DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SACROCOCCYGEAL TERATOMA IN CHILDREN
Objective. To evaluate the diagnostic methods and surgical treatment results in children with sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCT) in the Republic of Belarus during 1994 - 2020 yrs. Methods. The study included (n=73) patients with SCT, 55 girls (75.3%), 18 boys (24.7%), correspondently. Ultrasound examination, survey radiography of the abdominal cavity and pelvic bones, computed and magnetic resonance imaging, determination of alpha-fetoprotein have been used for diagnostics. Results. In the Republic of Belarus, SCTs occur with a frequency of 1:37 173 newborns. Antenatally, pathology was detected in 45 (61.6%) cases with gestational age from 20 to 34 weeks (24.7 ± 4.9). I and II types of SCT were detected in 58 (79.5%) patients, III - in 10 (13.7%) and IV - in 5 (6.8%) patients. Mature SCT was diagnosed in 68 (93.2%) patients, immature - in 3 (4.1%) ones , malignant - in 2 (2.7%) patients. 14 patients out of them (19.2%) had multiple congenital anomalies. Radical surgery was performed in 68 children in the first two weeks of life (93.2%). At the age of 2 months 3 children were admitted, at 6 months - 1 child (with recurrent SCP), at 10 months - 1 child, and at 14 months - 1 child. Functional disorders of the pelvic organs (fecal incontinence) were observed in 5 patients. Dysuria disorders were recorded in 16 patients, in the early postoperative period in 9 ones, in the long-term period in 7 patients developed a clinical picture of a neurogenic bladder. Recurrence of SCT was noted after 6 months in one patient (1.4%). Mortality rate out of 72 operated patients died was 4.16%, individuals - 3, morphologically immature tumor was revealed during histological examination of the formation. Conclusion. With timely diagnosis and radical removal of the SCP, the prognosis is considered to be favorable. However, according to our data there are some problems with functional disorders of the pelvic organs ( 9.58%). What this paper adds The incidence rate of sacrococcygeal teratomas in children in the Republic of Belarus has been firstly studied; the results of diagnosis and treatment have been evaluated; the recommendations for follow-up in the postoperative period have been given.