Conditions accounting for substantial time spent in hospital in children aged 1-14 years

Comparison of the appendicitis inflammatory response and Alvarado scoring systems in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children

Our objective was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of Alvarado and appendicitis inflammatory response (AIR) scoring systems among children suspected of acute appendicitis concerning their postoperative outcomes. During a two-year period, a prospective multicentric study was carried in the selected hospitals of Iran. All children who were admitted with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis were enrolled in the study. However, patients suffering from generalized peritonitis or those who had a history of abdominal surgery were excluded. Before decision-making, each patient’s score according to two appendicitis scoring systems was calculated. The clinical outcomes and diagnosis of patients were then compared to the results of each scoring system. For those patients who were a candidate for surgery, the final diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made by histopathology. Patients were divided into a high- and low-risk group according to scoring systems outcomes. Among the patients with a low score for appendicitis, the AIR scoring system had a sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 74%, respectively, which was more promising in comparison to that of the Alvarado system (90% and 70%, respectively). Regarding the patients at higher risk of acute appendicitis, none of the scoring systems provided reliable results since both systems showed sensitivity and specificity of less than 50%, which was not sufficient to distinguish patients who are a candidate for surgery. AIR and Alvarado scoring systems are not accurate models to predict the risk of acute appendicitis among children; however, the AIR system could be used as a reliable material to rule out the acute appendicitis diagnosis.

A Nationwide Cohort Study of Outcome after Pediatric Appendicitis

INTRODUCTION

 Children with appendicitis often present with complicated disease. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical management of pediatric appendicitis, and to report how disease severity and operative modality are associated with short- and long-term risks of adverse outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A nationwide retrospective cohort study of all Swedish children (<18 years) diagnosed with appendicitis, 2001 to 2014 (n = 38,939). Primary and secondary outcomes were length of stay, surgical site infections, readmissions, 30-day mortality, and long-term risk of surgery for small bowel obstruction (SBO). Implications of complicated disease and operative modality were assessed with adjustment for age, gender, and trends over time.

RESULTS

 Complicated appendicitis was associated with longer hospital stay (4 vs. 2 days, p < 0.001), increased risk of surgical site infection (5.9 vs. 2.3%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.64 [95% confidence interval, CI: 2.18-3.18], p < 0.001), readmission (5.5 vs. 1.2, aOR: 4.74 [95% CI: 4.08-5.53], p < 0.001), as well as long-term risk of surgery for SBO (0.7 vs. 0.2%, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 3.89 [95% CI: 2.61-5.78], p < 0.001). Intended laparoscopic approach was associated with reduced risk of surgical site infections (2.3 vs. 3.1%, aOR: 0.74 [95% CI: 0.62-0.89], p = 0.001), but no overall reduction in risk for SBO; however, successful laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with less SBO during follow-up compared with open appendectomy (aHR: 0.27 [95% CI: 0.11-0.63], p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

 Children treated for complicated appendicitis are at risk of substantial short- and long-term morbidities. Fewer surgical site infections were seen after intended laparoscopic appendectomy, compared with open appendectomy, also when converted procedures were accounted for.

Osteosynthesis of pediatric femoral shaft fractures with flexible intramedullary nailing-experience from developing world

BACKGROUND

Flexible intramedullary nailing (FIN) has become the standard treatment for pediatric femoral fractures in the 6-14 years age group. The other treatment options include traction plus spica casting and external fixation. In spite of excellent results described, there is disunity in the orthopedic fraternity regarding its usefulness and nail material. The aim of our study is to determine the outcome of pediatric femur fractures treated with Stainless steel FIN.

METHODOLOGY

Between 2014 to 2018, 45 children within the age group of 6-12 years with femoral shaft fractures were included in the study. Two Stainless steel nails of predetermined size were inserted in a retrograde fashion under fluoroscopy. Patients were followed up at regular intervals to assess clinical and radiological parameters. Final results were evaluated using Flynn's clinical criteria.

RESULTS

There were 29 boys and 16 girls with an average age of 10.2 years. Fracture patterns included transverse (n=8), oblique (n=20), spiral (n=12) and comminuted (n=5). Open injuries were present in two cases and five patients had associated injuries. The mean injury to surgery interval was 2.9 days, mean hospital stay was 4.8 days and mean time to union was nine weeks. Complications included deep infection with delayed union in one case, superficial infection in two cases, malunion in three cases, limb length discrepancy of >10 mm in one patient and skin irritation from prominent nail tips in five patients. Results were excellent in 36 patients, satisfactory in eight patients and poor in one patient.

CONCLUSION

FIN is safe, reliable and efficacious method of fixation because of its simplicity, minimal invasiveness, ease of insertion and removal with better cosmesis, rapid union with short rehabilitation, less psychosocial stress to the patient and family.

Ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging - which is preferred for acute appendicitis in children? A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is no established consensus about the relative accuracies of US, CT and MRI in childhood appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE

To compare, through meta-analysis, the accuracies of US, CT and MRI for clinically suspected acute appendicitis in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched. After study selection, data extraction and quality assessment, the sensitivity, specificity and the area under the curve of summary receiver operating characteristic were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven articles including 29 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 19 studies (9,170 patients) of US, 6 studies (928 patients) of CT and 4 studies (990 patients) of MRI. The analysis showed that the area under the receiver operator characteristics curve of MRI (0.995) was a little higher than that of US (0.987) and CT (0.982; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

US, CT and MRI have high diagnostic accuracies of clinically suspected acute appendicitis in children overall with no significant difference.

Clinical outcomes and complications of titanium versus stainless steel elastic nail in management of paediatric femoral fractures-a systematic review

Femoral shaft fractures in children account for approximately 1.6% of all fractures. These fractures can be treated both operatively and non-operatively. Surgical fixation is more common in the age group above 6 years. Elastic intramedullary nails have become the most popular surgical modality of treatment over the last few decades. However, there is continuous debate about which type of elastic nails (titanium and stainless steel) provides better clinical outcomes with less complication. The main purpose of this study was to systematically search for and critically appraise articles comparing clinical outcomes and complications of titanium elastic nail system (TENS) and stainless steel elastic nail system (SSENS) in management of femoral fractures in the paediatric age group. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases was performed using specific search terms and limits. Applying strict eligibility criteria, the identified studies were screened. Five studies were identified and reviewed. All of the identified studies were non-randomised comparative studies apart from one randomised controlled study. Studies provide contradictory evidence with regard to time to fracture union and time to full weight bearing. Only one study commented on time to nail removal and found that it is shorter in the TENS group. Two studies showed significantly higher rate of malunion in the TENS group, whereas the rest showed no difference. There was no difference in the rates of delayed union or infection between the two groups and no consistent difference in the rates of skin irritation. Three studies compared Flynn's outcome score and found no difference apart from one study which found better scores in the SSENS group. There is no consistent evidence to indicate the advantage of one type of elastic nails over the other in management of paediatric femoral shaft fractures; however, the overall trend is in favour of SSENS especially being cheaper than TENS. Critical appraisal of the studies identified significant methodological deficiencies, and further prospective randomised trials are recommended for more potent evidence.

