Alan P. Ladd

Long-Term Follow-Up After Bowel Resection for Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Factors Affecting Outcome

BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common surgical emergency among newborns and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the long-term survival of infants requiring surgical intervention for NEC and factors affecting outcome. METHODS A retrospective review of infants requiring surgery for complications of NEC at a tertiary care, pediatric hospital over a 16-year period was performed. Patients were evaluated for early and late morbidity and mortality, length of intestinal resection, presence of the ileocecal valve (ICV), days of parenteral nutrition (PN), and growth. RESULTS Two hundred forty-nine patients were included, with an average gestational age of 30 +/- 5 (+/- SD) weeks and birth weight of 1.50 +/- 0.89 kg. The surgical mortality rate was 45%, with survivors (137) being larger (P < .001) and older (P < .001) at time of birth than nonsurvivors. Mortality rates varied inversely with gestational age and birth weight. Surgical survivors had an average of 21 +/- 26 cm of intestinal length resected. The ileocecal valve was preserved in 45% of infants. Growth was similar between infants with or without an ICV. Stratification of length of intestine resected showed that infants with larger resections had greater requirements for parenteral nutrition, but this had no influence on long-term growth at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Survivors of NEC are characterized by greater gestational age, greater birth weight, and older postgestational age at surgery. Infants who underwent greater intestinal resections required longer periods of PN. The length of intestine resected or presence of the ileocecal valve had no overall bearing on long-term outcome.

Annular Pancreas: Dramatic Differences Between Children and Adults

BACKGROUND Annular pancreas is rare; only 737 cases have been reported in the English literature. In addition, no large analysis has compared children and adults. Recently, prenatal diagnosis and advances in imaging have led to increased experience with this condition. STUDY DESIGN Data from 103 patients (48 children, 55 adults) with annular pancreas, managed from 1992 to 2006, were reviewed. Patients with isolated duodenal atresia, stenosis, or webs were excluded. RESULTS Median ages at diagnosis were 1 day in children and 47 years in adults. Annular pancreas was more common in girls and women (children, 58%; adults, 69%). Congenital anomalies were more frequent (p < 0.01) in children (71%) than in adults (16%); Down syndrome, cardiac, and intestinal anomalies were most common. Prenatal diagnosis was suspected in 56% of infants, and adults presented with pain (75%), vomiting (24%), pancreatitis (22%), or abnormal liver tests (11%). All children were managed with duodenal bypass. Children were more likely (p < 0.01) to require surgery for associated anomalies. In contrast, adults had fewer duodenal bypass procedures (24%) but more often required endoscopic pancreatobiliary procedures (67%), cholecystectomy (56%), and other pancreatobiliary surgery (20%; p < 0.01). Adults more commonly (p < 0.01) had pancreas divisum (29%) and pancreatobiliary neoplasia (11%). Five children (6%) with multiple anomalies died; all adults survived their operations. Late deaths occurred in 2 children (4%) with multiple anomalies and 3 adults (5%) with pancreatobiliary cancer. CONCLUSIONS Annular pancreas is associated with a spectrum of disease that differs in children and adults. Congenital anomalies are more common in children with annular pancreas; complex pancreatobiliary disorders and malignancy are more frequent in adults.

Steroids and poor nutrition are associated with infectious wound complications in children undergoing first stage procedures for ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND Risk factors for postoperative infections have not been evaluated in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). This review was undertaken to evaluate the effects of immunosuppressive therapy and other preoperative factors on infectious wound complications in children undergoing first stage surgical therapy for UC. METHODS A 10-year retrospective review of children under 18 years of age receiving first stage surgical therapy for UC at a major childrens hospital was performed. Preoperative clinical and treatment variables were identified and correlated with postoperative wound complications. RESULTS A total of 51 children were identified: 19 underwent colectomy with ileo-anal-pouch anastomosis and 32 underwent total abdominal colectomy with Hartmanns pouch. A total of 20 infectious complications were identified in 18 patients. Preoperative steroid use was associated with a greater postoperative wound infection rate. Preoperative hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL (P < .05) and albumin less than 3 g/dL (P = 0.1) were associated with greater rates of postoperative infection. Preoperative body mass index and other immunosuppressive agents did not influence postoperative infectious morbidity. CONCLUSIONS The majority of pediatric patients who require operative intervention for UC are debilitated from their disease and medication use. Children with normal serum albumin and hemoglobin who are not on steroid therapy have a low risk of postoperative infectious complications.

