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Biomedical subjects

Y Aigrain

Publications and source records attributed to Y Aigrain.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Rhabdomyosarcoma of the genitourinary sinus in children].

Genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) accounts for approximately 25% of all rhabdomyosarcomas. Management of RMS at this site has changed during the last 5 consecutive Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma (IRS) trials, with increasing emphasis of bladder and vaginal conservation. As more effective treatment regimens has improved survival, surgical approaches have evolved to less aggressive management of the primary tumour to improve conservation. Various combinations of chemotherapy, irradiation and surgery have resulted in a decreased late sequelae in the group of patients with sarcoma arising in the genitourinary tract.

Child↗
PubMed2006

Long-term effects of dextranomer endoscopic injections for treatment of urinary incontinence: an update of a prospective study of 31 patients.

PURPOSE: A prospective study was initiated 7 years previously to assess the efficacy of endoscopic dextranomer based implants for pediatric structural incontinence. Preliminary results revealed that at 3 years 50% of the patients were either dry or significantly improved. We report long-term results in the same cohort of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 children and adolescents 5 to 18 years old with severe incontinence due to sphincteric incompetence (exstrophy-epispadias complex in 13, neuropathic bladder in 16, bilateral ectopic ureter in 4) were enrolled. Of the patients 13 underwent 2 and 4 underwent 3 treatment sessions to achieve a definitive result. Mean injected volume was 3.9 ml (range 1.6 to 12) per session. At each evaluation patients were considered cured (dryness interval 4 hours), significantly improved (minimal incontinence requiring no more than 1 pad daily and no further treatment required) or treatment failures (no significant improvement). Videourodynamics were used to study the evolution of the bladder capacity, activity and compliance. A total of 31 patients were followed 3 to 7 years after the last injection. RESULTS: At 3 years after treatment 15 of 30 patients (50%) were dry or improved. One patient who had leakage after 3 years of dryness due to bladder deterioration subsequently underwent ileocystoplasty. At 4 years 12 of 25 patients (48%) were dry or improved. At 5 years 9 of 21 patients (43%) were dry, as were 4 of 11 (36%) at 6 years and 2 of 5 (40%) at 7 years of followup. The success rate according to pathological evaluation was comparable in neuropathic bladders (7 of 14, or 50%), exstrophy (3 of 6, or 50%) and epispadias (3 of 7, or 43%). Of 12 patients who underwent bladder neck plasty before the injection of bulking agent 7 (58%) were either dry or improved. The success rate was higher in males (13 of 23, or 57%) than in females (3 of 8, or 38%). Also, at puberty 2 males who were improved became dry. Bladder capacity increased in 12 of 18 initially small bladders and remained normal and stable in 9, while 4 initially dry patients had development of recurrent leakage secondary to bladder deterioration and underwent augmentation. Otherwise, there were no long-term side effects observed related to the injection of the bulking agent. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of severe organic urinary incontinence with dextranomer is durable for up to 7 years of followup in 40% of the patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Crohn's disease in children. Preliminary experience with a laparoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) has been demonstrated to have advantages over a conventional approach in children. The aim of this study was to review the children treated for CD with a laparoscopic approach, to report our indications, the surgical procedure, the complications, and to compare the children with pancolitis or ileocaecal (segmental) Crohn's disease. