Jennifer L. Bruny

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric: A beta phase report

PURPOSE The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-P) expanded to beta phase testing with the enrollment of 29 institutions. Data collection and analysis were aimed at program refinement and development of risk-adjusted models for inter-institutional comparisons. METHODS Data from the first full year of beta-phase NSQIP-P were analyzed. Patient accrual used ACS-NSQIP methodology tailored to pediatric specialties. Preliminary risk adjusted modeling for all pediatric and neonatal operations and pediatric (excluding neonatal) abdominal operations was performed for all cause morbidity (other than death) and surgical site infections (SSI) using hierarchical logistic regression methodology and eight predictor variables. Results were expressed as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS During calendar year 2010, 29 institutions enrolled 37,141 patients. 1644 total CPT codes were entered, of which 456 accounted for 90% of the cases. 450 codes were entered only once (1.2% of cases). For all cases, overall mortality was 0.25%, overall morbidity 7.9%, and the SSI rate 1.8%. For neonatal cases, mortality was 2.39%, morbidity 18.7%, and the SSI rate 3%. For the all operations model, risk-adjusted morbidity institutional odds ratios ranged 0.48-2.63, with 9/29 hospitals categorized as low outliers and 9/29 high outliers, while risk-adjusted SSI institutional odds ratios ranged 0.36-2.04, with 2/29 hospitals low outliers and 7/29 high outliers. CONCLUSION This report represents the first risk-adjusted hospital-level comparison of surgical outcomes in infants and children using NSQIP-P data. Programmatic and analytic modifications will improve the impact of this program as it moves into full implementation. These results indicate that NSQIP-P has the potential to serve as a model for determining risk-adjusted outcomes in the neonatal and pediatric population with the goal of developing quality improvement initiatives for the surgical care of children.

Pediatric thyroidectomy: a collaborative surgical approach

INTRODUCTION We have developed a collaborative approach to pediatric thyroid surgery, with operations performed at a childrens hospital by a pediatric surgeon and an endocrine surgeon. We hypothesize that this strategy minimizes specialist-specific limitations and optimizes care of children with surgical thyroid disease. METHODS Data from all partial and total thyroidectomies performed by the pediatric-endocrine surgery team at a tertiary childrens hospital between 1995 and 2009 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Statistical analyses were performed with IBM SPSS software (SPSS, Chicago, IL). RESULTS Thirty-five children met the inclusion criteria (69% female; median age, 13 years; median follow-up, 1119 days). The indications for operation were thyroid nodule (71%), genetic abnormality with predisposition to thyroid malignancy (17%), multinodular goiter (5.7%), Grave disease (2.9%), and Hashimoto thyroiditis (2.9%). Sixteen children (46%) underwent thyroid lobectomy, and 19 children (54%) underwent total thyroidectomy. Median length of stay was 1 day (1 day after lobectomy vs 2 days after total thyroidectomy, P < .0001). There were 4 cases of transient hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy, but there were no nerve injuries or other in-hospital complications in either group (overall complication rate, 11%). CONCLUSIONS For pediatric thyroidectomy and thyroid lobectomy, collaboration of high-volume endocrine and pediatric surgeons as well as pediatric endocrinologists at a dedicated pediatric medical center provides optimal surgical outcomes.

Short-term mortality following surgical procedures for the diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors: outcome analysis in 5533 children from SEER, 2004–2011

