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This method was used in 14 children, seven boys and seven girls, aged from 2.7 to 14 years, with acute appendicitis and peritonitis.Conversion to median laparotomy was necessary in order to perform adhesiolysis in two cases in which small bowel was observed. Postoperative complications occurred in four patients involving three wound infections and one mechanical intestinal obstruction. There was no intra-abdominal abscess.This procedure allows appendectomy by an open classical approach to be performed, and subsequently allows the treatment of the generalized peritonitis by video laparoscopy, usually without median laparotomy.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the laparoscopic diagnosis of contralateral patent processus vaginalis in children with unilateral inguinal hernia.Between November 1995 and February 1998, 91 consecutive children (78 boys, 13 girls) under the age of 1 year were operated on for a unilateral inguinal hernia. A contralateral hernia was diagnosed by a laparoscopy through the inguinal hernia sac before ligation. Results of this technique were correlated with those of herniography (79 cases) or with inguinal exploration (12 emergency).Laparoscopy was performed in 88 patients. Laparoscopy was impossible in three cases: one inguinal sac too thin, two cases of ectopic testis in the inguinal canal. Sensitivity was 73% and specificity 92%. The only complication arising from the procedure was wound infection in two patients.This method is a simple, safe and accurate procedure in order to select children for contralateral surgical exploration.

Definition of prognostic factors for torsion of the testis in children.From January 1986 to December 1996, 91 children were operated for torsion of the testis. Torsions were observed at all ages of childhood, but with two frequency peaks: during the neonatal period and in adolescence. Typical clinical features were observed in only three-quarters of cases.Thirty-nine testes were considered to be necrotic versus 52 with a chance of recovery. Factors of poor prognosis were: neonatal forms, delayed management or tight torsion with several turns. 28 of the necrotic testes were conserved: two were complicated by purulent necrosis, but 14% retained normal trophicity on long-term examination.The possibility of torsion at all ages of childhood and the frequently incomplete clinical features means that emergency surgical exploration must always be performed in the case of testicular pain. A conservative attitude is motivated by the possibility of recovery of testes considered to be necrotic at operation.

Despite increasingly rigorous preventive measures which have limited the number of cases in France, the number of children undergoing surgery for tuberculosis has remained unchanged. Over the last ten years we operated on 40 children in our pediatric unit. In 10 cases, surgery was indicated for diagnosis, in 19 cases surgery was required in an emergency situation during treatment and in 11 the operation was performed at the stage of sequellae. The type of surgery depended on the clinical situation. Thoracoscopy was used for surgical diagnosis and to empty caseous nodes in the lateral tracheal chain but was generally impossible at the sequellae stage.

This study evaluates the place of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) in neonates with posterior urethral valves (PUV).11 neonates with PUV, 10 of which were diagnosed antenatally, were treated. PCN drainage was performed in 9 cases, prior to endoscopic resection. Six PCN were bilateral and 3 were unilateral, for the following indications: renal failure in 5 cases, severe infection in 2 cases, evaluation of a dilated kidney in 2 cases.These PCN were left in place for an average of 18 days. Two cases of asymptomatic postoperative bacteriuria were observed. One nephrectomy and one cutaneous ureterostomy followed by reimplantation for megaureter were performed on the diverted kidneys.PCN has become the method of upper tract diversion in most cases of neonatal PUV. In addition to the classical indications (severe urinary tract infection, renal failure), it allows perfectly safe resection of valves in the case of upper tract dilatation and assessment of the kidneys.

This case of mesenchymatous hamartoma in a nine-year-old boy, was an incidental finding on a chest X ray. CT and MRI suggested the diagnosis showing a large (9 x 11 x 14 cm) mass developed in the right lower lung with sharp margins, without any sign of pulmonary or mediastinal compression. This lesion contained fatty areas on both CT and MRI. It showed no calcification. It enhanced slightly after IV contrast. On T2 WI, it appeared lobulated with low signal intensity septa. Presence of fatty tissues and lobulated margins were suggestive of the diagnosis of mesenchymatous hamartoma. A 1.2 kg mass was surgically removed. The tumor was attached to the right lower lobe by a small pedicle. Pathological examination disclosed fatty and connective tissues. This rare observation shows a good correlation between CT, MR, surgery and pathological examination.

