Carissa L. Garey

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery in children: initial single-center experience

BACKGROUND In continued efforts to further improve the advantages of minimally invasive surgery to patients, surgeons have developed single-incision laparoscopic techniques. We report our initial experience in children with a variety of single-site procedures. METHOD A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent a single-site procedure from April 2009 to April 2010. RESULTS There were 142 consecutive procedures: 24 cholecystectomies, 103 appendectomies for nonperforated appendicitis, 2 splenectomies, 1 combined splenectomy/cholecystectomy, 8 ileocecectomies, 2 Meckel diverticulectomies, 1 small bowel duplication resection, and 1 jejunal stricture resection. There were 12 conversions to conventional laparoscopy: 10 during appendectomy and 2 during cholecystectomy. Mean operative time was 34 minutes for appendectomy, 73 minutes for cholecystectomy, 90 minutes for splenectomy, 116 minutes for combined splenectomy/cholecystectomy, 86 minutes for ileocecectomy, and 43 minutes for the small bowel procedures. The only complications were umbilical surgical site infections after appendectomy in 6 patients. CONCLUSION This institutions preliminary experience suggests that single-incision laparoscopic surgery in children has at least comparable outcomes to conventional laparoscopic surgery. However, prospective data are needed to prove that single-incision laparoscopic surgery is superior to conventional laparoscopy.

A novel measure for pectus excavatum: the correction index

OBJECTIVE The Haller Index (HI), the standard metric for the severity of pectus excavatum, is dependent on width and does not assess the depth of the defect. Therefore, we performed a diagnostic analysis to assess the ability of HI to separate patients with pectus excavatum from healthy controls compared to a novel index. METHODS After institutional review board approval, computed tomography scans were evaluated from patients who have undergone pectus excavatum repair and controls. The correction index (CI) used the minimum distance between posterior sternum and anterior spine and the maximum distance between anterior spine most anterior portion of the chest. The difference between the two is divided by the latter (×100) to give the percentage of chest depth the defect represents. RESULTS There were 220 controls and 252 patients with pectus. Mean HI was 2.35, and the mean CI was 0.92 for the controls. The mean HI was 4.06, and the mean CI was 31.75 in the patients with pectus. In the patients with pectus, HI demonstrated a 47.8% overlap with the controls, while there was no overlap for CI. CONCLUSIONS The Haller index demonstrates 48% overlap between normal patients and those with pectus excavatum. However, the proposed correction index perfectly separates the normal and diseased populations.

A review of single site minimally invasive surgery in infants and children

Videoscopic surgery has become the standard approach for most thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic procedures in adults and children. These procedures have widely recognized benefits including decreased postoperative pain, improved cosmesis, and decreased convalescence. In a recent attempt to further improve the cosmetic result of these operations, surgeons have begun to employ a single incision through which all the operating instruments are placed. This article seeks to review the current and future application of innovative minimally invasive surgery to pediatric surgery.

Outcome of congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair depending on patch type.

INTRODUCTION Patch repair of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia is associated with a much higher rate of recurrence than when primary repair is feasible. The biosynthetic options for the repair materials continue to expand. We therefore reviewed our experience to benchmark complication rates as we progress with the use of new materials. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of all patients who underwent repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia from January 1994 to May 2009. RESULTS Of the 155 patients included in the study, 101 patients had primary closure and 54 received a diaphragmatic patch. The rates of recurrence, Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO), and subsequent abdominal operation were all significantly higher in the group of patients requiring patch repair. There were 3 types of patch repairs: 37 patients received a SIS patch, 12 had a nonabsorbable patch, and 5 received an AlloDerm patch. The incidence of SBO in patients with a nonabsorbable mesh was 17% and was associated with a 50% recurrence rate and 67% re-recurrence rate. SIS was associated with 19% incidence of SBO, a recurrence rate of 22% and a 50% re-recurrence rate, whereas AlloDerm had a 40% incidence of SBO, 40% recurrence rate, and 100% re-recurrence rate. DISCUSSION As we move towards the next generation of materials, these data do not justify the continued comparison with nonabsorbable patches. We do not have enough comparative data to define a superior biosynthetic material, but we plan to use our data on SIS to benchmark our experience with future generation materials.

