Aim:To analyze our experience with laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis for the lessons that we learnt and to study the effect of learning curve.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective analysis of case records of 101 infants who underwent laparoscopic pyloromyotomy over 6 years. The demographic characteristics, conversion rate, operative time, complications, time to first feed and post-operative hospital stay were noted. The above parameters were compared between our early cases (2007-2009) (n = 43) and the later cases (2010-2013) (n = 58).Results:89 male and 12 female babies ranging in age from 12 days to 4 months (mean: 43.4 days) were operated upon during this period. The babies ranged in weight from 1.8 to 4.7 kg (mean: 3.1 kg). Four cases were converted to open (3.9%): three due to mucosal perforations and one due to technical problem. The mean operative time was 45.7 minutes (49.7 minutes in the first 3 years and 43.0 minutes in the next 3 years). There were 10 complications-4 mucosal perforations, 5 inadequate pyloromyotomies and 1 omental prolapse through a port site. All the complications were effectively handled with minimum morbidity. In the first 3 years of our experience the conversion rate was 9.3%, mucosal perforations were 6.9% and re-do rate was 2.3% as compared to 0%, 1.7% and 6.9%, respectively, in the next 3 years. Mean time for starting feeds was 21.4 hours and mean post-operative hospital stay was 2.4 days.Conclusion:Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is a safe procedure with minimal morbidity and reasonable operative times. Conversion rates and operative times decrease as experience increases. Our rate of inadequate pyloromyotomy was rather high which we hope to decrease with further experience.

Invasive fungal infection is common in the present day NICUs - generally manifesting as candiduria or candida sepsis. Fungal balls in the kidneys are very uncommon and most are amenable to higher antifungal agents. However, we had a child who did not respond to such measures and ultimately needed a surgical removal of the fungal ball in his kidney.We report this case along with a review of literature to highlight about this uncommon, but an important cause of persistent sepsis in pre-term infants and to review the treatment options including a surgical removal.

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Management of bilateral Wilms' tumor is particularly challenging, considering the chances of recurrence and long-term renal function for affected patients. Aggressive surgical resection to prevent recurrence must be balanced with the desire to preserve renal function. We evaluated our experience in the management of bilateral Wilms' tumor stressing the challenges encountered in decision making and the role of nephron sparing surgery. We had four children presenting with bilateral Wilms' tumor. All of them were appropriately staged and given standard chemotherapy as per NWTS-5 guidelines. Tumors were considered to have a 'good' response to chemotherapy if sufficient tumor shrinkage was observed so that renal hilum was seen free of tumor and vice versa. Nephron-sparing surgery was considered in all and was performed when feasible, followed by completion adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients were followed up with serial ultrasound scans (3-6 monthly) and CECT abdomen (yearly once). Blood urea and serum creatinine, hypertension, and proteinuria were assessed during follow-up visits. All four children received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy as per NWTS-5 guidelines. The first child had poor response to chemotherapy and was considered for left radical and right partial nephrectomy. However, patient attenders refused any surgical intervention and the child was taken home. The second child had a 'good' response on left side and was planned for left partial and right radical nephroureterectomy based on pre-operative imaging analysis. However, intra-operatively, bilateral partial nephrectomy with good margins was feasible. The third child though, showed 'poor' response to pre-op chemotherapy and warranted bilateral nephroureterectomy, right partial and left radical nephroureterectomy was feasible. However, in the fourth child, we were not able to perform nephron sparing surgery and left nephroureterectomy with right tumor biopsy was done. Following this, child was started on 2nd-line chemotherapy, now awaiting right partial nephrectomy. The second child is on follow up for 1.5 years, doing well. However, the third child expired 1.5 years following surgery due to recurrence (lung metastasis). Management of bilateral Wilm's tumor is challenging and nephron-sparing surgery should be considered in all patients having bilateral Wilm's tumor with favorable histology, even if pre-operative imaging studies suggest that the lesions are unresectable.

Background: Gastroschisis is a common neonatal malformation, with an incidence of 0.4-3 per 10,000 live births worldwide. Objective: This study was planned to assess the feasibility of bedside reduction of gastroschisis (BRG) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at our institution. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of newborns with gastroschisis managed at our institution between September 2008 and May 2013. Initial bedside reduction in NICU was attempted in all the neonates procedure was done underlocal anesthesia. Incision was extended transversely on the lateral aspect when required. Gradual reduction of bowel loops done with monitoring of parameters. Complete abdominal wall closure in multiple layers/skin closure only was done based on intra-abdominal tension. The final outcome was recorded. Results: During the study period of 60-month, 10 children were treated for gastroschisis at our institution. The sex ratio among them was 8:2 in favor of males. The average age was 23 h (range: 4-72 h). The average birth weight of the babies was 2290 g (range: 1700-2600 g). Six patients were in the high-risk group and 4 in the low-risk group. The BRG was successful in 7 patients and a silo was placed in 3 patients who did not tolerate BRG. General anesthesia was required in 3 patients only for subsequent repair. The overall survival was 70%. Conclusion: BRG is a feasible and safe option. Selective use of silo, gradual staged bowel reduction, and delayed primary closure of the defect can be done on the bedside when attempted BRG is unsuccessful.