Search

Objecives: The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of surgery (Lynn's myectomy) in patients with chronic persistent constipation and failure of medical treatment., Material and Methods: Descriptive study of patients with severe chronic constipation treated by posterior anorectal myectomy (Lynn's technique). We report data from the last 15 years, with a minimum postoperative follow-up of one year. Patients included in the study suffered from a long-term constipation refractory to medical management. Data regarding contrast enema, anorectal manometry and rectal biopsy were recorded. The procedure's outcome is classified following clinical criteria: Asymptomatic: >3 bowel movements per week, with no soiling/incontinence and with no medical treatment; Improvement: >3 bowel movements per week, with no soiling/incontinence but using laxatives occasionally., Results: Nineteen myectomies were performed (median age of 8.47 years). Median time of constipation before surgery was 7.89 years. Rectal biopsy findings: 10 with ganglion cells, 4 without ganglion cells and other abnormalities in 5. Anorectal manometry was performed in 6 patients, 4 presented rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Four patients were diagnosed of Hirschsprung's disease (1 was asymptomatic after myectomy, 2 needed further surgery and 1 was lost in follow-up). Of the remaining 15 patients, 8 were asymptomatic (53.3%), 4 experienced improvement (26.6%) and 1 without clinical changes is on pelvic floor physiotherapy. Two were lost in follow-up. There were no other postoperative complications after long term follow-up., Conclusions: Lynn's myectomy is an effective and safe procedure in patients suffering from persistent chronic constipation despite of medical treatment. It is also the definitive treatment for patients with ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung's disease.

Objective: To evaluate the previous history of cryptorchidism in patients with testicular cancer., Materials and Methods: We carried out a study using 175 patients diagnosed with testicular cancer, in our hospital, from 1999 to 2010. We analyzed the previous history of cryptorchidism and its characteristics, testicular placing, histology and intervention age., Results: 5 out of the 175 patients (2,8%) with testicular neoplasm presented a history of cryptorchidism, The average age was 31 years old, an orchidopexy was only carried out in 2 patients. The histology was different depending on the treatment chosen to battle cryptorchidism and in 2 cases it developed in the adjoining testicle. The average ratio was of 1,9., Conclusions: Our results reflect that the association of cryptorchidism with testicular neoplasm is in fact lower than in the past. A good and proper handling of cryptorchidism can prevent it from turning malignant, presenting these patients similar incidences to the rest of the population.

Objective: Acute appendicitis is the most common emergency surgical pathology in childhood and there is no consensus on its management. Fast-track treatment, based on optimizing perioperative care has reduced morbidity and mortality of surgical pathologies, including simple acute appendicitis. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of a fast-track protocol in complicated acute appendicitis., Methods: Ambispective cohort study. Historical unexposed cohort: children with complicated appendicitis and appendectomy in our hospital during 2008-2009. Exposed cohort: children operated in 2010-2011 and who performed protocol. The protocol treatment was done after a literature review, adapting the principles of fast-track to a potentially severe urgent disease: early mobilization, limited drainage-tubes and short antibiotic regimens Taking hospital stay as the resulting variable, the calculated sample size for alpha = 0.05 and power = 90% was 54, being X1 = 7 +/- 3DS and X2=5., Results: We included 151 patients, historical cohort 81 and current cohort 70, which excluded 31 children who did not meet protocol because of surgeon choice. Both groups showed homogeneity due to the absence of differences in sex, age, weight, type of appendicitis (gangrenous, perforated, generalized peritonitis) or surgical approach. The average stay decreased 2.71 days (p <0.001) due to the protocol, without any complication increase (abscess, postoperative ileus, readmission)., Conclusions: Complicated appendicitis in children is common and potentially serious, and optimization of treatment should be a primary goal of our practice. Application of a fast-track protocol can provide clinical and economic benefits, although this requires an appropriate multidisciplinary management.

