Need For Gastrostomy Research Articles

Tongue pressure is a strong predictor of recommendation for gastrostomy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective and practical biomarkers to determine the need for gastrostomy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are lacking. Tongue pressure (TP) is a promising biomarker because it is associated with bulbar dysfunction. The aims of this study were to evaluate the association of TP with the need for gastrostomy, and to determine its optimal cut-off value. This prospective observational study included participants with ALS taking nutrition orally. TP was evaluated using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. Need for gastrostomy as determined by a multidisciplinary team during a 12-month follow up period was recorded. Associations between TP and need for gastrostomy placement were performed. ROC curve analysis determined the optimal cut-off value of TP to predict gastrostomy. Of 208 screened participants, 119 were included. Gastrostomy was indicated in 45% (53), in a 12-month follow up period. TP of ≤20 kPA was a strong predictor of gastrostomy indication (OR 11.8, CI 95% [4.61, 34.7], p < .001). The association persisted even after adjustment for weight loss, pneumonia, prolonged feeding duration, Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale score, and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association scale score (OR 4.51, CI 95% [1.50, 14.9], p = .009). By receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, 20 kPA represented the optimal cut-off value (sensitivity 0.75, specificity 0.89). TP is a strong independent predictor of gastrostomy indication in the subsequent 12 months in patients with ALS, with good sensitivity and specificity at a cutoff value of ≤20 kPA, suggesting that it may be a promising biomarker in clinical practice.

Feeding Difficulties and Gastrostomy in Dravet Syndrome: A UK-Wide Survey and 2-Center Experience.

Dravet syndrome (DS) is one of the most common monogenic epilepsies. Alongside the core seizure and developmental phenotypes, problems with appetite, swallowing, and weight loss are frequently reported, necessitating gastrostomy in some. We explored the burden of feeding difficulties and need for gastrostomy across 3 DS populations in the United Kingdom. We document caregiver opinion and postgastrostomy outcomes, and provide guidance regarding feeding issues and gastrostomy in DS. A retrospective, observational study was conducted; data were collected from medical records of 124 individuals with DS attending clinics at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Great Ormond Street Hospital, and from 65 DS caregiver responses to a UK-wide survey. In total, 64 of 124 (52%) had at least 1 feeding difficulty; 21 of 124 (17%) had a gastrostomy, and gastrostomy was being considered in 5%; the most common reasons for gastrostomy were poor appetite (81%) and weight loss/failure to gain weight (71%). Median age at gastrostomy was 17 years (range 2.5-59). Multivariate analyses identified several factors that in combination contributed to risk of feeding difficulties and gastrostomy, including treatment with several antiseizure medications (ASMs), of which stiripentol made a unique contribution to risk of gastrostomy (p = 0.048, odds ratio 3.20, 95% CI 1.01-10.16). Preinsertion, 88% of caregivers were worried about the gastrostomy, with concerns across a range of issues. Postgastrostomy, 88% of caregivers were happy that their child had the gastrostomy, and >90% agreed that the gastrostomy ensured medication compliance, that their child's overall health was better, and that quality of life improved. Feeding difficulties are common in DS, and 17% require a gastrostomy to address these. Risk factors for feeding difficulties in DS are unknown, but ASMs may play a role. There is a high level of caregiver concern regarding gastrostomy preprocedure; however, postgastrostomy caregiver opinion is positive. Feeding difficulties should be proactively sought during review of people with DS, and the potential need for gastrostomy should be discussed.

Need for Gastrostomy Tube in Periviable Infants.

