Surgical Technique of Supine Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Children

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in children has become more widely used due to its high efficacy and safety and to the development of miniaturized instruments. A supine approach is promising due to advantages such as better ventilation, reproducibility, and ergonomics. The purpose of the present study is to describe our surgical technique with special considerations in the pediatric population. We used an oblique supine position supported by one silicone gel positioning pad under the hip and another under the ipsilateral flank. The anatomical landmarks used to guide the puncture were the 11th and 12th ribs, the posterior axillary line, and the iliac crest. Initially, a ureteral catheter was introduced endoscopically. A retrograde pyelography was performed to guide the puncture, which was performed using a biplanar technique. A hydrophilic guide wire was then advanced through the needle. Dilation was performed with Alken telescopic dilators until 14 Ch. Fragmentation was performed either with a 13 Ch semirigid cystoscope or a flexible ureteroscope using a holmium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:Yag) laser. We left a double J catheter. Supine PCNL in the pediatric population has comparable efficacy in terms of stone free rate to that of the prone approach as well as less complications. Certain considerations in children are careful padding and placement of the patient close to the edge of the table. Puncture should be guided by ultrasound to reduce radiation exposure. Miniaturized equipment is not widely available, so adaptation of adult equipment for the pediatric population is sometimes necessary.

Extracorporeal ultrasound exposure by the low-frequency acoustic amplitude-modulated signal on a ureteral stent for preventing its incrustation: experimental determination of optimal application points

Introduction. Incrustation and biofilms formation on the surface of ureteral stents are still the most significant complications of internal drainage of the upper urinary tract. There are much researchers conducted to combat these complications. The lack of a solution to this problem affects the ultimate results of treatment and economic losses. The issue of impact by physical methods on the ureteral stent, particularly the use of extracorporeal ultrasound acoustic exposure remains, promising and poorly covered.Purpose of the study. To determine the optimal application points of extracorporeal acoustic exposure by the low-frequency ultrasonic amplitude-modulated signal on a ureteral stent in an experiment.Materials and methods. The original device was designed. The main principle of its operation is the generation of an amplitude-modulated ultrasonic signal in two modes: pulsed and permanent. A sexually mature mongrel dog was an experimental animal. The ureteral stent was placed by laparotomy and cystotomy. Intraoperatively, the emitter of the developed device was applied to the skin of the animal, according to the previously indicated topographic and anatomical landmarks. At the same time, an ultrasonic wave noise analyzer was applied through the laparotomy wound to the appropriate level of the ureter. Measurements of ultrasound intensity indicators were performed three times in two operating modes of the device.Results. Pulsed mode: for the ureteral upper third, the highest ultrasonic intensity (123.67 dB) was achieved along the posterior axillary line. For the ureteral middle third, the best ultrasound intensity (115 dB) was obtained by the posterior axillary line. For the ureteral lower third, the highest ultrasound intensity (113.67 dB) was noted along the middle axillary line.Permanent mode: the best ultrasonic intensity in the projection of the ureteral upper, middle, and lower thirds was achieved along the posterior axillary line and was 118.67 dB, 117 dB and 116.67 dB, accordingly. However, there was an excessive heat effect, manifested by hyperemia and hyperthermia of the animal's skin, fascicular muscle contractions during the instrument functioned in the permanent mode, which can potentially lead to thermal burns and intolerance to the procedure.Conclusion. The pulsed mode of the device function is most safe. The optimal application points of the instrument emitter for the ureteral upper and middle thirds is the posterior axillary line, and for the ureteral lower third is the middle axillary line.

Intramuscular Neural Distribution of the Serratus Anterior Muscle: Guidelines to the Injective Method for Treating Myofascial Pain Syndrome

The serratus anterior muscle is commonly involved in myofascial pain syndrome and is treated with many different injective methods. Currently, there is no definite injection point for the muscle. This study provides an ideal injection point for the serratus anterior muscle considering the intramuscular neural distribution using the whole mount staining method. A modified Sihler method was applied to the serratus anterior muscles (15 specimens). The intramuscular arborization areas were identified in terms of the anterior (100%), middle (50%), posterior axillary line (0%), and from the first to the ninth ribs. The intramuscular neural distribution for the serratus anterior muscle had the largest arborization patterns in the 5th to 9th rib portion between 50% and 70%, and the 1st to 4th rib portion had between 20% and 40%. Clinicians can administer safe and effective treatments with botulinum neurotoxin injections and other types of injections, following the methods in our study. We propose optimal injection sites in relation to the external anatomical line for the frequently injected facial muscles to facilitate the efficiency of botulinum neurotoxin injections. Lastly, these guidelines would assist practice more accurately without the harmful side effects of trigger point injections and botulinum neurotoxin injections.

