Effect of Routine Child Physical Abuse Screening Tool on Emergency Department Efficiency

OBJECTIVES

Physical abuse is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for children. Routine screening by emergency nurses has been proposed to improve recognition, but the effect on emergency department (ED) workflow has not yet been assessed. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of routine screening and its effect on length of stay in a network of general EDs.

METHODS

A 2-question child physical abuse screening tool was deployed for children <6 years old who presented for care in a system of 27 general EDs. Data were compared for the 6 months before and after screening was deployed (4/1/2019-10/2/2019 vs 10/3/2019-3/31/2020). The main outcome was ED length of stay in minutes.

RESULTS

There were 14,133 eligible visits in the prescreening period and 16,993 in the screening period. Screening was completed for 13,404 visits (78.9%), with 116 (0.7%) screening positive. The mean ED length of stay was not significantly different in the prescreening (95.9 minutes) and screening periods (95.2 minutes; difference, 0.7 minutes; 95% CI, -1.5, 2.8). Among those who screened positive, 29% were reported to child protective services. On multivariable analysis, implementation of the screening tool did not impact overall ED length of stay. There were no significant differences in resource utilization between the prescreening and screening periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine screening identifies children at high risk of physical abuse without increasing ED length of stay or resource utilization. Next steps will include determining rates of subsequent serious physical abuse in children with or without routine screening.

Adult urological outcomes for patients with anorectal malformation

Anorectal malformations (ARM) are rare congenital anomalies characterized by a spectrum of defects resulting in the absence of a normal anal opening with or without fistula. Urogenital involvement is common, and the fistulous tract may terminate in the genitourinary system in males or within gynecological structures in females. Surgical reconstruction occurs early in life and survival of these patients to adulthood is the norm. There has, therefore, been increased focus on their long-term outcomes to better anticipate and treat the sequelae that may impact their health and well-being as this population ages. For urologists, urinary health, sexual function, and fertility outcomes are of particular interest among this population. This article aims to provide a review of urological, sexual, and fertility outcomes for individuals born with ARM with a focus on key issues that may occur later in life to ensure adequate counseling, screening, and treatment.

Detection of Postpartum Hemorrhage Using Compensatory Reserve Index in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Delivery

BACKGROUND

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early recognition and management are imperative for improved outcomes. The compensatory reserve index (CRI) is a novel physiological parameter that trends changes in intravascular volume, by continuously comparing extracted photoplethysmogram waveforms to a reference model that was derived from a human model of acute blood loss. This study sought to determine whether the CRI pattern was differential between those who do and do not experience PPH during cesarean delivery and compare these results to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) standards for noninvasive monitoring.

METHODS

Parturients undergoing cesarean delivery were enrolled between February 2020 and May 2021. A noninvasive CRI monitor was applied to collect continuous CRI values throughout the intraoperative and immediate postpartum periods. Patients were stratified based on blood loss into PPH versus non-PPH groups. PPH was defined as a quantitative blood loss >1000 mL. Function-on-scalar (FoS) regression was used to compare trends in CRI between groups (PPH versus non-PPH) during the 10 to 60-minute window after delivery. Two subanalyses excluding patients who received general anesthesia and preeclamptics were performed.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients were enrolled in the study. Thirteen (25.5%) patients experienced PPH. Pregnant patients who experienced PPH had, on average, lower postdelivery CRI values (-0.13; 95% CI, -0.13 to -0.12; P < .001) than those who did not experience PPH. This persisted even when adjusting for preeclampsia and administration of uterotonics. The average mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements were not statistically significant (-1.67; 95% CI, -3.57 to 0.22; P = .09). Similar trends were seen when excluding patients who underwent general anesthesia. When excluding preeclamptics, CRI values remained lower in those who hemorrhaged (-0.18; 95% CI, -0.19 to -0.17; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

CRI detects changes in central volume status not distinguished by MAP. It has the potential to serve as a continuous, informative metric, notifying providers of acute changes in central volume status due to PPH during cesarean delivery.

Quality Improvement Campaign Improved Utilization of Rapid Sequence MRI for Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis

INTRODUCTION

Appendicitis is the most common indication for emergency general surgery in the pediatric population. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used for diagnosis when ultrasound findings are equivocal. However, CT involves unnecessary radiation exposure if MRI is available. After introducing a rapid sequence MRI (rsMRI) appendicitis protocol at our institution, CT was still preferentially used. We therefore implemented a quality improvement (QI) campaign to reduce the rate of CTs and increase the rate of rsMRI. Here, we assess the effectiveness of the QI campaign while evaluating potential barriers to using rsMRI.

METHODS

We conducted a mixed methods study, first performing stakeholder interviews which informed the design of a QI campaign initiated in May 2021 and a midway feedback survey in December 2021. A retrospective cohort study was then performed of children evaluated for appendicitis at our institution between January 1, 2016, and April 30, 2022. CT and rsMRI rates were compared before and after QI campaign implementation.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in rate of CTs and increase in rate of rsMRIs performed following the initiation of the QI campaign (p < 0.0001). The rate of CT scans decreased by a factor of 0.4 while the rate of rsMRI increased by a factor of 9.5.

CONCLUSION

A successful QI campaign was initiated at our institution, resulting in decreased utilization of CT and increased use of rsMRI for the evaluation of suspected appendicitis. These results highlight the potential impact of QI projects.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Use of prehospital reverse shock index times Glasgow Coma Scale to identify children who require the most immediate trauma care

BACKGROUND

Appropriate prehospital trauma triage ensures transport of children to facilities that provide specialized trauma care. There are currently no objective and generalizable scoring tool for emergency medical services to facilitate such decisions. An abnormal reverse shock index times Glasgow Coma Scale (rSIG), which is calculated using readily available parameters, has been shown to be associated with severely injured children. This study sought to determine if rSIG could be used in the prehospital setting to identify injured children who require the highest levels of care.

METHODS

Patients (1-18 years old) transferred from the scene to a level 1 pediatric trauma center from 2010 to 2020 with complete prehospital and emergency department vital signs, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were included. Reverse shock index times GCS was calculated as previously described ((systolic blood pressure/heart rate) × GCS), and the following cutoffs were used: ≤13.1, ≤16.5, and ≤20.1 for 1- to 6-, 7- to 12-, and 13- to 18-year-old patients, respectively. Trauma activation level and clinical outcomes upon arrival to the pediatric trauma center were collected.

