DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR VISCEROABDOMINAL DISPROPORTION SYNDROME IN GASTROSCHISIS

The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency and search for additional criteria for the diagnosis of visceroabdominal disproportion syndrome (VADS) in newborns with gastroschisis. Materials and methods of research: prospective controlled observational cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in 61 newborns with gastroschisis, admitted from June 2009 to July 2021. To search for the most significant factors indicating the presence of VADS, the following parameters were recorded in the studied patients: the size of the defect in the anterior abdominal wall, the composition of eventrated organs, the presence of a conglomerate of intestinal loops, the diameter of the intestinal tube, the thickness of the intestinal wall, the degree of visceroabdominal disproportion (VAD). Results: VAD was detected in 50 (82%) newborns with gastroschisis. In 10 (17%) cases, VAD was mild, in 27 (44%) – moderate, and in 13 (21%) patients – severe. A moderate direct relationship was found between the size of the anterior abdominal wall defect (r=0.29, p=0.022), intestinal tube diameter (r=0.56; p=0.001) and the severity of VAD. There was a strong direct correlation between the thickness of the intestinal wall, and the frequency and severity of VAD (r=0.93, p=0.001). A direct association was found between the presence of a conglomerate of intestinal loops in the eventrated organs and the frequency of VAD (p=0.002). There was no statistically significant relationship between the number of eventrated anatomical structures with the frequency and degree of VAD (p=0.36). Conclusion: to determine VADS, it is advisable to diagnose the following pathological conditions in patients with gastroschisis: thickening of the intestinal wall, dilatation of the intestinal tube, the presence of a conglomerate of tightly welded eventrated organs, the severity of which is directly proportional to the degree of disproportion.

Postoperative transverse sternal nonunion with a chest wall defect managed by a tibial locking plate and a Gore-Tex dual mesh membrane: a case report

Background Transverse sternal nonunion is a rare but disabling complication of chest trauma or a transverse sternotomy. Fixation methods, mainly used to manage the more common longitudinal sternal nonunion, often fail, leaving the surgical treatment of transverse nonunion to be a challenge. Case presentation We present a case of a highly-disabling, postoperative chest wall defect resulting from transverse sternal nonunion after a transverse thoracosternotomy (clamshell incision) and a concomitant rib resection. Following unsuccessful surgical attempts, the sternal nonunion was fixed with a tibial locking plate and bone grafted, while the post-rib resection chest defect was reconstructed with a Gore-Tex dual mesh membrane. Adequate chest stability was achieved, enabling complete healing of the sternal nonunion and the patient’s complete recovery. Conclusion We believe it is important to address both in the rare case of combined postoperative transverse sternal nonunion and the chest wall defect after rib resection. A good outcome was achieved in our patient by fixing the nonunion with an appropriately sized and shaped locking plate with bone grafting and covering the chest defect with a dual mesh membrane.

Vaginal birth vs caesarean delivery: impact on gastroschisis anatomy in newborns (a 33-year experience)

Background. Despite the existence of numerous studies on the optimal delivery mode in gastroschisis (GS), their results remain controversial. Therefore, the presented study is focused on establishing the delivery mode impact on GS anatomy in newborns.Research objective. The study was conducted to determine the impact of the delivery mode on the features of GS anatomy in newborns.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of medical records of 135 pregnant women and 135 their newborns with GS born between 1987 and 2020 was conducted. All newborns are divided into 3 groups. Newborns delivered by caesarean section are included in group I (n = 80); children born exclusively naturally are included in groups II (n = 25) and III (n = 30). The following anatomical features of GS in newborns were studied: localization and size of the anterior abdominal wall defect, confluence with the abdominal cavity, the nature and frequency of the eventrated organs.Results. The size of the anterior abdominal wall defect was significantly smaller in children with GS delivered by caesarean section (3.02 ± 0.58 cm; p < 0.01) than in children born naturally (4.17 ± 0.3 cm in group II, 4.7 ± 0.29 cm in group III). The frequency of retroperitoneal organs eventration was significantly less (20.0%; p < 0.01) in caesarean delivery grope than in II and III groups (52% and 63.3%, respectively). There was no significant difference in frequency of other abdominal organs eventration, localization of the anterior abdominal wall defect and confluence with the abdominal cavity. Level of evidence – III. Conclusions. The mode of delivery affects the size of abdominal wall defect and frequency of the abdominal organs eventration in newborns with GS.

