Elective preterm delivery (EPD) of a fetus with gastroschisis may prevent demise and ameliorate intestinal injury. While the literature on optimal timing of delivery varies, we hypothesize that a ...potential benefit may be found with EPD.
A meta-analysis of publications describing timing of delivery in gastroschisis from 1/1990 to 8/2016 was performed, including studies where either elective preterm delivery (group 1, G1) or preterm gestational age (GA) (group 2, G2) were evaluated against respective comparators. The following outcomes were analyzed: total parenteral nutrition (TPN), first enteral feeding (FF), length of stay, ventilator days, fetal demise, complex gastroschisis, sepsis, and death.
Eighteen studies describing 1430 gastroschisis patients were identified. G1 studies found less sepsis (p<0.01), fewer days to FF (p=0.03), and 11days less of TPN (p=0.07) in the preterm cohort. Comparatively, G2 studies showed less days to FF in term GA (p=0.02).Whereas G1 BWs were similar, G2 preterm had a significantly lower BW compared to controls (p=0.001).
Elective preterm delivery appears favorable with respect to feeding and sepsis. However, benefits are lost when age is used as a surrogate of EPD. A randomized, prospective, multi-institutional trial is necessary to delineate whether EPD is advantageous to neonates with gastroschisis.
Treatment study.
Level III.
Abstract Purpose Comparative outcomes of enhanced percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and laparoscopic gastrostomy (LG) have not been elucidated in infants. We describe the outcomes and ...procedural episodic expenditures of PEG versus LG in this high-risk population. Methods 183 gastrostomies in children under 1 year were reviewed from our institution spanning 1/2011–6/2015. Pertinent demographics and 3-month complications (mortality, gastrocolic fistula, reoperation, cellulitis, granulation, pneumonia, and tube dislodgement < 6 weeks) were collected. Facility and professional administrative data was used to conduct a charge and cost analysis of PEG and LG procedures as well as their statistically significant complications. Results 78 PEG and 105 LG infants were compared. LG infants were significantly younger, had higher ASA class, and increased frequency of cardiopulmonary disease. Significant major complications included a 3.8% incidence of gastrocolic fistula among PEGs (3.8% vs 0%, p = 0.04) and 7.6% early tube dislodgements among LG infants (0 vs. 7.6%, p = 0.01), resulting in $86,896 of additional charges with PEG complication. Incorporating complication frequency, average charges, and variable cost per case were $8964 and $253 greater using PEG. Conclusions Despite a healthier cohort, infants undergoing enhanced PEG have more morbid and costly complications. LG may be the less burdensome approach to gastrostomy in infants. Case–Control Study / Retrospective Comparative Study – Level III.
BACKGROUND:Restorative proctocolectomy with IPAA improves quality of life in patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis. Although bowel obstruction is common, pouch volvulus is rare and ...described only in case reports. Diagnosis can be challenging, resulting in delayed care and heightened morbidity.
OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to delineate the symptoms and successful management strategies used in patients with IPAA volvulus that result in pouch salvage.
DESIGN:This study was a case series.
SETTINGS:The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center for ulcerative colitis in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
PATIENTS:Patients included those with volvulus of the IPAA.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Over the study period (2010–2015), 6 patients were diagnosed with IPAA volvulus. The primary outcomes were symptom manifestation, diagnostic practices, and treatment of pouch volvulus.
RESULTS:Six patients with ulcerative colitis were identified with pouch volvulus. The majority (n = 4) underwent a laparoscopic pouch creation and had early symptom manifestation after surgery. Complications preceding volvulus included pouch ulceration (n = 5) and pouchitis (n = 4). The most common presenting symptoms of volvulus were abdominal pain (n = 4) and obstipation (n = 4). Multiple imaging modalities were used, but volvulus was most frequently identified by CT scan. Management was primarily operative (n = 5), composed of excision of the pouch (n = 3), pouch-pexy (n = 1), and detorsion with defect closure (n = 1). Both operative and nonoperative treatment with endoscopic detorsion resulted in low morbidity and improved patient symptoms.
LIMITATIONS:This single-institution study is limited by its retrospective design and small number of patients.
CONCLUSIONS:IPAA volvulus is a rare and challenging cause of bowel obstruction in ulcerative colitis. Heralding signs and symptoms, such as pouch ulceration and acute obstipation, should initiate a workup for a twisting pouch. Diagnosis, which is multimodal, must occur early to avert necrosis and allow for preservation of a well-functioning pouch. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A561.
