Laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernia in female children – national experience

Background. Although, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in children is gaining ground as a safe, feasible, and popular method, still many pediatric surgeons continue to debate its safety, efficacy, and cosmesis in comparison with conventional open repair. Materials and methods. This was a prospective clinical study, that elaborated 98 female children aged 1–14 with clinically diagnosed indirect inguinal hernia. Equal proportions of 49 children were treated via laparoscopic (PIRS) either conventional open repair (OR). Outpatient clinic follow up was performed regardless of the type of the intervention, on the 7th day and 6 weeks after discharge. Results. The mean age of children in PIRS vs. OR group was 5.3±2.7 vs. 5.9±3.3 years. There was no significant differences between the groups related to age (p = 0.4221), weight (p = 0.5482), family history (p = 0.5377), and residency rural/urban (p = 0.3161). The average length of unilateral vs. bilateral PIRS repair (29.5±6.8 vs. 43.6±7.2 min) was significantly shorter than OR (44±4.2 vs. 97±8.1 min) for consequently p = 0.0023 vs. p = 0.00001. The post-operative hospitalization after PIRS repair was 14.1±3.1 hours and was significantly shorter compared to OR – 44±4.2 hours (p = 0.00001). In OR group, 4 (8.2%) children had postoperative nausea compared to none in PIRS group. Significantly bigger cosmetic satisfaction was found in PIRS compared to OM group (p = 0.0001). Conclusion. With due respect to OR as a gold standard, the proven advantages of PIRS are motivation for further improvement of this technique for the purpose of treatment of inguinal hernia of female children.

Severe Degloving Injury with Covid-19 Infection – Successful Outcome and Hard Lessons Learnt

Here we share an interesting case of severe trauma with tissue loss to nearly half of the back and a lacerated perineum in a Covid-19 positive patient in septic shock. This article highlights our experiences and hard lessons learnt in successful management of this complicated injury. Managing severe trauma is a challenge especially with respiratory failure resulting from Covid-19 infection. The patient reported to the hospital during a very difficult period, when proper medical care was difficult as hospitals and wards were filled with Covid positive patients. Managing patients was difficult especially wearing personal protective equipment round the clock. It’s a challenge when an entire team of surgeon, anesthesiologist, nursing staff and paramedics, rose above their daily call of duty to save the patient for her children. It was a fight against time and an many unknown enemy over three months for the entire team. The challenge to save a middle-aged patient from the claws of death against all odds was really miraculous. It was highly rewarding to see the patient going back to the family with a smile.

Comparison of Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS) and Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation (TNS) for Treatment of Fecal Incontinence: Literature Review and Meta-analysis

Aim. To evaluate and compare effectivenes of sacral and posterior tibial nerve stimulation for treating fecal incontinence.Methods. Systematic literature review was performed to compare sacral and posterior tibial nerve stimulation effectiveness. Research was performed in “Medline” database, using the “PubMed” website. English or lithuanian articles, published between 2008 and 2019, were included in our study. Results were described to assess the effect of interventions in each analysed article. We included 7 articles into meta-analysis. Articles compared the effectiveness of sacral or posterior tibial nerve stimulation with control groups or other treatment methods for managing fecal incontinence. Cochrane guidelines were used to perform this meta-analysis. Results. The results of meta-analysis suggests that sacral neuromodulation is superior to posterior tibial nerve stimulation to treat fecal incontinence compared to control groups or other treatments. Literature also suggest that after comparing these methods directly, sacral neuromodulation is superior to treat fecal incontinence a. Conclusion. Sacral neuromodulation is superior posterior tibial nerve stimulation to treat temporary or chronical fecal incontinence than and can be used as an alternative for surgical interventions.

Low-grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm (Appendiceal Villous Adenoma) with Cystic Fibrosis: A Case Report

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by the dysfunction of exocrine secretory glands resulting from a mutation in the transmembrane regulator protein (CFTR) gene. As life expectancy increases in patients with cystic fibrosis secondary to advances in treatment, advanced age malignancies secondary to cystic fibrosis emerge. Especially, the frequency of gastrointestinal system malignancies and colon cancers increases with aging. Appendiceal tumors are a rare entity and constitute less than 1% of gastrointestinal tumors. We presented a villous adenoma encountered in an 18-year-old male patient with CF accompanied by clinical and radiological findings. Our case is the first reported appendiceal tumor that emerged in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Scaphoid Fracture Reconstruction with Rib Autograft: Case Report and Literature Review