Eight cases of rupture of the posterior urethra were observed in children and treated via a trans-symphyseal approach. Repair was easy in the cases seen rapidly (2 to 10 days), urethral suture was effective and the result was excellent. On the other hand, in cases seen later (6 cases), between 6 months and 5 years, marked fibrous callus had to be resected. Urethral repair was not always possible (only one failure out of 6 late cases). This approach preserves genital functions.

Intestinal duplications are rare and are usually diagnosed in the first two years of infancy. They can occur at any level of the alimentary tract from the oral cavity to the anus. Duodenal duplication accounts for approximately 7% of all intestinal duplications. A previously healthy 4-year 6-month old boy was admitted with progressive increasing vomiting. Physical examination was normal, the serum amylase level was moderately increased. Upper gastrointestinal series showed an extrinsic compression defect of the proximal duodenum. Ultrasonography showed a 3 cm diameter cyst in the head of the pancreas. A duplication was suggested. Helical CT cholangiography showed a communication between duplication and the biliopancreatic common channel. The biliary tree was normal. Surgical resection of the intrapancreatic lesion was performed. Microscopic examination of the specimen revealed a duodenal duplication.

We report one case of multilocular cyst of the kidney in one year and three months female infant who underwent echography, computed tomography and MRI before surgery. MR image accurately reflect the morphology of the tumor: the capsule is hypointense on T1-weighted images, the septa show moderate enhancement with intravenous contrast. Varied intensities from fluid in the visualised locules presumably represent different concentration of proteins. MR imaging features are highly suggestive but non pathognomonic of the disease. Positive diagnosis always require histology.

The authors report a case of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in a four year old girl with a small kidney destroyed by vesicoureteric reflux.

Because of its ballistic and physical characteristics, brachytherapy (BT) represents the optimal irradiation treatment in pediatric tumors, especially in prostate or bladder rhabdomyosarcoma. In a limited series of 15 children treated with BT (including three patients treated with salvage BT), 8 out of 9 patients surviving with NED benefited from conservative treatment among 12 patients treated with BT as first-line treatment. Sequelae were minimal consisting of one grade I cystitis and one asymptomatic vesical and ureteral reflux. BT allows administration of high doses to limited volumes sparing normal tissues. BT--whenever possible--represents the treatment of choice compared with external radiotherapy. Indications of BT depend on tumor accessibility and size (usuallyor = 4 cm).

Primary hyperparathyroidism is rare in children and adolescents. Bone changes may produce pain in the back or extremities, but this is rarely the first symptom of the disease.A 13 year-old girl suffered from pain in the back and lower extremities. Progressive bilateral genu valgum appeared. One year later, she became lame because of the deformity. ECG showed cardiac arrhythmia with atrial extra systoles. The serum calcium concentrations were 3.36 and 3.8 mmol/l, phosphate 0.76 mmol/l and alkaline phosphatases 6,612 U/I (N: 90-300). Urinary excretion of calcium was 17 and 26 mg/kg/day and the renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate was 77%. Radiological studies revealed resorption of subperiosteal bone, best seen along the margins of the phalanges, demineralization of the skull vault, bilateral coxa vara and zones of calcification on knee metaphyses. The serum concentration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) was 1,066 pg/ml (N: 10-55) and that of 1-25(OH)2D3 was 125 ng/ml (N: 20-80). Ultrasonography showed a heterogeneous mass, 23 x 15 mm, suggesting a parathyroid adenoma. This adenoma was independent of the left inferior parathyroid. It was removed and the biochemical findings gradually returned to normal. Bone demineralization also disappeared and the knee deformities were surgically corrected 9 months later.Bone changes may occasionally cause severe pain, indicating demineralization and hypercalcemia: hyperparathyroidism is one cause of such changes.

Immunosuppressive drugs are known to increase the risk of inducing neoplasia, especially acute leukaemia when high doses are used. A case of nephrosis in a 10 year-old boy treated with chlormethine (cumulative dose: 0.8 mg/kg) and chlorambucil (cumulative dose: 10 mg/kg) is reported. Four years after the beginning of the treatment an extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma occurred. Since the review of literature failed to find any malignancy induced by such an immunosuppressive treatment for nephrosis, the question whether or not this extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma was attributable to this treatment remains unanswered.

