Surgical approach to pediatric mediastinal masses based on imaging characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric mediastinal masses may be resected using an open or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach. We sought to define the preoperative imaging findings predicting amenability to VATS. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study of pediatric patients undergoing either VATS or open surgical mediastinal mass resection between 2008 and 2018 evaluated the preoperative imaging descriptors associated with VATS. Postoperative endpoints included length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, 90-day mortality and complication rates. RESULTS: Mediastinal mass resection was performed in 33 patients. Median tumor size was 6 cm, and 51.5% had anterior mediastinal tumors. The 23 (69.7%) patients who underwent VATS were significantly older (144 months vs 32, P = 0.01) and larger (33.6 kg vs 13.8 P = 0.03). Preoperative imaging characteristics in VATS included "well circumscribed", "smooth margins" and "cystic", while the open surgery group were "heterogeneous" and "coarse calcification". The open group had more germ cell tumors (60.0% vs 13.0%, P = 0.16) but no difference in malignancy. VATS patients had shorter LOS (2 days vs 6.5, P = 0.24). Readmission, complication and mortality rates were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with apparent malignancy frequently underwent open resection compared with the thoracoscopic group, although final malignant pathology was similar. Equivalent outcomes and shorter LOS should favor a minimally invasive approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Cryoablation is associated with shorter length-of-stay and reduced opioid use after the Ravitch procedure.

PURPOSE: The use of intercostal nerve cryoablation (INC) is becoming increasingly common in patients undergoing pectus repair. This study sought to evaluate the use of INC compared to traditional use of thoracic epidural (TE) in patients undergoing the modified Ravitch procedure. METHODS: A retrospective review of 37 patients undergoing the modified Ravitch repair with either INC or TE from March 2009 to July 2021 was conducted. The operations were performed by four surgeons who worked together at four different hospitals and have the same standardized practice. The primary outcome measure was hospital length of stay (LOS). Secondary variables included surgical time, total operating room time, operating room time cost, total hospital cost, inpatient opioid use, long term opioid use after discharge, and post-operative complications. RESULTS: LOS decreased to 2.8 days in the INC group compared to 6 days in the TE group (p<0.0001). Surgical time and total OR time was increased in the INC group. The INC group experienced significantly lower hospital costs (p<0.01). Total hospital opioid administration was significantly lower in INC group, and there was a significant decrease in long term opioid use in the INC group (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: INC is a newer modality that decreases LOS, controls pain, and results in overall cost savings for patients undergoing the modified Ravitch procedure. We recommend that INC be included in the current practice for postoperative pain control in pectus disorder patients undergoing the modified Ravitch procedure.

Same day discharge for pectus excavatum-is it possible?

PURPOSE: The use of intercostal nerve cryoablation (INC) has been an effective modality for treating pain in patients undergoing pectus excavatum (PE) repair. This study sought to evaluate if PE patients undergoing Nuss procedures with INC and intercostal nerve block (INB) could safely be discharged the same day of surgery. METHODS: A prospective study with IRB approval of 15 consecutive patients undergoing PE Nuss repair with INC, INB, and an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol was conducted. The primary outcome measure was hospital length of stay (LOS) in hours. Secondary variables included same day discharge, postoperative complications, emergency department (ED) visits, urgent care (UC) visits, opioid use, and return to the operating room (OR). RESULTS: LOS averaged 11.9 h amongst 15 patients. Ten patients (66.7%) went home on postoperative day (POD) 0, and the rest went home on POD 1. No patients stayed in the hospital due to pain. Reasons for failure to discharge included urinary retention, drowsiness, vomiting, and anxiety, but not pain. No patients were readmitted to the ED. One patient visited UC for constipation. One patient had bar migration requiring return to the OR for revision. Ten (66.7%) patients did not use opioids after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Same day discharge is feasible and safe in PE patients undergoing Nuss procedure with INC and INB. INC with INB can adequately control pain without significant complications. Same day discharge can be safely considered for PE patients undergoing Nuss procedure with INC with INB. TYPE OF STUDY: Prognosis study LEVEL-OF-EVIDENCE RATING: Level II.