Objective. To evaluate the results of scaphoid bone proximal pole reconstruction with rib osteochondral autograft due to comminuted scaphoid fracture. Material and methods. We present a clinical case of fragmented scaphoid bone proximal pole fracture reconstruction by rib osteochondral autograft. The modified wrist function score of Green and O’Brien and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) outcome measuring scales were used for clinical evaluation before and 6 months after the reconstruction. Additio­nally, a literature review was conducted for case reports and previous literature reviews describing scaphoid bone proximal pole fracture surgical treatment. Medline (PubMed), ScienceDirect and UpToDate databases were used. Results. Conventional treatment methods for the treatment of comminuted proximal pole scaphoid bone fractures are often inappropriate due to technical issues or potential adverse outcomes. In these cases, reconstruction with rib autograft is possible. The study patient’s modified wrist function score of Green and O’Brien increased from 75 to 95 points out of 100 at 6 months postoperatively, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score decreased from 13.64 to 4.55 points. The results of this technique have been investigated in several studies (Sandow, 1998, 2001; Veitch et al., 2007). All subjects (22, 47 and 14 patients, respectively), except one, experienced improvement of wrist function – enhanced wrist movement, grip strength, reduced pain and restored wrist function to the pre-injury performance level. Conclusions. Scaphoid bone proximal pole fragmented fracture reconstruction with osteochondrial rib autograft achieves favorable recovery of wrist function and avoids complications or unfavorable functional consequences of alternative surgical procedures.

Minimally Invasive Surgery and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy – a Modern Standart of Uterine Confined Endometrial Cancer Treatment: Reviewing Literature and Presenting the National Cancer Institute Experience

Objectives. To find out sentinel lymph node detection rate of low-risk endometrial cancer patients. To compare postoperative complications rate, lenght of a surgery, lenght of hospital stay and sensitivity of detecting lymph node metastasis between minimally invasive surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy and abdominal surgery with systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy. Methods. Retrospective analysis of low-risk endometrial cancer patients, treated in National Cancer Institute (n = 103) history cases from 2018 10 untill 2019 12. I group – laparoscopic hysterectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy (n = 35); II group – abdominal hysterectomy with systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy (n = 68). Both groups were homogeneous according to clinicopathological features. Results. Sentinel lymph node were detected in 97.1% cases. Sentinel lymph nodes in both sides were detected in 85.7% cases. Metastasis in regional lymph nodes were detected in 2 cases (5.7%) in group I and none group II. Postoperative complications rate in group I were 3.8% and 13% in group II. Conclusions. There are significantly less postoperative complications in endoscopic surgery with sentinel node biopsy for low-risk endometrial cancer treatment, also this method is more accurate in surgical staging in National Cancer Institute.

Comparative Study for Application of Polypropylene Monofilament Light Mesh, Polypropylene Monofilament Heavy Mesh and Self Gripping Polypropylene Mesh in Patients with Inguinal Hernia Surgically Treated with Lichtenstein Technique

Background / Objective. In our clinical study we have compared the results of intraoperative and postoperative period in patients with inguinal hernia treated operatively with Lichtenstein technique, where one of three different polypropylene meshes has been applied: polypropylene monofilament light mesh, polypropylene monofilament heavy mesh and self gripping polypropylene mesh. Follow up period have been one year. Methods. This study represents randomized, retrospective-prospective, comparative clinical study where 243 patients have been divided into three groups depends of prosthetic mesh that was applied with Lichtenstein technique. We have evaluated the connection between types of used mesh with some of followed parameters: postoperative pain intensity, postoperative patient mobilization, postoperative surgical site occurrences, duration of hospitalization, chronic pain, filling of foreign body in inguinal area and development of recurrences. Results. Patients with applied self gripping polypropylene mesh have significantly lowest pain, lowest hospital stay and lowest duration of surgical procedure than other two groups of patients. In term of chronic pain, only statistically significance we confirmed between the groups of heavy monofilament mesh and self griping polypropylene mesh, where higher number of patients from group with monofilament polypropylene light mesh reported chronic pain. In our study we confirmed that working status and patient age have significant influence on the intensity of postoperative pain in all three patients group. There is no statistical correlation between type of the mesh and surgical site occurrence rate. Conclusion. Patients with applied self gripping polypropylene mesh have significantly lowest pain, lowest hospital stay, lowest duration of surgical procedure and less number of patients experienced feeling of “foreign body” in their groin than other two groups of patients.

