Postoperative Outcomes In Pediatric Patients Research Articles

Preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy in pediatric bariatric surgery: A summary of the literature.

Our objective was to summarize the available literature on the use of preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and its impact on management and/or postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. We performed a search using PubMed in February 2023 for articles examining EGD and any clinical correlation in pediatric patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Search results were manually reviewed and included in the study if they examined findings of EGD done prior to bariatric surgery and were excluded if they were not primarily done in pediatric or adolescent patients. Our search yielded 549 distinct articles, with a total of four articles remaining after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. All four studies were retrospective. A total of 244 patients were studied, with an age range of 9-25 years. Of the patients whose respective findings were reported, 21/150 patients (14%) had esophagitis, 55/150 (37%) had gastritis, 55/244 (23%) had Helicobacter pylori, and 18/150 (12%) had duodenitis. There were a total of 60 findings that changed medical management, and one that changed surgical management. A high proportion of positive EGD findings that changed medical management was evident, and one study suggested that mucosal inflammation may be a prognostic indicator for postoperative weight loss. However, there is a paucity of data examining the utility of routine EGD prior to bariatric surgery, specifically in pediatric patients, and more studies are therefore needed to construct the evidence basis for guidelines.

Sugammadex use in pediatric patients with stage IV-V chronic kidney disease in a quaternary referral hospital: a case series

BackgroundSugammadex is a pharmacologic agent that provides rapid reversal of neuromuscular blockade via encapsulation of the neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA). The sugammadex-NMBA complex is primarily cleared through glomerular filtration from the kidney, raising the possibility that alterations in renal function could affect its elimination. In pediatric patients, the benefits of sugammadex have led to widespread utilization; however, there is limited information on its application in pediatric renal impairment. This study examined sugammadex use and postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with severe chronic renal impairment at our quaternary pediatric referral hospital.MethodsAfter IRB approval, we performed a retrospective analysis in pediatric patients with stage IV and V chronic kidney disease who received sugammadex from January 2017 to March 2022. Postoperative outcomes studied included new or increased respiratory requirement, unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission, postoperative pneumonia, anaphylaxis, and death within 48 h postoperatively, unplanned deferral of intraoperative extubation, and repeat administrations of NMBA reversal after leaving the operating room.ResultsThe final cohort included 17 patients ranging from 8 months to 16 years old. One patient required new postoperative noninvasive ventilation on postoperative day 2, which was credited to hypervolemia. Another patient had bronchospasm intraoperatively resolving with medication, which could not definitively be associated sugammadex administration. There were no instances of deferred extubation, unplanned ICU or need for supplemental oxygen after tracheal extubation identified.ConclusionNo adverse effects directly attributable to sugammadex in pediatric patients with severe renal impairment were detected. There may be a role for utilization of sugammadex for neuromuscular reversal in this population.

Comparison of classical, coblation, and combined adenoidectomy techniques in paediatric patients: a single-blind, prospective study

Background and objectivesAdenoidectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in pediatric otolaryngological practice. This prospective study compared three different adenoidectomy techniques' intra-operative and postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients. The techniques evaluated were classical (blind curettage), coblation, and a combined approach.Materials and methodsNinety pediatric patients undergoing adenoidectomy were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into three groups based on the technique used: Group A, classical adenoidectomy (blind curettage); Group B, coblation adenoidectomy and Group C, combined (blind curettage + coblation) adenoidectomy. The intra-operative time, degree of bleeding, and complications during and after the operations were recorded.ResultsGroup A had a significantly shorter operative time than the other groups. However, there was no significant difference in the mean operative time between Groups B and C. The mean amount of intra-operative bleeding differed significantly among the groups. Group B had significantly less bleeding than Group A or Group C. The amount of bleeding also differed significantly between Groups A and C. The postoperative pain scores did not differ significantly among the groups. While complications were infrequent in all groups, Group C did not exhibit a higher complication rate than Groups A and B. The absence of residual or recurrent adenoid tissue in any of the groups during long-term follow-up examinations highlights the effectiveness of all three adenoidectomy techniques in preventing adenoid regrowth.ConclusionsThe combined approach, which was one of the techniques studied, demonstrated an intermediate profile in terms of operative time and intra-operative bleeding compared to the classical and coblation techniques. These findings suggest that this combined approach may be a feasible option for adenoidectomy in pediatric patients, considering its similar low incidence of postoperative complications.

