Where should paediatric surgery be performed?

Outcome and morbidity of liver surgery in children: a single-centre, 47-year experience

Background

The outcome and survival of children with both benign and malignant liver tumours, over a 47-year period was recorded at The National Paediatric Cancer Centre, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital (OLCHC), Crumlin. The retrospective study documents the impact of improved chemotherapy, multidisciplinary team approach and specific paediatric hepatobiliary surgical training on morbidity, outcome and survival.

Methods

A retrospective review of the hospital records of all children who presented with a primary liver tumour (benign or malignant) or a primary malignancy significantly involving the liver was undertaken. A review of the management of all such patients at OLCHC, between 1964 and 2011 was performed. This retrospective study reports on two distinct periods, group 1 (1964–1990, N = 21 patients, previously reported) and group 2 (1994–2011, N = 33). Follow-up for all group 2 patients ended in November 2014.

Results

A marked difference in survival was noted between the groups with 91% overall survival in group 2 patients as compared to 28% in group 1. Significant complications were documented in group 1 but were uncommon in group 2.

Conclusion

The improvement in mortality and morbidity reflects improved staging and chemotherapy in all patients with a malignant disease but also improved surgical strategies and multi-disciplinary team management (MDT). Specialist training in liver surgery had a significant impact on post-operative morbidity. The results suggest that in certain circumstances, rare and complex liver surgery may be performed in small centres if the necessary supports and experience co-exist.

The pattern of neonatal admissions and mortality at a regional and district hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana; a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

High global neonatal deaths have triggered efforts to improve facility-based care. However, the outcomes achievable at different levels of care are unclear. This study compared morbidity and mortality patterns of newborns admitted to a regional and a district hospital in Ghana to determine outcome, risk and modifiable factors associated with mortality.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared morbidity and mortality patterns of newborns admitted to a regional and a district hospital in Ghana to determine outcome, risk and modifiable factors associated with mortality.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving a records-review over one year at the Upper West Regional Hospital, and three years at St Joseph's District Hospital, Jirapa was carried out. Age, sex, gestational age, weight, duration of admission, diagnosis, among others were examined. The data were analysed and statistical inference made.

RESULTS

Altogether, 2004 newborns were examined, comprising 1,241(62%) from St Joseph's District Hospital and 763(38%) from Upper West Regional Hospital. The proportion of neonatal deaths was similar, 8.94% (St Joseph's District Hospital) and 8.91% (Upper West Regional Hospital). Prematurity, neonatal sepsis, birth asphyxia, low birth weight, neonatal jaundice and pneumonia contributed the most to mortality and suspected infections including malaria accounted for almost half (45.5%). Mortality was significantly associated with duration of stay of 48 hours, being premature, and being younger than 3 days.

CONCLUSION

Majority of the mortality among the neonates admitted was due to preventable causes. Better stabilization and further studies on the epidemiology of sepsis, prematurity, low birth weight, including the contribution of malaria to these and outcome of transferred neonates are needed.

The Transport and Outcome of Sick Outborn Neonates Admitted to a Regional and District Hospital in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Optimum care of sick neonates often involves transporting them across different levels of care. Since their condition may deteriorate over time, attention needs to be paid to travel distances and how they are transferred. We examined the mode of transport, distances travelled, condition on arrival and outcome of outborn neonates admitted to a district and a regional hospital in Ghana using a cross-sectional study involving caregivers of neonates admitted to these hospitals. Information on referral characteristics and outcome were obtained from questionnaires and the child’s case notes. Overall, 153 caregivers and babies were studied. Twelve deaths, 7.8%, occurred. Neonates who died spent a median duration of 120 min at the first health facility they visited compared with 30 min spent by survivors; they travelled mostly by public buses, (41.7%), compared with 36.0% of survivors who used taxis. Majority of survivors, 70.2%, had normal heart rates on arrival compared with only 41.7% of neonates who died; hypothermia was present in 66.7% compared with 47.6% of survivors. These findings indicate that the logistics for neonatal transport were inadequate to keep the neonates stable during the transfer process, thus many of them were compromised especially those who died. Further studies are warranted.

Comparison of surgical outcomes among infants in neonatal intensive care units treated by pediatric surgeons versus general surgeons: The need for pediatric surgery specialists

PURPOSE

This study compared the outcomes of infants who underwent surgery in neonatal intensive care units by pediatric surgeons and by general surgeons.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of infants who underwent surgery in neonatal intensive care units between 2010 and 2014. A total of 227 patients were included. Of these patients, 116 were operated on by pediatric surgeons (PS) and 111 were operated on by general surgeons (GS). The outcome measures were the overall rate of operative complications, unplanned reoperation, mortality rate, length of stay, operative time, and number of total number of operative procedures.

RESULTS

The overall operative complication rate was higher in the GS group compared with the PS group (18.7% vs. 7.0%, p=0.0091). The rate of unplanned reoperations was also higher in the GS group (10.8% vs. 3.5%, p=0.0331). The median operation time (90min vs. 75min, p=0.0474) and median length of stay (24days vs. 18days, p=0.0075) were significantly longer in the GS group. The adjusted odd ratios of postoperative complications for GS were 2.9 times higher than that of PS (OR 2.90, p=0.0352).

