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J M Gatti

Publications and source records attributed to J M Gatti.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Acute urinary retention in children.

PURPOSE: Acute urinary retention is relatively infrequent in children. There are a variety of causes that are poorly defined in the literature, and they differ greatly from those seen most frequently in adults. We review our experience with pediatric patients presenting with urinary retention to 2 major metropolitan children's hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records from Egleston and Scottish Rite Hospitals for Children were reviewed for a 6-year period for the diagnosis of urinary retention. Urinary retention was defined as inability to empty the bladder volitionally for greater than 12 hours with a volume of urine greater than expected for age ([age in years + 2] x 30 cc) or a palpably distended bladder. All cases resulting postoperatively and believed secondary to surgical dissection, narcotic use or immobility, and children previously diagnosed with chronic neurological disorders and voiding dysfunction or with reduced mental status were excluded from study. The majority of these encounters were emergency department visits specifically for acute urinary retention. RESULTS: We identified 53 children meeting these criteria, including 37 boys 6 months to 17 years old and 16 girls 1 to 17 years old. Etiologies included neurological processes in 17%, severe voiding dysfunction in 15%, urinary tract infection in 13%, constipation in 13%, adverse drug effect in 13%, local inflammatory causes in 7%, locally invading neoplasms in 6%, benign obstructing lesions in 6%, idiopathic in 6%, combined urinary tract infection and constipation in 2%, and incarcerated inguinal hernia in 2% of cases. Adverse drug effects and dysfunctional voiding were implicated 3 times as often in males than females (16% versus 6% and 19% versus 6%, respectively). Urinary tract infections were 6 times more common in females (31% versus 5%). Constipation and local inflammatory processes were twice as common in females than males (19% versus 11% and 12% versus 5%, respectively). Local neoplasms, benign obstruction and idiopathic causes were found exclusively in males. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary retention in children is a relatively rare entity but there is a significant incidence of neurological abnormalities in this population. If a clear reason for this condition cannot be delineated based on history, physical examination and laboratory assessment, these patients should undergo prompt neurological evaluation and appropriate imaging studies.

Acute Disease↗

Comparison of laparoscopic versus open nephrectomy in the pediatric population.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic renal surgery has become an accepted approach for benign disease in adults. We compare our experience with laparoscopic and open nephrectomy in a pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 pediatric patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy and an additional 10 consecutive children underwent similar open procedures. All patients had benign disease and were treated at a single institution. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for relevant clinical data. RESULTS: Planned surgery was completed in all cases. There were no conversions to open surgery in the laparoscopic group. Mean operative time was 175.6 versus 120.2 minutes (p = 0.01) and mean hospital stay was 22.5 versus 41.3 hours (p = 0.03) in the laparoscopic and open nephrectomy groups, respectively. Blood loss was not statistically different. Analgesic use was qualitatively less in the laparoscopic nephrectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy may be performed safely in children. While operative time was somewhat longer in our initial laparoscopic series, postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter than for open surgery. Further experience with this technique is warranted.

Child↗

Percutaneous endoscopic trigonoplasty in children: long-term outcomes and modifications in technique.

PURPOSE: Long-term outcomes of a minimally invasive method of correcting vesicoureteral reflux are presented with a discussion of the modification in our original technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 29 children (46 refluxing ureters), 14 months to 18 years old, underwent percutaneous endoscopic trigonoplasty (PET) between December 1994 and June 1996. Follow-up ranged from 19 to 37 months. Reflux was grade 1 in 2, grade 2 in 16, grade 3 in 19, grade 4 in 8, and grade 5 in 1. The technique was a Gil-Vernet method in the first 23 patients and Cohen reimplantation in the last 6 patients. RESULTS: Resolution of reflux was observed to decrease from 63% to 47% with long-term (30-37 months') follow-up using the Gil-Vernet technique. Resolution was greater with unilateral reflux than bilateral reflux (83% v. 27%, respectively). The Cohen technique resulted in resolution of reflux in 83%; however, the operating time nearly doubled when compared with the Gil-Vernet group. In both groups, failure was unrelated to grade of reflux, age, operative sequence, or bladder instability. CONCLUSIONS: Although showing an improvement in resolution of reflux over the Gil-Vernet PET procedure, the Cohen PET reimplant has a lower success rate than traditional open operative reimplants. The PET also requires more operating time and two operating surgeons. Despite some advantages in the promptness of recovery, we do not recommend PET by either technique at this time. Future modifications may make this approach more tenable.

Adolescent↗

Staging of testis cancer. Combining serum markers, histologic parameters, and radiographic imaging.

Treatment of testis cancer has improved dramatically over the last 25 years with cure rates that now approach 95%. This success in treatment is the result of multimodal therapy that may include cisplatinum-based chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Although there is little dispute that chemotherapy is appropriate as initial treatment for advanced testis cancer, controversy remains regarding the management of early stage B and stage A testis cancer. In part, the current controversy is driven by the performance characteristics of presently available staging methods, that may include serum markers, histologic parameters from orchietomy specimens, and radiographic imaging. This article reviews the performance characteristics and use of these staging methods.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

[Analgesics].

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Analgesics↗

Renal abscess in children. A rare but important radiological diagnosis.

As in adults, renal abscess in children mimicks a tumoral syndrome. Renal abscess, although infrequent, should however be kept in mind because it is important to make an early diagnosis. The reason is simply that the treatment fo the two conditions is so different. Furthermore, an early accurate diagnosis avoids unnecessary investigations, such as arteriography, as well as unnecessary surgery. Four cases are reported in which the diagnosis of abscess was obtained by correlating both clinical and radiological findings. In only one case was arteriography performed and this was after treatment and it was normal. For an early diagnosis intravenous urography is of paramount importance. It shows a tumoral radiological pattern; in the context of clinical signs of suppuration (high fever, high leucocyte count and variably a urinary tract infection). The radiological findings suggest the diagnosis of abscess. On treatment the rapid regression and disappearance of the various clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings confirms the diagnosis of renal abscess.

Abscess↗