OBJECT Thirty-day mortality is increasingly a reference metric regarding surgical outcomes. Recent data estimate a 30-day mortality rate of 1.4-2.7% after craniotomy for tumors in children. No detailed analysis of short-term mortality following a diagnostic neurosurgical procedure (e.g., resection or tissue biopsy) for tumor in the US pediatric population has been conducted. METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data sets identified patients ≤ 21 years who underwent a diagnostic neurosurgical procedure for primary intracranial tumor from 2004 to 2011. One- and two-month mortality was estimated. Standard statistical methods estimated associations between independent variables and mortality. RESULTS A total of 5533 patients met criteria for inclusion. Death occurred within the calendar month of surgery in 64 patients (1.16%) and by the conclusion of the calendar month following surgery in 95 patients (1.72%). Within the first calendar month, patients < 1 year of age (n = 318) had a risk of death of 5.66%, while those from 1 to 21 years (n = 5215) had a risk of 0.88% (p < 0.0001). By the end of the calendar month following surgery, patients < 1 year (n = 318) had a risk of death of 7.23%, while those from 1 to 21 years (n = 5215) had a risk of 1.38% (p < 0.0001). Children < 1 year at diagnosis were more likely to harbor a high-grade lesion than older children (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5-2.4). CONCLUSIONS In the SEER data sets, the risk of death within 30 days of a diagnostic neurosurgical procedure for a primary pediatric brain tumor is between 1.16% and 1.72%, consistent with contemporary data from European populations. The risk of mortality in infants is considerably higher, between 5.66% and 7.23%, and they harbor more aggressive lesions.

Advances in the understanding and treatment of biliary atresia.

Purpose of review The purpose of this study is to review both the basic science and clinical advancements in the last 12 months that have furthered our understanding of biliary atresia. Recent findings Early diagnosis and further understanding of the disease process may be the next major step in advancement. Stool color cards have been shown to be an accurate screening tool. Basic science developments have focused on defects in morphogenesis, immunologic dysregulation, and viral infection as the major theories of causes. There have been initial reports of minimally invasive approaches to hepatic portoenterostomy but there has been little comparative study. Postoperative corticosteroid therapy remains an area of debate without definitive data. Early postoperative testing of serum bilirubin levels and hepatobiliary scintigraphy are showing strong correlation with long-term outcomes. The comparison of regions with decentralization policies compared with those with central referral policies is providing a good forum to monitor real-time outcome data. Summary Biliary atresia continues to represent a major challenge with many unanswered questions. The establishment of multicentered collaboration in both basic science and clinical research interests has been an important step in improving outcomes for this disease.

Factors associated with peritoneal dialysis catheter complications in children.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a common method of renal replacement therapy for children. However, placement of PD catheters has risk, and some are never used. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with a PD catheter placed between 2000 and 2014. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify covariates associated with complications. RESULTS We identified 175 children with PD catheters. 110 complications developed in 80 children (45.7%). Complications including unexpected return to the operating room and peritonitis increased as the length of time a catheter was in place increased. Children who weighed <12.4 kg had 3.2 times greater odds of developing a leak (95% CI 1.21-8.63, p=0.02). Twelve children never used their PD catheters, 9 with acute kidney injury (AKI) who recovered from their disease more quickly than expected. No covariate was associated with nonuse. CONCLUSIONS Complications with PD catheters are common and increase the longer catheters are in place. Lower weight children are at greater risk of PD catheter leak. Decreased initial volumes of dialysate in smaller children may mitigate this risk. Nonuse may be reduced if dialysis is permitted the day of placement for children with AKI.

Preoperative imaging does not predict intrahepatic involvement in choledochal cysts

INTRODUCTION Choledochal cyst (CDC) is a congenital malformation of the bile ducts, which can include the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts. We hypothesize that preoperative intrahepatic ductal dilation is not predictive of postoperative intrahepatic involvement. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all cases of CDC in children diagnosed at a single institution between 1991 and 2013. RESULTS Sixty-two patients were diagnosed with CDC during the study period with a median follow-up time of 2.25 (range 0-19.5) years. Forty-two patients (68%) were diagnosed with type I disease preoperatively, and 15 patients (24%) were diagnosed with type IV-A disease. The most common presenting symptoms included pain (34%), jaundice (28%), and pancreatitis (25%). There were no deaths or malignancies and only one postoperative stricture. Forty-two patients (68%) had intrahepatic ductal dilation preoperatively. Only four patients (9%) had intrahepatic ductal dilation following resection (P<0.0001). In one patient, this dilation resolved following stricture revision. Of the four patients with postoperative dilation, two were diagnosed with type I disease, and the other two were diagnosed with type IV-A disease preoperatively. CONCLUSION Preoperative intrahepatic ductal dilation is not predictive of postoperative intrahepatic ductal involvement in children with CDC. The preoperative distinction between type I and IV disease is not helpful in treating these patients.