CONCLUSIONS

The operative quality and patient outcomes of the PS group were superior to those of the GS group.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

The Integration of Adult Acute Care Surgeons into Pediatric Surgical Care Models Supplements the Workforce without Compromising Quality of Care

Acute care of children remains a challenge due to a shortage of pediatric surgeons, particularly in rural areas. In our institutional norm, all cases in patients age six and older are managed by dedicated general surgeons. The provision of care to these children by these surgeons alleviates the impact of such shortages. We conducted a five-year retrospective analysis of all acute care pediatric surgical cases performed in patients aged 6 to 17 years by a dedicated group of adult general surgeons in a rural tertiary care hospital. Demographics, procedure, complications, outcomes, length of stay, and time of consultation/operation were obtained via chart review. Elective, trauma related, or procedures performed by a pediatric surgeon were excluded. Descriptive statistics are reported. A total of 397 cases were performed by six dedicated general surgeons during the study period. Mean age was 11.5 ± 3.1 years. In all, 100 (25.2%) were transferred from outlying facilities and 52.6 per cent of consultations/operations occurred at night (7P-7A), of which 33.2 per cent occurred during late night hours (11P-7A). On weekends, 34.0 per cent occurred. Appendectomy was the most commonly performed operation (n = 357,89.9%), of which 311 were laparoscopic (87.1%). Others included incision/drainage (4.5%), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (2.0%), bowel resection (1.5%), incarcerated hernia (0.5%), small bowel obstruction (0.5%), intra-abdominal abscess drainage (0.3%), resection of intussusception (0.3%), Graham patch (0.3%), and resection omental torsion (0.3%). Median length of stay was two days. Complications occurred in 23 patients (5.8%), of which 22(5.5%) were the result of the disease process. These results parallel those published by pediatric surgeons in this age group and for the diagnoses treated. Models integrating dedicated general surgeons into pediatric call rotations can be designed such that quality of pediatric care is maintained while providing relief to an overburdened pediatric surgical workforce.

The Integration of Adult Acute Care Surgeons into Pediatric Surgical Care Models Supplements the Workforce without Compromising Quality of Care

Acute care of children remains a challenge due to a shortage of pediatric surgeons, particularly in rural areas. In our institutional norm, all cases in patients age six and older are managed by dedicated general surgeons. The provision of care to these children by these surgeons alleviates the impact of such shortages. We conducted a five-year retrospective analysis of all acute care pediatric surgical cases performed in patients aged 6 to 17 years by a dedicated group of adult general surgeons in a rural tertiary care hospital. Demographics, procedure, complications, outcomes, length of stay, and time of consultation/operation were obtained via chart review. Elective, trauma related, or procedures performed by a pediatric surgeon were excluded. Descriptive statistics are reported. A total of 397 cases were performed by six dedicated general surgeons during the study period. Mean age was 11.5 ± 3.1 years. In all, 100 (25.2%) were transferred from outlying facilities and 52.6 per cent of consultations/operations occurred at night (7P–7A), of which 33.2 per cent occurred during late night hours (11P–7A). On weekends, 34.0 per cent occurred. Appendectomy was the most commonly performed operation (n = 357,89.9%), of which 311 were laparoscopic (87.1%). Others included incision/drainage (4.5%), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (2.0%), bowel resection (1.5%), incarcerated hernia (0.5%), small bowel obstruction (0.5%), intraabdominal abscess drainage (0.3%), resection of intussusception (0.3%), Graham patch (0.3%), and resection omental torsion (0.3%). Median length of stay was two days. Complications occurred in 23 patients (5.8%), of which 22(5.5%) were the result of the disease process. These results parallel those published by pediatric surgeons in this age group and for the diagnoses treated. Models integrating dedicated general surgeons into pediatric call rotations can be designed such that quality of pediatric care is maintained while providing relief to an overburdened pediatric surgical workforce.

The right stuff

We will discuss a new initiative of the American College of Surgeons and the American Pediatric Surgical Association to prospectively define optimal resource standards for children's surgical care.

Current practice in feminizing surgery for congenital adrenal hyperplasia; a specialist survey

AIM

To present the outcome of an online survey of the current practice in feminizing surgery for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) among the specialists attending the IVth World Congress of the International Society of Hypospadias and Disorders of the Sex Development (ISHID), 2011.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An online survey covered 13 individual questions regarding the management and surgical techniques for 46XX CAH patients. All delegates attending the conference were invited to complete this anonymous survey. The data was analysed by three of the authors.

RESULTS

A total of 162 delegates had registered for the conference and 60% of them were paediatric surgeons or paediatric urologists. 65 delegates completed the online survey. Early surgery, before the age of two years, is preferred by 78% of the surgeons and most of them would include clitoroplasty, vaginoplasty and labioplasty. The most frequent surgical technique used for the clitoroplasty is the partial excision of the corpora cavernosa and the skin flap or "U flap" vaginoplasty. Routine vaginal dilatations after puberty are advocated by 28% of the delegates. More than 75% report good outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of the methodology of this survey, this study suggests that there is agreement in many aspects related with the surgical treatment for 46XX CAH. Self reported outcomes are satisfactory for most of the respondents.

Paediatric airway management: What is new?