The diagnosis of nephroblastoma is based on a postulate: any solid intrarenal tumour in a child between the ages of six months and six years is a nephroblastoma and therefore requires preoperative chemotherapy. Fine needle biopsy to obtain histological confirmation is only justified in doubtful cases. The prognosis is dominated by unfavourable, sarcomatous and anaplastic histological forms, which represent less than 10% of all nephroblastomas and are responsible for one half of deaths. Due to the better understanding of the therapeutic sequelae, particularly following radiotherapy, this modality is avoided whenever possible in young children. Radiotherapy is only indicated in stage II, with lymph node invasion, and stage III forms with favourable histology. It is indicated in all forms with unfavourable histology except for stage I anaplastic tumours. Surgery is indicated for metastases, especially lung metastases, once again to avoid irradiation. Lastly, bilateral partial nephrectomy is the best treatment for bilateral nephroblastoma.

The renal transplantation in children has some specificities: urologic anomalies (vesico ureteral reflux, posterior urethral valves) are frequently the cause of the renal failure, and necessitate a thorough surgical preparation before transplantation (nephrectomy, reconstitution of urinary tract). The child must have a sterile, compliant and continent urinary tract on the day of the operation. In small children (15 kg), it is often necessary to operate through a transperitoneal incision, especially if the donor is an adult: the anastomoses will then concern the aorta and vena cava. The results are good, even better than in adults, except for very young children (under six years of age). Transplantation with living related donor (LRD) give the best results. Currently, the graft survival is 87% to 90% after three years with LRD, versus 65 to 77% with cadaveric donors.

Between 1977 and 1990, 11 children with carinal bronchogenic cysts were operated in our institution: 8 girls and 3 boys, ranging in age from 1 month to 5 years. All were symptomatic (acute respiratory distress and recurrent bronchiolitis). Chest X-ray showed an unilateral over distension in 10/11 cases. Barium oesophagogram showed a compression in 6/10 cases. Bronchoscopy noticed an extrinsic compression in 10/11 cases and a tracheal and/or bronchial diskinesia in 5/11 cases. The computed tomography showed a low density mass in 4/4 cases. 9 cysts were left-sided and 2 right-sided. Both children underwent a second surgery for a second cyst. 2 pneumonectomies for complete parenchyma destruction were realised. 1 left pulmonary hypoplasia was noticed. A tracheal and/or bronchial diskinesia in post-operative was noticed in 5/6 cases. The clinical and functional respiratory following was good in 10/11 cases. An early surgery treatment is necessary before definitive sequelae.

Bladder exstrophy and epispadias with incontinence are associated with urinary tract and genital anomalies. The genital and sexual aspects were studied in 14 adolescent or adult males (12 exstrophies and 2 epispadias). The appearance of the penis was satisfactory in fifty percent of cases. Erections were always preserved but normal ejaculations were present in only one half of cases. Fertility potential was reduced. The improvement of surgical technique, and especially penile lengthening, has greatly improved sexual intercourse for these patients.

The authors report a series of 76 children with lung metastases followed from 1974 to 1989. Forty-four children were operated on with 64 thoracotomies (50 wedge resections, 5 segmentectomies, 2 pneumonectomies, 6 biopsies, 1 excision of an inflammatory granuloma): 23 of these children are alive, and 17 of them without any adjuvant radiotherapy. Thirty-two were not operated on; of the 13 that are alive, 7 had no adjuvant radiotherapy. The indications for surgery were: to treat a complication of the metastasis, to verify persistent images on CT-scan, but essentially to avoid more aggressive treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) with its risk of sequelae in children.

The authors report ten cases of women with previous exstrophy of the bladder or epispadias with incontinence followed up to child-bearing age. Six of the ten females had urinary diversion and four retained their bladder and were continent. Three key aspects are considered: physical appearance of the external genitalia which was satisfactory in all cases; preservation of sexual function, known in only four of the ten cases and which was reported by these patients to be satisfactory, and finally, the ability to bear children. Three patients became pregnant resulting in four normal births (one patient had twins). Cesarean sections were recommended in patients with pregnancies at term. Cesarean should be performed systematically in patients with bladder reconstruction.