Same-day discharge following the Nuss repair: A comparison.

PURPOSE: Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation (INC) has significantly improved pain control following the Nuss repair of pectus excavatum (PE). This study sought to evaluate patients undergoing the Nuss repair with INC compared to the Nuss repair with an ERAS protocol, INC, and intercostal nerve blocks (INB). METHODS: In June 2020, a new protocol was implemented involving surgery, anesthesia, nursing, physical therapy, and child life with the goal of safe same day discharge for patients undergoing the Nuss repair. They were compared to a control group who underwent the Nuss repair with INC alone in 2017-2019. The primary outcome measure was hospital length of stay (LOS) in hours, secondary outcomes were number of patients discharged on postoperative day (POD) 0, and returns to the emergency department (ED), urgent care (UC), and operating room (OR). RESULTS: The characteristics between the groups were the same (Table 1). The mean LOS was 11.8 h in the INB group versus 58.2 h in the INC group, p < 0.01. 10 of 15 patients in the INB group went home on POD 0 (average of 5.5 h postop), versus 0 patients in the INC only group, p < 0.01. Five patients in the INB stayed overnight. Two patients stayed owing to anxiety, one owing to urinary retention, one owing to nausea, and one owing to drowsiness. None stayed for pain control. Four patients in the INC group returned to the ED for pain control, versus 0 in the INB group, and 1 patient in the INB returned to UC for constipation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients undergoing the Nuss repair of PE with a multidisciplinary regimen of pre and postoperative nursing education, precise intraoperative anesthesia care, performance of direct vision INB and INC, as well as careful surgery can go home on the day of surgery without adverse outcomes or unanticipated returns to the hospital. LEVEL-OF-EVIDENCE: Level II.

Cryoablation is associated with shorter length of stay and reduced opioid use in pectus excavatum repair.

PURPOSE: The use of intercostal nerve cryoablation (INC) is becoming increasingly common in patients undergoing pectus excavatum (PE) repair. This study sought to evaluate the use of INC compared to traditional use of thoracic epidural (TE). METHODS: A retrospective review of 79 patients undergoing PE repair with either INC or TE from May 2009 to December 2019 was conducted. The operations were performed by four surgeons who worked together at four different hospitals and have the same standardized practice. The primary outcome measure was hospital length of stay (LOS). Secondary variables included surgical time, total operating room time, operating room time cost, total hospital cost, inpatient opioid use, long-term opioid use after discharge, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: LOS decreased to 2.5 days in the INC group compared to 5 days in the TE group (p < 0.0001). Surgical time was increased in the INC group, but there was no difference in total OR time. The INC group experienced significantly lower hospital costs. Total hospital opioid administration was significantly lower in INC group, and there was a significant decrease in long-term opioid use in the INC group. CONCLUSIONS: INC is a newer modality that decreases LOS, controls pain, and results in overall cost savings. We recommend that INC be included in the current practice for postoperative pain control in PE patients undergoing Nuss procedure.

A New Approach to Cloaca: Laparoscopic Separation of the Urogenital Sinus.

