Surgical treatment for severe pediatric tracheobronchomalacia: the 20-year experience of a single center

Abstract Objective: In children with tracheobronchomalacia, surgical management should be reserved for the most severe cases and be specific to the type and location of tracheobronchomalacia. The goal of this study is to describe the presentation and outcomes of children with severe tracheobronchomalacia undergoing surgery. Methods: Retrospective case series of 20 children operated for severe tracheobronchomalacia at a tertiary hospital from 2003 to 2023. Data were collected on symptoms age at diagnosis, associated comorbidities, previous surgery, age at surgery, operative approach, time of follow-up, and outcome. Surgical success was defined as symptom improvement. Results: The most frequent symptoms of severe tracheobronchomalacia were stridor (50 %), cyanosis (50 %), and recurrent respiratory infections (45 %). All patients had one or more underlying conditions, most commonly esophageal atresia (40 %) and prematurity (35 %). Bronchoscopy were performed in all patients. Based on etiology, patients underwent the following procedures: anterior aortopexy (n = 15/75 %), posterior tracheopexy (n = 4/20 %), and/or posterior descending aortopexy (n = 4/20 %). Three patients underwent anterior aortopexy and posterior tracheopexy procedures. After a median follow-up of 12 months, 16 patients (80 %) had improvement in respiratory symptoms. Decannulation was achieved in three (37.5 %) out of eight patients with previous tracheotomy. The presence of dying spells at diagnosis was associated with surgical failure. Conclusions: Isolated or combined surgical procedures improved respiratory symptoms in 80 % of children with severe tracheobronchomalacia. The choice of procedure should be individualized and guided by etiology: anterior aortopexy for anterior compression, posterior tracheopexy for membranous intrusion, and posterior descending aortopexy for left bronchus obstruction.

Surgical treatment for severe pediatric tracheobronchomalacia: the 20-year experience of a single center.

OBJECTIVE: In children with tracheobronchomalacia, surgical management should be reserved for the most severe cases and be specific to the type and location of tracheobronchomalacia. The goal of this study is to describe the presentation and outcomes of children with severe tracheobronchomalacia undergoing surgery. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 20 children operated for severe tracheobronchomalacia at a tertiary hospital from 2003 to 2023. Data were collected on symptoms age at diagnosis, associated comorbidities, previous surgery, age at surgery, operative approach, time of follow-up, and outcome. Surgical success was defined as symptom improvement. RESULTS: The most frequent symptoms of severe tracheobronchomalacia were stridor (50 %), cyanosis (50 %), and recurrent respiratory infections (45 %). All patients had one or more underlying conditions, most commonly esophageal atresia (40 %) and prematurity (35 %). Bronchoscopy were performed in all patients. Based on etiology, patients underwent the following procedures: anterior aortopexy (n = 15/75 %), posterior tracheopexy (n = 4/20 %), and/or posterior descending aortopexy (n = 4/20 %). Three patients underwent anterior aortopexy and posterior tracheopexy procedures. After a median follow-up of 12 months, 16 patients (80 %) had improvement in respiratory symptoms. Decannulation was achieved in three (37.5 %) out of eight patients with previous tracheotomy. The presence of dying spells at diagnosis was associated with surgical failure. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated or combined surgical procedures improved respiratory symptoms in 80 % of children with severe tracheobronchomalacia. The choice of procedure should be individualized and guided by etiology: anterior aortopexy for anterior compression, posterior tracheopexy for membranous intrusion, and posterior descending aortopexy for left bronchus obstruction.

Giant omphalocele: A novel approach for primary repair in the neonatal period using botulinum toxin.

INTRODUCTION: Giant omphalocele (GO) is a complex condition for which many surgical treatments have been developed; however, no consensus on its treatment has been reached. The benefits and efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BTA) in the repair of large abdominal wall defects in adults has been proven, and its reported use in children has recently grown. The goal of this study is to describe a novel technique for primary repair of GO using BTA during the neonatal period and report our initial experience. METHODS: patients were followed from August 2020 to July 2022. BTA was applied to the lateral abdominal wall in the first days of life followed by surgical repair of the abdominal defect. RESULTS: while awaiting surgery, patients had minimal manipulation, without requiring mechanical ventilation, were on full enteral feeding, and in contact with their parents. The midline was approximated without tension and without the need for additional techniques or the use of a prosthesis. Patients were discharged with repaired defects. CONCLUSION: this approach represents a middle ground between staged and the nonoperative delayed repairs. It does not require aggressive interventions early in life, allowing maintenance of mother-child bonding and discharge of the patient with a repaired defect without the need for additional techniques or the use of a prosthesis. We believe that this technique should be considered as a new possible asset when managing this complex condition.

