Comparative Outcomes of Single-Stage versus Two-Stage Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens Orchidopexy: A Systematic Review snd Meta-Analysis.

Introduction:  Intra-abdominal testis (IAT) remains a challenging and controversial subset within the management of cryptorchidism. While Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy (FSO) is still being advocated as the gold standard for the treatment of this entity, there is new and conflicting evidence on the comparative outcomes between single- or two-stage laparoscopic FSO (LFSO). The aim of the study is to investigate whether staging has benefits in children receiving LFSO.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of omphalocele and gastroschisis: a 20-year multicenter regional experience.

Omphalocele and gastroschisis are the most common types of abdominal wall defects. Comprehensive local experience helps parents to make decisions on the pregnancy and foresee the disease journey. A retrospective review of abdominal wall defect patients in all three pediatric surgical centers in Hong Kong between January 2003 and February 2023 was conducted.

Enhancing neonatal thoracoscopic surgical training with rabbit model.

Background: Thoracoscopy, which has an increasing role in the treatment of indexed neonatal surgical conditions, requires adequate training. To support this, the current study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of using live rabbit models in neonatal thoracoscopic skills training among paediatric surgeons.

Methods: Following didactic lectures and demonstrations, the participants were given hands-on opportunities to perform thoracoscopic procedures.

Prophylactic anti-reflux procedure for children undergoing laparoscopic gastrostomy: Rethinking of the routine practice.

Aim: Laparoscopic gastrostomy is a frequently performed procedure in children requiring long-term enteral nutrition. The role of prophylactic anti-reflux surgery during gastrostomy placements is controversial. The current study aims to evaluate the role of prophylactic anti-reflux procedures during gastrostomy placement.

Open Versus Thoracoscopic Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A 19-Year Review in a Tertiary Referral Centre in Hong Kong.

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental defect that causes herniation of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity with significant morbidity. Thoracoscopic repair of CDH is an increasingly prevalent yet controversial surgical technique, with limited long-term outcome data in the Asian region. The aim of this study was to compare open laparotomy versus thoracoscopic repair of CDH in paediatric patients in a major tertiary referral centre in Asia.

Baseline gut microbiota and metabolome predict durable immunogenicity to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

The role of gut microbiota in modulating the durability of COVID-19 vaccine immunity is yet to be characterised. In this cohort study, we collected blood and stool samples of 121 BNT162b2 and 40 CoronaVac vaccinees at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months post vaccination (p.v.

Internet Health Resources on Nocturnal Enuresis: A Readability, Quality, and Accuracy Analysis.

Introduction:  Nocturnal enuresis is a common yet quality-of-life-limiting pediatric condition. There is an increasing trend for parents to obtain information on the disease's nature and treatment options via the internet. However, the quality of health-related information on the internet varies greatly and is largely uncontrolled and unregulated.

Primary anastomosis is the preferred surgical approach for proximal intestinal atresia: a retrospective 20-year analysis.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the outcomes of primary anastomosis (PA) and enterostomy as treatments for intestinal atresia in neonates to identify the factors influencing the choice of modality.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-centre analysis of all neonates with intestinal atresia between 2000 and 2020 and measured the clinical outcomes. We performed logistic regression to identify factors that influenced the choice of surgical approach.

Outcome and learning curve for laparoscopic intra-corporeal inguinal hernia repair in children.

Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is one of the procedures most commonly performed by paediatric surgeons. Current research on the learning curve for laparoscopic hernia repair in children is scarce. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcome and learning curve of laparoscopic intra-corporeal inguinal hernia repair in children.

Long-term follow-up of biliary atresia using liver transient elastography.

Objective: Liver transient elastography (TE) using FibroScan® has gained popularity as a non-invasive technique to assess hepatic fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness. This study focused on biliary atresia patients post Kasai operation for more than 10 years to prospectively correlate the hepatic fibrosis score to the biochemical changes of liver fibrosis and clinical development of portal hypertensive complications.

Methods: TE was performed in 37 patients who had biliary atresia post Kasai operation done at median age of 60 days.

Antenatal counselling of congenital surgical anomalies: A decade of experience in a local tertiary centre.

Aim: This study reviewed the experience of a tertiary paediatric surgery and obstetric centre on prenatal counselling of congenital surgical anomalies and to explore the role of paediatric surgeons on perinatal outcomes of antenatally detected anomalies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all antenatal consultations and subsequent medical records after birth were performed between 2009 and 2018. Data including timing of consultations, gestations at birth, birthweight, impact on obstetrics management, neonatal mortality and need of surgery were included.

Thyroid Carcinoma Showing Thymus-Like Differentiation (CASTLE) with Tracheal Invasion: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Thyroid carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) is a rare disease entity. It arises from ectopic thymic tissue in the thyroid gland. Patients usually present with enlarging neck mass and hoarseness.

Short-term and long-term outcomes after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy versus hepaticoduodenostomy following laparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst in children.

Background: Choledochal cysts are congenital dilations of the biliary tree. Complete cyst excision and biliary-enteric reconstruction have been the standard operations. In our center, more than 95% of choledochal cyst excision is now performed laparoscopically.

Beneficial effects of mucous fistula refeeding in necrotizing enterocolitis neonates with enterostomies.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis in premature neonates often results in bowel resection and stoma formation. One way to promote bowel adaptation before stoma closure is to introduce proximal loop effluents into the mucous fistula. In this study, we reviewed our experience with distal loop refeeding with respect to control group.