Population preference for treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Non-operative treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis is safe and increasing in popularity, but has other risks and benefits compared with appendicectomy. This study aimed to explore the preference of the general population regarding operative or antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis. METHODS: In this prospective study, a clinical scenario and questionnaire were submitted to a panel comprising a sample of an average adult population. The survey was distributed by an independent, external research bureau, and included a comprehensive explanation of the risks and benefits of both treatment options. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants who would prefer antibiotics over surgery. Secondary outcomes were reasons for this preference and the accepted recurrence rate within 1 year when treated with antibiotics only. All outcomes were weighted for the average Dutch population. RESULTS: Of 254 participants, 49.2 per cent preferred antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis, 44.5 per cent preferred surgery, and 6.3 per cent could not make a decision. About half of the participants preferring antibiotics would accept a recurrence risk of more than 50 per cent within 1 year. Avoiding surgery was their main reason. In participants preferring surgery, many tolerated a recurrence risk of no more than 10 per cent when treated with antibiotics. Removal of the cause of appendicitis was their main reason. CONCLUSION: Around half of the average population sample preferred antibiotics over surgical treatment of uncomplicated appendicitis and were willing to accept a high recurrence risk to avoid surgery initially. Participants who preferred surgery tolerated only a very low recurrence risk with antibiotic treatment.

Discriminating complicated from uncomplicated appendicitis by ultrasound imaging, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging: systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy.

BACKGROUND: Discriminating complicated from uncomplicated appendicitis is crucial. Patients with suspected complicated appendicitis are best treated by emergency surgery, whereas those with uncomplicated appendicitis may be treated with antibiotics alone. This study aimed to obtain summary estimates of the accuracy of ultrasound imaging, CT and MRI in discriminating complicated from uncomplicated appendicitis. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted by an electronic search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for studies describing the diagnostic accuracy of complicated versus uncomplicated appendicitis. Studies were included if the population comprised adults, and surgery or pathology was used as a reference standard. Risk of bias and applicability were assessed with QUADAS-2. Bivariable logitnormal random-effect models were used to estimate mean sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Two studies reporting on ultrasound imaging, 11 studies on CT, one on MRI, and one on ultrasonography with conditional CT were included. Summary estimates for sensitivity and specificity in detecting complicated appendicitis could be calculated only for CT, because of lack of data for the other imaging modalities. For CT, mean sensitivity was 78 (95 per cent c.i. 64 to 88) per cent, and mean specificity was 91 (85 to 99) per cent. At a median prevalence of 25 per cent, the positive predictive value of CT for complicated appendicitis would be 74 per cent and its negative predictive value 93 per cent. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound imaging, CT and MRI have limitations in discriminating between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis. Although CT has far from perfect sensitivity, its negative predictive value for complicated appendicitis is high.

Meta-analysis of lower perioperative blood glucose target levels for reduction of surgical-site infection.

BACKGROUND: There is a clear association between hyperglycaemia and surgical-site infection (SSI). Intensive glucose control may involve a risk of hypoglycaemia, which in turn results in potentially severe complications. A systematic review was undertaken of studies comparing intensive versus conventional glucose control protocols in relation to reduction of SSI and other outcomes, including hypoglycaemia, mortality and stroke. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL and WHO databases from 1 January 1990 to 1 August 2015 were searched. Inclusion criteria were RCTs comparing intensive with conventional glucose control protocols, and reporting on the incidence of SSI. Meta-analyses were performed with a random-effects model, and meta-regression was subsequently undertaken. Targeted blood glucose levels, achieved blood glucose levels, and important adverse events were summarized. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs were included. The summary estimate showed a significant benefit for an intensive compared with a conventional glucose control protocol in reducing SSI (odds ratio (OR) 0·43, 95 per cent c.i. 0·29 to 0·64; P < 0·001). A significantly higher risk of hypoglycaemic events was found for the intensive group compared with the conventional group (OR 5·55, 2·58 to 11·96), with no increased risk of death (OR 0·74, 0·45 to 1·23) or stroke (OR 1·37, 0·26 to 7·20). These results were consistent both in patients with and those without diabetes, and in studies with moderately strict and very strict glucose control. CONCLUSION: Stricter and lower blood glucose target levels of less than 150 mg/dl (8·3 mmol/l), using an intensive protocol in the perioperative period, reduce SSI with an inherent risk of hypoglycaemic events but without a significant increase in serious adverse events.