eTep-retromuscular Repair for Ventral Hernia; a Technique Closest to Ideal

Introduction. Ventral hernia represents a problem for the surgeon and patients alike. eTEP repair is a technique that is minimally invasive, provides lower overall complication rates, decreased wound complications and the recurrence rates and shortens the length of stay in the hospital. Case. We present a case of a 48 year old patient who was admitted to our hospital for elective treatment of recurrent umbilical hernia. The patient had umbilical hernia repair 4 years ago, suture repair without mesh placement was performed according to the information given by the patient. On inspection there is visible supraumbillical scar, 12 cm in length with hernia bulging under the scar which is partially reducible on pressure. Discussion. The eTEP technique is closest to ideal because the abdominal cavity is not penetrated, is lessening the risk of visceral lesions and trocar site hernias, allows local or regional anesthesia, gives unsurpassed views of inguinal region and hernias and reproduces the technique of Rives-Stoppa. In favor to overcome the limitations deriving from the limited surgical field and restricted port set up, this technique has been modified based on the normal anatomy of the abdominal wall naming it depen­dently of the extension of the dissection and the location of the hernia. Conclusion. The extended-TEP (e-TEP) technique is based on the anatomical principle that the extraperitoneal space can be reached from almost anywhere in the anterior abdominal wall. It provides the most of the benefits for the patients but also requires great surgical skill and understanding of the anatomy of the anterior abdominal wall.

Adynamic Graciloplasty for Faecal Incontinence in an Adult after Anal Atresia Correction in Infancy – a Case Report

Background. Here we present a case of female patient suffering from bowel incontinence. Case report. The patient underwent unstimulated graciloplasty. Postoperative period was uneventful. After 4 weeks, a course of low frequency electric external stimulation in the area around the neurovascular bundle in the thigh was performed. Patient was evaluated 3 months postoperatively. On inspection, her anus was closed at rest. She stated moderate improvement in her continence and quality of life, her Wexner score was 10 and FISI score was 32 (prior surgery 19 and 44 accordingly). Conclusion. Adynamic graciloplasty seems to be a reasonable method of choice for faecal incontinence.

Predictive Value of Alvarado, Acute Inflammatory Response, Tzanakis and RIPASA Scores in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis

Introduction. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA), as the most common cause of acute abdominal pain, has changed in the past decade by introducing scoring systems in addition to the use of clinical, laboratory parameters, and radiological examinations. This study aimed to assess the significance of the four scoring systems (Alvarado, Appendicitis Inflammatory Response (AIR), Raya Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis (RIPASA) and Tzanakis) in the prediction of delayed appendectomy. Materials and methods. The study included 100 respondents, who were diagnosed with AA in the period from January 2018 to February 2019 and were also operated on. In addition to the clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic examinations, four scoring systems (Alvarado, AIR, RIPASA, and Tzanakis) were used to diagnose AA. According to the obtained histopathological (HP) findings, the patients were divided into 3 groups: timely appendectomy, delayed appendectomy and unnecessary appendectomy. Using the sensitivity and specificity of all 4 scoring systems, ROC analysis was performed to predict delayed appendectomy. Results. In the study that included 100 patients (58% men, 42% women), after the appendectomy was performed, the resulting HP showed that 74% had a timely appendectomy, while 16% had delayed and 10% had an unnecessary appendectomy. For the prediction of delayed appendectomy, the area under the ROC curve showed a value of 0.577 for the Alvarado score, 0.504 for the AIR, 0.651 for the RIPASA, and 0.696 for the Tzanakis. Sensitivity and specificity for the Alvarado score was 54% and 62%, for RIPASA 62.5% and 63.5%, for Tzanakis 69% and 60.8%, respectively. Combining the three scoring systems (Alvarado, RIPASA, and Tzanakis), the surface area under the ROC curve was 0.762 (95% CI 0.521–0.783), with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 62%. Conclusion. In our study, the diagnostic accuracy of RIPASA and Tzanakis showed better results than Alvarado, while AIR cannot be used to predict delayed appendectomy in our population. However, the simultaneous application of all three scoring systems, RIPASA, Tzanakis and Alvarado, has shown much better discriminatory ability, with higher sensitivity and specificity, as opposed to their use alone. Combining scoring systems should help in proper diagnosis to avoid negative appendectomy, but additional studies with a larger number of patients are needed to support these results.