The authors report twenty two cases of obstructive anuria observed in children. Causes are diverse: 6 cases were observed during the course of tumors, 4 cases were secondary to bilateral renal stones (or unilateral in a single kidney), 3 cases were observed before surgical correction of latent or well tolerated congenital uropathy, and 9 cases in the immediate postoperative period (including 8 after antireflux surgery). In the emergency situation, treatment of obstructive anuria is based on urinary diversion ideally by percutaneous nephrostomy under ultrasonic control. But prevention is the best treatment of anuria: treatment of urinary tract infections resulting in renal stones, in case of tumor, ultrasonographic survey of chronic upper tract dilatation: rigorous atraumatic operative technique avoiding any oedema.

We report a series of 13 infants with failed surgery for pyeloureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction. Failure was defined as the necessity for further surgery, either refashioning of the anastomosis or nephrectomy. These infants were part of a series of 306 with 322 PUJ. Of the 258 surgically treated infants, 232 (90%) had a post operative course without complication or need for reoperation. The failure rate was significantly higher in infants operated before the age of 4 months (8/65: 12.3%) when compared with those over 4 months of age (5/193: 2.59%). The use of postoperative drainage via a nephrostomy significantly reduced the percentage of early complications (e.g. fistula) but did not affect the final failure rate. The severity of the obstruction at presentation correlated with a bad outcome after reoperation. Of the cases which resulted in failure after reoperation (7/258: 2.7%) all occurred in cases of severe obstruction with parenchymal damage. While the failure of surgery is often evident early (persistant fistula, urinoma, non-functioning kidney on IVP) this may only become obvious some years later. Reoperations were successful in half the cases irrespective of the time between the initial operation and the reoperation. Long term follow-up of all infants operated for PUJ obstruction is recommended.

Ten children with a major parietal defect, abdominal or thoracic, were operated by using a resorbable polyglactine network, during these three last years. On six children, the parietal defect was only deep, according to the surgical ablation of a parietal malignant tumor; on four other children, the defect was total, interesting the muscular and aponeurotic plan, but also the skin (two gastroschisis, and two septic eviscerations). Neither reject nor suppuration were observed. In case of total defect, a parietal reflection may be necessary in the long term.

In the light of three cases of neonatal obstruction related to a small calibre descending colon, the authors review the main clinical and radiological signs and compare them with the data in the literature. This functional disturbance is related to immaturity of the intrinsic innervation of the colon which is especially common in low birth weight neonates or of diabetic mothers. Diagnosis is dependent upon enema using diluted uroangiographic hydrosoluble iodine contrast medium, which shows a disparity in calibre at the left colic angle. The differential diagnosis lies with Hirschsprung's disease. Functional ileus in premature infants, meconium ileus and the "small left colon syndrome" are related to the same pathogenisis: functional immaturity of the colon.

Between 1977 and 1984, a total of 23 patients with post-anastomotic stenosis after surgery for esophageal atresia were treated conjointly by the ORL and digestive surgery departments of Hôpital Trousseau, France. Most cases were type III atresias treated by direct anastomosis, favoring factors for stenosis being gastro-esophageal reflux, post-anastomotic fistula and the surgical act. Stenosis usually develops early, provokes only moderately severe symptomatology and requires treatment by dilatation mainly, in association with anti-reflux medication. Prognosis was usually good in the 23 cases reported, 21 being able to take food normally. Surgery should be reserved for cases with severe reflux and for those with persistent stenosis.

The short term prognosis of the esophageal atresia has been improved by the progress of diagnosis and surgical techniques. The long term prognosis still depends upon the occurrence of bronchopulmonary complications. Having investigated fourteen cases and a review of the literature, the authors studied the cause of these respiratory complication. Two factors seem to play an important role: the gastroesophageal reflux and the tracheomalacia. This has important therapeutical implications: treatment of the gastro-esophageal reflux and long term respiratory kinesitherapy. The authors suggest for these patients a management plan over several years.