1 School of Kinesiology and 2 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and 3 Division of Physical Therapy, Georgia State University, ...Atlanta, Georgia
Submitted 17 November 2006
; accepted in final form 3 January 2007
Skeletal muscle contractility and myosin function decline following ovariectomy in mature female mice. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that estradiol replacement can reverse those declines. Four-month-old female C57BL/6 mice ( n = 69) were ovariectomized (OVX) or sham operated. Some mice were treated immediately with placebo or 17 -estradiol (OVX + E 2 ) while other mice were treated 30 days postsurgery. Thirty or sixty days postsurgery, soleus muscles were assessed in vitro for contractile function and susceptibility to eccentric contraction-induced injury. Myosin structural dynamics was analyzed in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Maximal isometric tetanic force was affected by estradiol status ( P < 0.001) being 10% less in soleus muscles from OVX compared with sham-operated mice 168 mN (SD 16.7) vs. 180 mN (SD 14.4) and was restored in OVX + E 2 mice 187 mN (SD 17.6). The fraction of strong-binding myosin during contraction was also affected ( P = 0.045) and was 15% lower in EDL muscles from OVX compared with OVX + E 2 mice 0.263 (SD 0.034) vs. 0.311 (SD 0.022). Plasma estradiol levels were correlated with maximal isometric tetanic force ( r = 0.458; P < 0.001) and active stiffness ( r = 0.329; P = 0.044), indicating that circulating estradiol influenced muscle and myosin function. Estradiol was not effective in protecting muscle against an acute eccentric contraction-induced injury ( P 0.401) but did restore ovariectomy-induced increases in muscle wet mass caused by fluid accumulation. Collectively, estradiol had a beneficial effect on female mouse skeletal muscle.
estrogen; skeletal muscle; muscle force; menopause; hormones
Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: D. A. Lowe, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Univ. of Minnesota, MMC 388, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (e-mail: lowex017{at}umn.edu )
Pharmacologic prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a widely accepted practice in adult trauma patients to prevent associated morbidity and mortality. However, VTE prophylaxis has not been ...standardized in injured pediatric patients. Our institution identified factors potentially associated with a high risk of VTE in critically injured children that led to prospective implementation of VTE prophylaxis guidelines. We hypothesize that the guidelines are accurate in predicting children at risk for VTE.
Data were prospectively collected on injured children from August 2010 to August 2015. Pharmacologic prophylaxis was indicated for patients identified by the guidelines as high risk for VTE. Prophylaxis was deferred and a screening ultrasound was performed if the high-risk VTE patients were also at high risk for bleeding. To assess the accuracy of predicting confirmed cases of VTE, stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association of individual risk factors with VTE controlling for age (≥13 years). A receiver operating characteristic curve measured the accuracy of the final model to predict a VTE.
Of 4,061 trauma patients, 588 were admitted to the ICU, with the guidelines identifying 199 as high risk for VTE. VTE occurred in 3.9% (23/588) of the ICU population and 10% (20/199) of the high risk group. The median age of VTE patients in the ICU was 9.7 years. Statistically significant predictors (p < 0.05) of VTE in the multivariate model included presence of a central venous catheter (OR = 5.2), inotropes (OR = 7.7), immobilization (OR = 5.5), and a Glasgow Coma Scale of <9 (OR = 1.3). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of this model was 0.92, demonstrating its excellent predictive ability.
Specific clinical factors in critically injured children are associated with a high risk for VTE. Incorporating these risk factors in VTE prophylaxis guidelines facilitates more accurate risk stratification and may allow for improved VTE prevention in pediatric trauma.
Prognostic study, level II.
Abstract Background Anastomotic stricture is the most common postoperative complication in infants undergoing repair of esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). ...Stricture indices (SIs) are used to predict infants at risk for stricture requiring dilation. We sought to determine the most accurate SI and optimal timing for predicting anastomotic dilation. Materials and methods A retrospective study of infants undergoing repair of EA/TEF between 2008 and 2013 was performed. Esophagrams were used to calculate four SIs (upper pouch esophageal anastomotic stricture index U-EASI, lower pouch esophageal anastomotic stricture index L-EASI, lateral SI, and anterior/posterior SI). The best performing SI was identified. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine if a first or second esophagram SI threshold was associated with dilation. A receiver operating characteristic curve measured the accuracy of the model using SIs to predict dilation. Results Of 45 EA/TEF infants included, 20 (44%) had postoperative strictures requiring dilation. As the best performing SI, logistic regression analysis showed that U-EASI as a continuous variable was predictive of dilation ( P = 0.03) but was not significant at U-EASI ≤ 0.37. However, U-EASI ≤ 0.37 was associated with needing earlier dilation. On second esophagram (median, 38 days), U-EASI of ≤0.39 was significantly associated with dilation (OR: 7.8, 95% CI: 1.05-57.58, P = 0.04). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the U-EASI model controlling for days to esophagram demonstrated improved predictive ability from first (AUC 0.73) to second esophagram (AUC 0.81). Conclusions Calculation of the SI utilizing a U-EASI ≤ 0.39 on the delayed esophagram is associated with future anastomotic dilation. A multi-institutional study is necessary to confirm the predictive ability of the U-EASI.
