Category Archives: Global Surgery

PUBLISHED: Pediatric Infant Bilateral Open Inguinal Hernia Repair – Twin B

Pediatric Infant Bilateral Open Inguinal Hernia Repair – Twin B
Casey L. Meier, RN1Lissa Henson, MD2Domingo Alvear, MD3
1Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons
3World Surgical Foundation

Indirect inguinal hernia repair is a common procedure for premature infants because of the frequency of a patent processus vaginalis. Prompt surgical correction decreases the risk of incarceration, strangulation, and necrosis in children. There are various techniques for herniorrhaphy. This repair demonstrates an open bilateral indirect inguinal hernia repair in an infant that avoids high ligation by closing the internal inguinal ring, utilizing a purse-string method to keep the hernia sac intact. This approach limits the amount of anesthesia used and prevents excess bleeding, making it safe, effective and efficient.

PUBLISHED: Scrotal Hydrocelectomy Made Simple During a Surgical Mission

Scrotal Hydrocelectomy Made Simple During a Surgical Mission
Jaymie Ang Henry, MD, MPH1Lissa Henson, MD2Domingo Alvear, MD3
1Florida Atlantic University, G4 Alliance
2Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons
3World Surgical Foundation

A hydrocele is a condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of serous fluid between the layers of the tunica vaginalis in the scrotum. While most hydroceles are typically asymptomatic or subclinical, larger ones can cause discomfort, heaviness, and cosmetic concerns. The surgical management of hydroceles aims to alleviate symptoms, improve cosmetic appearance, and prevent potential complications associated with untreated hydroceles, such as testicular ischemia or chronic pain.

This video highlights the surgeon’s expertise and attention to detail, ensuring a thorough and meticulous surgical technique. The step-by-step approach and clear communication with the surgical team facilitate a smooth and efficient procedure. The importance of this surgical technique extends beyond the individual patient. Providing a simplified and effective treatment option for hydroceles has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems, particularly in resource-limited settings or during surgical missions. Overall, the video serves as a valuable educational resource for surgical trainees and practitioners, demonstrating a simplified and effective approach to the treatment of scrotal hydroceles.

PUBLISHED: Colon Interposition to Replace an Absent Esophagus is the Procedure of Choice in Low-Income Countries

Colon Interposition to Replace an Absent Esophagus is the Procedure of Choice in Low-Income Countries
Yoko Young Sang, MD1Caroll Alvarado Lemus, MD2Domingo Alvear, MD3
1Louisiana State University Shreveport
2Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital, Honduras
3World Surgical Foundation

This surgical video article offers a comprehensive demonstration of the colon interposition procedure, highlighting the critical operative steps and technical nuances involved in performing a successful esophageal replacement, particularly in resource-limited settings, where advanced treatment options such as gastric pull-up or jejunal interposition may be limited. Colon interposition remains a viable solution for restoring swallowing function in patients with EA or other esophageal disorders requiring esophageal replacement.

By providing a detailed visual representation of the surgical process, this video serves as a valuable educational resource for surgeons and healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with EA or related conditions. It underscores the importance of meticulous surgical technique, vascular preservation, and careful planning to ensure successful outcomes. Moreover, the video emphasizes the crucial role of multidisciplinary care in managing these complex cases. The involvement of specialists in pediatric surgery, anesthesiology, and intensive care is essential for optimizing patient outcomes and addressing potential complications.

PUBLISHED: Abdominal Hysterectomy as a Surgical Approach in Large Fibroids

Abdominal Hysterectomy as a Surgical Approach in Large Fibroids
Jasmine Phun1Col. Arthur C. Wittich, DO2
1Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University
2Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (Retired)

Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are usually benign masses that are most commonly found in women of reproductive age. Fibroids are usually asymptomatic and tend to be incidental findings on ultrasound. When clinically relevant, however, patients report symptoms such as menorrhagia, pelvic pain, and bulk-related symptoms.

Treatment of symptomatic fibroids may be pharmaceutical with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, radiological using MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (or magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound), or minimally-invasive uterine artery embolization, but the treatment is largely surgical.