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We reviewed the files of 11 children treated for CD in a single institution between 1999 and 2004 for a retrospective study of clinical and surgical data. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis of nonparametric data. RESULTS: Eleven children were operated. The average age when initial clinical symptoms became apparent was 12.1 years (range 6.6 - 15), and surgery was performed after an average of 3.4 years of disease (range 1 - 7.6). The surgical indications were stenosis in 6 cases, failure to thrive in 1 case (segmental CD, SCD group) and pancolitis refractory to medical treatment in 4 cases (pancolitis group, PCD group). Mean operative time was 207 minutes (range 140 - 270) for the SCD group and 285 minutes (range 260 - 300) for the PCD group (p < 0.05). Three cases needed a conversion to open surgery (2 in PCD group, one in SCD group), mainly in relation to anastomosis performed with an EEA stapler. The average length of surgical unit stay was 6.5 days (range 4 - 8) for the PCD group and 6.4 days (range 4 - 8) for the SCD group; average follow-up was 16 months (range 3 - 38). Two patients had a relapse of CD (stenosis of the anastomosis in one, skin fistula in the other). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach for ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease is a feasible procedure, even in cases of pancolitis. We recommend an extra-corporeal anastomosis because, in relation to the inflammatory bowel, the mechanical anastomosis is not a safe procedure in cases of pancolitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Gastroschisis and omphalocele: retrospective study of initial postoperative management in the ICU.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study is to describe the management of infants with gastroschisis (G) and omphalocele (O) during the first 7 days after surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of all cases of O or G managed at the ICU of the Robert Debré Teaching Hospital between January 1993 and July 2000 was carried out. PATIENTS: 29 infants with G, 15 with O (12 unruptured O [UO] and 3 ruptured O [RO]). RESULTS: Ventilatory support consisted of conventional mechanical ventilation (46 %) and/or in high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (61 %). After day 4, ventilatory requirements evaluated by mean airway pressure (MAP) differed significantly between G (n = 10/29) and O (n = 7/15; group vs. day of life, p = 0.04). The average of MAP measured on days 5, 6, and 7 was significantly higher in O than in G (14.7 +/- 3.0 versus 10.9 +/- 2.8, p < 0.01, respectively). Volume expansion was required at least once in 90 % of patients. Mean fluid requirements were significantly lower in UO than in G and in RO (41 +/- 31 ml/kg, 91 +/- 73 ml/kg, and 137 +/- 25 ml/kg, respectively; p = 0.02 for each comparison). Patients with G were significantly more likely to receive norepinephrine (59 % vs. 20 %, p = 0.027) than patients with O. Twenty-six infants with G (90 %) and 11 with O (73 %) were discharged alive from ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Haemodynamic instability can be expected in patients with G or RO, and ventilatory requirements were higher in infants with O than in infants with G during the first week after surgery.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Reimplantation of oesophageal bronchus following a type III oesophageal atresia repair.

