Surgery In Children Research Articles

The Evolving Effectiveness of Biologics in Avoiding Surgery in Children With Ulcerative Colitis: At what Nutritional Cost?

Pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment has changed dramatically with the introduction of multiple biologics. The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of these new biologics on achieving remission, nutritional impact, and eventual need for surgery in children. We retrospectively analyzed hospital records of UC patients (ages 1-19) seen at a pediatric gastroenterology clinic between January 2012 andAugust 2020. Patients were divided into groups: 1) medically without biologics or surgery; 2) patients treated with one biologic; and 3) patients treated with multiple biologics 4)patients that underwent colectomy. There were 115 UC patients with a mean follow-up of 5.9 ± 3.7years (1month-15.3years). PUCAI score at diagnosis was mild in 52 patients (45%), moderate in 25 (21%), and severe in 5 (4.3%). PUCAI score for 33 patients (29%) could not be calculated. There were 48 (41.3%) in group 1 with 58% remission, 34 (29.6%) in group 2 with 71% remission, 24 (20.8%) in group 3 with 29% remission, and only 9 (7.8%) in group 4 with 100% remission. The majority (55%) of surgical patients had colectomy within the first year of diagnosis. BMI improved after surgery (P = 0.001). The change from one biologic to others did not improve nutrition over time. New biologics are changing the landscape in maintaining remission from UC. The current need for surgery is much lower than previously published studies. In medically refractive UC, nutritional status only improved after surgery. Addition of another biologic for medically refractory ulcerative colitis in order to avoid surgery must take into account the positive impact surgery has on nutrition and disease remission.

Comparing the Effect of Music and Puzzle-Solving on Anxiety Before Surgery in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Hospitalization and the possibility of surgery are known as the main causes of anxiety in children, and anxiety is a natural physiological process in individuals that allows them to adapt and deal with a diversity of adverse conditions. The purpose of this research aimed to compare 2 methods of distraction including puzzle-solving and music on anxiety before pediatric surgery. This study is clinical trial research. First, 90 children 6 to 10 years old were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. In group A, the visual puzzlesolving items were presented, in group B, music with related pictures via a tablet was presented in the waiting room for surgery, and in group C, only standard care for each patient was presented. Anxiety before surgery was measured with a Children's Fear Scale questionnaire before moving the patient to the operating room, then 30 minutes before surgery in the pre-surgery waiting room, and the third stage immediately after transfer to the operating room before induction of anesthesia. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, and Tukey test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 21.0. The results of this research showed that the levels of anxiety significantly improved in the intervention groups compared to the control group after the intervention (P < .001). Music and puzzle-solving as complementary therapy can improve the levels of anxiety in children before surgery. Therefore, this technique can be recommended to be used along with modern medicine in children.

Caregiver disclosure of common early childhood pediatric urologic surgeries

Certain pediatric urologic diagnoses can have serious long-term adverse health outcomes. As a result, it is important for a child to be aware of their diagnosis and a prior surgery. When children have surgery prior to the age of memory formation, it is incumbent upon their caregiver to disclose this surgery. When and how to disclose this information and even if this occurs, is not clear. We developed a survey to assess caregiver plans to disclose early childhood pediatric urologic surgery and evaluate for predictors of disclosure and resources needed. A questionnaire was distributed to caregivers of male children ≤4 years old undergoing single stage repair of hypospadias, inguinal hernia, chordee, or cryptorchidism as part of an IRB approved research study. These surgeries were chosen due to being outpatient surgeries with potential long-term complications and impact. The age criteria was chosen due to likely being before patient memory formation and thus reliance on caregiver disclosure of prior surgery. Surveys were collected the day of surgery and contained information on caregiver demographics, validated health literacy screening, and plans to disclose surgery. 120 survey responses were collected (Summary Table). The majority of caregivers responded affirmatively to planning to disclose their child's surgery (108; 90%). There was no impact of caregiver age, gender, race, marital status, education level, health literacy, or personal surgical history on plans to disclose surgery (p≥0.05). Plan to disclose was also not different across urologic surgery type. Race was significantly associated with being "concerned or nervous about disclosing the surgery to the patient". The median patient age for planned disclosure was 10 years (IQR: 7-13). Only 17 respondents (14%) stated they received any information about how to discuss this surgery with the patient, however 83 (69%) felt this information would be helpful. Our study suggests that most caregivers plan to discuss early childhood urologic surgeries with children, however want further guidance in how to talk to their child. While no specific surgery or demographic factor was found to be significantly associated with plans to disclose surgery, it is concerning that one in ten patients will potentially never learn about impactful surgery they had as a child. There is an opportunity for us to better counsel our patients' families about surgical disclosure and fill this gap with quality improvement efforts.

