Gerald Gollin

Does early ultrasonography affect management of pediatric appendicitis? A prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND Appendicitis remains a difficult diagnosis in children. Ultrasonography is increasingly used for the diagnosis of appendicitis, although the proper clinical role for this test remains unclear. METHODS To evaluate the clinical utility of ultrasonography in appendicitis, the authors analyzed prospectively all children evaluated for possible appendicitis from January 1 through December 31, 1997. Children with a high clinical suspicion of appendicitis were referred for surgery (n = 122). Children with equivocal findings of appendicitis were referred for early ultrasonography (EUS) and formed the study cohort (n = 103). An initial management plan was made to operate or observe each patient, and a risk of appendicitis (doubtful, possible, probable) was assigned by a pediatric surgery fellow. EUS was then performed, and its effect on management was assessed. RESULTS Using clinical judgment to operate at initial presentation, the sensitivity was 38% and specificity was 95%. Using EUS alone, the sensitivity was 87% and specificity was 88%. The management of 30 of 103 patients (30%) was changed after EUS, including a decision to operate in 28 patients and a decision not to operate in two patients. CONCLUSIONS EUS appears to have substantial clinical utility in children with equivocal findings of appendicitis, and its use complements the clinical management. The use of EUS can improve patient care and reduce hospital resource utilization.

Cholecystectomy for suspected biliary dyskinesia in children with chronic abdominal pain

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The authors reviewed their experience with a group of children with chronic abdominal pain, delayed gallbladder emptying, and no cholelithiasis. Clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and effect of cholecystectomy on symptoms were investigated. METHODS Twenty-nine children were suspected of having biliary dyskinesia. Diagnosis was based on symptoms of upper abdominal pain in conjunction with a lack of sonographically apparent gallstones, a cholecystikinin (CCK)-stimulated gallbladder ejection fraction of less that 40% at 30 minutes, and a lack of any other clear cause for symptoms. All patients underwent cholecystectomy. RESULTS The duration of symptoms before operation was between 3 weeks and 4 years. All patients were evaluated by abdominal ultrasonography and CCK cholescintigraphy. Symptoms were relieved completely in 23 (79%) of the patients who underwent cholecystectomy. Five children had persistent pain after cholecystectomy and one had nausea. CONCLUSIONS Symptoms suggestive of biliary colic in children without evidence for cholelithiasis frequently may represent biliary dyskinesia. CCK cholescintigraphy should be pursued in these patients. Relief of symptoms after cholecystectomy should be expected in a majority of those with an ejection fraction of less that 40%.

Predictors of postoperative respiratory complications in premature infants after inguinal herniorrhaphy

There is a significant incidence of inguinal hernia in premature infants and the optimal timing of repair is controversial. A high rate of postoperative respiratory complications has been reported in this group. In this study, the records of 47 premature infants (mean gestational age, 30.3 weeks) who underwent herniorrhaphy while still in the neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed in an effort to define those conditions that are independent risk factors for complications. Forty-three percent of infants had complications, including postoperative assisted ventilation (34%), episodes of apnea and/or bradycardia (23%), emesis and cyanosis with first feeding (6%), and requirement for postoperative reintubation (4%). Although low gestational age and postconceptual age at operation, low birth weight for gestational age, and preoperative ventilatory assistance were significantly associated with postoperative complications, only a history of respiratory distress syndrome/bronchopulmonary dysplasia (odds ratio 2.3), a history of patent ductus arteriosus (odds ratio 2.5), and low absolute weight at operation (odds ratio 3.5 for 1,000-g decrease) were independent risk factors for postoperative complication. Despite previous reports citing postconceptual age as the factor having the greatest impact on postoperative complications, these results indicate that a history of respiratory dysfunction and size at operation may be more important predictors of postoperative respiratory dysfunction in preterm infants.

