Jeffrey M. Burford

Surgeon-performed ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in appendicitis

PURPOSE Diagnosing appendicitis may require adjunct studies such as computed tomography or ultrasound (US). Combining a clinical examination with surgeon-performed US (SPUS) may increase diagnostic accuracy and decrease radiation exposure and costs. METHODS A prospective study was conducted including children with a potential diagnosis of appendicitis. A surgery resident performed a clinical examination and US to make a diagnosis. Final diagnosis of appendicitis was confirmed by operative findings and pathology. Results were compared with radiology department US (RDUS) and a large randomized trial. Analysis was performed using Fisher exact test. RESULTS Fifty-four patients were evaluated and underwent SPUS. Twenty-nine patients (54%) had appendicitis. Overall accuracy was 89%, with accuracy increasing from 85% to 93% between the 2 halves of the study. Radiology department US was performed on 21 patients before surgical evaluation, yielding an accuracy of 81%. Surgeon-performed US on those 21 patients yielded an accuracy of 90%. No statistical differences were found between any groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION Accuracy of SPUS was similar to RDUS and that of a large prospective randomized trial performed by radiologists. Furthermore, when the same clinician performs the clinical examination and US, a high level of accuracy can be achieved. With this degree of accuracy, SPUS may be used as a primary diagnostic tool and computed tomography reserved for challenging cases, limiting costs, and radiation exposure.

Repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula via thoracotomy: a contemporary series

BACKGROUND A recent series detailing thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) reported lower complication rates compared with historic controls. This study provides a contemporary cohort of patients repaired via thoracotomy for comparison with the recent large multi-institutional thoracoscopic series. METHODS Records of patients with EA/TEF between 1993 and 2008 were reviewed. Attention was focused on demographics and complications including anastomotic leak, recurrent fistulae, stricture formation, and need for fundoplication. RESULTS Seventy-two patients underwent repair of EA/TEF via thoracotomy. Complication rates in the current series compared with the thoracoscopic series were anastomotic leak, 2.7% versus 7.6%; recurrent fistulae, 2.7% versus 1.9%; stricture, 5.5% versus 3.8%; and need for fundoplication, 12% versus 24%. Differences in complication rates did not reach statistical significance. Two children in this cohort developed mild scoliosis attributed to congenital vertebral anomalies, neither of whom required intervention. CONCLUSIONS Thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF yielded complication rates similar to this contemporary series; however, trends toward increased anastomotic leaks and greater need for fundoplication were noted. No musculoskeletal sequelae were directly attributable to thoracotomy.

An Animal Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in Preterm Rabbits

Creation of an animal model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) allowing adjustment of severity and potential recoverability is needed to study effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies. This study describes a novel model in preterm rabbits capable of adjusting severity of NEC-like histologic changes. Rabbit pups (n = 151) were delivered by cesarean section 2 days preterm. In the treatment groups, tissue adhesive was applied to anal openings to simulate the poor intestinal function and dysmotility of preterm neonates. Pups were placed into five groups: 3INT (3 day intermittent block), 4INT (4 day intermittent block), 3COM (3 day complete block), 4COM (4 day complete block), based on differences in type of anal blockage and day of life sacrificed. The fifth group, 4CON, was comprised of a control arm (n = 28) without anal block, with sacrifice of subjects on day 4. All pups were gavage fed with formula contaminated with Enterobacter cloacae, ranitidine, and indomethacin. Following sacrifice, the intestines were harvested for pathologic evidence of NEC. A blinded pathologist graded histologic changes consistent with NEC using a grading scale 0–4 with 4 being most severe. Fifty-seven pups (57/123) (46%) in the research arm survived to sacrifice, compared to 26/28 (93%) in the control arm of the investigation, p < 0.0001. The incidence and severity of NEC-like damage increased with the duration and completeness of the anal blockage. 44/57 (77%) of survivors revealed various degrees of NEC-like damage to large and small bowel, and 3/26 (12%) exhibited early NEC-like mucosal injury in the research and control arms, respectively. This animal model produces NEC-like pathologic changes in both small and large intestine in preterm rabbits. Because incidence and severity of damage increases with duration and completeness of intestinal dysmotility, this allows future effectiveness studies for nonsurgical treatment and prevention of NEC.

Does timing of gastroschisis repair matter? A comparison using the ACS NSQIP pediatric database

BACKGROUND There is no consensus on optimal timing of gastroschisis repair. The 2012-2014 ACS NSQIP Pediatric Participant Use Data File was used to compare outcomes of primary versus staged gastroschisis repair. METHODS Cases were divided into primary repair (0-1day) and staged repair (4-14days). Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared for primary versus staged closure using Fishers exact tests for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables. Length of stay was compared after controlling for prematurity. RESULTS There were 627 subjects included, with 364 neonates in the primary group and 263 in the staged group. The primary group demonstrated shorter hospital length of stay (LOS) (5.1days; p<0.001) and had less surgical site infections (OR=0.27; p=0.003), but had longer ventilator days (1.9days; p<0.001). Neonates in the primary repair group were less likely to be discharged home versus transferred to another hospital (OR=0.24; p=0.006) and more likely to require nutritional support at discharge (OR=1.74; p=0.034). No significant differences were identified for mortality, readmissions, postoperative LOS, sepsis or other outcomes. CONCLUSION Staged repair of gastroschisis has longer LOS attributed to preoperative timing, but less ventilator days. Outcomes for these closure techniques are equivocal and support surgeons performing the closure technique they are most experienced with. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III (Treatment: retrospective comparative study).

