Impact of body mass index on 30-day postoperative morbidity in pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing continent urinary tract reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been thought to increase the risk of complications and need for additional resources with surgery, but only a limited amount of evidence is available in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: The objectives were to describe the weight status of pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing a continent urinary tract reconstruction and to determine the association between obesity and 30-day postoperative morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was performed for pediatric and adolescent patients aged up to 20 years who underwent a continent urinary tract reconstruction between January 2010 and November 2016. Weight status was stratified by the body mass index (BMI) for age z-scores as follows: underweight (<5th percentile), normal (5th to <85th percentiles), overweight (85th to <95th percentiles), and obese (≥95th percentile). Primary outcomes included the duration of intensive care and hospitalization as well as re-admissions and complications within 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 182 continent reconstructions were identified during the study period. Demographic and peri-operative data are provided in the Table. Weight status was not associated with any primary outcomes on univariate or multivariate analysis. There was also no association in an analysis between the non-overweight or non-obese group (BMI for age z-score <85th) and overweight or obese group (BMI for age z-score ≥85th percentiles); a subgroup analysis between patients with and without myelomeningocele; or a subgroup analysis for wound, infectious, or high-grade (Clavien-Dindo grades III or higher) complications. DISCUSSION: Obesity has been consistently associated with an increased risk of surgical site infections and wound complications after a wide variety of surgeries in adults. The results from the present study conflict with those of the few available studies in the pediatric population. The high-risk nature of the present cohort may have mitigated any effect of obesity on 30-day postoperative morbidity. The limitations of the present study include its retrospective design at a single center and the potential misclassification of weight status with the BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 30% of pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing a continent urinary tract reconstruction were overweight or obese. Obesity as determined by the BMI was not associated with 30-day postoperative morbidity.

Preoperative nutritional status and use of total parenteral nutrition in pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing continent urinary tract reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: A nutritional assessment is a critical but often neglected aspect of a preoperative evaluation. Malnutrition is clearly associated with worse surgical outcomes in adults undergoing major abdominal surgery, whereas a paucity of evidence is available in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: The objectives were to describe the preoperative nutritional status of pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing continent urinary tract reconstruction and to determine the association among malnutrition, use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and surgical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was performed for patients aged up to 20 years who underwent continent urinary tract reconstruction between January 2012 and November 2016. Malnutrition was classified with body mass index and height for age z-scores on admission as well as change in z-scores and weight over the 3-6 months before surgery. Primary outcomes included the duration of intensive care and hospitalization as well as readmissions and complications within 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients who underwent 130 continent urinary tract reconstructions were identified during the study period. Demographic and perioperative data are provided in the Table. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements as well as the early initiation of TPN (≤2 days) were not associated with any primary outcomes. In a subgroup analysis of patients with a bowel anastomosis, the early initiation of TPN was an independent predictor for duration of hospitalization (P < 0.0001) and 30-day complications (odds ratio 9.51, P = 0.005) after adjusting for other statistically significant and clinically relevant variables. DISCUSSION: The few available studies on surgical nutrition have primarily focused on infants and young children undergoing cardiac surgery and provided no consensus on a preoperative nutritional assessment. The findings on TPN from the present study favorably compare with a growing body of evidence in adult and pediatric critically ill and surgical patients. The limitations of the present study include its retrospective design at a single institution, potential misclassification of nutritional status, and selection bias from the initiation of TPN at the discretion of the primary surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition was identified in greater than 20% of pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing continent urinary tract reconstruction. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were not associated with surgical outcomes, although the early initiation of TPN did not offer any benefit for nutritional support. In a subset of patients with a bowel anastomosis, TPN was associated with worse surgical outcomes, including a longer duration of hospitalization and development of 30-day complications.