Oesophageal atresia can be associated with communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations, the most common being the oesophageal bronchus. Lung resection may be mandatory, but conservative treatment correcting the abnormal airway has been proposed, raising the difficult issue of perioperative ventilatory support. The authors report a case of successful reimplantation of oesophageal bronchus revealed after surgical cure of an oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

Bronchi↗
PubMed2005

Prenatal diagnosis of a cystic type IV sacrococcygeal teratoma mimicking a cloacal anomaly: contribution of MR.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of pelvic midline cystic mass in a female fetus without visibility of the rectum and which is not a cloacal anomaly. METHODS: Ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed respectively at 27 and 27.5 weeks' gestation and the findings of these examinations were compared with post-mortem examination after termination of pregnancy (TOP). RESULTS: US showed a pelvic midline cystic mass in a female fetus with mild enlargement of the left ureter and renal pelvis. MRI did not show the T1 hypersignal of meconium in the rectum. The analysis of MR findings were suggestive of the diagnosis of a sacrococcygeal teratoma. Pregnancy was terminated because of the possibility of severe sphincterial disorders and the fetopathological examination confirmed this diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This observation illustrates the diagnostic problems generated by the detection of a pelvic midline cystic mass in a female fetus. The absence of visibility of the T1 hypersignal of the meconium in the rectum is traditionally supposed to be highly suggestive of a cloaca, but may also be explained by the emptiness of the rectum, compressed by the mass.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Open vs thorascopic surgical management of bronchogenic cysts.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the operative outcome in children undergoing open vs thoracoscopic resection of bronchogenic cysts. METHODS: The medical records of children who underwent the resection of bronchogenic cysts from 1990 through 2000 were reviewed. Four cyst resections were performed by the open technique and five using a thoracoscopic procedure. The age of the patients, length of hospital stay, duration of drainage, operating time, and outcome were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of patients undergoing the open procedure was 3 years and 3 months; the mean age for thoracoscopy patients was 7 years and 10 months (p < 0.05). The operating time for the open procedure was 70 +/- 25 min; for the laparoscopic procedure, it was 78 +/- 6 min (p, NS), except in one case with a main bronchial tail that required conversion (320 min). Duration of surgical drainage was 6.5 +/- 3 days for the open procedure and 2.5 +/- 1 days for the thoracoscopic one (p < 0.05). Hospital stay for open patients was 12 days +/- 0 days; it was 6 +/- 1.6 days for thoracoscopic patients (p < 0.01). There were no deaths. The thoracoscopic procedure failed once due to a main bronchial tail and had to be converted to an open procedure. Other early complications included a bronchopulmonary infection after an open cyst excision and an atelectasis after a thoracoscopic cyst excision. Late complications included one reoperation for incomplete excision in each of the two groups. CONCLUSION: Bronchogenic cyst resection can be performed safely. For complete treatment of these patients, total excision of the wall cyst is needed. In selected patients, the thoracoscopic procedure may decrease the duration of surgical drainage and length of hospital stay without increasing the operating time or MSK for complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Reflux in esophageal atresia, tracheoesophageal cleft, and esophagocoloplasty: Bianchi's procedure as an alternative approach.