ACUTE DESTRUCTIVE PANCREATITIS IN CHILDREN

Unlike adults, acute pancreatitis in children is a rare disease. The absence of unified standards for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of children with acute destructive pancreatitis, as well as high rates of complications and mortality, determined the relevance of our study.Materials and methods. Materials and methods. The results of treatment of 11 children with acute destructive pancreatitis were studied. The age of the patients ranged from 2 to 16 years. Laboratory examination in all patients included general and biochemical analyzes of blood, urine, peritoneal and thoracic exudate. All children underwent an ultrasound examination of the abdomen, chest cavity and mediastinum, and plain radiography of the chest and abdominal cavity. Computed tomography was performed in 6 patients (54.5%). Fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS) was performed in 3 patients (27.3%). All patients underwent surgery. In 8 cases (72.7%), a median laparotomy was performed initially. In 3 observations (27.3%), surgical treatment began with video surgical revision of the abdominal organs, and then switched to conversion. Three patients (27.3%) subsequently underwent cystopancreatic jejunostomy. In one child, transcutaneous drainage of a false pancreatic cyst was performed under video surgical control. Synthetic somatostatin analogs and proteinase inhibitors were used as targeted therapy. All patients received long-term antibacterial therapy. Various methods of extracorporeal detoxification were used in 6 patients (54.5%).Statistical processing of the research results was carried out using standard methods with the calculation of relative values (absolute number of observations, % ratio).The approval of the scientific work was received from the Bioethical Commission of the Donetsk National Medical University (Ukraine).The work is a fragment of proactive research work of the Department of General and Children's Surgery of the Donetsk National Medical University (Ukraine). Results. Complications in the early postoperative period were noted in 8 children (72.7%). The group of the most severe complications included progressive enzymatic bacterial peritonitis, early adhesive intestinal obstruction, failure of cystopancreatic ileal anastomosis, profuse arrosive hemorrhage from the pancreas, cystopancreaticodigestive fistula and eventation. In the early postoperative period, 1 child aged 14 years (9.1%) died, and the rest of the patients were discharged in satisfactory condition. The average hospital stay for children was 23.1 days. In 7 patients (63.6%), complaints characterized by "enteric" discomfort occurred later.Conclusions. The principles of surgical and therapeutic tactics in children with acute destructive pancreatitis are based on a differentiated approach depending on the form of pancreatic necrosis and the development of purulent and destructive complications. Further study requires determination of situational surgical tactics, assessment of the effectiveness of combined therapy with somatostatin and proteinase inhibitors, selection of the optimal regimen of nutritional therapy and rehabilitation.

Efficacy of Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Caudal Anaesthesia for Lower Abdominal Surgeries in Children

Efficacy of Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Caudal Anaesthesia for Lower Abdominal Surgeries in Children

Long-Term Outcomes After Autologous Intestinal Reconstructive Surgery in Children With Short Bowel Syndrome.

Autologous intestinal reconstructive (AIR) surgery is frequently utilized in the management of pediatric short bowel syndrome (SBS). However, little is known about the long-term sequela of these procedures. We undertook a retrospective follow-up study addressing parenteral nutrition (PN) dependence, nutritional status, intestinal morbidity, and related complications in SBS patients having undergone AIR surgery (SBS-AIR, n = 19). We compared results with conservatively treated control SBS patients (SBS-C, n = 45). Eligible patients were identified from our institutional intestinal failure registry during 1985-2019. After median 11.4 follow-up years, 42% of SBS-AIR patients received PN in relation to 36% in SBS-C group ( P = 0.6210), and overall PN duration was significantly longer (35.4 vs 10 months, P = 0.0004) in SBS-AIR group. Although symptoms of intestinal dysfunction improved in majority (62%) of patients after AIR surgery, their symptoms remained more frequent and severe at latest follow-up compared to SBS-C group (39% vs 5%, P = 0.0015). Although bacterial overgrowth was more frequent in SBS-AIR group (53% vs 24%, P = 0.0416), latest endoscopy findings and fecal calprotectin levels as well as occurrence of anastomotic/staple line ulcerations were comparable between groups. Histological liver steatosis (50% vs 18%, P = 0.042) and impaired bone health (26% vs 6.7%, P = 0.042) were more frequent in SBS-AIR patients. While AIR surgery improved gastrointestinal symptoms and transition to enteral autonomy in majority of patients, a noteworthy proportion of them continued to suffer from clinically significant intestinal dysfunction and related complications. Close long-term follow-up of pediatric AIR surgery patients is mandatory.

