Background: Presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) technique gave a new perspective to presurgical infant orthopedics. Nasal reconstruction presents a challenge for the plastic surgeons in case of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). PNAM facilitates the reshaping of the nasal cartilage and molding of maxillary arch preoperatively. This therapy not only aids the surgical repair of lip but also enhances the overall postsurgical results with negligible postoperative scar. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze nasal changes before and after PNAM in patients with complete UCLP. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of 22 ULCP patients who underwent PNAM before lip surgeries. A series of standard basilar view photographs in 1:1 ratio were taken, and linear measurements were done directly on the photographs. Results: After PNAM therapy, there was highly significant increase in the nostril height, nostril dome height, and columella length (P < 0.001*) and highly significant reduction in the nostril width and nasal basal width (P < 0.001*). Conclusion: Significant improvement in the nasal symmetry was found after PNAM therapy in patients with complete UCLP.

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Purpose: Laparoscopy has become the treatment of choice for acute appendicitis. The aim of the study was to compare open (OA) and laparoscopic (LA) approaches in all forms of acute appendicitis. Methodology: Two hundred and ninety-two children underwent appendectomy (238 LA/54 OA). 3/238 patients required conversion. LA surgical technique has been modified by closing also the distal stump of appendix (DSC) before removing it. Results: Early experience: 130 appendectomy, 44 by OA (34%), and 86 by LA (66%). The mean operative time was similar for both techniques. Complicated appendicitis (CA) was observed in 14 patients (11%). 10 patients treated with OA (10/14 = 71%) and 4 with LA (4/14 = 29%). Complications occurred mainly in the LA group without statistical significance. Late Experience: One hundred and sixty-two appendectomy, 10 OA (6.17%), and 152 LA (93.8%). Thirty-eight children (23.4%) had CA. The mean operative time was lower in LA group without reaching statistical significance. Total complication rate (CR) was 7.4%. CR in patients with DSC was null and significantly lower when compared to patients without DSC. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that nearly all cases of appendicitis may be managed by laparoscopy. Ligature of distal appendiceal stump is a trick that may significantly improve outcomes during LA appendectomy.

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Introduction: Considering the multiplicity of adenotonsillectomy in children 2–10-year old at the paediatric surgery centres, patient anxiety leads to an increase in surgical and anaesthetic complications. Patients' unfamiliarity with surgical and anaesthetic interventions may increase their stress. Midazolam premedication reduces patient anxiety. In previous studies, psychological preparation before surgery using understandable terms to children, has reduced their anxiety. The aim of this study was to compare and study behavioural reflections among the children in two groups: the first group was prescribed oral midazolam, and the second group received psychological preparation with the booklet about anaesthesia and anaesthesia-resident explanation. Materials and Methods: This study is a clinical trial conducted on 48 children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Children in the first group (midazolam group) received oral midazolam 0.5 mg/kg, 20 min before surgery. A booklet containing pictures and information about anaesthesia and the operating room was given to the second group (psychological preparation group) the night before surgery and anaesthesia resident explained the booklet to the children. The anxiety level was measured in both groups using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children questionnaire the night before surgery and on the morning of surgery (after giving midazolam to Group II). The results were analysed using SPSS. Results: In this study, 58.3% of the first group and 45.8% of the second group were male. The mean age of the first and second groups was 8.45 ± 1.86 and 9.12 ± 1.72 years, respectively. The anxiety in the first group significantly decreased in the morning before surgery compared to the night before operation (P < 0.001). The anxiety in the second group significantly decreased in the morning before surgery compared to the night before as well (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that midazolam and psychological preparation prior to surgery can reduce the anxiety of children before adenotonsillectomy.

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Introduction: Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease depends on rectal biopsy. This study was designed to find an alternate diagnostic modality to exclude Hirschsprung's disease. Aim: The aim of this study was to find the predictive value of delayed retention of contrast in excluding Hirschsprung's disease. Materials and Methods: All cases of chronic constipation presenting during the study duration from June 2014 to June 2016 were included. Those without any obvious history of conservative management were excluded. Parameters considered in barium enema were initial film, routine films, and delayed retention of contrast at 24, 48, and 72 h. They were then subjected to rectal biopsy. The results of rectal biopsy and barium enema were analyzed. Results: One hundred and thirty-eight patients presented during the study duration. One hundred and twenty-eight formed the study group. The average age of presentation was 48 months (range, 1–144). The average duration of prior medical management was 8 months (range, 6–48 months). Forty-two cases were diagnosed as Hirschsprung's disease on rectal biopsy. The symptoms resolved in 31 cases after rectal biopsy and 42 cases after definitive surgery. In the remaining 55 cases, dietary modification along with laxatives was instituted, and they were kept under follow-up. The average follow-up was 12 months (range, 6–48 months). Of the various parameters in barium enema, delayed retention of contrast at 48 h had the highest negative predictive value of 99.67%. Conclusion: Delayed retention of contrast at 48 h has the highest negative predictive value in excluding Hirschsprung's disease. This can safely be used to exclude Hirschsprung's disease in cases of chronic constipation.