RESULTS

There were 247 patients included in the analysis; 66.0% (163) had an abnormal prehospital rSIG. Patients with an abnormal rSIG had a higher rate of highest-level trauma activation compared with those with a normal rSIG (38.7% vs. 20.2%, p = 0.013). Patients with an abnormal prehospital rSIG also had higher rates of intubation (28.8% vs. 9.52%, p < 0.001), intracranial pressure monitor (9.20 vs. 1.19%, p = 0.032), need for blood (19.6% vs. 8.33%, p = 0.034), laparotomy (7.98% vs. 1.19%, p = 0.039), and intensive care unit admission (54.6% vs. 40.5%, p = 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Reverse shock index times GCS may assist emergency medical service providers in early identification and triage of severely injured children. An abnormal rSIG in the emergency department is associated with higher rates of intubation, need for blood transfusion, intracranial pressure monitoring, laparotomy, and intensive care unit admission. Use of this metric may help to speed the identification, care, and treatment of any injured child.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Reproductive and Family Building Considerations for Female Patients with Anorectal And Urogenital Malformations

BACKGROUND

Little is known about fertility and pregnancy outcomes in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM), particularly those with long common channel cloaca and cloacal exstrophy who may have impaired fertility. The purpose of this study is to describe pregnancy and offspring data from a cohort of patients with ARM.

METHODS

A retrospective review of female patients with ARM from our database, which includes patients operated on since 1980, was performed as well as a review of the literature. Demographic, operative, and self-reported fertility, obstetric, and offspring data were collected.

RESULTS

There were 37 females identified in our database who reported any pregnancy or having children. There were 59 pregnancies, 48 (81.3%) of which resulted in live birth. The most common mode of delivery was cesarean delivery. There were five patients with long channel cloaca (>3 cm) and one with cloacal exstrophy that reported 11 total pregnancies, eight of which resulted in live birth. Four cloaca patients in which the native vagina was pulled through were able to conceive spontaneously. Three patients with cloacal anomalies required in vitro fertilization to conceive; one was unsuccessful. No patients who underwent bowel partial vaginal replacement became pregnant. Women with ARM face many unique challenges in assisted reproduction, pregnancy, and delivery owing to their anatomy and associated anomalies.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with recto-perineal, recto-vestibular, and cloacas in which the native vagina was pulled through are capable of spontaneous pregnancy. Assisted reproduction, however, may be needed those with more complex anomalies and surgical repairs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Gastrointestinal quality of life and bowel function in adults born with anorectal malformation and hirschsprung disease

PURPOSE

To assess the quality of life and disease-specific functioning of adults with anorectal malformations (ARM) or Hirschsprung disease (HD) compared to healthy reference scores.

METHODS

Patients with the diagnosis of ARM or HD from the Adult Colorectal Research Registry completed the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQoLI), and the Bowel Function Score (BFS) between October 2019 and August 2022. One-sample Wilcoxon test compared the results to reported healthy references with a significance level of < 0.05.

RESULTS

The response rate was 67%. All three surveys were completed by 133 adults with a slight preponderance of males (51%). Median age was 31 years, 117 were born with ARM and 16 with HD. All subgroups had significantly lower BFS than healthy references. ARM patients scored significantly lower than the healthy reference population when assessed for GIQoL. All showed significant impairment with the mental component summary (MCS) of SF-36. Patients with a successful bowel management had significantly higher scores on all three questionnaires than those with fecal accidents.

CONCLUSION

Our results emphasize the importance of a successful bowel management and its impact on the quality of life and bowel function. Long-term follow-up is recommended with attention to mental health.

Fertility concerns and outcomes in females with anorectal malformations

PURPOSE

To assess fertility concerns and to describe pregnancy outcomes in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM).

METHODS

This is an IRB approved, cross-sectional study of patients in the Adult Colorectal Research Registry who completed reproductive health surveys between November 2021 and August 2022. Patients assigned female at birth with age 18 or older and ARM were included.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients with ARM, age 18 or older, were included. Fertility concerns were reported in 26 (40.6%) patients, 11 of which had seen a fertility specialist, including four who had not yet tried to conceive. Fertility concerns were highest amongst cloaca patients who had not yet tried to conceive (37.5%). 26 (40.6%) patients had tried to conceive, of which 16 (25%) reported fertility problems, most frequently uterine abnormalities and damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. 22 (34.4%) participants were able to conceive and 18 (28.1%) had at least one live birth. Patients with ARM who had concerns of fertility, had better FertiQoL when compared to published reference scores for patients experiencing fertility issues.

CONCLUSION

Providers should be aware of fertility concerns in patients with ARM. Proactive counseling with referrals to a fertility specialist should be considered in patients who desire future fertility.

Incidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma and Hirschsprung disease based on the cosmos database

PURPOSE

Multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2A (MEN2A) can occur with Hirschsprung disease (HD) due to mutation in the RET proto-oncogene, with the majority developing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Given the comorbidity, many parents have contacted us to share concerns and unfortunate experiences about the prevalence rates of MEN2A/MTC in patients with HD. The aim is to determine the prevalence rate of patients with HD and MEN2A or medullary thyroid carcinoma, respectively.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of the COSMOS database from January 01, 2017, to March 08, 2023. The database was searched for patients diagnosed with MEN2A, MTC, and HD. IRB exemption was provided (COMIRB #23-0526).

RESULTS

The database contained 183,993,122 patients from 198 contributing organizations. The prevalence of HD and MEN2A was 0.00002%, and for HD and MTC was 0.000009%. One in 66 patients (1.5%) with MEN2A also had HD. One in 319 patients (0.3%) in the HD group had MEN2A. One in 839 patients (0.1%) within the HD population had MTC.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of MTC and HD or MEN2A and HD in the study population was low. Considering that almost all MEN2A patients have a positive family history, this data does not support the general genetic testing of HD patients.