Esophageal Perforation in Children: A Review of One Institution's Experience

BACKGROUND The current approach to esophageal perforation treatment in children has shifted towards conservative management. However, the consensus of what constitutes conservative management is unclear, with various therapies and protocols described, including the need for various decompression and drainage procedures. Our institution utilizes conservative management with minimal intervention guided by the patients clinical course. The purpose of this study is to report our management and add to the growing evidence for conservative management of esophageal perforation in children. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with an ICD-9 diagnosis of esophageal perforation from January 1995 to July 2009. Patients with postoperative anastomotic leaks with drains in place were excluded, although patients with anastomotic leaks that were not controlled by drains were included. Data collected included patient demographics, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and outcome. RESULTS Eight patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 28 mo (1 d-10 y), and the average time from causative event to diagnosis was 1.4 d (0-2 d). The etiology for esophageal perforation included esophagoscopy with dilation (n = 4), button battery ingestion (n = 1), coin ingestion (n = 1), nasogastric tube placement (n = 1), and leak after stricture resection (n = 1). All the patients were treated conservatively without primary surgery or thoracic drainage, and the mean time to perforation healing was 10.2 d (1-24 d). The average length of antibiotic therapy was 10 d (0-26 d). Enteral nutrition was utilized in five patients, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was utilized in five patients. No patient developed a new-onset esophageal stricture. CONCLUSION Conservative management, guided by the patients clinical course, with antibiotics and nutritional support is a safe and effective treatment for esophageal perforations in children.

Outcomes of Laparoscopic and Open Total Colectomy in the Pediatric Population

INTRODUCTION Total colectomy, performed either with proctecomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis or with ileorectostomy, is standard for pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome, respectively. The complication rates from adult series have been reported to be as high as 40%-50%. We audited our experience to define the complication rates in children and determine whether the use of laparoscopy has the potential to lessen the number or change the type of complications. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of all pediatric patients who underwent total colectomy with either proctectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis or with ileorectostomy at a single institution from 1998 to 2008. Data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. Continuous variables were analyzed using a Students t-test; and discrete variables were analyzed using a Fishers exact test, where appropriate. Significance was set as P < or = 0.05. RESULTS Forty-four patients aged 58 days to 18 years (mean 11.7 +/- 5.3 years) underwent total colectomy from 1998 to 2008. The indications for surgery were ulcerative colitis (27), familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome (11), total colonic Hirschprungs (2), and others (3). Follow-up was significantly greater in the open group (2.8 years) than in the laparoscopic group (1.1 years, P = 0.02). Nineteen patients (43%) suffered major complications (other than pouchitis). There was 1 anastomotic leak. There were no statistically significant differences found between the laparoscopic and open approaches with regard to postoperative small bowel obstruction, postoperative abdominal or pelvic abscess, anal stricture requiring dilation, wound infection, other complications, or time to complication. Patients who underwent laparoscopic ileal pouch anal anastomosis had one occurrence of pouchitis (1/10) compared with 19/34 in the open group (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS This series demonstrates that laparopscopic colectomy yields similar outcomes as the traditional open method, both in type and severity of complications. Patients who had an ileal pouch created through the laparoscopic approach had fewer occurrences of pouchitis.

15-Year experience in the treatment of rectal prolapse in children

BACKGROUND Rectal prolapse is a common and usually self-limited condition in children. Several surgical techniques have been advocated for refractory prolapse. We reviewed our experience with treatment and the outcome of refractory rectal prolapse. METHODS Retrospective review was conducted on patients undergoing surgery for rectal prolapse from January 1993 to March 2009. Patients with imperforate anus/cloacal abnormalities, Hirschsprung disease, spina bifida, or prior pull-through were excluded. RESULTS Twenty patients underwent 23 procedures for rectal prolapse. There were 10 posterior sagittal rectopexies, 6 transabdominal rectopexies, 5 laparoscopic rectopexies, 1 hypertonic saline injection, and 1 anal cerclage. The mean duration of symptoms was 1.6 years (range, 1-10 years). The mean age at operation was 6.8 years (range, 4 months-19 years), with a 5:1 male predominance. There was no operative or perioperative mortality. Median length of follow-up was 7.2 months; 2 patients were lost to follow-up. The overall recurrence rate was 35%. All recurrences followed posterior sagittal rectopexies, which had a 70% recurrence rate. Four patients required reoperation, all done transabdominally (2 open and 2 laparoscopically). None of the 3 remaining patients with mild recurrences required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS A variety of options for management of refractory rectal prolapse in children exist. Laparoscopic rectopexy seems to be safe and a comparatively successful option in these children.

