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BackgroundRobotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is becoming more popular because of the excellent performance in anastomosis and knot tying, especially in complex surgical procedures such as hepaticojejunostomy. As for operative time and costs, laparoscopic-assisted surgery (LAS) seem to be more advantageous. To date, there are only limited studies focusing on the comparison between RAS and LAS. This study aims to investigate differences in intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic approaches.MethodsWe performed a retrospective case–control study of 140 patients operated via mini-invasive approaches for choledochal cyst (CC) excision and hepaticojejunostomy at the Wuhan Union Hospital from Jun 2014 to Dec 2019. A multivariable logistic regression model for odds to having complications was built.ResultsThe two groups were similar in age, sex, follow-up time, and Todani modification of the Alonso-Lej classification distribution. Patients undergoing RAS had longer overall operative time, shorter cyst excision time, shorter hepaticojejunostomy time, less estimated blood loss, a smaller postoperative high fever rate, shorter postoperative LOS, and a lower postoperative complication rate. Moreover, the intraoperative anatomy structures were more explicit in group RAS, such as the exposure of left or right hepatic duct opening and intrapancreatic bile duct. Multivariable logistic regression showed that longer hepaticojejunostomy time was the only risk factor of postoperative complications.ConclusionRobotic-assisted CC excision and hepaticojejunostomy was associated with better intraoperative and short-term postoperative outcomes when compared to laparoscopic-assisted surgery.

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to assess the validity of the NASA-TLX score in rating the workload of pediatric robotic operations.MethodsThe workload of 230 pediatric gastrointestinal and thoracic robotic operations was rated using the NASA-TLX score. The difference between the high workload group and the low workload group in each subscale of the NASA-TLX score was analyzed. The correlation of each subscale with the total workload score in the high workload group and low workload group was also analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was subsequently conducted to assess the effects of different factors (sex, age, weight, procedure duration, procedure specialties, combined malformation and blood loss) on the workload.ResultsThe average NASA-TLX score was 56.5 ± 5.1 for the total group, 56.9 ± 5.0 for the gastrointestinal group and 54.6 ± 4.8 for the thoracic group, p = 0.007. The score of the high workload group was 62.7 ± 3.2, while it was 50.6 ± 2.7 for the low workload group (p < 0.001). The score on each subscale was also significantly different between the high and low workload groups. In the high workload group, a stronger correlation was observed between the total score and TD and Fr and a lower correlation with MD and Pe. In the low workload group, all six subscales showed a moderate correlation with the total score. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the procedure duration was an independent influencing factor for a higher workload score.ConclusionsNASA-TLX is a valid tool to rate the surgeon’s workload in pediatric robotic surgery. A longer operative time contributes to a higher workload.

BackgroundMultiple structures in the anorectal area are closely related to defecation, voiding and sexual function. Although laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through is widely accepted as a minimally invasive surgical technique, controversy still exists for ARMs with rectourethral fistulas. Intraoperative injuries more or less involve the perirectal sphincters and neurovascular tissue.MethodsSeventeen selected infants with ARMs underwent robot-assisted anorectal pull-through (RAARP) between October 2016 and January 2018. The application of nerve- and sphincter-sparing technique in RAARP was detailed. The feasibility and early outcomes were evaluated.ResultsAll procedures were completed without conversion. The robotic system facilitated clear dissections between different anatomical layers. Under direct vision, the fistula was easier to repair, and the rectal pouch was precisely placed in the center of the striated muscle complex. During the follow-up of 11.6 months, 13 patients resumed normal defecation. The other four children experienced mild constipation or fecal incontinence. Their continence and defecation functions showed favorable evolution.ConclusionRAARP is a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of ARMs, which provides an advantage in further minimizing the injury to perirectal nerves and sphincters.