Introduction: Cloaca malformation repair strategy is strongly dictated by common channel and urethral lengths. Mid to long common channel cloacas are challenging and often require laparotomy for dissection of pelvic structures. The balance of common channel and urethral lengths often dictates the approach for reconstruction. Laparoscopy has been utilized for rectal dissection but not for management of the urogenital (UG) structures. We hypothesized that laparoscopy could be applied to UG separation in reconstruction of cloaca malformations. Methods: Records were reviewed for 9 children with cloaca who underwent laparoscopic rectal mobilization and UG separation. Clinical parameters reviewed included demographics, relevant anatomic lengths, operative duration, transfusion requirements, and perioperative complications. Results: Repair was perfomed at a median (interquartile range) age of 12 (7, 15) months. Common channel length as measured by cystoscopy was 3.5 (3.3, 4.5) cm. There were no intraoperative complications. Transfusion requirements were minimal. Postoperative length of stay was 6 (5, 11) days. One patient developed a urethral web and 2 developed vaginal stenosis. One patient later underwent a laparotomy for obstruction due to a twisted rectal pull-through. Conclusions: Laparoscopic rectal mobilization and UG separation in long common channel cloaca are safe and well tolerated. Laparoscopy affords full evaluation of Mullerian structures and enables separation of the common UG wall, which may ultimately enhance long-term urinary continence.

Minimally Invasive Repair of Pediatric Morgagni Hernias Using Transfascial Sutures with Extracorporeal Knot Tying.

BACKGROUND: Morgagni hernias are rare, with a reported incidence of 2% to 5% of congenital diaphragmatic hernias. OBJECTIVES: To review a laparoscopic technique to repair Morgagni hernias in pediatric patients. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who underwent minimally invasive repair of a Morgagni hernia from November 2009 to September 2017 within a defined population. RESULTS: During an 8-year period, 15 patients with Morgagni hernias were identified. Four patients with Morgagni hernias were excluded because they had open repairs. Eleven Morgagni hernias were repaired through a completely minimally invasive approach. Three repairs were completed using a soft-tissue patch (Gore-Tex patch, W L Gore & Associates Inc, Flagstaff, AZ). All minimally invasive repairs were completed with transfascial sutures using an endoscopic suturing device (Endo Close, Covidien/Medtronic, Fridley, MN) and 2-0 nonabsorbable synthetic sutures with extracorporeal knot tying. Median follow-up was 40 months (range = 2.6 months to 7.3 years). No patients had postoperative pectus excavatum defects. There were no recurrences. CONCLUSION: Morgagni hernias are amenable to minimally invasive repair with this simple technique. With large defects, synthetic patches should be used. Recurrences are rare, and morbidity is low.

A new technique in complex chest wall reconstruction: Open reduction and internal fixation.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of complex chest wall deformities is a surgical challenge. A new technique can improve long-term outcomes and result in high patient satisfaction. METHODS: A multicenter study was conducted on pediatric patients undergoing complex chest wall reconstruction between September 2015 and January 2018. The evolution of the technique using open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with SternaLock® and RibFix® to repair chest wall deformities is described. RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent complex chest wall reconstruction with ORIF. Eight patients had severe or recurrent pectus excavatum, five patients had pectus carinatum, and four patients had complex chest wall fractures or other anomalies causing significant chronic pain. Up to three SternaLock® plates and four RibFix® plates were used for each procedure. Median length of hospital stay after surgery was four days. Median follow-up time was 12 months (range 2-30). There were no postsurgical complications. There was 100% patient satisfaction in postoperative recovery and cosmesis. CONCLUSION: ORIF using SternaLock® and RibFix® is an effective method of reconstructing complex chest wall deformities. This technique improves physical stability without the requirement of a subsequent surgery and enhances overall patient satisfaction. High volume centers should integrate this novel approach for challenging chest wall reconstruction. TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment study: case series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Differentiating abdominal procedures in pediatric surgery: The inadequacy of current procedural terminology codes.

INTRODUCTION: The ability to use detailed, accurate current procedural terminology (CPT) codes is a key component of effective research. We examined the effectiveness of CPT codes to accurately reflect care in patients undergoing surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective analysis of operations on patients with NEC was conducted across 4 institutions between 2011 and 2016. Correlation between operative dictation and CPT coding was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients with NEC diagnosis undergoing exploratory abdominal operations were identified. NEC was improperly diagnosed in 25 patients, who were excluded from further analysis. Of the 99 patients reviewed, the initial exploratory abdominal operation was coded inaccurately in 58 cases (59%). Within these, 15 (26%) had multiple coding errors such that the nature of the original operation was not discernable from the applied codes. Inaccurate codes often did not describe the presence of a mucous fistula (n=27, 44%), ostomy (n=24, 39%), or extra segments of bowel resected (n=9, 16%). The length of bowel resected is not currently described by any CPT codes. CONCLUSION: CPT coding for abdominal operations does not sufficiently reflect complexity of pediatric surgeries. This study highlights the significance of this inadequacy and its implications in future database studies in the era of electronic medical records. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. TYPE OF STUDY: Clinical research study.

