[Laparoscopic ureterovesical repair for megaureter treatment].

Background: An alternative treatment for obstructive and refluxing obstructive megaureter with ureterovesical junction maintenance through laparoscopy is proposed.

Material And Methods: The series consists of 8 cases, all of them studied because of prenatal hydronephrosis or febrile urinary tract infection. Seven were diagnosed with obstructive megaureter and one with obstructive refluxing megaureter.

[Pineal region tumors in children: is gross-total resection necessary? A single-center experience].

Background: Survival of children with pineal region tumors has increased significantly in the last decade; these tumors have an insidious outcome associated with endocrine disorders with high morbidity and mortality, especially after gross resection. The objective was to report the survival, outcome, morbidity and mortality according to type of surgery, histology and treatment in children with pineal region tumors.

Methods: This retrospective study included all patients of 17 years or less with diagnosis of pineal region tumor, who went over a period of 10 years to a children's hospital.

[Laparoscopic vs opened appendicovesicostomy in pediatric patients].

Background: Appendicovesicostomy is commonly employed to facilitate drainage of urine through the catheter. Due to the tendency to less invasive procedures for the treatment of patients with neurogenic bladder, laparoscopy has been used as an alternative to open surgery, with the immediate advantages of postoperative recovery, shorter postoperative ileus, better cosmetic results, lower postoperative pain and early reintegration into everyday life.

Purpose: Compare the results of laparoscopic procedure with open appendicovesicostomy.

Laparoscopic ureterocystoplasty with Mitrofanoff system.

Purpose: To describe a laparoscopic surgical technique for ureterocystoplasty in pediatric patients with the Mitrofanoff procedure.

Patients And Methods: The procedure was performed in 4 patients (2 females and 2 males), 8-11 years old (average, 9.5 years), with a history of myelomeningocele and secondary neurogenic bladder.

[Prognostic and survival factors among pediatric patients with ependymomas].

Background: Ependymomas constitute the third most common intracranial tumors in children. Risk factors include age, location, extent of surgical excision, and radiation therapy. Recently, chromosomal imbalances have been described.

Phase II study of metronomic chemotherapy with thalidomide, carboplatin-vincristine-fluvastatin in the treatment of brain stem tumors in children.

Background: Brain stem tumors (BST) constitute 20% of all intracranial tumors. Survival for these patients has been very poor worldwide. Four different treatment schemes have been evaluated at our institution, with only a discrete increment in survival when treated with carboplatin-vincristine and fluvastatin (CVF).