Delivery room surgery: an applicable therapeutic strategy for gastroschisis in developing countries.

Background: The survival rate of infants with gastroschisis has improved significantly. It is over 90% in developed countries, but 50% in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the factors improving the survival rate of infants with gastroschisis in developing countries.

Feasibility of orthotopic fetal liver transplantation: an experimental study.

Background: The use of livers from nonviable fetuses is particularly attractive for its potential to solve the current limitations of organ availability for the pediatric recipient. Therefore, it is essential to study the feasibility of orthotopic fetal liver transplantation.

Method: We measured the hepatic and extra-hepatic anatomical structures of fetal and neonatal lambs and established an orthotopic liver transplantation model of the fetal lamb.

Laparoscopic radical excision of urachal remnants with recurrent infection in infants.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of laparoscopic surgery in the management of urachal remnants with recurrent infection in infants.

Patients And Methods: Eight infants (mean age 9.6 months, range 2-16 months) underwent laparoscopic excision of urachal remnants with recurrent infection between June 2006 and December 2008.

Detection of intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in patients with Hirschsprung's disease associated enterocolitis.

Background: The etiology of Hirschsprung's disease associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is unknown. Previous investigations have suggested that several factors such as dilation of proximal bowel, changes in colonic mucosal defence, and overgrowth of toxigenic bacteria may be related with it. This study was to quantify bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the feces of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) patients with or without enterocolitis and those of normal children.

Leydig cell transplantation restores androgen production in surgically castrated prepubertal rats.

Prepubertal testicular dysfunction and the subsequent development of hypogonadism affects an estimated one in 200 children worldwide. As the testosterone levels are dynamic during development and puberty, traditional hormone treatment regimens are often inadequate, thereby leaving associated physiological conditions unresolved. Therefore, we have investigated the potential therapeutic effect of mature Leydig cell transplantation for the treatment of prepubertal primary hypogonadism through the use of a surgically induced hypogonadistic rat model system.

[Allotransplantation of Leydig cells increases serum testosterone in rats].

Objective: To observe the changes of serum testosterone after allotransplantation of Leydig cells in rats.

Methods: Leydig cells were isolated from the testes of SD rats with the Percoll technique and serum testosterone of the receptors was determined once a month for 3 successive times.

Results: After allotransplantation of Leydig cells, the serum testosterone level of the receptors increased gradually, significantly higher at 3 months than that of the normal rats younger than 2 months old.

Tight filum terminale syndrome in children: analysis based on positioning of the conus and absence or presence of lumbosacral lipoma.

Background: Tight filum terminale syndrome (TFTS) characterized by findings consistent with a tethered cord but with the conus ending in a normal position has only recently been observed in children. In this situation, diagnosis may prove difficult and sectioning of the filum terminale is questionable.

Materials And Methods: Sixty cases of pediatric TFTS were analyzed by methods including spinal X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

[Advances in testicular allotransplantation].

Testicular allotransplantation is one of the effective options for the treatment of male infertility and hypogonadism. Since the first experimental testis transplantation, nearly 3 centuries have passed and great strides have been made in this field. Nevertheless there remain some problems that call for the attention of the medical world.

Long-term influence of prepubertal testicular torsion on spermatogenesis.

Purpose: To study the influence of prepubertal unilateral testicular torsion on spermatogenesis postpubertally.

Methods: Sixty prepubertal SD male rats were divided into 6 groups. In each group, animal suffered different courses of unilateral testicular torsion including sham operation, 2- and 6-hour-long torsion, and permanent torsion.

Bilateral intrarenal pelvis Wilms' tumor with fibroepithelial polyp.

Intrarenal pelvis Wilms' tumor is rare in children. A case of a 28-month-old boy with bilateral intrarenal pelvis Wilms' tumor associated with a fibroepithelial polyp is reported in this article. The tumor was evaluated by ultrasonography, computed tomography, and intravenous pyelography.

The use of a retrievable self-expanding stent in treating childhood benign esophageal strictures.

Background/purpose: Esophageal stenting is a popular form of treatment of esophageal strictures in adults but is not widely used in children. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether esophageal stents could be used safely and effectively in the treatment of esophageal stenosis in children.

Methods: Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were placed in 8 children with corrosive esophageal stenosis.