Role of Hyperbilirubinaemia as a Predictor of Complicated Appendicitis in Paediatric Population.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency amongst the paediatric population. Available diagnostic tools are focussed to make a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. A definitive predictive factor for the diagnosis of complicated appendicitis is lacking. Thus, this aims to analyse hyperbilirubinaemia as a predictor of complicated appendicitis amongst the paediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital from November 2018 to October 2019. All children undergoing emergency appendectomy were included in the study. Preoperatively, patients were evaluated clinically, and routine investigations including total and direct serum bilirubin were sent. All patients were grouped as 'simple appendicitis' or 'complicated appendicitis' based on intra-operative and histological findings. Bilirubin level was compared between these groups and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 52 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. The mean age was 13.2 ± 4.2 years, and the male: female ratio was 2.1:1. Thirty-four (65.4%) had simple appendicitis and 18 (34.6%) had complicated appendicitis. Total bilirubin was 23.83 ± 5.94 mmol/L in the complicated appendicitis group and 13.15 ± 3.29 mmol/L in the simple appendicitis group. Direct bilirubin was 5.28 ± 2.22 mmol/L in complicated appendicitis and 2.62 ± 0.83 mmol/L in simple one. Both total and direct bilirubin were significantly high in the complicated group (P < 0.001) compared to the simple appendicitis group. On the Receiver operating curve (ROC), the best cutoff value for total and direct bilirubin was 21 and 5.5 mmol/L, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of total and direct bilirubin were 72.2%, 100%, and 61.1%, and 85.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that hyperbilirubinaemia is a good predictor for paediatric complicated appendicitis.

Support for Introduction of Pediatric Endosurgery in Nepal as Global Pediatric Surgery: Preliminary Needs Assessment Survey.

Background: Endosurgery provides several advantages over open surgery in the context of global surgery; however, there are several barriers to its introduction. The preliminary assessment of needs and barriers is essential for carrying out effective support as Global Surgery. However, no report has described the initiation of support for endosurgery based on a preliminary survey of the needs and barriers. The present survey study aimed at determining the needs and barriers of pediatric endosurgery in Nepal. Materials and Methods: A needs assessment survey was conducted among all pediatric surgeons in Nepal via an online platform. This was followed by workshop on pediatric endosurgical skills in Nepal. To assess the skills of participants and effectiveness of the workshop, the skill evaluation tests and the questionnaire survey were conducted. Results: Fourteen pediatric surgeons (response rate: 60.9%) responded to the needs assessment survey. More than 70% of the participants did not have any experience with advanced endosurgical procedures. However, advanced endosurgical procedures were strongly needed. A lack of training was indicated as a major barrier for the introduction of pediatric endosurgery. Fifteen participants completed the workshop. Participants' confidence in their endosurgical skills improved significantly after the workshop. The skill evaluation tests revealed that participants' endosurgical skills also improved significantly after the workshop, although even after the workshop, participants still took an average of 415.6 seconds to place and knot one suture. Conclusions: The needs assessment survey and workshop for Nepalese pediatric surgeons helped clarify their needs for endosurgery and the barriers to its introduction.

Managerial experiences on pediatric surgical tumors in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric tumors are least prioritized but serious problems. Multidisciplinary management improves survival. Incidences, types and follow up results on Nepalese pediatric tumors have not yet been studied. To highlight our center's experiences on pediatric tumors management and follow up is aimed. METHODS: All pediatric surgical tumors admitted in pediatric surgery unit from 2065-2070 BS werer studied. Patients evaluated with or without chemo/radiotherapy pre or post surgery. Total of 22 cases from age four months to 13 years were studied. RESULTS: Tumor detection shown highest in age group below 3 years, followed by 5-10 years. Mean age was 54 months. Most common problem (22.7%) was Sacrococcygeal teratoma (histologically matured). 13% Nephroblastoma, 9% ovarian tumor, 9% Neuroblastoma and various others each were 4.45%. Majority underwent surgical excision of tumors. Three cases pre surgery and 5 post-surgery, received chemotherapy. Rest had only excision of tumor mass. Follow up were from three weeks to five years period. During this period, two patients expired (one due to complication of second cycle of chemotherapy and second one died with severe aspiration after second laparotomy for intestinal obstruction one year after initial Nephroblastoma excision.) One patient lost for follow up after excision of stage V Nephroblastoma and first cycle of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Management of pediatric tumors is complicated. Thus it needs better multidisciplinary centre of excellence for satisfactory results. Management is directed according to incidence, types, standard management protocol, which is not studied yet in Nepal. Research on pediatric tumors is virgin area. Large scale studies need to conduct in detail and a center of excellence is essential to provide better services.