Comparison of Sleeve Lobectomy for Lung Cancer Using Mini-Thoracotomy and an Optimized Robot-Assisted Technique

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of an optimized approach to improve surgical field visualization and simplify anastomosis techniques using robotic-assisted sleeve lobectomy for lung or bronchial carcinoma. Method: A total of 26 consecutive patients who underwent sleeve lobectomy between January 2017 and April 2020 were enrolled in the study. The cohort included 11 cases of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS group) and 15 cases of mini-thoracotomy (MT group). RAS was performed via an exclusive optimized approach utilizing the “3 to 4-6 to 8/9” four-port technique. Retrieved demographical and clinical data included operation time, anastomosis time, blood loss, chest drainage time and volume, postoperative pain scores, complications, white blood cell (WBC) levels, and duration of hospital stay and follow-up. Results: No cases of perioperative death were recorded. Compared to MT group, the RAS group had a similar anastomosis time (30.82 ± 6.08 vs 33.20 ± 7.73 min, respectively, p > 0.05) and shorter operation time (189.73 ± 36.41 vs 225.33 ± 38.19 min, respectively, p < 0.05). The RAS group had lower pain scores (4.23 ± 0.26 vs 4.91 ± 0.51, p < 0.05), lower levels of WBC (p < 0.05), and no anastomotic complications postoperatively. The RAS and MT groups demonstrated a successful bronchus reconstruction with low risk of angulation (1/11 vs 1/15, p > 0.05) and satisfactory disease-free survival (eight cases, 72.73% and 12 cases, 80%, respectively). Conclusion: The optimized approach to RA sleeve lobectomy is convenient and efficient and provides satisfactory clinical outcomes. Further study with a large sample size and evaluation of long-term survival are warranted. Key points: (i) we present a novel, convenient, and efficient approach for robotic-assisted sleeve lobectomy, ie, “3 to 4-6 to 8/9” four-port technique. The optimized approach for RA sleeve lobectomy is convenient and efficient and provides satisfactory clinical outcomes; (ii) details for the “3 to 4-6 to 8/9” four-port method: the assistant port was located at the fourth intercostal space. The 1-cm camera port was inserted at the sixth intercostal space in the posterior axillary line. The 0.5-cm da Vinci ports of the instrument arms were placed at the third intercostal space in the anterior axillary line and the eighth or ninth intercostal space in the posterior axillary line. The patient cart was inserted from the back of the patient's head and shoulders at 75° to the longitudinal line.

Pleural empyema from the point of view of a thoracic surgeon

Background. Pleural empyema (PE) is the presence of pus in the pleural cavity. The causes of PE include the diseases of adjacent organs (75 %), direct contamination of the pleural cavity during injuries or operations (20 %), and hematogenous dissemination of infection (5 %). Objective. To describe the modern views on the treatment of EP. Materials and methods. Analysis of literature sources on this topic. Results and discussion. Radiography, computed tomography, and ultrasound can be used to diagnose PE. To detect PE, radiography should always be performed in two projections, paying special attention to the posterior sinus and the space above the diaphragm. Computed tomography shows pleural layers’ separation and a “pregnant woman” symptom. Ultrasound can distinguish fluid, pleural thickening and pulmonary infiltration, as well as determine the optimal point for puncture. The ultimate goals of PE treatment include the obliteration of the pleural cavity or creating conditions for the formation of a sterile residual cavity. In case of acute PE, drainage, washing, and antibiotic therapy are applied; correction of concomitant diseases is carried out. Drainage of the pleural cavity should be preceded by a puncture of the pleural cavity to obtain pathological contents. The appearance and odor of the fluid obtained by puncture are the most important indicators of the pathology. Drainage can be performed at the point where the pus was obtained, or in the VII-VIII hypochondrium along the posterior axillary line. Drains from polyvinylchloride with a diameter of 6-8 mm are applied. The length depends on the task. Videothoracoscopy is a modern method of treating PE. This method is minimally invasive, removes fibrin and pus, destroys adhesions, connects cavities and provides drainage at the optimal point. To wash the pleural cavity, it is advisable to use decamethoxine or povidone-iodine. With regard to antibiotic therapy, levofloxacin or third-generation cephalosporins are used in combination with an antianaerobic drug, or carbapenems or glycopeptides. Conclusions. 1. PE is often a secondary infectious process caused by adjacent structures’ infection. 2. Pleural cavity sanitation during videothoracoscopy and drainage are the main methods of PE treatment. 3. Antibiotic therapy and pleural lavage are integral components of PE treatment.