Postoperative Outcomes for Spinal Fusion Procedures in Pediatric Patients with Anemia: A Retrospective and Multivariate Analysis

BackgroundPre-operative anemia is known to be associated with perioperative complications in many surgical interventions. Here, we examine the effects of pre-operative anemia on peri-operative complications and post-operative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing spinal fusion. MethodsRetrospective analysis was conducted using the American College of Surgeons Pediatric National Surgery Quality Improvement Program Database between 2012-2020. Current Procedural Terminology codes 22800, 22802, 22804, 22840, 22842, 22843, and 22844 were included to represent all primary spinal fusion procedures performed. Patients without pre-operative hematocrit (HCT) levels were excluded. Classification of anemia was determined via age- and sex-adjusted HCT levels. Patient demographics, pre-operative comorbidities and risk factors, and 30-day post-operative outcomes were compared between the two cohorts using univariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to determine if anemia severity was independently associated with worse post-operative outcomes. ResultsA total of 30,243 pediatric patients were included in this study, with 26,621 not having pre-operative anemia and 3,622 having pre-operative anemia. Pediatric patients with anemia have increased length of stay (6.7 ± 9.6 vs. 5 ± 6, P < 0.001), 30-day unplanned reoperation rate (4% vs 2.8%, P <0.001), and total blood transfused (489.9 ± 497.8 vs. 423.4 ± 452.6, P <0.001). Multivariate analysis supported anemia and degree of its severity as an independent predictor of increased length of stay, reoperation rate, and post-operative complications. ConclusionPreoperative anemia leads to worse outcomes in pediatric spinal fusion procedures. Utilizing HCT recordings could be factored into the equation for optimal patient selection and prevention of post-operative complications.

Postoperative outcomes of pediatric patients with perioperative COVID-19 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

To quantify the risk of adverse postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library from December 2019 to 21 April 2023. Observational cohort studies that reported postoperative early mortality and pulmonary complications of pediatric patients with confirmed COVID-19-positive compared with COVID-19-negative were eligible for inclusion. We excluded pediatric patients underwent organ transplantation or cardiac surgery. Reviews, case reports, letters, and editorials were also excluded. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess the methodological quality and risk of bias for each included study. The primary outcome was postoperative early mortality, defined as mortality within 30days after surgery or during hospitalization. The random-effects model was performed to assess the pooled estimates, which were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). 9 studies involving 23,031 pediatric patients were included, and all studies were rated as high quality. Compared with pediatric patients without COVID-19, pediatric patients with COVID-19 showed a significantly increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) (RR = 4.24; 95% CI 2.08-8.64). No clear evidence was found for differences in postoperative early mortality (RR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.34-2.06), postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.39-1.68), and length of hospital stay (MD = 0.35, 95% CI -1.81-2.51) between pediatric patients with and without COVID-19. Perioperative COVID-19 infection was strongly associated with increased risk of PPCs, but it did not increase the risk of postoperative early mortality, the rate of postoperative ICU admission, and the length of hospital stay in pediatric patients. Our preplanned sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of our study findings.

Effects of Adding Congested Segment IV to the Left Lateral Graft on Short-term Outcomes in Pediatric Living-donor Liver-transplant Recipients.

