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Introduction: Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction (HSR) is currently the initial management tool in the treatment of intussusception. HSR is, however, confronted with failures besides there are still a number of patients who primarily undergo surgical intervention for the management of intussusception. We undertook this study to assess the efficacy of HSR and also to look for factors demanding the surgical exploration in patients with intussusception. Materials and Methods: A total of 215 patients with intussusception from June 2014 to June 2017 were prospectively studied. HSR was carried out in 203 patients, which was successful in 187 and unsuccessful in 16. These two groups were compared using the Student's t-test. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Twelve patients undergoing surgery primarily were also assessed for the factors affecting the decision-making. Results: HSR was successful in 187 and unsuccessful in 16. The failed group was more likely to have symptoms over 24 h, appearance of crescent, and ≥10-cm length on ultrasonography (USG). Two of these patients had ischemic bowel, two had ileoileal intussusception, and eight had pathological lead points, whereas no obvious cause could be identified in the rest of the four patients. Among the 12 patients who were primarily operated, four patients had peritonitis and other four patients were neonates. Laparoscopic reduction was done in four patients. Conclusion: HSR is a safe and effective treatment modality for intussusception. However, it is met with higher failure rates in patients with risk factors such as delayed presentation, appearance of crescent on USG, and length >10 cm. The role of HSR is also dubious in situations such as neonatal intussusception, small-bowel intussusception, and multiple intussusceptions and also in preventing the future recurrence. Such patients ought to be managed by laparotomy or where feasible by laparoscopy. Furthermore, before embarking on HSR, peritonitis and bowel ischemia should be ruled out clinically and radiologically. In the suspicious cases of bowel ischemia, USG Doppler may be helpful.

Background Conventional hand suture techniques for intestinal anastomosis have been standard practice for decades, but the development of staplers has significantly impacted surgical procedures. Staplers, designed to simplify surgery, have been increasingly used in various gastrointestinal surgeries, including pediatric procedures. Colostomy takedown in infants is a commonly performed surgical procedure in pediatric surgery, yet the optimal technique remains debated. This study aims to compare the outcomes of linear stapler anastomosis and hand-sewn anastomosis for elective closure of loop colostomies in children. The hypothesis is that linear stapler anastomosis offers advantages over hand-sewn anastomosis in terms of operative time, recovery, and hospital stay. Aim To compare the outcomes of linear stapler and hand-sewn anastomosis in the elective closure of pediatric loop colostomies. Methods This prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, J&K, India, between 2021 and 2023. A total of 70 infants were enrolled, randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (35 infants) underwent SA (Stapled Anastomosis), and Group B (35 infants) underwent HS (Hand-Sewn Anastomosis). Both groups were matched for clinical characteristics. The primary outcomes included operative time and time to return of bowel movements. Secondary outcomes included anastomotic leaks, wound infections, and length of hospital stay. Data analysis was performed using appropriate statistical methods including t-tests and chi-square tests. Results The mean age of patients was 5.79 ± 3.23 months in Group A and 4.21 ± 3.13 months in Group B. The mean time to return of bowel movements was significantly shorter in Group A (24.82 ± 6.34 h) compared to Group B (47.56 ± 5.65 h, p = 0.05). Oral feeding was commenced earlier in Group A (2.18 ± 0.39 days) than in Group B (3.16 ± 0.37 days, p < 0.001). Both groups had a follow-up of 1.81 ± 0.98 years, with no cases of anastomotic leakage or small bowel obstruction in either group. Hospital stay was shorter in Group A (53.82 ± 6.34 h) compared to Group B (79.56 ± 15.65 h, p < 0.0003).

Multicystic dysplastic kidney (Mcdk) is a disease diagnosed antenatally with the wide spread use of ultrasonography (USG). Watchful waiting for spontaneous resolution and nephrectomy in selected symptomatic cases is the usual care for such patients. This was a retrospective study between 2008 and 2019. Clinical characteristics and investigations of all antenatal and postnatal cases were noted down. The USG and nuclear scan were used to confirm the diagnosis. The outcome of the watchful observation and surgery was noted down. Data was analysed statistically and results were drawn. A total of 38 patients were evaluated including 20 cases diagnosed antenatally and the remaining 18 patients presented postnatally. In all cases, the diagnosis of Mcdk was confirmed on DMSA scan (at 3 month of life). Average size (largest diameter) was 6.36 ± 2.31 cm (3.9–9 cm). USG showed 17 (44.7%) patients had complete involution over an average time period of 44.49 ± 13.3 months. The mean duration of follow-up 56 ± 14 months (range 1 month to 96 months). Long-term follow-up is required to look for the natural history of the Mcdk. Most MCDK renal tissue involutes. Patient needs close monitoring for hypertension, proteinuria, chronic renal insufficiency and chronic renal insufficiency. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a good option if parents prefer surgery rather than observation.

