Laparoendoscopic single-site nephrectomy and heminephroureterectomy in children using standard laparoscopic setup versus conventional laparoscopy.

Objective: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) using standard laparoscopic setup in pediatric nephrectomy/heminephroureterectomy (HN) by comparing with conventional laparoscopy (CL).

Methods: Twelve consecutive children who underwent LESS (nephrectomy = 8, HN = 4) from 2009 to 2012 were compared with a matched cohort of 18 children who underwent CL (nephrectomy = 12, HN = 6) at the same institution. Data were reviewed retrospectively.

Simple maneuvers to reduce the incidence of false-negative findings for contralateral patent processus vaginalis during laparoscopic hernia repair in children: a comparative study between 2 cohorts.

Background: Transumbilical or transinguinal laparoscopic evaluation for contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV) is commonly performed during laparoscopic or open hernia repair in children but may occasionally give false-negative findings.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to compare 2 cohorts of children who underwent laparoscopic repair for clinically demonstrated unilateral inguinal hernia and evaluation for CPPV by transumbilical laparoscopy during the study periods of 2004 to 2007 (cohort 1) and 2008 to 2011 (cohort 2). Cohort 1 was a known historical cohort with CPPV being evaluated by laparoscopic inspection alone, whereas additional maneuvers were adopted in cohort 2.

Early experience in robotic-assisted laparoscopic bilateral intravesical ureteral reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux in children.

A high success rate has been reported for laparoscopic intravesical ureteral reimplantation in the management of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in children. With the introduction of the da Vinci robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), robotic-assisted laparoscopic intravesical ureteral reimplantation may provide additional benefits, particularly in intravesical suturing. We present here our experience in three children, all with high-grade bilateral vesicoureteral reflux, who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic intravesical bilateral ureteral reimplantation.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair by the hook method in emergency setting in children presenting with incarcerated inguinal hernia.

Background: The development of laparoscopic hernia repair has provided an alternative approach to the management of incarcerated inguinal hernia in children. Different laparoscopic techniques for hernia repair have been described. However, we hereby review the role of laparoscopic hernia repair using the hook method in the emergency setting for incarcerated inguinal hernias in children.

Impact of pediatric Rome III criteria of functional dyspepsia on the diagnostic yield of upper endoscopy and predictors for a positive endoscopic finding.

Objective: Pediatric Rome III criteria of functional dyspepsia (FD) has eliminated the mandatory use of upper endoscopy and recommended a symptom-based approach. In the absence of alarm symptoms, FD can be positively diagnosed in children having normal physical findings without exclusionary investigations. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Rome III guidelines to discriminate organic diseases from FD and to identify the predictors for positive endoscopic findings.

Initial experience in children using conventional laparoscopic instruments in single-incision laparoscopic surgery.

Background: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been successfully performed in children using 5-mm reticulating instruments. There are, however, few reports investigating the use of conventional instruments in SILS in the pediatric population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all consecutive children who underwent SILS from October 2009 to January 2010, with the procedure being solely performed by conventional 3- and 5-mm instruments through a standard access technique.

Single-incision laparoscopic nephrectomy and heminephroureterectomy in young children using conventional instruments: first report of initial experience.

Objectives: To report the surgical technique and the early outcomes of nephrectomy and heminephroureterectomy by single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in children using conventional laparoscopic instruments only.

Methods: Three consecutive children (aged 3, 4 and 7 years) who underwent nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney (n = 2) and upper moiety heminephroureterectomy for duplex kidney (n = 1) by SILS were retrospectively reviewed. A standardized infraumbilical incision was used for the insertion of 3 reusable ports of 3 and 5 mm.

Technical report on the initial cases of single-incision laparoscopic combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy in children, using conventional instruments.

Aim: The authors report a technique to perform single-incision laparoscopic combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy in 3 children using conventional instruments.

Methods: Three ports, including 5-mm and 3-mm ports, were placed through an infraumbilical incision for the procedure. Splenectomy was completed in most parts by crossing the 2 straight instruments.

A surgeon-friendly technique to perform single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy intracorporeally in children with conventional laparoscopic instruments.

Background: Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) has been successfully performed in children. The intracorporeal approach, using reticulating instruments and 5- to 10-mm ports, has been described in recent reports. In this article, we describe our technique of performing SILA in children, using conventional 3- and 5-mm ports and instruments only.

Early experience of robotic-assisted reconstructive operations in pediatric urology.

Objectives: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty and ureteric reimplantation are complex urologic operations requiring delicate surgical skill. The use of a robot may provide benefits in performing these reconstructive operations. In this article, we report our early experience in the use of the robot in pediatric urologic operations.

Colonoscopy in Hong Kong Chinese children.

Aim: To investigate the safety and diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in Chinese children in whom the procedure is not often done.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all colonoscopies in consecutive children who underwent their first diagnostic colonoscopy from Jan 2003 to 2008.

Results: Seventy-nine children (48 boys, 31 girls; mean age 9.

Evidence-based adjustment of antibiotic in pediatric complicated appendicitis in the era of antibiotic resistance.

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a global issue especially in developed areas. With the emergence of antibiotic resistant-bacteria, the traditional choice of broad spectrum antibiotics may not be effective in complicated appendicitis. We herein report the bacteriology and antibiotic susceptibility of intra-operative peritoneal culture in children with acute appendicitis in Hong Kong.

Laparoscopic hernia repair in children by the hook method: a single-center series of 433 consecutive patients.

Background: The relatively high recurrence rate reported in laparoscopic hernia repair in children using intracorporeal suturing technique remains a concern. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the hook method during hernia repair that allows extraperitoneal passage of suture to close the hernia sac without creating any tension or skip areas and does not require laparoscopic suturing skills.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 433 consecutive children who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair using the hook method by 1 of 4 surgeons from July 2004 to June 2007.

A population-based study of Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese children resident in Hong Kong: prevalence and potential risk factors.

Background: Data of Helicobacter pylori prevalence in children and its risk factors provide clues to the health authority to estimate burden of H. pylori-associated diseases usually encountered in adulthood and facilitate healthcare planning.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in Chinese children in elementary and high schools.

Familial extrarenal Wilms tumor.

Background/purpose: This study aimed to illustrate the first report of extrarenal Wilms tumor occurring in a family.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective case note review of 3 siblings, 2 of which presented with extrarenal Wilms tumor. Immunohistochemical analysis for WT1 gene product was performed together with molecular genetic linkage studies.

Differences in characteristics of nocturnal enuresis between children and adolescents: a critical appraisal from a large epidemiological study.

Objective: To evaluate any differences in the characteristics of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) between younger enuretic children and adolescents.

Subjects And Methods: In all, 21 000 questionnaires designed to determine the presence or absence of bed-wetting, diurnal incontinence, frequency of wetting, systemic illness, and family history, were sent to children aged 5-19 years from 67 kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools randomly selected by a computer from different areas in Hong Kong. In addition, questions were asked to evaluate when and how the parents became aware that bed-wetting is a significant medical problem deserving attention in children after the age of 5 years.

Ureteric jet in the anaesthetised child.

We have already suggested that there is an active bimodal sphincteric mechanism in the human vesicoureteral junction (VUJ). This mechanism is affected by immaturity, hormonal effects and surgical ablation. This study set out to investigate the effects of anaesthesia on this mechanism.