A Single Institution's Recent Experience With Pediatric Hand Burns

Children are at risk for sustaining hand burns due to their innate curiosity, slow withdrawal reflexes, and thin palmar epidermis. We sought to summarize our recent experience managing pediatric hand burns, focusing on injuries that required surgical management. This was a retrospective review of children with burn-injured hands managed at a quaternary referral children's hospital between 2016 and 2020. Demographics and mechanisms of injury were collected for all patients. Initial management of all wounds included pain control, deflation of blisters, and mechanical debridement. Wounds were then dressed, and a plaster-backed soft cast was applied for positioning if the swelling was controlled. Wounds were reassessed in 4-7 days, at which time a nonadherent dressing with antifungal ointment or a bismuth dressing was applied to partial-thickness wounds, vs an active silver dressing for deep partial-thickness burns. For patients who underwent split-thickness or full-thickness skin grafting, additional wound care, operative, and short-term outcomes data were collected. A total of 3715 children were seen for burn injuries during the study period, of which 2100 (56.5%) were seen for hand burns. In total, 123 (5.8%) required a skin graft an average of 11.7 days from the date of their burn injury. Surgical complications were minimal with 5 (4.1%) incomplete graft takes, though none required reoperation, and 1 (0.8%) experiencing a postoperative wound infection. Pediatric hand burns are common. A multidisciplinary treatment approach, including standardized wound care and adept therapeutic interventions, will lead to spontaneous healing in approximately 95% of patients.

Comparison of Pediatric Trauma Scoring Tools That Incorporate Neurological Status for Trauma Team Activation

BACKGROUND

Two novel pediatric trauma scoring tools, SIPAB+ (defined as elevated SIPA with Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8) and rSIG (reverse Shock Index multiplied by Glasgow Coma Scale and defined as abnormal using cutoffs for early outcomes), which combine neurological status with Pediatric Age-Adjusted Shock Index (SIPA), have been shown to predict early trauma outcomes better than SIPA alone. We sought to determine if one more accurately identifies children in need of trauma team activation.

METHODS

Patients 1 to 18 years old from the 2014-2018 Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program database were included. Sensitivity and specificity for SIPAB+ and rSIG were calculated for components of pediatric trauma team activation, based on criteria standard definitions.

RESULTS

There were 11,426 patients (1.9%) classified as SIPAB+ and 235,672 (39.0%) as having an abnormal rSIG. SIPAB+ was consistently more specific, with specificities exceeding 98%, but its sensitivity was poor (<30%) for all outcomes. In comparison, rSIG was a more sensitive tool, with sensitivities exceeding 60%, and specificity values exceeded 60% for all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Trauma systems must determine their priorities to decide how best to incorporate SIPAB+ and rSIG into practice, although rSIG may be preferred as it balances both sensitivity and specificity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

In-utero vascular accidents in neonates from COVID-19 infected mothers

PURPOSE

Infection with COVID-19 during pregnancy has been associated with a hypercoagulable state. It is unknown if maternal COVID-19 infection results in congenital anomalies secondary to intrauterine vascular accidents. This study sought to determine if the rate of in-utero vascular complications (intestinal atresia and limb abnormalities) that may be attributable to the hypercoagulable states associated with COVID-19 and pregnancy increased after the onset of the pandemic.

METHODS

Pregnancy, neonatal, and congenital defect data from a single academic medical center and the partner's children's hospital were collected and compared to the period prior to onset of the pandemic. A subanalysis including pregnant woman 18 years or greater with documented COVID-19 infection during gestation between March 2020-2021 was performed.

RESULTS

Rates of intestinal atresia did not differ prior to or after the onset of the pandemic (3.78% vs 7.23%, p = 0.21) nor did rates of limb deficiency disorders (4.41% vs 9.65%, p = 0.09). On subanalysis, there were 194 women with COVID-19 infection included in analysis: 135 (69.6%) were positive during delivery admission and 59 (30.4%) were positive earlier in their pregnancy. There was one infant born with intestinal atresia.

CONCLUSION

We report a low incidence of congenital anomalies in infants born to mothers with COVID-19 infection. It remains unclear if the impact of COVID-19 on the coagulative state augments the normal pro-thrombotic state of pregnancy; ongoing surveillance is warranted.

Using the Social Vulnerability Index to Examine Disparities in Surgical Pediatric Trauma Patients

INTRODUCTION

The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a composite measure geocoded at the census tract level that has the potential to identify target populations at risk for postoperative surgical morbidity. We applied the SVI to examine demographics and disparities in surgical outcomes in pediatric trauma patients.

METHODS

Surgical pediatric trauma patients (≤18-year-old) at our institution from 2010 to 2020 were included. Patients were geocoded to identify their census tract of residence and estimated SVI and were stratified into high (≥70th percentile) and low (<70th percentile) SVI groups. Demographics, clinical data, and outcomes were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Of 355 patients included, 21.4% had high SVI percentiles while 78.6% had low SVI percentiles. Patients with high SVI were more likely to have government insurance (73.7% versus 37.2%, P < 0.001), be of minority race (49.8% versus 19.1%, P < 0.001), present with penetrating injuries (32.9% versus 19.7%, P = 0.007), and develop surgical site infections (3.9% versus 0.4%, P = 0.03) compared to the low SVI group.

CONCLUSIONS

The SVI has the potential to examine health care disparities in pediatric trauma patients and identify discrete at-risk target populations for preventative resources allocation and intervention. Future studies are necessary to determine the utility of this tool in additional pediatric cohorts.

Factors associated with new mental health diagnoses and resource utilization among pediatric patients following trauma admission

PURPOSE

Injured children are at risk for a variety of physical and emotional sequelae that may impair their ability to return to prior function. The effect of traumatic injury on mental health in children is not well characterized or understood. We sought to determine factors associated with new mental health diagnoses and/or mental health resource utilization following admission to a Level 1 pediatric trauma center for traumatic injury.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients admitted for accidental trauma between 2016 and 2019 was performed. Demographic data, injury characteristics, new mental health diagnoses and/or mental health resource utilization following hospitalization were extracted. Patients with prior mental health diagnosis, psychotropic prescription(s), or resource utilization were excluded from this cohort. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine predictors of new mental health diagnoses and/or resource utilization.

RESULTS

The prevalence of new mental health diagnoses or resources utilization was 9.5% (363/3828). The most common diagnoses were anxiety disorders and nonbipolar depression. The most common psychotropic medication prescribed was antidepressants. Patients with new mental illness were older (odds ratio [OR] 1.1 [95% CI: 1.06, 1.12]), more likely to sustain burn injuries (OR 6.3 [4.2, 9.5]), have non-sports related injuries (OR 3.5 [2.1, 6.0]), and be pedestrian struck (OR 2.7 [1.5, 4.8]). They additionally were more likely to sustain head, neck, and spine injuries (OR 3.8 [2.9, 5.1], 2.4 [1.1, 5.5], and 2.1 [1.3, 3.3], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

There are a variety of demographic and injury specific factors associated with new mental health diagnoses and/or resource utilization in children following admission for trauma. Knowledge of these risk factors may ensure patients are allocated adequate resources to promote timely access to appropriate mental health services after hospitalization.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective comparative study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

A precision-designed gastrostomy button securement device

BACKGROUND

Gastrostomy buttons (g-buttons) are commonly placed in children to facilitate weight gain, correct nutritional deficiencies, and provide hydration and/or medication delivery. At our institution, parents are taught to place a gauze sponge under their child's g-button and secure it with strips of tape; however, the g-button still moves in the tract, which delays wound healing and leads to a variety of tract-related complications. We viewed this universal problem as a challenge and a prime opportunity for innovation.

