A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy of polyethylene glycol versus polyethylene glycol combined with topical diltiazem for treating anal fissure in children.

BACKGROUND: Anal fissure (AF) in children is usually treated with laxatives and/or topical agents such as calcium channel blockers. We hypothesize that owing to the superior efficacy of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) in treating constipation in children, adding diltiazem (DTZ) might not improve healing of AF. METHODS: Children ≤14 years with anal fissure presented to the pediatric surgery clinic between November 2014 and March 2016 were recruited. Randomization was performed to either PEG with DTZ or PEG with placebo. Study personnel, patients, and their families were blinded. Primary outcome was resolution of symptoms. Secondary outcomes were constipation and treatment complications at 12-week follow up. RESULTS: 48 patients were randomized: 24 to PEG + DTZ and 24 to PEG + placebo. Both groups were similar in their baseline characteristics. At week 12, majority of patients' symptoms have improved without significant difference between groups; painful defecation at week 12: 20.8% and 8.3% (p-value 0.41), blood per rectum at week 12: 4.2% and 8.3% (p value 0.58) in the DTZ and placebo groups, respectively. Additionally, there was similar improvement in constipation in both groups. CONCLUSION: PEG alone was associated with similar improvement in anal fissure symptoms in children compared to PEG and topical diltiazem combined. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

The Predictors for Positive Yield Abdominal Computed Tomography in Pediatric Abdominal Trauma.

OBJECTIVES: Abdominal computed tomography (ACT) use in the initial evaluation of pediatric abdominal trauma is liberal in most instances. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors for a positive yield ACT scan in this population. METHODS: A prospective, cohort, single-center observational study was conducted at Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales, from January 2008 to June 2015 on 240 pediatric abdominal trauma patients who had abdominal computed tomography. Clinical, laboratory, imaging, and interventional variables were explored with univariate and multivariate analyses among children who sustained abdominal trauma. RESULTS: Of 240 patients, positive ACT scans were found in 161 patients (67%), 112 patients (47%) had intra-abdominal injury, and 20 patients (8%) required invasive therapeutic interventions. Mortality rate was 1.7% (4 patients) due to nonabdominal causes. Multivariate analyses revealed that increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.24; P = 0.024), high injury severity score (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.21; P < 0.001), abnormal abdominal examination (OR, 5.95; 95% CI, 2.08-17.01; P = 0.001), elevated alanine aminotransferase greater than 125 IU/L (OR, 46.28; 95% CI, 2.81-762.49; P = 0.007), abnormal pelvic radiograph (OR, 14.03; 95% CI, 2.39-82.28; P = 0.003), presence of gross hematuria (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 1.04-18.23; P = 0.044), low initial hematocrit level (less than 30%) (OR, 8.51; 95% CI, 1.14-63.70; P = 0.037), and positive focused assessment with sonography for trauma (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.01-7.28; P = 0.048) remained significantly associated with abnormal ACT scan. In contrast, those who required scanning of other body region(s) were less likely to have abnormal ACT scan (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.14-0.86; P =0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Integrating the abdominal examination findings, relevant laboratory values, and focused assessment with sonography for trauma results with the physicians' suspicion may aid in stratifying patients for ACT scan. Further efforts should be made to decrease number of normal ACT scans; yet not to increase the number of delayed or missed injures with its inherent morbidity and mortality.

Variation in access to pediatric surgical care among coexisting public and private providers: inguinal hernia as a model.

BACKGROUND: Faced with growing healthcare demand, the Saudi government is increasingly relying on privatization as a tool to improve patient access to care. Variation in children's access to surgical care between public (PB) and private providers (PV) has not been previously analyzed. OBJECTIVES: To compare access to pediatric surgical services between two coexisting PB and PV. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. SETTINGS: A major teaching hospital and the largest PV group in Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The outcomes for children who underwent inguinal herniotomy (IH) between May 2010 and December 2014 at both providers were with IH serving as the model. Data collected included patient demographics, insurance coverage, referral pattern and access parameters including time-to-surgery (TTS), surgery wait time (SWT) and duration of symptoms (DOS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): TTS, SWT and DOS. RESULTS: Of 574 IH cases, 56 cases of in-hospital referrals were excluded leaving 290 PB and 228 PV cases. PV patients were younger (12.0 vs 16.4 months, P=.043) and more likely to be male (81.6% vs 72.8%, P=.019), expatriates (18% vs 3.4%, P < .001) and insured (47.4% vs 0%, P < .001). The emergency department was more frequently the source for PB referrals (35.2% vs 12.7%, P < .001) while most PV patients were self-referred (72.8% vs 16.7%, P < .001). Access parameters were remarkably better at PV: TTS (21 vs 66 days, P < .001), SWT (4 vs 31 days, P < .001) and DOS (33 vs 114 days, P < .001). CONCLUSION: When coexisting, PV offers significantly better access to pediatric surgical services compared to PB. Diverting public funds to expand children's access to PV can be a valid choice to improve access to care in case when outcomes with the two providers are similar. LIMITATIONS: Although it is the first and largest comparison in the pediatric population, the sample may not represent the whole population since it is confined to a single selected surgical condition.