We sought to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with gastrostomy tube (g-tube) placement in periviable infants. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of live-born infants between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation. Infants not actively resuscitated and those with congenital anomalies were excluded from analysis. Of the 243 infants included, 158 survived until discharge. Of those that survived to discharge, 35 required g-tube prior to discharge. Maternal race/ethnicity (p = 0.006), intraventricular hemorrhage (p = 0.013), periventricular leukomalacia (p = 0.003), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; p ≤ 0.001), and singleton gestation (p = 0.009) were associated with need for gastrostomy. In a multivariable logistic regression, maternal Black race (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-7.47; p = 0.029), singleton gestation (OR = 3.99; 95% CI: 1.28-12.4; p = 0.017) and BPD (zero g-tube placement in the no BPD arm; p ≤ 0.001) were associated with need for g-tube. A high percentage of periviable infants surviving until discharge require g-tube at our institution. In this single-center retrospective study, we noted that maternal Black race, singleton gestation, and BPD were associated with increased risk for g-tube placement in infants born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation. The finding of increased risk with maternal Black race is consistent with previous reports of racial/ethnic disparities in preterm morbidities. Additional studies examining factors associated with successful achievement of oral feedings in preterm infants are necessary and will inform future efforts to advance equity in newborn health. · BPD, singleton birth, and Black race are associated with need for g-tube in periviable infants.. · Severe intraventricular hemorrhage is associated with increased mortality or g-tube placement in periviable infants.. · Further investigation into the relationship between maternal race and g-tube placement is warranted..

Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Ischemic Stroke: Evaluation of the Contemporary 2018 National Inpatient Sample Database

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is considered a binary entity regardless of AF type. We aim to investigate in-hospital morbidity and mortality among patients with nonparoxysmal AF–related AIS. MethodsPatients hospitalized for AIS with associated paroxysmal or persistent AF were identified from the 2018 national inpatient sample database. We compared in-hospital mortality, stroke-related morbidity, hospital cost, length of stay, and discharge disposition in patients hospitalized with paroxysmal or persistent AF. ResultsA total of 26,470 patients were hospitalized for AIS with paroxysmal or persistent AF. Patient with AIS with persistent AF had a longer hospital length of stay (paroxysmal AF, mean [M] 5.7 days, standard deviation [SD] ±6.8 days; persistent AF, M 7.4 days, SD ±11.9 days, P < 0.001) and in-hospital costs (paroxysmal AF, M $15,449, SD ±$18,320; persistent AF, M $19,834 SD ±$23,312, P < 0.001). Patients with AIS with permanent AF had higher in-hospital mortality (paroxysmal AF, 4.6%, vs permanent AF, 6.2%, P < 0.001). Indirect markers of stroke-related disability, like intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio [OR]: 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6-2.2), need for gastrostomy (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.8-2.4), and tracheostomy (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1-4.4) were more associated with AIS from persistent AF. ConclusionsPersistent AF is associated with poor in-hospital stroke-related outcome, possibly due to a worse thrombo-embolic phenomenon. AF pattern may be a harbinger of worse stroke-related morbidity.

Abstract 13872: Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Ischemic Stroke: Evaluation of the Contemporary 2018 National Inpatient Sample Database

Aims: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) is based on thromboembolism prophylaxis regardless AF type, and degree of atrial myopathy. We aim to investigate morbidity and mortality of persistent AF related stroke. Methods: Patients admitted with AIS and associated paroxysmal and persistent AF were identified in the 2018 National Inpatient Sample. The study compared in-hospital mortality, stroke-related morbidity, hospital cost, length of stay, and discharge disposition between patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF Results: A total of 26,470 patients were admitted for AIS with associated AF. AIS with persistent AF had a longer hospital length of stay (paroxysmal AF Mean(M): 5.7 days, Standard Deviation (SD) 6.8, persistent AF M: 7.4 days, SD 11.9, p&lt;0.001) and in-hospital costs (paroxysmal AF M: $15,449, SD $18,320, persistent AF M: $19,834, SD $23,312, p&lt;0.001). Indirect markers of stroke-related disability, like intracranial hemorrhage (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.9, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.6-2.2), need for gastrostomy (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.8-2.4), and tracheostomy (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1-4.4) were more associated with AIS and persistent AF (FIGURE 1) Conclusion: Persistent AF is associated with poor in-hospital stroke-related outcomes, possibly due to a higher embolic burden. The current recommendation of using only the CHA2DS2-VASc score without AF pattern needs be reevaluated. Further investigation is required to determine the impact of prevention of AF progression on stroke related morbidity.

The hypometabolic state: a good predictor of a better prognosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

BackgroundMalnutrition and weight loss are negative prognostic factors for survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, energy expenditure at rest (REE) is still not included in clinical practice,...

