A Provisional Experience with Robot-Assisted Soave Procedure for Older Children with Hirschsprung Disease: Back to the Future?

Hirschsprung disease is a congenital disease characterized by intestinal aganglionosis of various extents. Most patients are younger than 1 year of age. Though, a minority of cases can be older or even adult.

A cross-sectional nationwide survey on esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula.

Background: Our study aims at disclosing epidemiology and most relevant clinical features of esophageal atresia (EA) pointing to a model of multicentre collaboration.

Methods: A detailed questionnaire was sent to all Italian Units of pediatric surgery in order to collect data of patients born with EA between January and December 2012. The results were crosschecked by matching date and place of birth of the patients with those of diagnosis-related group provided by the Italian Ministry of Health (MOH).

[Role in mini-invasive surgery in children].

Aim: This paper describes our experience with minimally invasive surgery and underlines its increasingly important role in the treatment of pediatric patients.

Methods: The study included all those patients undergoing a minimally invasive surgical procedure between January 2006 and March 2012. Patient demographics, type of operation (classified according to disease and anatomic site), complications, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were recorded.

A prospective observational study of associated anomalies in Hirschsprung's disease.

Background: Associated anomalies have been reported in around 20% of Hirschsprung patients but many Authors suggested a measure of underestimation. We therefore implemented a prospective observational study on 106 consecutive HSCR patients aimed at defining the percentage of associated anomalies and implementing a personalized and up-to-date diagnostic algorithm.

Methods: After Institutional Ethical Committee approval, 106 consecutive Hirschsprung patients admitted to our Institution between January 2010 and December 2012 were included.

Magnetic resonance urography and laparoscopy in paediatric urology: a case series.

Paediatric urology often presents challenging scenarios. Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) and laparoscopy are increasingly used. We retrospectively studied children affected by a disease of the upper urinary tract who after MRU were elected for laparoscopic treatment.