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Biomedical subjects

B M Ure

Publications and source records attributed to B M Ure.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Simultaneous correction of duodenal atresia due to annular pancreas and malrotation by laparoscopy.

We report the case of a 3450 g newborn girl with prenatally diagnosed duodenal obstruction. At operation, duodenal atresia due to annular pancreas and intestinal, partially volvulated malrotation became apparent. Surgical correction was completely laparoscopic with 3-mm instruments. The operation consisted of reduction of the volvulated bowel loops, division of obstructing bands, and creation of a side-to-side duodenoduodenostomy. The technique, described in detail, proved to be feasible. No postoperative complication occurred and the girl is doing well 4 months postoperatively.

Duodenal Obstruction↗

Long-term results after laparoscopic Thal procedure in children.

As the laparoscopic approach to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was introduced in pediatric surgery in the last decade of the 20th century, it became apparent that this approach was beneficial. The favorable results have led to a more general acceptance and implementation of this type of surgery at the beginning of the 21st century. We give an overview of the first decade of laparoscopic antireflux procedures in children with an emphasis on the laparoscopic Thal fundoplication and its implication on morbidity and cure of GERD in the long term both for normal and mentally handicapped children. Between 1993 and 2002, 149 children with GERD underwent 157 laparoscopic antireflux procedures, of whom 48% were mentally handicapped. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 9 years (median age 4.5 years). Nineteen children died. All but one were not related to the antireflux procedure. Immediate relief of symptoms occurred in 120 children (80.5%). In 29 children, the results were less than optimal. Eight patients underwent a laparoscopic redo procedure (5.4%). However, none of the children with a follow-up of more than 5 years show any symptoms anymore. In conclusion, the laparoscopic Thal fundoplication is a safe procedure, and results in the long term are favorable, irrespective of the nature of the cause, ie, mental retardation.

Child↗

The role of laparoscopy in the management of childhood intussusception.

BACKGROUND: Some authors have argued that intussusception is best treated via a laparoscopic approach. As we did not have this impression, we reviewed our experience with this condition. METHODS: : We reviewed all patients with intussusception who were treated at our hospital over the past 10 years. The choice of whether to use a laparoscopic or open approach depended on the patient's clinical condition and the availability of surgeons with laparoscopic expertise. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were identified. Based on age, two subgroups were distinguished-one comprised of patients under the age of 3 years and one of patients over the age of 3 years. Sixty-five patients were under 3 years of age. Thirty-five had surgery, and 19 required resection. Of the 10 patients who were treated with a laparoscopic approach, only three could be reduced laparoscopically. After conversion in the other seven patients, the intussusception was reduced in five whereas a resection was required in two cases. Seven patients were 3 years of age or older. All of them underwent surgery, and all but one required resection. All four children who were laparoscoped subsequently had a bowel resection at open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients 3 years of age or older usually need resection and will not benefit from the laparoscopic approach. Under 3 years of age, little is to be gained from a laparoscopic approach, provided good nonsurgical reduction facilities are available. There is a place for the laparoscopic approach in cases of recurrent intussusception or doubtful reduction.

Age Factors↗

Outcome after laparoscopic cholecystotomy and cholecystectomy in children with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis: a preliminary report.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCE) has become the procedure of choice for symptomatic gallstones in children. However, there is concern about the disadvantages of cholecystectomy. Numerous postoperative symptoms and a possible correlation of the procedure with a higher incidence of right-sided colon carcinoma have been described. Therefore, it has been suggested to remove the gallstones via a cholecystotomy, leaving the gallbladder in place. This is the first report on the functional and symptomatic outcome of laparoscopic cholecystotomy (LCO) versus LCE in a consecutive series of children. A follow-up study of all children who underwent surgery for symptomatic gallstone disease from 1993 to 1999 was performed. Nine underwent LCO and 8 standard LCE. The procedure was chosen according to the preference of the surgeon. Patients and parents underwent a standardized follow-up interview. The intensitiy of six gastrointestinal symptoms was graded from 0 to 3. The patients and parents scored the symptomatic outcome using a 100-point visual analogue scale. There were no intraoperative complications. Bleeding of a port site required suturing in 1 patient after LCO, and fever with a further uneventful course occurred in another after LCE. The mean duration of hospital stay was 3.0 days after LCO and 2.4 days after LCE. In 1 patient a missed gallstone was identified 4 weeks after LCO. The patient underwent LCE with a further uneventful course. At follow-up (mean 20.7 months after LCO, 28.3 months after LCE, P = n.s.) there was a tendency toward a lower incidence of symptoms after LCO. Symptoms were reported by 3 of 8 patients after LCO and 5 of 8 after LCE. The mean score of the symptomatic outcome was not statistically different. All patients with LCO were free of stones on ultrasound examination with normal contraction of the gallbladder. LCO thus represents an alternative approach. We consider LCO for children with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis before the onset of puberty. However, data on the long-term outcome from larger series are mandatory before a general recommendation can be given.