Prenatal stomach position predicts gastrointestinal morbidity at 2 years in fetuses with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

The long-term morbidity associated with isolated left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has been described previously. However, antenatal criteria impacting gastrointestinal morbidity (GIM) are not yet defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fetal stomach position on the risk of GIM at 2 years of age in children with left-sided CDH. This was a retrospective, observational multicenter cohort study of data obtained from January 2010 to January 2014, that included patients whose fetus had isolated left-sided CDH, with or without fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO). Prenatal maternal, fetal and pediatric data were collected. Fetal stomach position was evaluated a posteriori by two observers, using ultrasound images at the level of the four-chamber view of the heart that had been obtained to calculate the observed-to-expected lung-area-to-head-circumference ratio (O/E-LHR). Fetal stomach position was graded as follows: Grade 1, stomach not visualized; Grade 2, stomach visualized anteriorly, next to the apex of the heart, with no structure in between the stomach and the sternum; Grade 3, stomach visualized alongside the left ventricle of the heart, and abdominal structures anteriorly; or Grade 4, as Grade 3 but with stomach posterior to the level of the atrioventricular heart valves. The primary outcome was GIM at 2 years of age, assessed in a composite manner, including the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, need for gastrostomy, duration of parenteral and enteral nutrition and persistence of oral aversion. Regression analysis was performed in order to investigate the effect of O/E-LHR, stomach position and FETO on various GIM outcome variables. Forty-seven patients with fetal left-sided CDH were included in the analysis. Thirteen (27.7%) infants did not meet the criterion of exclusive oral feeding at 2 years of age. Fetal stomach position grade was associated significantly and independently with the duration of parenteral nutrition (odds ratio (OR), 19.86; P = 0.031) and persistence of oral aversion at 2 years (OR, 3.40; P = 0.006). On multivariate analysis, O/E-LHR was predictive of the need for prosthetic patch repair, but not for GIM. FETO did not seem to affect the risk of GIM at 2 years. In isolated left-sided CDH, fetal stomach position is the only factor that is predictive of GIM at 2 years of age. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

PredictMed: A logistic regression-based model to predict health conditions in cerebral palsy.

Logistic regression-based predictive models are widely used in the healthcare field but just recently are used to predict comorbidities in children with cerebral palsy. This article presents a logistic regression approach to predict health conditions in children with cerebral palsy and a few examples from recent research. The model named PredictMed was trained, tested, and validated for predicting the development of scoliosis, intellectual disabilities, autistic features, and in the present study, feeding disorders needing gastrostomy. This was a multinational, cross-sectional descriptive study. Data of 130 children (aged 12-18 years) with cerebral palsy were collected between June 2005 and June 2015. The logistic regression-based model uses an algorithm implemented in R programming language. After splitting the patients in training and testing sets, logistic regressions are performed on every possible subset (tuple) of independent variables. The tuple that shows the best predictive performance in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity is chosen as a set of independent variables in another logistic regression to calculate the probability to develop the specific health condition (e.g. the need for gastrostomy). The average of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity score was 90%. Our model represents a novelty in the field of some cerebral palsy-related health outcomes treatment, and it should significantly help doctors' decision-making process regarding patient prognosis.

Feeding Outcomes in Neonates With Trisomy 21 and Duodenal Atresia

BackgroundDuodenal atresia (DA), a common cause of congenital duodenal obstruction, is associated with trisomy 21. The postoperative feeding issues are not well described in this population. We hypothesize that the combination of DA and trisomy 21 is associated with the need for postoperative enteral feeding access. MethodsA retrospective cohort of patients between 2010 and 2017 with the diagnosis of DA or duodenal stenosis was identified. Relevant prenatal and postnatal clinical data were abstracted. Univariate analyses were performed. ResultsForty-three patients were identified. Nineteen patients (44%) were diagnosed with trisomy 21. Eight patients (25% with trisomy 21) had gastrostomy placed at the time of DA repair. In the remaining patients (n = 35), 40% ultimately had a gastrostomy button placed. The indications for placement included poor oral skills (n = 8), aspiration (n = 5), and failure to thrive (n = 1). All these patients had trisomy 21, resulting in 82.4% of trisomy 21 patients having a gastrostomy. There was a significant association between trisomy 21 and placement of a gastrostomy button both during index admission (P = 0.003) and lifetime (P < 0.001). All trisomy 21 patients with congenital heart disease (n = 9) had a gastrostomy placed versus only five of eight trisomy 21 patients (62.5%) without structural heart disease (P = 0.006). ConclusionsOur data suggest that a correlation exists between trisomy 21, structural congenital heart anomalies, DA, and the eventual need for gastrostomy. These data should inform operative planning for this patient population.

