Quality of life and anorectal malformations: a single-center experience

Purpose: The treatment and long term clinical outcomes of anorectal malformations (ARM) in children have always been the focus of pediatric surgeons. This study aimed at reporting our experience as far as long-term follow-up of ARM in children is concern. Methods: We enrolled patients treated between 1999 and 2019, and established selection criteria to choose appropriate subjects. A validated questionnaire was used to determine long-term quality of life outcomes. Results: Out of a total of 48 patients treated within the study period, 28 were enrolled in this study. Among the latter, more than 35% had at least one long-time complication, and more than 90% had a good lifestyle. Urinary and fecal continence was achieved in more than 95% of the patients using medical devices. Conclusion: This study aimed to bring up new concepts; taking into consideration all aspects of life in patients with ARM, from school life to sexuality, while evaluating fecal and urinary continence. This is essential for the improvement of the skills of the different specialists involved in the management of these patients, and for the implementation of strategies that can improve postoperative function. Most especially, it will also help improve communication between doctors to ensure an adequate transition of these children into adult life

Trichobezoars in children: therapeutic complications

Trichobezoars are concretions formed by the accumulation of hair or fibers in the gastrointestinal tract, usually associated with underlying psychiatric disorders in females between 13 and 20 years old. Endoscopy, the gold standard for diagnosis, brings some additional advantages: sample taking, size reducing and, rarely, mass removal. This study shows that endoscopy can cause severe complications resulting in a surgical emergency

Trichobezoars in children: therapeutic complications

Trichobezoars are concretions formed by the accumulation of hair or fibers in the gastrointestinal tract, usually associated with underlying psychiatric disorders in females between 13 and 20 years old. Endoscopy, the gold standard for diagnosis, brings some additional advantages: sample taking, size reducing and, rarely, mass removal. This study shows that endoscopy can cause severe complications resulting in a surgical emergency

Antibiotic tretment for appendicitis: much ado about nothing?

the authors analyze the medical and surgical treatment of appendicitis in childre

Varicocele treatment in paediatric age: relationship between type of vein reflux, surgical technique used and outcomes

Varicocele is the first andrological disease in adolescent males. The aim of this study was to report our experience with different techniques. We retrospectively analysed patients treated between January 2005 and January 2011. Inclusion criteria for the study were created. Patients were treated with different techniques based on the type of spermatic vein reflux detected on Doppler velocimetry. The following rates were considered as study endpoints: hydrocele rate, rate of relapses, rate of persistence and rate of testicular atrophy. During the study period, 522 surgical varicocelectomies were performed. Patients were treated with videolaparoscopy, open inguinal technique, subinguinal technique and one-trocar transumbilical technique. The laparoscopic and the subinguinal techniques showed a lower rate of hydrocele, and the laparoscopic technique had a lower rate of relapses. Choosing a technique based on the type of spermatic vein reflux can reduce the post-operative complications. The laparoscopic techniques had a lower rate of relapses with respect to other techniques

The laparoscopic Vecchietti technique for vaginal agenesis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate surgical, long-term anatomic and functional results of the laparoscopic Vecchietti procedure to treat women with vaginal agenesis. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 86 women treated at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University of Verona, Italy. Data were analyzed based on surgical results and postoperative sexual satisfaction. Depth and diameter of the neo-vagina was determined. The characteristics of the neo-vaginal mucosa were investigated by vaginoscopy. Patients reported frequency, satisfaction, and any difficulties found at intercourse. RESULTS: Functional success was obtained in 98.1% and anatomic success in 100%. In all patients, at 1 year, the mucosa was pink, trophic, and moist. Two fingers were introduced easily into the neo-vagina in all cases. All patients, which decided to have sexual intercourse, defined these as satisfying within 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic procedure used in this study is simple, safe, and effective. Anatomical and functional results obtained suggest this laparoscopic procedure as the treatment of choice for this syndrome