Ambu AuraOnce versus i-gel laryngeal mask airway in infants and children undergoing surgical procedures. A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and performance of the pediatric Ambu AuraOnce (Ambu AO) mask (Ambu, Copenhagen, Denmark) and i-gel mask (Intersurgical Ltd., Wokingham, United Kingdom). Methods: From May 2015 to September 2016, 112 patients, 0-14 years old, underwent elective surgery at a tertiary university hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). They were randomly assigned to the Ambu AO or i-gel group. Three groups underwent a subgroup analysis: ≤5 kg (group 1), 5.1-10.0 kg (group 2), and >10 kg (group 3). Results: The oropharyngeal leak pressure was significantly higher for the i-gel (25.4±4.1 cm H2O) than for the Ambu AO (22.5±3.9 cm H2O, p less than 0.001). The Ambu AO had a slightly higher ease of insertion compared to the i-gel (100% versus 94%, p=0.08)  and required less manipulation (2% versus 11%, p=0.07).The Ambu AO and i-gel showed non-significant differences in performance between weight groups. There were statistically significant differences for higher leak pressure in group 2 (p=0.01) and group 3 (p=0.002) in favor of the i-gel, and for less manipulation in the Ambu AO in group 1 (p=0.04). Fiberoptic viewing was superior in group 2 for the i-gel (p=0.03) and in group 3 for the Ambu AO (p=0.02). Conclusion: Both devices demonstrated equally good performance with low morbidity. The Ambu AO had a statistical tendency towards easier insertion and less manipulation. Confirming this finding will require large scale trials.

Spatial relationship of i-gel® and Ambu® AuraOnceTM on pediatric airway: a randomized comparison based on three dimensional magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Gross morphological differences exist among different brands of pediatric supraglottic devices (SGDs). The aim of this study is to compare the spatial relationship of i-gel® and Ambu® AuraOnce (AO)TM on pediatric airway based on three dimensional (3-D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements. METHODS: Sixty patients up to 12 years of age were enrolled and assigned in two groups, i-gel® or Ambu® AOTM. After confirmation of proper placement of these SGDs, 3-D MRI scans of head and neck were performed. Another native scan was also obtained after removal of the SGD for comparison. RESULTS: i-gel® produced significant degree of compression of the tongue (P<0.001) while Ambu® AOTM significantly reduced the axial diameter of glottis (P=0.033) compared to their native values. Both i-gel® and Ambu® AOTM significantly reduced the area of the glottic opening (P<0.001 for each device) and the distance between the arytenoids (P<0.001 and P=0.007 respectively); and increased the distance between the hyoid bone and cervical spine (P<0.001 and P=0.001 respectively) in comparison to their corresponding native values. Bowl of i-gel® produced greater dilation of the upper esophageal sphincter at all levels of measurement- upper (P<0.001), middle (P=0.001) and lower (P=0.015) in comparison to Ambu® AOTM. CONCLUSIONS: Based on 3-D MRI measurements done on living patients, both SGDs distorted the anatomy of pediatric airway compared to their respective native values to variable extent. The relevance of these effects needs further studies on larger patient group in order to reduce morbidity on pediatric airway.