West Syndrome: Report of Clinical Case: 9 Years of Follow-up

ABSTRACT West Syndrome is one of the rare and severe childhood epilepsies, starting in the first year of life and having an uncertain etiology. Even if some of the symptoms are missing, a triad of them defines West Syndrome, including epileptic spasms, arrest or regression of psychomotor development, and hypsarrhythmia on interictal electroencephalography. The objective of this study was to obtain updated data on West Syndrome literature and report a clinical case of a patient with the medical diagnosis of this syndrome, with gastrostomy feed tube, and clinical pattern of spastic quadriplegia. Initial clinical examination showed prolonged retention of deciduous teeth, periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene, mouth breathing, deep palate, anterior open bite, tongue interposition between the dental arches, and low caries experience. Over 9 years the patient presented complications in their sistemicas conditions, with need for gastrostomy and many periods of hospitalization that determined periods of absence for the dental monitoring. Despite this, currently his oral health condition is good and stable. Dental care for people with disabilities should be developed, encouraged and continuously extended, in agreement with the constitutional principles of human dignity and the rights for health and equality.

Nasotracheal Intubation: The Preferred Airway in Oral Cavity Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery?

We aimed to describe the safety and effectiveness of nasotracheal intubation (NTI) in a cohort of patients undergoing reconstruction of oral cavity defects with free tissue transfer (FTT). We implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample composed of consecutive patients undergoing FTT reconstruction of oral cavity, maxillary, or mandibular defects between 2013 and 2017. These patients were all subject to a newly developed enhanced recovery-after-surgery protocol. The primary outcome measurement was hospital length of stay (LOS). The secondary outcome variables were the duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, need for gastrostomy, and airway-related complications directly associated with either NTI or tracheostomy. Descriptive statistics and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were completed. The sample was composed of 141 patients who had undergone oral cavity FTT for both benign and malignant diseases (NTI, n=111; tracheostomy, n=30). Patients managed with NTI had a statistically significantly shorter hospital LOS (8days vs 15.5days, P<.0001) and ICU LOS (1day vs 2days, P=.0006), as well as a decreased requirement for gastrostomy (17.1% vs 76.7%, P<.0001). Airway-related complications were rare in both the tracheostomy (13.3%) and NTI (3.6%) groups. Multivariate analysis showed that patients undergoing tracheostomy were 3.14 (P=.004) times more likely to have a prolonged hospitalization and 10.4 (P<.0001) times more likely to require a gastrostomy. A sensitivity analysis of only patients with malignant diagnoses had similar statistically significant results. The delayed tracheostomy rate in the NTI group was 3.6%. To date, this is the largest study to evaluate the use of NTI in patients undergoing oral cavity reconstruction with FTT. Our results suggest that in the appropriate institutional setting, most patients can be safely managed with NTI. This approach results in a decreased hospital LOS and ICU LOS and an earlier resumption of oral intake with less need for gastrostomy.

Predictors of 30-day readmission after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE Despite persisting questions regarding its appropriateness, 30-day readmission is an increasingly common quality metric used to influence hospital compensation in the United States. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to identify which patients are at highest risk for readmission after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The objective of this study was to identify predictors of 30-day readmission after SAH, to focus preventative efforts, and to provide guidance to funding agencies seeking to risk-adjust comparisons among hospitals. METHODS The authors performed a case-control study of 30-day readmission among aneurysmal SAH patients treated at a single center between 2003 and 2013. To control for geographic distance from the hospital and year of treatment, the authors randomly matched each case (30-day readmission) with approximately 2 SAH controls (no readmission) based on home ZIP code and treatment year. They evaluated variables related to patient demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, comorbidities, presentation severity (e.g., Hunt and Hess grade), and clinical course (e.g., need for gastrostomy or tracheostomy, length of stay). Conditional logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors, accounting for the matched design of the study. RESULTS Among 82 SAH patients with unplanned 30-day readmission, the authors matched 78 patients with 153 nonreadmitted controls. Age, demographics, and socioeconomic factors were not associated with readmission. In univariate analysis, multiple variables were significantly associated with readmission, including Hunt and Hess grade (OR 3.0 for Grade IV/V vs I/II), need for gastrostomy placement (OR 2.0), length of hospital stay (OR 1.03 per day), discharge disposition (OR 3.2 for skilled nursing vs other disposition), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 2.3 for score ≥ 2 vs 0). However, the only significant predictor in the multivariate analysis was discharge to a skilled nursing facility (OR 3.2), and the final model was sensitive to criteria used to enter and retain variables. Furthermore, despite the significant association between discharge disposition and readmission, less than 25% of readmitted patients were discharged to a skilled nursing facility. CONCLUSIONS Although discharge disposition remained significant in multivariate analysis, most routinely collected variables appeared to be weak independent predictors of 30-day readmission after SAH. Consequently, hospitals interested in decreasing readmission rates may consider multifaceted, cost-efficient interventions that can be broadly applied to most if not all SAH patients.