Airway management plays a pivotal role in Paediatric Anaesthesia. Over the last two decades many improvements in this area have helped us to overcome this final frontier. From an era where intubation with a conventional laryngoscope or blind nasal intubation was the only tool for airway management, we have come a long way. Today supraglottic airway devices have pride of place in the Operating Room and are becoming important airway devices used in routine procedures. Direct and indirect fibreoptic laryngoscopes and transtracheal devices help us overcome difficult and previously impossible airway situations. These developments mean that we need to update our knowledge on these devices. Also much of our basic understanding of the physiology and anatomy of the paediatric airway has changed. This article attempts to shed light on some of the most important advances/opinions in paediatric airway management like, cuffed endotracheal tubes, supraglottic airway devices, video laryngoscopes, rapid sequence intubation, the newly proposed algorithm for difficult airway management and the role of Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT) procedure in the management of the neonatal airway.

Children's surgery: a national survey of consultant clinical practice

OBJECTIVES

To survey clinical practice and opinions of consultant surgeons and anaesthetists caring for children to inform the needs for training, commissioning and management of children's surgery in the UK.

DESIGN

The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) hosted an online survey to gather data on current clinical practice of UK consultant surgeons and anaesthetists caring for children.

SETTING

The questionnaire was circulated to all hospitals and to Anaesthetic and Surgical Royal Colleges, and relevant specialist societies covering the UK and the Channel Islands and was mainly completed by consultants in District General Hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

555 surgeons and 1561 anaesthetists completed the questionnaire.

RESULTS

32.6% of surgeons and 43.5% of anaesthetists considered that there were deficiencies in their hospital's facilities that potentially compromised delivery of a safe children's surgical service. Almost 10% of all consultants considered that their postgraduate training was insufficient for current paediatric practice and 20% felt that recent Continued Professional Development failed to maintain paediatric expertise. 45.4% of surgeons and 39.2% of anaesthetists considered that the current specialty curriculum should have a larger paediatric component. Consultants in non-specialist paediatric centres were prepared to care for younger children admitted for surgery as emergencies than those admitted electively. Many of the surgeons and anaesthetists had <4 h/week in paediatric practice. Only 55.3% of surgeons and 42.8% of anaesthetists participated in any form of regular multidisciplinary review of children undergoing surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant obstacles to consultant surgeons and anaesthetists providing a competent surgical service for children. Postgraduate curricula must meet the needs of trainees who will be expected to include children in their caseload as consultants. Trusts must ensure appropriate support for consultants to maintain paediatric skills and provide the necessary facilities for a high-quality local surgical service.

Experiences of young adults growing up with innate or early acquired HIV infection--a qualitative study

AIM

To explore the experience of young adults growing up and living with HIV in urban Sweden.

BACKGROUND

HIV has become a widespread pandemic. Effective antiretroviral treatment has dramatically increased the survival rate of infected individuals, such that HIV infection is currently considered a chronic disease where treatment is available. Data concerning the experience of living with HIV since early childhood is scarce and more empirical knowledge is needed to direct the development of adequate care and interventions for this growing demographic.

DESIGN

Exploratory qualitative study.

METHOD

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten HIV-infected young adults over the period from January-August 2008. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS

The analysis revealed five categories illustrating the experiences of growing up and living with HIV in Sweden: (1) to protect oneself from the risk of being stigmatized; (2) to be in control; (3) losses in life, but HIV is not a big deal; (4) health care/healthcare providers; and (5) belief in the future.

CONCLUSION

It is essential to offer a safe, trustworthy, and professional healthcare environment during the upbringing of HIV-infected children. Evidence-based interventions are needed to improve care and support, particularly about the handling of stigma and discrimination.

The effect of surgical training and hospital characteristics on patient outcomes after pediatric surgery: a systematic review

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

A systematic review aimed to compare patient outcomes after (1) appendicectomy and (2) pyloromyotomy performed by different surgical specialties, surgeons with different annual volumes, and in different hospital types, to inform the debate surrounding children's surgery provision.

METHODS

Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Health Management Information Consortium were searched from January 1990 to February 2010 to identify relevant articles. Further literature was sought by contacting experts, citation searching, and hand-searching appropriate journals.

RESULTS

Seventeen relevant articles were identified. These showed that (1) rates of wrongly diagnosed appendicitis were higher among general surgeons, but there were little differences in other outcomes and (2) outcomes after pyloromyotomy were superior in patients treated by specialist surgeons. Surgical specialty was a better predictor of morbidity than hospital type, and surgeons with higher operative volumes had better results.

CONCLUSIONS

Existing evidence is largely observational and potentially subject to selection bias, but general pediatric surgery outcomes were clearly dependent on operative volumes. Published evidence suggests that (1) pediatric appendicectomy should not be centralized because children can be managed effectively by general surgeons; (2) pyloromyotomy need not be centralized but should be carried out in children's units by appropriately trained surgeons who expect to see more than 4 cases per year.

The role of a paediatric day surgery unit at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow between 1993 and 2006

A retrospective analysis was carried out on all day surgery admissions at Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Sick Children between 1993 and 2006. The aim of the study was to analyse the total number of operations per day, month and year; specialties involved; and age range of the children admitted, to examine how these factors changed over the 13-year study period. We also studied the specific operations performed in 2006 by each specialty.

