Abnormal histology in testis from prepubertal boys with monorchidism.

Background: Little is known about the histology of contralateral descended testes in boys with unilaterally absent testis. We investigated whether absence of one testis is associated with abnormal tissue architecture of the solitary contralaterally descended testis.

Design Setting And Patients: For this retrospective study, we examined the results of biopsies of the contralateral descended testis in 43 boys with monorchidism.

European Census on Pediatric Surgery.

Background:  Detailed data on the distribution of pediatric surgical institutions in Europe are sparse. Therefore, the Section and Board of Pediatric Surgery of the Union of European Medical Specialists (UEMS) and the European Pediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA) jointly organized the first official census of the European centers of pediatric surgery (PS).

Materials And Methods:  After obtaining a list of pediatric surgical centers in Europe, a specialized questionnaire was created and made available on the Internet.

Aseptic intussuscepted incidental appendectomy: three successful cases.

Background: Incidental appendectomy remains a controversial issue. We aimed to collect experience using a modified surgical technique that could be applied securely in infants.

Methods: We performed aseptic intussuscepted incidental appendectomy (AIIA) in three patients using a technique that is thought to assure appendix necrosis along with intact cecal wall.

Hematometra presenting as an acute abdomen in a 13-year-old postmenarchal girl: a case report.

Introduction: Most underlying diseases for abdominal pain in children are not dangerous. However some require rapid diagnosis and treatment, such as acute ovarian torsion or appendicitis. Since reaching a diagnosis can be difficult, and delayed treatment of potentially dangerous diseases might have significant consequences, exploratory laparoscopy is a diagnostic and therapeutic option for patients who have unclear and potentially hazardous abdominal diseases.

Handlebar injuries in children.

Introduction: Handlebar injuries in children may lead to severe organ lesions despite minimal initial signs and without visible skin bruise. We present our experiences applying a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for blunt abdominal trauma, and present the history of two selected cases.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively assessed the charts of children below 16 years of age, only who were observed for 24 h or more in our institution due to a handlebar injury between 2004 and 2011.

[Testicular microlithiasis and Leydig cell proliferation in Wistar rats underwent Fowler-Stephens procedure].

Objectives: The present study investigates the outcome of Fowler-Stephens operation in prepubertal Wistar rats focused on microlithiasis and Leydig cell hyperplasia development.

Methods: Thirty-eight (38) animals underwent laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens operation on the right testis (8 of them formed the control group) and 6 of them additional contra-lateral orchectomy. The testes were examined histological 9,30,70 and 90 days later, while ultrasound study was perfomed a day earlier.

Complete testis-epididymis nonfusion anomaly: a typical association with cryptorchid testis.

Introduction: Fusion anomalies of the testis and epididymis are associated with cryptorchidism. We present an analysis of the fusion anomalies of the epididymis in cryptorchid boys.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients presenting with undescended testes between 1986 and 1993.

Effects of potato-derived protease inhibitors on perianal dermatitis after colon resection for long-segment Hirschsprung's disease.

Background: After resection of long-segment Hirschsprung's disease, severe perianal dermatitis (SPAD) may occur because of high stool frequency and elevated concentrations of fecal pancreatic proteases. We investigated prospectively the effect of potato-derived protease inhibitors (PPI) on skin conditions in children with postoperative SPAD.

Methods: Four children (aged 12 to 24 months) with therapy-resistant SPAD after transanal endorectal pull-through for long-segment Hirschsprung's disease received topical PPI (1% in 20% zinc ointment) with each diaper-change.

[Abdominal pain in children].

A differentiation between chronic relapsing abdominal pain and acute pain is necessary in children. Whilst only 5 - 10 % of the cases of chronic abdominal pain have an organic correlate, such is almost always present in acute abdominal pain. In this chapter we will deal only with the acute abdominal pain in children.

Benign cystic lesions in the testis of children.

Cystic lesions in the testis of children are rare and in most cases benign tumors. However, a preoperative diagnostic work-up could contribute to planning the surgical procedure: orchiectomy in the case of potential malignancy or otherwise a testis-sparing approach. In this study we reviewed our recent cases of benign cystic testicular tumors and the corresponding literature.

Comparison of porcine and human coagulation by thrombelastometry.

Introduction: Although the pig is a standard model for the evaluation of various diseases in humans, including coagulopathy, it is not clear whether results in animals can be extrapolated to man.

Materials And Methods: In 75 anesthetized pigs, we assessed reagent-supported thrombelastometry (ExTEM®), platelet-blocked thrombelastometry (FibTEM®), and aprotinin thrombelastometry (ApTEM®). Results were compared to values from 13 anesthetized humans.