In some pediatric patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation, segment IV without the middle hepatic vein can be added to a left lateral segment graft to obtain larger graft volume. Because no clear consensus on this technique exists, this study investigated the effects of congested areas on postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with biliary atresia undergoing living-donor liver transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed data of recipients with biliary atresia aged ≤15 y who had undergone living-donor liver transplantation at Kyoto University Hospital between 2006 and 2021 and with graft-to-recipient weight ratios (GRWR) of ≤2%. Based on the percentage of congested area in the graft, patients were classified into the noncongestion (n = 40; ≤10%) and congestion (n = 13; >10%) groups. To compare the differences between groups with similar nooncongestive GRWRs and investigate the effect of adding congested areas, patients in the noncongestion group with GRWRs of ≤1.5% were categorized into the small noncongestion group (n = 24). GRWRs and backgrounds were similar between the noncongestion and congestion groups; however, patients in the congestion group demonstrated significantly longer prothrombin times, higher ascites volumes, and longer hospitalization. Further, compared with the small noncongestion group, the congestion group had significantly greater GRWR and similar noncongestive GRWR; however, the congestion group had significantly longer prothrombin time recovery (P = 0.020, postoperative d 14), higher volume of ascites (P < 0.05, consistently), and longer hospitalization (P = 0.045), requiring significantly higher albumin and gamma-globulin transfusion volumes than the small noncongestion group (P = 0.027 and P = 0.0083, respectively). Reoperation for wound dehiscence was significantly more frequent in the congestion group (P = 0.048). In pediatric liver-transplant recipients, adding a congested segment IV to the left lateral segment to obtain larger graft volume may negatively impact short-term postoperative outcomes.

Effect of thin-split encephalomyosynangiosis on transient neurological events in revascularization surgery for pediatric patients with moyamoya disease.

Transient neurological events (TNEs) are among the most important events after revascularization surgery in pediatric patients with moyamoya disease (MMD). Although hemodynamic changes and crying are representative factors of TNEs, brain compression by encephalomyosynangiosis (EMS) is another important cause of TNEs. Therefore, the authors assumed that making the EMS as thin as possible reduces the frequency of TNEs. However, thin-split EMS can lead to insufficient development of collateral vessels. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of thin-split EMS in combined revascularization surgery on postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with MMD. The authors retrospectively included 56 consecutive combined revascularization surgeries in the anterior cerebral circulation in pediatric patients with MMD. These surgeries were classified into the former group and thin-split EMS group. The temporal muscle was halved in the former EMS group and split as thinly as possible in the thin-split EMS group. The authors performed between-group comparisons of postoperative stroke events and TNEs during the acute period and the development of collateral flow and stroke events during the chronic period. Former and thin-split EMS procedures were performed in 37 and 19 patients, respectively. TNEs without crying or hemodynamic changes were observed significantly less frequently in the thin-split EMS group than in the former EMS group (0 [0.0%] in the thin-split EMS group vs 9 [24.3%] in the former EMS group, p = 0.021). There were no significant between-group differences in the development of indirect bypass during the chronic period (good: 34 [91.9%] and poor: 3 [8.1%] in the former EMS group vs good: 16 [84.2%] and poor: 3 [15.8%] in the thin-split EMS group; p = 0.397). Additionally, there were no significant between-group differences in the incidence of chronic clinical events, including death or stroke. Thin-split EMS can reduce TNEs that do not accompany crying or hemodynamic changes. Furthermore, the procedure has sufficient prevention effects against stroke events during the chronic postoperative period in pediatric patients with MMD.

Central venous-to-arterial CO2 difference as a biomarker of outcome in children who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease.

In congenital heart surgery, low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a major cause of morbidity in the immediate post-operative period. A decrease in cardiac output leads to an increase in tissue oxygen consumption. Several biomarkers such as venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), arteriovenous oxygen difference (DavO2), and lactate can assess tissue perfusion in the presence of LCOS. Recently, central venous to arterial CO2 difference (ΔCO2) has been proposed as a biomarker of tissue ischemia that could be used as a predictor of death in neonatal patients. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between ΔCO2 and immediate post-operative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing congenital heart surgery and its correlation with DavO2, SvO2, and lactate. We conducted a longitudinal study of patients aged 0-18 years who underwent congenital heart surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass at the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, from March 2019 to March 2021. Eighty-two patients were included; the median age was 17 months. About 59% had a ΔCO2 ≥ 6 mmHg. Patients with ΔCO2 ≥ 6 mmHg had a vasoactive-inotropic score > 5 (p < 0.001), DavO2 > 5 mL/dL (p = 0.048), and lactate > 2 mmol/L (p = 0.027), as well as a longer hospital stay (p = 0.043). Patients with ΔCO2 > 6 mmHg and vasoactive-inotropic score ≥ 10 were 12.6 times more likely to die. ΔCO2 is a good marker of tissue hypoperfusion and outcome in the post-operative period of congenital heart surgery.

