Morbidity in giant omphaloceles: Predictive factors and management strategies.

Aim: To identify predictors of morbidity in GO through an analysis of associated anomalies, defect characteristics and management strategies.

Methods: PubMed and Ovid EMBASE databases were searched from 2013 to 2023. Primary end points assessed correlation of morbidity with gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), eviscerated organs, defect size, associated anomalies and management strategy.

Managing giant omphalocele: A systematic review of surgical techniques and outcomes.

Aim: We analysed closure techniques in the treatment of giant omphalocele. A challenging pathology where there lacks consensus.

Methods: Cochrane, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2022 using terms and variations: omphalocele, exomphalos, giant, closure and outcome.

Minimal Access in Pediatric Surgery: An Overview on Progress towards Dedicated Instrument Developments and Anesthesiologic Advances to Enhance Safe Completion of Procedures.

Surgical techniques are evolving in Pediatric Surgery, especially in the area of minimal access surgery (MAS) where indications for applications are expanding. Miniaturization of instruments, using natural orifices, single incisions, or remotely controlled robot-assisted procedures, promises to increase the benefits of MAS procedures in pediatrics. Many pediatric pathologies are rare, and specialized surgical and anesthesiologic instruments are necessary to manage them, defined as "orphan devices", for which development and dissemination on the market are slowed down or sometimes hindered by regulatory standards and limiting financial conflicts of interest.

Glycosaminoglycans Modulate the Angiogenic Ability of Type I Collagen-Based Scaffolds by Acting on Vascular Network Remodeling and Maturation.

Type I collagen, prevalent in the extracellular matrix, is biocompatible and crucial for tissue engineering and wound healing, including angiogenesis and vascular maturation/stabilization as required processes of newly formed tissue constructs or regeneration. Sometimes, improper vascularization causes unexpected outcomes. Vascularization failure may be caused by extracellular matrix collagen and non-collagen components heterogeneously.

Laparoscopic repair of duodenal atresia: systematic review and meta-analysis after consistent implementation of the technique in the past decade.

Background: Laparoscopic repair of duodenal atresia (LRDA) remains a technically challenging procedure and its benefits ambiguous. To assess the safety and efficacy of LRDA, we performed a systematic review of techniques and material for LRDA and a meta-analysis comparing outcomes with open repair (OR).

Methods: Comprehensive search of EMBASSE, PubMed and Cochrane was performed from 2000 to 2023.

Reasons for conversions in thoracoscopic repairs of neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernias: a systematic review.

Purpose: This systematic review focused on reasons for conversions in neonates undergoing thoracoscopic congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair.

Methods: Systematic search of Medline/Pubmed and Embase was performed for English, Spanish and Portuguese reports, according to PRISMA guidelines.

Results: Of the 153 articles identified (2003-2023), 28 met the inclusion criteria and offered 698 neonates for analysis.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Based Analysis of Polymers and Collagen Scaffolds Inducing Vascularization.

Background/aim: Biomaterials are essential in modern medicine, both for patients and research. Their ability to acquire and maintain functional vascularization is currently debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vascularization induced by two collagen-based scaffolds (with 2D and 3D structures) and one non-collagen scaffold implanted on the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM).

European Paediatric Surgeons' Association Survey on the Adherence to EAU/ESPU Guidelines in the Management of Undescended Testes.

Introduction:  The aim of this study was to assess the adherence to the European Association of Urology (EAU)/European Society for Pediatric Urology (ESPU) 2016 guidelines in the management of undescended testes (UDT).

Materials And Methods:  An online questionnaire was sent in 2023 to members of the European Paediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA).

Results:  Among 157 members, 46 and 44% perform orchidopexy before 12 and 18 months, respectively.

Narrative review: robotic pediatric surgery-current status and future perspectives.

Background And Objective: Robot-assisted surgery has been progressively involved in various fields of adult and pediatric surgery, demonstrating many advantages over either mini-invasive or open surgery. The aim of this review is to provide the most recent evidence on robot-assisted pediatric surgery, in all its subspecialties.

Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted using appropriate Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords.

Choice of topical substances in the conservative management of Exomphalos - A systematic review.

Aim: Exomphalos is a congenital anomaly found in 1/4500 newborns. Choice of non-operative management of exomphalos major unamenable to primary repair is controversial. This study aims at reviewing conservative management modalities and compare outcomes and complications.

Drain placement in paediatric complicated appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Children undergoing appendicectomy for complicated appendicitis are at an increased risk of post-operative morbidity. Placement of an intra-peritoneal drain to prevent post-operative complications is controversial. We aimed to assess the efficacy of prophylactic drain placement to prevent complications in children with complicated appendicitis.

Iatrogenic Neonatal Esophageal Perforation: A European Multicentre Review on Management and Outcomes.

Background: The aim of this multicenter retrospective study and literature review was to review management and outcomes of neonatal esophageal perforation (NEP).

Methods: Protocol data were collected from four European Centers on gestational age, factors surrounding feeding tube insertion, management and outcomes.

