Dietmar Cholewa

Outcome in neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis and patent ductus arteriosus.

BackgroundThere is no agreement of the influence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on outcomes in patients with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In this study, we assessed the influence of PDA on NEC outcomes.MethodsA retrospective study of 131 infants with established NEC was performed. Outcomes (death, disease severity, need for surgery, hospitalization duration), as well as multiple clinical parameters were compared between NEC patients with no congenital heart disease (n=102) and those with isolated PDA (n=29). Univariate, multivariate and stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsBirth weight and gestational age were significantly lower in patients with PDA [median (95% CI): 1120 g (1009-1562 g), 28.4 wk (27.8-30.5 wk)] than in those without PDA [median (95% CI): 1580 g (1593-1905 g), 32.4 wk (31.8-33.5 wk); P<0.05]. The risk of NEC-attributable fatality was higher in NEC patients with PDA (35%) than in NEC patients without PDA (14%)[univariate odds ratio (OR)=3.3, 95% CI: 1.8-8.6, P<0.05; multivariate OR=2.4, 95% CI: 0.82-2.39, P=0.111]. Significant independent predictors for nonsurvival within the entire cohort were advanced disease severity stage III (OR=27.9, 95% CI: 7.4-105, P<0.001) and birth weight below 1100 g (OR=5.7, 95% CI: 1.7-19.4, P<0.01).ConclusionsIn patients with NEC, the presence of PDA is associated with an increased risk of death. However, when important differences between the two study groups are controlled, only birth weight and disease severity may independently predict mortality.

Dissection of the Appendix with Ultrasound-Activated Scalpel: An Experimental Study in Pediatric Laparoscopic Appendectomy

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine mechanical, microbiologic, and morphologic changes of the appendicle rim to assess if it is appropriate to dissect the appendix with the ultrasound-activated scalpel (UAS) during laparoscopic appendectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS After laparoscopic resection of the appendix, using conventional Roeder slings, we investigated 50 appendicle rims with an in vitro procedure. The overall time of dissection of the mesoappendix with UAS was noted. Following removal, the appendix was dissected in vitro with the UAS one cme from the resection rim. Seal-burst pressures were recorded. Bacterial cultures of the UAS-resected rim were compared with those of the scissors resected rim. Tissue changes were quantified histologically with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stains. RESULTS The average time to dissect the mesoappendix was 228 seconds (25-900). Bacterial culture growths were less in the UAS-resected probes (7 versus 36 positive probes; (p > 0.01). HE-stained tissues revealed mean histologic changes in the lamina propria muscularis externa of 2 mm depth. The seal-burst pressure levels of the appendicle lumen had a mean of 420 mbar. Seal-burst pressures and depths of histologic changes were not dependent on the different stages of appendicitis investigated, gender, or age groups. Seal-burst pressure levels were not related to different depths of tissue changes (P = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS The UAS is a rapid instrument for laparoscopic appendectomy and appears to be safe with respect to stability, sterility and tissue changes. It avoids complex time consuming instrument change manoeuvres and current transmission, which may induce intra- and postoperative complications. Our results suggest that keeping a safety margin of at least 5 mm from the bowel would be sufficient to avoid thermal damage.

Congenital Heart Disease Increases Mortality in Neonates With Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Background: Studies on the influence of congenital heart disease (CHD) on neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) have produced varied results. We therefore examined the influence of CHD on NEC outcomes. Methods: We carried out a retrospective single-center study including infants with confirmed NEC, treated between 2004 and 2017. We excluded patients with isolated patent ductus arteriosus or pulmonary hypertension (n = 45) and compared outcomes of patients with hemodynamically relevant CHD (n = 38) and those without CHD (n = 91). Results: Patients with CHD were more mature than those without CHD [gestational age, median, 95% confidence interval (CI95), 37.1, 34.5–37.2w, vs. 32.6, 31.9–33.3w; P < 0.01]. The presence of CHD did not influence the frequencies of severe disease (overall 21% Bell stage III), nor surgical interventions (overall 30%), the occurrence of intestinal complications (overall 13%), nor the duration of hospitalization (overall 38 days in survivors). The overall mortality as well as NEC-related mortality was increased with the presence of CHD, being 50% (19 out of 38) and 13% (5 out of 38), respectively, when compared to patients without CHD, being 8% (7 out of 91) and 3% (3 out of 91). The presence of CHD and of advanced NEC stage III were independent predictors of NEC-associated fatalities with multivariable odds ratios (CI95) of 7.0, 1.3–39.5 for CHD, and of 3.4, 1.6–7.5 for stage III disease. Conclusions: While some outcome parameters in neonates with NEC remained unaffected by the presence of CHD, the mortality risk for patients with CHD was seven times higher than without CHD.