Giant omphalocele: A novel approach for primary repair in the neonatal period using botulinum toxin / Onfalocele gigante: Uma nova abordagem para reparo primário no período neonatal utilizando toxina botulínica

ABSTRACT Introduction: Giant omphalocele (GO) is a complex condition for which many surgical treatments have been developed; however, no consensus on its treatment has been reached. The benefits and efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BTA) in the repair of large abdominal wall defects in adults has been proven, and its reported use in children has recently grown. The goal of this study is to describe a novel technique for primary repair of GO using BTA during the neonatal period and report our initial experience. Methods: patients were followed from August 2020 to July 2022. BTA was applied to the lateral abdominal wall in the first days of life followed by surgical repair of the abdominal defect. Results: while awaiting surgery, patients had minimal manipulation, without requiring mechanical ventilation, were on full enteral feeding, and in contact with their parents. The midline was approximated without tension and without the need for additional techniques or the use of a prosthesis. Patients were discharged with repaired defects. Conclusion: this approach represents a middle ground between staged and the nonoperative delayed repairs. It does not require aggressive interventions early in life, allowing maintenance of mother-child bonding and discharge of the patient with a repaired defect without the need for additional techniques or the use of a prosthesis. We believe that this technique should be considered as a new possible asset when managing this complex condition.

RESUMO Introdução: onfalocele gigante (OG) é uma condição complexa para a qual muitas alternativas terapêuticas foram desenvolvidas; no entanto, não há consenso sobre qual o melhor tratamento. Os benefícios e eficácia da toxina botulínica A (TBA) no reparo de grandes defeitos da parede abdominal em adultos foram comprovados, e o relato de uso em crianças cresceu recentemente. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever uma nova técnica para reparo primário de OG utilizando TBA durante o período neonatal e relatar nossa experiência inicial. Métodos: os pacientes foram acompanhados de agosto de 2020 a julho de 2022. A TBA foi aplicada na parede abdominal lateral nos primeiros dias de vida, seguida de correção cirúrgica do defeito abdominal. Resultados: enquanto aguardavam a cirurgia, os pacientes tiveram mínima manipulação, sem ser exigida ventilação mecânica, permaneceram em alimentação enteral plena e mantiveram contato com os pais. A linha média foi aproximada sem tensão e sem necessidade de técnicas adicionais ou uso de prótese. Os pacientes receberam alta com o defeito reparado. Conclusão: essa abordagem representa um meio-termo entre o reparo estagiado e o tratamento não-operatório. Não requer intervenções agressivas no início da vida, permitindo a manutenção do vínculo materno-infantil e a alta do paciente com defeito reparado sem a necessidade de uso de técnicas adicionais ou prótese. Acreditamos que esta técnica deva ser considerada como um novo possível recurso no manejo desta complexa condição.

Primary closure of a sternal cleft in the neonatal period.

Sternal cleft is a rare malformation of the midline fusion of the sternal bars; the most common form is the superior partial defect. Surgical correction with primary closure is the gold standard. It is recommended that the procedure be performed before 3 months of age because of the greater compliance and maximal flexibility of the thoracic wall.  These features ensure a safer repair with a low risk of complications and allow for a less extensive procedure that does not require the use of additional techniques. A midline incision is performed in the anterior thoracic wall, and the major pectoralis flaps are raised. The main surgical goal is to change the remaining sternum from a U to a V shape. Transfixing interrupted sutures are placed in the cartilaginous borders for midline closure. Hemodynamics and ventilation are monitored at this time. Closure is performed by layers.

Enoxaparin versus unfractioned heparin as anticoagulant for continuous venovenous hemodialysis: a randomized open-label trial.

AIM: In this study we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of enoxaparin with unfractioned heparin (UFH) as anticoagulant for continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD). METHODS: An open-label randomized controlled trial was carried out in an intensive care unit (ICU) where 40 patients with acute renal failure (ARF) who needed continuous renal replacement therapy were randomized to receive UFH (n=21) or enoxaparin (n=19). Coagulation parameters were evaluated, and antithrombotic activity of UFH was measured by activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and for enoxaparin by anti-factor Xa activity. Primary outcomes were thrombosis of the extracorporeal circuit and bleeding, classified as major or minor. RESULTS: Minor bleeding episodes were observed only in patients anticoagulated with enoxaparin (26 vs. 0%, p=0.018). Comparing patients with or without bleeding after 24 hours of therapy, the level of anticoagulation tended to be higher (anti-factor Xa: 1.62 vs. 1.13 IU/mL, p=0.09) and the platelet count to be lower [107+/-53 vs. 229+/-84 (x10(3)/microL), p=0.09] in patients who bled, but without statistical difference. Filter life span of enoxaparin and UFH groups was similar (43+/-15 vs. 52+/-18 hr, p=0.10), as well as the proportion of circuit clotting. CONCLUSION: Weight-unadjusted enoxaparin in patients with ARF in CVVHD was associated with an increased rate of bleeding, a finding that addresses the need to adjust drug dose and to monitor anti-factor Xa activity during dialysis. No benefit to prolong dialysis circuit survival was found with enoxaparin. In patients who do not present contraindication for systemic anticoagulation, UFH remains an effective and low-cost option.