Joanne Baerg

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy in Children: A Multicenter Experience

INTRODUCTION Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is now being recognized as the standard approach for adrenalectomy for benign lesions in adults. The published experience in children and adolescents has been limited to sporadic small case series. Therefore, we conducted a large multicenter review of children who have undergone laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS After Institutional Review Boards approval, a retrospective review was conducted on all patients who have undergone laparoscopic adrenalectomy at 12 institutions over the past 10 years. Operative times included unilateral adrenalectomy without concomitant procedures. RESULTS About 140 patients were identified (70 males [50%]). Laterality included 76 (54.3%) left-sided lesions, 59 (42.1%) right, and 5 (3.6%) bilateral. Mean operative time was 130.2 ± 63.5 minutes (range 43-406 minutes). The most common pathology was neuroblastoma in 39 cases (27.9%), of which 23 (59.0%) had undergone preoperative chemotherapy. Other common pathology included 30 pheochromocytomas (21.4%), 22 ganglioneuromas (15.7%), and 20 adenomas (14.3%). There were 13 conversions to an open operation (9.9%). Most conversions were because of tumor adherence to surrounding organs, and tumor size was not different in converted cases (P=.97). A blood transfusion was required in 2 cases. The only postoperative complication was renal infarction after resection of a large neuroblastoma that required skeletonization of the renal vessels. At a median follow-up of 18 months, there was only one local recurrence, which was in a patient with a pheochromocytoma. CONCLUSIONS The laparoscopic approach can be applied for adrenalectomy in children for a wide variety of conditions regardless of age with a 90% chance of completing the operation without conversion. The risk for significant blood loss or complications is low, and it should be considered the preferred approach for the majority of adrenal lesions in children.

A multicenter study of the incidence and factors associated with redo Nissen fundoplication in children

AIM The objective of this study was to identify the incidence and factors associated with redo Nissen fundoplication in children. METHODS After Institutional Review Board approval (5100277), data for children under 18 years of age from two childrens hospitals with fundoplication performed between January 1994 and December 2010 were reviewed. Children with one fundoplication were compared to those with redos to identify factors associated with redo. Variables were compared using t-tests for continuous and chi-square tests for categorical variables. Logistic regression evaluated for independence. RESULTS There were 823 patients and 54.7% were male. A redo fundoplication was required in 100 (12.2% of cohort); 82 had 1 redo, 14 had 2 redos, and 4 had 3 redos. Follow-up ranged from 0.01 to 16.9 years (median: 2.9 years). Factors associated with redo were: younger age at first fundoplication, (p=0.002), hiatal dissection (p<0.001), and male gender (p=0.008). Independent predictors of redo were: hiatal dissection at first fundoplication, OR: 8.45 (95% CI: 2.45-29.11), retching, OR: 3.59 (95% CI: 1.56-8.25) and younger age at first fundoplication, OR: 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97-0.98). CONCLUSION The incidence of redo fundoplication in children is 12.2%. The risk of redo is significantly increased if patients are younger, have retching, and if the esophageal hiatus is dissected at the first fundoplication.

Pulmonary hypertension predicts mortality in infants with omphalocele

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify predictors of mortality in infants with omphalocele. METHODS Medical records of infants with omphalocele born between January 1992 and June 2012, with follow-up toDecember 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. Survivors and non-survivors were compared. Evidence for pulmonary hypertension was sought between the second and seventh day after birth. All included infants had increased right ventricular pressures (RVP >40 mmhg) on echocardiogram on the second day of life with increased oxygen requirements, therefore, the finding of increased pressure was not considered a result of the transitional circulation. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the importance and independence of various factors. RESULTS Of 51 infants whose records were reviewed, 13 died (25%) and 38 survived (75%). The median time to death was 34 days (range: 4 -408 days). The median follow-up time for those who died was 1.5 years (range: 0.01-15 years) and for survivors was 2.6 years (range: 0.08-15 years). Logistic regression revealed that respiratory insufficiency at birth (OR: 14.8; 95% CI: 2.5-85.0) and pulmonary hypertension (OR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.1-39.0) were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION Respiratory insufficiency after birth and pulmonary hypertension are independent predictors of mortality in infants with omphalocele.