Evaluation of scoring systems in predicting acute appendicitis in children

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children. Appendicitis scoring systems have been developed as a diagnostic tool to improve the decision-making process in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. This study evaluates the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response score, Alvarado score, and Pediatric Appendicitis Score in children suspected of acute appendicitis.

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively. All children younger than 18 years suspected of acute appendicitis who presented to the emergency department between January 2006 and June 2014 were included in this study. Variables were registered to evaluate 3 different appendicitis scoring systems. The diagnostic performance of the 3 scores was analyzed using the area under the receiver-operating curve and by calculating the diagnostic performances at different cut-off points.

RESULTS

The present study included 747 consecutive children. There were 399 boys (53%) and 348 girls (47%) with a mean age of 11 years (range, 1-17 years). In total, 269 children (36%) were diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The area under the receiver-operating curve of the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response score was 0.90, the Alvarado score was 0.87, and the Pediatric Appendicitis Score was 0.82 (P < .05, respectively). The specificity and positive predictive value of the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response score were better at predicting an acute appendicitis than that of the Alvarado score and Pediatric Appendicitis Score. In children with a low-risk acute appendicitis, false negative rates of 14% for the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response, 7% for the Alvarado, and 18% for the Pediatric Appendicitis Score were measured.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response score had the highest discriminating power and outperformed the Alvarado score and Pediatric Appendicitis Score in predicting acute appendicitis in children. Excluding acute appendicitis safely in children with the scoring systems still remains uncertain.

Response-based therapy for ruptured appendicitis reduces resource utilization

PURPOSE

We examined the effectiveness of a postoperative ruptured appendicitis protocol that eliminated Pseudomonas coverage and based the duration of IV antibiotic treatment and length of hospital stay on the patient's clinical response.

METHODS

In our new protocol, IV antibiotics were administered until the patient met discharge criteria: adequate oral intake, pain control with oral medications, and afebrile for 24h. We collected data on all patients with ruptured appendicitis at our institution following protocol implementation (May 1, 2012, to April 30, 2013) and compared them to a control group.

RESULTS

306 patients were treated (154 prior protocol, 152 new protocol). The new clinical response-based protocol led to a decrease in hospital stay from 134h (SD 66.1) to 94.5h (SD 61.7) (p<0.001) and total cost of care per patient also decreased from $13,610 (SD $6859) to $9870 (SD $5670) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our clinical response-based protocol for pediatric patients with ruptured appendicitis decreased LOS, cost, and IV antibiotics use without significant changes in adverse events.

External fixation of pediatric femoral shaft fractures: a consecutive study based on 45 fractures

Forty-five displaced femur fractures in children were treated with unilateral external fixation as a standard treatment from March 2007 to March 2009 and the last follow-up was completed in May 2012. The average age of the children at presentation was 9.93 years. Patients were followed up till union, at 1 year, and at an average of 3.5 years after fixation. The fixator was removed at an average of 12.23 weeks. Twenty-one (47%) patients had a minor complication of pin-site infection. One patient had a major complication of refracture. Treatment of uncomplicated femur fractures using an external fixator in children yields satisfactory results. Our series had a longer duration of follow-up and fewer refractures compared with other series.

Does this child have appendicitis? A systematic review of clinical prediction rules for children with acute abdominal pain

OBJECTIVES

To systematically identify clinical prediction rules (CPRs) for children with suspected appendicitis and compare their methodological quality and performance.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Included studies involved children aged 0-18 years with suspected appendicitis identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE from 1950 to 2012. The quality was assessed using 17 previously published items. The performance was evaluated using the sensitivity, negative likelihood ratio, and predicted frequency of appendicitis diagnosis that would result if the rule was used.

RESULTS

Twelve studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria describing the derivation or validation of six unique CPRs involving 4,201 children with suspected appendicitis. Migratory pain, nausea or vomiting, and right lower quadrant tenderness were common predictors to all rules. Methodological quality varied widely. The most poorly addressed quality items were the predictor and outcome assessor blinding, predictor description, and reproducibility of predictor assessment. The most well-validated CPRs were the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) and MANTRELS (Migration, Anorexia, Nausea/vomiting, Tenderness in the right lower quadrant, Rebound pain, Elevation in temperature, Leukocytosis, Shift to the left)/Alvarado Score. Overall, the PAS validation studies outperformed the Alvarado validation studies.

CONCLUSION

The PAS and Alvarado scores were the most well validated but neither met the current performance benchmarks. A high quality, well validated, and consistently high-performing CPR was not identified. Further research is needed before a CPR for children with suspected appendicitis can be used in routine practice.

Retrocardiac pneumonia mimicking acute abdomen: a diagnostic challenge

We present the case of a child who showed acute abdominal pain and fever due to retrocardiac pneumonia by Streptococcus pneumoniae without respiratory signs and symptoms. Acute abdominal pain is a common presenting symptom of children seen in pediatric emergency rooms. Basilar pneumonia is an uncommonly known cause of pediatric abdominal pain; it may go unrecognized on a patient's initial evaluation. Our case suggests that the clinical manifestations of a retrocardiac pneumonia can be atypical with abdominal pain as the principal complaint, mimicking acute abdomen.

Ultrafast 3-T MRI in the evaluation of children with acute lower abdominal pain for the detection of appendicitis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of ultrafast 3-T MRI in the evaluation of children with acute lower abdominal pain for the detection of appendicitis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty-two pediatric patients (30 girls and 12 boys; mean age, 11.5 years; age range, 4-17 years) with acute abdominal pain were prospectively studied. Ultrafast 3-T MRI was performed with a three-plane single-shot turbo spin-echo sequence and an axial T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence with fat suppression. All scans were performed without sedation or oral or IV contrast agent. Scan times were less than 8 minutes 45 seconds (median, 5 minutes 40 seconds). Patients underwent CT or ultrasound or both as a comparison study to the MRI examination. The MRI, CT, and ultrasound examinations were interpreted independently by four board-certified radiologists who were blinded to patient information, study interpretations, surgical pathologic findings, and final diagnosis.

