Background: Laparoscopic appendectomy is the treatment of choice for acute appendicitis. The optimal technique of appendiceal stump closure is still under discussion because it is assumed to affect the occurrence of complications. The three-port combined technique with laparoscopically assisted extracorporeal base ligation (mesoappendix hemostasis performed intra-abdominally and the appendix ligated extra-abdominally) represents a novel technique with which to ligate the appendiceal stump following laparoscopic appendectomy. We compared this combined technique with the appendix stump treatment technique using an endoscopic loop, for complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis. Material and methods: In the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024, 628 patients under the age of 18 were operated on for appendicitis at the Clinic for Pediatric Surgery of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, 430(68.5%) with open appendectomy and 198(31,5%) with laparoscopic appendectomy We divided all the patients intotwo groups, group A with 102 patients who underwent surgery with a combined laparoscopic method, and group B where the base of the appendix was closed with an endoscopic loop (95 patients).Results: 198 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, of which 123 (62%) were boys and 75 (38%) girls. Of these 198 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery, 102 (52%) were treated using laparoscopically assisted extracorporeal ligation of the base of the appendix, 80 (40%) patients with one endoloop, 15 (8%) with 2 endoloops and only one patient with 1(0.5%) hem-o-lok and an endoloop. Of the 198 patients who were operated laparoscopically, 108 (54%) had complicated appendicitis, 59 (30%) uncomplicated appendicitis and 31 (16%) chronic appendicitis. The average duration of surgery for patients treated with the combined method was 58.61 minutes and with endoscopic loops 69.41 minutes. The average length of hospitalization for patients treated with the combined method was 3.96 days and with endoscopic loops 4.59 days.Conclusions: The three-port combined technique for laparoscopically assisted extracorporeal base ligation of the appendix is a safe, useful, and cost-effective alternative to endoscopic loops, with the advantages of less manipulation, fewer complications involving the appendix, and shorter operative times. This technique is particularly acceptable in resource-limited countries.

We report an infrequent case of a full-term male neonate presenting with a large congenital hernia of the umbilical cord (6 cm × 6 cm) containing only the entire left lobe of the liver. Prenatal ultrasonography suggested an omphalocele; however, the definitive postnatal diagnosis was established based on the presence of a narrow rim of normal skin encircling the umbilical ring and the proximal umbilical cord. Primary closure of the fascial defect was achieved successfully, with no intraoperative or postoperative complications observed. The patient recovered well postoperatively and was discharged in stable condition. Accurate differentiation from an omphalocele is crucial for appropriate management. Unlike omphaloceles, congenital hernias of the umbilical cord (CHUC) typically do not require extensive genetic or cardiac evaluation, and their surgical repair is generally less complex. However, awareness of atypical presentations of CHUC can aid in timely diagnosis, guide surgical planning, and improve clinical outcomes.

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030. Funding Wellcome Trust.

The pseudocyst wall is covered with inflammatory fibrotic tissue, unlike true cysts whose wall is covered with mesothelium. Treatment of abdominal pseudocysts involves resection of the pseudocyst wall and shunt replacement. The above procedure can be done by open or minimal access to the surgical procedure. A 10-year-old girl to whom the VPS is placed comes from long-term abdominal colic and symptoms similar to an acute abdomen. We treated the girl with minimal access to the procedure, performed a resection from the abdominal pseudocyst, and did a VPS replacement. The patient’s postoperative course was satisfactory.

Aggressive fibromatosis, also known as desmoid tumor, is a locally invasive soft tissue lesion arising from connective tissues. Reports in children less than 10 years of age is rare. We report a case of a  desmoid tumor located at the middle and lower third of the left rectus abdominis, in a 2-year-old-boy. Partial resection of the muscle segment and simultaneous reconstruction of the abdominal wall by abdominal fascia was done. The patient had an uneventful recovery. At one year of follow-up neither recurrence nor functional or aesthetic complications were seen.