Inadvertent Parathyroid Gland Removal During Thyroid Surgery in Children

Clinical ThyroidologyVol. 35, No. 02 Pediatric ThyroidologyInadvertent Parathyroid Gland Removal During Thyroid Surgery in ChildrenGary L. FrancisGary L. FrancisDivision of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics and Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:8 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.1089/ct.2023;35.45-49AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View articleFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 35Issue 02Feb 2023 Information© Copyright 2023, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Gary L. Francis.Inadvertent Parathyroid Gland Removal During Thyroid Surgery in Children.Clinical Thyroidology.Feb 2023.45-49.http://doi.org/10.1089/ct.2023;35.45-49Published in Volume: 35 Issue 02: February 8, 2023PDF download

Building back better children's surgical services toward universal health coverage: Perspectives from Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

This article is part of the Research Topic 'Health Systems Recovery in the Context of COVID-19 and Protracted Conflict'. Children's surgical services are crucial, yet underappreciated, for children's health and must be sufficiently addressed to make and sustain progress toward universal health coverage (UHC). Despite their considerable burden and socioeconomic cost, surgical diseases have been relatively neglected in favor of communicable diseases living up to their inauspicious moniker: 'the neglected stepchild of global health'. This article aims to raise awareness around children's surgical diseases and offers perspectives from two prototypical LMICs on strengthening surgical services in the context of health systems recovery following the COVID-19 experience to make and sustain progress toward UHC. We used a focused literature review supplemented by the perspectives of local experts and the 6-components framework for surgical systems planning to present two case studies of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The lived experiences of the authors are used to describe the impact of COVID-19 on respective surgical systems and offer perspectives on building back the health system and recovering essential health services for sustainability and resilience. We found that limited high-level policy and planning instruments, an overburdened and under-resourced health and allied workforce, underdeveloped surgical infrastructure (from key utilities to essential medical products), lack of locally generated research, and the specter of prohibitively high out-of-pocket costs for children's surgery are common challenges in both countries that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued chronic underinvestment and inattention to children's surgical diseases coupled with the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic threaten progress toward key global health objectives. Urgent attention and investment in the context of health systems recovery is needed from policy to practice levels to improve infrastructure; attract, retain and train the surgical and allied health workforce; and improve service delivery access with equity considerations to meet the 2030 Lancet Commission goals, and make and sustain progress toward UHC and the SDGs.

On the Rise: The Increasing Frequency of Pediatric Shoulder Stabilization Surgery in Children and Adolescents.

The management of shoulder instability in children and adolescents continues to evolve. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of shoulder stabilization procedures in a large, nationally representative pediatric population. The Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database was queried for patients 18 years and younger undergoing surgical shoulder stabilization between 2008 and 2017. Patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery were compared with patients undergoing complex (open or bony augment stabilization) procedures. Annual trends were calculated using linear regression. A total of 3925 procedures were performed, of which 92.9% were arthroscopic Bankart repairs. There was a significant increase in overall pediatric shoulder stabilizations and arthroscopic repairs between 2008 and 2017. Complex procedures were performed most often in the Northeast, but the annual frequency did not increase nationally. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(3):e167-e172.].

Review of Hypospadias Surgeries in Children

Review of Hypospadias Surgeries in Children

Early Cardiac Catheterizations within 30 Days Post Congenital Heart Surgery in Children