Surgical approach to intussusception in older children: influence of lead points.

BACKGROUND: The likelihood of a lead point as the cause of ileocolic intussusception increases as children get older. This study looks at whether a different management strategy should be employed in older patients. METHODS: 7 year multi-institutional retrospective study of intussusception in patients aged <12 years. RESULTS: Ileocolic intussusception with complete data was found in 153 patients: 109 0-2 years, 34 3-5 years, and 10 6-12 years, respectively. Bloody stools occurred in 42/143 of 0-5 years and 0/10 of 6-12 years, p<0.001. Combined hydrostatic and/or surgical reduction was successful in 113/143 0-5 year olds vs 5/10 6-12 year olds, p<0.001. Enemas were safe but reduced only 1 patient over age 5. Resections were required in 29 patients (15 idiopathic, 14 lead points). Lead points were found in 4/109 children under 3 years, in 5/34 aged 3-5 years and 5/10 aged 6-12 years (p=0.04 vs 3-5 years and p <0.001 vs 0-5 years). Lead points consisted of 7 Meckel's diverticula and 7 others. CONCLUSION: Children older than 5 years are much more likely to have a pathologic lead point and early surgical intervention should be considered. In this study, enema reduction was safe but minimally beneficial in this age group.

Laparoscopic redo nissen fundoplication after previous open antireflux surgery in infants and children.

Recurrent gastroesophageal reflux is a common complication after fundoplication procedures. We report our experience with laparoscopic redo Nissen fundoplications in pediatric patients with a history of open antireflux procedure. The medical records of all patients with a history of open antireflux procedure who underwent a subsequent laparoscopic redo Nissen fundoplication were reviewed. One hundred eighty laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications were performed between September 2004 and September 2012; 23 were redo procedures. Twelve patients had a history of prior open fundoplication. Average time between operations was 113.7±64 months. Seven patients presented with emesis, 4 with aspiration pneumonia, and 1 with clinical reflux. Eight had a history of cerebral palsy and/or seizure disorder. Laparoscopic revision was completed in 100% of the patients, with no intraoperative complications. Average operative time was 177.5±86 minutes. Seven patients were able to resume feeds on postoperative Day 1. Median length of stay was 3 days. Median follow-up was 21 months. One patient required a redo antireflux procedure 8 months later for persistent dysphagia. Thus laparoscopic revision Nissen fundoplication after a prior open antireflux procedure is feasible and safe.

Laparoscopic techniques for safe and successful removal of common bile duct stones in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Choledocholithiasis is uncommon in the pediatric population. Techniques for common bile duct stone extraction are still not well established. This article aims to describe safe and applicable techniques for pediatric common bile duct exploration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of two pediatric surgeons for patients undergoing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration at two tertiary-care centers from April 2008 to March 2012. RESULTS: For 39 patients under 15 years of age undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 10 cholangiograms were performed, and 8 were found to have filling defects. Seven patients underwent successful laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with documentation of stone clearance, and 1 patient was sent for postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stone extraction. Eleven patients had cholecystectomy performed by single-incision laparoscopic surgery, but none of these had cholangiograms or common bile duct explorations. Various methods of stone clearance were used, including the use of saline flush, balloon catheters, nitinol stone extractors, and the aide of glucagon. Depending on patient size, a choledochosope or a ureteroscope was used. There were no complications and no conversions to open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is feasible in the pediatric population, using many of the instruments readily available in the standard operating room. With an armamentarium of tools and techniques, the method of stone extraction can be tailored to the patient and situation.