To report outcomes of sutured and sutureless closure for gastroschisis across a large multi-institutional cohort.
A retrospective study of infants with uncomplicated gastroschisis at 11 children's ...from 2014 to 2016 was performed. Outcomes of sutured and sutureless abdominal wall closure were compared.
Among 315 neonates with uncomplicated gastroschisis, sutured closure was performed in 248 (79%); 212 undergoing sutured closure after silo and 36 undergoing primary sutured closure. Sutureless closure was performed in 67 (21%); 37 primary sutureless closure, 30 sutureless closure after silo placement. There was no significant difference in gestational age, gender, birth weight, total days on TPN, and time from closure to initial oral intake or goal feeds. Sutureless closure patients had less general anesthetics, ventilator use/time, time from birth to final closure, antibiotic use after closure, and surgical site/deep space infections. Subgroup analysis demonstrated primary sutureless closure had less ventilator use and anesthetics than primary sutured closure. Sutureless closure after silo led to less ventilator use/time, anesthetics, and antibiotics compared to those with sutured closure after silo.
Sutureless abdominal wall closure of neonates with gastroschisis was associated with less general anesthetics, antibiotic use, surgical site/deep space infections, and decreased ventilator time. These findings support further prospective study by our group.
Level III.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increasingly prevalent in injured children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Few data exist to support VTE pharmacologic prophylaxis or ultrasound (US) ...surveillance in children with high bleeding risk. After implementation of screening US guidelines, we sought to describe our experience, hypothesizing that screening US of children at highest risk for VTE results in earlier detection and management.
A retrospective analysis was conducted on prospectively collected data of injured children admitted to an American College of Surgeons Verified level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center from 2010 to 2015. In patients at high risk for both VTE and bleeding (HRHR), guidelines recommended deferral of pharmacologic prophylaxis and a screening US at ≥7 ICU days if bleeding risk remained. Outcomes analyzed included VTE rates, guideline compliance, and US timing. The rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) detection (number of DVT captured/number of US obtained) was examined.
Of 4061 trauma patients, 588 (14.5%) were critically injured including 112 patients who met HRHR criteria. The rate of VTE in the HRHR group ≥7 ICU days was 25% (14/56). Of 23 VTE diagnosed in the ICU, 17 were detected by 49 US performed (34.7%), with the remaining 6 diagnosed by computed tomography. DVT was detected earlier than the US guideline recommended 7 days, independent of symptoms. Guideline compliance was 86%.
Critically injured children at risk for bleeding frequently develop VTE. Surveillance ultrasound in patients at high risk for both VTE and bleeding allows earlier detection and treatment.
Therapeutic study, level II.
Abstract Background Perioperative hypothermia decreases nutrient and oxygen delivery to tissues and, in adult studies, increases the risk of infectious complications. Gastroschisis (GS) places ...newborns at risk for hypothermia by nature of exposed viscera and excessive heat loss. Although hypothermia is a known cause of mortality in GS, the rate of infectious complications in this at-risk cohort has not yet been delineated. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed at our single tertiary-referral hospital, evaluating patient and operative characteristics of all gastroschisis infants who underwent operative closure. Intraoperative temperatures were recorded, defining hypothermia as mild (35.5-35.9°C), moderate (35.0-35.4 °C), or severe (< 35 °C). Temperature nadirs, procedural and anesthesia duration were observed. The primary outcome was 30-day surgical site infections (SSI). Secondary measures included other infectious complications (ICs). Results Among 43 gastroschisis neonates, 21 (48.8%) had intraoperative hypothermia, classified as mild in 2 (4.7%), moderate in 8 (18.6%) and severe in 11 (25.6%). Nineteen ICs occurred in 35.9% of patients, including 10 (23.3%) SSIs. There was no association between hypothermia and ICs. Patient and operative characteristics were similar between normothermic and hypothermic groups, except that normothermic infants were more likely to have silos placed with delayed closure than hypothermic patients (63.6% vs 23.8%, p = 0.01). Conclusions Infants with gastroschisis are at high risk for hypothermia and infectious complications; though, newborns with silos were less subject to temperature lability. A multi-institutional study with greater power is needed to further investigate the relationship between perioperative hypothermia and surgical infectious complications.