Age of Onset↗

Pediatric surgery in The Netherlands.

Pediatric surgery in The Netherlands differs from pediatric surgery in other European countries. This article deals with the general structure of Dutch pediatric surgery and some of its particularities. Although pediatric surgery is not officially recognized in The Netherlands, the Dutch have found a way of selecting and centralizing children who need surgical therapy in 6 centers of excellence. This has been mainly achieved by agreements between scientific professional organizations. The limited number of academic pediatric surgical centers guarantees a high quality of skill and care, and a lot of clinical exposure for trainees. On the other hand, allowing general surgeons to do most of the surgery in children, albeit the less complicated procedures, may not be ideal. The limited number of trainees does not allow for a nation-wide training program. The small number of pediatric surgeons and trainees make pediatric surgery in The Netherlands vulnerable, both in field of care as well as in the field of research. As pediatric surgery in The Netherlands is not recognized as such, pediatric surgeons who have been trained in most of the other European countries but have not completed their general surgery training, cannot be employed as pediatric surgeons in The Netherlands. However, pediatric surgery in The Netherlands has found a comparatively clear way of defining its distinctive areas of clinical work. It cannot be overlooked and is well established in the academic centers of the country.

General Surgery↗

Laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy for duodenal atresia.

A 3,220-g newborn baby with trisomy 21 presented with duodenal atresia. No other congenital malformations were diagnosed. Informed consent for a laparoscopic approach was obtained. The child was placed in a supine, head-up position slightly rotated to the left at the end of a shortened operating table. The surgeon stood at the bottom end with the cameraperson to his left and the scrub nurse to his right. The screen was at the right upper end. Open insertion of a cannula for a 5-mm 30 degrees telescope through the inferior umbilical fold was performed. A carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum with a pressure of 8 mmHg and a flow of 2l/min was established. Two 3.3-mm working cannulas were inserted; one in the left hypogastrium and one pararectally on the right at the umbilical level. Two more such cannulas were inserted; one under the xyphoid for a liver elevator and one in the right hypogastrium for a sucker. Mobilization of the dilated upper and collapsed lower duodenum was easy. After transverse enterotomy of the upper duodenum and longitudinal enterotomy of the distal duodenum, a diamond-shaped anastomosis with interrupted 5 zero Vicryl sutures were performed. The absence of air in the bowel beyond the atresia increased the working space and greatly facilitated the procedure. The technique proved to be easy, and the child did very well. Laparoscopic bowel anastomosis in newborn babies had not been described previously. Recently, a diamond-shaped duodenoduodenostomy for duodenal atresia was performed. The technique proved to be simple and is described in detail. The child did very well.

Down Syndrome↗

Laparoscopic refundoplication in children.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal fundoplication currently is one of the three most common major operations performed on infants and children by pediatric surgeons in the United States. With the advent of laparoscopic surgery, the number of gastroesophageal fundoplications has virtually exploded. Morbidity always was substantial with this operation, and laparoscopy has not changed this. We describe our results with laparoscopic refundoplication in infants and children. METHODS: From December 1993 to December 1998 100 children underwent a laparoscopic 180 degrees anterior wrap using the Thal procedure. Four children had to undergo a laparoscopic refundoplication. Two of these children were mentally handicapped. All of the children had recurrent symptoms, but only two of the four had an abnormal pH study. In three of the children, the Thal procedure was changed to a Nissen (n = 2) and Toupet (n = 1) fundoplication. One child with an intrathoracic wrap and a giant hiatal hernia underwent hernia repair with a Goretex patch and a redo-Thal. RESULTS: In two of the children, the operation was relatively simple. For one child, the procedure had to be converted for anesthesiologic reasons. The procedure in the fourth child was more difficult because of a large hiatal hernia. Within a follow-up time of 2 to 4 years, all the children were free of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and afterward displayed no recurrence. CONCLUSION: In children, laparoscopic refundoplication after a previous laparoscopic antireflux Thal procedure is feasible and does not increase morbidity.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic secondary antireflux procedure after PEG placement in children. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the feasibility of performing a subsequent laparoscopic antireflux procedure after former placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). METHODS: Between 1997 and 1998, five patients with a gastrostomy in place presented with an indication for laparoscopic antireflux procedure due to persisting vomiting. RESULTS: All patients were managed laparoscopically with a four-trocar technique. CONCLUSIONS: Primary PEG placement has no adverse effects on a later secondary antireflux procedure. In some cases, four rather than five trocars can be used.