Ingestion of magnetic toys: report of serious complications requiring surgical intervention and a proposed management algorithm.

CONTEXT: Increasing popularity of strong magnets as toys has led to their ingestion by children, putting them at risk of potentially harmful gastrointestinal tract injuries. OBJECTIVES: To heighten physician awareness of the potential complications of magnetic foreign body ingestion, and to provide an updated algorithm for management of a patient who is suspected to have ingested magnets. DESIGN: A retrospective review of magnet ingestions treated over a two-year period at our institutions in the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Data including patient demographics, clinical information, radiologic images, and surgical records were used to propose a management strategy. RESULTS: Five patients, aged 15 months to 18 years, presented with abdominal symptoms after magnet ingestion. Four of the 5 patients suffered serious complications, including bowel necrosis, perforation, fistula formation, and obstruction. All patients were successfully treated with laparoscopic-assisted exploration with or without endoscopy. Total days in the hospital averaged 5.2 days (range = 3 to 9 days). Average time to discharge following surgery was 4 days (range = 2 to 7 days). Ex vivo experimentation with toy magnetic beads were performed to reveal characteristics of the magnetic toys. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should have a heightened sense of caution when treating a patient in whom magnetic foreign body ingestion is suspected, because of the potential gastrointestinal complications. An updated management strategy is proposed that both prevents delays in surgical care and avoids unnecessary surgical exploration.

Successful salvage of late failure of hepatic portocholecystostomy (gallbladder Kasai) with Roux-en-Y cholecystojejunostomy.

The hepatic portoenterostomy (HPE) is the accepted initial operation for biliary reconstruction for biliary atresia, but in a select group of patients with patent distal extrahepatic bile ducts (PDEBD), a hepatic portocholecystostomy (HPC) may also be considered. A10 year old boy presented with sudden onset of jaundice following a successful HPC at 2 months of age. Radiographic evaluation revealed excretion into a distended gallbladder with distal biliary obstruction. He underwent a successful Roux-en-Y cholecystojejunostomy and remains jaundice-free two years later. Cholecystojejunostomy is an effective salvage operation for patients who develop late distal biliary obstruction after an HPC.

Smaller platelet volumes associated with vascular malformations.

Various parameters in 91 adult participants with vascular malformations and 91 controls were studied. The mean of the participants' platelet volumes was 8.5 fL and that of their controls was 9.1 (P < .001). The mean of the participants' platelet mass was 2145 µL/L of blood and that of their controls was 2351 (P = .006). The other parameters studied were not significantly different than the controls. It is suggested that the lower platelet volume might be related to a compensatory mechanism to keep the total body platelet mass stable despite the increased vasculature.

Ultrasound measurements in hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: don't let the numbers fool you.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound guidelines for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) have fixed minimum measurements and do not account for variation in patient weight or age. We sought to determine if preoperative pyloric measurements correlated with weight and age in patients with surgically proven HPS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 189 patients with HPS treated at a single institution over a 5-year period (2005 to 2010). Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were used to determine if there were statistically significant associations between these combinations of factors: age and pyloric muscle thickness, weight and pyloric muscle thickness, age and pyloric length, and weight and pyloric length. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 4.6 weeks (range, 1 to 17 weeks). Their mean weight was 3.9 kg (range, 2.5 to 8.0 kg). Mean pyloric muscle thickness was 0.42 cm (range, 0.18 to 0.86 cm), and mean pyloric length was 1.89 cm (range, 0.8 to 2.8 cm). Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed a significant relationship between age and muscle thickness (r = 0.35, p < 0.001) as well as weight and muscle thickness (r = 0.24, p = 0.001). No significant relationship existed between pyloric length and age or weight. Linear regression analysis demonstrated similar results. CONCLUSION: In patients with HPS, pyloric muscle thickness was directly related to age and weight. Practitioners should be aware that smaller and younger infants with a clinical diagnosis of HPS may still truly have HPS even though the minimum diagnostic criterion for muscle thickness or length is not found on ultrasound.