Comparison of Imaging Strategies with Conditional versus Immediate Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Patients with Clinical Suspicion of Acute Appendicitis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of conditional computed tomography (CT), i.e. CT when initial ultrasound findings are negative or inconclusive, and immediate CT for patients with suspected appendicitis. METHODS: Data were collected within a prospective diagnostic accuracy study on imaging in adults with acute abdominal pain. All patients underwent ultrasound and CT, read by different observers who were blinded from the other modality. Only patients with clinical suspicion of appendicitis were included. An expert panel assigned a final diagnosis to each patient after 6 months of follow-up (clinical reference standard). RESULTS: A total of 422 patients were included with final diagnosis appendicitis in 251 (60 %). For 199 patients (47 %), ultrasound findings were inconclusive or negative. Conditional CT imaging correctly identified 241 of 251 (96 %) appendicitis cases (95 %CI, 92 % to 98 %), versus 238 (95 %) with immediate CT (95 %CI, 91 % to 97 %). The specificity of conditional CT imaging was lower: 77 % (95 %CI, 70 % to 83 %) versus 87 % for immediate CT (95 %CI, 81 % to 91 %). CONCLUSION: A conditional CT strategy correctly identifies as many patients with appendicitis as an immediate CT strategy, and can halve the number of CTs needed. However, conditional CT imaging results in more false positives. KEY POINTS: • Conditional CT (CT after negative/inconclusive ultrasound findings) can be used for suspected appendicitis. • Half the number of CT examinations is needed with a conditional strategy. • Conditional CT correctly identifies as many patients with appendicitis as immediate CT. • Conditional imaging results in more false positive appendicitis cases.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the open abdomen and temporary abdominal closure techniques in non-trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Several challenging clinical situations in patients with peritonitis can result in an open abdomen (OA) and subsequent temporary abdominal closure (TAC). Indications and treatment choices differ among surgeons. The risk of fistula development and the possibility to achieve delayed fascial closure differ between techniques. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the OA and TAC in peritonitis patients, to analyze indications and to assess delayed fascial closure, enteroatmospheric fistula and mortality rate, overall and per TAC technique. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for studies describing the OA in patients of whom 50% or more had peritonitis of a non-traumatic origin. RESULTS: The search identified 74 studies describing 78 patient series, comprising 4,358 patients of which 3,461 (79%) had peritonitis. The overall quality of the included studies was low and the indications for open abdominal management differed considerably. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was the most frequent described TAC technique (38 of 78 series). The highest weighted fascial closure rate was found in series describing NPWT with continuous mesh or suture mediated fascial traction (6 series, 463 patients: 73.1%, 95% confidence interval 63.3-81.0%) and dynamic retention sutures (5 series, 77 patients: 73.6%, 51.1-88.1%). Weighted rates of fistula varied from 5.7% after NPWT with fascial traction (2.2-14.1%), 14.6% (12.1-17.6%) for NPWT only, and 17.2% after mesh inlay (17.2-29.5%). CONCLUSION: Although the best results in terms of achieving delayed fascial closure and risk of enteroatmospheric fistula were shown for NPWT with continuous fascial traction, the overall quality of the available evidence was poor, and uniform recommendations cannot be made.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of somatostatin analogues for the treatment of pancreatic fistula.

BACKGROUND: Somatostatin analogues are used for the treatment of pancreatic fistula, with the aim of achieving fistula closure or reduction of output. METHOD: MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched systematically for relevant articles followed by hand-searching of reference lists. Data on patient recruitment, intervention and outcome were extracted and meta-analysis performed where reasonable. RESULTS: Seven randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria and included a total of 297 patients with fistulas of the gastrointestinal tract; of these, 102 patients had fistulas of pancreatic origin. Pooling of closure rates showed no significant difference between patients treated with somatostatin analogues compared with controls: odds ratio 1·52 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·88 to 2·61). Owing to inconsistent descriptions, pooling of results was not possible for other endpoints, such as time to fistula closure. CONCLUSION: There is no solid evidence that somatostatin analogues result in a higher closure rate of pancreatic fistula compared with other treatments.

The use of lasers in pediatric surgery.

