Expert Consensus on Pediatric Urodynamics Reporting Using Modified Delphi Technique.

PURPOSE: Urodynamic testing (UDS) is an important tool in the management of pediatric lower urinary tract conditions. There have been notable efforts to standardize pediatric UDS nomenclature and technique, but no formal guidelines exist on essential elements to include in a clinical report. We sought to identify ideal structure and elements of a pediatric UDS assessment based on expert consensus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pediatric urologists regularly performing UDS were queried using a Delphi process. Participants were invited representing varied geographic, experience, and societal involvement. Participants underwent 3 rounds of questionnaires between November 2022 and August 2023 focusing on report organization, elements, definitions, and automated electronic health record clinical decision support. Professional billing requirements were also considered. Consensus was defined as 80% agreeing either in favor of or against a topic. Elements without consensus were discussed in subsequent rounds. RESULTS: A diverse sample of 30 providers, representing 27 institutions across 21 US states; Washington, District of Columbia; and Canada completed the study. Participants reported interpreting an average number of 5 UDS reports per week (range 1-22). The finalized consensus report identifies 93 elements that should be included in a pediatric UDS report based on applicable study conditions and findings. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus report details the key elements and structure agreed upon by an expert panel of pediatric urologists. Further standardization of documentation should aid collaboration and research for patients undergoing UDS. Based on this information, development of a standardized UDS report template using electronic health record implementation principles is underway, which will be openly available for pediatric urologists.

The real world experience of pediatric primary hyperoxaluria patients in the PEDSnet clinical research network.

The rarity of primary hyperoxaluria (PH) challenges our understanding of the disease. The purpose of our study was to describe the course of clinical care in a United States cohort of PH pediatric patients, highlighting health service utilization. We performed a retrospective cohort study of PH patients < 18 years old in the PEDSnet clinical research network from 2009 to 2021. Outcomes queried included diagnostic imaging and testing related to known organ involvement of PH, surgical and medical interventions specific to PH-related renal disease, and select PH-related hospital service utilization. Outcomes were evaluated relative to cohort entrance date (CED), defined as date of first PH-related diagnostic code. Thirty-three patients were identified: 23 with PH type 1; 4 with PH type 2; 6 with PH type 3. Median age at CED was 5.0 years (IQR 1.4, 9.3 years) with the majority being non-Hispanic white (73%) males (70%). Median follow-up between CED and most recent encounter was 5.1 years (IQR 1.2, 6.8). Nephrology and Urology were the most common specialties involved in care, with low utilization of other sub-specialties (12%-36%). Most patients (82%) had diagnostic imaging used to evaluate kidney stones; 11 (33%) had studies of extra-renal involvement. Stone surgery was performed in 15 (46%) patients. Four patients (12%) required dialysis, begun in all prior to CED; four patients required renal or renal/liver transplant.    Conclusion: In this large cohort of U.S. PH children, patients required heavy health care utilization with room for improvement in involving multi-disciplinary specialists. What is Known: • Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is rare with significant implications on patient health. Typical involvement includes the kidneys; however, extra-renal manifestations occur. • Most large population studies describe clinical manifestations and involve registries. What is New: • We report the clinical journey, particularly related to diagnostic studies, interventions, multispecialty involvement, and hospital utilization, of a large cohort of PH pediatric patients in the PEDSnet clinical research network. • There are missed opportunities, particularly in that of specialty care, that could help in the diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of known clinical manifestations.

