Role of interventional radiology in the management of complex pediatric surgical cases

Pediatric Transplant Interventions

The field of pediatric organ transplantation has grown significantly in recent decades, with interventional radiology (IR) playing an essential role in managing pre and post-transplant complications. Pediatric transplant patients face unique challenges compared to adults, including donor-recipient size mismatch, and complications of a growing child with changing physiology. Interventional radiologists play a major role in pediatric renal and liver transplant. IR interventions begin early in the child's pretransplant journey, with diagnostic procedures such as biopsies, angiograms, and cholangiograms. These procedures are essential for understanding the etiology of organ failure and identifying potential transplant candidates. Minimally invasive therapeutic procedures may serve as bridges to transplant and may include vascular access optimization for hemodialysis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) creation, and tumor embolization or ablation. After transplant, image-guided biopsies for the surveillance of graft rejection and treatment of vascular or luminal stenoses, pseudoaneurysms, and anastomotic leaks can maintain the function and longevity of the transplant organ. Careful consideration must be given to patient size and evolving anatomy, radiation exposure, and the need for deeper sedation for pediatric patients. Despite these challenges, the integration of IR in pediatric transplant care has proven beneficial, offering minimally invasive alternatives to surgery, faster recovery times, and improved outcomes.

Multi-disciplinary care in patients with complex pediatric general and thoracic surgical pathology: lessons learned from a 20-year experience

PURPOSE

Complex pediatric surgery patients with thoracic tumors invading the mediastinum and infradiaphragmatic tumors extending into the chest are at risk for surgical morbidity and mortality if the patient's care is not coordinated. We sought to identify areas of focus when managing these patients to improve care.

METHODS

A 20-year, retrospective study of pediatric patients with complex surgical pathology was performed. Demographic data, pre-operative characteristics, intraoperative data, complications, and outcomes data were collected. Three index cases were highlighted to provide granularity in patient management.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were identified. Common pathology included mediastinal teratomas, foregut duplications, advanced Wilms tumors, hepatoblastoma, and lung masses. All cases were performed in a multidisciplinary fashion. All cases were done with pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and three cases (11.5%) required pediatric otolaryngology. Eight patients (30.7%) required cardiopulmonary bypass. Operative and 30-day mortality was zero.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of complex pediatric surgical patients requires a multidisciplinary approach throughout the patient's hospital course. This multidisciplinary team should meet in advance of a patient's procedure to create a customized care plan that may include pre-operative optimization. At the time of their procedure, all necessary and emergency equipment should available. This approach improves patient safety and has resulted in excellent outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.