Child↗

Laparoscopy in infants and children: a prospective study on feasibility and the impact on routine surgery.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The feasibility of laparoscopy in children and its impact on routine pediatric surgery are not well established. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of laparoscopy in a university department of pediatric surgery. METHODS: All children undergoing laparoscopy during the period of 1 year were included in a prospective trial. Data on patients, the operation, technical problems, intraoperative events, and the postoperative course were documented using standardized questionnaires. All patients underwent at least 1 follow-up assessment 2 weeks after the operation. All conventional abdominal operations performed during the same period were analyzed for comparison purposes. RESULTS: Of 244 abdominal operations performed during the study period, 147 (60.2%) were laparoscopies. One hundred twenty-three (83.7%) of these included a laparoscopic operation, and 24 (16.3%) were diagnostic procedures. Of 26 types of laparoscopic operations 3 were performed more than 15 times (fundoplication, appendectomy, pyloromyotomy), and 9 types were performed once. Problems with instruments and devices led to a mean time loss of 15.1 minutes in 15.6% of the procedures. The conversion rate was 10.1% mainly because of complicated appendicitis. Fifty-six children (38.1%) weighed less than 10 kg, and the conversion rate did not correlate with the body weight. There was 1 (0.07%) intraoperative event. A small bowel perforation was identified immediately and resolved with an uneventful course. Postoperative complications included an incisional hernia in 3 children and an incisional leakage of liquor in 1 child with a ventriculoperitoneal drain. There was a reprolaps after laparoscopic correction of an ileostomy in 1 child and fever in another. In 3 newborns the diagnosis was missed during laparoscopy and had to be established by laparotomy later with an uneventful course. Primary conventional operations were mainly restricted to bowel resection and anastomosis performed in 52 of 97 laparotomies. CONCLUSIONS: The authors showed that 60% of abdominal operations in children can be performed via laparoscopy. Most types of laparoscopic operations are not performed frequently, but the feasibility of the technique in routine use is excellent. However, the performance of instruments should be improved further, and laparoscopy for establishing the diagnosis in newborns remains difficult.

Abdomen↗

A new polyurethane anal plug in the treatment of incontinence after anal atresia repair.

UNLABELLED: 38 totally or partially incontinent patients following imperforate anus repair (age 6-15 years) tested a new polyurethane (PU) anal plug against another, widely used anal plug (PVA) in a randomized crossover trial. Plugs were tested 3 weeks each, data concerning bowel habits, handling and plug-related problems were collected by questionnaire before trial, at time of product change and after trial. RESULTS: 15 of 38 patients did not complete the protocol, among them 6 with anal canal diameters too small for the smallest plug. During plug use, patients experienced enhanced awareness of repletion and urge. Stool consistence did not change in 82% of patients. There were no changes in children constipated prior to study (n = 8/23). 12,123 children were absolutely clean during use of either plug. 15 patients (68%) using the PU plug and 10 (45%) using the PVA plug felt secure from soiling during plug use. 74% of patients preferred the PU plug. Painful plug insertion, a feeling of pressure inside the anal canal and painful plug removal were reported with both plugs, but were less frequent with the PU plug. CONCLUSION: Anal plugs, regardless of their make, offer absolute cleanliness for periods of several hours to 66% of our incontinent patients. The PU plug (Conveen, Coloplast) is preferred by the patients and offers greater security than the PVA plug.

Adolescent↗

Cost analysis of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children.