Diagnostic Code-Based Screening for Identifying Children with Primary Hyperoxaluria.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the utility of diagnostic codes to screen for patients with primary hyperoxaluria (PH) and evaluate their positive predictive value (PPV) in identifying children with this rare condition in PEDSnet, a clinical research network of pediatric health systems that shares electronic health records data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of children who received care at 7 PEDSnet institutions from January 2009 through January 2021. We developed and applied screening criteria using diagnostic codes that generated 3 categories of the hypothesized probability of PH. Tier 1 had specific diagnostic codes for PH; tier 2 had codes for hyperoxaluria, oxalate nephropathy, or oxalosis; and tier 3 had a combination of ≥2 codes for disorder of carbohydrate metabolism and ≥1 code for kidney stones. We reviewed the electronic health records of patients with possible PH to confirm PH diagnosis and evaluate the accuracy and timing of diagnostic codes. The PPV of the codes was compared across tiers, time, PH type, and site. RESULTS: We identified 341 patients in the screen; 33 had confirmed PH (9.7%). Tier 1 had the highest proportion of PH; however, the PPV was only 20%. The degree to which an institution accurately represented point of care diagnoses in the data extraction process was predictive of higher PPV. The PPV of diagnostic codes was highest for PH3 (100%) and lowest for PH1 (22.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic codes for PH have poor PPV. Findings suggest that one should be careful in research using large databases in which source validation is not possible.

Surgeon, patient, and caregiver perspective of pediatric surgical telemedicine in the COVID-19 pandemic era.

PURPOSE: Adoption of telemedicine (TME) in surgical specialties, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, has previously been slow. The purpose of this prospective, observational, single institution study is to evaluate surgeon and caregiver perspectives of TMEs during the pandemic. METHODS: Surveys were distributed to surgical faculty regarding perceptions of TME early during the pandemic and 2 months later. Caregivers (or patients > 18 years old) were asked after each TME to complete a survey regarding perceptions of TMEs. RESULTS: Surveys were distributed to 73 surgeons. Response rates were 71% initially and 63% at follow-up. Sixty-eight percent reported no prior TME experience. No significant differences were noted in the overall satisfaction. An inverse relationship between surgeon age and satisfaction at the follow-up survey was identified (p = 0.007). Additional surveys were distributed to 616 caregivers or patients (response rate 13%). Seventy-two percent reported no prior experience with TME and 79% described TME as similar to an in-person visit. Audiovisual satisfaction of the TME was higher in greater income households (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-pandemic experience with TME was low in both groups; however, experiences were perceived as satisfactory. Positive experiences with TME may encourage increased utilization in the future, although demographic variations may impact satisfaction with TME. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Unique identifier NCT04376710 at Clinicaltrials.gov (5/6/2020).

Enhanced recovery after surgery and anesthetic outcomes in pediatric reconstructive urologic surgery.

PURPOSE: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a perioperative management strategy to hasten postoperative recovery. We examined the effects of a pilot implementation of ERAS for pediatric patients on anesthetic outcomes. METHODS: We performed a prospective case-control study utilizing an ERAS protocol in patients aged < 18 years undergoing urologic reconstruction that included a bowel anastomosis. Protocol elements included: multimodal analgesia, opioid minimization, and routine nausea/vomiting prophylaxis. ERAS patients were propensity-matched with historical controls. Outcomes of interest included maximum PACU pain score, time to first opioid, opioid-free days, and need for opioids on day of discharge. RESULTS: A total of 13 ERAS patients and 26 historical controls were included, with median ages 9.9 years (IQR 9.1-11) and 10.4 years (IQR 8.0-12.4), respectively. ERAS increased the percentage of patients who did not receive any intraoperative or postoperative opioids (0% vs 15%, p = 0.046 for both) and reduced maximum PACU pain score (3 vs 0, p < 0.001). The use of postoperative supplemental oxygen was decreased in the ERAS group (85% vs 38%, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of an ERAS protocol appears to decrease postoperative pain, opioid usage, and positively impact other anesthetic outcomes in children undergoing urologic reconstructive surgery utilizing a bowel anastomosis.

Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction and Associated Pons Volume in Patients with Wolfram Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Wolfram syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by childhood onset diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, diabetes insipidus, hearing impairment, and commonly bladder and bowel dysfunction. We hypothesized that there is an association between a smaller pons, which contains the pontine micturition center, and abnormal lower urinary tract function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with genetically confirmed Wolfram syndrome attended an annual multidisciplinary research clinic. Subjects underwent noninvasive urodynamic testing and brain magnetic resonance imaging, and completed validated patient reported outcome measures. Bowel and bladder diaries were completed before visits. Age and gender corrected linear and logistic mixed effects models were used to correlate pons volume, corrected for whole brain size, to urodynamic and patient reported outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients attended 142 visits between 2010 and 2016. Mean age was 16.9 years (range 7 to 30) and 64% of patients were female. Functional bladder capacity was decreased in 31% of the patients, normal in 54% and increased in 14%. Of the patients 44% and 54% had abnormal uroflowmetry and post-void residual, respectively, on at least 1 occasion. There was no increase through time in incidence of lower urinary tract dysfunction. Decreased pons volume was associated with increased post-void residual (p = 0.048) and higher PinQ (Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire) score (p = 0.011), indicating lower quality of life and higher levels of dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of children, adolescents and young adults with Wolfram syndrome have objective evidence of lower urinary tract dysfunction. Decreased pons volume is associated with more abnormal urinary function and lower quality of life in patients with Wolfram syndrome.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in children: Promising, evidence-based multidisciplinary care.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal approach to the care of the surgical patient focused on reducing the stress response and associated physiologic changes that accompany surgery. Over the past 20 years, ERAS programs have been found to result in reduced LOS and complications in adult patients. Despite abundant adult literature describing implementation and outcomes of enhanced recovery programs, pediatric data in this area is sparse. This educational review describes the history and elements of ERAS protocols, reviews the available evidence in adult and pediatric populations, compares and contrasts ERAS with the PSH, and offers strategies for implementation and ideas for future directions of ERAS in children.

Research prioritization of men's health and urologic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether disease representation in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) reflects disease burden, measured by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study as disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two investigators performed independent assessment of ten men's health and urologic diseases (MHUDs) in CDSR for systematic review and protocol representation, which were compared with percentage of total 2010 DALYs for the ten conditions. Data were analyzed for correlation using Spearman rank analysis. RESULTS: Nine of ten MHUDs were represented by at least one CDSR review. There was a poor and statistically insignificant positive correlation between CDSR representation and disease burden (rho = 0.42, p = 0.23). CDSR representation was aligned with disease burden for three conditions, greater than disease burden for one condition, and less than disease burden for six conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results yield high-quality estimates to inform future research prioritization for MHUDs. While prioritization processes are complex and multi-faceted, disease burden should be strongly considered. Awareness of research priority setting has the potential to minimize research disparities on a global scale.

Monitoring and malignancy concerns in patients with congenital bladder anomalies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There are concerns that patients with congenital bladder anomalies (CBA) may be at higher risk for developing bladder malignancy later in life. To date there is no consensus on how to monitor these patients to prevent this devastating malignancy. We will review the current understanding of bladder malignancy in patients with CBA and the status of surveillance tests. RECENT FINDINGS: Initial reports observed that augmentation cystoplasty in CBA may be an independent risk factor for bladder malignancy. Since that time, studies have identified that the augmented bladder may not be the culprit, but the congenital bladder itself may be at risk. Further, reports determined cystoscopy and cytology are not cost-effective at detecting these malignancies. Bladder cancer in these patients at presentation is typically aggressive and presents at a younger age, high stage with high mortality. SUMMARY: Surveillance cystoscopy and cytology of the adult congenital bladder should be discontinued as the evidence shows they are not effective, given the low incidence, high cost, and inability to alter the course of disease. Symptomatic patients should prompt a detailed evaluation for bladder cancer using standard testing.

