Translational gastroenterology and hepatology最新文献

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an aggressive disease in the pediatric population and a cause of significant, lifelong morbidity. The aim of this study is to compare surgical complications in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic vs. open surgical treatment for UC.

Methods: We queried the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) for all cases of UC undergoing surgical treatment in 2009 and 2012. We identified patients who received total colectomy without proctectomy (n=413) or total proctocolectomy (n=196) and performed univariate and multivariate analyses comparing laparoscopic vs. open procedures.

Results: In pediatric UC patients undergoing total colectomy without proctectomy, open procedures were associated with more complications than laparoscopic, including fluid and electrolyte disorders (40% vs. 28%), surgical wound dehiscence (6% vs. 2%), septicemia (18% vs. 2%), and gastrointestinal disorders (16% vs. 7%) among others, all P<0.05. Likewise, in patients with UC undergoing total proctocolectomy, there were more complications in open vs. laparoscopic technique, including increased transfusion requirements (25% vs. 7%, P=0.001) and significantly more gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (11% vs. 1%, P=0.003). In multivariate analysis, patients who underwent total colectomy with or without proctectomy had an increased risk of experiencing any complication when their procedure was performed in an open or non-elective fashion (all odds ratio >2.4; all P<0.001).

Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach was associated with significantly lower rates of surgical complications in pediatric patients undergoing total colectomy with or without proctectomy for UC. These findings demonstrate that laparoscopic technique compares favorably, and may be preferable, to the open approach in selected pediatric patients with UC.

Background: Through 2015, the practice at our university based free-standing children's hospital was to admit uncomplicated appendicitis patients for overnight observation post-operatively. Given the increasing body of evidence suggesting the safety and feasibility of same-day discharge after appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis, we elected to perform a prospective study evaluating the complication rates of same-day discharge compared to overnight observation at our institution, given our large volume of appendicitis.

Methods: Pediatric patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomies for uncomplicated appendicitis in 2016 were analyzed. Data regarding demographics, admission, and discharge times and outcomes of complications, as well as readmissions, return to the emergency department, and nonscheduled clinic visits were collected and analyzing using chi-square and multivariate regression. Cost of stay data was obtained and analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test to compare non-parametric variables.

Results: Eight hundred and forty-nine laparoscopic appendectomies were performed for uncomplicated appendicitis during the study period, of which 382 resulted in same-day discharge and 467 in an admission for observation. Univariate analysis revealed no statistical difference between readmission rates for same day vs. observation (2 vs. 6 patients; P=0.21) or in emergency department visits within 30 days (22 vs. 27 patients; P=0.98). There was no difference in the number of surgical site infections or extra clinic visits. There was a significantly lower median cost of stay for patients discharged home the same day at 29,150 dollars (25,644, 32,276, IQR) compared to a median of 34,827 dollars (31,154, 39,457, IQR) (P<0.0001).

Conclusions: Same-day discharge for laparoscopic uncomplicated appendectomy should be the new standard of care. This study found no differences in outcomes between the timing of discharge, with a significantly lower cost of stay for patients discharged home the same day.

The incidence of cholecystectomy in children has increased considerably since the early 1990s. Management of gallbladder disease in children must include an awareness of choledocholithiasis treatment strategies. Both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and common bile duct exploration (open or laparoscopic) are accepted management techniques for choledocholithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with preoperative or postoperative ERCP is at least a two-procedure process while cholecystectomy with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) can provide definitive treatment in a single procedure under one anesthetic. Despite this, the trend over the last decade continues towards less LCBDE utilization in favor of ERCP. This trend has resulted in decreased familiarity with LCBDE by adult and pediatric surgeons and their trainees. Access to the necessary tools and education on the technical aspects can allow for successful single-stage treatment of choledocholithiasis by surgeons during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This may include a pre-defined stepwise algorithm and understanding of all the equipment and resources necessary to perform a LCBDE. Ultimately, increased understanding of the equipment and procedural steps necessary for LCBDE will result in widened adoption of the technique and thus confer advantages to the patient such as decreased length of stay and fewer required anesthetics.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a systematic approach to optimize a patient's health and improve clinical outcomes, increase patient satisfaction and decrease healthcare costs. Enhanced recovery protocols have been used across a variety of surgical disciplines and patient groups to improve patient safety and reduce hospital length of stay without increasing return visits to the system. ERAS involves the application of clinical decision making throughout the patient experience with interventions in the preoperative, perioperative and post operative phases. In addition, ERAS is multidisciplinary and the success of an ERAS program is dependent on the effort and integration of stakeholders across the healthcare system. Utilization of ERAS systems have grown across the global adult surgical community over the last three decades and adoption in pediatric surgery has only occurred recently. Hospitals in both adult and pediatric surgery have found that implementation of ERAS systems lead to a shortened length of stay and reduced complications without increasing patient returns to the system. Importantly patients who have surgery within an ERAS program experience less pain, less opioid utilization, a quicker recovery and increased satisfaction. In pediatric surgery ERAS has successfully been employed across most all disciplines from congenital cardiac surgery to colorectal surgery. The evolution of ERAS continues as a paradigm of quality and safety.