Factors Associated with Mortality after Nissen Fundoplication in Children

PURPOSE The purpose of this article was to identify factors associated with mortality after Nissen fundoplication in children. METHODS After Institutional Review Board approval, children younger than 18 years, from two childrens hospitals, with Nissen fundoplication performed between January 1994 and December 2010, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion required complete data and follow-up to October 2011. Survivors and nonsurvivors were compared, using t-tests for continuous and chi-square tests for categorical variables, to identify factors associated with mortality. Patient factors present before the first fundoplication were analyzed. Surgical factors were surgical complications, gastrostomy placement, operative technique, and redos. Logistic regression evaluated for independence of variables. RESULTS A total of 823 children were identified, 412 were included and 63 died (15.3%). The median follow-up time for the cohort was 3.7 years (mean, 4.5 ± 3.2 years). For nonsurvivors, the median time to death after fundoplication was 6.0 months (mean, 13.2 ± 8.0 months). Significant factors after univariate analysis were surgical complications (p = 0.001), female gender (p = 0.001), neurological impairment (p = 0.010), and fundoplication performed before the age of 18 months (p = 0.035). Independent predictors were surgical complications, odds ratio (OR), 3.30 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-8.29), neurological impairment, OR, 2.58 (95% CI, 1.38-4.83), fundoplication before the age of 18 months, OR, 2.46 (95% CI, 1.23-4.94), and female gender, OR, 2.25 (95% CI, 1.26-4.00). CONCLUSION After Nissen fundoplication in children, surgical complications, neurological impairment, fundoplication performed before the age of 18 months, and female gender are associated with mortality. The median time to death for nonsurvivors was 6 months.

Outcomes in pediatric patients with abdominal compartment syndrome following urgent exploratory laparotomy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a serious condition with high mortality in critically ill children. Our objectives were to characterize the incidence of ACS in pediatric patients who underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy and to compare outcomes of patients with and without ACS. METHODS This retrospective review examined pediatric patients (0-18years) who underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy over a 2-year period. Primary outcome was mortality; secondary outcomes were achievement of primary fascial closure and necessity of bowel resection. RESULTS One hundred nineteen patients were included, of which 33 (28%) had ACS, with 27 (23%) being primary ACS and 6 (5%) secondary ACS. Twenty-eight-day mortality was higher in the ACS versus non-ACS group (52% versus 0%, p<0.001) and overall hospitalization (64% versus 2%, p<0.001). Primary fascial closure was achieved less often in ACS compared to non-ACS patients (46% versus 98%, p<0.001). Bowel resection was more frequent in ACS versus non-ACS patients, approaching statistical significance (49% versus 30%, p 0.056). CONCLUSION During the study period, almost one third of children who underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy had ACS and 64% died. Children undergoing evaluation for acute surgical abdomen may benefit from routine intraabdominal pressure measurement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III retrospective comparative study.

Cervical spine imaging for young children with inflicted trauma: Expanding the injury pattern