RESULTS

Twelve of 42 cases of acute appendicitis were detected with 100% sensitivity, 99% specificity, 100% negative predictive value, and 98% positive predictive value, all of which were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The pooled and individual receiver operating characteristic curves for radiologists' interpretation of the diagnosis of acute appendicitis were greater than 0.95 in all cases (p < 0.01)

CONCLUSION

Ultrafast 3-T MRI is a feasible alternative imaging modality for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children, particularly in cases where ultrasound is equivocal or nondiagnostic, as an alternative to CT. Ultrafast MRI requires no sedation and no oral or IV contrast agent and has no associated radiation exposure risks.

Flexible intramedullary nailing in paediatric femoral fractures. A report of 73 cases

Background

Flexible intramedullary nailing has emerged as an accepted procedure for paediatric femoral fractures. Present indications include all patients with femoral shaft fractures and open physis. Despite its excellent reported results, orthopaedic surgeons remain divided in opinion regarding its usefulness and the best material used for nails. We thus undertook a retrospective study of paediatric femoral fractures treated with titanium or stainless steel flexible nails at our institute with a minimum of 5 years follow up.

Material and methods

We included 73 femoral shaft fractures in 69 patients treated with retrograde flexible intramedullary nailing with a minimum follow up of 5 years. Final limb length discrepancy and any angular or rotational deformities were determined.

Results

Mean age at final follow up was 15.5 years (10-21 years). Mean follow up was 7.16 years (5.0-8.6 years). Titanium and stainless steel nails were used in 43 and 30 cases respectively. There were 51 midshaft, 17 proximal, and 5 distal fractures.

All fractures united at an average of 11 weeks but asymptomatic malalignment and LLD were seen in 19% and 58% fractures respectively. LLD ranged from -3 cm to 1.5 cm. Other complications included superficial infection(2), proximal migration of nail(3), irritation at nail insertion site(5) and penetration of femoral neck with nail tip(1). There were 59 excellent, 10 satisfactory and 4 poor results.

Conclusion

Flexible intramedullary nailing is reliable and safe for treating paediatric femoral shaft fractures. It is relatively free of serious complications despite asymptomatic malalignment and LLD in significant percentage of fractures.

Clinical outcomes in obese and normal-weight children undergoing ultrasound for suspected appendicitis

BACKGROUND

Obesity constitutes an independent predictor for a nondiagnostic screening ultrasound (US) in suspected appendicitis. Furthermore, the imaging route consisting of the screening US with a second US if necessary has a significantly lower diagnostic accuracy in the obese children (83%) than their lean counterparts (93%). However, the effect of this association on clinical outcomes in the obese population is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

In children presenting to the emergency department (ED) undergoing US for suspected appendicitis, the objective was to examine if there is a significant difference in the proportions of those with a "desirable outcome" in the obese group versus their normal-weight counterparts.

METHODS

This was a reanalysis of a recent prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary care pediatric ED. A consecutive sample of 263 previously healthy children 4-17 years of age undergoing screening US for suspected appendicitis was enrolled. Study patients were divided into obese (body mass index-for-age percentiles [BMI-FAP] ≥ 85%) and normal-weight groups. The main outcome was the proportion of children with the desirable outcome in the obese and normal-weight groups. Desirable outcomes for patients with a nondiagnostic screening US were defined as either 1) nonperforated appendicitis or alternate surgical diagnosis undergoing appropriate surgical procedure within 24 hours of assessment without a computed tomography (CT) scan or 2) no appendicitis, discharged from the ED within 24 hours without a CT scan. Secondary outcomes included hospitalization, CT imaging for any reason within 30 days of initial presentation, length of hospital stay, return visits, time to and length of surgery, and complications.

RESULTS

Of the 263 patients, 76 (28.9%) were obese, and 187 had a normal weight. Ninety-nine children (37.6%) had appendicitis (obese = 24, normal-weight = 75). The desirable outcome was achieved in 46 (64.5%) of the obese patients versus 137 (73.3%) of the normal-weight children (95% confidence interval [CI] for the difference = -0.21 to 0.04). Compared to the normal-weight children, the obese children had similar hospitalization rates (44.7% vs. 45.5%), median length of hospital stay (20.5 hours vs. 23.0 hours), and return ED visit rates (11.8% vs. 9.1%). The median time to surgery (obese = 10.5 hours, normal-weight = 9.0 hours), complications (obese = 25%, normal-weight = 21.3%), perforations (obese = 33%, normal-weight = 31%), and length of surgery (obese 80 [±37] minutes, normal-weight 67 [±25] minutes) were also similar. The rate of CT within 30 days of initial presentation was higher in the obese compared to the normal-weight group (13/76 or 17.1% vs. 13/187 or 6.9%, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.23).

CONCLUSIONS

Previously healthy obese children undergoing screening US for suspected appendicitis experienced comparable clinical outcomes to their normal-weight counterparts. However, they were three times more likely to receive a CT scan during their investigation. These results argue for continuing current practice of using the screening US in this population, followed by a CT if clinically warranted upon reexamination.

Discovery and validation of urine markers of acute pediatric appendicitis using high-accuracy mass spectrometry

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Molecular definition of disease has been changing all aspects of medical practice, from diagnosis and screening to understanding and treatment. Acute appendicitis is among many human conditions that are complicated by the heterogeneity of clinical presentation and shortage of diagnostic markers. Here, we sought to profile the urine of patients with appendicitis, with the goal of identifying new diagnostic markers.

METHODS

Candidate markers were identified from the urine of children with histologically proven appendicitis by using high-accuracy mass spectrometry proteome profiling. These systemic and local markers were used to assess the probability of appendicitis in a blinded, prospective study of children being evaluated for acute abdominal pain in our emergency department. Tests of performance of the markers were evaluated against the pathologic diagnosis and histologic grade of appendicitis.

RESULTS

Test performance of 57 identified candidate markers was studied in 67 patients, with median age of 11 years, 37% of whom had appendicitis. Several exhibited favorable diagnostic performance, including calgranulin A (S100-A8), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (orosomucoid), and leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRG), with the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve and values of 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72 to 0.95), 0.84 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.95), and 0.97 (95% CI 0.93 to 1.0), respectively. LRG was enriched in diseased appendices, and its abundance correlated with severity of appendicitis.

CONCLUSION

High-accuracy mass spectrometry urine proteome profiling allowed identification of diagnostic markers of acute appendicitis. Usage of LRG and other identified biomarkers may improve the diagnostic accuracy of clinical evaluations of appendicitis.

