Sarah J. Hill

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.

Heterotaxy syndrome and malrotation: Does isomerism influence risk and decision to treat

PURPOSE Controversy remains regarding the management of the asymptomatic heterotaxy syndrome (HS) patient with suspected intestinal rotational abnormalities. We evaluated the outcomes for our HS population to identify frequency of malrotation and identify characteristics of children who might benefit from expectant management. METHODS After IRB approval, a retrospective review of all patients treated for HS at a large tertiary care childrens hospital between January 2008 and June 2012 was performed. For the purpose of this paper, malrotation was defined as an operative note that described the presence of Ladds bands and a narrow mesentery. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients with HS were identified, including 18 who underwent abdominal exploration. Left atrial isomerisation (LAI) was identified in 13 individuals, and right atrial isomerisation (RAI) was noted in 25. The rate of surgical intervention did not vary between the 2 groups (54%). Malrotation was found in 8 patients: one with LAI and 7 with RAI. This difference in incidence was statistically significant (p=0.04). CONCLUSION These data suggest that the direction of atrial isomerisation influences the likelihood of true malrotation, where RAI patients are more likely to be malrotated. Given the inherent risk of surgery on this medically fragile patient population, surgeons should consider expectant management for asymptomatic LAI patients.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Repair of Congenital Duodenal Obstruction in Infants

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Congenital duodenal obstruction (CDO) is traditionally managed via laparotomy. Laparoscopy has been suggested as an alternative; however, few series have described this in neonatal CDO. We report our series of CDO repaired laparoscopically compared to laparotomy. METHODS After Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective review was performed on patients with CDO who were presented between October 2001 and July 2010. Duodenal obstruction was managed laparoscopically (LAP) or via an open approach (OPEN) based on the surgeons choice. Data were analyzed by intention to treat and were expressed as median±range. RESULTS Twenty-two neonates underwent laparoscopy and 36 had a traditional laparotomy for management of CDO. Associated diseases included Downs syndrome (n=26), congenital heart disease (n=29), and malrotation (n=16). Median age was 4 days (range: 1-310) for LAP and 3 days (range: 0-166) for OPEN (P=.04). Gestational age and weight were similar (P=.335 and .378). The CDO was due to atresia (n=32), web (n=16), and annular pancreas (n=10). Median operative time for LAP was 116 minutes with a range of 73-164 while median time for OPEN was 103 minutes with a range of 71-220 (P=.013). There was no difference in time to full feedings (P=.69) or postoperative length of stay (P=.682). Ventilation time was 2 days with a range of 0-149 for LAP and ventilation time was 4 days with a range of 0-9 for OPEN (P=.02). Complication rates between the groups were similar. CONCLUSION In the hands of a skilled surgeon, laparoscopy appears to be a safe and effective technique in managing CDO in neonates. In this retrospective study, laparoscopic management of CDO appeared to allow a shorter postoperative ventilator requirement with similar length of stay and time to full feedings. Operative time was slightly longer in the LAP group. Formal prospective trials are recommended to validate these findings.

Pediatric melanomas and the atypical spitzoid melanocytic neoplasms

Cutaneous malignancies in the pediatric population are rare. Melanocytic neoplasms have garnered increased attention as the incidence of melanoma rises and as published analyses of biologically indeterminate lesions become more commonplace. Pediatric melanomas have been studied in several large cohort series; still, most of our assumptions for treatment stems from research in the adult population. Many clinicians speculate that pediatric melanomas may be biologically different from the same histological entity in adults given observed differences in metastatic potential and overall outcomes in children. Even more confounding are the atypical spitzoid lesions, which continue to spark debate in the oncology and dermatopathology literature with respect to classification, malignant potential, and recommended treatment course. In this article, recent literature addressing both atypical spitzoid melanocytic neoplasms and melanoma in the pediatric population is discussed.