There are many different surgical approaches that can be utilized, including myomectomy or hysterectomy. Treatment of choice depends on multiple factors, including the severity of symptoms, size of fibroids, and patient’s desire to preserve fertility. However, out of all of the different surgical techniques available, hysterectomy is the only definitive treatment for these patients. Here, an abdominal hysterectomy was performed on a 45-year-old patient with symptomatic uterine fibroids.

PUBLISHED: Pediatric Infant Bilateral Open Inguinal Hernia Repair – Twin A

Pediatric Infant Bilateral Open Inguinal Hernia Repair – Twin A
Shai I. B. Stewart, MD1Lissa Henson, MD2Domingo Alvear, MD3
1Howard University Hospital
2Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons
3World Surgical Foundation

An inguinal hernia (IH) is a protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through the inguinal canal that can arise at any time from infancy to adulthood. It is more common in males with a lifetime risk of 27% as compared to 3% in females. Most pediatric IHs are congenital and caused by failure of the peritoneum to close, resulting in a patent processus vaginalis (PPV). IH present as a bulge in the groin area that can become more prominent when crying, coughing, straining, or standing up, and disappears when lying down. Diagnosis is based on a thorough medical history and physical examination, but imaging tests such as ultrasound can be used when the diagnosis is not readily apparent. IHs are generally classified as indirect, direct, and femoral based on the site of herniation relative to surrounding structures. Indirect hernias protrude lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels, through the deep inguinal ring. Direct hernias protrude medial to the inferior epigastric vessels, within Hesselbach’s triangle. Femoral hernias protrude through the small and inflexible femoral ring. In infants and children, IH are always operated on to prevent incarceration.

Surgical correction in infants and children is done by high ligation of the hernia sac only, called a herniotomy. Here, we present a female infant with bilateral IH. Upon exploration, a hernia sac was found, and ligation was performed bilaterally. In female patients, it is believed that failure of the closure of the canal of Nuck alongside the round ligament of the uterus is the etiology. Oftentimes there is a “sliding hernia” where the ovary and or the fallopian tube is attached to the sac, sometimes the uterus itself is attached.

PUBLISHED: Right Orchiopexy to Correct Undescended Testicle and Circumcision to Correct Phimosis

Right Orchiopexy to Correct Undescended Testicle and Circumcision to Correct Phimosis
Lissa Henson, MD1Domingo Alvear, MD2
1Capitol Medical Center, Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons
2World Surgical Foundation

Cryptorchidism, or undescended testis, is a condition in which one or both testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum during fetal development. Phimosis, on the other hand, is a condition characterized by the inability to retract the foreskin over the glans penis.

This video serves as a step-by-step guide on orchiopexy to correct an undescended testicle and circumcision to correct phimosis. The importance of this surgical intervention lies in the preservation of testicular function, fertility potential, and the prevention of long-term complications associated with cryptorchidism. Early treatment is crucial, as it significantly reduces the risk of testicular damage and associated complications.

PUBLISHED: Squamous Cell Carcinoma Excision from Right Forearm with Split-Thickness Skin Graft from the Thigh

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Excision from Right Forearm with Split-Thickness Skin Graft from the Thigh
Geoffrey G. Hallock, MD
Sacred Heart Campus, St. Luke’s Hospital

Skin is the largest organ by surface area of the body and is essential to prevent dehydration as the first barrier to infection, permit unrestricted movement, and provide a normal profile and appearance. A skin graft is a paper-thin piece of skin that has no fat or other body tissues attached and has been completely removed from its blood supply. Therefore, a skin graft can be transferred anywhere in the body as long as where placed, the so-called recipient site, does have a sufficient blood supply to nourish the skin until new blood vessels can grow into it within a short timeframe. Otherwise, if that does not occur, the graft will shrivel up and die. The downside even of a successful skin graft is the variable final color and inharmonious appearance of the skin, a tendency to contract possibly causing deformities especially limiting motion across joints, and similar healing issues at a second wound, that is the donor site of the graft itself. Nevertheless, this is a rapidly performed surgical procedure requiring but the simplest of instrumentation for the harvest of that graft that can then permit replacement of extensive skin deficiencies. In this video article, these virtues are displayed as a split-thickness skin graft is used to replace the skin missing following the removal of a large squamous cell skin cancer of the forearm.