Optimizing the role of imaging in appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is the most common acute abdominal condition that requires surgical intervention in childhood. From the diagnostic performance perspective, computed tomography (CT) has a significantly higher sensitivity than does ultrasound (US) for diagnosing appendicitis in children; from the safety perspective, however, one should consider the radiation associated with CT, especially in children. There is strong evidence supporting improved patient outcomes in children with suspected acute appendicitis who undergo CT scanning. Nevertheless, we should keep in mind that for a single abdominal CT study in a 5-year-old child, the lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer would be 26.1 per 100,000 in female and 20.4 per 100,000 in male patients, based on probabilistic models designed with data from atomic bomb survivors. An integrated clinical-imaging approach, applying clinical scores that are able to predict which children with acute abdominal pain do or do not have a high probability of presenting with appendicitis may improve the effectiveness of the imaging diagnosis of appendicitis at the hospital level. Such an approach could avoid exposure of children who at low risk for appendicitis to unnecessary diagnostic tests and eventually, to radiation.

Acute appendicitis in young children: cost-effectiveness of US versus CT in diagnosis--a Markov decision analytic model

PURPOSE

To compare the cost-effectiveness of different imaging strategies in the diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis by using a decision analytic model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Approval for this retrospective study based on literature review was not required by the institutional Research Ethics Board. A Markov decision model was constructed by using costs, utilities, and probabilities from the literature. The risk of radiation-induced cancer was modeled by using the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII report, which is based primarily on data from atomic bomb survivors. The three imaging strategies were ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and US followed by CT if the initial US study was negative. The model simulated the short-term and long-term outcomes of the patients, calculating the average quality-adjusted life span and health care costs.

RESULTS

For a single abdominal CT study in a 5-year-old child, the lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer would be 26.1 per 100,000 in female and 20.4 per 100,000 in male patients. In the base-case analysis, US followed by CT was the most costly and most effective strategy, CT was the second-most costly and second-most effective strategy, and US was the least costly and least effective strategy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of CT to US and of US followed by CT to US were both well below the societal willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 (in U.S. dollars). The ICER of US followed by CT to CT was less than $10,000 in both male and female patients.

CONCLUSION

In a Markov-based decision model of pediatric appendicitis, the most cost-effective method of imaging pediatric appendicitis was to start with a US study and follow each negative US study with a CT examination.

Contemporary imaging in abdominal emergencies

Imaging is often a fundamental part in the evaluation of an injured or ill child. A variety of imaging modalities (radiography, angiography/fluoroscopy, sonography, CT, magnetic resonance imaging and scintigraphy) are among the options. CT is worth focused attention because of its usefulness in a variety of emergency department settings, its increasing use, and its potential radiation risks. CT plays an important role in the evaluation of traumatic and nontraumatic abdominal emergencies in children. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to review current imaging approaches and controversies in the evaluation of common acute abdominal emergencies. Through discussion of various modalities, especially CT in evaluation of abdominal pain and trauma, the relative advantages and disadvantages including radiation risk will be reviewed.

Efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the pediatric population

PURPOSE

Gallbladder disease is increasingly affecting the pediatric population. The advent of new technology in the 1980s, specifically, hepatobiliary scintigraphy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gave a dramatic rise in both the diagnosis and treatment of biliary disease in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to determine (a) whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia is efficacious in the treatment of children with biliary colic and (b) the ability of cholescintigraphy to predict which patients may benefit from an operative intervention.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of the records of all patients (N = 184) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, correlating postoperative results with degree of dyskinesia (percentage of ejection fraction), histopathology, associated gastrointestinal diagnoses, age, and sex. Biliary dyskinesia was defined by ultrasonography without evidence of cholelithiasis with clinical diagnosis of biliary colic.

RESULTS

Of the 184 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 117 had a diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia and 108 were available for follow-up. Mean follow-up was 8.3 months. One hundred patients (92.6%) reported resolution or improvement of preoperative symptoms (64.8% reported complete resolution and 27.8% reported improvement in symptoms). The mean age of the patients was 14.1 years. No correlation was seen for degree of dyskinesia, histopathology, age, and sex. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux were more likely to report resolution of symptoms, although this finding was not statistically significant. There was no major complication; 1 patient suffered a prolonged ileus, 1 patient suffered a wound infection, and 1 patient required incisional hernia repair.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe, efficacious, and durable in children suffering from biliary dyskinesia.

Femoral fractures in children, is early interventional treatment beneficial?

A protocol of early intervention (flexible intramedullary nails, early hip spica, and external fixation) was started in 1999 and during a 3-year period there were 25 children who sustained a femoral shaft fracture (early intervention group). These were prospectively reviewed with a minimum follow up of 24 months (Range 24-35 months). A historical control group of 41 children was used. These children were injured between February 1996 and February 1999 and were retrospectively reviewed. They had traditional in patient treatments with either Gallows or Thomas splint traction (traditional treatment group). Over the 6-year period from 1996 to 2002 there were a total of 66 femoral shaft fractures in the study that presented to our hospital. The mean length of hospital stay was 29 nights in the traditional group and 10 nights in the early intervention group. This difference is significant (p<0.001). The malunion rate was slightly higher in the early active group at radiological union but most of these remodelled over the 2 years of follow up. The protocol of early intervention used in our institution, of flexible nails, early hip spica or external fixation depended on the age of the child, and has resulted in a shorter hospital stay for the children. This has benefits for the child, the family and the hospital.

US or CT for Diagnosis of Appendicitis in Children and Adults? A Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

To perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of appendicitis in pediatric and adult populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical literature (from 1986 to 2004) was searched for articles on studies that used US, CT, or both as diagnostic tests for appendicitis in children (26 studies, 9356 patients) or adults (31 studies, 4341 patients). Prospective and retrospective studies were included if they separately reported the rate of true-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative diagnoses of appendicitis from US and CT findings compared with the positive and negative rates of appendicitis at surgery or follow-up. Clinical variables, technical factors, and test performance were extracted. Three readers assessed the quality of studies.

RESULTS

Pooled sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of appendicitis in children were 88% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 86%, 90%) and 94% (95% CI: 92%, 95%), respectively, for US studies and 94% (95% CI: 92%, 97%) and 95% (95% CI: 94%, 97%), respectively, for CT studies. Pooled sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis in adults were 83% (95% CI: 78%, 87%) and 93% (95% CI: 90%, 96%), respectively, for US studies and 94% (95% CI: 92%, 95%) and 94% (95% CI: 94%, 96%), respectively, for CT studies.

