Jason D. Fraser

Initial laparoscopic appendectomy versus initial nonoperative management and interval appendectomy for perforated appendicitis with abscess: a prospective, randomized trial

INTRODUCTION Perforated appendicitis is a common condition in children, which, in a small number of patients, may be complicated by a well-formed abscess. Initial nonoperative management with percutaneous drainage/aspiration of the abscess followed by intravenous antibiotics usually allows for an uneventful interval appendectomy. Although this strategy has become well accepted, there are no published data comparing initial nonoperative management (drainage/interval appendectomy) to appendectomy upon presentation with an abscess. Therefore, we conducted a randomized trial comparing these 2 management strategies. METHODS After internal review board approval (#06 11-164), children who presented with a well-defined abdominal abscess by computed tomographic imaging were randomized on admission to laparoscopic appendectomy or intravenous antibiotics with percutaneous drainage of the abscess (when possible), followed by interval laparoscopic appendectomy approximately 10 weeks later. This was a pilot study with a sample size of 40, which was based on our recent volume of patients presenting with appendicitis and abscess. RESULTS On presentation, there were no differences between the 2 groups regarding age, weight, body mass index, sex distribution, temperature, leukocyte count, number of abscesses, or greatest 2-dimensional area of abscess in the axial view. Regarding outcomes, there were no differences in length of total hospitalization, recurrent abscess rates, or overall charges. There was a trend toward a longer operating time in patients undergoing initial appendectomy (61 minutes versus 42 minutes mean, P = .06). CONCLUSIONS Although initial laparoscopic appendectomy trends toward a requiring longer operative time, there seems to be no advantages between these strategies in terms of total hospitalization, recurrent abscess rate, or total charges.

A complete course of intravenous antibiotics vs a combination of intravenous and oral antibiotics for perforated appendicitis in children: a prospective, randomized trial

INTRODUCTION In a previous prospective randomized trial, we found a once-a-day regimen of ceftriaxone and metronidazole to be an efficient, cost-effective treatment for children with perforated appendicitis. In this study, we evaluated the safety of discharging patients to complete an oral course of antibiotics. METHODS Children found to have perforated appendicitis at the time of laparoscopic appendectomy were enrolled in the study. Perforation was defined as a hole in the appendix or fecalith in the abdomen. Patients were randomized to antibiotic treatment with either once daily dosing of ceftriaxone and metronidazole for a minimum of 5 days (intravenous [IV] arm) or discharge to home on oral amoxicillin/clavulanate when tolerating a regular diet (IV/PO arm) to complete 7 days. RESULTS One hundred two patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. On presentation, there were no differences in age, weight, sex distribution, days of symptoms, maximum temperature, or leukocyte count between the 2 groups. There was no difference in the postoperative abscess rate between the two treatment groups. Discharge was possible before day 5 in 42% of the patients in the IV/PO arm. CONCLUSIONS When patients are able to tolerate a regular diet, completing the course of antibiotics orally decreases hospitalization with no effect on the risk of postoperative abscess formation.

Physiologic predictors of postoperative abscess in children with perforated appendicitis: Subset analysis from a prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND Intra-abdominal abscess after appendectomy is the most common complication in patients with perforated appendicitis. There are currently little data that may forecast which patients are more likely to develop an abscess. Therefore, we performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected dataset to determine whether there are predictors for developing a postoperative abscess. METHODS The dataset was collected prospectively in a randomized trial comparing antibiotic regimens in 98 pediatric patients with perforated appendicitis. All patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy and received a minimum of 5 days of intravenous antibiotics. The Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the influence of patient, intra-operative, and early postoperative variables on the development of an abscess. Two-tailed P values were determined from the correlation coefficient, and significance was defined as P < or = .05. RESULTS At presentation, a positive correlation for abscess formation was identified with increasing age (P = .003), weight (P = .001), body mass index (P = .008), and diarrhea (P = .005). Operative time had no influence on abscess development. After operation, there was progressively increasing positive correlation between abscess and the maximum temperature each successive postoperative day. This relationship became significant at day 3. An increased white blood cell count on day 5 was highly predictive of abscess (P < .001). CONCLUSION In children presenting with perforated appendicitis, increasing age, weight, and/or body mass index correlated with the development of a postoperative abscess. Diarrhea on presentation also poses an increased risk of abscess. Postoperatively, each successive day with a fever is incrementally more predictive of an abscess formation.

The Role of Laparoscopy in the Management of Malrotation

BACKGROUND Malrotation is currently treated via the Ladds procedure. Many surgeons feel this operation should be performed using the open approach to facilitate adhesion development, thus decreasing the risk for volvulus. However, little comparative data exist on the relative merits of laparoscopy for this operation. Therefore, we have analyzed our experience with the open and laparoscopic Ladds procedure. METHODS A retrospective analysis of our most recent 13-y experience with the Ladds procedure was performed. Demographics, approach, diagnosis, hospital course, and outcomes were measured. Data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. Comparative analysis was performed using a t-test. RESULTS A total of 284 Ladds procedures were performed during this time, of which 43 were approached laparoscopically. Conversion rate was 33%, usually due to concern for volvulus/orientation. Volvulus after Ladds procedure occurred in six patients, all of whom underwent an open approach (2.4%). Recovery data excluding patients who underwent bowel resection are displayed in Table 1. CONCLUSIONS A laparoscopic Ladds procedure should be the initial approach in patients with malrotation in the absence of volvulus. We encourage a low threshold for conversion to an open approach if there is any concern about volvulus/orientation. This may decrease morbidity for patients who are found at operation to have a low risk of recurrent volvulus.