Results: The 5-year study period (2014-2018) identified eight neonates with median gestational age of 26 + 4 weeks (23 + 4-39) and median birth weight 636 g (511-3500).

Ultrastructural changes in esophageal tissue undergoing stretch tests with possible impact on tissue engineering and long gap esophageal repairs performed under tension.

Esophageal biomechanical studies are being performed to understand structural changes resulting from stretches during repair of esophageal atresias as well as to obtain biomechanical values for tissue-engineered esophagus. The present study offers insights into ultrastructural changes after stretching of the ovine esophagus using uniaxial stretch tests. In vitro uniaxial stretching was performed on esophagi (n = 16) obtained from the abattoir within 4-6 h of 1-month-old lambs.

Focus of Pediatric Surgical Reports During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Narrative Review.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted surgical activity at health-care facilities and led to significant changes in the characteristics of publications in medical journals. This is a narrative review that outlines the focus of pediatric surgical reports during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Publications on pediatric surgery during the pandemic were carefully reviewed, and data emerging from reports on COVID-19 were selected to address: (1) the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric surgical procedures; (2) children undergoing surgical intervention; and (3) expansion of telemedicine.

Microbiota Assessment of Pediatric Simple and Complex Acute Appendicitis.

. The aim of this study is to determine the prevailing microbiota in samples from pediatric patients with acute appendicitis, as well as evaluate the antibacterial sensitivity of the isolated microorganisms, comparing the data obtained with the clinic's antibacterial therapy guidelines. .

Laparoscopic management of common cloaca: Current status.

Aim: This study reviewed the literature on the laparoscopic management of cloaca.

Methods: A Medline and Embase search was performed for "laparoscopy" and "cloaca." Articles for which full-text in English was not available, duplicate articles, and review articles were excluded.

Case Series of Variable Acute Appendicitis in Children with SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

This case series study consists of six children, aged 5-16 years, admitted to a centralized tertiary paediatric hospital serving a population of 1.9 million with acute appendicitis in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection. From the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 until August 2021, 121 COVID-19-positive children were admitted to the hospital.

Analysis of Psychological Assessments Affecting Patients Undergoing Treatment for Chest Wall Deformities.

Aim: This study aimed to review the literature with regard to the psychological aspects in patients with pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC).

Methods: The literature was reviewed by analyzing articles on PubMed using the search terms "psychology" and "pectus."

Results: The literature search revealed 22 articles that offered a total of 2214 patients for analysis.

Virtual Reality Simulator for Pediatric Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair.

Due to the small space environment, the learning curve of pediatric laparoscopic procedures is steep and requires excellent procedural skills. These are mainly gained through an apprenticeship on real patients. Computer-based virtual reality (VR) simulators offer a safe, cost-effective, and configurable training environment free from ethical and patient safety issues.

Exomphalos with intestinal fistulation: Case series and systematic review for clinical characterization, management and embryopathogenesis.

Introduction: Exomphalos with intestinal fistulation (EIF) is a rare variant of exomphalos with intestine opening to the surface of an intact sac, and may result in a diagnostic challenge. We report 3 new cases and conducted a systematic review of the literature, to characterize its association with the type of exomphalos and vitellointestinal duct (VI) as well as to evaluate its management and outcomes.

Methods: A literature search from PubMed using keywords pertaining to exomphalos and fistulation was used to identify all unique cases reported between 1950 and 2020, in addition to the case series reported here, to establish the clinical presentation, histological findings, management and outcomes.

Surgical Perspectives for Pediatric Theater Teams during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Beyond: Narrative Review and Mandatory Tasks Guidelines.

This is a narrative review during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to streamline workflow of pediatric surgical patients in operating theaters and for theater teams involved in their management. Pediatric patient anxiety in theaters, aspects of communication, and optimizing vision during surgery during the pandemic have also been addressed. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the creation of pathways in the surgical management of patients.

Serum and Urine Biomarker Leucine-Rich Alpha-2 Glycoprotein 1 Differentiates Pediatric Acute Complicated and Uncomplicated Appendicitis.

Purpose: This prospective, single-center cohort study analyzes the potential of inflammatory protein mediator leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) for the early and accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA), and differentiation of acute complicated (AcA) from uncomplicated appendicitis (AuA).

Methods: Participants were divided into the AcA, AuA, and control groups, and their serum (s-LRG1) and urine LRG1 (u-LRG1) levels were assayed preoperatively on the second and fifth postoperative days.

Results: 153 patients participated, 97 had AA.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair analysis in relation to postoperative abdominal compartment syndrome and delayed abdominal closure.

Aim: Limited abdominal space in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) might result in abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and require delayed abdominal closure (DAC). This study reviewed outcomes in pediatric ACS/DAC after CDH repair.

Methods: Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid and Lilacs databases were reviewed.

Thoracoscopic Esophageal Atresia Repair: Outcomes Analysis Between Primary and Staged Procedures.

Purpose: Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) is analyzed in this systematic review that compares outcomes between primary and staged repairs.

Materials And Methods: PubMed/Embase databases were reviewed for articles on thoracoscopic repair of EA, and articles were selected for primary and staged repairs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative parts of the study.