Impact of Lodox Statscan on radiation dose and screening time in paediatric trauma patients.

Introduction: As part of the primary investigation, polytrauma patients arriving at our emergency department are examined in accordance with the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) rules, using the new Lodox Statscan (LS) digital low-radiation imaging device. The aim of this study was to establish whether entrance and effective radiation doses using LS in children were comparable to those of paediatric Computed Radiography (CR) and to evaluate the duration of scanning for both techniques in young polytrauma patients.

Methods: 19 consecutive polytrauma patients aged <16 years who had LS imaging were included in this prospective analysis.

Dissection of the appendix with ultrasound-activated scalpel: an experimental study in pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine mechanical, microbiologic, and morphologic changes of the appendicle rim to assess if it is appropriate to dissect the appendix with the ultrasound-activated scalpel (UAS) during laparoscopic appendectomy.

Materials And Methods: After laparoscopic resection of the appendix, using conventional Roeder slings, we investigated 50 appendicle rims with an in vitro procedure. The overall time of dissection of the mesoappendix with UAS was noted.

Postoperative sepsis in infants below 6 months of age.

Background: Sepsis is a threatening postoperative complication especially in small infants. Regarding the advances in perinatal medicine, its incidence is unknown to date. We aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, laboratory findings and outcome of postoperative sepsis in infants younger than 6 months old.

[The role of thoracoscopy in paediatric spontaneous pneumothorax].

Spontaneous pneumothorax in children is an emergency. A rapid and structured treatment is necessary. Indicating clinical signs are dyspnoea with unilateral reduced breath sounds and hypersonic percussion note.

Biliary atresia: Swiss national study, 1994-2004.

Objectives: To determine the epidemiology of biliary atresia (BA) in Switzerland, the outcome of the children from diagnosis, and the prognostic factors.

Patients And Methods: The records of all patients with BA born in Switzerland between January 1994 and December 2004 were analyzed. Survival rates were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors evaluated with the log rank test.

Hemostasis management in pediatric mechanical circulatory support.

In a 9-year-old boy, bridging to transplantation was successful with an external biventricular device, the Berlin Heart Excor (Berlin Heart, Berlin, Germany), during a 7-month period. Main long-term complications consisted of infection and hypercoagulability with clotting inside the chambers necessitating six pump exchanges, but without thromboembolic events. This report reviews hemostasis monitoring and management of long-term mechanical circulatory support.

Pediatric craniofacial trauma.

Purpose: Maxillofacial and skull fractures occur with concomitant injuries in pediatric trauma patients. The aim of this study was to determine the causes and distributions of maxillofacial and skull fractures as well as concomitant injuries of pediatric patients in Switzerland. Results were compared with worldwide studies.

Effects of laparoscopic division of spermatic vessels on histological changes of testes: long-term observation in the model of prepubertal rat.

Laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens and Palomo procedures are now commonly performed in children with high positioned intra-abdominal cryptorchidism and varicocele, respectively. During the procedures, the spermatic vessels are ligated and therefore the question of risk related to testicular atrophy is often raised. The long-term follow-up of the histology after the procedures is rare.

Outcome of Fowler-Stephens operation for undescended testes: an experimental study.

The aim of this study was the outcome of Fowler-Stephens (FS) operations in prepubertal Wistar rats. Thirty-two 30-day-old rats underwent laparoscopic FS procedures on the right testicles (8 of them formed the control group). Nine, 30, 70, and 90 days later we assessed the testes histologically and determined inhibin betaB serum concentrations; 1 day earlier, ultrasonography was also performed.

Bilateral intralobar pulmonary sequestration in a newborn, case report and review of the literature on bilateral pulmonary sequestrations.

We describe a rare case of bilateral intralobar pulmonary sequestration in a newborn with both sequestrations vascularized from a vessel arising from the celiac trunk of the abdominal aorta. The larger sequestration on the right side was diagnosed antenatally, the left side postnatally. At the age of 7 months, the child underwent successful bilateral thoracotomy.

A simple presurgical necrotizing enterocolitis-mortality scoring system.

Objective: To assess the relationship between early laboratory parameters, disease severity, type of management (surgical or conservative) and outcome in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Study Design: Retrospective collection and analysis of data from infants treated in a single tertiary care center (1980 to 2002). Data were collected on disease severity (Bell stage), birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA) and pre-intervention laboratory parameters (leukocyte and platelet counts, hemoglobin, lactate, C-reactive protein).