Are there differences in access to care, treatment, and outcomes for children with appendicitis treated at county versus private hospitals?

INTRODUCTION: We conducted a study to determine whether hospital type (county [ie, safety-net] vs private) affects health care access (appendiceal perforation [AP] rates), treatment (laparoscopic appendectomy [LA] rates), and outcomes in children with appendicitis. METHODS: A review of cases involving children who had appendicitis between 1998 and 2007 was performed. Data from county and private hospitals were compared. Outcomes were AP rates, LA rates, need for postoperative abscess drainage, length of hospitalization (LOH), and cost. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis confirmed that among 7902 patients, (county = 682; private = 7220), county-hospital patients had lower incomes, higher AP rates, higher LA rates, lower postoperative abscess drainage rates, and longer LOH than did private-hospital patients. The longer LOH at the county institution led to higher costs. Within the county hospital, outcomes were similar across all ethnic groups and income levels. CONCLUSIONS: Children with appendicitis treated at a county hospital were of lower socioeconomic background and had higher AP rates, longer LOH, and higher costs than their counterparts at private hospitals, but were more likely to undergo LA and require less abscess drainage. Within the county hospital, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities were not apparent; thus, these differences between institutions might have been caused by underlying disparities in ethnicity, income, and health care access.

A critical review of premature infants with inguinal hernias: optimal timing of repair, incarceration risk, and postoperative apnea.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This study evaluated the optimal timing for repair, incarceration risk, and postoperative apnea rate in premature infants with inguinal hernias. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of premature infants undergoing inguinal hernia repairs from 2006 to 2008. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two patients were identified. Mean gestational age was 30.7 weeks, and mean birth weight was 1428 g. At repair, mean postconceptional age was 46.6 weeks with mean weight of 3688 g. Elective repairs were performed on 127 patients. Thirty-five patients were discharged with a known hernia, and none developed incarceration. No postoperative apnea episodes occurred in any of these 127 patients. Forty-five patients had herniorrhaphy before discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a median postoperative hospitalization of 8 days (2-51 days). Thirteen percent required prolonged (>48 hours) intubation after repair. Of 172 patients, 8 (4.6%) developed incarcerated hernia. Five incarcerations occurred in the NICU before discharge, and 3 patients had incarceration as their initial presentation. CONCLUSIONS: There is minimal risk of postoperative apnea for premature infants undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair. The risk of incarceration in premature infants discharged from the NICU with a known hernia is low. Herniorrhaphy before discharge from the NICU was associated with a prolonged hospital stay.

Perforated appendicitis in children: equal access to care eliminates racial and socioeconomic disparities.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine whether equal access to health care eliminates racial and socioeconomic disparities in appendicitis outcomes. METHODS: A review of patients younger than 18 years treated for appendicitis for a decade was performed. Outcomes were appendiceal perforation (AP) rate and length of hospitalization (LOH). Independent variables included racial status, annual median per capita income, and parental education level. RESULTS: Seven thousand two hundred forty-seven patients were identified (mean age, 11.6 years; 62% male). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for AP was similar in blacks, Hispanics, and Asians compared to whites. The OR for AP was similar in high- and medium-income families compared to low-income families. The OR for AP was similar in high and medium parental education levels compared to low parental education levels. The adjusted LOH was longer in blacks and similar in Hispanics and Asians compared to whites. The LOH was shorter in high- and similar in medium-income families compared to low-income families. The LOH was similar in all parental education levels. CONCLUSION: Lower socioeconomic background and minority status did not correlate with higher appendiceal perforation rates or a clinically longer LOH in children with equal access to care. The previously reported disparities in pediatric appendicitis outcome are preventable with equal access to care.