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Background: Conventionally, it is well accepted that the intestinal obstructions in children, especially gastric outlet obstruction are associated with significant metabolic derangement which has impact on its outcome. The study aimed to compare the metabolic profile and treatment outcome of pre- and post-ampullary gastrointestinal obstruction in children at a tertiary care setting. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 30 children with intestinal obstruction and categorised into Group 1 (pre-ampullary, n = 11) and Group 2 (post-ampullary, n = 19) as per their anatomical site of pathology. Patients were evaluated at both pre- and post-operative period (Day 1 and 10) with haematological, biochemical and blood gas. The pre- and post-operative metabolic profile, resuscitative time and outcome were compared in two groups. Results: Except mild leucocytosis (Group II > I), rest of the pre-operative and post-operative haematological parameters were within normal range and statistically comparable among groups. Although the pre-operative sodium values were within the normal limit in both groups, it was relatively higher in Group I (Group I = 137.82 ± 4.238 vs. Group II = 134.26 ± 4.653), (P = 0.04). The mean bicarbonate values were within the normal limit in both groups (22.49 and 19.34), but the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.031). Mean partial pressure of carbon dioxide level was higher than normal range in Group I (38.464 ± 20.6493) but was comparable with Group II (P = 0.15). The time required for pre-operative resuscitation was 16.6 versus 24.87 h in Group I versus Group II (P = 0.02). In Group I, all children were improved, whereas four children expired in Group II. Conclusion: Metabolic profile in both pre- and post-ampullary intestinal obstruction was found to be normal in majority of the scenario. Children with post-ampullary obstruction need extensive pre-operative resuscitation and have relatively poor outcome.

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Aim of the Study: We aimed to compare the management of pediatric benign ovarian tumors between an English center and three Egyptian institutions. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of all children presenting with benign ovarian tumors between January 2014 and January 2019. A standardized dataset was used to compare between both sides. Results: Eighty-nine patients were included (54 English and 35 Egyptians). Median age at diagnosis in England was 13 years (2-16y), while in Egypt it was 7 years (9m-16y) with P =0.001. Mature teratomas or dermoid cysts were the most common findings in England and Egypt; 75.9% and 82.8% of cases, respectively. The presentation with an acute abdomen represented 27.8% of English and 28.6% of Egyptian patients. Incidentally diagnosed lesions constituted 15% of English patients, whereas none of the Egyptian cases were discovered incidentally. There were variations in diagnostic imaging; England: Ultrasound (USS) (54), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (37), and computed tomography (CT) (only one)–Egypt: USS (35), CT (17), and MRI (only one). Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was performed in 15% of English and 23% of Egyptian patients (P = 0.334). Ovarian-sparing surgery (OSS) was performed in: England 35%, Egypt 37%; P = 0.851. OSS was performed using MIS in 87.5% (7/8) of English patients and 100% (8/8) of Egyptians. Patients presented as emergencies generally had open oophorectomies: England; 86.7% open and 80% oophorectomy–Egypt; 100% open and 90% oophorectomy. Recurrences or metachronous disease occurred in 5.6% of English and 5.7% of Egyptian patients. Conclusions: There were no significant differences regarding surgical management, tumor pathology, and recurrence or metachronous disease. However, age, incidental diagnosis, and imaging modalities showed notable differences. MIS was correlated with ovarian preservation, whereas emergency surgery generally resulted in open oophorectomy.

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Aim: To study various risk factors which leads to head injury, severity of head injury and to compare survival as predicted by the Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS) in pediatric patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: 300 consecutive pediatric patients below 12 years of age with head injury admitted in our institute were analysed as per a set proforma. Data pertaining to patient's demographic details, mode of injury, computed tomography (CT) findings, type of management, severity of head injury, and outcome were recorded. The results were tabulated and analyzed. RTS and PTS scores were calculated to predict the survival of an individual patient. Results: The most commonly affected age group was 1–5 years. Boys outnumbered girls in the incidence. Fall was the most common injury, with road traffic accident being the most common cause of mortality. Skull fracture was the most common CT scan finding. Most of the patients presented with mild head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale 13–15), and they improved with conservative management only. RTS and PTS scores were calculated and were equally effective in predicting the outcome for a particular patient. Conclusion: Head injury occurs more commonly in 1–5 years' age group due to fall from unprotected roof tops. The overall prognosis in majority of the cases is excellent. However, road traffic accident shows the highest mortality and hence, we propose to include mode of injury as a variable for designing future predictive outcome models.

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Background: In our institution, we avoid emergency nighttime appendectomies, instead performing the surgery during daylight hours the following day. We examined whether emergency or early appendectomies affect the outcome of patient morbidity. Materials and Methods: Medical records of children treated for appendicitis between 2010 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes were compared between Group 1, defined as those patients who presented to the hospital during the day and underwent appendectomy on the same day and Group 2, defined as those patients who presented to the hospital at night and underwent appendectomy the next day. Incidences of perforation at surgery, operative time, complications and length of stay were analysed. Cases with perforation were also analysed to determine if the perforations could have been identified preoperatively. Results: A total of 74 patients met the study criteria, including 41 and 33 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of perforation at surgery, operative time, complications and length of stay. A total of nine cases of perforation were identified during surgery, and there were no significant differences in the pre-operative characteristics between perforated and non-perforated cases. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that early appendectomy is safe and did not increase patient morbidity. We, therefore, recommend performing appendectomies in the daytime.

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