AIM The purpose of this study was to document the incidence and pattern of cervical spine (c-spine) injuries in children below 36months with inflicted trauma. METHODS An IRB approved, prospective cohort study was performed between July 2011 and January 2016. Inclusion criteria were: age below 36months, loss of consciousness after inflicted trauma, and one initial head computed tomography finding: a subdural, intraventricular, intraparenchymal, subarachnoid hemorrhage, diffuse axonal injury, hypoxic injury, or cerebral edema. A protocol of brain and neck magnetic resonance imaging and angiography was obtained within 48h. Variables were compared by t-test and Fisher-exact test. RESULTS There were 53 children (median age: five months; range: 1-35months), 38 males (71.7%), of which seven died (13.2%). C-spine injury was identified in 8 (15.1%): ligamentous injury (2), vertebral artery shear injury (1), atlantooccipital dissociation (AOD) (1), cord injury with cord epidural hematoma (2), and isolated cord epidural hematoma (2). Retinal hemorrhages (p=0.02), shaking (p=0.04), lower Glasgow coma score (GCS) (p=0.01), brain infarcts (p=0.01), and hypoxic/ischemic injury (p=0.01) were associated with c-spine injury. One with AOD died. Six had significant disability. CONCLUSION For small children with inflicted trauma, the c-spine injury incidence is 15.1%. The injury pattern includes retinal hemorrhages, shaking, lower GCS, and brain injury. Evaluation of shaken infants should include c-spine imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 2 A- This is a prospective cohort study with complete follow-up to hospital discharge or death. In all cases, inflicted trauma was confirmed. Owing to the nature of child abuse, the precise time of injury is not known. All children underwent a strict imaging protocol on arrival to hospital that was supervised on a prospective basis.

Respiratory Management of the Newborn with an Omphalocele

Despite advances in neonatal care, infants with omphalocele have a mortality rate ranging between 5% and 25%. Respiratory insufficiency is a common clinical chal‐ lenge and an independent predictor of mortality in these infants. The causes of respiratory failure are diverse and are not well understood. This chapter discusses the unique aspects of respiratory management in omphalocele infants. The authors have chosen references in this chapter with appropriate sample size, variable comparisons, regression analyses, and documented median follow-up times. Omphalocele is rare; therefore, the case reports of chapter references have important information. Omphalocele infants are sometimes born with inadequate lung volume to support survival. Prenatal predictors of pulmonary hypoplasia are discussed in the context of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and postnatal clinical-radiologic correlation studies. Two recent retrospective articles explain the unique aspects of pulmonary hypertension in omphalocele infants and distinguish it from pulmonary hypoplasia. The avoidance of abdominal compartment syndrome at the time of omphalocele closure is discussed. Clinical strategies that improve the respiratory care of these infants, based on Specific definitions and diagnoses, may reduce the high mortality rate.

Laparoscopic skills assessment: an additional modality for pediatric surgery fellowship selection

AIM The Pediatric Surgery fellow selection is a multi-layered process which has not included assessment of surgical dexterity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data was collected prospectively as part of the 2016 Pediatric Surgery Match interview process. Applicants completed a questionnaire to document laparoscopic experience and fine motor skills activities. Actual laparoscopic skills were assessed using a simulator. Time to complete an intracorporeal knot was tabulated. An initial rank list was formulated based only on the ERAS application and interview scores. The rank list was re-formulated following the laparoscopic assessment. Un-paired T-test and regression were utilized to analyze the data. RESULTS Forty applicants were interviewed with 18 matched (45%). The mean knot tying time was 201.31s for matched and 202.35s for unmatched applicants. Playing a musical instrument correlated with faster knot tying (p=0.03). No correlation was identified between knot tying time and either video game experience (p=0.4) or passing the FLS exam (p=0.78). Laparoscopic skills assessment lead to significant reordering of rank list (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic skills performance significantly impacted ranking. Playing a musical instrument correlated with faster knot tying. No correlation was identified between laparoscopic performance and passing the FLS exam or other activities traditionally believed to improve technical ability. TYPE OF STUDY Prospective study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II.