Laparoscopy-assisted orchiopexy versus laparoscopic two-stage fowler stephens orchiopexy for nonpalpable testes: Comparative study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To assess the outcome of the primary laparoscopy-assisted orchiopexy (LAO) and the laparoscopic two-stage Fowler Stephens orchiopexy (FSO) for managing patients with nonpalpable testis in terms of safety, feasibility and efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 94 patients (110 nonpalpable testes) who underwent laparoscopy at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh between July 1998 and June 2012. Patients were evaluated postoperatively to check the location and size of testes and to exclude any other complications. RESULTS: Mean age at presentation was 24+/-19 months (9-96 months). Orchiectomy was done for 5 atrophic testes. 36 open orchiopexy was done for 29 canalicular testes and 7 peeping testes. 35 LAO were done for 1 canalicular testis, 5 peeping testes, 16 low intraabdominal testes and 13 high intraabdominal testes. 34 FSO were done for 23 high intraabdominal testes, 9 low intraabdominal testes and 2 peeping testes. Median follow up was 12 months (1-84 months) and 6 patients were lost to follow up. The overall success rates for LAO and FSO were 88% and 63%, respectively. Overall testicular atrophy rates were 3% and 30% for LAO and FSO, respectively (OR 0.08 [95% CI, 0.01-0.69], P = 0.006). For high intraabdominal testes, the atrophy rates were 3% and 20% for LAO and FSO, respectively (OR 0.14 [95% CI, 0.02-1.21, P = 0.049).Testicular displacement rates were 9% and 7% for LAO and FSO, respectively (OR 1.5, 95% CI, 0.24-9.59, P = 0.514). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy provides a safe and accurate modality for diagnosing and managing patients with nonpalpable testes. LAO appears to be feasible and effective in management of high intraabdominal testes. Further well-conducted comparative studies are needed.

Percutaneous obliteration of patent processus vaginalis: a rat model for future inguinal hernia repair in children.

PURPOSE: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common procedures performed by pediatric surgeons. A percutaneous technique could be the next advance in inguinal hernia repair in children. We used a rat model to study the utility of percutaneous inguinal hernia repair (PHR) using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate (OCT). METHODS: Four-week-old Lewis male rats were randomly divided into three groups: bilateral PHR group (BH) (n=15), unilateral PHR group (UH) (n=12), and sham group (n=14). After inducing a pneumoperitoneum, a 24-gauge cannula was advanced into the patent processus vaginalis (PPV) once air was aspirated. The canal is then obliterated by injecting 0.2 ml of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate. Mating and herniography were performed at postoperative weeks 2 and 6, respectively. All rats were sacrificed at week 12. RESULTS: Herniography revealed complete closure of PPV in (25/30) BH, (12/12) UH, and (0/28) of the sham group. All OCT-treated sides were found obliterated at the post-mortem gross examination. Histological analysis of the inguinal region revealed patent vase in all rats. However, mild to moderate foreign body reactions and fat necrosis were noticed at the injected sites. All rats demonstrated fertility at mating. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous obliteration of PPV was feasible and safe in rats and potentially less invasive than the current techniques used in children. However, demonstrating long-term effectiveness, the need for pneumoperitoneum and the risk of OCT intraperitoneal spillage remain as challenges to overcome.

Laparoscopic versus open inguinal herniotomy in infants and children: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To undertake a meta-analysis of comparative data of laparoscopic versus open inguinal herniotomy in infants and children. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Central Controlled Trials Registry for relevant randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing laparoscopic with open inguinal hernia repair in children aged less than 19 years. RESULTS: Data on 2,699 children were identified from 10 comparative studies. Laparoscopic techniques were associated with a trend towards higher recurrence rate (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 0.89-3.67; p = 0.10), longer operative time for unilateral repairs (WMD = 10.23; 95% CI 8.82-11.64; p < 0.00001), and may be shorter operative time for bilateral repairs (WMD = -4.54; 95% CI -11.63 to 2.55; p = 0.21). There was a significant reduction in developing a contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia in the laparoscopic group (OR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.20-0.67; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic inguinal herniotomy is significantly associated with longer operative time for unilateral cases and a reduction in metachronous hernia development. There was a trend towards higher recurrence rate for laparoscopic repairs and shorter operative time for bilateral cases. A well conducted randomized controlled trial is warranted to compare both approaches.

Ingested magnets and gastrointestinal complications.

Multiple magnet ingestion is an unexpected health hazard in children that can lead to significant gastrointestinal morbidity. The magnets are attracted to each other across the bowel wall and this may lead to pressure necrosis, resulting in perforation, fistula formation, and/or intestinal obstruction. We report herein a case of small bowel obstruction following ingestion of two magnets. The public and clinicians should be aware of the health hazard of such devices.