Pediatric advanced appendicitis: open versus laparoscopic approach.

Purpose: Optimal surgical approach for advanced pediatric appendicectomy remains controversial. We compare the open versus the laparoscopic approach.

Methods: Retrospective case notes review of children operated on for advanced appendicitis between January 2005 and July 2006 was undertaken for length of hospital stay, operating time, wound complications, need for further surgery, and hospital readmission.

Use of pelvic ultrasound in the diagnosis of megarectum in children with constipation.

Purpose: It has not been possible so far to differentiate slow transit constipation from functional fecal retention because the existing medical literature lacks data on rectal dimensions for healthy children or children with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). We, for the first time, describe the use of pelvic ultrasound (US) to achieve this.

Methods: A pelvic US was carried out on 82 children with a full or partially full bladder and with no history of bowel problems and on 95 children with CIC.