Predictive Factors for Preoperative Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement: Novel Screening Tools for Head and Neck Reconstruction.

The treatment of head and neck cancer has varying impact on postoperative recovery and return of swallowing function. The authors aim to establish screening tools to assist in preoperatively determining the need for gastrostomy tube placement. The authors prospectively assessed all patients undergoing complex head and neck reconstructive surgery during a 1-year study period. Only patients tolerating an oral diet, without preoperative gastrostomies, were enrolled for study. Eight parameters were assessed including: body mass index (BMI), prealbumin, albumin, smoking history, comorbidities [including coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes mellitus (DM)], age, use of microvascular reconstruction, and type of defect. Two specific screening tools were assessed. In the first, a multivariate logistic regression model was employed to determine factor(s) that predict postoperative gastrostomy tube. In a second screening tool, the 8 parameters were scored between 0 to 1 points. The total score obtained for each patient was correlated with postoperative gastrostomy placement. Out of the 60 study patients enrolled in the study, 24 patients (40%) received a postoperative gastrostomy. In the logistic regression model, albumin level was the only factor that was significantly associated with need for postoperative gastrostomy (P < 0.0023). A score of 4 or greater was determined to have a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 61% for postoperative gastrostomy. Patients with a score of 4 or more with this screening scoring system or those patients with an albumin level <3.5 g/dL were at high risk for postoperative feeding tube placement.

Padovan Method Of Neurofunctional Reorganization As A Way For Neurological Recovery In Newborns

Introduction: The physiological basis of neurofunctional reorganization in stimulating the nervous system is justified and ratified by the concepts of neuroplasticity and therefore, its use in neonatology is well indicated.Objective: Describe how Neurofunctional reorganization through Padovan method can contribute to restore neurologic function of newborns and can avoid the need for gastrostomy and shortening hospital stay. Method: Descriptive and retrospective study performed in a hospital at Ceará´s inland, Brazil, through analysis of medical records. 92 patients from the neonatal ICU who suffered perinatal asphyxia and evolved with neurological disorders were evaluated. Patients received Neurofunctional Reorganization therapy, which is the performance of physical and oral exercises that complement each other in order to recover lost functions and also prepare the body to acquire functions and capabilities which it has potential for. Results: Eighty-two patients completed the therapy and showed positive results (89.1%). The main expected outcome was the recovery of suction and this was achieved in between 8 and 150 days. 48 cases showed an improvement between 8 and 30 days of treatment (56%). Conclusions: The Neurofunctional reorganization proposed by Padovan is effective in the recovery of neurological function of newborns, especially the suction, shortening the hospital stay and avoiding gastrostomy.

Need for subsequent fundoplication after gastrostomy based on patient characteristics

