Feasibility of a Standardized Management for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Multicenter Study and Review of the Literature.

The management of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in children still remains controversial. The current literature shows a lack of scientific evidence supporting a standardized management. A multicenter retrospective study was performed, patients admitted for PSP in five Pediatric Surgical Units over a 9-year period (from 2008 to 2017) were included.

Removal of pectus bar fixed with absorbable vs metallic stabilizers.

Background/purpose: The removal of a pectus bar fixed with a metallic stabilizer can be time consuming and tedious, because in some cases, fibrous or new bone tissue covers the metallic devices. Our study aims to evaluate bar removal in 2 groups of patients with metallic and absorbable stabilizers, respectively.

Methods: A total of 162 patients underwent mini-invasive repair of pectus excavatum.

Phenotypic spectrum and management of sternal cleft: literature review and presentation of a new series.

Sternal cleft is a chest wall malformation that can expose mediastinal viscera and vessels to injuries. It can be classified into two forms, complete and partial. Its etiology and incidence are unknown and it is often associated with other defects.

Preperitoneoscopic approach for bladder neck sling suspension in a boy: preliminary experience.

Objectives: This report is aimed at describing our preliminary experience with the preperitoneoscopic approach to the bladder neck for rectus fascial sling suspension in neurogenic bladder.

Materials And Methods: A 13-year-old boy with spina bifida was admitted to our institution to treat bladder incontinence. A bladder neck suspension and bladder augmentation was planned.

Nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney and renal hypodysplasia in children: where do we stand?

Objectives: Little is reported in literature regarding correct management of benign lesions of the kidney. The aim of our study is to present a series of total and partial nephrectomies performed in the last 5 years and to discuss indications.

Materials And Methods: Patients with benign lesions who underwent nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy at our institution in the period 2003-2008 were retrospectively included in the study.

Genomics approach to the analysis of bacterial communities dynamics in Hirschsprung's disease-associated enterocolitis: a pilot study.

Introduction: The most invalidating and life-threatening complication in Hirschsprung's disease patients (HSCR) is Hirschsprung's disease-associated enterocolitis (HAEC). The mechanisms underlying enterocolitis have not been identified. The limited knowledge of the role of intestinal microflora is in part due to the complexity of the intestinal microbiome and to the limitation of cultivation-based technologies, given that less than 25% of the intestinal bacterial species can be cultured.

The nuss procedure after breast augmentation for female pectus excavatum.

Pectus excavatum, the most common congenital chest wall malformation, has a higher incidence among men. Since 1987, when Donald Nuss performed his technique for the first time, the minimally invasive approach has become the most widely used technique for treating pectus excavatum. Few reported studies have focused on the repair of female pectus excavatum.

Risk management in pediatric surgery.

Purpose: To present the experience documented over 1 year of analysis and quality control on surgical complications and organizational accidents.

Methods: All children admitted during the study period at our Institution were included in the analysis, which consisted of four phases: (1) definition and standardization of perioperative diagnostic and therapeutic tracks; (2) staff education; (3) documentation and data implementation, and (4) "Morbidity and Mortality" audit.

Results: Over a 1-year study period, 3,116 children were admitted to our Institution: 2,222 out of 3,116 (71.

Laparoscopic proximal Roux-en-Y gastrojejunal diversion in children: preliminary experience from a single center.

Background: Neurologically impaired children (NIC) have a high risk of recurrence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) following fundoplication. A postpyloric feeding tube may be useful when gastric emptying disorders occur; however, dislocation and difficulty in feeding management often require more aggressive procedures. Total esophagogastric dissociation (Bianchi's TEGD) is an alternative to the classic fundoplication procedure, whereas laparoscopic gastric bypass is a frequently performed procedure in morbid obesity, improving gastric outlet.

Fast-track surgery of the colon in children.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to present the "fast-track" experience in children who underwent colon resection.

Materials And Methods: Forty-six children who underwent laparoscopic colon resection were prospectively included in the study. Anomalies of colon innervation and inflammatory bowel disease represented the main surgical indications.

Spleen surgery in pediatric age: seven-year unicentric experience.

Background: Either "open" and laparoscopic spleen surgery in pediatric age are well known and performed with ease in children. Yet, few data regarding follow-up and outcome are discussed in the international literature.