Preoperative low muscle mass and early postoperative outcomes in children undergoing living donor liver transplantation: A retrospective study.

Low skeletal muscle mass may develop in children with end-stage liver disease, affecting postoperative outcomes. We retrospectively investigated whether preoperative low muscle mass was associated with early postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Electronic medical records of children (age below 12y) who underwent LDLT between February 1, 2007, and January 31, 2018, were reviewed. The cross-sectional areas of psoas, quadratus lumborum, and erector spinae muscles at the level of fourth-fifth lumbar intervertebral disks were measured using abdominal CT images, divided by the square of the height and were added to obtain the total skeletal muscle index (TSMI). The patients were divided into two groups according to the median TSMI in the second quintile (1859.1mm 2 /m 2 ). Complications in the early postoperative period (within 30d after surgery) classified as Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher were considered major complications. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between preoperative low muscle mass and early postoperative outcomes. In the study population of 123 patients (median age, 14mo; range, 8-38mo) who underwent LDLT, 29% and 71% were classified in the low (mean TSMI, 1642.5 ± 187.0mm 2 /m 2 ) and high (mean TSMI 2188.1 ± 273.5mm 2 /m 2 ) muscle mass groups, respectively. The rates of major complications, mechanical ventilation >96 hours, intensive care unit stay >14 days, hospital stay >30 days, and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Additionally, adverse outcomes according to pediatric end-stage liver disease scores and sex were not significantly different between the 2 groups. In conclusion, preoperative low muscle mass defined by TSMI was not associated with early postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing LDLT.

Social Determinants of Health and Associations With Outcomes in Pediatric Patients With Brain Tumors.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are nonmedical factors that affect health outcomes. Limited investigation has been completed on the potential association of these factors to adverse outcomes in pediatric populations. In this study, the authors aimed to analyze the effects of SDOH disparities and their relationship with outcomes after brain tumor resection or biopsy in children. The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of their center's pediatric patients with brain tumor. Black race, public insurance, median household income, and distance to hospital were the investigated SDOH factors. Univariate analysis was completed between number of SDOH factors and patient demographics. Multivariate linear regression models were created to identify coassociated determinants and outcomes. A total of 272 patients were identified and included in the final analysis. Among these patients, 81 (29.8%) had no SDOH disparities, 103 (37.9%) had 1, 71 (26.1%) had 2, and 17 (6.2%) had 3. An increased number of SDOH disparities was associated with increased percentage of missed appointments ( P = .002) and emergency room visits ( P = .004). Univariate analysis demonstrated increased missed appointments ( P = .01), number of postoperative imaging ( P = .005), and number of emergency room visits ( P = .003). In multivariate analysis, decreased median household income was independently associated with increased length of hospital stay ( P = .02). The SDOH disparities are prevalent and impactful in this vulnerable population. This study demonstrates the need for a shift in research focus toward identifying the full extent of the impact of these factors on postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with brain tumor.

Surgical Management and Outcomes of Pediatric Congenital Head and Neck Teratomas: A Scoping Review.

To perform a scoping review to characterize postoperative outcomes of pediatric patients (ages 0-18) with a history of congenital head and neck teratomas. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, Clinicaltrails.gov. A search of multiple databases was performed. Studies were included if they detailed the surgical management and outcomes of pediatric patients with a history of congenital head and neck teratomas. One hundred and eight studies totaling 137 patients were identified. The median gestational age at birth was 37 weeks. Respiratory distress, prompting emergent endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy, was present in most patients (58%). The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure was utilized for 21 (15%) patients. The teratomas were resected after a median duration of 4 days from birth. The most common postsurgical complications were vocal cord paralysis (3%), hemorrhage (2%), and tracheomalacia (2%). Death occurred perioperatively in 2 patients (2%). Twenty-six patients (19%) required additional surgery, and 5 patients (4%) needed adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were monitored for a median duration of 24 months with a recurrence rate of 6%. Four recurrent cases (50%) had intracranial extension, and 88% of the recurrent cases were mature teratomas at initial histopathological diagnosis. Most patients with congenital head and neck teratomas require emergent airway management perinatally. Excisional and surgical complications are rare, and most patients are cured of their disease with a single operation. Recurrent teratomas tend to have an intracranial extension and are likely to be of mature pathology at the time of initial diagnosis.