Clinical and urodynamic outcomes in children with anorectal malformation subtype of recto-bladder neck fistula.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs) have a high incidence of genitourinary anomalies. Those with a recto-bladder neck fistula may represent a high-risk group, but their long-term urologic outcomes are poorly described. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and urodynamic outcomes in a large cohort of patients with an ARM subtype of recto-bladder neck fistula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of patients who had been treated for a recto-bladder neck fistula at the present institution since 2007. The primary outcomes were the ability to achieve urinary continence after 4 years of age, and development of a mildly decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or worse (<89 ml/min/1.73 m2). Continence was defined as the ability to store urine for 3-4 h during the day and 8 h overnight without leakage. RESULTS: Demographic and clinical data are provided in the Summary Table. The most recent urodynamic findings included the presence of detrusor overactivity in 30 (75%) patients, median leak point pressure of 56.0 cmH2O (range, 14-140), median functional cystometric capacity at 40 cmH2O of 125.5% age-expected capacity (range, 36-473%), and median maximum cystometric capacity of 131.0% age-expected capacity (range, 44-473%). A mildly decreased GFR or worse developed in 13 (24%) patients. Of the 52 (78%) patients who were followed by pediatric urology at the present institution with a median follow-up of 30.9 months (range, 0.0-86.8), 35 (67%) were at least 4 years of age and could be assessed for continence. Continence was achieved in five (14%) patients voiding spontaneously and 15 (43%) performing CIC. Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) (OR 0.70, P = 0.006) were an independent predictor of incontinence, while urethral anomalies (OR 1.40, P = 0.03) were an independent predictor of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on multiple logistic regression analysis. DISCUSSION: The findings favorably compared with other studies, but were more robust due to the size of the cohort and breadth of urologic evaluation. Limitations included the retrospective design at a single institution. Incomplete clinical data and misclassification of continence may have lead to bias. CONCLUSIONS: This large cohort of patients with an ARM subtype of recto-bladder neck fistula had a high incidence of genitourinary anomalies. They were rarely able to achieve continence with spontaneous voiding alone and were at risk of developing CKD, both of which were likely multifocal in origin. Long-term urologic follow-up is warranted for patients with a recto-bladder neck fistula.

Triamcinolone injection for treatment of Mitrofanoff stomal stenosis: Optimizing results and reducing cost of care.

INTRODUCTION: Stomal stenosis is the most common complication after the creation of a continent catheterizable channel (CCC), but is challenging to treat. OBJECTIVE: To describe early experience with triamcinolone injection for the treatment of stomal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients who had undergone a triamcinolone injection (40 mg/ml) for the treatment of stomal stenosis at the present institution. The primary outcome of success was defined as a patient-reported or caregiver-reported return to ease with catheterization, and avoidance of stomal revision or indwelling catheter. The cost of care with various techniques for the treatment of stomal stenosis was also assessed by representing the cost as a percentage of charges for a re-operative Monti ileovesicostomy. RESULTS: A total of 22 injections were performed in 18 CCCs of 17 patients. Demographic and clinical data are provided in the Summary Table. Thirteen CCCs (72%) were successfully treated with a single injection. Three patients (10%) required a total of five repeat injections at a median of 5.1 months between injections (IQR, 4.6-12.4). One patient required a stomal revision at 34.9 months after the initial injection, while one patient also required a Chait cecostomy catheter. The median length of time for ease with catheterization was 11.6 months (IQR, 3.5-18.0) after the initial injection, and 10.4 months (IQR, 4.5-16.0) after any injection. No adverse effects or complications occurred from the injection. There were no variables associated with failure after the initial or any injection on univariate analysis. Represented as a percentage of charges for a reoperative Monti ileovesicostomy, the cost of care was 11.3% for a stomal revision, 5.8% for triamcinolone injection in the operating room, and 0.3% as an office-based procedure. DISCUSSION: The success rate for triamcinolone injection favorably compared with other options for the treatment of stomal stenosis. It surpassed the reported success rate of stomal dilation and approached that of stomal revision. Other studies have similarly observed a minimal risk of adverse effects and complications from both topical and intralesional corticosteroids. The limitations of the present study included its retrospective design at a single institution. A larger cohort of patients with a longer follow-up is necessary to determine its long-term durability. CONCLUSIONS: Triamcinolone injection was an effective and well-tolerated option for the treatment of stomal stenosis in any cutaneous stoma, thereby avoiding the need for a more invasive and costly stomal revision.