A multicenter evaluation of the role of mechanical bowel preparation in pediatric colostomy takedown

BACKGROUND In response to studies in adults that have failed to demonstrate a benefit for mechanical bowel preparation in colonic surgery, we sought to evaluate the utility of mechanical bowel preparation in a multicenter, retrospective study of children who underwent colostomy takedown. METHODS The records of 272 children who underwent colostomy takedown at 3 large childrens hospitals were reviewed, and the utilization of mechanical bowel preparation and perioperative antibiotics was noted. Length of stay and the incidences of wound, anastomotic, and other complications were compared. RESULTS A polyethylene glycol bowel prep was administered to 187 children. All subjects received perioperative, intravenous antibiotics, and 52% of those with bowel preps received preoperative oral antibiotics. Subjects in the bowel prep group had a significantly higher incidence of wound infection (P = .04) and longer length of stay (P = .05). Oral antibiotics did not affect outcome. CONCLUSIONS The use of a mechanical bowel preparation in children before colostomy takedown was associated with a greater risk for wound infection, no protection from other complications, and a longer length of stay. This suggests that bowel preparation may be safely omitted in many children who undergo colonic surgery, thereby reducing cost and discomfort.

Small bowel allograft rejection detected by serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein is reversible.

We hypothesized that, following experimental small bowel transplantation, immunosuppressive therapy initiated on the day of the initial rise in serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) would result in graft salvage. In previously published work, we showed that I-FABP was not detectable in the serum of isografted Lewis rats, but could be measured in the peripheral circulation during small bowel allograft rejection. A clinically useful method to monitor trans- planted allografts for rejection should detect the problem early in its evolution so that treatment to reverse the process would salvage a functional organ. Lewis rats served as recipients of LBNF1 out-of-continuity small bowel allografts and were studied in two groups: group I (control) received no immunosuppression and group II received cyclosporine (CsA, 15 mg/kg/d, p.o.) when I-FABP rose to > or = 80 ng/ml. Serum I-FABP was measured daily until the time of sacrifice. Full-thickness graft biopsies were obtained on postoperative days 3 (baseline), 6 or 7 (elevated I-FABP), 10, and 14 (sacrifice). Following transplantation baseline serum I-FABP (day 2 or 3) averaged < or = 10.0 ng/ml. I-FABP remained at baseline through day 5 (range 0-50 ng/ml) in all animals and then rose abruptly on either day 6 or 7 (range 86-150 ng/ml; P < 0.001 vs. baseline). Histology on day 6 or 7 revealed a mild-to-moderate cellular rejection. Cyclosporine therapy reversed the rejection reaction and restored the bowel to normal histology. Serum I-FABP returned to baseline. In untreated animals, serum I-FABP remained elevated for several days and then returned to baseline levels coincident with fulminant rejection and mucosal sloughing. I-FABP was released into the peripheral circulation early in the evolution of acute rejection in this model of small bowel transplantation. Immunosuppressive therapy initiated when elevated levels of I-FABP were detected in the serum resulted in graft salvage. Cyclosporine immunotherapy consistently reversed rejection in this model. This article represents the first report of salvage of small bowel allografts when immunosuppressive therapy was instituted prospectively on the basis of a serum marker. Immunoreactive I-FABP appears to hold significant potential as a biochemical screening tool for acute rejection occurring In small bowell allografts.

Stapled intestinal anastomoses in infants

BACKGROUND We reviewed our experience with stapled intestinal anastomoses in infants younger than 1 year and compared operative data and outcome to that of infants who underwent hand-sewn anastomoses. METHODS Infants younger than 1 year who underwent an intestinal anastomosis over an 8-year period were identified. Stapled anastomoses were constructed in a side-to-side fashion using standard or endoscopic linear cutters. Outcome variables including operative time, anastomotic failure, and death were recorded. RESULTS Two hundred ninety-five subjects were identified. Hand-sewn anastomoses were performed in 189 cases and stapled anastomoses in 106. Patients who had a stapled anastomosis were older (105 vs 44 days) and larger (5.2 vs 3.1 kg), although 25 stapled anastomoses were performed in infants between 600 and 1000 g. When a stapled anastomosis was used operative time was significantly reduced overall (102 vs 128 minutes) and for individual procedures including resection for necrotizing enterocolitis (85 vs 132 minutes) and colostomy closure (104 vs 141 minutes). There was no difference between hand-sewn and stapled anastomoses in the incidence of adhesive obstruction, stricture, or leak. CONCLUSIONS When permitted by intestinal size in infants younger than 1 year, stapled anastomoses were safe and effective and significantly reduced operative time.