BackgroundGastrostomy tube placement is common in children. Many of the conditions associated with need for gastrostomy are also associated with gastroesophageal reflux. It is not clear how many patients without complicated reflux will subsequently require a fundoplication or which conditions increase this risk. Therefore, we performed a two-center review to determine the disease-specific propensity for fundoplication after gastrostomy tube placement. MethodsThe data set was retrospectively collected from two centers from 2000 to 2008. All patients underwent gastrostomy tube placement without fundoplication owing to the surgeon's discernment that fundoplication was not needed at the time. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate the influence of patient variables and operative approach against the subsequent need for fundoplication. Significance was defined as two-tailed P ≤ 0.01. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independence. ResultsA total of 684 patients underwent gastrostomy tube placement only, of which 124 were open, 282 laparoscopic, and 278 endoscopic (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy). The mean patient age was 2.9 years. Subsequent fundoplication was performed in 62 patients (9.1%). The mean interval to fundoplication was 20.7 months. Cerebral palsy and anoxic brain injury had the most significant correlation with subsequent fundoplication. These were also independent predictors. The laparoscopic approach had a negative correlation with the subsequent need for fundoplication. ConclusionsThe low incidence of subsequent fundoplication in children who undergo gastrostomy tube placement justifies conservative use of fundoplication in the absence of complicated reflux. Those with cerebral palsy and anoxic brain injury appeared to have the greatest risk of the need for subsequent fundoplication.

A proposed staging system for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons, with a median survival of 2–3 years. Although various phenotypic and research diagnostic classification systems exist and several prognostic models have been generated, there is no staging system. Staging criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis would help to provide a universal and objective measure of disease progression with benefits for patient care, resource allocation, research classifications and clinical trial design. We therefore sought to define easily identified clinical milestones that could be shown to occur at specific points in the disease course, reflect disease progression and impact prognosis and treatment. A tertiary referral centre clinical database was analysed, consisting of 1471 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis seen between 1993 and 2007. Milestones were defined as symptom onset (functional involvement by weakness, wasting, spasticity, dysarthria or dysphagia of one central nervous system region defined as bulbar, upper limb, lower limb or diaphragmatic), diagnosis, functional involvement of a second region, functional involvement of a third region, needing gastrostomy and non-invasive ventilation. Milestone timings were standardized as proportions of time elapsed through the disease course using information from patients who had died by dividing time to a milestone by disease duration. Milestones occurred at predictable proportions of the disease course. Diagnosis occurred at 35% through the disease course, involvement of a second region at 38%, a third region at 61%, need for gastrostomy at 77% and need for non-invasive ventilation at 80%. We therefore propose a simple staging system for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Stage 1: symptom onset (involvement of first region); Stage 2A: diagnosis; Stage 2B: involvement of second region; Stage 3: involvement of third region; Stage 4A: need for gastrostomy; and Stage 4B: need for non-invasive ventilation. Validation of this staging system will require further studies in other populations, in population registers and in other clinic databases. The standardized times to milestones may well vary between different studies and populations, although the stages themselves and their meanings are likely to remain unchanged.

Swallowing Dysfunction and Preoperative Assessment for Gastrostomy and Fundoplication

Objective: Evaluate the need for gastrostomy and fundoplication in neonates following aortic arch surgery. Method: Sixty neonates from 2007 to 2010 who underwent the Norwood procedure, aortic arch augmentation and reconstruction, or coarctation repair were reviewed retrospectively. Results of modified barium swallow (MBS), laryngoscopy, upper GI series (UGI), and 24-hour pH probe were reviewed for patients who underwent gastrostomy tube placement with or without fundoplication. Results: After aortic arch procedures, 32 neonates (53.3%) underwent gastrostomy tubes (GT); an additional 26 (43.3%) patients also underwent concomitant fundoplication. Of those with unilateral vocal fold immobility, 50% (8 out of 16) aspirated on MBS, 10 out of 18 (55.6%) revealed reflux on UGI, but only 2 out of 9 (22.2%) had abnormal pH studies. Of those with normal vocal fold mobility, 88.9% (8 out of 9) patients demonstrated aspiration on MBS, 9 out of 12 (75%) showed reflux on UGI with one malrotation discovered, and 2 out of 5 (40%) patients had abnormal pH probe studies. Conclusion: Neonates who undergo aortic arch procedures are at high risk of aspiration and other swallowing abnormalities. In this study, over half underwent GTs and many also required fundoplication, although results of pH probe studies seem to be inconsistent and limited, and therefore, its clinical usefulness is questionable for this patient population.

