Lan T. Vu

Thoracoscopic versus open resection for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations of the lung

PURPOSE This study evaluated the potential advantages of thoracoscopy compared to thoracotomy for resection of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM). METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of consecutive cases of CCAM resection at University of California San Francisco Childrens Hospital from January 1996 to December 2006. RESULTS Thirty-six cases of postnatal CCAM resections were done over the past 10 years; 12 patients had thoracoscopic resections, whereas 24 patients had open resections. Patients in the thoracoscopic group had significantly longer operative time (mean difference of 61.3 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 30.5-92.1) but shorter postoperative hospital stay (mean difference of 5.7 days; 95% CI, 0.9-10.4) and duration of tube thoracostomy (mean difference of 2.6 days; 95% CI, 0.7-4.5) and lower odds of postoperative complications (odds ratio of 9.0 x 10(-4); 95% CI, 8.0 x 10(-6)-0.1). In the subgroup analysis of only asymptomatic patients, the thoracoscopy group still had a significantly shorter hospital stay (mean difference of 2.8 days; 95% CI, 0.7-4.8). There was also a pattern for reduced complications in the thoracoscopy group (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02-1.0; P = .05). The average hospital costs were similar in both groups. With a conversion rate of 33% (6/18), patients with a history of preoperative respiratory symptoms had a higher incidence of conversion than those who were asymptomatic (66.7% vs 0%, P = .005). These four patients had a history of pneumonia. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive resection of CCAM results in longer operative time but shorter hospital stay, potentially reduced complications, and no additional hospital costs. Thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with a history of pneumonia is challenging and a risk factor for conversion to thoracotomy.

Increasing Prevalence of Gastroschisis: Population-based Study in California

OBJECTIVE To evaluate time trend of gastroschisis and examine the epidemiological risk factors for gastroschisis. STUDY DESIGN This population-based study analyzed the active surveillance data from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program from 1987 to 2003. RESULTS The overall birth prevalence of gastroschisis was 2.6 cases per 10,000 births (908 cases in >3.5 million births). In the adjusted analysis, by using the age of 25 to 29 years as the reference, mothers aged 12 to 15 years had a 4.2-times greater birth prevalence (95% CI, 2.5-7.0), and fathers aged 16 to 19 years and 20 to 24 years had 1.6- and 1.5-times greater birth prevalence (95% CI, 1.1-2.1 and 1.2-1.8), respectively. Compared with non-Hispanic whites and US-born Hispanic, both foreign-born Hispanics and blacks had adjusted prevalence ratio of 0.6 (95% CI, 0.5-0.7 and 0.4-0.9, respectively). In addition, nulliparity was also associated with gastroschisis. Independent of maternal age, paternal age, and maternal ethnicity, the birth prevalence increased 3.2-fold (95% CI, 2.3-4.3) during the 17-year study period. CONCLUSIONS The birth prevalence of gastroschisis continues to increase in California, and young, nulliparous women are at the greatest risk of having a child with gastroschisis.

Long-term surgical outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: observations from a single institution

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Surgical complications are common in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), but little is known about long-term incidence patterns and associated predictors. METHODS A cohort of 99 CDH survivors was prospectively followed at a single-institution multidisciplinary clinic. Data were gathered regarding the adverse surgical outcomes of hernia recurrence, chest and spinal deformity, and operative small bowel obstruction (SBO), and then were retrospectively analyzed in relation to perinatal and perioperative markers of disease severity to determine significant predictors. Statistical methods used included univariate and multivariate regression analysis, hazard modeling, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS At a median cohort age of 4.7 (range, 0.2-10.6) years, 46% of patients with patch repairs and 10% of those with primary repairs had a hernia recurrence at a median time of 0.9 (range, 0.1-7.3) years after repair. Chest deformity was detected in 47%. Small bowel obstruction and scoliosis occurred in 13%. Recurrence and chest deformity were significantly more common with patch repair, liver herniation, age at neonatal extubation greater than 16 days, oxygen requirement at discharge, and prematurity. The strongest predictor of SBO was patch repair. Multivariate analysis showed that patch repair was independently predictive of recurrence and early chest deformity (odds ratios of 5.0 and 4.8, confidence intervals of 1-24 and 1-21, P < .05). Use of an absorbable patch was associated with the highest risk of surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS For long-term survivors of CDH, specific perinatal and operative variables, particularly patch repair, are associated with subsequent adverse surgical outcomes.