A detailed analysis of the hospital-related costs of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children was performed. Data on 10 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were collected prospectively. Pre-, intra- and postoperative variables were assessed by standardized questionnaires. The hotel costs and costs for nursing, physicians, medicaments and equipment were calculated in detail. Reusable instruments were assumed to be used for 50 operations per year over 5 years and the costs for disposable instruments were calculated for comparison. In addition, the data of 10 children who underwent open cholecystectomy were analyzed retrospectively. The mean hospital costs for one laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 3685 DM. The costs for the operation itself represented 36.5% of the hospital costs and were mainly due to expenses for surgeons and nurses. The costs for laparoscopic equipment and instruments represented only 8.5% of the total costs. If an open procedure instead of a laparoscopic operation had been performed with a similar duration of hospital stay, the hospital costs would have been reduced by 425 DM (11.5%). In laparoscopic cholecystectomy the costs for medical treatment in addition to the operation were 32.8% of the total costs and were mainly due to expenses for nursing and physicians, which added up to 165 DM per day. The hotel costs represented 30.7% of the total costs and added another 189 DM per day. Therefore, potential savings in the operation theatre are limited and most effective savings may be achieved by shortening the hospital stay. The use of disposable instruments would have increased the costs by 844 DM and already 20 operations per year would have been cheaper performed with reusable compared to disposable instruments. Reusable instruments are recommended. Additional 60 minutes operating time cost 312 DM (5.20 DM/minute) and therefore, laparoscopic training courses for surgeons may be cost-effective in order to reduce the costs for training in the operation theatre.

Child↗

Intestinal transit time in children with intestinal neuronal malformations mimicking Hirschsprung's disease.

A total of 106 consecutive children with intestinal neuronal malformations were included in a prospective study. The intestinal transit time was assessed using a modification of Hinton's method. The results of transit time studies, the associated specific histochemical findings, therapeutic procedures, and the clinical course on follow-up assessments over a mean period of 2.4 years were analysed. The intestinal transit time was prolonged in all 53 patients with aganglionosis and in 37 (69.8%) out of 53 children with other intestinal malformations. Eight out of 16 children with IND type B had an abnormal transit time, 1 underwent anterior resection, and 2 had a temporary colostomy. In 7 out of 8 children with hypoganglionosis and 9 out of 10 children with a reduced parasympathetic tone the transit time was prolonged. A resection was performed in 7 and 2 of these children respectively. Both patients with heterotopia of the myenteric plexus had a prolonged bowel transit and parts of the large bowel had to be resected. Only 11 out of 17 children with heterotopia of the submucous plexus, dysganglionosis, or immature ganglia had a prolonged transit time, 2 underwent sphincteromyotomy. At follow-up, all patients with malformations other than aganglionosis stated that symptoms had improved and they were willing to tolerate their complaints. However, 25 reported on persistent constipation, 6 on overflow encopresis. All children who required surgery had a prolonged intestinal transit time, but also 21 (56.8%) of 37 children who were successfully treated without surgery. None of the 16 children with normal transit had to be operated. It is concluded that specific histochemical findings do not always correlate with delayed intestinal transport. The determination of the intestinal transit time represents an important tool to identify the clinical relevance of histochemical findings in the individual patient.

Child, Preschool↗

Gonadal histology with testicular carcinoma in situ in a 15-year-old 46,XY female patient with a premature termination in the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein causing congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia.

Mutations in the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) gene cause congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, characterized by diminished or absence of adrenal and gonadal steroids, resulting in severe adrenal insufficiency and ambiguous or complete female external genitalia in genetic males. We report on a 15-yr-old 46,XY phenotypic female, referred because of lack of pubertal development. ACTH and gonadotropin concentrations were elevated; and aldosterone, cortisol and its precursors, and sex steroids before and after stimulation were below the lower limit of detection. In the StAR gene, a homozygous nonsense mutation (TGG --> TAG) in exon 7 (W250X) was identified. Histologic examination after gonadectomy showed seminiferous tubules containing immature Sertoli cells and a few single germ cells with positive placental-like alkaline phosphatase immunoreactivity, indicating carcinoma in situ. This is the first report on testicular morphology, at a pubertal age, in a female patient with 46,XY karyotype and a mutation in the StAR gene, in whom gonadal neoplasia had developed.

Adolescent↗

Quality of life more than 20 years after repair of esophageal atresia.