Failure of enema reduction for ileocolic intussusception at a referring hospital does not preclude repeat attempts at a children's hospital

BACKGROUND Some children with intussusception undergo attempted enema reduction at a hospital without pediatric radiology expertise and are transferred to a childrens hospital (CH) if this is unsuccessful. We sought to determine whether a failed reduction (FR) at a referring hospital predicted failure of repeated attempts by a pediatric radiologist at a CH. METHODS A retrospective review of all children with ileocolic intussusception admitted to a large CH over 9 years was performed. Differences in outcome between those who initially presented to the CH and those who had a FR elsewhere before transfer (FR --> CH) were assessed. RESULTS A total of 152 subjects were identified. There was no difference in the frequency of successful enema reduction at the CH for those who initially presented at the CH (60.5%) and those who were transferred after a FR elsewhere (60.7%). The only predictor of successful reduction was anatomy, whereby 64% of intussusceptions proximal to the splenic flexure were reduced, but only 35% of those distal to that point (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Children who are transferred to a CH after failed enema reduction elsewhere should undergo a repeat hydrostatic or pneumatic enema reduction in the absence of other contraindications.

Early Detection of Impending Necrotizing Enterocolitis with Urinary Intestinal Fatty Acid-Binding Protein

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is diagnosed after the development of feeding intolerance and characteristic physical and imaging findings. Earlier detection of a subclinical prodrome might allow for the institution of measures that could prevent or attenuate the severity of the disease. Objectives: We sought to determine whether urinary intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (iFABPu) might be elevated prior to the first clinical manifestations of NEC. Methods: Urine was collected daily from 62 infants of a gestational age of 24-28 weeks. Based on clinical, imaging and operative findings, subjects were determined to have Bell stage 2 or 3 NEC. In all the subjects with NEC and in 21 age-matched controls, iFABPu was determined using an ELISA, and was expressed in terms of its ratio to urinary creatinine (Cr), i.e. iFABPu/Cru. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to define the predictive value of iFABPu/Cru for impending NEC in the days prior to the first clinical manifestations. Results: Five subjects developed NEC (stage 2: n = 3 and stage 3: n = 2). The day before the first clinical manifestation of NEC, a ROC curve showed that an iFABPu/Cru >10.2 pg/nmol predicted impending NEC with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95.6%. iFABPu/Cru did not predict NEC 2 days prior to the first sign of disease. Conclusions: An elevated iFABPu was a sensitive and specific predictor of impending NEC 1 day prior to the first clinical manifestations. iFABPu screening might identify infants at a high risk and allow for the institution of measures that could ameliorate or prevent NEC.

Chest tube placement in children during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

BACKGROUND Pleural collections of air and fluid are frequent in infants and children treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In this anticoagulated population, chest tube placement is potentially hazardous, and catastrophic hemorrhage has been reported. We sought to define the risks associated with chest tube placement in a large population of children managed with ECMO. METHODS The records of 189 consecutive children managed with ECMO at two childrens hospitals were reviewed. Demographics, indications for ECMO, and ECMO courses were reviewed. In particular, the occurrence of pleural collections and the frequency and technique of chest tube placement were evaluated. The incidence of complications and mortality were determined. RESULTS The median age of the subjects was 2days. The overall mortality was 26.5%. A pneumothorax was found in 19 (10.1%), a pleural effusion in 26 (13.8%), and a hemothorax in 2 (1.0%). A chest tube was placed in 27 (19 by a needle-guide wire technique and 8 by cut-down). Major bleeding complications occurred in 6 subjects (22%). CONCLUSIONS There was a significant incidence of major bleeding complications and death in subjects in whom chest tubes were placed. The placement of a chest tube during ECMO should be done only if it is likely to improve pump flow or promote weaning of support.

The relationship of red blood cell transfusion to intestinal mucosal injury in premature infants

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of intestinal mucosal injury before and after transfusions in premature infants. STUDY DESIGN Urine was collected throughout the hospital stay of 62 premature infants and specimens obtained within 24h before and after transfusion were assayed for intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP). A urinary iFABP:creatinine ratio (iFABPu:Cru) of 2.0pg/nmol was considered elevated. RESULT Forty-nine infants were transfused. iFABPu:Cru was elevated following 71 (75.6%) of 94 transfusions for which urine was available. In 51 (71.8%) of these, iFABPu:Cru was also elevated prior to the transfusion. Among four cases of transfusion-associated NEC, iFABPu was elevated following every sentinel transfusion and prior to three of them. CONCLUSION Subclinical intestinal mucosal injury is frequent following blood transfusions in premature infants and, when present, usually precedes transfusion. This suggests that transfusion may not be a primary mediator of intestinal injury so much as anemia and its associated conditions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognosis study/level 3.