Impact of omphalocele size on associated conditions

PURPOSE Omphalocele is often associated with the presence of other congenital anomalies. Case reports have demonstrated nonclassical associations occurring in smaller omphaloceles. The aim of this study was to determine if omphalocele defect size correlates with the type of anomalies found. METHODS Patient records at a pediatric hospital were retrospectively reviewed for an 8-year period. Data were collected on patient demographics, omphalocele size, and congenital anomalies identified. Size of the abdominal wall defect was determined by either physical examination or operative record of repair. Patient cohorts were designated as those with small (4 cm and less) or large (greater than 4 cm) omphaloceles. RESULTS Fifty-three cases of omphalocele were observed. Twenty-seven cases were classified as small, with 26 classified as large. A predominance of males was noted in the small omphalocele group (78% vs 42%; P = .01). Intestinal anomalies, including Meckels diverticulum and intestinal atresia, were only seen in patients with small omphaloceles. Most cardiac anomalies were associated with large omphaloceles (34.6% vs 3.7%; P = .01). CONCLUSION Small omphalocele size correlates with an increased prevalence of associated gastrointestinal anomalies, a lower prevalence of cardiac anomalies, and a higher predominance of male sex.

Prospective determination of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy complication rates in children: Still a safe procedure

BACKGROUND Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement in children has come under scrutiny with reports of improved safety profiles using laparoscopic-assisted techniques. However, these reports are generally limited by their retrospective nature and the inclusion of historically determined PEG complication rates in children. Complication rates associated with PEG placement in children have not been prospectively studied, and a true modern understanding of the safety profile of PEG when performed in children is unknown. We prospectively followed children undergoing PEG to establish a clear and current understanding of the complication rates associated with this procedure. METHODS Consecutive PEG procedures performed between December 2009 and August 2010 at a single, tertiary-care pediatric hospital were enrolled for study. Patients were followed prospectively for 90 days with data regarding complications acquired via standardized interviews at 7, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. RESULTS We enrolled 103 patients for study. Median age and weight at time of operation was 8 months (range, 2 weeks-21 years) and 6.9 kg (range, 2-42). Patients underwent primary placement of either a PEG button (n = 70) or PEG tube (n = 33). There were no intraoperative complications, with a 100% procedure completion rate. Six deaths occurred during this follow-up time period (mean of 37 days postoperatively) and were attributed to causes other than PEG placement. Four patients were lost to follow-up. One PEG tube was electively discontinued before the end of the follow-up period without complication. Of the remaining 92 patients with complete data, 13 complications were observed in 10 patients. Total complication rate was 14%. CONCLUSION Rates of PEG complications observed in this prospective study are low and are generally minor. Observed rates of PEG-specific complications are lower than historic reports. The safety profile of PEG when performed in todays pediatric population remains comparable in safety to techniques such as laparoscopic-assisted gastrostomy.

Preoperative prediction of need for fundoplication before gastrostomy tube placement in children.

PURPOSE Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement is a common procedure performed for children with oral aspiration and failure to thrive. The concurrent presence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) may be difficult to diagnose in these children and may dictate the need for an antireflux procedure. The purpose of this study was to review our preoperative evaluation of children undergoing PEG placement to better elucidate preoperative factors that may require eventual fundoplication. METHODS A retrospective review at a tertiary care, childrens hospital between May 2002 and August 2007 was performed of patients undergoing PEG placement. Patients were identified through database search by operative procedure codes. Patient groups were defined as those undergoing PEG alone (group 1) and those requiring fundoplication after prior PEG (group 2). Comparison of patient demographics and radiologic qualitative results of GER was analyzed using chi(2) analysis, with significance determined at P < .05. RESULTS A total of 863 patients underwent PEG placement over this 64-month period. A sampled cohort of patients undergoing PEG over a year comprised group 1. Forty-four patients (5.1%) underwent Nissen fundoplication after prior PEG placement (group 2). Patient demographics were similar between the groups. Comparison of comorbid conditions and qualitative indicators of GER between the groups showed only cerebral palsy had a significantly higher associated risk of GER that required antireflux surgery. Preoperative clinical assessment had a 95% positive predictive value in identifying children who required only PEG. CONCLUSIONS Despite the high predictive value of individualized clinical assessment in the ultimate decision for gastrostomy without need of fundoplication, further studies are needed to determine whether children with conditions such as cerebral palsy may require a concurrent antireflux surgery at the time of gastrostomy.