METHODS

In 2016, a pediatric surgeon and a team of graduate engineering students outlined the problem, created a list of design requirements, and began to iterate on a variety of device designs.

RESULTS

Over 400 design ideas were iterated upon to various degrees. The first prototype was studied in a small clinical trial, in which 80% of caregivers reported satisfaction with the design, but 90% noted difficulty connecting the extension feeding tube. A second-generation prototype was developed, which included a reusable lid and disposable base layer. Third- generation prototypes added "edge-grippers" to facilitate attaching the extension tubing, plus pre-cut absorbent, sterile gauze pads to fit around the stem of the g-button. Finally, in 2020, the design was finalized with the addition of a childproof hinge between the lid and base layer.

CONCLUSIONS

An intuitive g-button securement device was created to simplify daily gauze replacement, reduce tract-related complications, and lower the cost of care. A randomized controlled trial comparing the securement device to the "tic-tac-toe" dressing will begin in early 2022 with results available later this year.

National trends in pediatric firearm and automobile fatalities

BACKGROUND

Successful public health policies and injury prevention efforts have reduced pediatric automobile fatalities across the United States. In 2019, firearm injuries exceeded motor vehicle crashes (MVC) as the leading cause of childhood death in Colorado. We sought to determine if similar trends exist nationally and if state gun laws impact firearm injury fatality rates.

METHODS

Annual pediatric (≤19 years-old) fatality rates for firearm injuries and MVCs were obtained from the CDC WONDER database (1999-2020). State gun law scores were based on the 2014-2020 Gifford's Annual Gun Law Scorecard and strength was categorized by letter grades A-F. Poisson generalized linear mixed models were used to model fatality rates. Rates were estimated for multiple timepoints and compared between grade levels.

RESULTS

In 1999, the national pediatric fatality rate for MVCs was 248% higher than firearm injuries (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.25-2.73, p<0.0001). By 2020, the fatality rate for MVCs was 16% lower than that of firearm injuries (IRR 95% CI: 0.75- 0.93, p = 0.0014). For each increase in letter grade for gun law strength there was an 18% reduction in the firearm fatality rate (IRR 95%CI: 0.78-0.86, p<0.0001). States with the strongest gun laws (A) had a 55% lower firearm fatality rate compared to those with the weakest laws (F).

CONCLUSION

Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death in pediatric patients across the United States. State gun law strength has a significant impact on pediatric firearm injury fatality rates. New public health policies, political action, media attention and safer guns are urgently needed to curb this national crisis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/STUDY TYPE

Level III, retrospective.

Do adult patients with congenital colorectal conditions know their diagnosis?

PURPOSE

Limited research exists about the knowledge that adult patients have about their congenital colorectal diagnosis.

METHODS

This was an IRB approved, prospective study of patients in the Adult Colorectal Research Registry who completed surveys between October 2019 and March 2022. Surveys were administered through REDCap after patients consented to being contacted for research purposes. Patients provided demographic data, which was linked to surgical records, and the diagnoses provided by patients were compared with diagnoses recorded by the original surgeons.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-one questionnaires were collected, 115 patients had anorectal malformations (ARM) and 16 had Hirschsprung disease (HD). Seven patients who had ARM were unaware that they had an ARM or HD. The type of ARM recorded by the surgeon was unavailable for comparison with the patient's reported diagnosis in four cases. Of the 111 remaining patients with ARM, only 32 of them (29%) knew what their own type of anomaly was. Female patients recalled their diagnosis more often than male patients (42.4% vs 13.5%). All 16 participants with HD correctly identified their diagnosis severity as HD with or without total colonic aganglionosis.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrate patient's limited understanding of their type of ARM and highlight the urgent need to enhance communication and education strategies, such as issuing patients with medical diagnosis identification cards. It is critical for clinicians to better communicate with patients to ensure that they and their relatives truly understand their precise diagnosis. Adequately informed patients can better advocate for themselves, adhere to treatments and precautionary recommendations and navigate the complexities of transitional care. Consequently they can more effectively manage their lifelong complications.

The effect of an enhanced recovery protocol in pediatric patients who undergo colostomy closure and Malone procedures

PURPOSE

Pediatric colorectal studies have shown enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols can safely improve outcomes. This study sought to determine the impact of an ERAS pathway on the outcomes of children with colorectal conditions who underwent colostomy closure or Malone procedure.

METHODS

A single-institution, retrospective cohort study of children who underwent colostomy closure or Malone procedure between 2016 and 2020 was performed. Differences in outcomes between pre-ERAS and ERAS cohorts were tested. A sub-analysis based on procedure type was performed.

RESULTS

There were 96 patients included: 22 prior to ERAS implementation and 74 after. Patients who underwent ERAS had shorter mean time (hours) to oral intake, mean days until regular diet, post-operative opioid volume, and median length of stay (p < 0.05). There was no difference in complication rates in the ERAS and pre-ERAS cohort (12.2 vs 9.1%, p = 0.99). Patients who underwent colostomy closure after ERAS had lower post-operative opioid use, but no differences were seen in those who underwent Malone.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of an ERAS protocol resulted in quicker time to oral intake, normal diet, and decreased opioid use without increasing complication rates. Differences seen based on procedure type may reflect that the effect of an ERAS protocol is procedure specific.

The success rate of antegrade enemas for the management of idiopathic constipation

PURPOSE

Most patients with idiopathic constipation achieve daily voluntary bowel movements with stimulant laxatives after a "Structured Bowel Management Program" (BMP). A small percentage require rectal enemas. One week in a BMP to find the right enema recipe results in a success rate great than 95%. Once the enema is radiologically and clinically effective, antegrade continent enema procedures (ACE) can afford patients an alternative route of enema administration. This study summarized the outcomes of children with idiopathic constipation who receive antegrade enemas (AE) with or without a prior BMP.