CONCLUSION

From the diagnostic performance perspective, CT had a significantly higher sensitivity than did US in studies of children and adults; from the safety perspective, however, one should consider the radiation associated with CT, especially in children.

Closed, Locked Intramedullary Nailing of Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fractures Through the Tip of the Greater Trochanter

BACKGROUND

Closed femoral nailing is universally accepted as the treatment of choice in almost all diaphyseal femoral fractures in adults. Numerous authors reported favorable results applying the same surgical technique in the adolescent patient group. Nevertheless, reports of complications such as avascular necrosis and alteration of the proximal femoral anatomy have dampened the initial enthusiasm. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the possible effect of closed intramedullary nailing through the greater trochanter on the proximal femoral anatomy.

METHODS

We report the results of intramedullary nailing in 20 skeletally immature patients (13 men and 7 women) with a mean age of 14.4 years (range, 11-16 years). All were treated with closed, reamed, percutaneously performed nailing, using the tip of the greater trochanter as the nail insertion point. The patients were followed for 29 months in average (range, 19-37 months).

RESULTS

No major complication (limb length discrepancy, avascular necrosis, coxa valga) occurred during the observation period. All fractures healed clinically and radiographically within 9 weeks in average (8-13 weeks) and all patients returned to the preinjury activity level. The mean ATD difference was 1.10 +/- 3.51 (range, -5-7 mm, 95% CI -0,54/2,74, p = 0.177). The mean LTA distance difference was 0.3 mm (range, -6-5 mm, p = 0.158), the mean femoral length difference was 1.9 mm (-9-12 mm, p = 0.122) and the overall limb length difference was 1.4 mm (-25-20 mm, p = 0.178). The mean neck-shaft angle difference was 0.20 +/- 1.74 (range, -3-4, p = 0.612) and the mean neck width was 0.60 +/- 1.50 (range, -3-3, p = 0.09). Fourteen nails (70%) were removed within 13 months in average (range, 10-18 months) without any complications.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that with strict adherence to a surgical technique that respects the growing proximal femur and its vascular anatomy, using the tip of the greater trochanter as an entry point to the femoral canal, the proven advantages of closed, intramedullary nailing can safely be offered to the adolescent patient population as well.

Imaging the child with right lower quadrant pain and suspected appendicitis: current concepts

Acute appendicitis is the most common condition presenting with right lower quadrant pain requiring acute surgical intervention in childhood. The clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis is often not straightforward and can be challenging. Approximately one-third of children with the condition have atypical clinical findings and are initially managed non-operatively. Complications usually result from perforation and include abscess formation, peritonitis, sepsis, bowel obstruction and death. Cross-sectional imaging with sonography and computed tomography (CT) have proven useful for the evaluation of suspected acute appendicitis in children. The principal advantages of sonography are its lower cost, lack of ionizing radiation, and ability to precisely delineate gynecologic disease. The principal advantages of CT are its operator independency with resultant higher diagnostic accuracy, enhanced delineation of disease extent in perforated appendicitis, and improved patient outcomes including decreased negative laparotomy and perforation rates.

Decline in admission rates for acute appendicitis in England

BACKGROUND

The incidence of acute appendicitis declined in western countries between the 1930s and the early 1990s. The aim of this study was to determine time trends in hospital admissions for acute appendicitis in England between 1989-1990 and 1999-2000, and in population mortality rates for appendicitis from 1979 to 1999.

METHODS

: Hospital Episode Statistics for admissions were obtained from the Department of Health and mortality data from the Office for National Statistics.

RESULTS

Between 1989-1990 and 1999-2000, age-standardized hospital admission rates for acute appendicitis decreased by 12.5 per cent in male patients and by 18.8 per cent in female patients. The proportions of admissions that resulted in operation remained stable. Admission rates for non-specific mesenteric lymphadenitis fell. Admission rates for abdominal pain increased between 1989-1990 and 1995-1996, at which time the International Classification of Diseases codes changed. Between 1995-1996 and 1999-2000, admission rates for abdominal pain declined. Analysis of age-specific admission rates for acute appendicitis and abdominal pain from 1989-1990 to 1995-1996 showed that the decline in acute appendicitis could not be accounted for by a change in diagnostic practice. Mortality rates for acute appendicitis remained stable over the study period.

CONCLUSION

Admission rates for acute appendicitis declined over the study period. This decline cannot be explained by reclassification.

Uptime as a measure of recovery in children postappendectomy

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to objectively measure recovery time after open and laparoscopic appendectomy using an activity monitor (PAL 1).

METHODS

The PAL 1 records the amount of time that the subject is upright (uptime). Children wore the PAL 1 for 10 days continuously, beginning within the first 48 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS

Uptime data were collected for 5 or more days for 42 children (open, n = 16; laparoscopic, n = 26). All children had low levels of uptime in the initial postoperative period. There was weak evidence of a quicker recovery rate for children in the laparoscopic group (P =.09). The difference in mean uptime between groups was of statistical significance by day 7 postoperatively with children in the laparoscopic group having a higher mean uptime than those in the open group (difference of 0.7 hours; 95% confidence intervals 0.0 to 1.4 hours in a 24-hour period).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that recovery postappendectomy can be quantified by the measurement of uptime and that children undergoing a laparoscopic procedure may recover marginally more quickly than those undergoing an open procedure.

Current practice patterns in the treatment of perforated appendicitis in children

BACKGROUND

The treatment of perforated appendicitis in children often involves a combination of surgical and medical therapy. The aim of this study was to document the degree of consensus in the current management of perforated appendicitis in children.

STUDY DESIGN

A survey was sent to all practicing pediatric surgeons in North America in April 2000 who were members of the American Pediatric Surgical Association for 1999-2000. Survey questions pertained to preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative practice patterns, particularly those issues related to use of antibiotic therapy.

RESULTS

Among eligible surgeons, 80.2% completed the survey. Although more than 80% of respondents practiced in an academic setting, only 17% of surgeons used a formal clinical practice guideline to direct care. Responses varied substantially in the duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy, the use of intravenous or oral agents or both, and the duration of hospitalization. A considerable number of patients are receiving a portion of their intravenous antibiotic therapy as outpatients.

CONCLUSIONS

There is little apparent consensus in the many aspects of perioperative and postoperative care of perforated appendicitis in children across North America. Only a fraction of surgeons currently uses a formal clinical practice guideline for treatment of perforated appendicitis, although increased pressures to develop more cost-effective therapeutic strategies can encourage development of additional guidelines. Definitive evidence to inform development of such guidelines and enhance consensus is lacking. Further studies are needed across institutions to better inform clinical decisions in light of a changing practice environment and treatment alternatives.