Training in pediatric anesthesia for registrars--UK National survey

BACKGROUND

The aim of this National survey was to review the training provided in pediatric anesthesia to all registrars across all deaneries in the United Kingdom. The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA) recognizes training in pediatric anesthesia as an important training module for specialist registrars in years 1 and 2 of their training and recommends that this training should be delivered in 1-3-month blocks.

METHODS

This was a simple online survey (http://www.esurveyspro.com). We aimed to contact all registrars via the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland and the RCA.

RESULTS

Our survey indicated that there is wide variation in the duration of modular training across all deaneries. Three hundred and sixty-two registrars (65.5%) thought that the implementation of the European working time directives (EWTD) would hamper training in this specialty. One hundred and sixty-seven trainees (42.7%) spent more than 75% of their time doing pediatric anesthesia during their training module. Only 34 trainees (6.4%) had the opportunity to anesthetize children every week in District General Hospitals (DGHs), while 280 trainees (53.03%) said they did not have regular pediatric lists in DGHs.

CONCLUSIONS

It will be necessary to increase the duration of modular training with the implementation of EWTD. Modular training in pediatric anesthesia should be provided as a dedicated and protected module. Training opportunities in DGHs are limited. There is also a need for new guidelines, as current guidelines regarding pediatric anesthesia training will be outdated with the implementation of EWTD.

Appendicitis in children: a comparative study between a specialist paediatric centre and a district general hospital

PURPOSE

The study aimed to compare paediatric appendicectomy practice in a specialist paediatric centre (SPC) with a district general hospital (DGH).

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of children younger than 16 years treated between January 1, 2005, and September 30, 2007.

RESULTS

Two hundred seven patients (SPC) and 264 (DGH) had an operation for suspected appendicitis. Thirty-one percent of SPC patients were female vs 41% in the DGH (P = .03). Median age (range) was 10.3 years (1.2-15.9 years) in the SPC and 11.8 (3.3-16.0 years) in the DGH (P < or = .0001). The negative appendicectomy rate was 4% at the SPC and 20% at the DGH (P < or = .0001). Perforated appendicitis was found in 37% of children at the SPC compared with only 18% at the DGH (P < or = .0001). Median (range) length of stay was 5 days at the SPC (1-21 days) compared with 2 days at the DGH (1-21 days) (P < or = .0001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings have important implications for local practice in our 2 centres but may also have wider implications for the national organisation of the surgical care of children and for the training of general surgeons.

Survey of general paediatric surgery provision in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

INTRODUCTION

A survey was carried out to ascertain the current provision of general paediatric surgery (GPS) in all hospitals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with 100% return rate. The provision of GPS is at a crossroads with a drift of these cases to the overstretched, tertiary referral hospitals.

METHODS

The regional representatives on the council of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) obtained data from their regions. Any gaps in the data were completed by the author telephoning the remaining hospitals to ascertain their current provision.

RESULTS

A total of 325 acute hospitals are potentially available to admit elective and/or emergency paediatric patients, of which 25 hospitals provide a tertiary paediatric surgical service. Of the remaining 'non-tertiary' hospitals, 138 provide elective GPS and 147 provide emergency GPS. The ages at which GPS is carried out varies considerably, but 76% of non-tertiary hospitals provide elective GPS to those over the age of 2 years. The ages of emergency cases are 24% over the age of 2 years and 51.5% over the age of 5 years. The age at which surgery is carried out is dependent on the anaesthetic provision. Subspecialisation within each hospital has taken place with a limited number of surgeons providing the elective surgery. 'Hub-and-spoke' provision of GPS to a district general hospital (DGH) from a tertiary centre is embryonic with only 11 surgeons currently in post. An estimate of the annual elective case load of GPS based on the average number of cases done on an operation list works out at 23,000 cases done out with the tertiary centres.

DISCUSSION

Almost 10 years ago, a change in the training of young surgeons took place. An increase in training posts in Tertiary centres was made available following advice from the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS) but these posts were often not taken up. Many DGH surgeons became uncertain whether they should continue GPS training. A subtle change in the wording of the general guidance by the Royal College of Anaesthetists altered the emphasis on the age at which it was appropriate to anaesthetise children. Change in clinical practice, reducing need, and a drift towards tertiary centres has reduced DGH operations by 30% over a decade. Young surgeons are now seldom exposed to this surgery, and are not being trained in it. The large volume of these low-risk operations in well children cannot be absorbed into the current tertiary centres due to pressure on beds. The future provision of this surgery is at risk unless action is taken now. This survey was carried out to inform the debate, and to make recommendations for the future. The principal recommendations are that: (i) GPS should continue to be provided as at present in those DGHs equipped to do so; (ii) GPS training should be carried out in the DGHs where a high volume of cases is carried out; (iii) management of these cases should use a network approach in each region; (iv) hospital trusts should actively advertise for an interest in GPS as a second subspecialty; and (v) the SAC in general surgery develop a strategy to make GPS relevant to trainee surgeons.

Outcomes of pediatric anesthesia

Improvement in anesthesia outcomes has derived from advances in safety science related to equipment, drugs, human factors analysis, professional standardization and organization, subspecialty care, and regionalization. Outcomes of pediatric anesthesia have improved, but universal outcome measures are lacking. Because of the limitations of small numbers, future improvement efforts will necessarily involve multiple disciplines, institutions, and regions, and will require sophisticated systems approaches.