Pathologic Risk Factors in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients With Clinical Stage I Testicular Stromal Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Testicular stromal tumors (TSTs) are rare. In adult men with TSTs, various pathologic risk factors have been identified in patients with clinically localized disease that increase the risk of occult metastatic disease (OMD). We systematically reviewed existing literature to analyze the impact of these risk factors on OMD in prepubertal (0 to 12 y) and postpubertal (13 to 21 y) patients. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the combination of terms: "testicular stromal tumors," "testicular leydig cell tumors," "testicular sertoli tumors," "testicular interstitial tumors," "testicular granulosa tumor," and "testicular sex cord tumors." Studies of patients 0 to 21 years with clinical stage I TSTs were included. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients from 31 publications were included with a median age at diagnosis of 5.7 years (range, 1.2 mo to 21 y). Seventy-nine patients were 12 years and below (median 7.2 mo) and 21 patients were 13 to 21 years (median 16 y). No patients in either group were identified to have OMD at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection or during follow-up surveillance (median follow-up 45.6 y; range, 4 to 360 mo). 99% of those 12 years and below versus 95% of those above 12 years had 0 to 1 pathologic risk factors, and 1% versus 5% had 2+ pathologic risk factors (P=0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical stage I TSTs in adolescent, postpubertal patients appear to behave in a benign manner with few pathologic risk factors, similar to prepubertal patients. Given the low risk of relapse in this population, low-impact surveillance strategies are paramount. Prospective study of these patients is needed, and entry into a tumor registry such as the International Ovarian and Testicular Stromal Tumor Registry is important to learning more about this rare disease.

Traditional androgen ablation approaches to advanced prostate cancer: new insights.

INTRODUCTION: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a mature therapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, and yet despite many years of use, there is still much about its use, side effects, efficacy, and outcomes for which the urology community does not have answers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed to review ADT use in the modern era, specifically examining adjuvant ADT after primary therapy, continuous versus intermittent ADT, disadvantages of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists versus newer LHRH antagonists, and controversies of combined androgen blockade. RESULTS: ADT has little role as primary therapy in North American populations. Evidence for the use of neoadjuvant/adjuvant ADT with radical prostatectomy is less compelling than that for radiation therapy. Data supporting combined androgen blockade over LHRH agonist therapy alone are mixed. Newer LHRH antagonists have a faster onset of reduction in serum testosterone and demonstrate other effects on serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that may impact prostate cancer outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: ADT remains a mainstay of treatment in prostate cancer, and our knowledge of its effectiveness has improved with time. There are still scenarios where not enough information is available and study is ongoing.

The Effect of Social Vulnerability on Perioperative Tonsillectomy Outcomes in Children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if children with greater social vulnerability are more likely to experience a prolonged oxygen requirement (POR) following adenotonsillectomy to inform the need for overnight monitoring prior to discharge. METHODS: A previously published prospective study assessing children observed overnight following adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing was reanalyzed including social vulnerability index (SVI). The outcome was POR beyond 3 h following extubation. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of SVI components with POR. SVI components were assessed as quartiles of cohort values. Final adjusted models included race, asthma, Down syndrome, and pre-operative SpO2. RESULTS: A total of 462 children had SVI data available and were included. 354 (76.6%) were > = 3 years of age. Overall, 351 (76%) did not have a POR. The median overall SVI percentile was 26.5 (Q1 10.4, Q3 60.1). When categorized by SVI quartiles, there was a statistically significant difference with POR for overall SVI percentile (p = 0.007), SVI household composition percentile (p = 0.033), and median SVI housing/transportation percentile (p = 0.005). Individuals with an overall SVI in the 4th quartile (greatest vulnerability) were 2.63 times more likely to experience a POR than those in the 1st quartile (lowest social vulnerability) in adjusted logistic regression (95% OR CI 1.23-5.62; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between greater neighborhood-level social vulnerability and a POR following adenotonsillectomy. We propose that a child's SVI be considered when planning for the perioperative course following adenotonsillectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2449-2454, 2024.

Development of an enhanced recovery after surgery program for pediatric solid tumors.