METHODS

This was a single institution, retrospective cohort study of children with idiopathic constipation who underwent ACE procedures indicated by different providers from 2015-2020. We categorized the outcomes with AE after the ACE procedure as: "successful outcome" when the AE produced a daily bowel movement, no involuntary bowel movements, and no more fecal impactions, "unsuccessful outcome" was defined when the patient continued having involuntary bowel movements or fecal impaction requiring cleanouts despite a daily AE, and "unnecessary outcome" was defined when the patient was no longer doing AE, but had daily bowel movements, and no involuntary bowel movements or fecal impactions.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight children with idiopathic constipation had an ACE. The most frequent indication for ACE was a failure of medical treatment. The most common medical treatment was polyethylene glycol. Before ACE, 34 (89%) patients did not have a BMP; 18 patients were on rectal enemas and 16 on laxatives. All four with BMP (100%) had a successful rectal enema. After ACE, 12 (31%) patients had successful antegrade enemas, including the four with previous successful BMP with rectal enemas. Twenty patients (52%) had unsuccessful antegrade enemas, and in 6 (15%), the ACE was unnecessary (Fig. 1).

CONCLUSION

Using antegrade enemas without a previously successful formula for rectal enemas has resulted in a high rate of unsuccessful and unnecessary procedures. BMP for children with idiopathic constipation who needs rectal enemas offers a high possibility to find the proper rectal enema recipe and ensures higher rates of successful AE.

Pelvic exams and cervical cancer screening in patients with anorectal malformations

PURPOSE

Congenital or acquired anatomic differences of the genital tract in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) may make pelvic exams more challenging. The purpose of this study was to describe office-based pelvic exams and cervical cancer screening among female patients with a history of ARM.

METHODS

This was an IRB approved, cross-sectional study of female patients with ARM who completed our Reproductive Health Surveys from November 2021 to March 2022.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients with ARM were included in the study. Ages ranged from 22 to 80 years (mean age 34.5 years). Thirty-four patients had a cloaca, 16 had an ARM other than cloaca, and four patients had a complex malformation. Most patients (79.6%) reported having had a pelvic exam in the office. On a scale of 0-100, the mean pain score with pelvic exam was 42. Pain scores were higher for patients with complex malformations and neo-vagina. Forty-three participants (79.6%) had cervical cancer screening. Fifteen participants (28%) had a didelphys uterus but only two patients specified that both cervices were screened for cervical cancer.

CONCLUSION

The majority of female patients with ARM had cervical cancer screening in clinic, those with complex malformations reported greater discomfort. Providers should be aware of barriers to performing pelvic exams in patients with ARM as well as the need to screen both cervices in didelphys uterus.

Patient-reported urinary outcomes in adult males with congenital colorectal conditions

PURPOSE

Long-term urinary outcomes for patients born with Hirschsprung disease (HD) and anorectal malformations (ARM) may impact their health and wellbeing into adulthood. This study describes self-reported long-term urinary outcomes in males with HD and ARM.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of male patients in the Adult Colorectal Research Registry who completed surveys on urinary function between October 2019 and March 2022. Self-reported health and functional outcomes were summarized, and differences based on type of condition were compared.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients completed the questionnaire (response rate: 59.1%), of which 17.9% (12) had HD and 82.1% (55) had an ARM. Rates of urinary incontinence and stress urinary incontinence were 16.4% (11) and 4.5% (3), respectively. On sub-analysis of patients with ARM, patients with sacral ratio (SR) of 0.4-0.69 reported higher UTI rates compared to those with SR ≥ 0.7 (57.9 vs 25.8%, p = 0.023). Renal failure rates were highest among patients with recto-bladder neck fistulas (66.0%, p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Patients with HD and ARM report a variety of urological sequelae in adulthood. Outcomes appear to be more common in patients with ARM and may be impacted by both anatomy and sacral ratios. Transitional care to monitor and manage renal and urological function is imperative.

Novel tool (BIS) heralds the need for blood transfusion and/or failure of non-operative management in pediatric blunt liver and spleen injuries

BACKGROUND

Non-operative management (NOM) is the standard of care for the majority of children with blunt liver and spleen injuries (BLSI). The shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) was previously shown to predict the need for blood transfusions in pediatric trauma patients with BLSI. We combined SIPA with base deficit (BD) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) to create the BIS score. We hypothesized that the BIS score would predict the need for blood transfusions and/or failure of NOM in pediatric trauma patients with BLSI.

METHODS

Patients (≤ 18 years) who presented to our Level I pediatric trauma center with BLSI from 2009 to 2019 were identified. BIS scores were calculated by giving 1 point for each of the following: base deficit ≤ -8.8, INR ≥ 1.5, or elevated SIPA. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were generated for BIS scores ≥ 1, ≥ 2, and ≥ 3. Area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of each score were calculated for ability to predict need for blood transfusions and/or failure of NOM.

RESULTS

Of 477 children included, 19.9% required a blood transfusion and 6.7% failed NOM. A BIS score ≥ 1 was the best predictor of the need for blood transfusions with an AUC of 0.81 and a sensitivity of 96.0%. A BIS score ≥ 1 was also the best predictor of failure of NOM with an AUC of 0.72 and a sensitivity of 97.0%.

CONCLUSION

The BIS score is a highly sensitive tool that identifies pediatric patients with BLSI at risk for blood transfusions and/or failure of NOM.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective comparative study.

Does the mechanism matter? Comparing thrombelastography between blunt and penetrating pediatric trauma patients

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The utility of thrombelastography (TEG) in pediatric trauma remains unknown, and differences in coagulopathy between blunt and penetrating mechanisms are not established. We aimed to compare TEG patterns in pediatric trauma patients with blunt solid organ injuries (BSOI) and penetrating injuries to determine the role of mechanism in coagulopathy.

METHODS

Highest-level pediatric trauma activations with BSOI or penetrating injuries and admission TEG at two pediatric trauma centers were included. TEG abnormalities were defined by each institution's normative values and compared separately by injury mechanism and evidence of shock (elevated SIPA) using Kruskal-Wallis or Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Of 118 patients included, 64 had BSOI and 54 had penetrating injuries. There were no significant differences in TEG abnormalities between the BSOI and penetrating injury groups. Patients with shock were more likely to have decreased alpha-angles (30.9% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.01) and decreased maximum amplitude (MA) (44.1% vs. 8.0%, p < 0.001) compared to those without shock, regardless of mechanism of injury.