Making of a pediatric urologist

The million-dollar question that we wish to address in this article is who should be the specialist for urological problems in children in India. What are the special attributes of a pediatric urologist? The answer to this question is far from simple and straightforward. Dogmatic rules do not provide a functional solution. While one has to admit that in India pediatric urological problems will be dealt with by urologists, as well as by pediatric and general surgeons, one has to also accept that lacunae do exist in the current curriculum and the methodology of training.

A pediatric urologist by the virtue of definition would be a specially trained surgeon who would deal with urological diseases of children from newborn to adolescence (0–14 years). (In some instances e.g. exstrophy, renal transplant and continent procedures the age of treatment may even exceed up to 16 and above). He has the experience and the expertise to treat a child. Children are not miniaturized adults and newborns are not miniaturized children. Their physiology is different, they cannot always express their problems, answer questions and may not be cooperative during clinical examination.

Trends in children's surgery in England

It is important to plan for the future provision of paediatric surgery and anaesthesia

Nordic consensus on treatment of undescended testes

AIM

To reach consensus among specialists from the Nordic countries on the present state-of-the-art in treatment of undescended testicles.

METHODS

A group of specialists in testicular physiology, paediatric surgery/urology, endocrinology, andrology, pathology and anaesthesiology from all the Nordic countries met for two days. Before the meeting, reviews of the literature had been prepared by the participants.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The group came to the following unanimous conclusions: (1) In general, hormonal treatment is not recommended, considering the poor immediate results and the possible long term adverse effects on spermatogenesis. Thus, surgery is to be preferred. (2) Orchiopexy should be done between 6 and 12 months of age, or upon diagnosis, if that occurs later. (3) Orchiopexy before age one year should only be done at centres with both paediatric surgeons/urologists and paediatric anaesthesiologists. (4) If a testis is found to be undescended at any age after 6 months, the patient should be referred for surgery--to paediatric rather than general surgeons/urologists if the boy is less than one year old or if he has bilateral or non-palpable testes, or if he has got relapse of cryptorchidism.

A systematic review of the impact of volume of surgery and specialization on patient outcome

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Volume of surgery and specialization may affect patient outcome. Articles examining the effects of one or more of three variables (hospital volume of surgery, surgeon volume and specialization) on outcome (measured by length of hospital stay, mortality and complication rate) were analysed. Reviews, opinion articles and observational studies were excluded. The methodological quality of each study was assessed, a correlation between the variables analysed and the outcome accepted if it was significant.

RESULTS

The search identified 55,391 articles published between 1957 and 2002; 1075 were relevant to the study, of which 163 (9,904,850 patients) fulfilled the entry criteria. These 163 examined 42 different surgical procedures, spanning 13 surgical specialities. None were randomized and 40 investigated more than one variable. Hospital volume was reported in 127 studies; high-volume hospitals had significantly better outcomes in 74.2 per cent of studies, but this effect was limited in prospective studies (40 per cent). Surgeon volume was reported in 58 studies; high-volume surgeons had significantly better outcomes in 74 per cent of studies. Specialization was reported in 22 studies; specialist surgeons had significantly better outcomes than general surgeons in 91 per cent of studies. The benefit of high surgeon volume and specialization varied in magnitude between specialities.

CONCLUSION

High surgeon volume and specialization are associated with improved patient outcome, while high hospital volume is of limited benefit.

Appendicitis in children treated by pediatric versus general surgeons

BACKGROUND

Pediatric appendicitis is treated by both pediatric and general surgeons. We investigated whether specialty-dependent differences existed in patients' characteristics and outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective chart review of 465 consecutive children treated for appendicitis at a university-affiliated children's hospital during a 28-month period was performed. Characteristics and outcomes of patients treated by pediatric surgeons were compared with those treated by general surgeons. Rates of misdiagnosis, postoperative readmission, wound infection, intraabdominal infection, and duration of hospital stay were considered primary outcomes and analyzed by chi-square, Fisher's exact test, or Student's t-test where appropriate. Hospital charges were considered secondary outcomes and analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test.

RESULTS

Three hundred four children (65%) were treated by pediatric surgeons and 161 (35%) by general surgeons. Pediatric-surgeon patients were younger (8.3 +/- 3.6 versus 13.2 +/- 3.1 years, p < 0.001), and more likely to have gangrenous or perforated appendicitis (54% versus 33%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the normal appendix rate (pediatric surgeon, 4.3% versus general surgeon, 5.6%, p = 0.53). In patients with simple and complicated appendicitis, there were no significant differences between pediatric and general surgeons in readmissions, postoperative complications, or hospital stay. Median hospital charges were not significantly different for complicated appendicitis, but were lower for pediatric-surgeon patients with simple appendicitis (10,735 dollars versus 11,613 dollars, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric surgeons treat younger children with more severe appendicitis. There are no specialty-dependent differences in clinical outcomes for simple or complicated appendicitis. Hospital charges are lower for simple appendicitis treated by pediatric surgeons.

Pretransport and posttransport characteristics and outcomes of neonates who were admitted to a cardiac intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

The objective for this study was to characterize the impact and the safety of transporting neonates with known or suspected cardiac abnormalities.