Predicting Strangulated Small Bowel Obstruction: An Old Problem Revisited

BackgroundDiagnosing intestinal strangulation complicating a small bowel obstruction (SBO) remains a considerable challenge. Despite decades of experience and numerous studies, no clinical indicators have been identified that reliably predict this life-threatening condition. Our goal was to determine which clinical indicators in patients with SBO can be used to independently predict the presence of strangulated intestine.MethodsMedical records were reviewed for 192 adult patients operated on for acute SBO over an 11-year period (1996–2006). Seventy-two preoperative clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings at admission were examined. Data from patients with strangulated intestine were compared to data from patients without bowel compromise. Likelihood ratios were generated for each significant parameter in a multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsForty-four patients had bowel strangulation requiring bowel resection, and 148 had no strangulation. The most significant independent predictor of bowel strangulation was the computed tomography (CT) finding of reduced wall enhancement, with a sensitivity and specificity of 56% and 94% [likelihood ratio (LR) 9.3]. Elevated white blood cell (WBC) count and guarding were moderately predictive (LR 1.7 and 2.8).ConclusionRegression analysis of multiple preoperative criteria demonstrates that reduced wall enhancement on CT, peritoneal signs, and elevated WBC are the only variables independently predictive of bowel strangulation in patients with SBO.

HLA-DR Matching in Organ Allocation Balance Between Waiting Time and Rejection in Pediatric Kidney Transplantation

OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of HLA-DR mismatching on rejection, graft survival, and sensitization in a local allocation system that emphasizes donor quality rather than HLA antigen matching for pediatric patients and to determine the likelihood of finding an appropriate donor based on HLA-DR mismatch. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING A single institution. PATIENTS A total of 178 patients younger than 21 years who underwent kidney transplantation with daclizumab induction between 1997 and 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The association between HLA-DR mismatching and rejection or graft survival was determined using survival analysis. Sensitization was defined as a posttransplantation panel reactive antibody level greater than 0% in patients with a pretransplantation level of 0%. RESULTS Median follow-up was 4.1 years (interquartile range, 2.1-6.1 years). One- and 5-year graft survival rates were 97% and 82%, respectively. HLA-DRB1 mismatches were a significant risk factor for rejection; patients with 1- or 2-HLA-DRB1 mismatches had 1.7 times greater odds of rejection than those with 0-HLA-DR mismatches (P = .006). HLA-DRB1 mismatching was not a significant risk factor for either graft failure or sensitization, but history of rejection was an independent predictor of graft failure (hazard ratio, 7.7; P = .01) and sensitization (odds ratio, 9.7; P = .001). Although avoiding HLA-DRB1 mismatching reduces rejection, the probability of finding ABO-matched local donors younger than 35 years without DR mismatches was extremely low. CONCLUSION Although avoiding HLA-DRB1 mismatching is beneficial, the likelihood of finding an HLA-DRB1-matched donor should also be considered in donor selection.

Endoscopic specimen pouch technique for removal of giant fibroadenomas of the breast

Giant (juvenile or cellular) fibroadenoma of the breast is the most common tumor that present in adolescent girls. As benign tumors that can exceed 10 cm in diameter, giant fibroadenomas have historically necessitated large incisions to remove these masses, resulting in large unsightly scars. We describe the novel use of an endoscopic specimen pouch to facilitate the removal of these large tumors through minimal incisions in 3 patients. In follow-up, all 3 patients have had excellent cosmetic outcomes, no recurrences, and no postoperative complications.

Outcomes of multigestational pregnancies affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The prognosis for multiple vs singleton pregnancies affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is not known. To improve the counseling of families with multiple gestation pregnancies complicated by CDH, we examined outcomes of a consecutive series of CDH cases occurring in multiple gestation pregnancy referrals. METHODS Clinical characteristics and morbidity and mortality data were gathered for a consecutive series of infants with CDH from 16 multiple gestation pregnancies. Outcomes were compared to a cohort of 91 patients with CDH from singleton pregnancies. Multivariate regression was also used in an attempt to determine whether multiple gestation pregnancy was independently predictive of subsequent long-term adverse outcomes. RESULTS Four pregnancies were lost to follow-up, and 1 underwent selective reduction. Overall mortality for live-born multiple gestation fetuses affected by CDH was 30% and was 8% for unaffected siblings. No pregnancy was concordant. Clinical features were not different between the case series and control infants, except median gestational age at delivery, which was significantly lower for the multigestational infants (34 [range, 32-36] vs 38 [range, 28-41] weeks) (P = .02). Long-term morbidity was comparable between cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS In terms of mortality, outcomes of multigestational pregnancies affected by CDH are no worse than for CDH pregnancies in general. Long-term risk may depend more on CDH severity rather than the presence of multiple fetuses.