Association Between Preoperative Sarcopenia and Early Postoperative Outcomes in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Total Correction of Tetralogy of Fallot: A Retrospective Cohort Study

To identify the association between preoperative low muscle mass and early postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing total correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). A retrospective cohort study. A single university hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Pediatric patients (≤3 years) who underwent total correction of TOF between May 2008 and February 2018. None. Cross-sectional areas of the pectoralis and erector spinae muscles were measured using preoperative chest computed tomography (CT) scans, and adjusted to body surface area to define muscle mass index. The patients were divided into sarcopenia, presarcopenia, and no sarcopenia groups based on cutoff values determined using the mean and SD of the muscle mass index in the third z-weight quintile. Of a total of 330 patients included in the final analysis, 13 were associated with the sarcopenia group, 57 in the presarcopenia group, and 260 in the no sarcopenia group. The sarcopenia group exhibited a higher incidence of major adverse events than the presarcopenia and no sarcopenia groups, respectively (38% v 25% v 18%; p=0.033). Logistic regression analyses revealed that only younger age at the time of surgery was significantly associated with major adverse events (odds ratio 0.82; 95% CI 0.72-0.94, p=0.003). The incidence of sarcopenia, as assessed by preoperative chest CT, was low in pediatric patients undergoing total correction of TOF, and preoperative sarcopenia did not predict early postoperative major adverse events.

Vasoactive-inotropic score: A dilatory predictor of adverse short-term postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Vasoactive-inotropic score: A dilatory predictor of adverse short-term postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Does preoperative nutritional assessment affect clinical outcomes in children with acute appendicitis

Background: Malnutrition increases postoperative complications in pediatric surgical patients. Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine whether the preoperative nutritional status had any effect on postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with acute appendicitis who were in need of emergency surgery. Methods: This retrospective clinical study was carried out at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences. The study included 74 patients, whose data were analyzed retrospectively. The patients' preoperative Gomez malnutrition classifications and body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated and compared to clinical outcomes. Results: The study included 74 children who had appendectomy procedures. The mean age was 11.5±3.7 years, 64.9% of the patients in the study were male, while 35.1% were female. The duration of admission to the hospital was 1.77±1.34 days. A BMI cut-off value of less than 16.74 was found to be statistically significant (p&amp;lt;0.001), with 100.0% percent sensitivity and 68.66% specificity. Wound infection was more common in patients with a BMI greater than 16.74 (p=0.010). Low BMI patients were more common in the 0-6 age group and the 7-13 age group (p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion: Nutritional assessment is an essential part of the care of children undergoing surgery. In the present study, we discovered that mild-to-moderate malnutrition before surgery increased postoperative morbidity, hospital stay, and wound infection frequency in children with low BMI. These evaluation systems, in our opinion, will pave the way for positive changes in postoperative management planning.

Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Splenectomy with Temporary Splenic Artery Occlusion in Pediatric Patients: The Experience in a Chinese Tertiary Children's Hospital.

Background: The hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy (HALS) approach overcomes the difficulties experienced with conventional laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) with added advantages. In this study, we compared the HALS technique with standard LS based on the feasibility and intermediate postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients. Methods: We retrospectively investigated pediatric patients who underwent HALS or LS from October 2013 to May 2021 at the Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University. Potential parameters related to HALS or LS were explored, and the intermediate-term clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. The quality of life and splenic regrowth data were followed up routinely for 12 months after the operation. Results: In total, 39 patients underwent splenectomy (11 for HALS and 28 for LS) and were eligible for this research. Patients who underwent HALS had a greater proportion of focal benign splenic lesions (P < .001) and partial splenectomy (P < .001). The HALS operative time was reduced compared with LS (P = .032). No operation conversion was noted in the HALS group, whereas 4 (14.3%) cases were converted to an open operation (P = .249). For partial splenectomies, favorable outcomes with HALS, including short operative time (P = .001) and reduced blood loss (P = .014), were noted compared with LS. No postoperative mortality was observed. During the follow-up period, a good quality of life and splenic regrowth were noted for most of the patients. Conclusions: Although another incision is necessary, HALS confers the advantages of a minimally invasive technique to manage the fragile spleen, especially in pediatric patients requiring partial splenectomy.