170 Predicting Feeding Problems in Infants with Central Grey Matter Damage Following Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Background and aims: Feeding problems are common following HIE and are a huge burden for infants and families. We aimed to evaluate, in term newborns with HIE and basal ganglia/thalamic (BGT) lesions, the relation between feeding difficulties and early MRI findings.Methods: From 1993-2007, all term infants with evidence of perinatal asphyxia, HIE and BGT injury seen on MRI within 6 postnatal weeks were included. BGT, white matter, internal capsule, cortex and brainstem lesions were classified by severity. Cerebral palsy (CP) severity was determined from the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).Results: 175 infants fulfilled the entry criteria. 49 died (23 neonatally, 26 in infancy). Feeding problems occurred in all who died, both early and late, and in 65% of survivors; 44% had difficulty with liquids, 48% with solids and 27% only tolerated pureed foods. 33% had a gastrostomy (median age 11 (range 3-48) months). All but 3 of the 82 children with feeding problems had CP, 91% GMFCS level IV/V. In a logistic regression model BGT/mesencephalic injury was associated with feeding problems (p< 0.001) and BGT/pons injury with gastrostomy (p< 0.001). The need for gastrostomy occurred in only 3.5% of infants with mild/moderate BGT + normal pons but in 90.6% of surviving infants with severe BGT+ pons injury.Conclusions: The occurrence and severity of feeding problems in neonates with HIE and BGT injury relates to the severity of the BGT/brainstem lesions. These findings enable planning of care and a better approach to nutrition in these children.

Proximal femoral resection arthroplasty for patients with cerebral palsy and dislocated hips

Background and purpose Chronic hip dislocation in non-ambulatory individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) can lead to severe problems, of which pain is often the most severe. We studied the outcome of proximal femoral resection, especially regarding pain, sitting balance, perineal care, and patient satisfaction.Patients and methods During the period 1998–2005, we operated 20 non-ambulatory patients with spastic quadriplegic CP (8 females and 12 males). 13 patients had unilateral dislocation and 7 had bilateral. The mean age at operation was 15 (3–27) years. The indications for operation were chronic hip dislocation plus severe problems with pain (17 patients), perineal care (16), and sitting (10). Patients were followed from 1 to 6 years.Results 14 patients were satisfied with the surgery, 3 were dissatisfied, 2 were uncertain, and 1 patient had died 5 days postoperatively. Of the 15 patients who had suffered from considerable pain before surgery, 8 had complete relief from pain and 7 patients experienced improvement. Of the 2 patients who had had mild pain, 1 was unchanged and 1 patient deteriorated. All patients who had not been able to sit were able to sit after the surgery. Only 1 patient had difficulties with perineal hygiene at follow-up. Postoperative complications included deep vein thrombosis (1 patient) and edema, loss of appetite, and the need for gastrostomy (1 patient). 7 patients had prolonged pain for up to 6 months after surgery. 1 of these was reoperated because of persistent pain due to a bony-spike heterotopic ossification.Interpretation Most patients with chronic hip dislocation and severe pain or other major problems appear to benefit from proximal femoral resection. Pain, sitting ability, and perineal care improved and most patients and caregivers were satisfied.

The use of biosynthetic mesh to enhance hiatal repair at the time of redo Nissen fundoplication

Objective There are a number of reports in the literature describing the need for a redo fundoplication in patients who have previously undergone open fundoplication. However, these data are not well characterized in our current era of laparoscopic surgery. The purpose of this report is to document the management of patients requiring a redo fundoplication who originally underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Methods After internal review board approval, the senior surgeon performed a retrospective chart review on all patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication between January 2000 and April 2006. Data collected included the patient's age, sex, neurologic impairment, need for gastrostomy, time interval between the initial and redo fundoplication, operative approach for the redo fundoplication, use of a biologic patch for the redo procedure, and length of follow-up. Results Two hundred seventy-three patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication by the senior author during this time interval. Twenty-one patients have required a redo fundoplication and repair of the enlarged hiatus after laparoscopic fundoplication. No patient has undergone a redo procedure without the development of transmigration of the fundoplication wrap. A redo operation was performed without mesh in 13 patients, of which there were 4 recurrences (31%). The other 8 cases were repaired with Surgisis (Cook, Inc, Bloomington, Ind), and none of these have recurred, with a minimum of 11 months' follow-up and a mean follow-up of 26 months. In the 4 patients requiring a second redo procedure, the enlarged esophageal hiatus was reinforced with Surgisis, and none of these cases have recurred, with a minimum of 3 years' follow-up. Conclusions Our data support the use of a biosynthetic mesh to reinforce the crural closure during the repair of iatrogenic hiatal hernias in children.