Sani Z. Yamout

An alternative to open incision and drainage for community-acquired soft tissue abscesses in children

BACKGROUND The continually rising incidence of soft tissue abscesses in children has prompted us to seek an alternative to the traditional open incision and drainage (I&D) that would minimize the pain associated with packing during dressing changes and eliminate the need for home nursing care. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of all patients with soft tissue abscesses from November 2007 to June 2008 was conducted after institutional review board approval. Patients who were treated with open I&D were compared to those treated with placement of subcutaneous drains through the abscess cavities. Both groups received equivalent antibiotic treatment, and all patients were followed in outpatient clinics until infection resolved. The demographics, presenting temperature, culture results, and outcomes were compared between these 2 groups. RESULTS A total of 219 patients were identified; 134 of them underwent open I&D, whereas 85 were treated with subcutaneous drains. The demographics, anatomical location of the abscesses, and bacteriology were comparable between the 2 groups. There were equal number of patients in each group who presented with fever initially. Of those treated with open I&D, 4 had metachronous recurring abscesses within the same anatomical region and 1 patient required an additional procedure because of incomplete drainage. There were no recurrences or incomplete drainages in the subcutaneous drain group. The cosmetic appearance of the healed wound from subcutaneous drain placement during the immediate follow-up period is better than that of an open I&D. CONCLUSIONS Placement of a subcutaneous drain for community-acquired soft tissue abscesses in children is a safe and equally effective alternative to the traditional I&D.

Early experience with the use of rhomboid excision and Limberg flap in 16 adolescents with pilonidal disease

BACKGROUND Rhomboid excision with Limberg flap (RELF) repair has been shown to be effective in the management of pilonidal disease (PD) in adults. Wide excision allows complete removal of diseased tissue, and the rotational flap allows tensionless coverage as well as helps flatten the natal crease, which is believed to contribute to the recurrence of PD. METHODS This study is a retrospective review of all adolescents who underwent excision of pilonidal disease using RELF at a single institution for a period of 18 months. RESULTS Sixteen adolescents with PD were treated with RELF during this period. All procedures were completed with no intraoperative complications. Mean operative time and hospital stay were 92 +/- 30 minutes and 1.8 +/- 0.29 days, respectively. Mean follow-up was 11 +/- 6.0 months. One patient had recurrence of his disease, and one needed prolonged wound care after wound breakdown. Six others had minor complications including 4 patients (25%) who had superficial wound separation that resolved promptly with dressing change. One patient had a superficial wound infection. One patient had residual pain. CONCLUSION Rhomboid excision with Limberg flap is effective in the management of PD in adolescents. The 6% recurrence rate is similar to that reported in the adult literature. Despite the limitations of this study, the low morbidity, hospital stay, and recurrence rate noted with our initial experience are very encouraging.

Risk of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infections After Laparoscopic Placement of Chait Trapdoor™ Cecostomy Catheters in Children

INTRODUCTION Laparoscopic placement of Chait Trapdoor (Cook, Bloomington, IN) cecosotomy catheters has been practiced in our institution since 1999. Chait cecostomy catheters allow antegrade irrigation of the colon without the complications associated with appendicostomies. Although the use of laparoscopy allows precise placement of these catheters into the cecum under direct vision, the presence of a concomitant ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt raises concerns for the potential for a shunt infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective review of all patients with VP shunts who underwent laparoscopic placement of a Chait cecostomy catheter from 1999 to 2008. We recorded patient demographics, indication for VP shunt placement, the date of the most recent shunt operation, the method of cecal fixation, follow-up duration, and episodes of shunt infection. RESULTS Sixteen patients with spina bifida and VP shunts who underwent laparoscopic placement of a Chait cecostomy catheter were identified. There were 12 males. Mean follow-up was 46 +/- 27 months (range, 3-87). Two patients (12.5%) developed a VP shunt infection related to the placement of their cecostomy catheter. One shunt infection occurred 5 days postoperatively and the other occurred several years later, when the shunt and cecostomy catheter tracts merged in the subcutaneous tissue. Both patients underwent shunt externalization. CONCLUSIONS Cecostomy catheter placement in patients with preexisting VP shunts may increase the risk of shunt infections. Our series illustrates two different mechanisms by which a VP shunt can become infected after this procedure. In the first case, leakage of enteric content from a poorly sealed tract probably resulted in the shunt infection. More secure fixation of the cecum to the abdominal wall, using intracorporeal sutures rather than T-fasteners, may avoid this complication. The second complication could have been avoided if the cecostomy catheter had been placed further away from the VP shunt.

Stapled tapering coloplasty to manage colon interposition graft redundancy for long gap esophageal atresia

Long gap esophageal atresia continues to be a therapeutic challenge for the pediatric surgeon. Although numerous methods have been described to achieve esophageal continuity in infants with esophageal atresia, esophageal replacement is often required if these methods fail. A common method of esophageal replacement in children is the use of a colon graft. Complications include cervical anastomotic leak, stricture, redundant intrathoracic colon with stasis, and cologastric reflux. We present an 11-year-old male with swallowing difficulties because of redundancy of the colon after undergoing colon interposition for long gap atresia. The patient underwent a successful transhiatal mobilization of the intrathoracic colon and stapled tapering coloplasty. The patient currently remains symptom-free.

Dog Attack Resulting in Evisceration in an Infant

Severe dog bites can result in substantial morbidity and potentially fatal injury. We present a case of an infant attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier with resultant soft tissue injury, evisceration, and bowel injury. Rapid assessment in the emergency department included evaluation for both blunt and penetrating injuries. After initial survey and resuscitation, the patient was transported to the operating room where he underwent an exploratory laparotomy, small bowel repair, and abdominal wall closure.

Lawn mower-related projectile injury

Lawn mower injuries are a potentially devastating, yet preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. The sequelae to these injuries can become even worse if the initial presentation goes unsuspected by medical staff, leading to a delay in treatment. The authors report the case of a lawn mower-related penetrating missile injury, where the extent of injury was not appreciated by the patient until signs and symptoms of a soft-tissue infection developed, prompting the patient to seek medical attention the next day.

A warning: don't be stumped by stump appendicitis.

When an emergency medicine physician evaluates a child with abdominal pain and a history of appendectomy, appendicitis is often excluded from the differential. We present a case of a 16-year-old boy who developed stump appendicitis 3 years after laparoscopic appendectomy. Knowledge of this rare phenomenon in children can lead to timely diagnosis and avoid the significant additional morbidity associated with perforation of the stump.

Ultrasound guided percutaneous relief of tension pneumomediastinum in a 1-day-old newborn.

A 35-week gestational age baby with antenatal diagnosis of probable infantile polycystic kidney disease born via normal vaginal delivery required immediate intubation and ventilation in the delivery room. On admission, the baby’s blood pressure was normal (mean of 42 mm Hg) and pulse oximetry read 96% on 100% Fio2. An x ray showed moderate pneumomediastinum. Within 2 h the baby’s blood pressure …