma papilar del conducto tirogloso (n = 1) y síndrome de Graves-Basedow (n = 1). Se realizaron 38 tiroidectomías totales (el 73,7% fueron profilácticas), tres dobles hemitiroidectomías, cinco hemitiroidectomías y en cinco casos fue necesario realizar una linfadenectomía. No se presentaron complicaciones intraoperatorias ni lesiones de nervio laríngeo recurrente. La estancia media posoperatoria fue de 1,3 ± 0,6 días. Siete pacientes presentaron hipoparatiroidismo transitorio asintomático y en un caso, persistente sintomático. Los resultados anatomopatológicos de las tiroidectomías profilácticas fueron: 18 hiperplasias de células C, 7 microcarcinomas y 3 sin alteraciones histopatológicas.La cirugía tiroidea en la edad pediátrica es segura en manos de equipos especializados. Aunque sigue siendo un procedimiento poco habitual, su frecuencia está aumentando en los últimos años.

Anastomotic stricture is the most common complication following esophageal atresia (EA) surgical repair. The objective of this study was to evaluate Anastomotic Stricture Index (ASI: relationship between pouch and stricture diameters in the postoperative esophagram) as a predictor of the need for esophageal dilatation.A retrospective review of all patients undergoing EA repair in our healthcare facility from 2009 to 2017 was designed. Proximal pouch ASI (proximal ASI) and distal pouch ASI (distal ASI) in the first and second postoperative esophagram were calculated, and correlation with the number of esophageal dilatations required was studied. For statistical analysis purposes, Spearman's correlation test and ROC curves were used.Of the 31 patients included, 21 (67.7%) required esophageal dilatation, and 11 (35.5%) required 3 or more dilatations. The relationship between ASIs in the first esophagram and the need for esophageal dilatation was not statistically significant (p0.05). The relationship between proximal ASI (RHO = 0.84, p0.05) and the number of dilatations in the second esophagram was statistically significant. None of the patients with0.55 proximal ASI required dilatation; patients with 0.55-0.79 proximal ASI required less than 3 dilatations; and patients with0.79 proximal ASI had a high risk of requiring 3 or more dilatations.According to our study, measuring ASI in the second esophagram proves useful in predicting EA patients' postoperative management, especially when it comes to identifying patients with lower risk of undergoing multiple dilatations.La estenosis esofágica es la complicación más frecuente tras la corrección de la atresia esofágica (AE). El objetivo de este estudio es el análisis de los Índices de estenosis de la anastomosis (IEA: relación entre los diámetros de los bolsones y de la estenosis en el esofagograma postoperatorio) como predictores de la necesidad de dilatación esofágica.Se diseña un estudio retrospectivo incluyendo los pacientes con AE y anastomosis esofágica en nuestro centro entre 2009-2017, calculando los IEA del bolsón proximal (IEA-proximal) y distal (IEA-distal) en el primer y segundo esofagograma postoperatorio, analizando su correlación con el número de dilataciones esofágicas que necesitaron. Para el análisis estadístico, se ha empleado el test de correlación de Spearman y las curvas ROC.Se incluyeron 31 pacientes: 21 precisaron dilatación esofágica (67%), y 11 de ellos (35%) 3 o más dilataciones. No se demostró relación estadísticamente significativa entre los IEA del primer esofagograma con la necesidad de dilatación esofágica (p0,05). Se observó una relación entre el IEA-proximal (rho = 0,84, p0,05) y el número de dilataciones en el segundo esofagograma. Ningún paciente con ASI-proximal0,55 necesitó dilatación; los pacientes con ASI-proximal entre 0,55-0,79 precisaron menos de 3 dilataciones y los pacientes con ASI-proximal0,79 presentaron alto riesgo de necesitar 3 o más dilataciones.Según los resultados de nuestro estudio, la medición de IEA en el segundo esofagograma constituye una herramienta útil para predecir el manejo postoperatorio en pacientes con AE, especialmente en la identificación de aquellos con menor riesgo de someterse a múltiples dilataciones.