Maternal seeding of the microbiome in neonates promotes a long-lasting biological footprint, but how it impacts disease susceptibility in early life remains unknown. We hypothesized that feeding butyrate to pregnant mice influences the newborn’s susceptibility to biliary atresia, a severe cholangiopathy of neonates. Here, we show that butyrate administration to mothers renders newborn mice resistant to inflammation and injury of bile ducts and improves survival. The prevention of hepatic immune cell activation and survival trait is linked to fecal signatures of Bacteroidetes and Clostridia and increases glutamate/glutamine and hypoxanthine in stool metabolites of newborn mice. In human neonates with biliary atresia, the fecal microbiome signature of these bacteria is under-represented, with suppression of glutamate/glutamine and increased hypoxanthine pathways. The direct administration of butyrate or glutamine to newborn mice attenuates the disease phenotype, but only glutamine renders bile duct epithelial cells resistant to cytotoxicity by natural killer cells. Thus, maternal intake of butyrate influences the fecal microbial population and metabolites in newborn mice and the phenotypic expression of experimental biliary atresia, with glutamine promoting survival of bile duct epithelial cells. The pathogenesis of biliary atresia remains poorly understood. Here, the authors report that maternal butyrate treatment alters the gut microbiome and glutamine/hypoxanthine metabolites similar to human subjects, and suppresses biliary atresia in newborn mice.

BackgroundMost commonly, cyst excision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy reconstruction are the optimal treatment for choledochal cysts (CC). Robotic surgery (RS) is being conducted with increasing frequency to treat CC. It is unclear whether RS can overcome the limitations of laparoscopic surgery (LS) and improve the prognosis of patients. In terms of efficacy, evidence concerning which minimally invasive surgery is preferred is, however, sparse. Our objective is to further compare the efficacy of RS and LS in children with CC and draw a useful clinical conclusion.MethodsStudies meeting inclusion criteria were identified from a series of databases, consisting of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and their reference list of articles up to May 2022. Eligible articles comprised at least five objects that were younger than 18 years of age and the language was limited to English. Two authors independently evaluated selected studies and extracted data for analysis.ResultsForty studies were selected for analysis, with thirty-six reporting data on LS and eight containing data on RS. The pooled conversion rate and pooled postoperative complication rate of RS were lower than those of LS, but none of them was statistically significant. Moreover, comparisons of the following detailed postoperative complication rates were not statistically significant, such as intestinal obstruction or ileus, anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic or bile leakage, and anastomotic stenosis. However, the intraoperative blood loss and the postoperative hospital stay in RS group were significantly lower than those in LS group.ConclusionsRS is a safe and feasible option for children with CC. Further studies with more cases, long-term efficacy and health economics analysis are needed to confirm whether RS is more advantageous.

Hepatoblastoma, a common extracranial malignant solid tumor in childhood, is often detected at an advanced stage and is difficult to treat surgically. Despite the availability of multiple comprehensive treatments that can be combined with surgery, hepatoblastoma treatment outcomes remain poor. Surgery is the main treatment strategy for hepatoblastoma, but it faces many challenges, including tumor attachment to surrounding tissues, tumor wrapping or invading of vital organs and tissues, the presence of giant or multiple tumors, distant metastasis, the formation of a tumor thrombus, and significant surgical trauma. In this review, we discuss recent research advances and propose potential strategies for overcoming these challenges. Such strategies may improve the rate of hepatoblastoma resection and local control in children, as well as reduce complications and trauma.