Introduction: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is an evidence-based, multi-modal approach to decrease surgical stress, expedite recovery, and improve postoperative outcomes. ERAS is increasingly being utilized in pediatric surgery. Its applicability to pediatric patients undergoing abdominal tumor resections remains unknown. Methods and Analysis: A group of key stakeholders adopted ERAS principles and developed a protocol suitable for the variable complexity of pediatric abdominal solid tumor resections. A multi-center, prospective, propensity-matched case control study was then developed to evaluate the feasibility of the protocol. A pilot-phase was utilized prior to enrollment of all patients older than one month of age undergoing any abdominal, retroperitoneal, or pelvic tumor resections. The primary outcome was 90-day complications per patient. Additional secondary outcomes included: ERAS protocol adherence, length of stay, time to administration of adjuvant chemotherapy, readmissions, reoperations, emergency room visits, pain scores, opioid usage, and differences in Quality of Recovery 9 scores. Ethics and Dissemination: Institutional review board approval was obtained at all participating centers. Informed consent was obtained from each participating patient. The results of this study will be presented at pertinent society meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals. We expect the results will inform peri-operative care for pediatric surgical oncology patients and provide guidance on initiation of ERAS programs. We anticipate this study will take four years to meet accrual targets and complete follow-up. Trial Registration Number: NCT04344899.

Feasibility of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) implementation in Pediatric Urology: Pilot-phase outcomes of a prospective, multi-center study.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a fundamental shift in perioperative care that has consistently demonstrated an improved outcome for a wide variety of surgeries in adults but has only limited evidence in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the success with and barriers to implementation of ERAS in a prospective, multi-center study on patients undergoing complex lower urinary tract reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN: Centers were directed to implement an ERAS protocol using a multidisciplinary team and quality improvement methodologies. Providers completed pre- and post-pilot surveys. An audit committee met after enrolling the first 5 patients at each center. Pilot-phase outcomes included enrollment of ≥2 patients in the first 6 months of enrollment, completion of 90 days of follow-up, identification of barriers to implementation, and protocol adherence. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled across 8 centers. The median age at surgery was 10.3 years (IQR 6.4-12.5). Sixty five percent had a diagnosis of myelomeningocele, and 33 % had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A bladder augmentation was performed in 70 %, Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy in 52 %, Monti ileovesicostomy in 15 %, and antegrade continence enema channel in 38 %. The most commonly perceived barriers to implementation on the pre-pilot survey were "difficulty initiating and maintaining compliance with care pathway" in 51 % followed by a "lack of time, money, or clinical resources" in 36 %. The pre-pilot study experience, implementation, and pilot-phase outcomes are provided in the Table. All primary and secondary outcomes were achieved. DISCUSSION: The findings of the present study were similar to several small comparative studies with regard to the importance of a multidisciplinary team, strong leadership, and continuous audit for successful implementation of ERAS. Similar barriers were also encountered to other studies, which primarily related to a lack of administrative support, leadership, and buy-in from other services. The limitations of the present study included a relatively small heterogeneous cohort and absence of a comparative group, which will be addressed in the larger exploratory phase of the trial. The findings may also not be generaziable due to the need for sustainable processes that were unique to each center as well as an absence of adequate volume or resources at smaller centers. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS was successfully implemented for complex lower urinary tract reconstruction across 8 centers through a multidisciplinary team, structured approach based on the local context, and focus on a continuous audit.

Clinical-pathologic correlation between transperineal mapping biopsies of the prostate and three-dimensional reconstruction of prostatectomy specimens.

