Subspecialization may improve an esophageal atresia service but has not addressed declining trainee experience.

BACKGROUND: Subspecialization defined pediatric surgery using Alder Hey innovations in neonatal surgical units (Rickham) and anesthesia (Jackson-Rees). In neonatal surgery, United Kingdom subspecialization for cloacal extrophy and biliary atresia acknowledges their dependence on multidisciplinary management and the desirability of caseload for training. We phased in regional subspecialization for esophageal atresia (EA) repair and replacement surgery while trainee numbers increased nationally to reduce hours. We examined EA outcomes and training during subspecialization. METHODS: We analyzed EA cases (1999-2009) treated at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in two 5-year cohorts, the first early phase of incomplete subspecialization and the later near-total or "comprehensive" subspecialization phase. These periods approximated those before and after trainee numbers rose sharply to reduce working hours. RESULTS: Of 119 cases, 60 in the early cohort shared similar characteristics with the 59 in the later cohort. Near-complete subspecialization was achieved in the second 5 years with 97% of cases performed under a surgeon with an EA specialty interest; in the earlier cohort, 25% of surgeries were undertaken by surgeons without EA subspecialty interest. With near-complete subspecialization, pediatric intensive care unit stay fell from 5 (4-11) to 4 (2-7) days (median (IQR); P = .005), and approaches such as the Bianchi axillary repair and Bax single-stage jejunal interposition were introduced; hospital stay went from 25 (12-63) to 17 (13-28) days (P = .27), and deaths, from 6 to 3 children (P = .49). Mortality was 7.6% (9/119) compared with 14% (19/134) in our previous institutional series (χ(2) = 2.8, P = .09), and neonatal mortality fell from 6% to 0 (P = .008). Near doubling of trainee numbers accompanied an approximately 3-fold fall in repairs per trainee over the study. CONCLUSION: Near-complete subspecialization for EA coincided with reduced pediatric intensive care unit stay, successful introduction of cosmetic axillary approaches, and extension of our replacement service to offer all interposition types. It has not reversed the steep decline in trainee experience of EA that has been associated with the greater numbers of trainees that have been employed to reduce working hours.

Cervical esophagostomy using indwelling catheter for analysis of gastric physiology in dogs

OBJETIVO: Descrição da técnica de esofagostomia cervical em cães com cateter de demora, para coleta de secreções e estudo de esvaziamento gástrico. MÉTODOS: A esofagostomia foi realizada em 14 animais, e os catéteres foram introduzidos até o estômago e mantidos pérveos durante oito semanas. A técnica consistiu de abertura na região lateral esquerda do pescoço para introdução do catéter, com auxilio de uma pinça tipo Mixter e a sua posterior tunelização no subcutâneo, com exteriorização na face posterior do dorso. RESULTADOS: A permeabilidade total e a utlização do catéter foi possível em 13 animais (92,8%), sendo que em um animal a obstrução foi devido acúmulo de pelos no seu interior e o cateter foi substituído. Em 3 animais (21,4%) houve a formação de pequeno abscesso na região cervical inferior, no local da primeira incisão, os quais drenaram espontaneamente. Não ocorreu nenhum acidente e o sangramento foi mínimo. Não houve mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica descrita pode ser utilizada tanto em pesquisas semelhantes, como para alimentação de animais em experimentos do trato digestivo alto ou mesmo após operações de ressecção do esôfago e em grandes cirurgias no pescoço.

Cervical esophagostomy using indwelling catheter for analysis of gastric physiology in dogs.

PURPOSE: To describe the technique of cervical esophagostomy with indwelling catheter for the collection of secretions and study of gastric emptying. METHODS: Esophagostomy was performed in 14 dogs, and a tube was introduced into the animals' stomachs and maintained previous for eight weeks. The technique consisted of opening the left lateral surface of the neck for insertion of the tube, with the aid of a Mixter forceps, and the subsequent subcutaneous tunneling and exteriorization of the catheter on the dorsum of the animals. RESULTS: Successful use of the tube and its total permeability were observed in 13 animals (92.8%). In one animal, the tube was obstructed by hair, and it was replaced. Formation of a small abscess occurred in 3 animals (21.4%), followed by spontaneous drainage. No accidents occurred, and the bleeding was minimal. No deaths were registered. CONCLUSION: The described technique can be used in similar researches, as well as for animal feeding in investigations of the upper digestive tract, after esophageal resection and in major neck surgeries.

[Esophageal resections in Denmark 1985-1988. A retrospective study of complications and early mortality]. / Esophagusresektioner i Danmark 1985-1988. En retrospektiv opgørelse af komplikationer og tidlig mortalitet.

In a retrospective investigation, 17 Danish Departments of Surgery reported on morbidity and mortality following surgical treatment of cancer of the oesophagus and cardia in the years 1985-1988. The study comprised 352 men and 112 women, representing 98% of the total number of resections performed in Departments of General Surgery (11%), Departments of Surgical Gastroenterology (24%) and Departments of Thoracic Surgery (65%). Nine departments performed less than five resections per year. Frequency of anastomotic leaks were 8.2%, and the mean hospital mortality was 16.6%. Mortality was significantly lower (median 9.6% and 7.0%) in departments performing more than 20 resections per year. It is concluded that in Denmark, surgical treatment of cancer of the oesophagus or cardia should be centralized to departments performing more than 20 resections per year.