Application of Brain Injury Guidelines at a Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center predicts reliability, safety, and improved resource utilization.

PURPOSE: Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) have been established to guide management related to TBI in adults. Here, BIG criteria were applied to pediatric TBI patients to evaluate reliability, safety, and resource utilization. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on all pediatric TBI patients aged 18 years or younger from January 2012 to July 2023 at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. The severity of TBI (BIG 1/2/3) was rated by review of initial cranial imaging by two independent observers. Inter-observer reliability was assessed. Predictions based on BIG criteria regarding repeat cranial imaging, ICU admission, and neurosurgical consultation were compared with observations from the cohort. Outcome data was collected, including neurosurgical intervention and mortality rate. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-nine patients were included with mean age of 5.3 years. Injury severity included 44 BIG 1 (12.2%), 170 BIG 2 (47.4%), and 145 BIG 3 injuries (40.4%). Inter-rater reliability was 96.4%. Neurosurgical consultation was obtained in all patients, though only predicted by guidelines in 40.4%. Repeat imaging was obtained in 166 BIG 1/2 patients, with an average of 1.3 CT scans and 0.8 MRIs/rapid MRIs per patient. ICU was utilized in 104 (77.6%) patients not recommended per BIG criteria. Ultimately, 37 patients, all BIG 3, required neurosurgical intervention; no neurosurgical interventions were required in those classified as BIG 1/2. CONCLUSIONS: BIG criteria can be applied to pediatric TBI with high inter-observer reliability and without formal neurosurgical training. Retrospective application of BIG predicted fewer imaging studies, ICU admissions, and neurosurgical consults without overlooking patients requiring neurosurgical intervention.

Weighing the Risk Profile of Cervical Spine MRI in Evaluating Pediatric Cervical Spine Injuries.

OBJECTIVE: Screening for cervical spine injury after blunt trauma is common, but there remains varied practice patterns and clinical uncertainty regarding adequate radiographic evaluation. An oft-cited downside of MRI is the added risk compared to CT in the pediatric population; however, these specific risks have not yet been reported. This study examines the risks of cervical spine MRI in pediatric trauma patients in the context of what value MRI adds. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of all pediatric blunt trauma patients who were evaluated with a cervical spine MRI over a 4-year period at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. Clinical and radiographic data were abstracted, as well as anesthesia requirements and MRI-related major adverse events. CT and MRI results were compared for their ability to detect clinically unstable injuries - those requiring halo or surgery. RESULTS: There was one major adverse event related to MRI among the 269 patients who underwent cervical spine MRI - a rate of 0.37%. While 55% of children had an airway and anesthesia for MRI, only 57% of these airways were newly placed for the MRI. None of the 85 patients newly intubated for MRI developed aspiration pneumonitis or ventilator-associated pneumonia, and no patients had a significant neurologic event while at MRI. Another area of the body was imaged concurrently with the cervical spine MRI in 64% of patients and 83% of MRIs were performed within 48 h. CT and MRI were both 100% sensitive for injuries requiring halo or operative intervention. Eighty-three patients had an MRI performed after a negative CT, 11% (9/83) of these patients had a clinically stable injury detected on subsequent MRI, and none of these patients presented for delayed cervical spine complications. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the safety profile of MRI in this setting is excellent and less than one-third of patients need new airway and anesthesia solely for MRI. In this clinical scenario, MRIs can happen relatively quickly and many patients require another body part to be imaged concurrently anyway. MRI and CT were both 100% sensitive for clinically unstable injuries. In the appropriate patients, MRI remains a safe and radiation-free alternative to CT.

Defining Benchmarks in Pediatric Burn Care: Inception of the Pediatric Injury Quality Improvement Collaborative.