Impact of primary omentectomy on longevity of peritoneal dialysis catheters in children

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of omentectomy on peritoneal dialysis catheter failure rates in pediatric patients with renal failure. METHODS A retrospective review of children undergoing peritoneal catheter placement was performed over a 22-year period. Children were segregated into those undergoing catheter placements with omentectomy or without. RESULTS One hundred sixty-three patients were reviewed, with a 1:1.03 ratio of male to female patients. The mean age was 6.25 ± 5.58 years. Fifty-three percent underwent omentectomy. Catheter failure was observed in 63 children (39%). Catheter obstruction was identified in 36%. Peritonitis led to failure in 9.8%. Catheter failure rate was significantly reduced with the performance of omentectomy (23% without omentectomy vs 15% with omentectomy, P = .0054). Differences in time to catheter failure did not reach statistical significance in the omentectomy group (759 vs 280 days, P = .13). CONCLUSIONS Omentectomy conferred improved utility of peritoneal catheters in children. Omentectomy appears useful in children undergoing peritoneal dialysis catheter placement.

Early results of endovascular-assisted in situ saphenous vein bypass grafting

PURPOSE This study evaluated an endovascular technique for occlusion of arteriovenous fistula when performing saphenous vein in situ bypass grafting. METHODS In 31 limbs femoropopliteal (17) or femorotibial (14) in situ bypass grafting was performed for claudication/aneurysm (4), rest pain (6), or tissue loss (21). A valvulotome was used for valve lysis. Saphenous vein branches were identified with angioscopy in 16 limbs or with fluoroscopy in the remainder. An electronically steerable endovascular catheter was used to deliver platinum coils into the venous tributaries to occlude them. RESULTS The maximal number of coils placed in any limb was nine. Most operations were performed with only a groin incision (length = 9.8 +/- 1.6 cm) and a distal incision (length = 16.8 +/- 6.5 cm). Wound complications occurred in four limbs, whereas four limbs developed localized superficial thrombophlebitis. The postoperative ankle-brachial index increased to a mean of 0.91 +/- 0.12. Postoperative duplex imaging revealed a missed arteriovenous fistula in 12 limbs. Two were surgically ligated, whereas the remainder were embolized in the radiology suite. Postoperative length of hospitalization was 4 +/- 2 days in uncomplicated cases. Follow-up revealed five graft occlusions. Occlusion occurred at 12 hours, 2 weeks, and 6, 14, and 15 months after operation. Although there were no perioperative deaths, two patients have died of unrelated causes. CONCLUSION This endovascular technique of arteriovenous fistula embolization decreased the length of the surgical wounds, and patients were discharged 4 +/- 2 days in uncomplicated cases. The ultimate test of its efficacy, however, will be long-term functional results.

Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade associated with central venous catheters in children: an uncommon but serious and treatable condition

PURPOSE Pericardial effusion (PCE) resulting in cardiac tamponade (CT) is a rare complication associated with central venous catheters (CVCs) in children. The goal of this study was to determine the demographics, presenting clinical picture and CVC characteristics in children developing CT as a result of a CVC. METHODS An institutional review board-approved retrospective review of children treated at a tertiary-care pediatric hospital from 1998 to 2007 was conducted. Patients were identified through institutional database search for diagnostic codes of PCE and simultaneously assigned patient codes for the presence of CVC. Patients with incidentally discovered effusions, those with recent cardiac surgery, or those with causative factors other than a CVC were excluded. RESULTS Over the 10-year study period, 463 patients were identified using the search criteria. Six cases of CVC-associated PCE causing CT were identified (1.3%). Corrected postgestational age at diagnosis ranged from 34 to 41 weeks with a median corrected postgestational age of 38.5 weeks (median, 38.5 weeks). The median time from CVC placement to diagnosis was 2.5 days (range, 0-6 days). Radiographs obtained before diagnosis demonstrated CVC tip to be overlying the cardiac silhouette in 5 patients (83%). Five (83%) of the 6 patients were receiving hyperalimentation via the CVC at the time of PCE. All patients presented with clinical signs of cardiorespiratory distress and/or cardiac arrest. Pericardiocentesis was performed in 5 patients (83%) and resulted in rapid stabilization. All CVCs were removed at diagnosis. There was 1 mortality (17%). CONCLUSIONS Pericardial effusion and CT associated with CVC is rare and is chiefly a concern among infants. Characteristics of CVCs including infusate and tip position may be associated with increased risk of PCE. This diagnosis should be considered in any infant with a CVC who experiences acute respiratory distress or cardiovascular collapse.

A review of postoperative feeding regimens in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a condition well known to pediatric surgeons. Postoperative length of hospital stay is a financial concern and remains a potential target for reduction in hospital costs. Ultimately, these costs are directly affected by the ability to effectively advance postoperative enteral nutrition. This review will serve to: 1) identify clinically relevant postoperative feeding patterns following pyloromyotomy, 2) review the relevant literature to determine an optimal feeding pattern, and 3) identify possible preoperative predictors that may determine the success of postoperative feeding regiments.