Absorbable Versus Nonabsorbable Mesh Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernias in a Growing Animal Model

INTRODUCTION The repair of large congenital diaphragmatic hernia frequently results in patch disruption and recurrence as patients grow in size. Absorbable meshes allow for ingrowth of endogenous tissue as they are degraded, providing a more natural and durable repair. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of the new diaphragmatic tissue between an absorbable biologic mesh and a nonabsorbable mesh for repairing diaphragmatic hernia in a growing animal model. METHODS The left hemi-diaphragm of twenty 2-month-old Yucatan pigs was nearly completely resected. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS; Cook Biotech, Lafayette, IN) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE; W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) were randomly assigned to cover the defect in 10 animals each, and were survived for 6 months. During necropsy, newly formed diaphragmatic tissue was evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS At necropsy, the animals had tripled their weight. Patch disruption and herniation occurred in 3 animals in the ePTFE group and none in the SIS group. The SIS mesh had better integration to the chest wall (2.8 ± 0.2 versus 1.3 ± 0.3), more muscle growth within the newly formed diaphragmatic tissue (1.9 ± 0.2 versus 0.4 ± 0.2), and less fibrotic tissue (2.1 ± 0.5 versus 3.4 ± 0.4) than ePTFE. There was no difference between SIS and ePTFE in terms of adhesion scores to the lung (2 ± 0.4 versus 2.4 ± 0.4) and liver (1.8 ± 0.3 versus 2.2 ± 0.5). CONCLUSION SIS allows for tissue ingrowth from surrounding tissue as it degrades, providing a more durable repair with 30% less incidence of herniation in a porcine model. As the diaphragm grows, SIS resulted in a more natural repair of the defect with more tissue growth, better tissue integration, and a comparable adhesion formation to ePTFE.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Distal Pancreatectomy in the Management of Traumatic Pancreatic Disruption

PURPOSE Traumatic pancreatic transection is uncommon. The role of laparoscopy in the setting of this injury has not been well described. PATIENTS AND METHODS Six large-volume pediatric trauma centers contributed patients <18 years of age who underwent a distal pancreatectomy for traumatic pancreatic transection from 2000 to 2010. RESULTS Twenty-one patients without another indication for emergency laparotomy underwent a distal pancreatectomy for Grade III pancreatic injuries, of which 7 underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. Mean (±SD) age was 8.6±4.7 years, and 67% were male. There was no difference in the presence of other injuries between the two groups (43% in each group). Computed tomography revealed a transected pancreas in 85% of the laparoscopic patients and 75% of the open group (P=1.0). Mean operative time was 218±101 minutes with laparoscopy compared with 195±111 minutes with the open procedure (P=.7). Median duration of hospitalization was 6 days (range, 6-18 days) in the laparoscopic group compared with 11 days (range, 5-26 days) in the open group (P=0.3). Postoperative morbidity was not different between the two groups (57% versus 21% for laparoscopic versus open, P=.2). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopy is equivalent to open distal pancreatectomy in children with select traumatic pancreatic injuries.

Management of cryptorchidism and gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND Cryptorchidism is commonly associated with gastroschisis. Management of the undescended testes varies with regard to technique and timing of orchidopexy. To evaluate the appropriate timing of and procedure for orchidopexy in patients with gastroschisis, we reviewed our experience. METHODS Male neonates admitted between January 1999 and September 2010 with gastroschisis were reviewed. This retrospective study was conducted after institutional review board approval. Testis location at birth was recorded, and outcomes for those with undescended testes were analyzed. RESULTS Sixty-two males with gastroschisis were identified, and 24 had cryptorchidism (38.7%) affecting 31 testes. All babies had an initial watch-and-wait approach without any attempt at orchidopexy during gastroschisis closure. Those with extraabdominal testes at birth had the testicle repositioned in the abdomen before gastroschisis closure. Mean follow-up was 27.3 months. At follow-up, 54.8% of the testes relocated without intervention and 38.7% required orchidopexy. Laparoscopy was used in 5 patients to perform the orchidopexy. A total of 3 testes required orchiectomy secondary to atrophy, one of which had previously undergone an orchidopexy. Two of the orchiectomies were performed laparoscopically. CONCLUSION The watch-and-wait approach for cryptorchidism in gastroschisis is safe and appropriate, with a high rate of spontaneous migration during the first year of life and greater than 90% testes viable at follow-up. Laparoscopy is a safe and feasible option for management of undescended testes that remain intraabdominal at follow-up.

Laparoscopic versus open reduction of intussusception in children: experience over a decade.