A multidisciplinary approach to the management of anterior mediastinal masses in children.

PURPOSE Anterior mediastinal masses (AMM) pose a diagnostic challenge to surgeons, oncologists, anesthesiologists, intensivists, and interventional radiologists as induction of general anesthesia can cause airway obstruction and cardiovascular collapse. We hypothesized that in the majority of patients, diagnosis can be obtained through biopsy of extrathoracic tissue. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of all patients in the solid tumor oncology clinic with a diagnosis of AMM between 2002 and 2012 including preoperative evaluation and management prior to obtaining a tissue diagnosis, clinical course and complications. RESULTS We identified 69 patients with AMM (mean age 12.2±4.4years, 64% male) secondary to Hodgkin lymphoma (34), Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (26), and other diagnoses (9). The majority of patients (56, 81.2%) underwent biopsy of tissue outside of the mediastinal mass. Local anesthesia with sedation was used for successful biopsy in 21 (30%) patients. Four (5.8%) required repeat biopsy due to inadequate sample obtained at initial procedure. Three (4.4%) suffered respiratory complications with no fatalities or severe complications. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that in the majority of children with AMM, tissue biopsy can be successfully obtained from tissue outside of the mass itself with minimal complications and highlight the importance of multidisciplinary preoperative planning to minimize anesthetic risks.

Aortoesophageal Fistula and Coarctation of the Aorta in a 15-Year-Old Child

Delayed presentation of coarctation of the aorta can be associated with severe complications. A challenging case of aortoenteric fistula secondary to an aneurysm from coartation of the aorta presented with massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The clinical management of this patient and a review of the literature are presented.

Perinatal management of infant tumors and the promise of fetal surgery.

Purpose of review This review outlines the current approaches to prenatal imaging, differential diagnosis, antenatal natural history, and the available treatment options for the most commonly prenatally diagnosed malignant tumors. Recent findings In-utero diagnosis of fetal tumors, although still a rare event, has become more common as prenatal imaging modalities have improved. In general, this prenatal diagnosis allows more informed prenatal counseling and better perinatal planning for potentially high-risk deliveries. There are rare indications for prenatal fetal intervention. Summary Diagnosis of a fetal tumor should prompt referral to a specialized center. Further understanding of these rare patients will require multicenter collaboration.

Maximizing lymph node retrieval during surgical resection of Wilms tumor.

INTRODUCTION Sampling lymph nodes (LNs) is independently associated with decreased recurrence and improved survival for Wilms tumor (WT). Despite sampling, we noted cases where a few or no LNs were identified after resection of WT. We hypothesized fewer LNs were identified when submitted en bloc with the tumor, compared with when submitted separately. PATIENTS/MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review from 2003 to 2012 of WT resection cases, examining the type of LN dissection, the specimens submitted to pathology, number of LNs evaluated, and complications associated with the procedure. RESULTS We identified 74 children with WT; 59 of 74 (79.7%) had unilateral disease and 15 of 74 (20.3%) had bilateral disease. With unilateral disease, more LNs were identified by separate versus en bloc sampling (5.2 ± 0.6 vs. 4.4 ± 1.2 nodes, p=0.61). Both the methods identified fewer LNs compared with en bloc+separate sampling (12.5 ± 2.7 nodes, p<0.001 and p=0.04, respectively). The majority of children with bilateral disease (10/15, 66.6%) did not have LN sampling intraoperatively. When submitted separately, 83.3 ± 3.8% of all LNs were identified in the separate specimen, and two en bloc specimens that were noted to have adenopathy intraoperatively had no LNs pathologically identified. Few cases had complications, which did not appear associated with LN sampling. CONCLUSIONS En bloc+separate sampling yields the most LNs during resection of WT. We recommend using this technique to facilitate the maximum number of LNs evaluated in WT. Low rates of LN sampling in bilateral disease may indicate decreased regard for sampling when tumor stage is already known.