Purpose: Appendicitis is the most frequent urgency in pediatric age; the aim of this study was to investigate the association of quarantine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic and the incidence of pediatric appendicitis in a specific macro area. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent surgical exploration for acute appendicitis in the period March–April since 2014. This specific quarantine period was divided into two phases as indicated by National government. Patient data, demographics, characteristics and outcomes were studied and evaluated comparing patients treated during quarantine especially phase 1 vs. phase 2 (March–April 2020). Results: After reviewing medical charts following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 155 patients were studied; focusing on the final outcome, it is possible to show a decreased amount of appendicitis during phase 1 and a progressive increase during phase 2; respect to previous years, there was a statistical increase in severity of appendicitis during quarantine (gangrenous vs. phlegmonous appendicitis). Conclusion During this specific quarantine there was a reduction in appendicitis and a progressive increase during phase 2. These results offer new perspective among disease incidences during lockdown.

Purpose: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is the most common cause of gastric obstruction in newborns. Extra-mucosal pyloromyotomy can be performed through a small laparotomy or laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare the two surgical techniques.We also analyzed the incidence of HPS in infants in the last 10 years in relation to the demographic trend of our province. Methods: We analyzed all the cases of HPS treated at our Unit between January 2010 and December 2019. The data were obtained from operating systems. Data about the demographic trends, in particular, the number of births and the population residing in the province of Verona from 2010 to 2019, were also retrieved. Results: During the study period, 60 patients were treated for HPS and met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 56 males and 4 females with an average age of 38±14 days at surgery were included. No differences were found in terms of the duration of surgery, post-operative complications, duration of hospitalization, and weight at the time of surgery. The only statistically significant data was the chlorine level in cases with and without post-operative vomiting (97±3.5 vs. 102±3.3 mmol/L, p<0.05). There was a lower incidence of HPS from 2014 to 2019; however, there was no significant evidence regarding the correlation between this and the reduced birth rate recorded in the province of Verona during the same period. Conclusion Although laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is a highly complex procedure, it is a feasible alternative to the classic open technique.

Purpose: Appendicitis is the most frequent urgency in pediatric age; the aim of this study was to investigate the association of quarantine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic and the incidence of pediatric appendicitis in a specific macro area. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent surgical exploration for acute appendicitis in the period March–April since 2014. This specific quarantine period was divided into two phases as indicated by National government. Patient data, demographics, characteristics and outcomes were studied and evaluated comparing patients treated during quarantine especially phase 1 vs. phase 2 (March–April 2020). Results: After reviewing medical charts following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 155 patients were studied; focusing on the final outcome, it is possible to show a decreased amount of appendicitis during phase 1 and a progressive increase during phase 2; respect to previous years, there was a statistical increase in severity of appendicitis during quarantine (gangrenous vs. phlegmonous appendicitis). Conclusion During this specific quarantine there was a reduction in appendicitis and a progressive increase during phase 2. These results offer new perspective among disease incidences during lockdown.

Purpose: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is the most common cause of gastric obstruction in newborns. Extra-mucosal pyloromyotomy can be performed through a small laparotomy or laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare the two surgical techniques.We also analyzed the incidence of HPS in infants in the last 10 years in relation to the demographic trend of our province. Methods: We analyzed all the cases of HPS treated at our Unit between January 2010 and December 2019. The data were obtained from operating systems. Data about the demographic trends, in particular, the number of births and the population residing in the province of Verona from 2010 to 2019, were also retrieved. Results: During the study period, 60 patients were treated for HPS and met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 56 males and 4 females with an average age of 38±14 days at surgery were included. No differences were found in terms of the duration of surgery, post-operative complications, duration of hospitalization, and weight at the time of surgery. The only statistically significant data was the chlorine level in cases with and without post-operative vomiting (97±3.5 vs. 102±3.3 mmol/L, p<0.05). There was a lower incidence of HPS from 2014 to 2019; however, there was no significant evidence regarding the correlation between this and the reduced birth rate recorded in the province of Verona during the same period. Conclusion Although laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is a highly complex procedure, it is a feasible alternative to the classic open technique.

Purpose: The treatment and long term clinical outcomes of anorectal malformations (ARM) in children have always been the focus of pediatric surgeons. This study aimed at reporting our experience as far as long-term follow-up of ARM in children is concern. Methods: We enrolled patients treated between 1999 and 2019, and established selection criteria to choose appropriate subjects. A validated questionnaire was used to determine long-term quality of life outcomes. Results: Out of a total of 48 patients treated within the study period, 28 were enrolled in this study. Among the latter, more than 35% had at least one long-time complication, and more than 90% had a good lifestyle. Urinary and fecal continence was achieved in more than 95% of the patients using medical devices. Conclusion This study aimed to bring up new concepts; taking into consideration all aspects of life in patients with ARM, from school life to sexuality, while evaluating fecal and urinary continence. This is essential for the improvement of the skills of the different specialists involved in the management of these patients, and for the implementation of strategies that can improve postoperative function. Most especially, it will also help improve communication between doctors to ensure an adequate transition of these children into adult life.

Genital dissatisfaction is well known in female and adults. Less is known about male adolescents and their genital satisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate and report the role of surgery in male adolescents to improve the evaluation of their genitalia. We considered all patients treated for external genital pathology in the period of adolescence. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were created. Patients underwent an evaluation test before and after surgery. During the study period, 137 patients were treated, and at the end of the study, 98 cases were considered for analysis. The most frequent pathologies were webbed penis and penile curvature. A postoperative score improvement was noted and patients with concealed penis and webbed penis showed a better postoperative outcome. Overweight was considered an important factor associated with a worse preoperative score. Evaluation of the external genitalia is important in adolescents, and it is an understudied problem. Overweight may be associated with a worse evaluation of one's genital and should be clinically considered to avoid related social problems in adulthood. Therefore, cosmetic genital surgery should be considered even in male adolescents.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Male/surgery* ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Male ; Overweight ; Penile Diseases ; Penis/surgery*

Male ; Adult ; Humans ; Spermatic Cord Torsion/surgery* ; Orchiectomy