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Introduction. Annular pancreas is a rare congenital anomaly in which a band of the pancreatic tissue, in continuity with the pancreatic head, completely or incompletely surrounds the descending part of the duodenum. An abnormal pancreatic development can cause complete annular pancreas, partial annular pancreas, and pancreas divisum. Complete annular pancreas is diagnosed in newborns, while the diagnosis of the partial annular pancreas is more frequently established in adults. The most reliable diagnostic methods are computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. The anomaly is treated surgically, using bypass procedures. Case report. A 12-year-old girl presented malnourished, with occasional feeding problems, vomiting, heartburn, and pain from infancy. The upper gastrointestinal series showed an extremely dilated stomach, the first and the second part of the duodenum. An endoscopic exam revealed the dilated stomach, pylorus, and the first and the second part of the duodenum with retained contrast, while the entrance of the endoscope into the third part of the duodenum was not possible. Computed tomography showed pancreatic tissue encircling the second part of the duodenum and the characteristic "crocodile jaw" sign. Roux-en-Y duodenojejunostomy was performed as a bypass procedure. Conclusion. The complete annular pancreas is a well-known and easily diagnosed anomaly in newborns. The partial annular pancreas is often poorly recognized, especially in patients who do not present with marked duodenal obstruction. Unrevealed, it causes chronic problems in food intake, with possible serious complications. Although a very rare condition in the pediatric population, partial annular pancreas should be taken into consideration in unclear cases of chronic poor oral food intake and vomiting.

Introduction. Esophageal achalasia is a neurodegenerative motility disorder, which is characterized by ineffective or absent esophageal peristalsis and the lack of hypertonic lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Achalasia causes failure to thrive in children and can have serious respiratory complications. Achalasia is a very rare condition in pediatric population, and usually misdiagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux. The treatment of choice is Heller esophagocardiomyotomy. The aim of this paper is to present a rare case of a two-year-old child with achalasia, diagnostic procedures, and successful operative treatment. Case outline. The patient´s problems started at the age of six months, with audible breathing and respiratory stridor. The child was admitted at a local hospital at seven months of age, dismissed with dietary advices, again admitted at the age of 19 months, and transferred to our institution. Upper gastrointestinal series and computed tomography revealed findings characteristic for achalasia, and on esophagoscopy exam there was no opening of lower esophageal sphincter and cardia on insufflation. Pneumatic dilation was performed with temporary improvement. Laparotomic Heller esophagocardiomyotomy with Dor partial fundoplication was successfully performed. Conclusion. Achalasia is a very rare condition in infants and young children. There is often a delay when establishing the correct diagnosis. Upper gastrointestinal series and endoscopic exam are most reliable methods to detect achalasia. Pharmacological treatment, intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin and pneumatic dilations are not efficient methods, especially in small children. The method of choice in the treatment of achalasia is Heller esophagocardiomyotomy with partial fundoplication.

Introduction. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) as a complication of balloon dilatation (BD) of corrosive esophageal stricture is a very rare and serious condition. Life threatening aspiration pneumonia requests urgent lungs' protection, but overall treatment strategy is not clearly defined. Case report. Twenty-month-old female child accidentally ingested a household bleach. Caustic injury of esophagus was healing with development of strictures of cervical and proximal thoracic esophagus. TEF was developed during the third BD. Healing of TEF and pulmonary infection was achieved by exclusion of the esophagus (pharyngostoma and feeding gastrostomy together) with prolonged tracheobronchial intubation and toilette. Retrosternal colon interposition was performed a year later, with excellent functional results over four-year follow-up. Conclusion. Esophageal exclusion in the first stage, and pharyngoesophageal reconstruction in the second stage, is a useful therapeutic option in the treatment of TEF caused by balloon dilatation of corrosive esophageal stricture in children.

Introduction. Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (ES), is highly malignant neoplasm occurring most commonly in the thoracic wall and paravertebral region. ES belongs to the group of small round cell tumors and displays pathognomonic structural abnormalities of EWS gene. The aims of this article was to present extraskeletal ES in extremely rare anatomic location, an unusual clinical presentation, and modified treatment strategy. Case outline. A 15-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital with acute abdominal pain in the right iliac region. During urgent operation, because of suspected appendicitis with periappendicular infiltrate, partly haemorrhagic tumor tissue was discovered in the preperitoneal space. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses revealed tumor resembling extraskeletal ES. Postoperative CT scan has shown the tumor rest, which was completely removed in the second operation. The molecular genetic analysis confirmed extraskeletal ES by finding of the EWSR1-FLI1 fusion gene. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy according to VAC protocol were started, and the patient is free of the disease eight months after the first operation. Conclusion. Our case is the fourth case of extraskeletal ES located in the abdominal wall, the second case confirmed by molecular genetic finding, and the first case described in children at this anatomic location. Due to extremely rare location, unusual clinical presentation, and needed genetic analysis, the strategy of tumor treatment was modified with the good short-term result.

Introduction. Transverse colon volvulus is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction in general. Predisposing factors are mental retardation, dysmotility disorders, chronic constipation and congenital megacolon. Case report. We presented transverse colon volvulus in a 16-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. Chronic constipation in neurologicaly impaired patient was a risk factor predisposing to volvulus. The patient was admitted to the hospital with enormous abdominal distension and acute respiratory insufficiency. A boy was emergently taken to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy. During the surgery, a 360º clockwise volvulus of the transverse colon was found. After reduction of volvulus, an enormous transverse colon was resected and colostomy was formed. In the postoperative period, despite the good functioning of stoma and intraabdominal normotension, numerous and long lasting respiratory problems developed. The patient was discharged from our institution after 8 months. Conclusion. Though very rare in pediatric group, the possibility of a transverse colon volvulus must be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute large bowel obstruction.

Congenital prepubic fistula is a very rare congenital anomaly that manifests as a punctiform opening in the midline of the pubic region. According to Campbell, congenital prepubic fistulae are duplicates of the dorsal urethra. Recent investigations have shown that this problem may have a complex etiology. We report a case of a congenital prepubic fistula in 2-month old female neonate, which manifested as a simple punctiform opening in the pubic region, with purulent secretion that resulted from applying pressure to the region. The surgical treatment was successful, and the infant had an uneventful postoperative course of healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was estimation of clinical value of gastric tube esophagoplasty in children based on one single center experience., Methods: Forty-nine patients with diagnosis of EA (n=22) and caustic esophageal injury (n=27) had undergone reverse gastric tube esophagoplasty during 25 years at our institution. Almost all EA patients received initially gastrostomy and cervical esophagostomy. Majority of CS patients had initially repeated dilatation therapy. Demographics, preoperative features (initial condition, initial treatment and nutritional status) and postoperative features (leakage, stenosis, nutritional status and disease-specific symptoms) were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Mean follow up time was 8.2 years., Results: Of 49 patients, 2 patients died and gastric tube failed in one patient. The most common complications were anastomotic leak (52%) and anastomotic stricture (47,8%). Disease-specific symptoms (dysphagia and reflux symptoms) with important clinical manifestations were observed in 10.87% of patients. Preoperatively, all patients were eutrophic. One year after operation 96% of patients stayed eutrophic and two EA patients were malnourished., Conclusion: The most common complications such as anastomotic leak and anastomotic stricture may be considered benign. Postoperative nutrition, as good indicator of the procedure's adequacy, for the majority of patients is satisfactory. Gastric tube esophagoplasty is an appropriate alternative for esophageal replacement in children., Key Words: Children, Gastric tube, Esophagoplasty.