The effect of inpatient versus outpatient location on postoperative healthcare utilization after neonatal circumcision.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Neonatal circumcision is a common pediatric procedure performed in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. We aimed to determine if procedure location affected 30-day post-procedure healthcare utilization rates, inpatient length of stay (LOS), and amount charged. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study comparing 30-day postoperative healthcare utilization (emergency department (ED) visits, office visits, readmissions) of full-term infants who underwent an outpatient versus inpatient (same admission as birth) circumcision from 2015 to 2020. Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests, multivariable adjusted logistic regression models when appropriate. RESULTS: 3137 infants were included, 1426 (45.5%) had an outpatient circumcision, 1711 (54.5%) an inpatient. Outpatient had similar overall healthcare utilization rates as inpatients (5.7% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.933). The number of ED visits (1.5% vs 0.8%, p = 0.055), office visits (4.5% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.437), and readmissions (0.2% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.058) were not significantly different. Infants with inpatient circumcisions had longer LOS after adjusting for age, ethnicity and delivery type (Cesarean versus vaginal) with an incident rate ratio of 1.97 (95% confidence interval 1.84-2.11, p<0.001). Outpatient circumcision resulted in average charges of $372 more than inpatient. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient circumcision has a minimal effect on healthcare utilization rates but lead to a shorter hospital stay following birth and increased charge. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

To drain or not to drain: a single institution experience with neonatal intestinal perforation.

AIMS: The optimal surgical treatment for extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) neonates with pneumoperitoneum is controversial. This study aimed to identify clinical factors associated with two known causes of pneumoperitoneum-necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP), and assesses the treatment outcome with primary peritoneal drainage (PPD) vs. laparotomy. METHODS: We reviewed and analyzed clinical characteristics and outcome from records of neonates with pneumoperitoneum treated at our institution from January 1999 to January 2003. RESULTS: Forty-six neonates (31 NEC, 15 SIP) were treated with either PPD (20 with NEC, 13 with SIP) or laparotomy (11 with NEC, 2 with SIP). In neonates who underwent PPD, those with NEC (vs. SIP) were less likely to have a patent ductus arteriosus, but were more likely to have been fed, have drains placed later in life, have a subsequent laparotomy, a longer total parental nutrition course, a higher 30-day mortality, and to take more days to begin enteral feeds. CONCLUSION: The etiology of pneumoperitoneum (NEC vs. SIP) in ELBW neonates can usually be determined preoperatively. Neonates with SIP should have a drain placed while those with NEC should undergo laparotomy.