This report is a condensation of the Fred McLoed Lecture given at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons. It briefly cites the basic fundamentals of lasers, the characteristics of those used in surgery, and their delivery systems. The advantages of laser surgery include the sealing of blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerve ends when used for cutting. This results in a relatively dry field of surgery and less postoperative pain. There is reduced opportunity for contaminants in a clean wound, and no spreading of infection in a contaminated one. Surgery can be carried out in confined areas in a drier field of view, and can be brought to small areas by fiberoptic cables. Highly precise and localized microsurgery is possible. The use of lasers is indicated in operations where significant blood loss is expected and in patients with bleeding tendencies. It is useful in surgery for malignant disease and through highly infected tissue. Other general indications are discussed. Specific surgical procedures where lasers have been useful include treatment of hemangiomas, surgery of the tongue, repair of pectus excavatum, partial splenectomy and splenic repair, hepatic lobectomy and hepatic repair, and resection of adrenal tumors. Lasers have also been useful in partial nephrectomy, excision biopsy, revision or closure of ileostomy or colostomy, endorectal mucosectomy, posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, treatment of condyloma acuminata, burn wound debridement, and infected tissue debridement. Anticipated uses include vascular, biliary tract, and intestinal repair and anastomoses, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of neoplasms.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver responsive to cyclophosphamide therapy: therapeutic approach.

A newborn infant is described with a highly vascular hepatic mesenchymal hamartoma causing hydrops fetalis, congestive heart failure, and consumption coagulopathy. There was a remarkable response of this life-threatening condition to cyclophosphamide therapy. A review of the various alternative therapeutic modalities is presented.

Hemangiomatosis of the pleura with hemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Hemangiomatosis involving the pleura is a rare cause of bloody pleural effusion in the neonate. When congestive heart failure and consumption coagulopathy are associated, the prognosis is particularly grave. Corticosteroids and radiation therapy have been reported to shrink hemangiomas. We present such a case in a 2.5-mo-old whose condition did not appear to respond to prednisone or radiation therapy but resolved quickly when cyclophosphamide was given. In this case cyclophosphamide appeared to be life saving.

Successful surgical repair of iatrogenic lung perforation in a neonate.

Iatrogenic lung perforation during closed tube thoracostomy for pneumothorax in neonates apparently occurs with disturbing frequency. This potentially lethal complication may be minimized by strict adherence to proper technique. In addition, an added margin of safety may be established by allowing some air to remain in the pleural space prior to placement of a chest tube. If iatrogenic perforation of the lung occurs despite appropriate precautions, surgical intervention may be indicated.

The antepartum diagnosis of conjoined twins.

This is a case report in which the diagnosis of conjoined twins was made in a woman by ultrasonography in her eigth month of pregnancy. With this diagnosis, the mother-to-be was transported to a hospital with sophisticated obstetrical, neonatal, and pediatric surgical facilities. The twins were delivered by elective caesarian section and were seen to have anomalies requiring immediate surgery. Following stabilization and basic investigations, surgery was performed on the infants at 3 hr of age. This resulted in a condition that permitted a thorough postoperative work-up and elective separation several months later.

Diagnosis and surgical management of "H-type" tracheoesophageal fistula in infants and children.

By means of the new rod lens telescopic endoscopes, the diagnosis of H- or N-type tracheoesophageal fistula in infants and children can now be made definitively without the difficulties and complications previously described, and the numerous methods recommended in the literature, all of which have their inconsistensies, failures, errors, and dangers. Using these advanced endoscopes the fistula is demonstrated by bronchoscopy, a small Fogarty catheter is threaded through the opening in the trachea under direct view of the telescope and passed through the fistula into the esophagus. The balloon is inflated and the bronchoscope removed, leaving the catheter in place. A proper incision is then made in the neck or chest, depending on the location of the lesion, and the fistulous tract is quickly located by palpation of the balloon and catheter. Then with minimal and accurate dissection, correction is carried out.

A new look at pediatric endoscopy.

As a result of recent developments in instrumentation, most endoscopic procedures can now be carried out safely in infants and children in less time and with less trauma than previously. In pediatric applications, laparoscopy is possible for the first time, bronchoscopy and esophagoscopy are greatly improved, and urethrocystoscopy can be done with accuracy and dispatch. Small flexible endoscopes have been evaluated for gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.