Background: Surgery continues to be the mainstay of treatment of hydatid cysts of the liver. Laparoscopy provides a lesser invasive tool for achieving results same as with the established open surgical techniques. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic management of hepatic hydatid disease in children. Patients and Methods: It was a prospective randomised study conducted over a period of 7 years. Children with Gharbi Type I, II, III cysts, ≤3 cysts and superficial accessible cysts were treated laparoscopically and their outcomes were compared with matched controls treated by open approach. Results: Sixty patients were included in the study with thirty patients in each matched group. Thirty paediatric patients (male 12:female 18) with 35 liver hydatid cysts underwent laparoscopic surgery. The mean cyst size was 8.8 ± 2.39 cm. Two patients needed conversion to open. No significant spillage of cyst contents was observed in any of the patients. Duration of hospital stay, time to removal of drains, duration of parenteral analgesia, severity of pain in postoperative period, time to ambulation and time to return to full orals were significantly lower in laparoscopic group compared to open group. Complication rates in both the groups were similar. Conclusion: With proper patient selection, laparoscopic management of hydatid cysts of the liver in children is feasible and safe option with low morbidity, low rates of conversion and minimal complications.

IntroductionProximal hypospadias associated with severe chordee represents a major surgical challenge and the debate over its optimal treatment is ongoing. The objective of this study is to compare the outcome of two-stage Bracka and Byar’s repair in proximal hypospadias.Materials and methodsThis study was conducted from January 2013 to February 2018 in a tertiary care centre. Patients of hypospadias with severe chordee who required urethral plate transection were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups by simple randomization method. Bracka staged repair was done in Group A and Byar’s staged repair in Group B. Postoperatively complications including graft loss, flap necrosis, fistula formation, meatal stenosis, stricture, diverticula formation, residual chordee were noted in both the groups and compared. p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOver a period of 5 years, 74 patients in group A and 68 patients in group B were operated. Fistula occurred in 6.8% and 10.2% in group A and group B, respectively (p value 0.629). Meatal stenosis was seen in 4% in group A and 3% in group B (p value 0.731). Stricture was seen in 1% in each group (p value 0.339). Diverticula formation was seen in 2% in group B and none of the patient in group A (p value 0.960). None of the patient had recurrence of chordee in either group.ConclusionBracka and Byar’s two-stage repair have similar postoperative outcome and the choice between the two depends up on the surgeon’s choice and experience rather than scientific evidence.

Objective Ascaris -induced small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common sequel of Ascaris lumbricoides (AL) infestation. Most cases respond to conservative treatment practiced in different centers worldwide. We conceived a prospective randomized trial to compare the conservative treatment with gastrografin administered in addition to the conservative treatment. Study design This prospective randomized study was conducted between January 2011 and June 2014 at Department of Paediatric and Neonatal Surgery, a tertiary-care hospital. Patients were divided into two groups, one group received conservative treatment and the other received gastrografin in addition to conservative treatment. Forty patients having uncomplicated AL-induced SBO were included in each group. Gastrografin was administered through nasogastric tube and serial clinical and radiological monitoring was performed. The duration of hospital stay, time between admission and first oral feed, passage of worms/flatus were compared in the two groups. Student’s t test was used for comparing these variables. Results Average time for passage of flatus or worms and resolution of abdominal signs and was shorter in gastrografin group as compared to the conservative group. This difference was found to be statistically significant. The average duration of hospital stay in gastrografin group was 25.20 ± 8.01 h whereas it was 61.12 ± 14.64 h in the conservative group ( P  < 0.001). The difference in the operation rate was statistically insignificant (2 in gastrografin group and 3 in the conservative group).No serious adverse reaction was noted after gastrografin administration. Conclusion Use of gastrografin resulted in faster relief of signs and symptoms of AL-induced SBO, early passage of worms/flatus and return to oral feeds. However, the role of gastrografin role in reducing the likelihood of laparotomy remains inconclusive. Adverse effects of gastrografin can be prevented if it is used in well-hydrated patients.