CONCLUSIONS

TEG abnormalities were not significantly different between the BSOI and penetrating groups, but there were significant differences in alpha-angle and MA in those with shock, independent of mechanism. Hemodynamic status, rather than mechanism of injury, may be more predictive of coagulopathy in pediatric trauma patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/STUDY TYPE

Level III, retrospective.

Discreet Values of Shock Index Pediatric Age-Adjusted (SIPA) to Predict Intervention in Children With Blunt Organ Injuries

INTRODUCTION

Elevated shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) has been shown to be associated with the need for both blood transfusion and intervention in pediatric patients with blunt liver and spleen injuries (BLSI). SIPA has traditionally been used as a binary value, which can be classified as elevated or normal, and this study aimed to assess if discreet values above SIPA cutoffs are associated with an increased probability of blood transfusion and failure of nonoperative management (NOM) in bluntly injured children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Children aged 1-18 y with any BLSI admitted to a Level-1 pediatric trauma center between 2009 and 2020 were analyzed. Blood transfusion was defined as any transfusion within 24 h of arrival, and failure of NOM was defined as any abdominal operation or angioembolization procedure for hemorrhage control. The probabilities of receiving a blood transfusion or failure of NOM were calculated at different increments of 0.1.

RESULTS

There were 493 patients included in the analysis. The odds of requiring blood transfusion increased by 1.67 (95% CI 1.49, 1.90) for each 0.1 unit increase of SIPA (P < 0.001). A similar trend was seen initially for the probability of failure of nonoperative management, but beyond a threshold, increasing values were not associated with failure of NOM. On subanalysis excluding patients with a head injury, increased 0.1 increments were associated with increased odds for both interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Discreet values above age-related SIPA cutoffs are correlated with higher probabilities of blood transfusion in pediatric patients with BLSI and failure of NOM in those without head injury. The use of discreet values may provide clinicians with more granular information about which patients require increased resources upon presentation.

Incidence of and risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion in infants undergoing index pediatric surgery procedures

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data on the frequency of transfusion during pediatric surgery index cases and guidelines for pretransfusion testing, defined as type and screen and crossmatch testing, prior to operation are not standardized. This study aimed to determine the incidence of perioperative blood transfusions during index neonatal operations and identify risk factors associated with perioperative blood transfusion to determine which patients benefit from pretransfusion testing.

METHODS

A retrospective review of infants who underwent index neonatal cases between 2013 and 2019 was performed. Data were collected for patients who underwent operations for Hirschsprung's disease, esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF), biliary atresia, anorectal malformation, omphalocele, gastroschisis, duodenal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (non-ECMO) or pulmonary lobectomy. Infants under 6 months were included except in the case of lobectomy where infants up to 12 months were included.

RESULTS

Analysis was performed on 420 patients. Twenty-five (6.0%) patients received perioperative blood transfusion. Patients who received perioperative transfusion most commonly underwent EA/TEF repair. Patients who received perioperative transfusion had higher rates of structural heart disease (52.0% vs 17.7%, p<0.001), preoperative transfusion (48.0% vs 8.9%, p<0.001), and prematurity (52.0% vs 25.6%, p = 0.005). Presence of all three risk factors resulted in a 48% probability of requiring perioperative transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood transfusion during the perioperative period of neonatal index operations is rare. Factors associated with increased risk of perioperative transfusion include prematurity, structural heart disease, and history of previous blood transfusion.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Massive transfusion in pediatric trauma-does more blood predict mortality?

BACKGROUND

Treatment of severe hemorrhage focuses on the control of bleeding and intravascular volume expansion through massive transfusion (MT). This study aimed to determine if transfusion volumes in pediatric trauma patients who receive MT is associated with increased risk of death, and to establish if there is a threshold above which further resuscitation with blood products is futile.

METHODS

Pediatric patients (2-18 years old) in the 2014-2017 Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database with complete age and blood transfusion data who met the MT definition of 40 mL/kg/24 h were included in analysis. Data elements were cleaned to eliminate discrepancies in reporting blood volumes and erroneous values were excluded. Early mortality was defined as death within 24 h. Late mortality was defined as death more than 24 h after hospital admission. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to determine upper volume thresholds to predict early versus late mortality.

RESULTS

There were 633 patients who met the MT definition of 40 mL/kg/24 h. The overall mortality rate was 21.6%. Volume of blood had poor predicting early and late mortality with an AUC of 0.50 [95% CI (0.42, 0.59)] and 0.50 [95% CI (0.43,0.57)], respectively. Regardless of mechanism, no transfusion volume was associated with a predictably high rate of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no upper transfusion volume threshold to predict mortality in pediatric trauma patients who are massively transfused, regardless of mechanism. Severely injured children can tolerate massive amounts of blood products and still survive.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Pre-hospital and emergency department shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) "cut points" to identify pediatric trauma patients at risk for massive transfusion and/or mortality

BACKGROUND

Shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) is a validated measure to identify severely injured children. Previous literature categorized SIPA as normal or elevated, but the relationship between specific SIPA values and outcomes has not been determined. We sought to determine specific SIPA cut points in the pre-hospital and Emergency Department (ED) settings to identify patients at risk for massive transfusion (MT) and/or mortality.

METHODS

Patients ≤ 18 years old admitted to our Level I pediatric trauma center following trauma activation were included. Youdin J index was used to define pre-hospital and ED SIPA cut points to identify those at risk of MT and/or mortality for the following age groups: < 1 year, 1-6 years, 7-12 years, and > 12 years old. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to determine SIPA threshold values associated with MT and/or mortality.

RESULTS

Of 1,072 patients, 6.3% (n = 68) required MT and 8.4% (n = 90) died. For predicting MT, pre-hospital SIPA cut points performed best in the > 12 year-old age group (AUC = 0.86) and ED SIPA cut points performed best in the 6-12 year-old age group (AUC = 0.87). For predicting mortality, pre-hospital (AUC = 0.78) and ED SIPA cut points (AUC = 0.84) performed best in the > 12 year-old age group.

CONCLUSION

Pre-hospital and ED SIPA cut points performed better at predicting MT and/or mortality in older pediatric patients compared to very young children. Age remains an important factor when determining the validity of SIPA to predict outcomes in pediatric trauma patients.

STUDY TYPE/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, Retrospective Cohort Study.

