Pediatric Surgery International最新文献

Purpose: Study was designed in order to evaluate the discrepancies between surgical and histological diagnosis in pediatric acute appendicitis (AA) and to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic (LA) and open appendectomies (OA).

Methods: In a retrospective observational cohort, AA patients were included under 18 years of age, operated between 2011 and 2020. Surgical diagnosis was defined by the operating surgeon. The histological findings were classified as uncomplicated and complicated AA. The LOS and complications were also statistically analyzed.

Results: Altogether, 1444 patients were included. Significant strong correlation and a moderate to substantial agreement were found between the surgeon's and the histopathological findings in all appendectomy cases (weighted kappa value in OA: 0.633, LA: 0.639, total sample: 0.637). If the surgeon's diagnosis was less severe than the pathologist's, the LOS was 4 (3;7) days, whereas if the surgical diagnosis was correct, the LOS was 3 (3;5) days (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: In contrary to the literature, our study revealed a strong correlation and moderate agreement between the intraoperative and histopathological findings regarding the severity of AA. Complicated cases are distinctly recognizable during the surgery. In case the surgeon underestimates the severity of AA, the chance of complications is higher.

Level of evidence: II.

Purpose: We investigate the histopathology of the portal vein branches and lymphatic vessels to elucidate the mechanism of atrophy of the left lateral segment (LLS) of the liver in biliary atresia (BA).

Methods: LLS and right anterior segment (RAS) liver biopsy samples obtained during Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) from ten consecutive patients with BA underwent histopathological investigation of the portal vein and lymphatic vessels using double chromogenic immunostaining for CD31/D2-40 and the hepatitis-like findings (HLF) score. Each parameter and clinical data were compared between prognostic groups.

Results: HLF scores in the LLS were always higher than those in the RAS. There was no difference in portal vein and lymphatic vascular morphology, whereas the number of lymphatic vessels was correlated with the fibrotic area of all specimen areas. Left-to-right ratio of the number of lymphatic vessels was correlated with the age at KPE (r = 0.784, p = 0.007) and the pre-KPE CRP value (r = 0.723, p = 0.018).

Conclusions: Lymphangiogenesis on the LLS compared to the RAS was significantly correlated with the degree of fibrosis and the age at KPE. Further investigation is warranted to clarify the causes of LLS atrophy and lymphangiogenesis relevant to immune dysregulation.

Background: Our institution recently transitioned from paravertebral nerve blocks (PVBs) to intercostal nerve cryoablation (INC) for pain control following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE). This study aimed to determine how INC affected the operative time, length of stay, complication rates, inpatient opioid use, and outpatient prescription of opioids at a single center.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed at a single pediatric referral center of all patients who underwent MIRPE between 2018 and 2023. Patient demographics, operative details, and perioperative course were collected. The use of INC versus PVB was recorded. Univariate analyses were performed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests for continuous variables and chi-squared tests for categorical variables.

Results: 255 patients were included with a median age of 15 years, median BMI of 18.50 kg/m², and median Haller index of 4.40. INC was utilized in 41% (105/255), and 59% (150/255) received PVB. The two groups did not differ significantly in BMI, Haller index, or complications, though the INC patients were older by 1 year (15.0 vs. 16.0, p = 0.034). INC was associated with an increased operative time (INC: 92 min vs. PVB: 67 min, p < 0.001), decreased length of stay (3 vs. 4 days, p =  < 0.001), more than twofold decrease in inpatient opioids per day (INC: 16 MME vs. PVB: 41 MME, p < 0.001), and a fourfold decrease in the amount of opioids prescribed at discharge (INC: 90 MME vs. PVB: 390 MME, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: INC after MIRPE significantly decreased both the inpatient opioid utilization and our outpatient prescribing practices while also decreasing our overall length of stay without increasing complications.

Level of evidence: Level III.

Purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) are inborn closure defects. Genetic factors in and outcomes for patients with both anomalies (CDH+CL/P) remain unclear. We aimed to investigate associated genetic aberrations, prevalence of, and outcomes for, CDH+CL/P.