Income Disparities in Outcomes of Horizontal Strabismus Surgery in a Pediatric Population.

Purpose:To examine postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery to determine the potential impact of socioeconomic disparities on ophthalmic outcomes.Methods:This study included 284 children undergoing strabismus surgery at a tertiary institution with at least 11 months of follow-up and no prior strabismus surgery or other neurologic or ophthalmologic conditions. Demographics, insurance, operative parameters, and appointments scheduled/attended were collected via chart review. Ocular alignment was recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 12, and 24 months. Two-sided t tests and chi-squared analyses were used to compare demographic and operative parameters. Logistic regression was employed to determine predictive factors for ophthalmic outcomes.Results:There was no difference in failure rates between patients with Medicaid and patients with private insurance 24 months postoperatively (45.9% vs 50.5%, respectively, P = .46). Patients with Medicaid were more likely to not follow up postoperatively (28.2% vs 9.6%, respectively, P < .01), whereas patients with private insurance were more likely to complete more than three follow-up appointments in 24 months (21.5% vs 39.0%, respectively, P < .01). Postoperative attendance was linked to Medicaid status (P < .01) but not travel time, neighborhood income levels, or social deprivation index factors.Conclusions:There was no difference in failure rates between patients with Medicaid and patients with private insurance. Medicaid status was significantly predictive of loss to follow-up.

83 The predictive role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in post-operative cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

Abstract Aims Postoperative arrhythmias (POA) are a common complication after cardiac surgical repairs for congenital heart disease (CHD), representing a substantial source of morbidity, mortality, and prolonged total in-hospital stay, with an incidence of 7.5–48% in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients. The etiology is multifactorial, and it has been related to the direct surgical manipulation of the cardiac conduction system, to the local tissue inflammation in the myocardium adjacent to the conduction system and to the arrhythmogenic effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), inotropes, and electrolyte disturbances. Recently, the prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a novel inflammation marker, has been evaluated in pediatric patients after CPB surgery. To evaluate the predictive role of NLR in POA in a population of pediatric CHD patients after CPB. Methods and results We retrospectively collected perioperative clinical and laboratory data of 146 patients (age 8.27 ± 10.79 years; male gender: 60.8%) consecutively admitted to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit (ICU) of our institute after elective cardiac surgery with CPB in 2018. We grouped and analyzed our population over NLR tertiles evaluated at 24 h from CPB and types of POA: supraventricular (SVT) and junctional (JET). The prognostic value of NLR and its association with POA was analyzed. Diagnoses of 146 patients included atrial septal defect (n = 36), ventricular septal defect (n = 20), pulmonary atresia/stenosis (n = 10), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 20), endocardial cushion defect (n = 8), left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n = 14), anomalous origin of coronary artery (n = 6), complex CHD (n = 13), interrupted/hypoplastic aortic arch (n = 12), anomalous pulmonary venous return (n = 3). The mean CPB time was 121.6 ± 84.6 min. The median ICU hospitalization was 48 h [Q1, Q3: 24, 96]. Twelve patients experienced POA: 6 SVT and 6 JET. The frequency of POA incremented over NLR-tertiles (P-Trend 0.017), while SVT onset was associated with higher values of NLR and C-reactive protein (P = 0.034 and P = 0.011, respectively). Patients in the second and third tertiles of NLR had a prolonged hospitalization (log-rank, P = 0.029), especially when associated with POA (log-rank, P = 0.012). At the multivariable analysis, higher age and NLR values were independently associated with SVT [OR per year 1.22; 95% CI (1.02, 1.25), P = 0.043 and OR per point 1.91; 95% CI (1.29, 2.82), P = 0.012, respectively], but not with JET. Conclusions 24-h post-CPB NLR can predict postoperative SVT in a population of pediatric CHD patients. Our data suggest that the NLR could be a useful, easy-to-obtain marker for postoperative outcome in pediatric patients who had undergone elective CPB.