Beginning treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: insights from the parents' perspective

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To report the perspective of parents during the initial stages of diagnosis and treatment for their children's acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

DESIGN

Descriptive and phenomenologic.

SETTING

Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.

SAMPLE

Parents (mothers, n = 12; fathers, n = 4) of 12 children (ages 0-10) undergoing treatment for ALL.

METHODS

Open-ended, audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Parents' experiences of their children's initial diagnosis and treatment of ALL.

FINDINGS

The parents' insights provided a clear indication that the initial stage of treatment is highly stressful and parents may be overwhelmed by the experience. The situational stress translated into three potentially overwhelming emotional states: the stress of uncertainty, the shock of diagnosis, and a feeling of being trapped in an unpleasant emotional roller-coaster ride. Honesty from healthcare professionals, the opportunity to share feelings, and an affirmation of the harshness of the situation were reported as helpful in dealing with the sense of being overwhelmed.

CONCLUSION

Parents need honest information and sensitive emotional support to come to terms with the stresses associated with their children's diagnosis and initial treatment of ALL. Parents must have access to a safe environment where they can express their feelings and have the harsh reality of the initial stage of treatment affirmed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Parents need considerable emotional support to negotiate the initial stage of treatment for ALL. Parents of children diagnosed with ALL must have honest information about diagnosis and treatment, as much information as possible for planning their daily lives, an opportunity to express real feelings, access to moments of personal space where feelings can be processed, and compassionate understanding of the emotional difficulties associated with this difficult life journey.

The sustained impact of an evidenced-based clinical pathway for acute appendicitis

Appendicitis is a frequent pediatric surgical condition for which there is great variability among practitioners regarding diagnosis and postoperative management. With this in mind, the authors designed and implemented an evidence-based appendicitis clinical pathway at their institution. Establishment of the pathway resulted in decreased hospital cost, reduced hospital stay, and fewer unnecessary laboratory tests. The purpose of the current study was to determine the sustainability of the pathway beyond its initial implementation phase. The authors showed that several, but not all, favorable outcomes of the pathway were sustained. These data suggest that a clinical pathway for appendicitis at the authors' institution results in sustained beneficial effects in some but not all outcome parameters. Ongoing monitoring of pathway compliance, continued education of practitioners and nursing personnel, and identification of key pathway team member(s) responsible for the pathway system might result in a greater long-term impact of these guidelines.

Identifying support issues of parents of children with leukemia

PURPOSE

One of the important factors in helping both children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and their family members during the difficult treatment period is the support they receive. However, there is a scarcity of research that examines the adaptation to such an experience from the family's perspective. This discussion presents the findings from recent research on accessing support from the perspective of parents with a child undergoing treatment for ALL.

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY

A longitudinal, qualitative study informed by a phenomenological methodology. The results are taken from parent interviews undertaken during the time period from the end of induction-remission to the end of the 5-week period (time period T1), collected over the first year of operation of the study.

RESULTS

The need for support was reported as intense, and offers of support tend to lessen over time. Among the sources of support noted were partners, family, friends, employers, hospital staff, and other parents in the same situation. However, community resources appeared to be lacking, underused, or both.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Suggestions for support include the provision of practical assistance through appropriately trained volunteers, the involvement of a liaison person to mentor families through the initial stages of treatment, development of parent support groups, and the opportunity for families to meet children who are successfully off treatment. Such support strategies involve sensitivity to particularly vulnerable families who have limited support available and respect for the variation in individual styles of accessing support.

Patient education provided to asthmatic children: a historical cohort study of the implementation of NIH recommendations

NIH guidelines for treatment of childhood asthma emphasize educating both patients and family about avoiding triggers and providing information to support self-management of asthma. To determine the extent to which primary care providers had implemented these recommendations, we examined the patient education provided to a cohort of asthmatic children (n = 331) between January and December 1994. During 1994 education of any type was documented for less than half the children. Provision of education was associated with asthma severity: An action plan for exacerbations was discussed with the majority with moderate or severe asthma (61%). Avoiding triggers (aOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.37-4.12) and treatment goals (aOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.46-6.75), were more likely to be discussed with children who were prescribed inhaled anti-inflammatory medication, after adjustment for asthma severity and age. Limited implementation of the NIH recommendations by primary care providers in our study may have reduced their impact on the management of childhood asthma.

When appendicitis is suspected in children

Acute appendicitis is the most common condition requiring emergent abdominal surgery in childhood. The clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis is often not straightforward because approximately one-third of children with the condition have atypical clinical findings. The delayed diagnosis of this condition has serious consequences, including appendiceal perforation, abscess formation, peritonitis, sepsis, bowel obstruction, and death. Cross-sectional imaging with ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) have proved useful for the evaluation of suspected acute appendicitis. There has been a great deal of variability in the utilization of these modalities for such diagnosis in the pediatric population. The principal advantages of US are its lower cost, lack of ionizing radiation, and ability to assess vascularity through color Doppler techniques and to provide dynamic information through graded compression. The principal advantages of CT include less operator dependency than US, as reflected by a higher diagnostic accuracy, and enhanced delineation of disease extent in a perforated appendix.

A comparison of long pediatric hospitalizations in 1985 and 1994

The objective of this study was to identify pediatric conditions commonly resulting in long hospitalizations, to evaluate changes in hospital use for these conditions over a 9-year period, and to describe the characteristics of children hospitalized for long periods (longer than 7 days). To accomplish this purpose we conducted a population-based, descriptive analysis of pediatric hospitalizations for children aged 1 to 12 years in California in 1985 and 1994 using hospital discharge data. We found that hospitalizations of longer than 7 days accounted for 10.8% of pediatric hospitalizations in 1985 (58.4% of pediatric hospital days) and 11.8% of hospitalizations in 1994 (50.4% of hospital days). Rates of long pediatric hospitalization decreased from 312.1/100,000 children in 1985 to 236.4/100,000 children in 1994. Rates fell for both sexes, in all racial/ ethnic groups, and among both preschool-age and school-age children. Common reasons for long hospitalizations in both 1985 and 1994 included lower-limb fractures, pneumonia, appendicitis, and malignancies. The rate of long hospitalization for mental disorders increased by 57% between 1985 and 1994, while the rate for injuries and poisoning decreased by 38%. In summary, long pediatric hospitalizations in 1985 and 1994 accounted for under 12% of all hospitalizations of children but for more than 50% of all hospital days. Although the overall rate of long pediatric hospitalizations decreased, rates for certain conditions, notably mental disorders, increased. As states continue to implement major health care changes, further study of conditions among children that account for a large proportion of hospital days is warranted.