Background: This study set out to assess the indications, feasibility, safety, and outcome of early cardiac catheterizations (CC) within 30 days after congenital heart surgery (CHS) in children. Methods and Results: This is a retrospective, single-center case review study of all CC within 30 days after CHS between 1/2010-12/2020. A total of 317 (138 diagnostic, 179 interventional) CC were performed in 245 patients at a median of 4 days (IQR 13) after CHS. The median age was 3 months (IQR 6), and body weight was 5 kg (IQR 4). A total of 194 (61.2%) CC were performed in patients with univentricular hearts. CC revealed significant pathologies leading to early redo-surgery in 37 patients (12%). The transcatheter interventions primarily were needed in patients after cavo-pulmonary connection (n = 69%, 21.8%), right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit (n = 39%, 12.3%), and Norwood-I surgery (n = 34%, 10.7%) presenting with hypoxemia, prolonged postoperative course, and suspected arterial stenosis on echocardiography. The clinical impact of an early postoperative transcatheter intervention for the following clinical course was high in most cases. There were nine (2.8%) major and 20 (6.3%) minor intra-procedural complications. Risk factor analysis revealed no difference for the occurrence of complications for patients’ age, weight, and time from initial CHS, underlying uni- vs. biventricular heart disease, or ECMO. Conclusion: Early CC within 30 days after CHS in children can be performed safely with a high diagnostic and therapeutic value. The rate of complications is low, while the therapeutic consequence is relevant.

Pathogenetic Approach to Surgery in Children with Old Discosions of the Radial Head

The results of surgical treatment of 83 patients with dislocations of the radial head were analyzed. To recreate the annular ligament, the joint capsule itself and segments of the annular ligament were used, which is a more anatomical and physiological approach in relation to the elbow joint. The results were evaluated on a 5-point system, which included the functions of the joint and the axis of the upper limb. Good and excellent results when assessed after 6, 12 months (4-5 points) were obtained in 56 patients, which accounted for 57.4%, satisfactory results (3 points) were observed in 26 (31.3%).

Commentary on “Inpatient Physical Therapy After Orthopedic Lower Extremity Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy”

Commentary on “Inpatient Physical Therapy After Orthopedic Lower Extremity Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy”

Preoperative Fasting of More Than 14 Hours Increases the Risk of Time-to-Death after Cardiothoracic Surgery in Children: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Prolonged preoperative fasting can cause hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and intravascular volume depletion in children. We aimed to examine whether prolonged preoperative fasting is associated with in-hospital mortality and other morbidities in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included children aged 0–3 years who underwent cardiac surgery between July 2014 and October 2020. The patient demographic data, surgery-related and anesthesia-related factors, and postoperative outcomes, including hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, sepsis, length of intensive care unit stay, and in-hospital mortality, were recorded. The main exposure and outcome variables were prolonged fasting and time-to-death after surgery, respectively. The associations between prolonged fasting and perioperative death were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: In total, 402 patients were recruited. The incidence of perioperative mortality was 21% (85/402). The proportion of perioperative deaths was significantly higher in the prolonged fasting group than that in the normal fasting group. The proportion of postoperative bacteremia and hypoglycemia was significantly higher in the very prolonged fasting group than that in the prolonged fasting group. After adjusting for preoperative conditions and anesthesia- and surgery-related factors, preoperative prolonged fasting >14.4 h was significantly associated with time-to-death (HR [95% CI]: 2.2 [1.2, 3.9], p = 0.036). The 30-day survival rates of fasting time >14.4 h, 9.25–14.4 h, and

Morbidity and Mortality of Emergency Hernia Surgery in Children in Bujumbura: Analysis of Favourable Factors

Morbidity and Mortality of Emergency Hernia Surgery in Children in Bujumbura: Analysis of Favourable Factors

Implementation of Enhanced Recovery Protocols for Gastrointestinal Surgery in Children: Practical Tools From Key Stakeholders

IntroductionWe explored patient, caregiver, and provider recommendations for development of a tool kit to implement enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) for pediatric patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. ERPs are widely used for adults to decrease hospital length of stay, hospital costs, and complications while hastening patient recovery after surgery. With limited data available for ERPs among pediatric populations informed modification of adult ERPs is needed to facilitate successful implementation for pediatric surgery. MethodsUsing a qualitative research design, semistructured interviews were conducted with hospital-based teams including surgeons, anesthesiologists, gastroenterologists, nursing, and physician assistants. Four in-person focus groups were held at two pediatric hospitals with patients and caregivers. Codes were developed and applied to interview and focus groups transcripts for structural content analysis. Thematic analysis guided by the Active Implementation Framework, included recommendations that informed ERP implementation tool kit development. ResultsKey components of the ERP tool kit included the need for a structured and systematic approach, leadership support from key champions, and buy-in from surgical partners and hospital management. Providers identified the need for multimodal educational materials on ERP elements for staff and patients; use of uniform checklists, care sets and an electronic repository to collect outcome data for quality assurance assessment. Patients and caregivers endorsed expansion of the team to include child-life specialists, nutritionists, and patient-parent supporters to help navigate the surgical experience. ConclusionsThis study is the first to leverage key input from patients, caregivers, and providers to identify practical components for an ERP implementation tool kit for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