BACKGROUND: Extended transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies (TRUSB) of the prostate may not accurately convey true morphometric information and Gleason score (GS) of prostate cancer (PCa) and the clinical use of template-guided (5-mm grid) transperineal mapping biopsies (TPMBs) remains controversial. METHODS: We correlated the clinical-pathologic results of 1,403 TPMB cores obtained from 25 men diagnosed with PCa with 64 cancer lesions found in their corresponding radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. Special computer models of three-dimensional, whole-mounted radical prostatectomy (3D-WMRP) specimens were generated and used as gold standard to determine tumor morphometric data. Between-sample rates of upgrade and downgrade (highest GS and a novel cumulative GS) and upstage and downstage (laterality) were determined. Lesions ≥ 0.5 cm(3) or GS ≥ 7 were considered clinically significant. RESULTS: From 64 separate 3D-WMRP lesions, 25 had significant volume (mean 1.13 cm(3)) and 39 were insignificant (mean 0.09 cm(3)) (P < 0.0001); 18/64 lesions were missed by TPMB, but only one was clinically significant with GS-8 (0.02 cm(3)). When comparing the cumulative GS of TPMB versus RP, 72% (n = 18) had identical scores, 12% (n = 3) were upgraded, and only 16% (n = 4) were downgraded. Laterality of TPMB and RP was strongly correlated, 80% same laterality, 4% were up-staged, and 16% down-staged. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical-pathology correlation showed very high accuracy of TPMB with a 5-mm grid template to detect clinically significant PCa lesions as compared with 3D-WMRP, providing physicians and patients with a reliable assessment of grade and stage of disease and the opportunity to choose the most appropriate therapeutic options.

Androgen annihilation as a new therapeutic paradigm in advanced prostate cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Treatment of all stages of prostate cancer has changed considerably in recent years, as our understanding of its biochemical pathways has improved. Testosterone, true to Huggin's original observation, remains a key player not only in newly diagnosed prostate cancer but also in castration-resistant prostate cancer, and our understanding of how to combine and sequence drugs that attack these pathways continues to grow. New US Food and Drugs Administration approved pharmaceutical agents further eliminate testosterone ligand or its activity via inhibition of key synthetic enzymes and through strong inhibition of the androgen receptor. RECENT FINDINGS: This review will briefly examine our knowledge of the complex relationship between testosterone, androgen receptor and advanced prostate cancer, discuss the limits of traditional androgen deprivation therapy in the form of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and newer antagonists, examine combination therapies, including combined androgen blockade and newer studies with 5α-reductase inhibitors, and overview two new therapeutics that target hormonal pathways. SUMMARY: This review provides guidance on trials that examine combination therapies in various prostate cancer disease states. Androgens and prostate cancer remain inexorably linked, and this review will shed light on renewed focus on eliminating activity of this trophic ligand.

Retrospective analysis of bladder perforation risk in patients after augmentation cystoplasty using an extraperitoneal approach.

BACKGROUND: Initial management of pediatric patients with neurogenic bladder is focused on clean intermittent catheterization and medical therapies. Those with more hostile or small capacity bladders require surgical intervention including bladder augmentation that can result in significant clinical sequelae. This study examines a rarely described approach wherein the bladder reconstruction is extraperitonealized by bringing bowel segments through a peritoneal window and then closed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if the rate of bladder rupture and subsequent morbidity differed between patients who have undergone an intraperitoneal versus extraperitoneal bladder augmentation. We hypothesized that an extraperitoneal approach reduced the risk of intraperitoneal bladder perforation, downstream Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, small bowel obstruction (SBO) requiring exploratory laparotomy, and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt-related difficulties as compared to the standard intraperitoneal technique. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess surgical approach and outcomes in patients who underwent bladder augmentation performed between January 2009 and June 2021. Patients were identified through an existing database and manual chart review was conducted to extract data through imaging studies, operative notes, and clinical documentation. The primary outcome was bladder perforation. Secondary outcomes were ICU admission, exploratory laparotomy, and VP shunt externalization, infection, or revision for any cause. Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients underwent bladder augmentation with 37 intraperitoneal and 74 extraperitoneal procedures. Median follow up was 5.8 years [IQR 3.0-8.6 years] and did not vary between groups (P = 0.67). Only one patient was found to have a bladder perforation in the intraperitoneal group (log-rank P = 0.154). There were no significant differences in time to post-augmentation ICU admission, exploratory laparotomy, or VP shunt events between the two groups (log-rank P = 0.294, log-rank P = 0.832, and log-rank P = 0.237, respectively). Furthermore, a Kaplan-Meier analysis assessing time to composite complication demonstrated no significant difference between the two techniques (log-rank P = 0.236). DISCUSSION: This study provides important data comparing the rate of bladder perforation and subsequent morbidity between intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal bladder augmentation. As expected, with a complex procedure, both groups suffered complications, but these data showed no difference between the two procedures. Rates of prior (abdominal) surgery may influence the decision to perform this procedure extraperitoneal. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes related to bladder perforation and secondary consequences do not differ significantly between patients who had bladder augmentation performed with an intraperitoneal versus extraperitoneal approach. Given the low number of adverse events in this study, larger studies are warranted.

