Search

Byline: Makoto. Matsukubo, Mitsuru. Muto, Shun. Onishi, Nanako. Nishida, Chihiro. Kedoin, Ayaka. Nagano, Mayu. Matsui, Masakazu. Murakami, Koshiro. Sugita, Keisuke. Yano, Toshio. Harumatsu, Koji. Yamada, Waka. Yamada, Takafumi. Kawano, Tatsuru. [...]

Introduction: Surgical management of neuroblastoma (NB) has been performed by open procedures for decades. However, advances in surgical devices and technology have made minimally invasive surgery safe and reproducible. In this study, we compared open and laparoscopic surgery regarding biopsy success and curative resection to determine the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for pediatric patients with adrenal NB. Methods: We reviewed the clinical data of 22 NB patients who underwent surgery from 2006 to 2021 in our institution. All patients with adrenal NB were diagnosed histologically, and we retrospectively analyzed the data. Results: The male/female ratio was 16/6. The median age was 2.5 (interquartile range: 2–4) years old, and the laterality was on the right in 13 and on the left in 9. A total of 20 patients underwent a tumor biopsy: 14 via laparotomy, five laparoscopically, and one retroperitoneally. Four patients underwent laparoscopic resection and 11 patients underwent open resection after chemotherapy. Two patients with stage LI underwent primary tumor resection laparoscopically. For curative resection in image‐defined risk factor (IDRF)‐negative patients, laparoscopic surgery resulted in shorter operation time, with less bleeding and an earlier oral intake. The three IDRF‐single‐positive patients on the liver (laparoscopic surgery: one patient) had a shorter operation time and less bleeding than the IDRF‐multiple positive patients. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery was performed in a limited number of adrenal NB cases. A laparoscopic biopsy for adrenal NB seems to be safe and feasible to perform. Laparoscopic surgery, in carefully selected cases, permits safe and efficient resection of adrenal NB in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size of the display used for endoscopic surgery has been increasing recently, but the effect of the display size on procedure outcomes is unclear. The present study clarified the effect of display size on the outcomes of endoscopic surgical procedures. Eight pediatric surgeons performed the laparoscopic fundoplication task using a disease-specific laparoscopic simulator with 3 different display sizes (43, 32, and 24 inches). The movement of the forceps during the task was measured using an electromagnetic spatial three-dimensional position-measuring instrument. The movements of the eyes and head during the task were also measured using glasses-style smart eyewear. We assessed the time required to complete the task, total path length of forceps, average velocity of forceps, number of blinks, number and strength of eye movements, and head tilt of participants during the task. There were no significant differences in the required time, total path length, average velocity, number of blinks, number and strength of eye movements, or head tilt among the three display sizes. After the task, participants were asked which display felt the easiest to use. Four participants (50%) answered that the 32-inch display was easiest to use. This study showed that display size differences did not influence endoscopic surgical procedures. However, 50% of participants felt that the task was easiest using the middle display size. There may be an optimal monitor size for a given procedure. Level II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a laparoscopic surgical technique using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence to identify and preserve rare arterial branching associated with pediatric congenital biliary dilatation. Congenital biliary dilatation with pancreaticobiliary maljunction was diagnosed in a 9-year-old girl, who presented with upper abdominal pain. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed that the accessory right hepatic artery (aRHA) branched from the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (PSPDA) and flowed through the right aspect of the dilated common bile duct (CBD) directly into the right lobe of the liver. We performed laparoscopic dilated biliary duct resection and hepaticojejunostomy, administering ICG intravenously, at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg. The ICG fluorescence overlay mode showed an aRHA running along the right side of the dilated CBD. The aRHA was dissected from the CBD without injury. After finishing the anastomosis, the beating of the aRHA was preserved, confirming that blood flow had been maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report a 13‐year‐old boy with a chief complaint of abdominal pain and a palpable mass. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed an abdominal bulky tumor involving the ascending colon causing severe stenosis, with multiple abdominal lymph node metastases detected by positron emission tomography (PET)‐CT. Laparoscopic radical resection with right hemicolectomy and lymph node dissection was planned. The bulky tumor was dissected from the retroperitoneum and resected en bloc with the right‐side colon and omentum. The preoperatively detected metastatic lymph nodes were resected along with the tumor. A 6‐cm longitudinal umbilical incision was made, and the huge tumor was removed, with functional end‐to‐end anastomosis performed for intestinal reconstruction. The pathological diagnosis was Burkitt‐like lymphoma with 11q aberration. The postoperative course was uneventful. Laparoscopy‐assisted extirpation is feasible for pediatric solid tumors involving other organs, but indications and procedures should be carefully determined based on preoperative imaging, intraoperative findings and surgeon's skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The distribution of board-certified pediatric surgeons (BCPSs) in Japan is highly biased. While Prefecture M has one of the smallest numbers of BCPSs per pediatric population, neighboring Prefecture K has one of the largest numbers of BCPSs per pediatric population. We examined the effect of BCPSs population on laparoscopic surgery and postoperative management and outcomes. Materials and Methods: We compared postoperative duration to full-dose enteral nutrition, postoperative hospital stay, and complications of neurologically impaired patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication in two prefectures from 2006 to 2019. Results: Laparoscopic fundoplication was performed in 17 patients in Prefecture M and 63 in K. The mean operative time was 248.8 ± 79.9 minutes in Prefecture M and 260.8 ± 94.8 in K (P = .64). The median number of days to full-dose enteral nutrition was 11.5 in Prefecture M and 10 in K (P = .29). The median postoperative hospital stay was 14 days in Prefecture M and 15 days in K (P = .38). Postoperative complications occurred in 7 cases in Prefecture M and in 10 in K. The incidence was significantly higher in Prefecture M than in K (P = .041). Conclusion: Areas with insufficient numbers of BCPSs have a higher risk of complications in laparoscopic surgery than areas with sufficient numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report a 20‐month‐old boy who underwent laparoscopic Ladd's surgery. He showed intermittent bilious vomiting after birth and received a definitive diagnosis of intestinal malrotation. Laparoscopic Ladd's procedure was performed with four trocars. Midgut volvulus (180° counterclockwise) was resolved by retrogradely tracing the small intestine from the ileocecal region. After dividing Ladd's ligament, fluorescent navigation with indocyanine green was used. We decided where to dissect the mesenteries by confirming the vascular perfusion through clamping the tissue. Fibrous adhesions were gradually dissected, and it was confirmed that the mesenteric root was sufficiently broadening. Surgeons hesitate to dissect the mesenteric root in laparoscopic procedures compared with open procedures because of the narrow operative view and the risk of vascular injury. Laparoscopic Ladd's procedure using indocyanine green to confirm intestinal blood flow is safe and useful for the small working space in pediatric patients with intestinal malrotation and midgut volvulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy is a representative surgical procedure requiring laparoscopic suturing including needle driving and knot tying. Laparoscopic needle driving and knot tying is a highly technically demanding skill, especially in small infants and children. We developed a laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy simulator for training. This simulator was developed for a 1‐year‐old infant body size based on computed tomography data and reproduced a pneumoperitoneum condition based on 3D scanner data of the clinical situation. Surgeon in training (SITs) of our institution have to acquire practice of laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy using a simulator before performing clinical cases. Thirteen cases of choledochal cyst have been managed at our institution since the introduction of practice using this simulator in 2016. Six SITs performed 13 cases of laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy. There were no cases of anastomotic bile leakage. Laparoscopic disease‐specific simulator practice is effective for the acquisition of secure hepaticojejunostomy skills for the treatment of choledochal cysts in children as off‐the‐job training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]