METHODS

We reviewed retrospectively the charts and computerized records of 192 admissions to a cardiac ICU in 2002. Patients were included when they were < 28 days of age at admission and were transported from adjacent obstetric facilities (local N = 70) or other inpatient medical facilities (transport N = 122). Demographic, clinical, pharmacologic, laboratory, and diagnostic information was obtained before transport (when available) and within 3 hours of arrival. Arrival status was considered optimal when measured metabolic and clinical parameters all were within range. Outcome variables included days on ventilator, days in ICU, days in hospital, and death.

RESULTS

Of local admissions, 31 (44%) patients had 61 suboptimal arrival values, including pH < 7.25 (n = 11), saturation < 70% (n = 12), and temperature < 36 degrees C (n = 9). There were 69 undocumented values in 39 patients. Of transported patients, 55 (45%) had 86 suboptimal arrival values, including pH < 7.25 (n = 8), saturation < 70% (n = 14), and temperature < 36 degrees C (n = 13). There were 98 undocumented values in 53 patients. No in-transport deaths or catastrophic events occurred. Local admissions were more likely to have a prenatal diagnosis of heart disease and had more complex disease and higher mortality. Other outcome parameters were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Low admission arterial saturation, pH, and core temperature were not correlated with adverse outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we did not encounter major transport complications, opportunities exist to optimize arrival status and improve surveillance and documentation.

Children's surgery performed by adult general surgeons in Scotland: the present and future

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the extent and the future of paediatric surgery performed in Scotland outside of the designated surgical paediatric centres.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An anonymous questionnaire was sent to all 111 Scottish members of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. There was a response rate of 69%.

RESULTS

Overall, 45% of responders operated on children. This was independent of the surgeon's age but was related to the type of hospital that the surgeon worked in. Eighty-four per cent of responders had a lower age limit under which they would not operate and 94% stated that there were specific circumstances where they would not operate. A mean of 18.5 elective procedures (range 0-250, median two) and six emergency procedures (range 0-30, median five) were carried out by each surgeon operating on children under the age of five per annum. Only 13% of responders thought that their successor would operate on children.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-specialist paediatric surgery in Scotland is currently provided by a significant number of surgeons whose successors will not continue to provide a comparative paediatric service. This has implications for local provision of care, emergency management and capacity of existing children's hospitals in the future.

Neue Perspektiven der simulatorunterstützten Ausbildung in Kinderanästhesie und Kindernotfallmedizin

Anaesthesia and emergency medical care for infants and toddlers is often associated with high clinical demands and specific challenges. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of interventions is performed by anaesthetists and emergency physicians with no specialised paediatric training and little experience in the management of anaesthetic incidents and emergencies specific to these age groups. Extensive studies have demonstrated a close inverse correlation between the level of specialisation and perioperative morbidity and mortality. However, clinical circumstances and the relatively small number of paediatric cases at many institutions often hinder the establishment of improved training concepts. Recently, high-fidelity infant simulators have become available, which permit authentic exposure to a large spectrum of scenarios in paediatric anaesthesia and emergency medicine. A multimodular concept of training, including such simulator-based techniques, may relieve the widespread shortage in clinical experience, and hence greatly facilitate improvement of quality of care and patient safety.

The frequency of and indications for general anaesthesia in children in Western Australia 2002-2003

We conducted a retrospective database search of the Hospital Morbidity Data System at the Health Department of Western Australia to determine the number of anaesthetics given to children aged 16 years or less in Western Australia over a twelve-month period. Information was also collected to assess the types of surgery for which anaesthesia was being provided, and the categories of hospital in which children were being anaesthetized. We found that 28,522 anaesthetics were given to 24,981 children, and 2,462 (9.9%) children had more than one anaesthetic. Five and a half percent of the children in Western Australia had an anaesthetic during the twelve months studied. The most common types of surgery were ear nose and throat (28% of anaesthetics), general (21%), dental/oral procedures (17%) and orthopaedic (15%). There was a bimodal distribution in the incidence of anaesthesia versus age, with peaks at 4 years and at 16 years. The most common category of hospital that children were anaesthetized in was private metropolitan (40%) followed by tertiary (38%), rural (14%) and public metropolitan (8%). One thousand, seven hundred and seven children aged less than one year were given an anaesthetic. These anaesthetics were most frequently given to children in tertiary hospitals (62%) followed by private metropolitan (30%), public metropolitan (6%) and rural hospitals (2%).

A study of 11,003 patients with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and the association between surgeon and hospital volume and outcomes

AIM

The availability of large clinical databases allows for careful evaluation of surgical practices, indicators of quality improvement, and cost. We used a large clinical database to compare the effect of surgeon and hospital volume for the care of children with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS).

METHODS

Patients with International Classification of Diseases-9 codes for HPS and pyloromyotomy were selected from the 1994 to 2000 National Inpatient Samples database. Multiple and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the risk-adjusted association between provider volume and outcomes.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications occurred in 2.71% of patients. Patients operated on by low- and intermediate-volume surgeons were more likely to have complications compared with those operated on by high-volume surgeons (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-3.78 and 95% CI, 1.25-2.69, respectively). Patients operated at low-volume hospitals were 1.6 times more likely to have complications compared with those operated at intermediate- or high-volume hospitals (95% CI, 1.19-2.20). Procedures performed at high-volume hospitals were less expensive than those at intermediate-volume hospitals by a margin of 910 dollars (95% CI, 443-1377 dollars).