Background: There are multiple techniques used for laparoscopic appendectomy (LA): ligature loop (LL), surgical stapler (SS) (Endopath Ets-Flex-Endoscopic Articulating Linear Cutter 33 mm Standard Ref Atb 35. Ethicon, Somerville, New Jersey, US), and hem-o-lok clips (HOL) (Weck Closure System. Triangle Park, NC, USA). The application of the LL usually demands dexterity and training, whilst using HOL may be more advantageous due to its simplicity in terms of application and its low cost in contrast with the SS. The objective of this study is to determine safety and efficacy of the different devices that can be used in the surgical procedure.

Methods: From June 2016 to December 2019, 253 consecutive children aged to 1 to 18 years were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into three groups depending on the device used to secure the appendix: (I) in the first group, the base of the appendix was secured by double LL, (II) in the second group the base of the appendix was secured with SS, and (III) in the third group the base of the appendix was secured with two non-absorbable HOL. The data collected includes age, gender, operative time, device used to ligate the base of the appendix, previous tests (blood analysis, imaging), antibiotic prophylaxis administered, length of hospital stay, intraoperative and postoperative complications, shoulder pain and histological study of the specimen.

Results: There were 253 patients that underwent laparoscopic appendectomy during the study time, with a mean age of 10.3±4.1 in the LL group, 9.4±2.7 in the SS group and 10.4±3.3 in the HOL group, P=0.165. Distribution by gender was 77.8% for males in the LL group, 65.2% in the SS group and 61.3% in the HOL group, P=0.559. The mean surgical time with IQR in brackets was 60.0 (10.0) minutes (min), in the first group in which the base of the appendix was secured with LL, in the second group in which the base of the appendix was secured with SS 60.0 (15.0) min and finally in the third in which the base of the appendix was secured with HOL 40.0 (30.0) min, P<0.001. HOL clips have a significantly lower cost than their analogues. Specifically, 5 HOL clips have a cost of EUR 26.75, while three LL have a cost of EUR 53.70 and a single SS has a cost of EUR 276.58. Postoperative complications were found in 14.3% of the LL group, 9.8% in the SS group and 4.6% in the HOL group, P=0.137. Efficacy and safety in controlling the base of appendix were the same in all groups.

Conclusions: The HOL are safe and reduce surgical costs during laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Background: Morbidity and mortality conferences (MMC) are well established but little data exists on inter-professional aspects, system-based outcomes and characteristics in pediatric departments. Our study aim was to analyze the system-based impact and to assess participant's perspectives on standardized, inter-professional MMCs in a children's hospital.

Methods: In a prospective observational analysis the inter-professional MMCs held at a tertiary teaching children's hospital in Switzerland were analyzed for (I) resulting clinical consequences and (II) participants perception on format, usefulness and no-blame atmosphere.

Results: Eighteen MMC, discussing 29 cases were analyzed. Twenty-seven clinical errors/problems were identified and 17 clinical recommendations were developed: ten new or changed clinical guidelines, two new therapeutic alternatives, three new teaching activities, and two guidelines on specific diagnostics. Altogether, the 466 participants evaluated the conferences favorably. Little differences were seen in the evaluations of physicians of different disciplines or seniority but non-physicians scored all questions lower than physicians. Overall, three quarters of the participants felt that there was a no-blame culture during the conferences but results varied depending on the cases discussed.