Factors that influence length of stay after appendicectomy in children

BACKGROUND

The length of hospital stay following appendicectomy in children at Christchurch Hospital has decreased in recent years. The aim of the present study was to identify those factors that contributed to this change.

METHODS

A retrospective review of children admitted to Christchurch Hospital between 1994 and 1998 inclusive who underwent appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis was conducted. Data recorded included standard demographic information, symptom duration, operative details, analgesia, antibiotics, pathology, complications and postoperative length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS

Postoperative LOS decreased significantly during the period reviewed across all degrees of appendiceal inflammation, from a mean of 70.5 to 50.1 h. The main determinant of postoperative hospital stay was the severity of the appendiceal inflammatory process. Other factors that influenced LOS included surgical approach (open vs. laparoscopic), use of intra-operative local anaesthesia, type and mode of postoperative analgesia, and age of the child. Longer duration of antibiotic use and symptom duration of greater than 24 h were associated with a longer LOS, primarily as a reflection of the severity of inflammation of the appendix. Factors that appeared to have little or no influence included gender and the experience of the surgeon.

CONCLUSION

The severity of the inflammatory process appeared to be the main determinant of postoperative hospital LOS; advanced appendicitis with abscess formation or peritonitis was associated with the longest LOS, irrespective of the surgical approach, although the LOS after appendicectomy was reduced by a laparoscopic approach. Intra-operative local anaesthesia during open appendicectomy reduced hospital stay, probably because it reduced the need for postoperative narcotics. Early diagnosis (< 24 h) was associated with a shorter postoperative LOS for acutely inflamed appendices.

An evidenced-based clinical pathway for acute appendicitis decreases hospital duration and cost

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In the pediatric population, appendicitis remains the most common surgical emergency encountered. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an evidence-based clinical pathway for acute appendicitis on patient care as well as hospital and home care costs at the authors' pediatric institution.

METHODS

A prospective evaluation was conducted of an appendicitis clinical pathway (June 1996 through November 1996) compared with historical control patients (June 1994 through November 1994) not cared for by the pathway.

RESULTS

Data (average +/- SD) for 120 pathway (P) patients were compared with 122 control (C) patients. Age (11.5 +/- 3.6 years for C v 11.2 +/- 3.9 years for P), rates of negative appendectomy (12.3% for C v 9.2% for P) and perforation (26.2% for C v 18.3% for P) were similar. Pathway patients with nonperforated appendicitis were more often discharged from the hospital within 24 hours (48% for C v 67% for P; P = .014) with lower hospital costs ($4,095 +/- $1,280 for C v $3,638 +/- $1,633 for P; P = .001). Pathway patients with perforated appendicitis had shorter hospitalization (185.2 +/- 59 hours for C v 113 +/- 44 hours for P; P = .0001) and lower hospital costs ($11,175 +/- $3,893 for C v $7,823 +/- $2,366 for P; P = .0001).

CONCLUSION

An evidence-based appendicitis pathway decreased duration of hospitalization and cost without adversely affecting diagnosis or therapy. Clinical pathways for surgical diagnoses may prove useful as a means to minimize costs without compromising patient care.

The Quality of Surgical Care Project: a model to evaluate surgical outcomes in Western Australia using population-based record linkage

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to establish a model to evaluate surgical outcomes and, where indicated, recommend changes to improve the quality of surgical care in Western Australia (WA). Open resection for aneurysm of the abdominal aorta was the first procedure evaluated and the results are reported in an accompanying paper.

METHODS

The Quality of Surgical Care Project (QSCP) is conducted under the aegis of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in WA, and brings together a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, public health researchers and health service administrators. The Western Australia Health Services Research Linked Database (the WA Linked Database) is used to provide linked chains of patients records residing in the state health department from the following sources: hospital morbidity data system, birth and death records, mental health services data, cancer registrations and midwives' notifications. This links 16 years of population-based patient records from 1980, including all public and private hospital admissions and re-admissions. The Quality of Surgical Care Project was established to use and to correlate the data from the WA Linked Database.

RESULTS

The result is a powerful database for a contained population that is available for scientific analysis by a multidisciplinary team of clinical epidemiologists, surgeons and health service managers. Users will have the ability to establish benchmark standards for the outcomes of surgical procedures in WA for use in quality improvement programmes run by the College and will facilitate self-directed performance auditing activities as a commitment to greater community accountability.

CONCLUSIONS

The Quality of Surgical Care Project provides a potential model of benefits to be realized by both the medical profession and the community through multidisciplinary collaboration supported by adequate information. Although migration from WA is relatively low, future linkage to the state electoral roll will allow correction for any population change.

Is the incidence of acute appendicitis really falling?

To determine if there has been a genuine fall in the incidence of acute appendicitis, an epidemiological study using HAA and Korner datasets for the years 1975-1994 was carried out to identify those children and young adults undergoing appendicectomy for acute appendicitis. The overall incidence of acute appendicitis fell from 1.84/1000 to 1.17/1000. This fall was statistically significant (R2 = 0.74, P < 0.01). The decrease was significant in both males (overall reduction, 34%) and females (overall reduction, 40%). No significant reduction was observed in either males or females between 15 and 19 years of age. The overall reduction remains essentially unexplained, but may have implications for health planning and provision of services.

Improving the outcome of paediatric orthopaedic trauma: an audit of inpatient management in Southampton

The patterns, management and outcome of non-fatal orthopaedic injury in childhood was audited over a 1 year period in Southampton. A computer-based audit (1 September 1993 to 31 August 1994) was conducted of all children aged under 15 years who were admitted to the orthopaedic unit after accidental injury. Management was audited by studying the primary conservative and operative treatment methods employed. Treatment outcome was evaluated in terms of need for secondary operative treatment, salvage internal fixation, length of hospital stay and unplanned readmission. In all, 398 children, representing 50/10,000 of the local paediatric population, were admitted with a traumatic injury. There was a significant (P < 0.001, Kolmogorov-Smirnov) seasonal variation in admission rate. There were 87.3% admissions required for fractures, 8.5% after soft tissue injury and 2.2% after joint injury. The following areas were identified where management and outcome could be improved: 1 A 12.1% readmission rate (47/346) in children with fractures owing to a 16% incidence of loss of position after closed reduction of distal radial, forearm shaft and distal humeral fractures. 2 In all, 24% of internal fixation procedures were performed as 'salvage' after failure of conservative treatment, entailing either reoperation during the initial admission or a further unplanned readmission. 3 A prolonged inpatient stay for patients with femoral fractures owing to a wide variation in treatment method. The outcome of non-fatal orthopaedic injury can be improved through the selective use of primary internal fixation of distal radial and humeral fractures and the close adherence to a management algorithm in femoral fractures. There may be a role for more specialised supervision of primary treatment of these particular fractures.