Multiple approaches to the treatment of simple and complicated (gangrenous or perforated) appendicitis in children have been promoted. Our goal is to develop a new protocol for these patients that allows shorter hospital stays without increasing complications rates.Prospective collected data of patients undergoing appendicitis treated according to the new protocol for a period of 7 months were reviewed. This protocol consists on antibiotic prophylaxis in all cases continued with triple antibiotic regimen in complicated appendicitis. Antibiotics were stopped when specific clinical and laboratory criteria were met. Outcomes are compared to a historical group of patients treated under standard protocol (antibiotic prophylaxis followed by 48 hours of dual antibiotic therapy in simple appendicitis or 5 day-course of triple antibiotic therapy in complicated as postooperative antibiotic regimen).A total of 196 patients (96 current group and 100 historical group) were reviewed. In simple appendicitis average length of postoperative hospitalization was significantly lower in the current group (no statistical difference). 52.9% of complicated appendicitis in the current group were discharged home before 5th day without increasing the complication rate. When a wound infection or intraabdominal abscess occurs thrombocytosis (52%) and prolonged vomiting are the most frequent symptoms.No further postoperative treatment is needed in simple appendicitis. In complicated appendictis a short course of antibiotics according to clinical and laboratory criteria allows early discharge without major morbidity. Prolonged postoperative vomiting and thrombocytosis suggest infectious complications.Existen múltiples modalidades de tratamiento antibioterápico tras una apendicectomía en niños. Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar un nuevo protocolo para el tratamiento de las apendicitis que permita acortar la estancia hospitalaria sin aumentar las complicaciones.Estudio prospectivo que analiza a los pacientes intervenidos de apendicitis tratados según el nuevo protocolo de antibioterapia durante un periodo de 7 meses. Dicho protocolo consiste en profilaxis quirúrgica en todos los casos y continuar con triple antibioterapia en las evolucionadas, con una duración variable según criterios clínico-analíticos establecidos previamente. Se comparan los resultados con los de un grupo histórico de pacientes tratados con el protocolo clásico (profilaxis y 48 horas de doble antibioterapia en las flemonosas y 5 días de triple en las evolucionadas).Se estudian un total de 196 pacientes (96 grupo actual y 100 grupo histórico). En las apendicitis flemonosas la estancia hospitalaria postquirúrgica media es significativamente menor en el grupo actual sin encontrar diferencias estadísticas en la tasa de complicaciones. El 52,9% de las apendicitis evolucionadas del grupo actual fueron dadas de alta antes del 5º día sin aumentar la tasa de complicaciones. De los pacientes que presentaron una complicación infecciosa el 52% asociaban trombocitosis y la clínica más frecuente fue de vómitos prolongados.No es necesario tratamiento antibioterápico postoperatorio en apendicitis simples. En las evolucionadas un tratamiento corto de antibióticos según criterios clínico-analíticos permite un alta precoz sin mayor morbilidad asociada. Los vómitos prolongados y la trombocitosis son indicadores de complicaciones infecciosas postoperatorias.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a very usual procedure within adult population, but not as frequent in childhood. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of LC in children compared with those performed in adulthood.We reviewed 39 consecutive patients who underwent LC between 2003 and 2013 at our Department and a similar sample of patients from 18 to 40 years of age from the General Surgery Department.39 children and 40 adults fulfilled criteria to be included in the study. The most frequent indication was cholelithiasis in both groups. The mean operating time was significantly higher among children (127 min, adults 71 min, p0.01) but we didn't find differences neither in conversion nor in complication rates (children 5% and 7.7%, adults 2.5% and 15% respectively). In regard to preoperative factors, only male gender was correlated to a higher complication rate (p 0.037). On the other hand we found out that, in absence of complications, both the average length of stay (children 2.1 days, adults 0.5 days) and mean time to first feeding (children 21 hours, adults 8 hours) were significantly higher among children (p0.01).1) LC in childhood is a safe procedure that does not imply more morbidity than the same intervention in adults, even though a more prolonged operating time. 2) We believe that our longer hospital stay is due to certain lack of confidence with the technique and, in the future, the trend should be bent on encouraging a shorter time to first feeding and an earlier discharge.

