Sung Eun Jung

Neonatal gastric perforation: A single center experience

AIM To determine the etiology and prognostic factors for neonatal gastric perforation (NGP), a rare but life-threatening disease. METHODS Between 1980 and 2011, nine patients underwent surgical intervention for NGP at Seoul National University Childrens Hospital. The characteristics and prognosis of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Among the nine patients, three (33.3%) were preterm babies and five (55.5%) had associated anomalies, which included diaphragmatic eventration (n = 2), congenital diaphragmatic hernia, esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, and antral web. Three (33.3%) patients were born before 1990 and three (33.3%) had a birth weight < 2500 g. Pneumoperitoneum was found on preoperative images in six (66.7%) patients, and incidentally in the other three (33.3%) patients. Surgery was performed within 24 h after the onset of symptoms in seven (77.8%) patients. The overall mortality rate was 22.2% (2/9). The time between symptoms and surgical intervention was the only prognostic factor for survival, whereas premature birth and birth weight were not. CONCLUSION Early detection and advances in neonatal intensive care may improve the prognosis of NGP.

Outcomes of surgical management of total colonic aganglionosis.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the long-term clinical outcomes and bowel function of patients with total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) after surgery.MethodsThe hospital records of 17 TCA patients treated surgically during 1985 to 2004 were reviewed. Long-term follow-up was done by telephone interviews with the parents.ResultsPrimary enterostomy was performed in 13 (76%) patients. In three (17%) patients, TCA was not suspected initially. They underwent conservative surgery primarily, which required a second operation soon after. One had transverse colectomy with ileostomy. By pathologic review, nine (53%) patients had small bowel involvement of aganglionosis. Six (35%) patients died before corrective surgery. They all had extensive small bowel involvement. Among 11 patients who had a corrective operation, 10 were treated with Martin’s procedure. Long-term (mean 74 months) follow-up was available in seven patients, and the mean weight-for-age percentiles was 27.1% (range 5–50%), the frequency of defecation was three to five times a day in four patients (57%), one or two times a day in two patients (28%), and more than five times a day in one patient (15%).ConclusionsTCA is difficult to diagnose; but once it is diagnosed correctly and treated by corrective surgery, outcomes seem promising. Martin’s operation brought about a good outcome and enabled patients to have acceptable bowel habits. The prognosis is highly dependent on the extent of aganglionosis.

Isolated cystic duct cyst with associated stones in a 4-month-old boy

Isolated cystic duct cysts are rare entities, with few cases having been reported. We present the case of a 4-month-old male patient presenting with abdominal pain and vomiting. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed an isolated cystic duct cyst with associated stones. The patient underwent open cholecystectomy with complete cyst excision and cystic duct transection; there were no postoperative complications. While lesions like the one described herein are extremely rare, they should be included as a separate category in classifications of choledochal cysts.

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Long-term Central Venous Catheter–associated Bloodstream Infections in Children

Background: Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) account for significant morbidity and mortality in patients with long-term central venous catheters (CVCs). This study was performed to identify the characteristics and risk factors of CLABSIs among children with long-term CVCs. Methods: A retrospective review of children who had a long-term CVC in Seoul National University Children’s Hospital between 2011 and 2015 was performed. Data on patient demographics, the isolated pathogens and the status of CVC placement were collected. Clinical variables were compared between subjects with and without CLABSIs to determine the risk factors for CLABSIs. Results: A total of 629 CVCs were inserted in 499 children during the 5-year period. The median age at insertion was 6.0 years (14 days–17.9 years), and hemato-oncologic disease was the most common underlying condition (n = 497, 79.0%). A total of 235 CLABSI episodes occurred in 155 children, with a rate of 0.93 per 1,000 catheter days. The most common pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 64, 27.2%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 40, 17.0%) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 28, 12.0%). In the univariate analysis, the gender, underlying disease, catheter characteristics and insertion technique did not increase the risk for CLABSI. In both the univariate and logistic regression analyses, patients with prior BSIs (odds ratio 1.66; 95% confidence interval: 1.090–2.531; P = 0.018) were more likely to have a CLABSI. Conclusions: CLABSI prevention is of particular concern for children with a prior BSI. Furthermore, the antimicrobial resistance of major pathogens should be monitored to enable the empiric selection of appropriate antibiotics in patients with long-term CVCs.

The Optimal Timing of Enterostomy Closure in Extremely Low Birth Weight Patients for Acute Abdomen

There are few reports on enterostomy closure (EC) timing for acute abdomen in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) patients. We retrospectively reviewed ELBW patients who underwent enterostomy formation (EF) and subsequent EC. We investigated baseline characteristics, surgical outcomes, and follow-up data of 55 patients and analyzed optimal timing by age at EC, enterostomy duration, and body weight (Bwt) at EC. The minimum p-value approach (MPA) using the Chi-squared test was used to determine each cut-off value. Mean gestational age was 25+3 weeks, while mean age and Bwt at EF were 10 days and 660 g. Enterostomy duration and Bwt at EC were 102 days and 2400 g. Fourteen surgical complications were related to EC. The MPA identified a cut-off of 2100 g (p = 0.039) at EC but no significant cut-off age or enterostomy duration. The 18 patients <2100 g had more enterostomy-related problems at EC than the >2100 g group (66.7% vs 10.8%, p < 0.001). No other characteristics were significantly different. Operation time, ventilator period, hospital stay, parenteral nutrition duration, and full feeding day were significantly longer in <2100 g patients. Follow-up Bwt did not differ (11.55 kg vs 13.95 kg, p = 0.324). Our findings suggest EC can be safely performed when Bwt is over 2100 g.