Resource savings and outcomes associated with outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy for nonperforated appendicitis

BACKGROUND Postoperative admission for acute appendicitis utilizes health care system resources. We evaluated outcomes and hospital charges for children with nonperforated appendicitis who underwent outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed for patients ≤18years old who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis in 2015. Patients were categorized into discharge from postanesthesia care unit (PACU) (outpatient), admission for <24-h, and admission for >24-h. Continuous variables were compared using analysis of variance and categorical variables were compared using chi-square test, with p<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS Of the 171 patients identified, 63 (37%) were discharged from the PACU, 94 (55%) were admitted <24-h, and 14 (8%) were admitted >24-h. There were no differences in postoperative emergency department/clinic visits, complications, or readmissions. Hospital charges for admission <24-h and >24-h were

24-hour and 30-day perioperative mortality in pediatric surgery

1007 and

Review of bedside surgeon-performed ultrasound in pediatric patients

2237 more per patient than the PACU-discharge group, respectively. Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomies became more common over time, occurring in only 20% of patients with acute appendicitis in the first quarter of the year versus 49% of patients in the last quarter. CONCLUSION Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy for nonperforated appendicitis in children is a safe practice that decreases length of stay and hospital charges. Adoption of an outpatient strategy allows for better standardization of care and can lead to savings in health care resources. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III (Treatment: retrospective comparative study).

Optimizing peripheral venous pressure waveforms in an awake pediatric patient by decreasing signal interference

PURPOSE The low perioperative mortality rate in pediatric surgery precludes effective analysis of mortality at individual institutions. Therefore, analysis of multi-institutional data is essential to determine any patterns of perioperative death in children. The aim of this study was to determine diagnoses associated with 24-hour and 30-day perioperative mortality. METHODS A retrospective review of the 2012-2015 Pediatric Participant Use Data File (PUF) was performed. Statistical comparisons were made between survivors and nonsurvivors and between those with 24-hour and 30-day mortality using Fischers exact tests. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS 103,444 patients who underwent a pediatric surgical operation were evaluated. There were 732 deaths with a 30-day perioperative mortality of 0.7% (732/103,444). Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was the diagnosis associated with the highest 30-day perioperative mortality (175/901, 19%). A significantly higher proportion NEC deaths occurred in the first 24 hours (67% (118/175) vs 33% (57/175) 30 day mortality, p<0.001). Compared to patients who survived following operation for NEC, those who died were statistically more likely to require inotropic support (56% vs. 15%, p<0.001), be diagnosed with sepsis (52% vs. 22%, p < 0.001), and undergo blood transfusion within 48 hours of operation (49% vs. 34%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION Although the overall pediatric surgical operative mortality rate is low, the largest proportion of perioperative deaths occur secondary to NEC. Based on the high immediate mortality, optimization of operative care for septic patients with NEC should be targeted. TYPE OF STUDY Prognosis Study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Use of bedside abdominal ultrasound to confirm intestinal motility in neonates with gastroschisis: A feasibility study

PURPOSE Pediatric surgeon performed bedside ultrasound (PSPBUS) is a targeted examination that is diagnostic or therapeutic. The aim of this paper is to review literature involving PSPBUS. METHODS PSPBUS practices reviewed in this paper include central venous catheter placement, physiologic assessment (volume status and echocardiography), hypertrophic pyloric stenosis diagnosis, appendicitis diagnosis, the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST), thoracic evaluation, and soft tissue infection evaluation. RESULTS There are no standards for the practice of PSPBUS. CONCLUSIONS As the role of the pediatric surgeon continues to evolve, PSPBUS will influence practice patterns, disease diagnosis, and patient management. TYPE OF STUDY Review Article. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III.

Racial disparity in colorectal cancer: the role of ABO blood group

The purpose of this technological notes paper is to describe our institutions experience collecting peripheral venous pressure (PVP) waveforms using a standard peripheral intravenous catheter in an awake pediatric patient. PVP waveforms were collected from patients with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. PVP measurements were obtained prospectively at two time points during the hospitalization: admission to emergency department and after bolus in emergency department. Data was collected from thirty-two patients. Interference in the PVP waveforms data collection was associated with the following: patient or device motion, system set-up error, type of IV catheter, and peripheral intravenous catheter location. PVP waveforms can be collected in an awake pediatric patient and adjuncts to decrease signal interference can be used to optimize data collection.