Materials And Methods: Clinical notes of all patient who underwent spleen surgery in a single center between 2000 and 2007 were reviewed and a specific follow-up questionnaire was administered, aiming to evaluate pre- and postoperative data, especially considering underlying disease, cosmetic results, and quality of life after surgery.

Outcome of primary endorectal pull-through for the treatment of classic Hirschsprung disease.

Introduction: Endorectal pull-through (ERPT) is a widely accepted procedure for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR). This study was aimed at presenting the long-term results of patients with classic HSCR who were operated on with a laparoscopic-assisted Georgeson procedure and to compare them to patients treated with a Soave-Boley procedure.

Patients And Methods: Patients treated for Hirschsprung disease in the period 1997-2006 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were prospectively included in this study.

Thymectomy to achieve primary closure of total sternal cleft.

Total sternal cleft is a rare congenital malformation that may represent a challenge for the surgeon. In neonatal period, the primary closure is usually achievable, but at older age, this can be impossible. Moreover, the closure of the 2 sternal bars can bring to an exaggerated compression on mediastinal structures.

Ca - and Na , K -ATPase activities in the fungiform papilla of the tongue of Rana Esculenta (Anura Ranidae).

In the fungiform papilla of Rana esculenta (Anura Ranidae), the Ca -ATPase is mainly distributed on the basolateral membrane of the sensory area cells (i.e., neuroepithelial, supporting, and mucous cells).

[Action of substance P and one of its synthetic antagonists on the nucleus tractus solitarius].

The study aims to establish the nature of the chemical mediator which produces the IP (presynaptic inhibition) of the mechanoreceptive afferents reaching the NTS (nucleus tractus solitarius) of the frog. To this end we have examined the effects of the administration of SP (substance P) and of one of its antagonists in the IV ventricle, in both normal and unilaterally axotomized preparations at the level of the glossopharyngeal nerve. In particular we have examined the size of the afferent discharge of the glossopharyngeal-hypoglossus reflex arc and the PAD (primary afferent depolarization) phenomena recorded from the dorsal root of the XII.

Fine structure of the fungiform papilla in a ranid frog (Rana esculenta).

The freetop of the fungiform papilla shows a sensorial area about 100 micron in diameter, surrounded by a ring of ciliated cells. Externally to the ciliated cells, i.e.

Electrical behaviour of the rat's tibia during growth and fracture healing.

The electrical behaviour of the exposed tibial surface of young rats has been studied in normal conditions, after fracture and during the repair process. Recordings of potentials were made after all the electrical artefacts (muscle injury potentials) had been neutralized. No significant potential difference was obtained on the exposed bony surface in all the specimens.

[The ciliary apparatus of the lingual mucosa in the frog].

By means of scanning and transmission microscopy it has been examined the ciliary system of the tongue mucosa. The scanning electronmicrographs of the fungiform papillae have revealed three ciliary apparatuses allocated respectively: at the papillary summit (corona ciliata and a narrow but separated paracoronal ciliary system) and on the peduncolar papillary stem. The cilia of both paracoronal and peduncolar groups have not been yet described.

[Paracoronal cavity system and papillary water uptake].

In the research it has been carried out a morphological investigation of the paracoronal area of the fungiform papillae. By means of scanning, transmission and light microscopy it has been observed in this area a series of superficial openings around and external to the ciliary crown; and in the epithelium corresponding cavitary system. Each cavity on the other hand appears surrounded by extremely narrow epithelial cells and thus appears able to facilitate the papillary exchange activity.

[Effect of metavanadate on papillary water uptake].

It has been examined the influence of vanadium on the papillary osmotic water-salts uptake in order to differentiate it from water flow of other biological substrates as amphibia epithelia. Between the different vanadium compounds only the metavanadate is active and only after administration in the abdominal vein. The general influence of metavanadate is a facilitating one and concerns: electrical receptor afferent discharge, osmotic water uptake and ciliary motility.

[Capillary networks and osmotic uptake in fungiform papillae].

In the research it has been tested the ability of convoluted capillary network of the fungiform papillae to act as countercurrent ionic exchanger and therefore to give rise a water uptake from the external environment. Manometric determinations of the water inflow during immersion of the tongue in solutions of different osmolality have shown a conspicuous water uptake, osmotic in nature and largely supported by the Na+ absorbed from the external solutions. The Na+ inhibits also the receptor electrical response to the stimulating Ca++ solutions.