PUBLISHED: Bilateral Syndactyly Release of Third and Fourth Fingers

Bilateral Syndactyly Release of Third and Fourth Fingers
Sudhir B. Rao, MD1Mark N. Perlmutter, MS, MD, FICS, FAANOS2Arya S. Rao3Grant Darner4
1Big Rapids Orthopaedics
2Carolina Regional Orthopaedics
3Columbia University
4Duke University School of Medicine

Amniotic band syndrome, or constriction ring syndrome, happens when a developing fetus gets tangled in the fibrous bands of the amniotic sac. Sometimes, fingers and toes can become trapped in these fibrous bands, with results ranging from amputation of the digits, to fusion of the fingers or toes, termed syndactyly. Syndactyly is amongst the most frequent congenital hand anomaly and is termed simple when the digits are connected by soft tissue only, and complex when one or more phalanges are fused. In complicated syndactyly, there are additional bony elements in between the digits making it challenging if not impossible to separate safely.

The patient in this case is a 1-year-old male with complex syndactyly of the left hand and simple syndactyly of the right hand. Here, both sides are released, with the left side involving a full-thickness skin graft taken from the patient’s groin crease. This case was filmed during a surgical mission with the World Surgical Foundation in Honduras.

PUBLISHED: Flexor Digitorum Superficialis to Flexor Digitorum Profundus (STP) Transfer, Adductor Release, and Z-Plasty for a Pediatric, Stroke-Induced Left Hand Spastic Contracture

Flexor Digitorum Superficialis to Flexor Digitorum Profundus (STP) Transfer, Adductor Release, and Z-Plasty for a Pediatric, Stroke-Induced Left Hand Spastic Contracture
Sudhir B. Rao, MD1Mark N. Perlmutter, MS, MD, FICS, FAANOS2Arya S. Rao3
1Big Rapids Orthopaedics
2Carolina Regional Orthopaedics
3Columbia University

This video article demonstrate surgical correction of a severe hand deformity in a teenage girl with spastic hemiplegia. This patient has a non-functioning hand due to severe spasticity. Correction of the deformity is indicated primarily to facilitate hygiene and improve the position of the fingers. In some patients with volitional control, a certain degree of prehension may be achieved. The basic principles of deformity correction include differential sectioning of sublimis and profundus tendons followed by repair in a lengthened position. The first web contracture is released by muscular release and a skin Z-plasty.

PUBLISHED: Pediatric Bilateral Indirect Inguinal Herniotomy

Pediatric Bilateral Indirect Inguinal Herniotomy
Beda Espineda, MD
Philippine Children’s Medical Center

This video presents a case of bilateral open indirect inguinal herniotomy. The patient, a 12-year-old male, presented to the medical facility with complaints of bilateral protruding masses in the inguinal regions. These masses have been causing him discomfort and pain, particularly during physical exertion. Upon palpation, the masses exhibited an elastic consistency, increased in size during bearing in a standing position, and were found to be reducible when the patient was in a supine position. The patient’s mother reported that these bulges have been present since his birth. Following a comprehensive clinical evaluation, a clinical diagnosis of congenital bilateral inguinal hernia was made. Consequently, a decision was made to perform a bilateral open inguinal herniotomy with high ligation of the hernia sac.

This video demonstrates the essential steps of a bilateral indirect inguinal herniotomy in a pediatric patient, highlighting the importance of proper anatomical dissection, identification of crucial structures, and the high ligation technique for successful hernia repair in children. The detailed procedural description, coupled with the emphasis on anatomical landmarks and technical nuances, makes this video a valuable educational resource for surgical trainees, who are learning the principles and techniques of pediatric inguinal hernia repair.