Evaluating the role for regional analgesia in children with spina bifida: a retrospective observational study comparing the efficacy of regional versus systemic analgesia protocols following major urological surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Regional techniques are a key component of multimodal analgesia and help decrease opioid use perioperatively, but some techniques may not be suitable for all patients, such as those with spina bifida. We hypothesized peripheral regional catheters would reduce postoperative opioid use compared with no regional analgesia without increasing pain scores in pediatric patients with spina bifida undergoing major urological surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of a multicenter database established for the study of enhanced recovery after surgery was performed of patients from 2009 to 2021 who underwent bladder augmentation or creation of catheterizable channels. Patients without spina bifida and those receiving epidural analgesia were excluded. Opioids were converted into morphine equivalents and normalized to patient weight. RESULTS: 158 patients with pediatric spina bifida from 7 centers were included, including 87 with and 71 without regional catheters. There were no differences in baseline patient factors. Anesthesia setup increased from median 40 min (IQR 34-51) for no regional to 64 min (IQR 40-97) for regional catheters (p<0.01). The regional catheter group had lower median intraoperative opioid usage (0.24 vs 0.80 mg/kg morphine equivalents, p<0.01) as well as lower in-hospital postoperative opioid usage (0.05 vs 0.23 mg/kg/day morphine equivalents, p<0.01). Pain scores were not higher in the regional catheters group. DISCUSSION: Continuous regional analgesia following major urological surgery in children with spina bifida was associated with a 70% intraoperative and 78% postoperative reduction in opioids without higher pain scores. This approach should be considered for similar surgical interventions in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03245242.

Causes of death among people with myelomeningocele: A multi-institutional 47-year retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze organ system-based causes and non-organ system-based mechanisms of death (COD, MOD) in people with myelomeningocele (MMC), comparing urological to other COD. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 16 institutions in Canada/United States of non-random convenience sample of people with MMC (born > = 1972) using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: Of 293 deaths (89% shunted hydrocephalus), 12% occurred in infancy, 35% in childhood, and 53% in adulthood (documented COD: 74%). For 261 shunted individuals, leading COD were neurological (21%) and pulmonary (17%), and leading MOD were infections (34%, including shunt infections: 4%) and non-infectious shunt malfunctions (14%). For 32 unshunted individuals, leading COD were pulmonary (34%) and cardiovascular (13%), and leading MOD were infections (38%) and non-infectious pulmonary (16%). COD and MOD varied by shunt status and age (p < = 0.04), not ambulation or birthyear (p > = 0.16). Urology-related deaths (urosepsis, renal failure, hematuria, bladder perforation/cancer: 10%) were more likely in females (p = 0.01), independent of age, shunt, or ambulatory status (p > = 0.40). COD/MOD were independent of bladder augmentation (p = >0.11). Unexplained deaths while asleep (4%) were independent of age, shunt status, and epilepsy (p >= 0.47). CONCLUSION: COD varied by shunt status. Leading MOD were infectious. Urology-related deaths (10%) were independent of shunt status; 26% of COD were unknown. Life-long multidisciplinary care and accurate mortality documentation are needed.