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is getting more and more important in our specialty. However, the formation of the residents on MIS is, in many cases, irregular. The purpose of this study is to assess the state of training in MIS among the residents of Pediatric Surgery and their potential weaknesses.An electronic survey was distributed among 71 residents of Pediatric Surgery from 17 national hospitals.The response rate was 70.2%.100% of the residents are interested in a broadening of training activities in MIS. The main areas of interest are gastrointestinal (92%) and thoracic (47%) surgery. Only 57% have access to training facilities and less than half of them attend to courses and conferences. 80% believe that they are not given adequate attention from specialized associations. 52% think they should do rotations at referral centers, 86% that courses and seminars should be enhanced, and 44% that the responsibility of the resident in surgery should be increased. The main defects encountered in their training are scarce volume of patients, lack of financial support and overcoming the learning curve of surgeons in their services.Despite the advance of the MIS, resident's training in this discipline still has shortcomings, as expressed in their views. Knowledge of the current state of training should be the starting point for designing a training strategy that ensures adequate skills.

Anal prolapse is a common postoperative complication related to anorectal malformations (MAR) surgery, which is sometimes considered to be insignificant and/or not worthy of further intervention. We analysed the causes of this complication and our current surgical protocols.Since 1995, 26 patients with anal prolapse have been operated secondary to surgical correction of an anorectal pathology. The most common MAR in girls (12) was cloaca (10), and in boys (14) was anorectal atresia with prostate fistula (8). The symptoms were anal pain and bleeding associated with alterations in bowel control alterations. The diagnosis in most patients was made in the first months after surgery, during the period of anal dilatations period. The surgical procedure involves prolapse resection of the prolapse and a new anoplasty. In 18 patients (69%) the prolapse was corrected before the colostomy closure on an outpatient basis. The other 8 patients (31%) underwent prolapse surgery after colostomy closure, requiring hospitalisation.There were no immediate postoperative complications, improving continence and aesthetic anus appearance. In 4 patients the prolapse recurred, requiring further surgical correction.Anal prolapse is a possible minor complication after anorectal correction. MAR type, the quality of the perineal musculature and defects in surgical technique are the main factors determining ia prolapse will appearance. The anal prolapse surgery indication has been recently increased (including small unilateral prolapses) as long as they are done before the colostomy closure, due to good aesthetic and functional results, requiring only outpatient surgery.

Long-term indwelling central venous access devices are frequently used in pediatric patients. Their main complication is infection, that can even mean their removal. We try to identify the risk factors really involved in this complication and in their removal. We have made a retrospective review of 120 oncologic pediatric patients who received a central venous device between 2003 and 2009. We searched for epidemiologic, clinic, microbiologic and surgical risk factors. We made a comparative data analysis among: GROUP A, children who suffered device infection, GROUP B the others. Group A was divided into early infection (first month after implantation)/late infection, removed/not removed. Data were analized with statistical program SPSS. 29 suffered from leukemia, 19 from lymphoma and the main part, 72, from solid tumour. 31% experienced infection (GROUP A), being early in the 36% of them. 16% had to be withdrawn. Data analysis revealed statistical association with the age (p=0.015) and with the reception of chemiotherapic treatment the week before the surgical insertion. The rest of the studied factors did not revealed a real association, but could be guess a relationship among infection and leukemia, subclavian catheters, those patients whose deviced was introduced using a guide over a previous catheter and also transplanted. Related to early infection the only associateon founded was with the subclavian access (p=0.018). In conclusion, in our serie long-term central venous access infection was more frequent in the younger patients and also in those who had received chemotherapy the week before the catheter implantation. The tendency towards infection in leukemia, transplanted and subclavian carriers has to be studied in a prospective way with a larger number of oncologic children.

Peritoneal drainage is one of the options for treatment in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Currently its role is controversial as an alternative to laparotomy in low birthweight and mortality associated with both procedures is high (35-55%).We reviewed 30 low-weight premature (1000 g) with NEC treated surgically. We evaluate the hemodynamic, respiratory and metabolic status of the patients, as well as multi-organ involvement and the need for inotropic drugs. These data were analyzed previos to surgery and at 6 and 12 hours. We divided the sample into two groups: those who underwent peritoneal drainage (PD) input or laparotomy (LAP).In the series the average birth weight was 754 +/- 156 g and gestational age was 26.1 +/- 2.1 weeks. We carry on 10 peritoneal drainage and 20 laparotomies. The DP group before the intervention showed increased heart rate, FiO2 and acidosis (p0.05). The needs of dopamine were similar in both groups. Following the peritoneal drainage, we found breathing improvement (adequate ventilation and oxygenation, decreased FiO2) and hemodynamic improvement (blood pressure maintained, reduced heart rate, reduced requirements for dopamine) at 6 and 12 h. DP was not the definitive treatment in any of the patiens, and all survivors (80%) of this group required further laparotomy. 62% of them died. Overall mortality was 47% (70% DP and 35% LAP, p = 0.07).Peritoneal drainage allowed the stabilization of low-weight premature in critical condition. The hemodynamic and respiratory stabilization was transient and did not prevent the definitive surgical treatment, although it improved the conditions for doing so. In our series, the peritoneal drainage did not improve long-term survival, questioning its role as an alternative to surgery for NEC.