Pediatric burn care is highly variable nationwide. Standardized quality and performance benchmarks are needed for guiding performance improvement within pediatric burn centers. A network of pediatric burn centers was established to develop and evaluate pediatric-specific best practices. A multi-disciplinary team including pediatric surgeons, nurses, advanced practice providers, pediatric intensivists, rehabilitation staff, and child psychologists from five pediatric burn centers established a collaborative to share and compare performance improvement data, evaluate outcomes, and exchange best care practices. In December 2016, the Pediatric Injury Quality Improvement Collaborative (PIQIC) was established. PIQIC members chose quality improvement indicators, drafted and approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU), data use agreement (DUA) and charter, formalized the multidisciplinary membership, and established a steering committee. Since inception, PIQIC has conducted monthly teleconferences and biannual in-person or virtual group meetings. A centralized data repository has been established where data is collated and analyzed for benchmarking in a blinded fashion. PIQIC has shown the feasibility of multi-institutional data collection, implementation of performance improvement metrics, publication of research, and enhancement of aggregate and institution-specific pediatric burn care.

Length of Stay per Total Body Surface Area Burn Relative to Mechanism: A Pediatric Injury Quality Improvement Collaborative Study.

Studies on length of stay (LOS) per total body surface area (TBSA) burn in pediatric patients are often limited to single institutions and are grouped in ranges of TBSA burn which lacks specific detail to counsel patients and families. A LOS to TBSA burn ratio of 1 has been widely accepted but not validated with multi-institution data. The objective of this study is to describe the current relationship of LOS per TBSA burn and LOS per TBSA burn relative to burn mechanism with the use of multi-institutional data. Data from the Pediatric Injury Quality Improvement Collaborative (PIQIC) were obtained for patients across five pediatric burn centers from July 2018 to September 2020. LOS per TBSA burn ratios were calculated. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear regression which modeled characteristics associated with LOS per TBSA ratio are described. Among the 1267 pediatric burn patients, the most common mechanism was scald (64%), followed by contact (17%) and flame (13%). The average LOS/TBSA burn ratio across all cases was 1.2 (SD = 2.1). In adjusted models, scald burns and chemical burns had similar LOS/TBSA burn ratios of 0.8 and 0.9, respectively, whereas all other burns had a significantly higher LOS/TBSA burn ratio (p<0.0001). LOS/TBSA burn ratios were similar across races, although Hispanics had a slightly higher ratio at 1.4 days. These data establish a multi-institution LOS per TBSA ratio across PIQIC centers and demonstrate a significant variation in the LOS per TBSA burn relative to the burn mechanism sustained.

Intraoperative electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (IENB) to localize peripheral lung lesions: A new technique in the pediatric oncology population.

BACKGROUND: The utility, diagnostic yield and accuracy of lung biopsies in pediatric oncology patients are variable. Here we describe our preliminary results using intraoperative electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (IENB) for peripheral lung lesions to increase the surgical yield and accuracy in pediatric oncology patients. METHODS: From May 2018 until October 2020 all surgical lung biopsies on pediatric oncology patients were performed using IENB technology. IENB and tattooing with methylene blue dye, Indocyanine green dye or both followed by Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) was performed in the same setting. Data were collected retrospectively. Data points included diagnosis, technical success, pathologic diagnosis and alteration in treatment management and complications. RESULTS: A total of 10 biopsy procedures were performed on 8 patients during the study. The youngest patient was 7 years old. All had successful IENB with tattooing. All biopsies were diagnostic. No procedures were converted to open. There were no technical failures or procedure complications. One patient had a total of 11 biopsies, 6 from the right lung and 5 from the left, performed at 2 separate procedures. Another had 2 biopsies, one from the right lung and one from the left performed at the same operation. In 7 of the 8 patients treatment changes were made based on results of their biopsy. CONCLUSION: Here we present the first described experience of IENB and tattooing of peripheral lung lesions in the pediatric population. We have shown that IENB for peripheral lung lesion localization is a safe and effective technique in pediatric oncology.