The use of ultrasound in establishing COVID-19 infection as part of a trauma evaluation

Purpose

The use of lung ultrasound for diagnosis of COVID-19 has emerged during the pandemic as a beneficial diagnostic modality due to its rapid availability, bedside use, and lack of radiation. This study aimed to determine if routine ultrasound (US) imaging of the lungs of trauma patients with COVID-19 infections who undergo extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (EFAST) correlates with computed tomography (CT) imaging and X-ray findings, as previously reported in other populations.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational feasibility study performed at two level 1 trauma centers. US, CT, and X-ray imaging were retrospectively reviewed by a surgical trainee and a board-certified radiologist to determine any correlation of imaging findings in patients with active COVID-19 infection.

Results

There were 53 patients with lung US images from EFAST available for evaluation and COVID-19 testing. The overall COVID-19 positivity rate was 7.5%. COVID-19 infection was accurately identified by one patient on US by the trainee, but there was a 15.1% false-positive rate for infection based on the radiologist examination.

Conclusions

Evaluation of the lung during EFAST cannot be used in the trauma setting to identify patients with active COVID-19 infection or to stratify patients as high or low risk of infection. This is likely due to differences in lung imaging technique and the presence of concomitant thoracic injury.

Improved identification of severely injured pediatric trauma patients using reverse shock index multiplied by Glasgow Coma Scale

BACKGROUND

The shock index pediatric age-adjusted (SIPA) predicts the need for increased resources and mortality among pediatric trauma patients without incorporating neurological status. A new scoring tool, rSIG, which is the reverse shock index (rSI) multiplied by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), has been proven superior at predicting outcomes in adult trauma patients and mortality in pediatric patients compared with traditional scoring systems. We sought to compare the accuracy of rSIG to Shock Index (SI) and SIPA in predicting the need for early interventions in civilian pediatric trauma patients.

METHODS

Patients (aged 1-18 years) in the 2014 to 2018 Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program database with complete heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and total GCS were included. Optimal cut points of rSIG were calculated for predicting blood transfusion within 4 hours, intubation, intracranial pressure monitoring, and intensive care unit admission. From the optimal thresholds, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were calculated from receiver operating characteristics analyses to predict each outcome and compared with SI and SIPA.

RESULTS

A total of 604,931 patients with a mean age of 11.1 years old were included. A minority of patients had a penetrating injury mechanism (5.6%) and the mean Injury Severity Score was 7.6. The mean SI and rSIG scores were 0.85 and 18.6, respectively. Reverse shock index multiplied by Glasgow Coma Scale performed better than SI and SIPA at predicting early trauma outcomes for the overall population, regardless of age.

CONCLUSION

Reverse shock index multiplied by Glasgow Coma Scale outperformed SI and SIPA in the early identification of traumatically injured children at risk for early interventions, such as blood transfusion within 4 hours, intubation, intracranial pressure monitoring, and intensive care unit admission. Reverse shock index multiplied by Glasgow Coma Scale adds neurological status in initial patient assessment and may be used as a bedside triage tool to rapidly identify pediatric patients who will likely require early intervention and higher levels of care.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic, level III.

Thrombelastography and transfusion patterns in severely injured pediatric trauma patients with blunt solid organ injuries

BACKGROUND

Thrombelastography (TEG) has emerged as a useful tool to diagnose coagulopathy and guide blood product usage during trauma resuscitations. This study sought to evaluate the correlation between TEG-directed blood product administration in severely injured pediatric trauma patients with blunt solid organ injuries (BSOIs).

METHODS

Patients (≤18 years) with severe BSOIs who presented as highest-level trauma activations at two pediatric trauma centers were included. Thrombelastography results were evaluated to determine indications for blood product administration and rates of TEG-directed resuscitation. Tetrachoric correlations and regression modeling were used to correlate TEG-directed resuscitation with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 64 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 32.8% (21) had elevated R times and 23.4% (15) had shortened α angles. Maximum amplitude was shortened in 29.7% (19), and percent clot lysis 30 minutes after maximum amplitude that is >3% was seen in 17.0% (9). Thrombelastography-directed resuscitation of fresh frozen plasma was followed 54.7% of the time compared with 67.2% and 81.2% for platelets and cryoprecipitate, respectively. Thrombelastography-directed resuscitation with platelets (odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.93; p = 0.03) and/or cryoprecipitate (odds ratio, 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.42, p = 0.003) were associated with decreased hospital length of stay and mortality, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Severely injured pediatric trauma patients with BSOIs were often coagulopathic upon presentation to the emergency department. Thrombelastography-directed resuscitation with platelets and/or cryoprecipitate was followed for the majority of patients and was associated with improved outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management, level III.

Pediatric age-adjusted shock index as a tool for predicting outcomes in children with or without traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

The pediatric age-adjusted shock index (SIPA) accurately identifies severely injured children following trauma without accounting for neurological status. Understanding how the presence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects the generalizability of SIPA as a bedside triage tool is important given high rates of TBI in the pediatric trauma population. We hypothesized that SIPA combined with TBI (SIPAB+) would more accurately identify severely injured children.

METHODS

Patients (1-18 years old) in the American College of Surgeons Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program database (2014-2017) with an elevated SIPA upon arrival to a pediatric trauma center were included. Pediatric age-adjusted shock index combined with TBI was defined as elevated SIPA with Glasgow Coma Scale score of ≤8. Pediatric age-adjusted shock index without TBI (SIPAB-) was defined as elevated SIPA with Glasgow Coma Scale score of >9. Patients were stratified into SIPAB+ and SIPAB-. A subanalysis of patients with isolated brain injury and those with brain injury and multisystem injuries was also performed. Data were compared through univariate models and three separate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, 25,068 had an elevated SIPA, with 12.3% classified as SIPAB+ and the remainder SIPAB-. Patients classified as SIPAB+ received more blood transfusions within 4 hours of injury and had higher mortality rates. On logistic regression, SIPAB+ patients had significantly higher odds of early blood transfusion and a combination of both. Mortality and early blood transfusion were also higher in SIPAB+ patients on subanalysis for patients with isolated TBI and those with multisystem injuries.

CONCLUSION

The use of SIPAB+ as a bedside triage tool accurately identifies traumatically injured children at high risk for early blood transfusion and/or death while incorporating the presence of neurological injury. This is true for patients with isolated TBI and those with multisystem injury, indicating its utility in predicting outcomes for TBI patients with elevated SIPA regardless of presence of concomitant injuries. Incorporation of this as a triage tool should be considered to better predict resources in this population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic, level III.