Combining anterior and posterior component separation for extreme cases of abdominal wall reconstruction

Purpose The closure of midline in abdominal wall incisional hernias is an essential principle. In some exceptional circumstances, despite adequate component separation techniques, this midline closure cannot be achieved. This study aims to review the results of using both anterior and component separation in these exceptional cases. Methods We reviewed our experience using the combination of both anterior and posterior component separation in the attempt to close the midline. Our first step was to perform a TAR and a complete extensive dissection of the retromuscular preperitoneal plane developed laterally as far as the posterior axillary line. When the closure of midline was not possible, an external oblique release was made. A retromuscular preperitoneal reinforcement was made with the combination of an absorbable mesh and a 50 × 50 polypropylene mesh. Results Twelve patients underwent anterior and posterior component separation. The mean hernia width was 23.5 ± 5. The majority were classified as severe complex incisional hernia and had previous attempts of repair. After a mean follow-up of 27 months (range 8–45), no case of recurrence was registered. Only one patient (8.33%) presented with an asymptomatic bulging in the follow-up. European Hernia Society’s quality of life scores showed a significant improvement at 2 years postoperatively in the three domains: pain (p = 0.01), restrictions (p = 0.04) and cosmetic (p = 0.01). Conclusions The combination of posterior and anterior component separation can effectively treat massive and challenging cases of abdominal wall reconstruction in which the primary midline closure is impossible to achieve despite appropriate optimization of surgery.

Features of the development of thoracic paravertebral blockade as a component of anesthesia in radical mastectomy

The aim of this work is the study of thoracic paravertebral blockade (PVB) in different anatomical parts of the chest. The usage of the PVB for 31 women was analysed. PVB was performed at the levels of Th1, Th2, Th3, Th4, Th5 and Th6, under ultrasound guidance. 1.5 ml of local anesthetic (0,75% solution of ropivacaine) was introduced on each level. The borders of altered pain sensitivity was evaluated using "pin prick" at the notional vertical lines of the chest (paravertebral, scapular, posterior axillary, mid-axillary, midclavicular and sternal). The obtained distances were measured by centimeter ruler. After blockade of spinal nerves from Th1 through Th6, the extent of the blockade of the pain sensitivity was reveded: paravertebral line at 21.7±3.9 cm, along the scapular line is a distance of 19.1±3.6 cm, on posterior axillary line of 14.5±2.6 cm, on an mid-axillary line - of 14.9±3.3 cm on the midclavicular line is 11.9±4.2 cm, sternal line - 5.4±3,3 cm. The decrease in the severity of the blockade on pain sensitivity in the midclavicular line from central to peripheral anatomical areas was observed. 71% of patients on the first day after surgery was not required additional analgesia, in 16% of cases the period of analgesia ranged from 6 to 18 hours. The decrease of the size of analgesia takeplace surface when moving from the spine to the sternum that can significantly affect the quality of anesthesia during operations on the thorax. PVB intercostal nerve Th1-Th6 with small doses of local anesthetic anesthetic is effective in ensuring operations in the amount of radical mastectomy.

Primary closure of large thoracolumbar myelomeningocele with bilateral latissimus dorsi flaps

Object Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most complex congenital malformation of the CNS that is compatible with life. Different closure techniques are available for defect reconstruction, but wound healing and tension-free closure of the skin in the midline remain major considerations in large MMCs. In this study, the authors used bilateral proximally based latissimus dorsi (LD) skin island muscle pedicle flaps for closure of large thoracolumbar MMC defects. Methods Twenty infants with very large thoracolumbar MMCs were enrolled in the study. The mean of age of the patients was 4.1 ± 2.3 months. The width of the MMC was 6 ± 1.2 cm. At operation, 2 triangular V-Y flaps were designed on each side of the defect; the tip of the triangle was extended to the posterior axillary line. The LD flaps based on the thoracodorsal arteries were elevated bilaterally and advanced toward the midline with moderate tension and sutured together. Postoperatively, infants were positioned prone for 7 days and discharged on the 8th day after the operation. They were followed every 2 weeks for evaluation of wound healing. Results The wounds healed without any major complication. There was no dehiscence in the postoperative period. Conclusions The authors recommended bilateral superiorly based LD skin flaps as an effective method for closure of large thoracolumbar MMC defects. Neural tube defects are among the most common of all human birth defects.