Conclusions: An inter-professional MMC can have relevant impact on clinical practice and affect system-based changes. Inter-professional conferences are profitable for all participants but evaluated differently according to profession. A standardized format and the presence of a moderator are helpful, but not a guarantee for a no-blame culture. Highly emotional cases are a risk factor to relapse to "blame and shame". A time gap between the event and the MMC may have a beneficial effect.

Keywords: Inter-professional communication; inter-professional health care; learning from failure; morbidity and mortality conference (MMC); patient safety; psychological safety.

The majority of children who undergo operative management for Hirschsprung disease have favorable results. A subset of patients, however, have long-term dysfunctional stooling, characterized by either frequent soiling or obstructive symptoms. The evaluation and management of a child with poor function after pull-through for Hirschsprung disease should be conducted by an experienced multidisciplinary team. A systematic workup is focused on detecting pathologic and anatomic causes of pull-through dysfunction. This includes an exam under anesthesia, pathologic confirmation including a repeat biopsy, and a contrast enema, with additional studies depending on the suspected etiology. Obstructive symptoms may be due to technique-specific types of mechanical obstruction, histopathologic obstruction, or dysmotility-each of which may benefit from reoperative surgery. The causes of soiling symptoms include loss of the dentate line and damage to the anal sphincter, which generally do not benefit from revision of the pull-through, and pseudo-incontinence, which may reveal underlying obstruction. A thorough understanding of the types of complications associated with various pull-through techniques aids in the evaluation of a child with postoperative dysfunction. Treatment is specifically tailored to the patient, guided by the etiology of the patient's symptoms, with options ranging from bowel management to redo pull-through procedure. This review details the workup and management of patients with complications after pull-through, with a focus on the perioperative management and technical considerations for those who require reoperation.

Gastroschisis is a common congenital anomaly in which the midgut fails to return to the abdominal cavity resulting in exposed intestines, which are not covered by a membrane in a neonate. The incidence of gastroschisis has been increasing worldwide resulting in an evolving medical and surgical management. Gastroschisis can be either simple or complicated. Complicated gastroschisis occurs when gastroschisis is associated with gastrointestinal conditions such as intestinal atresia, volvulus, stenosis or perforation. In this instance, the mortality and morbidity of patients significantly increases. Initial management of gastroschisis requires a multi-modal, interdisciplinary approach in order to successfully care for a neonate. Patients should be managed in a neonatal intensive care unit under the care of intensivists, respiratory therapists and pediatric surgeons. Temperature regulation, hydration and protection of the bowel are of the utmost priorities. Surgical management of gastroschisis focuses on reduction of the bowel and closure of the abdominal wall defect. Initially, the defect was closed primarily with suture, however, more recently, a sutureless closure has become prevalent. This, in conjunction with use of a silo, has led to a shift from the operating room and general anesthesia to the bedside. This article aims to discuss the presentation, diagnosis and management of gastroschisis.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the retrograde passage of gastric contents into the esophagus. It is a physiologic condition that is common in neonates, typically resolves spontaneously, and does not result in clinically significant complications. When pathologic, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause numerous complications including persistent emesis, failure to thrive, aspiration, and respiratory symptoms. While a diagnosis can often be made from a thorough history and physical, some patients may require further testing. In general, many clinicians will reserve extensive investigation such as multiple intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring for patients with a confounding clinical picture or relative contraindications to medical or surgical management. Whereas most pediatric GER resolves spontaneously, medical management including lifestyle changes, changes to feeds, and the use of H₂-antagonists and/or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can be utilized to alleviate symptoms. Surgical treatment is reserved for patients who are refractory to medical management or have suffered significant complications as a consequence of GER. In this article we seek to provide a concise but detailed review of recent updates in the understanding, work up and management of GER in the pediatric patient. A summary of new technologies used in the diagnostic and therapeutic arms of this disease are included.