Search

In hypospadias surgery, pre-operative hormonal therapy (PHT) is primarily used to increase penile dimensions and the vascularity of tissues available for reconstruction, but its use is non-uniform in clinical practice, with no consensus on application or utility. This review aims to summarise: (i) the penile tissue response to hormone therapy, (ii) its impact on hypospadias surgery outcomes, and (iii) the endocrinological considerations and sequelae. PHT is more often indicated for complex cases such as proximal hypospadias, hypospadias with microphallus and hypospadias reoperations. While PHT has clear effects on penile morphometry, and more recent controlled trials suggest improved surgical outcomes, the lack of consistent outcome definitions and generally inadequate follow-up periods continue to consign many of the potential long-term effects of PHT to the unknown. There is currently insufficient robust evidence to allow a clinical guideline to be constructed. The need for a well-powered multi-centre prospective randomised trial to address this question is evident but awaits a unified consensus on issues surrounding the understanding of aetiology, classification of hypospadias morphology, definition of important prognostic variables and uniform application of outcome measures. The effects of PHT may be utilised to improve outcomes in cases of proximal and severe hypospadias, which under the current paradigm represent a significant surgical challenge., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)

Aim: The risk of organ loss is increased in children with testicular torsion or intestinal volvulus if surgical management is not expedient. The current retrospective study aims to review the time-course from first symptom to 'knife to skin' in these conditions, to determine where delays occur and facilitate a systems approach to better manage these children., Methods: One hundred consecutive paediatric cases of scrotal exploration for presumed testicular torsion, and 100 neonatal cases presenting with possible malrotation/volvulus were analysed to evaluate the exact time-course of events from admission to surgery., Results: (i) Scrotal exploration: the median time from onset of symptoms to presentation was 12 h (interquartile range (IQR): 5-48 h). In children over 5 years of age, 36% (33/93) were transferred from an external district service area. (ii) Malrotation/volvulus: the median duration of symptoms prior to arrival/assessment was 12 h (IQR: 4-24 h). The median cumulative in-hospital time was over 6 h (368 min, IQR: 247-634 min)., Conclusions: Time to presentation contributes significantly to testicular ischaemic time. This delay to timely surgical intervention is multi-factorial, and must be addressed at a public health level. Support and training in the management of testicular torsion should be provided to all adult surgeons/trainees that may care for these children. In general, this condition is best managed at the presenting hospital whenever appropriate expertise is available. Novel pathways that streamline care may improve efficiency at an institutional level. Addressing issues of access to specialised neonatal surgery is more vexed on account of the tyranny of distance, and the pre-requisite level of surgical expertise required., (© 2021 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)

Over the last hundred years, idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis has undergone an evolution in treatment, with subsequent improvements in outcome. Initially, it was treated by physicians with antispasmodics and various alternative feeding and resuscitation modalities. The evolution of surgical approaches led to a revolution in outcome, from almost certain death to complete cure. The progression of surgical and medical treatments is reviewed in this article until, ultimately, Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy is reached. This distilled operation has remained the gold-standard procedure for over a century., (© 2017 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)

This case highlights a rare but important presentation of aorto-oesophageal fistula caused by a concealed foreign body. Primary prevention strategies are needed to address the danger associated with button batteries., (© 2014 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2014 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)

The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is a term given to a technique that can transform a potentially fatal neonatal emergency to a controlled intervention with an improved outcome. It has revolutionised the care of prenatally diagnosed congenital malformations in which severe upper airway obstruction is anticipated. An extended period of utero-placental circulation can be utilised to avoid profound cardiopulmonary compromise. Its therapeutic applications have been broadened to include fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia after tracheal plugging, high-risk intrathoracic masses, severe cardiac malformations and conjoined twins. It requires the co-ordination of a highly skilled and experienced multidisciplinary team. The recent enthusiasm for the EXIT procedure needs to be balanced against maternal morbidity. Specific indications and guidelines are likely to be refined as a consequence of ongoing advances in fetal intervention and antenatal imaging., (© 2013 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2013 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)