PURPOSE: To examine the quality of life after repair of esophageal atresia, follow-up studies were performed in 58 of 71 surviving patients (81.7%). METHODS: Fifty patients with primary anastomosis and all eight surviving patients with colon interposition were seen. The mean age was 25.3 years (range, 20 to 31). Symptoms were evaluated by a standardized interview. Quality of life assessment was performed using a visual analogue scale (0 to 100 points), the Spitzer Index (5 dimensions, 10 points), and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI, 5 dimensions, 128 points). RESULTS: After primary anastomosis the estimated meal capacity was unrestricted in 46 patients (92%), but numerous symptoms such as recidivating cough (60%), hold up (48%), and short breath (30%) were reported. All symptoms except cough were seen more frequently in patients with colon interposition, and all of these patients suffered from periods of short breath. Quality of life scores were higher in patients with primary anastomosis compared with colon interposition. The difference in the visual analogue scale score did not reach statistical significance, but the mean Spitzer Index was 9.7 compared with 8.8 after colon interposition (P < .05). The GIQLI after primary anastomosis was similar to that in healthy controls and was significantly lower in patients with colon interposition. This was because of specific symptoms, which scored 49.3 after colon interposition compared with 61.7 after primary anastomosis (P < .05) and to 54.8 (SD 5) in healthy controls (P < .05). Physical and social functions, emotions, and inconvenience of a medical treatment scored similar in patients with primary anastomosis, colon interposition, and healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term quality of life after primary anastomosis was excellent. Patients with colon interposition suffer more frequently from various gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, but they lead an otherwise normal life.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Clinical impact of intestinal neuronal malformations: a prospective study in 141 patients.

A prospective study of 141 consecutive patients with intestinal neuronal malformations is presented. The single malformation of the autonomic nervous system that always required surgical intervention was aganglionosis. Giant ganglia, reduced parasympathetic tone, immature ganglia, and hypogenetic or heterotopic nerve cells were seen in all forms of malformations. However, the incidence in specific malformations was variable. Multiple giant ganglia were identified in all patients with intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND) type B, but also in various other malformations. Heterotopic nerve cells in the myenteric plexus were seen in the proximal segment of 15 of 74 patients (20.3%) with aganglionosis and 5 of 9 patients (55.6%) with hypoganglionosis. A significant impact on symptoms was found for IND type B: 34 (45.9%) of 74 children with aganglionosis had associated IND type B, and these children more frequently developed ileus (P < 0.001) and more often needed a second resection (P < 0.05) compared to those with isolated aganglionosis. This indicates an additive effect of both malformations, and therefore, in these patients an extended resection should be carried out. Twelve of 67 patients (17.9%) without aganglionosis needed resection for untreatable constipation. This included 7 of 9 children with hypoganglionosis, both patients with heterotopia of the myenteric plexus, 1 of 20 with isolated IND type B, and 2 of 12 with reduced parasympathetic tone. None of the patients with immaturity, heterotopia of the submucous plexus, or mild dysganglionosis required surgery. Six children (8.9%) without aganglionosis underwent sphincteromyotomy and 2 with IND type B had a temporary colostomy. At follow-up (mean 2.4 +/- 1.4 years), the outcome in patients with resected aganglionosis was better than in patients who had resections for other malformations; 49 (69%) of 71 patients with aganglionosis were asymptomatic compared to 4 (33.3%) of 12 with other malformations (P < 0.05). It is concluded that some intestinal malformations have a relevant clinical impact. However, the severity of symptoms in the individual patient may not be explained by specific histochemical findings from a limited number of mucosal biopsies. The pathognomonic histochemical criteria of isolated IND type B - immaturity, reduced parasympathetic tone, heterotopia of the submucous plexus, and mild dysganglionosis - rarely require surgical therapy and should be treated conservatively.

Child↗

Long-term results after laparoscopic cholecystotomy in a child with symptomatic gallstone disease.

Cholecystotomy has been suggested for symptomatic gallstone disease in selected children. This suggestion is supported by a potential reduction in the frequency of the so-called postcholecystotomy syndrome. To our knowledge, laparoscopic cholecystotomy has not been reported yet. However, gallstone recurrence has been reported up to 4 years after conventional cholecystotomy and therefore we waited to publish our results for that period of time. A 12-year-old girl with idiopathic symptomatic gallstone disease and a normal kinetic of the gallbladder underwent laparoscopic cholecystotomy. The laparoscopic technique was similar to laparoscopic cholecystectomy but the gallbladder was left in place and multiple gallstones were removed. Intraoperative cholecystoscopy revealed three additional small stones. They were removed by subsequent lavage of the gallbladder. Choledocholithiasis was excluded by intraoperative cholangiography and the gallbladder was closed using an Endo GIA. There were no intraoperative or postoperative events. The patient is free of complaints without recurrent gallstones on ultrasound examination today, 4 years after the operation. Laparoscopic cholecystotomy represents a feasible alternative to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Child↗