CONCLUSIONS

These data represent the largest study to date on the epidemiology, complication rate, and cost for care for HPS. Patients treated by both high-volume surgeons and at high-volume hospitals have improved outcomes at less cost.

Variations in initial assessment and management of inflammatory bowel disease across Great Britain and Ireland

BACKGROUND

There are no published data from Great Britain and Ireland detailing the initial management of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

AIMS

To prospectively record the initial investigation and treatment of children aged less than 16 years with newly diagnosed IBD.

METHODS

For 13 months, between June 1998 and June 1999, 3247 paediatricians, adult gastroenterologists, and surgeons across the UK and Ireland were prospectively surveyed each month and asked to report every newly diagnosed case of childhood IBD. Reporters subsequently completed a postal questionnaire about each case.

RESULTS

A total of 739 new IBD cases were reported from 172 institutions. Significant variations were observed in the investigation and treatment of these cases, when examined by number of cases reported per institution, or by the specialists providing care. There were wide regional variations in the proportion of children having access to paediatric gastroenterology services. Overall, one third of children received care from an adult service, and a tenth care exclusively from an adult gastroenterologist. Children with Crohn's disease who had some or all of their care from adult services were more likely to receive systemic steroids and less likely to receive dietary therapy; those with ulcerative colitis were more likely to receive rectal steroids and to have surgery. Height and weight were also less likely to be recorded in those whose care involved adult services.

CONCLUSION

Current specialist provision, and initial investigation and treatment of IBD, is heterogeneous. Optimisation of care is likely to be achieved by greater access to specialist paediatric gastroenterology services for all those with suspected IBD.

The spectrum of urological disease in patients with spina bifida

BACKGROUND

[corrected] Urological complications are the major cause of ill health during childhood and adult life of patients with spina bifida but the significance of urinary tract disease on the individual and the healthcare services is underemphasised.

AIM

To assess the effects of spina bifida on the individual and the healthcare services.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed to assess the frequency and significance of urological conditions requiring hospital attendance in patients with spina bifida currently attending a specialised multidisciplinary clinic over a period of six months.

RESULTS

Urinary sepsis accounted for the majority of admissions (62%), while 38 of 62 patients required 60 surgical procedures. Targeting the primary urological abnormality (the dysfunctional and usually poorly compliant bladder) allows implementation of effective treatments, including regular intermittent bladder catherisation (52%) in order to preserve upper renal tract function. Associated postural abnormalities complicated both conservative and interventional therapies.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the surgical commitment for units caring for patients with spina bifida, the important considerations for the future healthcare services, and the range and severity of urological diseases encountered by these patients.

Does the use of a specialised paediatric retrieval service result in the loss of vital stabilisation skills among referring hospital staff?

AIMS

To compare the proportion of airway and vascular access procedures performed by referring hospital staff on critically ill children in two discrete time periods, before and after widespread use of a specialised paediatric retrieval service.

METHODS

Transport data were obtained from retrieval logs of all children for whom a paediatric retrieval team was launched in each of two time periods (October 1993 to September 1994; and October 2000 to September 2001).

RESULTS

The overall intubation rate was similar in the first and second time periods (83.9% v 79.1%). However, 31/51 (61%) retrieved children were intubated by referring hospital staff in 1993-94, compared to 227/269 (84%) in 2000-01. Referring hospital staff gained central venous access in 11% v 18% and arterial access in 22% v 19% of retrieved children in the first and second time periods respectively. This was in spite of a significant reduction in the proportion of children on whom these procedures were performed.

CONCLUSION

Referring hospital staff are performing a greater proportion of initial airway and vascular access procedures undertaken in the stabilisation of sick children retrieved by a specialised paediatric retrieval team. The provision of this service has not resulted in the loss of vital skills at the local hospital.

Treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a district general hospital: a review of 160 cases

BACKGROUND

Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy has long been the standard operation for the treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Controversy exists over whether this procedure can be performed safely in the district general hospital setting or whether it should be restricted to specialist pediatric units only.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of a series of 160 infants treated by Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy by 2 surgeons in a district general hospital over 16 years.

RESULTS

There was no perioperative mortality. Oral feeding was achieved by 24 hours in 76% of infants, and there was persistent vomiting in only 3.8%. Wound discharge was encountered in 4.4% and confirmed wound infection in 1.3%. Wound dehiscence occurred in 1.9% of infants. Inadvertent mucosal perforation occurred in 19% of cases, although all cases were recognized and repaired at once with no apparent ill effects. These results are comparable with those reported from specialist pediatric units and from pediatric surgeons working within general surgical units.

CONCLUSIONS

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis can be treated safely in a district general hospital when care is provided by appropriately trained surgical, anesthetic, and pediatric staff.

A novel incision for groin pathologies in children: the low inguinal groove approach

BACKGROUND

The traditional approach to pediatric inguinal pathologies has been the suprapubic transverse inguinal incision. Alternative incisions for better cosmetic results may be considered.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The recently defined "low inguinal groove incision" was used in a consecutive series of 483 children having indirect groin hernias, hydroceles, and palpable undescended testes, etc. The neonates, infants, and children were operated on as elective day surgery cases.