Laparoscopic ileocecectomy in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION Definitive management for medically refractory ileocecal Crohns disease is resection with primary anastomosis. Laparoscopic resection has been demonstrated to be effective in adults. There is a relative paucity of data in the pediatric population. We therefore audited our experience with laparoscopic ileocecectomy in patients with medically refractory ileocecal Crohns disease to determine its efficacy. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of all pediatric patients who underwent laparoscopic ileocecal resection for medically refractory Crohns disease at a single institution from 2000 to 2009. RESULTS Thirty patients aged 10-18 years (mean: 15.3 years) with a mean weight of 50 kg (standard deviation: ± 15.5 kg) underwent laparoscopic ileocecectomy for Crohns disease. Five of these were performed using a single-incision laparoscopic approach. The indications for surgery were obstruction/stricture (21), pain (10), abscess (3), fistula (3), perforation (2), and bleeding (1). Some patients had multiple indications. There were a total of five abscesses encountered at operation. Eight patients were on total parenteral nutrition at the time of resection. Twenty-five patients (83.3%) were being treated with steroids at operation. The anastomosis was stapled in 26 patients and hand-sewn in 4. Two patients developed a postoperative abscess, and both of them were taking 20 mg of prednisone daily. One patient developed a small bowel obstruction due to a second Crohns stricture that manifested itself after the more severe downstream obstruction was relieved with ileocecectomy. Of the 5 patients who underwent a single-incision laparoscopic operation, 3 underwent for obstruction/stricture and 2 for perforation. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The patients were followed up for a maximum of 80.7 months (average: 14.7 months; median: 9.7 months). There were no anastomotic leaks or wound infections. DISCUSSION This series demonstrates that laparoscopic ileocecectomy, both single-incision laparoscopic approach and standard laparoscopy, is safe and effective in the setting of medically refractory Crohns disease in pediatric patients.

The Lack of Efficacy for Oral Contrast in the Diagnosis of Appendicitis by Computed Tomography

BACKGROUND Oral contrast is often used with computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of appendicitis. This adjunct adds time to evaluation, not all patients can tolerate enteric bolus, and the diagnostic advantages have not been well defined. Therefore, we reviewed our experience to evaluate the impact of oral contrast on diagnostic efficiency and its impact on the patient. METHODS After obtaining IRB approval, a retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent CT with oral contrast for the indication of appendicitis over the last 4 years. Data recorded included demographics, CT results, emergency room course, operative findings, and pathology interpretation. All images were reviewed to identify presence/absence of contrast at or beyond the terminal ileum. RESULTS There were 1561 patients, of whom, 652 (41.8%) were diagnosed with appendicitis and 909 (58.2%) were not (non-appendicitis). Contrast was identified at least to the level of the terminal ileum in 72.4% of the entire population. The contrast was present in 76.2% of the non-appendicitis patients and 67.0% of the appendicitis patients (P = 0.01). Mean time from oral contrast administration to CT imaging was 105.5 min, which was longer in patients with appendicitis (112.2 min) compared with non-appendicitis patients (100.9 min) (P = 0.01). Emesis of the contrast occurred in 19.3% of those with appendicitis and 12.9% of those without appendicitis (P = 0.001). Nasogastric tubes were placed in 5.8% of those with appendicitis and 5.1% of those without (P = 0.37). Appendicitis was confirmed at operation in 94.3% of those with contrast in the area and 94.4% of those without (P = 1.0). Pathology confirmed appendicitis in 90.6% of those with contrast in the area and 94.0% of those without (P = 0.17). CONCLUSION Nearly 30% of patients receiving oral contrast for the CT diagnosis of appendicitis do not have contrast in the point of interest at the expense of emesis, nasogastric tube placement, and diagnostic delay. These detriments are amplified in patients who have appendicitis. Further, there appears to be no diagnostic compromise in those without contrast in the terminal ileum.

Quality of life assessment between laparoscopic appendectomy at presentation and interval appendectomy for perforated appendicitis with abscess: analysis of a prospective randomized trial

PURPOSE The current study examined the impact of immediate laparoscopic surgery vs nonoperative initial management followed by interval appendectomy for appendicitis with abscess on child and family psychosocial well-being. METHODS After obtaining Internal Review Board approval, 40 patients presenting with a perforated appendicitis and a well-formed abscess were randomized to surgical condition. Parents were asked to complete child quality of life and parenting stress ratings at presentation, at 2 weeks postadmission, and at approximately 12 weeks postadmission (2 weeks postoperation for the interval appendectomy group). RESULTS Children in the interval arm experienced trends toward poorer quality of life at 2 and 12 weeks postadmission. However, no group differences in parenting stress were observed at 2 weeks postoperation. At 12 weeks postadmission, participants in the interval condition demonstrated significant impairment in both frequency and difficulty of problems contributing to parenting distress. CONCLUSION Families experience significant parenting distress related to the childs functioning and disruption in the childs quality of life that may be because of the delay in fully resolving the childs medical condition. In addition, parents experience negative consequences to their own stress as a result of the delay before the childs appendectomy.