Colonoscopy in Hong Kong Chinese children

AIM:To investigate the safety and diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in Chinese children in whom the procedure is not often done.METHODS:We conducted a retrospective review of all colonoscopies in consecutive children who underwent their fi rst diagnostic colonoscopy from Jan 2003 to 2008.RESULTS:Seventy-nine children (48 boys,31 girls;mean age 9.2 ± 4.2 years) were identified and reviewed with a total of 82 colonoscopies performed.Successful caecal and ileal intubation rates were 97.6% and 75.6% respectively.Forty patients (50.6%) had a positive diagnosis made in colonoscopy and that included colonic polyps (23),Crohn's disease (12),ulcerative colitis (1),and miscellaneous causes (4).80% of polyps were in the rectosigmoid colon.All but one were juvenile hamartomatous polyps.The exceptionwas an adenomatous polyp.The mean ages for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and polyps were 11.3 and 4.3 years respectively.There was no procedure-related complication.CONCLUSION:Colonoscopy is a safe procedure in our Chinese children.The increasing diagnosis of IBD in recent decades may reflect a rising incidence of the disease in our children.

Laparoscopic excision of Meckel's diverticulum in children:What is the current evidence?

Complications aroused from Meckel's diverticulum tend to developed in children.Children presented with abdominal pain,intestinal obstruction,intussusception or gastrointestinal bleeding may actually suffered from complicated Meckel's diverticulum.With the advancement of minimally invasive surgery(MIS) in children,the use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and subsequent laparoscopic excision of Meckel's diverticulum has gained popularity.Recently,single incision laparoscopic surgery(SILS) has emerged as a new technique in minimally invasive surgery.This review offers the overview in the development of MIS in the management of children suffered from Meckel's diverticulum.The current evidence in different laparoscopic techniques,including conventional laparoscopy,SILS,the use of special laparoscopic instruments,intracorporeal diverticulectomy and extracorporeal diverticulectomy in the management of Meckel's diverticulum in children were revealed.

Cystic meconium peritonitis with jejunoileal atresia:Is it associated with unfavorable outcome?

AIM To compare the outcome between patients with jejunoileal atresia(JIA) associated with cystic meconium peritonitis(CMP) and patients with isolated JIA(JIA without CMP).METHODS A retrospective study was conducted for all neonates with JIA operated in our institute from January 2005 to January 2016.Demographics including the gestation age,sex,birth weight,age at operation,the presence of associated syndrome was recorded.Clinical outcome including the type of operation performed,operative time,the need for reoperation and mortality were studied.The demographics and the outcome between the 2 groups were compared.RESULTS During the study period,53 neonates had JIA underwent operation in our institute.Seventeen neonates(32%) were associated with CMP.There was no statistical difference on the demographics in the two groups.Patients with CMP had earlier operation than patients with isolated JIA(mean 1.4 d vs 3 d,P = 0.038).Primaryanastomosis was performed in 16 patients(94%) with CMP and 30 patients(83%) with isolated JIA(P = 0.269).Patients with CMP had longer operation(mean 190 min vs 154 min,P = 0.004).There were no statistical difference the need for reoperation(3 vs 6,P = 0.606) and mortality(2 vs 1,P = 0.269) between the two groups.CONCLUSION Primary intestinal anastomosis can be performed in94% of patients with JIA associated with CMP.Although patients with CMP had longer operative time,the mortality and reoperation rates were low and were comparable to patients with isolated JIA.

Use of laparoscopy as the initial surgical approach of impalpable testes:10-year experience

AIM: To review the experience in the management of impalpable testes using laparoscopy as the initial approach and the need for inguinal exploration.METHODS: From January 2004 to June 2014, 339 patients with undescended testes underwent operation in our institute. Fifty patients(15%) had impalpable testes. All children with impalpable testes underwent initial laparoscopy. A retrospective review was conducted on this group of patients and the outcome was analyzed.RESULTS: Forty children had unilateral impalpable testis. Ten children had bilateral impalpable testes. Thirty-one children(78%) in the unilateral group underwent subsequent inguinal exploration while 4 children(40%) in the bilateral group underwent inguinal exploration(P < 0.05). Orchidopexy was performed in 16 children(40%) in the unilateral group and 9 children(90%) in the bilateral group(P < 0.05). Regarding the 24 children with unilateral impalpable testis and underwent orchidectomy for testicular nubbin(n = 19) or atrophic testes(n = 2) or has vanishing testes(n = 3); contralateral testicular hypertrophy was noticed in 10(41%). No intra-operative complication was encountered. Two children after staged Fowler-Stephensprocedure and 1 child after inguinal orchidopexy had atrophic testes.CONCLUSION: The use of laparoscopy in children with impalpable testes is a safe procedure and can guide the need for subsequent inguinal exploration. Children with unilateral impalpable testis were associated with an increased need for inguinal exploration after laparoscopy. Orchidopexies could be performed successfully in 90% of children with bilateral impalpable testes.