Unlabelled: We analyzed the relationship between Crohn's disease and appendectomy in paediatric age., Method and Material: We studied the patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease and appendectomy (under 20) between 1999 and 2011. We retrieved their previous medical histories and carried out an histological re evaluation of those appendix., Results: 11 patients out of 137 (8,02%) had an appendectomy before the development of Crohn's disease. An average age in which the appendectomy took place and the development of Crohn's disease was diagnosed 14 (5-20 years), having 90% of the patients diagnosed in the early post-surgical stages. A patient did not develop any symptoms until a year later. There were no more appendectomies carried out in comparison with the adult population. The initial anatomopathologic diagnosis and the histological re evaluation agreed in just one case, compatible with Crohn's disease., Conclusion: The majority of appendectomies carried out in paediatric patients that later develop Crohn's disease are realized by a bias diagnosis of acute appendicitis and the relation between the two of them can be explained as the not yet developed Crohn's disease at the moment of the appendectomy. Appendectomies at a paediatric age are not associated with a potential development of Crohn's disease. There is no evidence of histological changes compatible with Crohn's disease in the first episode.

Aim: To assess the quality of life and symptoms of GER patients who underwent laparoscopy in our hospital before and after surgery., Material and Methods: We collect data from patients operated laparoscopically for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GER) in our center before and after surgery in 3 items: nutritional studies, diagnostic methods, interviews with the families of patients about symptoms (preferably differing in digestive or respiratory symptoms) and quality of life; also, determined the age, gender, personal history and surgical technique of patients., Results: 30 patients have been operated for GER, 22 men and 8 women, 11 months to 14 years (median age 5 years) of whom 12 (40%) had some degree of encephalopathy. The most common surgical technique used is Nissen (73% cases). Most patients had significant alterations in their daily activities before surgery. The most common symptom was gastrointestinal (70% cases), although all showed improvement, families of children with respiratory symptoms related predominantly greater reduction in the clinic after surgical correction. All improved in its growth curve., Conclusions: Surgery for GER patients have a significant improvement in their quality of life, not only by the reduction of their symptoms but also in enhancing from the nutritional status. Patients with respiratory symptoms have a higher satisfaction with surgical treatment than those with gastrointestinal clinical.

Unlabelled: The infantile myofibromatosis is a rare pathology usually affecting children under 2 years. More than half are congenital, located in head and neck in a 30% of the cases. Myofibroma is a benign mesenchymal tumor that appear an isolated lesion or multiple, with or without visceral involvement. Case 1: A newborn girl that presents lump in scalp suspected of encefalocele. Ultrasound and RM: solid and heterogeneous mass 4 x 2 cm with increased peripheral vascularisation. Case 2: A 7-month-old baby boy with lump in right occipital zone detected at 4 months. Ultrasound and RM: injury 1 x 1.5 cm in head esplenio muscle suggestive of hemangioma., Results: After surgical total resection, the histological study and immunohistochemical identified the lesion as myofibroma. The evaluation of disease dissemination was normal and the recovery of the patients was favorable. The differential diagnosis of myofibroma must be carried out with other mesenchymal tumors and with non neoplastic injuries characteristics of the region affects. The visceral location and multiple forms worsen the prognosis, so is important do an exhaustive study. Treatment is conservative surgery, but if there is no risk to the child, the possibility of spontaneous regression makes the abstention therapeutic a correct alternative.

Purpose: To assess the role that the muscular dysplasia, epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) C-kit +, may have in the pathophysiology of pyeloureteral stenosis (EPU)., Materials and Methods: 30 samples were studied UPJ (ureteropelvic junction), with 25 UPJ obstruction and 5 controls. Performed with Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemical techniques for smooth muscle actin, EGFR (epidermal growth factor) and CD117 (C-kit) (Dako). We compared the results statistically., Results: The control group was diffuse positivity of EGFR in the muscle layer in samples of EPU was positive in 4%, weak in 16% and negative in 80%. The controls are C-kit + ICC between the muscle cells showed a decreased density in the samples of obstruction. Masson's trichrome highlighted the increase of inter-and intramuscular collagen and attenuated muscle fibers, thinner and individualized, in the inner muscular layer of the cases of EPU also evident with the actin. Differences between groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Our results suggest that dysplastic changes in the muscle layer, the low expression of EGFR and the decrease or absence of C-kit + ICC, may participate in the pathophysiology of UPJ obstruction.