Predictors of Mortality Among Very Low Birth Weight Infants With Gastrointestinal Perforation

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal (GI) perforation is a risk factor for mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Little data exist regarding pretreatment factors and patient characteristics known to independently correlate with risk of death.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of all VLBW infants who sustained GI perforation between 2011 and 2018 was conducted. Birth, laboratory, and disease-related factors of infants who died were compared to those who survived.

RESULTS

42 VLBW infants who sustained GI perforations were identified. Eleven (26.19%) died. There were no significant differences in birth-related factors, hematological lab levels at diagnosis, presence of pneumatosis, or bacteremia. Portal venous gas (P = .03), severe metabolic acidosis (P < .01), and elevated lactate at diagnosis (P < .01) were statistically more likely to occur among infants who died.

DISCUSSION

Portal venous gas, severe metabolic acidosis, and elevated lactate were associated with an increased risk of mortality among VLBW infants who develop a GI perforation. Further research is required to better identify risk factors.

Bolus versus continuous feedings following treatment for medical necrotizing enterocolitis

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious, often fatal, disease of neonates. Minimal data exists regarding the optimal method for reintroducing feeds after successful treatment. This study aims to compare outcomes in patients reintroduced to bolus or continuous feeds after treatment for medical NEC.

METHODS

A retrospective review of infants treated for medical NEC in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from 2011-2018 was performed. Demographics, information about initial feeds, clinical diagnosis data, and information about reintroduction of feeds were recorded. Patients with significant congenital heart disease or those who required procedures for treatment were excluded.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients were analyzed; 45 were reintroduced to bolus feeds and 16 to continuous feeds. There were no differences between the two groups. Bolus-fed patients reached goal feeds quicker (p = 0.007), required fewer days of parenteral nutrition (p = 0.002), had shorter hospital stays (p = 0.013) and were discharged faster from diagnosis to discharge (p = 0.002). Differences were confirmed with multivariate regression.

CONCLUSION

Infants given bolus feeds reached goal feeds faster, required less time on PN, and were discharged quicker than those fed continuously. This suggests that, compared to continuous feeding, bolus feeding is associated with superior clinical outcomes among patients treated for medical NEC.

More Synchronous Peritoneal Disease but Longer Survival in Younger Patients with Carcinomatosis from Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Colonoscopy to detect colorectal cancer (CRC) is recommended starting at age 50 years; however, CRC rates are increasing in the prescreening population. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been proven effective in select patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from CRC, although it has not been evaluated specifically in patients < 50 years.

METHODS

CRC patients aged < 50 years at diagnosis undergoing CRS/HIPEC 2007-2017 were compared with those aged ≥ 50 years. Age distribution was analyzed in patients undergoing colectomy alone versus CRS/HIPEC for CRC 1993-2013.

RESULTS

A total of 98 patients underwent CRS/HIPEC, of which 44% were < 50 years. Younger patients were more likely to present with synchronous peritoneal metastases (p = 0.050). Receipt of perioperative chemotherapy was comparable (p = not significant [NS]). Charlson Comorbidity Index and ECOG score were similar (p = NS). Tumor grade was similar (p = NS). Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index, total organs resected, and anastomoses created were comparable (p = NS). Major Clavien-Dindo morbidity and LOS were similar (p = NS). Younger patients survived longer after CRS/HIPEC (p = 0.011). Demographic data from patients undergoing colectomy (n = 225) and CRS/HIPEC (n = 98) showed that age < 50 years was increasingly common with the more aggressive procedure (9% and 44% respectively, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Younger patients with PC from CRC presented more often with peritoneal metastases at the time of diagnosis. Yet despite similar perioperative features at CRS/HIPEC, they survived longer than older patients. Patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC are overall younger than those undergoing index colectomy.

Looking for trouble: Adherence to late-effects surveillance among childhood cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at high risk of morbidity and mortality from long-term complications of their cancer treatment. The Children's Oncology Group developed screening guidelines to enable the early identification of and intervention for late effects of cancer treatment. There is a paucity of data on the adherence of CCSs to screening recommendations.

PROCEDURE

A retrospective analysis of medical records to evaluate the rate of adherence of CCSs to the personalized, risk-based recommendations provided to them in the context of a structured long-term follow-up program over a 3-year period.

RESULTS

Two hundred eighty-six CCSs visited the survivorship clinic 542 times during the 3-year study period. The overall rate of adherence to recommended screening was 74.2%. Using a univariate model and greater age at diagnosis and at screening recommendation were associated with decreased screening adherence. Gender, cancer diagnosis, radiation therapy, anthracycline exposure, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant were not significantly associated with adherence. In a multivariate model, age over 18 years at the time of the visit was significantly associated with decreased adherence (P < 0.0329) (odds ratio: 1.53, 95% confidence interval: 1.04-2.25).

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to recommended screening tests is suboptimal among CCSs, with lower rates of adherence in CCSs older than 18 years of age compared with those younger than 18 years of age. Given the morbidity and mortality from the late effects of therapy among young adult CCSs, it is critically important to identify and remove barriers to late-effects screening among CCSs.

Thrombolysis for Ischemic Stroke during Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Our knowledge of the safety of thrombolytic therapy in pregnancy stems from individual case reports and series. We report the successful use of intravenous alteplase (tissue plasminogen activator; tPA) thrombolysis in a pregnant woman with acute cardioembolic stroke presumed to be paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale.

METHODS

A literature review found several case reports and case series of pregnant patients treated with either intravenous or intra-arterial tPA for acute ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

A literature review yielded 10 cases of intravenous tPA administration and 5 cases of intra-arterial tPA. In total, there were 3 cases of asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and 1 case of maternal and fetal death.

CONCLUSIONS

Our patient improved clinically with no residual deficits. There was no evidence of placental or fetal injury following administration of tPA on follow-up obstetrical evaluations.

Endoscopic endonasal resection of ACTH secreting pituitary microadenoma; how I do it

BACKGROUND

Transsphenoidal selective adenectomy is considered the treatment of choice in patients with Cushing's disease given the possibility for high remission and low complication rates. The endoscopic endonasal surgical nuances for Cushing's disease are not well illustrated in the neurosurgical technique and video collections.

METHODS

We describe the technical nuances of microadenoma resection for two cases of Cushing's disease, one in which the adenoma is visualized on imaging and one in which the pre-operative MRI is negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Transsphenoidal endoscopic selective adenectomy is a safe and effective surgery for patients with Cushing's disease regardless of preoperative MRI findings.