PURPOSE: Fundoplication has been used successfully to treat gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in the pediatric population. Although successful in many patients, there is a significant risk of complications and failure, especially in high-risk patients such as those with certain types of associated anomalies, diffuse motility disorders, chronic pulmonary disease, neurological impairment, and young infants. However, the results are poorer with children with severe pathologic lesion associated to reflux: tracheoesophageal cleft, esophagocoloplasty, and esophageal atresia (EA) with severe dysmotricity. In neurologically impaired children with neuromuscular incoordination and GER, Bianchi has proposed total esophagogastric dissociation (TED). The authors report the use of esophagogastric or esocologastric dissociation to control reflux in children with severe GER in other situations, such as EA, burn esophageal lesions having led to coloplasty and severe esotracheal cleft. METHODS: The authors reviewed the patients operated on for an esogastric or cologastric disconnection between 1997 and 2002. It is a single center retrospective study. The initial diagnosis, previous surgical procedure, postoperative course, and follow-up results were studied. RESULTS: Between September 1999 and June 2003, 13 TEDs were performed in 6 boys and 7 girls. The mean age for TED procedure was 35 months (range 14 days to 218 months). Indication for TED was severe persistent reflux in, respectively, 9 cases of EA (7 with coloplasty and 2 with preservation of the native esophagus after atresia repair, associated in 1 case with an esotracheal cleft), 2 cases of esotracheal cleft type III, and 2 cases of esophagocoloplasty for caustic burns. Six patients had undergone previous fundoplications (1-4 procedures) that failed, whereas the remaining patients underwent TED as the primary antireflux procedure. The average follow-up was 26 months (range 1 month to 4 years). There were no complication during the immediate postoperative course. Three children died at 3, 4, and 12 months after the procedure from acute respiratory failure. Respiratory status was improved in 8 children, and recurrent bronchitis was noted in 1 child. Regarding the digestive status, gastrostomy was closed at 18 and 24 months in 2 children, and partial nocturnal enteral nutrition (200 to 900 mL/d) through the gastrostomy remains necessary in the other children. CONCLUSION: Total esophagogastric dissociation procedure improves the respiratory consequences of severe GER, particularly in children for whom other surgical treatments have failed. The long-term safety of this operation remains to be determined especially regarding the consequences of a gastrointestinal Roux-en-Y loop procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic approach as primary treatment of common bile duct stones in children.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) are an effective strategy for choledocholithiasis, but complications such as pancreatitis and outcome in children are unknown. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy became the new gold standard in children for cholelithiasis. For the choledocholithiasis in children, the attitude is more controversial. We analyzed our series of laparoscopic approach for the management of choledocholithiasis in children to determine if it is an effective procedure. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between 1996 and 2001, 126 children were treated for cholelithiasis in our institution; 13 children (10.3%) were managed for a choledocholithiasis. We reviewed age at symptom onset results of paraclinical examinations, the type of laparoscopic management, and postoperative outcome. RESULTS: The mean age at clinical signs was 9.9 years (range, 3 months-15.5 years). One child was excluded because he had a preoperative ES. Twelve children had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and cholangiogram at the same time. A choledocholithiasis was found in 10 cases. A flush of the common bile duct (CBD) was performed in all cases with a 3F or 5F ureteral catheter; the stone was pushed into the duodenum in 3 cases and successfully extracted in 3 with a 4F Dormia or Fogarty catheter. One child needed a conversion to open surgery. Three times, an ES was necessary in postoperative course in each case for clinical and biologic signs of CBD obstruction or pancreatitis (30%). All children are symptom-free with an average follow-up of 28 months. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic CBD exploration for choledocholithiasis can be performed safely in children at the time of cholecystectomy and can clear all of the stones in the CBD in two thirds of cases. If there is residual obstruction, a postoperative ES can be performed. We suggest primary treatment of choledocholithiasis by laparoscopic approach in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Left thoracoscopic thymectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: In the management of autoimmune myasthenia, thymectomy is recognized as effective surgical therapy. The necessity of complete radical thymectomy to achieve maximal improvement has been emphasized. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has been successfully used for thymectomy in adults, and more recently in children, and has been described as achieving the same radicality and functional improvement as median sternotomy or as transcervical thymectomy. The aim of this work is to report our first thoracoscopic experience in this indication. METHODS: Patients with myasthenia gravis on anticholinesterase drugs and/or steroids are discussed for surgery in case of clinical deterioration despite increasing doses of medication or in case of no improvement. We decided to perform thoracoscopic thymectomies by a left-sided approach. Preoperative localization of thymic tissue is done by a thoracic CT exam. Patients are placed on their right side with a thoracic tilt under the thorax. Four thoracoscopic ports are used, a 10-mm for the camera and three 5-mm operating ports. The left lung was collapsed by selective intubation (double-lumen endotrachial intubation). RESULTS: Two boys, 7.5 and 14 years old, were addressed by the department of neurology for radical thymectomy. They presented an ocular myasthenia gravis for 2 years and a mild general myasthenia gravis for 7 years. The operative times were 120 and 240 min. There was no intraoperative or postoperative complication. Duration of thoracic drainage was 2 days. The children were discharged on the third postoperative day. For the second procedure, an ultrasound exam during surgery was necessary to localize the thymus exactly, thus enabling its complete resection without the need for a conversion. The follow-up is 19 and 7 months with a clinical improvement enabling the diminution of medication for both children, the end of ptosis for the first child, and the general improvement of muscle strength for the second. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic thymectomy in children with juvenile myasthenia gravis seems to offer a complete surgical resection, as do open techniques. In case of difficulties in finding the thymus, an ultrasound exam is feasible to enable complete resection. The left-sided thoracoscopic approach gives a good mediastinal and cervical exposition. Furthermore, being less painful in the postoperative period, it presents a less pronounced impairment of pulmonary function, and it presents good cosmetic effect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Pulmonary sequestration children: is the thoracoscopic approach a good option?