The authors report about four cases of urinoma detected during the neonatal period in three boys and one girl with congenital uropathy. It appeared as an infravesical obstruction in three cases (2 posterior urethral valves, one anterior urethral diverticulum) and as an obstruction of the pyeloureteral junction in the last case. The examination was prompted by the detection of a mass in the side during the clinical examination. The diagnosis is based on ultrasound, which evidences the liquid and extrarenal character of the urinoma and often allows demonstrating the underlying uropathy. The kidney may be difficult to localize if the urinoma is very large. IVP or radionuclide scanning may contribute to the diagnosis as they allow assessing the functional value of the kidney. The urinoma protects the kidney from the consequences of uropathy by allowing a relative decompression of the pyelocaliceal structures.

Intraoperative hemorrhage during hepatic veins approach or during liver parenchyma transsection is the major risk of liver resection for children. We report a technique for hepatic resection based upon facility of safe ligation or clamping of vessels and ductules on a bloodless cut surface during transsection. This technique limits risk of extensive hemorrhage or damage to residual parenchyma, without heavy procedures of anatomical resections. Particularities of liver tissues and capsula of children are used. Perfect hemostasis of the cut edge is obtained by mattress sutures on Silastic * straps performed after clamping with specially designed liver clamps. The 3 main interests of this clamping are detailed. 21 liver resections were performed on children ranging in age from 9 months to 11 years. There was one intra-operative death and one within 30 days. Total blood loss during procedure was about 1/3 blood mass.

Ultrasonography has profoundly modified the diagnostic conditions of polycystic renal dysplasia in children. Non-palpable forms, which were previously most frequently missed, can now be detected during the antenatal period. In infants, ultrasonography generally provides a definite diagnosis, which can be confirmed by aspiration-opacification of the cysts. On the basis of a series of 40 cases and a review of the literature, the authors discuss the therapeutic implications of these new data. Surgery remains essential in cases of palpable polycystic renal dysplasia, especially when it is complicated. However, in the sub-clinical forms, as the risks of malignant degeneration and the incidence of post-operative complications are minimal in the one case and undefinable in the other, surgical excision is possible but not essential.

Eight children with pseudo-Hirschsprung's disease are reported. They can be divided into three groups: alimentary ganglioneuromatosis, schwann cell hyperplasia and those with normal appearance by stantard histology. In view of the heterogeneity, histology cannot predict the extent or the prognosis of the disease. Several biopsies at various levels of the alimentary tract and the use of advanced techniques are necessary to assess fully the extent and the type of the lesion and whether it is congenital or acquired. The majority of pseudo-Hirschsprung's disease tend to affect most of alimentary tract, which may lead to the formation of stagnant loops with all their risks. Treatment includes ileostomy, continuous hypoallergenic oral feeding, and manual expression several times a day.

A surgical technique is proposed which makes use of a cervical esophageal flap to repair a hypopharyngeal stenosis from traumatic intubation. The technique is also applicable for identical stenosis of caustic or traumatic origin, other procedures described in the literature being suitable only for more extensive or more limited lesions. This simply performed technique provides important mucosal gains in the piriform sinus region and a satisfactory hypopharyngeal line.

On the basis of two cases of sub-adventitial traumatic rupture of the left renal artery, as well as data from the literature, the authors indicate the relative poverty of clinical signs of traumatic rupture of the renal arteries. They stress the value of early intravenous pyelography in lumbar trauma, with immediate arteriography in the presence of a non-functioning kidney, making conservative surgery possible.

The authors report 17 cases of iatrogenic complications occurring during the neonatal period over an interval of 5 years in a surgical service. Such complications concern the radiologist, either in their cause or their discovery. These cases are taken together with findings reported in the literature and lead the authors to draw conclusions with regard to the practical management of certain examinations in the neonatal period and the radiological surveillance of the newborn in a surgical department.

The authors analyse their 18 partial nephrectomies performed on 12 children with either a bilateral or a Wilms' tumor of a single remaining kidney: 13 affected kidneys were otherwise normal, the 5 others were sites of a diffuse nephroblastomatosis. The short term results are good (one technical failure only). The long term results were excellent for Wilms' tumors on otherwise healthy kidneys (no recurrence), as opposed to kidneys with diffuse nephroblastomatosis, where invariable tumor recurrence was observed. Because of the low risk of tumor development in the controlateral healthy kidney, and the established value of classical total nephrectomy, the authors, however, consider partial nephrectomy only in highly selected cases of unilateral nephroblastoma.