Weekend Admissions Associated with Increased Length of Stay for Children Undergoing Cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prior research shows an association between increased length of stay (LOS) and weekend surgical admissions, but none have looked at this relationship in children undergoing nonelective cholecystectomy for benign noncongenital biliary disease. We investigated whether weekend admissions lead to a longer LOS in this patient population. METHODS: The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database was queried for children ≤ 17 years undergoing cholecystectomy in New York State between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2012. Parametric and nonparametric statistical testing was used for univariate analysis; multivariable binary logistic regression and linear regression models were used for multivariable analysis. Statistical significance was < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 1066 pediatric patients underwent nonelective cholecystectomy for gallstone pancreatitis (9.7%) and other benign biliary noncongenital diseases (90.3%), of which 22.1% of all patients were admitted over the weekend. Most cases (97.2%) were treated laparoscopically with an overall 3-day median LOS. Weekend admission was associated with an increased LOS of 4 days as opposed to 3 days during the weekday (p < 0.001). On a multivariable binary logistic regression model controlling for hospital factors, indication for surgery, and comorbidities, weekend admission was associated with 1.92 odds of increased length of stay (adjusted odds ratio of 1.924, 95% confidence interval: 1.386-2.673). CONCLUSION: Weekend admissions were associated with increased LOS and charges for children requiring nonelective cholecystectomy, despite the wide use of laparoscopic surgery.

Safety and outcome of gastrostomy tube placement in patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a systemic connective tissue disease (CTD) associated with a predisposition for intestinal inflammation, food allergy, and failure to thrive, often necessitating nutritional supplementation via gastrostomy tube. Poor wound healing has also been observed in in some patients with CTD, potentially increasing the risk of surgical interventions. We undertook to determine the safety and efficacy of gastrostomy tube placement in this population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 10 LDS patients who had a total of 12 gastrostomy tubes placed. RESULTS: No procedural complications occurred, although one patient developed buried bumper syndrome in the near post-procedural time period and one patient had a small abscess at a surgical stitch. Most patients exhibited improvements in growth, with a median immediate improvement in BMI Z-score of 0.2 per month following the institution of gastrostomy tube feedings. Those with uncontrolled inflammation due to inflammatory bowel disease or eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease showed the least benefit and in some cases failed to demonstrate significant weight gain despite nutritional supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrostomy tube placement (surgical or endoscopic) is a generally safe and a reasonable therapeutic option for patients with LDS despite their underlying CTD.

Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment Outcomes for Pediatric Hypertrophic Burn Scars.

Carbon dioxide ablative fractional laser (CO2-AFL) therapy has not been widely adopted in pediatric burn care given limited outcomes literature and no established guidelines on laser treatment protocols. We present our experience to further elucidate the clinical role of CO2-AFL therapy for pediatric hypertrophic burn scars. We conducted a prospective cohort study of pediatric burn patients undergoing CO2-AFL treatment of hypertrophic, symptomatic burn scars at a tertiary care regional burn center during a 2-year period. Scars were assessed before each treatment using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), a validated, subjective, comprehensive scar assessment tool. We treated 49 pediatric patients for a total of 180 laser sessions. Burn severity was full thickness (63.6%) or deep partial thickness (47.7%). Observer-rated POSAS scores revealed statistically significant improvements in pigment, thickness, relief, pliability, and surface area after one treatment with continued improvement until the last laser session. Patient-rated POSAS revealed statistically significant improvements in color, stiffness, thickness, and irregularity after laser treatments. Total POSAS improved from 89.6 ± 17.5 to 76.6 ± 16.8 (P < .0001) after one treatment with further improvement to 69.2 ± 14.9 (P < .0001) at the final laser session. We found convincing evidence that CO2-AFL therapy improves hypertrophic burn scars on both patient- and observer-rated scales confirming statistical and clinical significance to both providers and families. These findings demonstrate that CO2-AFL can improve hypertrophic burn scars in pediatric patients providing a lower risk alternative to invasive therapies and a more immediate, efficacious alternative to more conservative scar treatments.

Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism in Pediatric Trauma Patients and Validation of a Novel Scoring System: The Risk of Clots in Kids With Trauma Score.