BACKGROUND: The thoracoscopic approach for pulmonary sequestration in children seems to be feasible and reproducible. To date, there have been no studies comparing the thoracoscopic approach with the conventional technique in this indication. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare these two approachs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in patients treated surgically for a prenatal diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration between 2000 and 2003. Three or five ports were used, and single-lung ventilation was required. The clinical, operative, and postoperative data were compared with those for patients operated on during the same period via thoracotomy. For statistical purposes, the children who required conversion to the open proecedure were grouped with those who underwent thoracotomy. The following data were compared: age, and weight, operating time, duration of postoperative drainage via chest tube, duration of postoperative narcotic use, pain scores on the 1(st) and 2(nd) days after the procedure, and length of hospital stay. The Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Five infants were operated on via a thoracoscopic approach. Two required conversion to an open procedure. There were four intralobar sequestrations (ILS) and one extralobar sequestration (ELS). The mean age at surgery was 6.2 months (range, 4-9). The mean operating time, excluding the patients who were converted to open, was 155 min (range, 120-190). In the thoracotomy group, there were one ELS and one ILS. Two groups were defined: the exclusively laparoscopy group (EL) (n = 3) and the thoracotomy and conversion group (TC) (n = 4). The duration of postoperative drainage, duration of postoperative narcotic use, and hospital stay seemed to be shorter in the group EL. These times, respectively, were 3.4 vs 2.75 days, 4.1 vs 3.3 days, and 7.5 vs 4.3 days = (p = 0.03). There were two complications in the TC group (one wound abcess and one pleural leak that required a chest tube). CONCLUSION: The thoracoscopic approach for pulmonary sequestration is feasible. It seems to reduce the duration of postoperative drainage, postoperative narcotic use, hospital and stay. These results need to be confirmed by a prospective and more detailed study.

Bronchopulmonary Sequestration↗
PubMed2003

Pediatric laparoscopic splenectomy: benefits of the anterior approach.

INTRODUCTION: Splenectomy is frequently performed in children for various hematologic and autoimmune disorders. We reviewed our indication for splenectomy, our technique of laparoscopic, splenectomy, and our results. The aim of this study was to show if an anterior approach with elective vessel endoligature in a patient in decubitus position was a better and safer approach than the other techniques previously published. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1996 and December 2002, 54 children underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. We use the anterior pedicle approach and elective vessel endoligature in order to prevent persistence of any exogenous material. Sixteen children also had a concomitant cholecystectomy. Their age ranged between 1 and 18 years (mean 7.5 years). Twenty children had hereditary spherocytosis, 15 were affected by sickle cell disease, six had an idiopathic thrombocytopenia, four had beta-thalassemia, and nine another hemolytic disease. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 150 min (range, 115-230 min). Hospital stays ranged from 3 to 15 days (mean: 5.4). Seven patients had complications (four pneumonia and three deep abscess with successful antibiotic treatment). Median follow-up was 42 months (2 months-6 years) without problems regarding procedure. DISCUSSION: With this technique consisting in first elective arterial and secondary venal ligature, we preserved blood splenic sequestration and pancreatic tail lesion. The procedure is safer. For us, considering the low complication rate for this type of patient, and the advantages of a small abdominal trauma in the postoperative period, laparoscopy with anterior approach for elective splenectomy and eventual cholecystectomy in hematologic disorders is the best technique.

Abdominal Abscess↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for Frantz's tumor in a child.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is a rare pathologic entity. Although the role of laparoscopy in surgery of the pancreas is still controversial, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has been reported with good results in adults. We report a laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy in a 9-year-old boy who presented with a low-grade malignant tumor. Needle biopsy was impossible. A laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy was performed. We used four trocars, and the operative time was 240 min. Conversion to open surgery was not necessary. The boy's postoperative recovery was uneventful, and he was discharged on the 6th day. CT-scan control at 6 months was normal. This case shows that even in advanced surgical cases, such as spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, laparoscopic procedures can be done safely, within a reasonable operative time, in children.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic rectopexy for solitary ulcer of rectum syndrome in a child.