Background Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has been performed with increasing frequency. Although many children have underwent surgery within three days after birth, the optimal timing for operation remains undetermined. This study aimed to investigate the appropriate timing for thoracoscopic repair of type C EA and its mid-term clinical outcomes. Method We retrospectively analyzed 142 patients with EA between April 2009 and April 2023. A total of 109 patients with type C EA who underwent thoracoscopic one-stage repair surgery were included. The patients were divided into two groups based on surgical timing: the early repair group (< 5 days) and the delayed repair group (≥ 5 days). Patients in the two groups were matched using propensity score matching (PSM) to eliminate the imbalance between groups caused by confounding factors such as severe cardiac complications, gestational age, and birth weight. Result The median age at surgery was 5 days (range: 1–16 days). After matching, 43 patients (out of 59) in the early repair group (group A) and 43 patients (out of 50) in the delayed repair group (group B) were included in the validation cohort. All cases ( n  = 86) successfully completed thoracoscopic one-stage repair surgery. Delayed surgery did not increase the incidence of preoperative and postoperative respiratory tract infections. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups; however, patients in group B experienced a lower frequency of balloon dilation (1.8 ± 0.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1, P  = 0.035) for anastomotic stricture during follow-up. Conclusions With improvements in neonatal surveillance, appropriately delayed surgery does not increase the incidence of respiratory infections, allowing surgeons to optimize treatment plans.

BackgroundComplete cyst excision with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is the standard procedure for choledochal cysts (CCs). In recent years, neonates have been increasingly diagnosed with CCs prenatally. Earlier treatment has been recommended to avoid complications. For type IVa malformation without extensive intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy is technically challenging, and anastomotic stricture is a concern. Therefore, we propose laparoscopic synthetical techniques—laparoscopic excision of cyst and ductoplasty plus widened portoenterostomy to avoid stricture in CCs with a narrow hilar duct.MethodsAn anastomosis was created around the transected end of the common bile duct in 12 minipigs (Group A), and another 12 minipigs (Group B) received conventional cholangiojejunostomy. Anastomotic diameter measurements and cholangiography were conducted at different times. Histological findings of inflammation and scarring were compared. The expression levels of TGF-β1 and type I collagen were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Between January 2012 and January 2016, laparoscopic excision of cyst and ductoplasty plus widened portoenterostomy were performed on 29 children with confirmed CCs with a narrow portal bile duct who were followed up for 12–48 months.ResultsGroup A survived well without obstruction. Slight inflammation and fibrotic tissue were confined to the bile duct periphery. In Group B, five pigs developed stricture. Severe inflammation and diffuse fibrosis affected the whole layer of the anastomosis. Fibrotic biomarkers were significantly higher postoperatively in Group B. Clinically, 29 patients exhibited satisfactory outcomes. No anastomotic stricture has been observed to date.ConclusionsLaparoscopic synthetical techniques may be a superior option to prevent anastomotic stricture in treating CCs with a narrow portal bile duct.

Several cell types are considered to be effector cells in bile duct injury in rhesus rotavirus (RRV)-induced experimental biliary atresia (BA). Here, we identified an increased T helper 17 (Th17) cell population in a BA mode. By depleting the Th17 cells, the BA symptoms (onset of jaundice, acholic stools and retarded growth) were attenuated and the survival rate was improved. Furthermore, we found that in mice with BA, the percentage of CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells decreased along with the increased percentage of Th17 cells. However, the absolute numbers of Treg and Th17 cells were both increased in liver of RRV-injected mice compared to saline-injected mice. The proportion of Th17 cells at 7 days post-infection was decreased if Treg cells isolated from normal adult mice, but not Treg cells from the livers of mice with BA, were intraperitoneally transferred on day 5 of life. In vitro experiments also showed that Treg cells from mice with BA had a diminished suppressive effect on Th17 cell generation. To determine the mechanisms, we investigated the production of cytokines in the liver. The level of IL-6, which has been shown to be abundantly secreted by activated dendritic cells (DCs), was remarkably elevated. Importantly, in a Treg/Th17 cell suppression assay, IL-6 was demonstrated to paralyze the Treg cells' suppressive effect on Th17 cells and eventually the unrestrained increase of Th17 cells contributed to bile duct injury. In conclusion, the DC-regulated Treg-Th17 axis, probably in conjunction with other effector T cells, aggravates progressive inflammatory injury at the time of ductal obstruction.