Botulinum toxin injection in the pediatric population with medically refractory neuropathic bladder.

INTRODUCTION: Botulinum toxin injection (BTI) has been advocated as a second line therapy in management of neuropathic bladder in pediatric population for refractory patients to conventional medical management such as anticholinergics. The purpose was to review the safety and efficacy of BTI in children with neuropathic bladder refractory to conservative non-surgical measures. We hypothesized that BTI would be an effective alternative to bladder augmentation in certain patients but not all. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 22 patients with neuropathic bladder due to any condition who underwent urologic BTI at our hospital since 2010. Multiple clinicopathologic variables were examined including the following: demographics, use of anticholinergics, the presence of anticholinergic refractoriness or intolerance, dosage of BTI, urodynamic variables, and continence status. RESULTS: The mean patient age at time of BTI was 10 years with a follow up of 12 months. Indications for BTI were anti-cholinergic refractory (AR) urodynamic parameters and/or incontinence and anticholinergic intolerance (AI). Nearly all patients received 300 Units at BTI into detrusor. No complications occurred from BTI. Overall 54% had improved continence after the initial BTI whereas 45% had achieved complete continence between catheterizations. Cystometric capacity increased by 46% and maximum detrusor pressure decreased by 43% following initial BTI (See Table). 75% of AI patients were continent between CIC after BTI compared to 50% of AR patients (P = 0.002). The observed mean duration of clinical improvement after initial BTI was 4.6 months and four patients underwent repeat BTI. Pre BTI % of age expected bladder capacity Post BTI % of age expected bladder capacity % Improvement in Urodynamic Parameter P value Cystometric Capacity (mL) 227 60 331 87 46 0.008 Maximum Detrusor Pressure (cm H2O) 63 44 43 0.002 Compliance (mL/cm H2O) 4.3 8.8 104 0.001. DISCUSSION: Our results are comparable to existing literature with respect to urodynamic parameters. The observed differences may be due to heterogenous patient population of various etiologies of neuropathic bladder and no uniform criteria to proceed with bladder augmentation. The AR patients in our cohort may have had a higher degree of bladder fibrosis which BTI would be less likely to impact and explain the differences in clinical response between AR and AI patients. CONCLUSIONS: BTI is a safe and effective treatment option for pediatric patients with neuropathic bladder refractory to standard therapy. The degree of continence observed after BTI in our series was higher for AI rather than AR patients.

Infant robotic pyeloplasty: comparison with an open cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with infant pyeloplasty, comparing outcomes between robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) and open pyeloplasty (OP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all children <1 year of age who underwent unilateral dismembered pyeloplasty at a single pediatric institution since January 2007. Patients with standard laparoscopic pyeloplasty were excluded. Patient demographics, intraoperative details, narcotic usage, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 70 infants (51 boys and 19 girls) were identified, with nine RALP and 61 OP performed. Median age was 9.2 months (range, 3.7-11.9 months) for RALP and 4.1 months (range, 1.0-11.6 months) for OP (p = 0.005). Median weight was 8 kg (range, 5.8-10.9 kg) for RALP and 7 kg (range, 4-14 kg) for OP (p = 0.163). Median operative time was 115 min (range, 95-205 min) for RALP and 166 min (range, 79-300 min) for OP (p = 0.028). Median hospital stay was 1 day (range, 1-2 days) for RALP and 3 days (range, 1-7 days) for OP (p < 0.001). Median postoperative narcotic use of morphine equivalent was <0.01 mg/kg/day (range, 0-0.1 mg/kg/day) for RALP and 0.05 mg/kg/day (range, 0-2.2 mg/kg/day) for OP (p < 0.001). Median follow-up was 10 months (range, 7.2-17.8 months) for RALP and 43.6 months (3.4-73.8 months) for OP (p < 0.001). The success rate was 100% for RALP and 98% for OP. CONCLUSIONS: Infant RALP was observed to be feasible and efficacious with shorter operative time, hospital stay, and narcotic utilization than OP.