Pedicled Latissimus Dorsi Kiss Flap for the Reconstruction of Large Chest Wall Defect After Mastectomy

To discover the utility of pedicled latissimus dorsi kiss flap for the reconstruction of chest wall defect after mastectomy. This study was a systemic analysis of 12 female patients with breast tumors who were treated at Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University from January 2018 to December 2019. Among them, three patients had malignant lobular breast tumors, and nine patients had locally advanced breast cancer. After extensive resection of the primary tumor, the chest wall skin, and soft tissue, a large defect was left in the chest wall of each patient. Based on the design and structure of the kiss flap, two semicircular flaps of equal diameter were designed in the latissimus dorsi region, and their blood supply was retained from the same vascular trunk. Two flaps were transferred to the chest wall through a subcutaneous tunnel, and the incision in the donor area was sutured directly. Finally, two equal semicircle flaps were adjusted to fit the defect and then fixed on the chest wall. Referred to the design of the kiss flap, the area of the latissimus dorsi was increased to cover a larger chest wall defect. We have used this flap to reconstruct chest wall defects on twelve patients. Their age ranged from 24 to 62. The largest defect was 20 × 12 cm, and the smallest defect was 15 × 10 cm in diameter. Postoperative follow-up time was 5–9 months (mean time: 6.2 months): Follow-up observations demonstrated that all the flaps were healed well without edema or extravasation and donor area of all cases was closed well. In addition, no local recurrence or distant metastasis was observed in all patients.

Statistical Analysis of the Main Risk Factors of an Unfavorable Evolution in Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect that presents an increasing occurrence at great cost for the health system. The aim of the study is to detect the main factors of an unfavorable evolution in the case of gastroschisis and to find the best predictors of death. Methods: we conducted a retrospective cohort study of neonates with gastroschisis treated in a tertiary pediatric center during the last 30 years; 159 patients were eligible for the study. Logistic regression was used to determine the risk of death, estimated based on independent variables previously validated by the chi-square test. Results: if the birth weight is below normal, then we find an increased risk (4.908 times) of evolution to death. Similarly, the risk of death is 7.782 times higher in the case of developing abdominal compartment syndrome, about 3 times in the case of sepsis and 7.883 times in the case of bronchopneumonia. All four independent variables contributed 47.6% to the risk of death. Conclusion: although in the past 30 years in our country we have seen transformational improvements in outcome of gastroschisis, survival rates increasing from 26% to 52%, some factors may still be ameliorated for a better outcome.

P023 MANAGEMENT OF MASSIVE INCISIONAL HERNIA WITH LOSS OF DOMAIN

Aim Large incisional hernia treatment is challenging for surgeons especially when there is loss of domain. Its management require an appropiate preoperative optimization of the patient. We present a complex case that provides an exhaustive review of different measures in order to treat this type of hernias. Material and Methods A 61-year-old, smoker and diabetic patient consulted because of a large ventral hernia. He underwent an umbilical hernia surgery which recurred three more times. The patient had a M1-M5 W3 hernia with active suppuration through fistulous orifices. The abdominal wall planning CT scan showed a large eventration with 23 cm of transverse defect diameter and a Tanaka index of 92%. Results The patient received support to quit smoking and he lost weight due to an intragastric balloon. Botulinum toxin was administered six weeks before surgical intervention. An andominal pneumeperitoneum catheter was placed, reaching 12.400 liters of ambient air insufflated during 13 days. Finally, surgery was performed, finding a 27 x 35 cm wall defect that required the performance of: After these maneuvers, the posterior abdominal wall could be completely closed. A double preperitoneal mesh (BioA and polypropylene) was placed. After 16 days, he was discharged without mayor complications. Conclusions Loss of domain hernias are a complex entity which requires a multidisciplinary approach and abdominal wall experienced surgeons since it may require extreme measures.