Перший досвід застосування робот-асистованої хірургії в дитячому віці в Україні

In today's world, high-tech surgical interventions are gaining more and more popularity. Among them is robotic surgery, particularly in childhood. Purpose - is to present the first experience of using robotic equipment in minimally invasive treatment of children with surgical pathology in one of the largest regional clinics of Ukraine. Materials and methods. In total, 13 children with different nosological units and different ages were operated on (the youngest child is 6 years old). Results. When analyzing the results, it was established that robotic surgery has a number of advantages and can be more widely used in children's surgery. The necessary conditions for robotic operations are characterized. Conclusions. Robotic surgery has a number of advantages and can be more widely used in pediatric surgery. Robotic surgery may expand the range of surgical interventions and decrease the age of patients qualifying for robotic surgery. When installing the equipment, the multi-vector nature of the clinic should be taken into account. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Thyroid Surgery in Children and Adolescents: A Single Center Experience.

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) has been shown in adults to minimize nerve palsy after thyroid surgery, but only few studies on its efficacy in a pediatric population have been reported. We conducted a retrospective study on patients operated for thyroid lesions from 2016 to 2022. The analyzed population was divided in two groups: patients treated from 2016 to 2020, when the identification of the RLN was performed without IONM (Group A); and patients treated since 2021, when IONM was implemented in every surgical procedure on the thyroid (Group B). Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring was performed by using corticobulbar motor-evoked potentials and continuous electromyography. Twentyfive children underwent thyroid resection, 19 (76%) of which due to thyroid carcinoma. Each patient's recurrent nerve was identified; IONM was used in 13 patients. In Group A, one temporary nerve palsy was identified postoperatively (8.3%), while in group B one nerve dysfunction occurred (7.7%). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of post-operative RLN palsy. No surgical complication due to the use of IONM was reported. In children and teenagers, intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is a safe and accurate method, minimizing the risk of nerve damage.

Frequency and Risk Factors of Early Complete Heart Block Post Cardiac Surgery in Children: A Multicenter Prospective Study

Frequency and Risk Factors of Early Complete Heart Block Post Cardiac Surgery in Children: A Multicenter Prospective Study

Does the American College of Surgeons New Level I Children's Surgery Center Verification Affect Treatment Efficiency and Narcotic Administration in Treating Pediatric Trauma Patients with Femur Fracture?

In 2015, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) created a new hospital improvement program to enhance the performance of pediatric care in US hospitals. The Children's Surgery Verification (CSV) Quality Improvement Program is predicated on the idea that pediatric surgical patients have improved outcomes when treated at children's hospitals with optimal resources. Achieving ACS level I CSV designation at pediatric trauma centers may lead to greater benefits for pediatric trauma patients; however, the specific benefits have yet to be identified. We hypothesize that achieving the additional designation of ACS level I CSV is associated with decreased narcotic use perioperatively and improved efficiency when managing pediatric patients with femur fractures. This study is a retrospective analysis of traumatic pediatric orthopaedic femur fractures treated at a verified level I pediatric trauma center before and after CSV designation (2010 to 2014 vs 2015 to 2019). Efficiency parameters, defined as time from admission to surgery, duration of surgery, and duration of hospital stay, and narcotic administration in oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) were compared. Of 185 traumatic femur fractures analyzed, 80 occurred before meeting ACS level I CSV criteria, and 105 occurred after. Post-CSV, there was a significant decrease in mean wait time from admission to surgery (16.64 hours pre-CSV, 12.52 hours post-CSV [p < 0.01]) and duration of hospital stay (103.49 hours pre-CSV, 71.61 hours post-CSV [p < 0.01]). Narcotic usage was significantly decreased in both the preoperative period (40.61 OMEs pre-CSV, 23.77 OMEs post-CSV [p < 0.01]) and postoperative period (126.67 OMEs pre-CSV, 45.72 OMEs post-CSV [p < 0.01]). Achieving ACS level I CSV designation is associated with increased efficiency and decreased preoperative and postoperative narcotic use when treating pediatric trauma patients.