Methods: Data from Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group (CDHSG) registry were collected. CL/P prevalence in CDH patients was determined. Genetic abnormalities and additional malformations in CDH+CL/P were explored. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between CDH+CL/P and isolated CDH (CDH-) using Fisher's Exact Test for categorical, and t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous, data. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Genetic anomalies in CDH+CL/P included trisomy 13, 8p23.1 deletion, and Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (4p16.3 deletion). CL/P prevalence in CDH was 0.7%. CDH+CL/P had lower survival rates than CDH-, a nearly fourfold risk of death within 7 days, were less supported with extracorporeal life support (ECLS), had higher non-repair rates, and survivors had longer length of hospital stay.

Conclusion: Genetic anomalies, e.g. trisomy 13, 8p23.1 deletion, and Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, are seen in patients with the combination of CDH and orofacial clefts. CL/P in CDH patients is rare and associated with poorer outcomes compared to CDH-, influenced by goals of care decision-making.

Purpose: Intestinal anastomosis is a routine procedure in pediatric surgery, with leakage being a significant complication. Human alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT), whose physiological serum concentrations range from 0.9-2.0 mg/ml, is known to accelerate wound healing and stimulate the expression of cell proliferation-related genes. We hypothesized that AAT might enhance anastomotic healing.

Methods: In a monolayer of non-tumorigenic HIEC-6 epithelial cells derived from fetal intestine a scratch was created. Standard medium without (control) or with AAT (0.5 and 1 mg/ml) was added. Cells were observed using a Life-Cell Imaging System. Cell proliferation was assessed, and the expression of proliferation-related genes was measured by qRT-PCR.

Results: In the presence of AAT, the scratch closed significantly faster. Cells treated with 1 mg/ml AAT showed 53% repopulation after 8 h and 97% after 18 h, while control cells showed 24% and 60% repopulation, respectively (p < 0.02). The treatment with AAT induced HIEC-6-cell proliferation and significantly increased the mRNA-expression of CDKN1A, CDKN2A, ANGPTL4, WNT3 and COL3A1 genes. AAT did not change the mRNA-expression of CXCL8 but decreased levels of IL-8 as compared to controls.

Conclusion: At physiological concentrations AAT accelerates the confluence of intestinal cells and increases cell proliferation. The local administration of AAT may bear therapeutic potential to improve anastomotic healing.

Purpose: For children with Esophageal atresia who have to wait for reconstructive surgery, long hospital stay, delayed introduction of oral feeds and hampered oro-motor function has traditionally been draw-backs for this treatment as the patients have minimal training of oro-motor function while waiting for surgery. In this paper, we present the concept of sham-feed at home awaiting reconstructive surgery with the aim to obliviate these problems. The aim was to describe the characteristics of patients with Esophageal atresia waiting for reconstructive surgery sham-feeding at home by their parents and further describe adverse events that arose.

Methods: The study is a retrospective descriptive single center study on all children with a delayed reconstruction of Esophageal atresia who was sham-fed by their parents at home before reconstructive surgery between January 2010 and January 2023 at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm.

Results: Nine patients where home waiting for reconstructive surgery for a median of 72 days. No adverse events were reported related to the sham-feed procedure at home. The children had reconstructive surgery at a median 120 days of age. Five of the children ate full meals orally day 8-27 after surgery. Two children ate fully before 1 year after surgery. Two children had surgery less than 1 year ago and were not eating fully orally at the time of data collection.

Conclusion: Sham-feeding at home by the parents was safe and feasible with the benefits of a prolonged time out of hospital awaiting reconstructive surgery.

Background: Pediatric lower extremity vascular injury (PLEVI) is uncommon and the availability of granular data is sparse. This study evaluated the surgical management of PLEVIs between a Level I adult (ATC) vs pediatric (PTC) trauma center.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of PLEVIs (< 18 years) managed surgically between 01/2009-12/2022. Demographics and outcome data were obtained. Primary outcomes included amputation and fasciotomy rates. Secondary outcomes included type of vessel repair, mortality, and hospital length of stay.