The Impact of Breast Milk, Respiratory Insufficiency and GERD on Enteral Feeding in Infants with Omphalocele.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to document the process of achieving full enteral feeding in infants with omphalocele and to identify factors that affect feeding success. METHODS After institutional review board approval (study no. 5100169), 123 infants with omphalocele, born between 1993 and 2011 were reviewed. Mortalities were excluded. All survivors had complete follow-up. Variables suspected to impact enteral feeding in infants with non-giant versus giant omphalocele were compared. Independent t test, Mann-Whitney, and χ test were used. Regression evaluated for variable independence. RESULTS Of 123 infants with omphalocele, 97 (79%) survived, 62/97 (64%) had non-giant, and 35/97 (36%) giant omphalocele. For survivors, the mean gestational age was 37 ± 4 weeks with median follow-up of 4.4 years (range: 1.4-7.4 years). The median time to full feeds was 4 days (range: 0-85 days) for non-giant versus 8 days (range: 1-96 days) for giant, a significant difference (P < 0.01). Breast milk significantly decreased time to full feeds independent of omphalocele size. Giant omphalocele infants had a significantly higher incidence of respiratory insufficiency at birth (P < 0.01) and sac rupture (P = 0.02), but fewer chromosomal anomalies (P = 0.04). Respiratory insufficiency at birth (P < 0.01) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (P < 0.01) independently delayed feeding in omphalocele infants. CONCLUSIONS Infants with non-giant omphalocele can achieve full enteral feeds within the first week of life, but giant omphalocele infants require significantly more time. Breast milk independently promotes feeding success whereas gastroesophageal reflux disease and respiratory insufficiency at birth independently delay feeding in infants with omphalocele.Objectives: The aim of this study was to document the process of achieving full enteral feeding in infants with omphalocele and to identify factors that affect feeding success. Methods: After institutional review board approval (study no. 5100169), 123 infants with omphalocele, born between 1993 and 2011 were reviewed. Mortalities were excluded. All survivors had complete follow-up. Variables suspected to impact enteral feeding in infants with non-giant versus giant omphalocele were compared. Independent t test, Mann-Whitney, and &khgr;2 test were used. Regression evaluated for variable independence. Results: Of 123 infants with omphalocele, 97 (79%) survived, 62/97 (64%) had non-giant, and 35/97 (36%) giant omphalocele. For survivors, the mean gestational age was 37 ± 4 weeks with median follow-up of 4.4 years (range: 1.4–7.4 years). The median time to full feeds was 4 days (range: 0–85 days) for non-giant versus 8 days (range: 1–96 days) for giant, a significant difference (P < 0.01). Breast milk significantly decreased time to full feeds independent of omphalocele size. Giant omphalocele infants had a significantly higher incidence of respiratory insufficiency at birth (P < 0.01) and sac rupture (P = 0.02), but fewer chromosomal anomalies (P = 0.04). Respiratory insufficiency at birth (P < 0.01) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (P < 0.01) independently delayed feeding in omphalocele infants. Conclusions: Infants with non-giant omphalocele can achieve full enteral feeds within the first week of life, but giant omphalocele infants require significantly more time. Breast milk independently promotes feeding success whereas gastroesophageal reflux disease and respiratory insufficiency at birth independently delay feeding in infants with omphalocele.

Outcomes in Omphalocele Correlate with Size of Defect

BACKGROUND Omphaloceles can be some of the more challenging cases managed by pediatric surgeons. Single center studies have not been meaningful in delineating outcomes due to the length of time required to accumulate a large enough series with historical changes in management negating the results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors impacting the morbidity and mortality of neonates with omphaloceles. METHODS A multicenter, retrospective observational study was performed for live born neonates with omphalocele between 2005 and 2013 at nine centers in the United States. Maternal and neonatal data were collected for each case. In-hospital management and outcomes were also reported and compared between neonates with small and large omphaloceles. RESULTS Two hundred seventy-four neonates with omphalocele were identified. The majority were delivered by cesarean section with a median gestational age of 37 weeks. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 81%. The presence of an associated anomaly was common, with cardiac abnormalities being the most frequent. Large omphaloceles had a significantly longer hospital and ICU length of stay, time on ventilator, number of tracheostomies, time on total parenteral nutrition, and time to full feeds, compared to small omphaloceles. Birth weight and defect size were independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSION This is the largest contemporary study of neonates with omphalocele. Increased defect size is an independent predictor of neonatal morbidity and mortality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level II.