A simulation model of nail bed suture and nail fixation: description and preliminary evaluation.

Background: Wounds of the finger nail bed represent a frequent injury, especially in children. Residents often learn nail bed repair on patients without prior training. We aimed to develop and evaluate a "low-fidelity" simulation model of nail bed repair.

Laparoscopy or retroperitoneoscopy for pediatric patients with adrenal masses?

Minimally invasive approach to the adrenal gland was first reported in 1992. Since then, the experience with the laparoscopic technique for adrenal disease in children has been limited. We report our experience with minimally invasive adrenal surgery in children.

Preputioplasty associated with urethroplasty for correction of distal hypospadias: a prospective study and proposition of a new objective scoring system for evaluation of esthetic and functional outcome.

Objective: Most surgical procedures for correction of hypospadias involve the removal of foreskin resulting in a circumcised penis. We report our experience and the medium-term results in the reconstruction of the foreskin during the correction of distal hypospadias.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2011, 445 patients aged between 8 and 120 months underwent surgical correction of hypospadias.

Blue patent lymphography prevents hydrocele after laparoscopic varicocelectomy: 10 years of experience.

Purpose: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy according to the Palomo technique is the most common procedure adopted in children with testicular varicocele. This procedure involves the ligation of the internal spermatic cord and is associated with a 3%-5% incidence of recurrence and up to 30% incidence of hydroceles. We sought to determine the impact of lymphatic preservation on hydrocele formation and the success of varicocelectomy.

Open versus laparoscopic appendectomy in the pediatric population: a literature review and analysis of complications.

Background: This study aims to compare the results of laparoscopic and open appendectomy (LA and OA, respectively) in a pediatric population with particular attention to complications analysis.

Subjects And Methods: A literature search was performed using Medline, Cochrane, Embase, Sci Search, Lilacs, and PubMed databases on all studies published during the 14-year interval of 1997-2010. Comparative studies of LA versus OA in the pediatric population were included in these studies.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in premature babies weighing 3 kg or less.

Purpose: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety and complication rate of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair for small babies weighing 3 kg or less.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the surgical charts of 67 infants (47 boys and 20 girls) weighing 3 kg or less who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair in a 3-year period. A regular 5-mm scope was used for visualization, and 2 or 3-mm instruments were used for the closure of the inner inguinal ring using 3/0 non-absorbable suture.

Blue rubber bleb nevus: an uncommon cause of intestinal intussusception.

Unlabelled: The blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome or Bean syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by cutaneous and gastrointestinal vascular malformations. A 5-year-old girl with Bean syndrome hospitalized in a pediatric unit came under our observation with abdominal pain and vomiting. An X-ray of the abdomen showed an intestinal occlusion and an ultrasonography showed a suspected intestinal invagination.

Unilateral inguinal hernia: laparoscopic or inguinal approach. Decision making strategy: a prospective study.

The management of the contralateral region in a child with a known unilateral inguinal hernia is a debated issue among paediatric surgeons. The available literature indicates that the perspective of the child's parents is seldom. This study was performed to evaluate parents' views on this topic.

Meckel's diverticulum causing severe hemorrhage.

Meckel's diverticulum has varied presentations in children and often becomes a diagnostic challenge. The authors present a 10-year-old boy with abdominal pain and one episode of melena. His symptoms were undervalued during two previous hospitalizations in pediatric units until his hemoglobin level dropped from 8.

Long-term outcome of laparoscopic Nissen procedure in pediatric patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease measured using the modified QPSG Roma III European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition's questionnaire.

Background/purpose: Laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) represents the gold standard for surgical treatment for pediatric patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods: We report the results of long-term outcome of 36 patients who had undergone LF from January to December 1998, with a follow-up longer than 10 years (range, 11-12 years). The patients were invited, by phone, to undergo a clinical follow-up.

Technical standardization of laparoscopic direct hernia repair in pediatric patients.

Background: The aim of this article is to standardize the laparoscopic technique to treat direct inguinal hernia in pediatric patients.

Patients And Methods: In the last 3 years we treated laparoscopically 163 patients with a diagnosis of inguinal hernia. In 7 patients we discovered laparoscopically a direct inguinal hernia.

Current trends in the management of pediatric patients with perineal groove.

Objective: Perineal groove is an uncommon congenital anomaly of the perineum, affecting young girls. We report our experience in the treatment of this pathology.

Design: Retrospective review of patients operated in our institution for a perineal groove between 1999 and 2007.

Lessons learned from the first 109 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in a single pediatric surgery center.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a frequent operation in adults but is seldom performed in children. A retrospective review of 109 consecutive patients who underwent LC over an 11-year period was performed to see what lessons were learned from this experience.

Methods: From January 1996 to January 2007, a total of 109 patients were referred to our unit to undergo LC.