Results: Seventy-nine patients were identified, 41 at the ATC and 38 at the PTC, totaling 112 vessels injured. ATC patients were older (median years 16.0 vs 12.5) and almost exclusively (97.6% vs 29.0%) gunshot wounds. Vascular surgeons managed 50% of injuries at the ATC vs 73.7% at the PTC (p = 0.10). Amputations were uncommon and not significantly different between centers. Seventeen patients (44.7%) required fasciotomies at the PTC vs 21 (51.2%) at the ATC (p = 0.56). Rates of vessel repair, ligation, grafting, mortality, and hospital length of stay were not significantly different.

Conclusions: PLEVI can be managed safely at ATCs and PTCs with acceptable outcomes. However, important nuances in patient triage and management need to be considered. Multi-institutional comprehensive datasets are needed.

Level of evidence:  Level III.

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of pediatric death and disability. Abusive head trauma confers greater morbidity and mortality compared with accidental TBI. National trends reveal disproportionate involvement of minority children in the child welfare system. The study investigates socioeconomic disparities in child protective services (CPS) involvement in pediatric TBI.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted for TBI patients (n = 596) admitted to an academic pediatric level I trauma center from 2015 to 2022, where institutional policy dictates automatic CPS referral for TBI patients ≤ 2 years. Analysis of variance, chi-squared, and logistic regressions compared racial and ethnic groups and calculated adjusted odds of CPS case acceptance.

Results: Rates of non-accidental trauma, CPS involvement, insurance, and marital status differed across racial and ethnic backgrounds (p < 0.05). Of patients ≤ 2 years, Hispanic patients (OR: 0.38, 95%CI [0.16,0.91]) had decreased odds of CPS involvement compared to non-Hispanic White patients when adjusting for confounders including injury severity, injury type, and socioeconomic status.

Conclusions: We highlight racial and ethnic differences in incidence of pediatric TBI and CPS involvement, even in the setting of an automatic CPS referral policy for pediatric TBI patients ≤ 2 years.

Background: Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty and laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through are preferred for anorectal malformation (ARM) today, while careful pull-through procedures with sacroperineal approach yield excellent outcomes. This study focuses on a pull-through procedure emphasizing continence mechanism preservation and compares outcomes with historical studies with various procedures.

Methods: Bowel function of patients with intermediate ARM followed up for over 10 years post-surgically was assessed. Data collected included ARM type with the Krickenbeck classification, comorbidities, complications, post-surgical examinations, follow-up, and bowel function at the latest clinic visit. The literature review collected original articles including more than 10 post-anorectoplasty cases which were followed for over 10 years.

Results: Eleven cases were identified, with a median age at anorectoplasty and follow-up length of 6.9 months and 14.4 years. Two fistula recurrences required surgical treatment. Long-term incontinence and constipation were observed in 9% and 45% of the cohort, respectively. Good rectal angulation and a positive rectoanal inhibitory reflex were confirmed in most cases examined. A literature review identified eight studies with various outcome-measuring instruments.

Conclusion: Outcomes of the introduced pull-through procedure were favorable, while the literature review highlights the variation in outcomes of various anorectoplasty.

Evidence level: Level IV.

Purpose: To address the unique challenges presented by hypospadias repair in toilet-trained boys, we propose a modification to the standard stenting technique: implementation of a mid-urethral stent (MUS) extending beyond the urethroplasty, terminating distally to the sphincter mechanism. This modification upholds continence while facilitating normal voiding.

Methods: Toilet-trained boys undergoing hypospadias repair from 2009 to 2020 were retrospectively assessed. Patients were allocated into one of two groups: "Continent" drainage (a short stent was placed across the urethroplasty) or "incontinent" drainage (a standard stent or a Foley catheter was placed). Stent- related complications (dislodgement and obstruction) and surgical outcomes were compared.

Results: 545 children underwent hypospadias repair with 96 (17.6%) of them toilet-trained. The "continent" and "incontinent" groups consisted of 44 and 52 patients. No differences were found regarding age, severity of hypospadias, number of corrective procedures, operative time or surgical technique. Rates of stent-related complications did not differ. No significant difference was found regarding complications requiring additional surgery, including meatal stenosis and dehiscence. Post-operative fistula occurred in one patient in the continent group and in seven patients in the incontinent group.

Conclusion: Use of a continence-preserving MUS is a safe alternative in toilet-trained patients undergoing hypospadias repair without increasing risk of complications.