Insurance-related differences in the presentation of pediatric appendicitis

In the pediatric population, there is strong evidence to suggest that a delay in treatment results in an increased risk of appendiceal perforation. However, it is not clear whether this delay arises from the parent seeking medical advice, the referring physician seeking surgical consultation, or the surgeon deciding to operate. To resolve this issue, the authors performed a retrospective chart review of all cases of confirmed acute appendicitis that presented to the pediatric surgical service of the Children's Hospital of Buffalo during a 4-year period (January 1990 through December 1993). All children (< or = 16 years of age) were categorized with respect to type of insurance coverage:Medicaid (or uninsured), health maintenance organization (HMO), or private fee-for-service. Their time until emergency room (ER) presentation, operating room (OR) presentation, and hospital discharge were recorded and compared. Their complications and perforation rates also were noted. Two hundred eighty-eight cases were reviewed. The rate of appendiceal perforation was significantly higher among the Medicaid patients (Medicaid, 44%; HMO, 27%; private, 23%; P < .05); their duration of symptoms before presentation was significantly longer (Medicaid, 47.3 +/- 4.1 hours; HMO, 29.3 +/- 1.9 hours; private, 23.1 +/- 2.5 hours; P < .01), and their hospital stay was longer (Medicaid, 7.9 +/- 0.9 days; HMO, 4.8 +/- 0.27 days; private, 4.6 +/- 0.44 days; P < .01). However, there were no significant differences in the time from presentation to the ER until definitive surgery in the OR. Children covered by Medicaid (or uninsured) presented later, had a higher risk of appendiceal perforation, and required a longer hospital stay. The parents of these children either failed to recognize the significance of their children's symptoms, or delayed seeking medical advice because of financial or logistical reasons. The gatekeeper consultation, required by the health maintenance organizations (HMO) did not result in a delay in presentation or have a negative impact on morbidity. Providing easier access to a primary care physician and improving parental health education/awareness may shorten the time until presentation for the uninsured/Medicaid patient.

Parental asthma knowledge: its association with readmission of children to hospital

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether poor parental knowledge about asthma was a risk factor for readmission of their children to hospital.

METHODOLOGY

Parents of children who were admitted to the paediatric facility at Newcastle Mater and John Hunter Hospitals were administered a previously validated asthma knowledge questionnaire with a maximum possible score of 31.

RESULTS

The mean parental knowledge scores for three groups of children were determined: those with a previous diagnosis of asthma being readmitted to hospital (170 children, mean score 18.3); those with a previous diagnosis of asthma being admitted for the first time (114 children, mean score 17.2); and children being admitted with their first attack of asthma (65 children, mean score 15.6). There was a significant difference in parental asthma knowledge between the first and third group (P < 0.001) but not between the first and second group. A linear regression model with knowledge score as an outcome found that increased knowledge was associated with previously diagnosed asthma, higher parental occupation and no smoker in the home.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge was poor in all groups. Readmission rate was related to the severity of the child's asthma.

Prescription of antimicrobial drugs to hospitalized children

OBJECTIVE

To analyze with regard to age, gender, and diagnosis, the profile, frequency of prescribing, and cost of antimicrobial drugs (AMDs) in hospitalized children.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of medical records of children hospitalized during 1987 and 1988.

SETTING

First Pediatric Clinic, Children's Teaching Hospital, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia).

PATIENTS

One thousand randomly selected hospitalized children.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patterns of AMD prescribing. Consumption is expressed by the number of drugs and cost per child.

RESULTS

AMDs were prescribed to 69.9 percent of the patients (average 1.91 per patient). Ampicillin was the drug most frequently prescribed (20.0 percent), followed by oxacillin (12.8 percent). The mean length of stay was 15.9 days. An average of 3.61 drugs from other pharmacotherapeutic categories were prescribed per patient. Most children who received AMD treatment were in the 1-year group (patients between six months and 1.5 years of age [88.6 percent]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an overview of the prescribing of AMDs and other drugs in hospitalized children in Bratislava.

The cost of asthma: can it be reduced?

Asthma is a major public health problem in developed countries, where it consumes a large and increasing share of scarce health resources. Ideally, medical management should be both optimal in terms of improving the patient's quality of life, and cost-effective for society. At present, there is very little information relating to costs and economic efficiency of current asthma management. Although the true total cost of asthma is unknown, current estimates suggest it is high. The main value of recent total cost estimates is that they identify the most expensive areas of asthma costs, and ideally, formal cost-effectiveness analyses should be concentrated on these areas. Asthma is still under- or inappropriately diagnosed, and undertreated. Several national and international consensus plans for the optimal management of asthma in children and adults have been published. If these inadequacies in asthma management were corrected, using current treatment recommendations, the overall cost of asthma from both the community and patient perspective should fall. The situation requires increased use of preventative medications {sodium cromoglycate (cromolyn sodium) or inhaled corticosteroids}, more widespread use of written crisis plans, more proactive medical consultations (rather than reactive or urgent consultations), further expansion of asthma education programmes, and further education of medical practitioners about the optimum management of both long term asthma and the acute exacerbation of asthma in the patient's home, the doctor's office, the hospital emergency room and the hospital inpatient setting. The increased costs associated with these measures would be more than offset by reduced expenditure on bronchodilator drugs, less widespread use of nebulisers at home and in hospitals, reduced antibiotic usage, reduced need for expensive emergency medical care and particularly reduced utilisation of hospital resources. To ensure that resources are being directed into the most cost-effective areas of asthma care, clinical trials of asthma should include utilisation of healthcare resources as an outcome measure, and estimates of the costs of the treatment under study. In addition, since the intangible cost (quality of life) is one of the most important effects of treatment from the patient's perspective, this should be more widely used as an outcome measure in clinical trials. Ultimately, prevention of asthma is the long term goal. If the hypothesis that sensitisation to house dust mite in early infancy is a major contributor to the subsequent development of asthma, then prevention may require drastic and expensive changes to current housing.