Incidence, Diagnosis, and Outcomes of Vocal Fold Immobility After Esophageal Atresia (EA) and/or Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF) Repair

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of vocal fold paralysis in an infant is a devastating finding that may require a permanent tracheotomy. The incidence of congenital vocal fold paralysis is unknown, but it is thought to be more common in infants with anatomic anomalies in the aero-digestive system. Vocal fold paralysis after surgical repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula is a rare finding often diagnosed after multiple failed extubations. Currently infants do not routinely undergo documentation of vocal fold motion prior to esophageal atresia repair. We report here on our experience with this rare complication. METHOD A retrospective review was done of patients with esophageal atresia and/or tracheoesophageal fistula from 1985 to 2009. Patient demographics, operative techniques, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS 150 patients were identified. Mean age at surgical intervention was 12 ± 33 days. Otolaryngology service was consulted for 13% of patients with postoperative failure. Awake fiberoptic laryngoscopy identified 3% of patients with vocal fold paralysis. Bilateral vocal fold paralysis was found in 3 patients, and 2 patients had unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Patients with bilateral paralysis were treated with tracheotomy; unilateral paralysis was treated expectantly. CONCLUSION In this study, 3% of patients were diagnosed with vocal fold paralysis after esophageal atresia repair. The etiology of vocal fold paralysis in this study is difficult to assess. Pre-operative fiberoptic laryngoscopy is recommended to identify children with congenital vocal fold paralysis prior to surgical intervention, especially in those requiring revision surgery.

Contemporary practice patterns in the surgical management of Hirschsprung's disease.

BACKGROUND Many options exist in the surgical management of Hirschsprungs disease (HD). To gain insight into contemporary management, we queried pediatric surgeons listed in the American Pediatric Surgical Association Directory on their management for the typical baby with HD. METHODS Surveys were sent electronically to the surgeons concerning a typical newborn diagnosed with HD. Questions included the preferred approach, number of stages, anastomotic technique, length of muscular rectal cuff, point of initiation of the anorectal dissection, and length of colonic resection. Surgeons performing laparoscopy were asked about how the colonic biopsy was performed. Other questions included the type of leveling colostomy, level of residents, and criteria for performing a primary transanal pull-through. The maximum margin of error was calculated using a 95% confidence interval based on the response percentages for discrete variables. RESULTS Surveys were sent to 719 surgeons with 270 responses. A minimally invasive approach is currently used by 80%, of which 42.3% favor laparoscopy and 37.7% prefer transanal dissection only. Only 5.4% of respondents prefer the Duhamel technique. A 1-stage approach is used by 85.6%. An average muscular cuff length of 2.4 cm (range, 0.5-6 cm) is reported. A divided muscular cuff is reported by 55%. On average, the anal anastomosis is 0.73 cm (range, 0-4.5 cm) above the top of the anal columns and 3.0 cm (0-12.5 cm) above the biopsy site on the ganglionic colon. Of the respondents using laparoscopy, 80.2% report using an intracorporeal colonic biopsy technique. Participation in a training program, either fellows and/or residents, is reported by 84.8% of respondents. The most common reason given for not performing a primary transanal pull-through is long segment disease (45.6%). Margin of error was no greater than 6% for any of the responses. CONCLUSIONS A minimally invasive approach with a 1-stage operation has become the most common strategy for the surgical management of the typical baby with HD. Opinions vary about the amount of colonic resection, length of the rectal cuff, and site of initiation of the anorectal dissection, and these represent potential points for future studies.

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.

Review of the evidence on the management of blunt renal trauma in pediatric patients

Due to the size and location within the pediatric patient, the kidneys are susceptible to injury from blunt trauma. While it is clear that the goal of management of blunt renal trauma in children is renal preservation, the methods of achieving this goal have not been well established in the current literature. Therefore, we have set out to summarize and clarify the current published information on the management strategies for blunt renal trauma in children. While there is extensive literature available, it consists mostly of retrospective series documenting widely varied management styles. The purpose of this review is to display the current information available and delineate the role for future studies that may allow us to develop consistent management strategies of pediatric patients, who have sustained blunt renal trauma, in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Stomal complications in the newborn with necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND Infants who develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are usually managed with fecal diversion. The integrity of the bowel being diverted is often suboptimal. Our clinical impression is that stomas created in this circumstance are fraught with complications. The purpose of this study is to quantify the rate of these complications and identify risk factors. METHODS A retrospective data collection from May 1999 to May 2008 on infants undergoing laparotomy for NEC was conducted. Data collected included gestational age, birth weight, age, and weight at operation, indications for surgical therapy, procedure performed, time to stoma output, time to takedown of stoma, complication directly related to the ostomy, and mortality. Data comparisons were analyzed statistically using chi(2), Pearsons correlation, Fishers exact test, or a 2-tailed Students t-test with significance reported for P<0.05. RESULTS A total of 73 patients were identified. Mean gestational age was 28 (+/-4) wk, mean birth weight was 1247 (+/-713) g. Mean age at the time of surgery was 23 (+/-27) d, and mean weight at operation was 1513 (+/-1306) g. The most common indication for surgical intervention was pneumoperitoneum (n=43, 58%). The most common level of intestinal diversion was the ileum (n=63, 85%). In-house mortality was 13%. There were 31 patients (42%) who developed 32 stoma-related complications. Demographic or preoperative variables that were a significant predictor of stoma-related complications were gestational age (P=0.003) and preoperative weight (P=0.024). CONCLUSION Premature infants carry a risk for developing stoma-related complications. Within that cohort, there is significantly increased risk of stoma-related complications in patients who are younger in gestational age and who have low preoperative weight. Future prospective studies may allow insight into preventative practices.

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.