RESULTS

All children ended with excellent cosmetic and functional results. There were no complications or morbidity apart from a recurrence of an inguinal hernia in a 7 year-old boy. In addition to the series of girls reported earlier, this novel surgical incision has further been employed in boys with excellent results.

Neonatal surgery in New South Wales--what is performed where?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe what surgical procedures are performed in the neonatal period in New South Wales (NSW) and where they are performed.

METHODS

Population-based descriptive study was conducted in NSW in a 2-year period from July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1998, inclusive, using information from the NSW Health Department's Inpatient Statistics Collection. All neonates undergoing major surgery (excluding circumcisions) in NSW.

RESULTS

In the first 4 weeks of life, 990 (0.6%) neonates underwent surgery. The most common surgical procedures were gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hernia, genitourinary, and neurosurgical. Frenotomy accounted for 5% of all surgical procedures. Whereas 75% of neonatal surgery (including 88% of gastrointestinal and 97% cardiovascular surgery) occurs in children's hospitals, only 13% of the babies requiring surgery are born in the co-located obstetric hospitals. Perinatal centers accounted for 5.3% of surgery; urban hospitals for 8.4%; rural hospitals, 5.5%, and private hospitals, 6.4%. The mortality rate in the neonatal period was 3.0% overall.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first review of major neonatal surgery in Australia and provides baseline data for future comparisons. Whereas most neonates had surgery in a children's hospital, few of them were born in the most appropriate place, the co-located obstetric hospital. Parents should be informed of the level of institutional surgical expertise and be involved in the decision-making regarding the place of surgery for their infant. Parents and children have a right to expect the best possible results.

Outcome of very premature infants with necrotising enterocolitis cared for in centres with or without on site surgical facilities

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the presence of a neonatal surgical facility on site has any effect on mortality and morbidity of very premature infants with necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective review of infants of less than 29 weeks gestation cared for in the seven perinatal centres in New South Wales.

PATIENTS

Between 1992 and 1997, 605 infants were cared for in two centres with in house surgical facilities (group 1) and 1195 in five centres where transfers were required for surgical management (group 2).

RESULTS

Although use of antenatal steroids was significantly lower in group 1 centres than group 2 centres (74% v. 85% respectively), and the incidence of hyaline membrane disease, pneumothorax, and NEC was higher, mortality was identical (27%). Fifty two (9%) infants in group 1 and 72 (6%) in group 2 of comparable perinatal characteristics and CRIB (Clinical Risk Index for Babies) scores developed radiologically or pathologically proven NEC. The overall mortality of infants with NEC in group 1 was lower but this was not statistically significant (27% v. 35%). Significantly more infants with NEC in group 1 had surgery (69% v. 39%). There were fewer postoperative deaths in group 1 and more deaths without surgery in group 2. The duration of respiratory and nutritional support and hospital stay for the survivors were similar in the two groups. In a multivariate analysis, shorter gestation was the only factor associated with mortality in infants with NEC; the presence of in house surgical facilities was not.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant differences in outcome of premature infants with NEC managed in perinatal centres with or without on site surgical facilities. Early transfers should be encouraged. This finding may have implications for future planning of facilities for neonatal care.

The frequency and outcome of biliary atresia in the UK and Ireland

BACKGROUND

Biliary atresia is an obliterative cholangiopathy of infancy that is fatal if untreated. Surgical treatment, the Kasai portoenterostomy, may restore bile flow and clear jaundice, and, if successful, achieve a 10-year survival of 90% with a native liver. The outcome of a 2-year cohort of children with biliary atresia in the UK and Ireland was assessed to find the current frequency, the factors influencing outcome, and the medium-term need for liver transplantation.

METHODS

Cases diagnosed between March, 1993, and February, 1995, were notified by paediatricians to the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit via a monthly reporting system. Confirmed cases were followed up by postal questionnaires to notifying paediatricians.

FINDINGS

93 cases were confirmed, a frequency of 1/16700 livebirths. Primary surgery was done in 91 children in 15 surgical centres with an early success rate for clearing jaundice of 55% overall. Centres were grouped according to caseload; group A had more than 5 cases/year and group B fewer than 5 cases/year. Early success was higher in group-A centres, odds ratio 2.02 (95% CI 0.86-4.73), but this did not reach statistical significance. Of 41 children in whom surgery was unsuccessful in clearing jaundice 9 (22%) died and 30 (73%) underwent liver transplantation. Survival without liver transplantation and overall survival were both significantly greater in group-A centres, rate ratios 0.48 (95% CI 0.27-0.86) and 0.32 (0.11-0.94). Actuarial 5-year survival without transplantation was 61.3% in group-A centres and 13.7% in groupB centres. Actuarial 5-year overall survival was 91.2% in group A and 75% in group B. Once centre size was taken into account, no other factor, including age at surgery, was predictive of survival without transplantation or overall survival.

INTERPRETATION

The outcome of children with biliary atresia is related to the caseload of the surgical centre where they have their primary surgery. Children with biliary atresia should be managed in surgical centres with a caseload of more than five cases annually.