The indication of surgery in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) can be difficult in the absence of pneumoperitoneum or peritonitis. We propose laparoscopy for early diagnosis of intestinal perforation or necrosis in order to avoid unneccessary laparotomies.A new protocol was proposed which included diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in cases of uncertain surgical ECN indication. Subsequently, a prospective study of the 7 patients who underwent laparoscopy was performed, analyzing pathophysiological effects in the premature, technical difficulties of the procedure, and postoperative diagnostic consistency.The mean gestational age at birth was 27 weeks (range 25 to 31) with an average weight of 1.147 kg (range 0.900 to 1.600) two trocars were placed as the focal oriented scanning or radiography, using a pneumoperitoneum 6-10 mmHg for an average of 17 min. Laparoscopy avoided laparotomy in a patient who did well after washing and drainage and magnified lesions in one patient who did not require laparotomy after intestinal bypass. In other cases, laparoscopy was followed by minilaparotomy oriented to the lesions and stoma formation. There were no surgical complications attributable to the procedure, which was well tolerated in all cases.Laparoscopy can be a useful tool for evaluation of lesions of NEC in cases of uncertain surgical indications. In our experience, it is well tolerated in neonates of low weight, allowing oriented minilaparotomies or even to avoid laparotomy.

We have evaluated 465 patients diagnosed as having vesicoureteral reflux between 1975 and 2000 in our Department. Three hundred cases were treated surgically and 165 received submucosal injection of Teflon as endoscopic procedure. Since 1991, when we introduced the endoscopic technique in our Department, 31 patients required open surgery. The work includes the study of the diagnostic procedures performed in the patients, such as ultrasonography, voiding cystouretrography and renal isotopic gammagraphy. We focused on these patients treated endoscopically. The overall success rate was 97.6% with surgical techniques. Reflux was resolved using the endoscopic procedure in 76% after first injection, 93% after second and 96% after third. We conclude that the submucosal injection of Teflon is an appropriate treatment for most cases of vesicoureteral reflux. The non-invasive procedure requirement, lack of adverse effects and minimal morbidity make it an alternative to medical treatment and open surgery. The future is the search for new biocompatible materials with tissue-augmenting properties as Teflon.

Abdominal wall closure is not possible in large congenital defects, even after extensively stretching in to enlarge its capacity. The skin coverage is usually adequate but the aponeurotic defect has to be closed temporally using synthetic patches. The use of these materials leads to increase complication such as infection, fistula formation and extrusion. In addition a second operation is required to remove the material and to perform a definitive closure. The role of fascia lata in reconstruction of abdominal wall is well established as free grafts, pedicled flaps or free flaps. Bank cadaveric fascia lata is used extensively in neurosurgical, ophtalmological, orthopaedic and urogynecological procedures. This is the first description of the use of cadaveric fascia lata for the closure of large abdominal wall defects.We present two cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The first patient was a newborn who presented the impossibility to close the fascia, that was salvaged by a teflón patch. Five months later the wound opened, leaving the mesh exposed that had to be removed. A cadaveric fascia lata patch was used to cover the defect, closing the skin satisfactorily. The second case was a two days newborn. We performed the diaphragmatic closure, and the aponeurotic defect was closed using cadaveric fascia lata.Cosmetic and functional appearance are satisfactory in both cases and no complications have been seen.Fascia lata patches are revascularized in the abdominal wall and incorporates into receptor tissue. They have the following advantages with respect to synthetic materials: First, the risk of complications is lower. Second, their removal is not necessary. Finally, no intraperitoneal adhesions occur. The risks of disease transmission and rejection are minimized by the Centro Comunitario de Transfusiones donor selection and processing of the cadaveric fascia lata.