Inappropriate manipulation and drainage exacerbate post-operative pain and prolong the hospital stay after laparoscopic appendectomy for pediatric complicated appendicitis

BackgroundThis study examined whether drain placement or not is associated with the postoperative outcomes of pediatric patients following trans-umbilical single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (TUSPLA) for complicated appendicitis.Methods The medical records of pediatric patients undergoing TUSPLA for acute complicated appendicitis from January 2012 to September 2018 in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. They were classified according to whether they received passive drainage with a Penrose drain (Penrose group) (19), active drainage with a Jackson-Pratt drain with a vacuum bulb (JP group) (16), or no drain (non-drain group) (86). The postoperative outcomes of the three groups were compared.ResultsPostoperative visual analog scale pain score was significantly higher in the non-drain group than in either the JP group or Penrose group. Patients in the Penrose group had a significantly longer postoperative hospital stay than those in the non-drain group and a higher rate of intra-abdominal abscess, while patients in the JP group had a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay; moreover, no patient in JP group developed a postoperative intra-abdominal abscess.ConclusionsCompared to passive drainage with a Penrose drain or no drain, active drainage with a JP drain shorter the postoperative hospital stay and decreased the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess.

The predictive role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in post-operative arrhythmias in pediatric patients after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

Abstract Background Postoperative arrhythmias (POA) are a common complication after cardiac surgical repairs for congenital heart disease (CHD), representing a substantial source of morbidity, mortality and prolonged total in-hospital stay, with an incidence of 7.5–48% in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients. The etiology is multifactorial, and it has been related to the direct surgical manipulation of the cardiac conduction system, to the local tissue inflammation in the myocardium adjacent to the conduction system and to the arrhythmogenic effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), inotropes and electrolyte disturbances. Recently, the prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a novel inflammation marker, has been evaluated in pediatric patients after CPB surgery. Purpose To evaluate the predictive role of NLR in POA in a population of pediatric CHD patients after CPB. Methods We retrospectively collected perioperative clinical and laboratory data of 146 patients (age 8.27±10.79 years; male gender: 60.8%) consecutively admitted to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit (ICU) of our institute after elective cardiac surgery with CPB in 2018. We grouped and analyzed our population over NLR tertiles evaluated at 24 hours from CPB and types of POA: supraventricular (SVT) and junctional (JET). The prognostic value of NLR and its association with POA was analyzed. Results Diagnoses of 146 patients included atrial septal defect (n=36), ventricular septal defect (n=20), pulmonary atresia/stenosis (n=10), tetralogy of Fallot (n=20), endocardial cushion defect (n=8), left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n=14), anomalous origin of coronary artery (n=6), complex CHD (n=13), interrupted/hypoplastic aortic arch (n=12), anomalous pulmonary artery venous return (n=3). The mean CPB time was 121.6±84.6 minutes. The median ICU hospitalization was 48 hours [Q1, Q3: 24, 96]. Twelve patients experienced POA: 6 SVT and 6 JET. The frequency of POA incremented over NLR-tertiles (P-Trend 0.017), while SVT onset was associated with higher values of NLR and C-reactive protein (P=0.034 and P=0.011, respectively). Patients in the second and third tertiles of NLR had a prolonged hospitalization (Log-rank, P=0.029), especially when associated with POA (Log-rank, P=0.012). At the multivariable analysis, higher age and NLR values were independently associated with SVT [OR per year 1.22; 95% CI (1.02, 1.25), P=0.043 and OR per point 1.91; 95% CI (1.29, 2.82), P=0.012, respectively], but not with JET. Conclusions 24-h post-CPB NLR can predict postoperative SVT in a population of pediatric CHD patients. Our data suggest that the NLR could be a useful, easy-to-obtain marker for postoperative outcome in pediatric patients who had undergone elective CPB. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with strabismic amblyopia unresponsive to therapy

Postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with strabismic amblyopia unresponsive to therapy