BACKGROUND Intussusception is a common cause of bowel obstruction in children, which sometimes necessitates operative reduction and or resection. We report our series of patients with intussusception who were treated laparoscopically (LAP group) compared with exploratory laparotomy (OPEN group). SUBJECTS AND METHODS After institutional review board approval, a retrospective review was performed evaluating outcomes for patients requiring surgical reduction of intussusception over a 10-year period. Analysis was based on intent to treat, and technique of exploration was surgeons choice. Data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon rank sum test and chi-squared test where appropriate. P≤.05 was considered significant. RESULTS During the time period studied, there were 92 patients treated surgically for intussusception: 65 LAP and 27 OPEN. Conversion to the open procedure was required for 21 patients in the LAP group, and of those, 6 required bowel resection. Seven of the patients who were started in the OPEN group ultimately required bowel resection. Operative time, length of hospital stay, time to full feeds, and total days of narcotics were all significantly shorter for the LAP group compared with the OPEN group (P=.003, P=.001, P=.001, and P=.004, respectively). A pathologic lead point was found in 14% of LAP and 15% of OPEN cases. In a subset analysis, 33% of patients who were converted from the LAP group to the open procedure had a pathologic lead point. Complication rates between the LAP and OPEN groups were comparable. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopy appears to be a safe and effective technique for reducing intussusception in children. The laparoscopic cases had shorter operative time, shorter time to full feeds, lower requirement for intravenous narcotics, and earlier discharges.

Yield of Chest Radiography After Removal of Esophageal Foreign Bodies

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the benefit of routine postoperative chest radiography after removal of esophageal foreign bodies in children. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed of all patients evaluated with an esophageal foreign body at a single children’s hospital over 10 years. Operative records and imaging reports were reviewed for evidence of esophageal injury. RESULTS: Of 803 records identified, 690 were included. All underwent rigid esophagoscopy and foreign body removal. The most common items removed were coins (94%), food boluses (3%), and batteries (2%). The rate of esophageal injury was 1.3% (9 patients). No injuries were identified on chest radiographs done as routine or for concern of injury. Patients with operative findings suggestive of an esophageal injury (n = 105) were significantly more likely to have an injury (8.6% vs 0%, P = .0001). Of the 585 children who did not have physical evidence of injury, 40% (n = 235) received a routine chest radiograph. Regardless of the indication, no injuries were identified on chest films. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intraoperative findings during rigid esophagoscopy suggestive of an injury are predictive of esophageal perforation. Routine chest radiography is not warranted in children who do not meet this criterion. In patients with a concern for injury, we suggest that chest radiography should be deferred in favor of esophagram.

Hepatic and splenic blush on computed tomography in children following blunt abdominal trauma: Is intervention necessary?

BACKGROUND There are no widely accepted guidelines for management of pediatric patients who have evidence of solid organ contrast extravasation (“blush”) on computed tomography (CT) scans following blunt abdominal trauma. We report our experience as a Level 1 pediatric trauma center in managing cases with hepatic and splenic blush. METHODS All pediatric blunt abdominal trauma cases resulting in liver or splenic injury were queried from 2008 to 2014. Patients were excluded if a CT was unavailable in the medical record. The presence of contrast blush was based on final reports from attending pediatric radiologists. Correlations between incidence of contrast blush and major outcomes of interest were determined using &khgr;2 and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively, evaluating statistical significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS Of 318 patients with splenic or liver injury after blunt abdominal trauma, we report on 30 patients (9%) with solid organ blush, resulting in 18 cases of hepatic blush and 16 cases of splenic blush (four patients had extravasation from both organs). Blush was not found to correlate significantly with age, gender, or type of injury (liver vs. splenic) but was found to associate with higher grades of solid organ injury (p = 0.002) and higher ISS overall (p < 0.001). Patients with contrast blush on imaging were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (90% vs. 41%, p < 0.001), receive blood products, (50% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), and be considered for an intervention (p < 0.001). Eighty percent of patients with an isolated contrast blush of the spleen or liver did not require an operation. Only 17% of patients with blush required definitive treatment, such as embolization (n = 1), packing (n = 1), or splenectomy (n = 3). Blush had no significant correlation with overall survival (p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS The finding of a blush on CT from a splenic or liver injury is associated with higher grade of injury. These patients receive intensive medical management but do not uniformly require invasive intervention. From our data, we suggest that a blush can safely be managed nonoperatively and that treatment should be dictated by change in physiology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.