OBJECTIVES: Identify risk factors for venous thromboembolism and develop venous thromboembolism risk assessment models for pediatric trauma patients. DESIGN: Single institution and national registry retrospective cohort studies. SETTING: John Hopkins level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center and National Trauma Data Bank. PATIENTS: Patients 21 years and younger hospitalized following traumatic injuries at John Hopkins (1987-2011). Patients 21 years and younger in the National Trauma Data Bank (2008-2010 and 2011-2012). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical characteristics of Johns Hopkins patients with and without venous thromboembolism were compared, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent venous thromboembolism risk factors. Weighted risk assessment scoring systems were developed based on these and previously identified factors from National Trauma Data Bank patients (2008-2010); the scoring systems were validated in this cohort from Johns Hopkins and a cohort from the National Trauma Data Bank (2011-2012). Forty-nine of 17,366 pediatric trauma patients (0.28%) were diagnosed with venous thromboembolism after admission to our trauma center. After adjusting for potential confounders, venous thromboembolism was independently associated with older age, surgery, blood transfusion, higher Injury Severity Score, and lower Glasgow Coma Scale score. These and additional factors were identified in 402,329 pediatric patients from the National Trauma Data Bank from 2008 to 2010; independent risk factors from the logistic regression analysis of this National Trauma Data Bank cohort were selected and incorporated into weighted risk assessment scoring systems. Two models were developed and were cross-validated in two separate pediatric trauma cohorts: 1) 282,535 patients in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2011 to 2012 and 2) 17,366 patients from Johns Hopkins. The receiver operating curve using these models in the validation cohorts had area under the curves that ranged 90-94%. CONCLUSIONS: Venous thromboembolism is infrequent after trauma in pediatric patients. We developed weighted scoring systems to stratify pediatric trauma patients at risk for venous thromboembolism. These systems may have potential to guide risk-appropriate venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in children after trauma.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Central Venous Access in Low Birth Weight Infants: Feasibility in the Smallest of Patients.

PURPOSE: The insertion of tunneled central venous access catheters (CVCs) in infants can be challenging. The use of the ultrasound-guided (UG) approach to CVC placement has been reported in adults and children, but the technique is not well studied in infants. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of infants under 3.5 kg who underwent attempted UG CVC placement between August 2012 and November 2013. All infants underwent UG CVC placement using a standard 4.2-French or 3.0-French CVC system (Bard Access Systems, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT). The UG approach was performed on all infants with the M-Turbo(®) ultrasound system (SonoSite, Inc., Bothell, WA). The prepackaged 0.025-inch-diameter J wire within the set was used in all infants weighing greater than 2.5 kg. A 0.018-inch-diameter angled glidewire (Radiofocus(®) GLIDEWIRE(®); Boston Scientific Inc., Natick, MA) was used in infants less than 2.5 kg. Data collected included infant weight, vascular access site, diameter of cannulated vein (in mm), and complications. RESULTS: Twenty infants underwent 21 UG CVC placements (mean weight, 2.4 kg; range, 1.4-3.4 kg). Vascular CVC placement occurred at the following access sites: 16 infants underwent 17 placements via the right internal jugular vein, versus 3 infants via the left internal jugular vein. The average size of the target vessel was 4.0 mm (range, 3.5-5.0 mm). One infant had inadvertent removal of the UG CVC in the right internal jugular vein on postoperative Day 7. This infant returned to the operating room and underwent a successful UG CVC in the same right internal jugular vein. There were no other complications in the group. CONCLUSIONS: The UG CVC approach is a safe and efficient approach to central venous access in infants as small as 1.4 kg. Our experience supports the use of a UG percutaneous technique as the initial approach in underweight infants who require central venous access.

Secondary overtriage in pediatric trauma: can unnecessary patient transfers be avoided?

BACKGROUND: In an era of wide regionalization of pediatric trauma systems, interhospital patient transfer is common. Decisions regarding the location of definitive trauma care depend on prehospital destination criteria (primary triage) and interfacility transfers (secondary triage). Secondary overtriage can occur in any resource-limited setting but is not well characterized in pediatric trauma. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank from 2008 to 2011 was queried to identify patients 15 years or younger who were transferred to pediatric trauma centers. Secondary overtriage was defined as meeting all 4 of the following criteria: injury severity score (ISS) less than 9, no need for surgical procedure, no critical care admission, and length of stay of less than 24 hours. All other transfers were deemed appropriate triage. RESULTS: Our definition of secondary overtriage was met in 32,318 patients out of 144,420 transfers (22.4%). Within this group, 37.5% were discharged directly from the emergency department of the receiving hospital without hospital admission. Appropriately triaged patients required a therapeutic procedure in 43.5% of cases. Differences in age, sex, mechanism of injury, and payer status were modest. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary overtriage is prevalent in pediatric trauma systems nationwide and is not associated with any particular patient characteristics. Because clinical outcomes and healthcare spending are increasingly scrutinized, secondary overtriage may reflect unnecessary patient transfer and a source of potential cost savings. Development of better guidelines for secondary triage of pediatric trauma patients may enable timely assessment and treatment of children who require a higher level of care while also preventing inefficient use of available resources.

