Do We Need Preoperative Antibiotics in Common General Pediatric Surgery Procedures?

Background There are limited studies on the necessity of preoperative antibiotics in surgeries for undescended testis (UDT), inguinal hernia (IH), and umbilical hernia (UH) in children. Here, we investigated the relationship between preoperative antibiotic use and surgical site infection (SSI) incidence in surgeries for UDT, IH, and UH in children. Methods Patients who underwent surgery for IH were subdivided based on the surgical form into those who underwent (i) open IH (OIH) repair and (ii) laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC).

Utility of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Appendicitis Severity Grade in Predicting Prognosis in Children.

Introduction: The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) proposed a grade classification (I (mild) to V (severe)) to predict the risks and outcomes of acute appendicitis. However, its utility in children remains unknown. We investigated the relationship between the AAST grade and disease severity in children.

Omphalomesenteric Ducts and Urachal Remnants: A Retrospective Study and Case Series.

Purpose: The management strategies for umbilical disorders remain undefined. This study aims to review our experience and propose a management algorithm for symptomatic urachal and omphalomesenteric duct anomalies.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical charts between January 2013 and September 2017 of 28 patients with clinical concern for umbilical disorders, out of which 10 were diagnosed with omphalomesenteric duct remnants (OMDR) or urachal remnants (UR).

Genetic and histopathological analysis of spermatogenesis after short-term testicular torsion in rats.

Background: Patients with testicular torsion (TT) may exhibit impaired spermatogenesis from reperfusion injury after detorsion surgery. Alteration in the expressions of spermatogenesis-related genes induced by TT have not been fully elucidated.

Methods: Eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped as follows: group 1 (sham-operated), group 2 (TT without reperfusion) and group 3 (TT with reperfusion).

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum alleviates hepatic steatosis and alters specific gut microbiota in a murine liver injury model.

Purpose: The gut microbiota, via the gut-liver axis, plays an important role in the development of intestinal failure-associated liver disease. Here, we investigated whether partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), a dietary fiber could alleviate liver damage and modulate the gut microbiota in a murine liver injury (LI) model.

Methods: Liver injury was induced in 6-week-old male C57BL/6 mice using an enteral liquid diet composed of parenteral nutrition (LI group) and treated with 5% PHGG (LI/PHGG group).

Intra-/Extracorporeal Single-Incision Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

There are two approaches to single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA): intracorporeal (Intra) and extracorporeal (Extra). However, the differences in the efficacy between these procedures remain unclear. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the safety and usefulness of these techniques with those of conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) in children.

Stapled versus hand-sewn intestinal anastomosis in pediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The safety and feasibility of stapled intestinal anastomosis have been widely reported in adults. However, the efficacy of stapled anastomosis (SA) in children is unclear. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of SA compared with hand-sewn anastomosis (HA) in pediatric patients.

Applying the Pediatric Appendicitis Score to predict complicated appendicitis in children.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) and other indicators to enable the prediction of complicated appendicitis (CA) in children.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated children (n = 161) aged ≤16 years with acute appendicitis between 2008 and 2020. Demographic data, symptoms, physical findings, laboratory data, and PASs were collected.

Discrepancy between the survival rate and neuropsychological development in postsurgical extremely low-birth-weight infants: a retrospective study over two decades at a single institution.

Purpose: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), focal intestinal perforation (FIP), and meconium-related ileus (MRI) are major diseases that cause gastrointestinal disorders in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs). We conducted a review to compare the postoperative outcomes of ELBWIs with these diseases in our neonatal intensive-care unit.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of ELBWIs surgically treated for NEC (n = 31), FIP (n = 35), and MRI (n = 16) in 2001-2018 was undertaken.

Usefulness of the pediatric appendicitis score for assessing the severity of acute appendicitis in children.

Background: We investigated relationships between the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) and pathological progression and disease severity in pediatric acute appendicitis.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 72 children who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis. We divided them into groups: simple appendicitis (n = 28) or complicated appendicitis (n = 44).

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum alleviates small intestinal mucosal damage after massive small bowel resection along with changes in the intestinal microbiota.

Purpose: Short bowel syndrome is associated with intestinal mucosal inflammation and microbial dysbiosis, leading to intractable complications. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) has trophic and anti-inflammatory effects on the intestine. We investigated whether PHGG ameliorates small intestinal mucosal damage and alters the intestinal microbiota using a rat small bowel resection (SBR) model.

A Case of Suspected Adverse Reactions to Sirolimus in the Treatment of Generalized Lymphatic Anomaly.

Generalized lymphatic anomaly (GLA) is characterized by diffuse or multicentric proliferation of dilated lymphatic vessels resembling common lymphatic malformation, and thoracic lesions can be related to a poor prognosis. Sirolimus, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin, is effective against vascular anomalies with few severe adverse drug reactions. Here, we report the case of a patient with intractable hemothorax pleural effusion due to GLA who was treated with sirolimus and experienced disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Histomorphometry of ectopic mineralization using undecalcified frozen bone sections.

To investigate the correlation between mineral formation and enhanced expressions of some proteins using undecalcified frozen bone sections. Histological studies have revealed that some proteins, such as BMP2, BMPR1A, and Connexin 43, are expressed in and around sites of ectopic ossification. However, the relationship between the expressed proteins considered to be associated with the ossification and mineral formation in vivo is not clear.

Identification of a novel variant of the RET proto-oncogene in a novel family with Hirschsprung's disease.

Purpose: Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder of the enteric nervous system characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the Auerbach's and Meissner's plexuses. Although about 7% of cases are hereditary, the causal mutations have not been completely characterized. We encountered a novel family with inherited HSCR and screened them for causal mutations.

Case of pediatric traditional serrated adenoma resected endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Traditional serrated adenoma (TSA) is a type of serrated polyp of the colorectum and is thought to be a precancerous lesion. There are three types of serrated polyps, namely, hyperplastic polyps, sessile serrated adenomas/polyps, and TSAs. TSA is the least common of the three types and accounts for about 5% of serrated polyps.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy-Associated Liver Fatty Degeneration and the Effects of Therapeutic Hypothermia in Newborn Piglets.

Background: Although liver can be injured under the hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) condition, there is currently no histopathological evidence. Therapeutic hypothermia is used to protect the brain; however, the therapeutic potential for concomitant liver injury is unknown.

Objectives: This study aimed to histopathologically prove HIE-associated liver injury and to investigate the influence of therapeutic hypothermia in a newborn piglet HIE model.

Is yolk sac tumor related to the pathophysiology of low birthweight?

An 8-year-old Japanese girl was admitted with an ovarian yolk sac tumor. Regarding birth history, the patient had been delivered by cesarean section at 25 weeks of gestation with a birthweight of 711g. She had required neonatal intensive care including oxygenation, various medications, and tests.

Surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease with Gaucher disease type 2.

Gaucher disease, the most common lysosomal storage disease, is sometimes complicated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The present patient was a 136-day-old Japanese boy with Gaucher disease type 2. Enzyme replacement therapy and chemical chaperone therapy were successful for the skin disorders, joint contractures, hepatosplenomegaly and thrombocytopenia, but he also had GERD.