BACKGROUND: Solitary ulcer of rectum syndrome occurs rarely in children, and the diagnosis may be difficult. Rectopexy has already been reported with good results in adults and children. We report the first laparoscopic rectopexy in children. METHODS: We report the first case of rectopexy performed according to the Orr-Loygue technique using a laparoscopic approach in children. Three trocars were used. A polypropylene mesh was sutured on each side of the rectum and fixed to the promontary with a nonabsorbable suture. The operative time was 150 min. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. The boy was discharged on postoperative day 3. The rectoscopy at 4 months was normal. The rectal bleeding and pain had disappeared by the 18-month follow-up assessment. CONCLUSION: We report a successful laparoscopic rectopexy for solitary ulcer of rectum syndrome in a child. The procedure is simple, safe, and reproductible, giving good results in the reported case.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty by a retroperitoneal approach in children.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with dismembered laparoscopic pyeloplasty by a retroperitoneal approach in children with pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2002, retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty was attempted in 21 children (one bilateral; mean age 8 years, range 1.7-17). In a flank position with four ports (one of 5 or 10 mm and three of 3 mm), the PUJ was resected and the anastomosis made using 6/0 absorbable sutures. Any redundant renal pelvis was reduced when needed. A JJ stent was inserted in all patients. RESULTS: The procedure could not be completed by laparoscopy in four patients, the main reason being difficulty in completing the anastomosis; in the other 18 patients the procedure was successful. An aberrant crossing vessel was found in nine patients and dismembered pyeloplasty enabled ureteric transposition in all, with no conversion. The mean (range) operative duration was 228 (170-300) min and the mean hospital stay 2.5 (2-4) days. In three patients the JJ stents were not in the bladder at the time of removal by cystoscopy, and ureteroscopy was used to retrieve them. All children returned to full activities within 7 days of surgery. The mean (range) follow-up was 12.7 (2-36) months, with six children followed for> 2 years; all were asymptomatic, with imaging confirming improved hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: These mid-term results confirm that retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty is a safe and feasible approach in children. Although the technique is very demanding it has the advantage of duplicating the principles of the open approach. The long operative duration and high conversion rate might be reduced with experience. Before expanding this approach to younger children, refinements in the anastomotic technique are needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic adrenal surgery for neuroblastomas in children.

PURPOSE: The role of laparoscopy in children with neuroblastomas has not been fully defined. The laparoscopic approach to the adrenal gland is already largely used in adults and a few cases have been reported in children. We report the experience of a single surgical team center with laparoscopic adrenal surgery for neuroblastomas in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2000 and October 2002 laparoscopic adrenalectomy for neuroblastoma was performed in 9 patients (6 girls and 3 boys) with a mean age of 38 months (range 2 months to 9 years). Two tumors were detected prenatally and 7 postnatally. Preoperative diagnosis was neuroblastoma stage I in 4 cases and stage IV in 3 cases, and nondetermined suprarenal calcified masses in 2 cases. A 4 or 5-trocar transperitoneal approach was used in all cases. The adrenal tumors were completely excised, placed into a plastic bag and removed through the umbilical trocar site. RESULTS: All of the adrenal tumors were well encapsulated and completely excised. One of the 9 procedures was converted to open surgery because of adhesions to renal vessels. In 1 case a second hepatic localization was removed simultaneously, and in 3 cases 1 or more lymph nodes were resected. Average operative time was 85 minutes (range 45 to 170). There were no deaths. There were no postoperative complications, except 1 port site infection that was treated locally. Blood transfusion was not required. Average hospital stay was 4.5 days (range 2 to 10). Histological analysis of the 9 specimens (maximum length 6 cm) confirmed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. N-myc status was studied in 8 of the 9 resected neuroblastomas and was amplified in 2 cases (both stage IV with preoperative biopsy). Average postoperative followup was 15 months (range 1 to 25). There was no local recurrence or metastasis, except in the case that required conversion to open surgery (local recurrence 7 months later). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for neuroblastoma is safe and feasible in children, with good results. Experience with advanced laparoscopic surgery is required to achieve this result in optimal oncological conditions. Our short-term results must be reevaluated at long term, and further studies are needed to compare laparoscopy to open surgical techniques.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