A randomized trial of laparoscopic versus open Nissen fundoplication in children under two years of age.

AIMS: The surgery of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in modern pediatric surgical practice. Any differences in perioperative and long-term clinical outcomes following laparoscopic (LN) or open Nissen (ON) fundoplication have not been comprehensively described in young children. This randomized, prospective study examines outcomes following LN versus ON in children<2 years of age. METHODS: Four surgeons at a single institution enrolled patients under 2 years of age that required surgical management of GERD, who were then randomized to LN or ON between 2005 and 2012. A universal surgical dressing was employed for blinding. Analgesia and enteral feeding pathways were standardized. The primary outcome was postoperative length of stay. Perioperative outcomes and long-term follow up were collected as secondary outcomes and used to compare groups. RESULTS: Of 39 enrolled patients, 21 were randomized to ON and 18 to LN. Length of postoperative hospital stay, time of advancement to full enteral feeds, and analgesic requirements were not significantly different between treatment cohorts. The LN group experienced longer median operating times (173 vs 91 min, P<0.001) and higher surgical charges ($4450 vs $2722, P=0.002). The incidence of post-discharge complications did not differ significantly between the groups at last follow-up (median 42 months). CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial comparing postoperative outcomes following LN vs ON did not detect statistically significant differences in short- or long-term clinical outcomes between these approaches. LN was associated with longer surgical time and higher operating room costs. The benefits, risks, and costs of laparoscopy should be carefully considered in clinical pediatric surgical practice.

Venous thromboembolism after trauma: when do children become adults?

IMPORTANCE: No national standardized guidelines exist to date for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis after pediatric trauma. While the risk of VTE after trauma is generally lower for children than for adults, the precise age at which the risk of VTE increases is not clear. OBJECTIVE: To identify the age at which the risk of VTE after trauma increases from the low rate seen in children toward the higher rate seen in adults. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between age and the odds of VTE when adjusting for other VTE risk factors. Participants included 402 329 patients 21 years or younger who were admitted following traumatic injury between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010, at US trauma centers participating in the National Trauma Data Bank. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Diagnosis of VTE as a complication during hospital admission. RESULTS: Venous thromboembolism was diagnosed in 1655 patients (0.4%). Those having VTE were more severely injured compared with those not having VTE and more frequently required critical care, blood transfusion, central line placement, mechanical ventilation, and surgery. The risk of VTE was low among younger patients, occurring in 0.1% of patients 12 years or younger, but increased to 0.3% in patients aged 13 to 15 years and to 0.8% in patients 16 years or older. These findings remained when adjusting for other factors, with patients aged 13 to 15 years (adjusted odds ratio, 1.96, 95% CI 1.53-2.52; P < .001) and patients aged 16 to 21 years (adjusted odds ratio, 3.77; 95% CI, 3.00-4.75; P < .001) having a significantly higher odds of being diagnosed as having VTE compared with patients aged 0 to 12 years. These findings were consistent across the level of injury severity and the type of trauma center. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The risk of VTE varies considerably across patient age and increases most dramatically at age 16 years, after a smaller increase at age 13 years. These findings can be used to guide future research into the development of standardized guidelines for VTE prophylaxis after pediatric trauma.

Symptomatic anterior sternoclavicular joint secondary to a bicipital rib.

This case report details the diagnosis and treatment of a previously unreported complication of a congenital chest wall anomaly. Our patient presented with a painful anterior sternoclavicular joint subluxation secondary to a bicipital rib. Thoracic magnetic resonance and computed tomographic imaging provided the diagnosis. Complete resolution of symptoms was achieved after resection of the bicipital rib.