Biological versus synthetic patch for the repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: 8-year experience at a tertiary center.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare outcome between small intestinal submucosal (SIS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patches in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with large muscular defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent CDH repair from January 2011 to June 2019, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Data were collected regarding length of stay (LOS), mortality and recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analyses was used. RESULTS: In the study period, 195 patients with CDH were admitted, 176 underwent surgical repair and 19 died before surgery. Sixty-two (35%) required a patch. Over the last 5 years, our institution transitioned from the use of all SIS to all PTFE. SIS was used in 18 cases and PTFE in 25. Overall survival rate was 89% (174/195). There was no significant difference regarding LOS and mortality. Nine patients (50%) of SIS and 1 (4%) of PTFE repairs recurred (P < 0.01; log-rank test P <  0.01), with a time course of recurrence of 18 (SD = 13) and 8 months, respectively. Median follow-up was 60 months (SD: 23) for the SIS group and 26 (SD: 10) for the PTFE group. CONCLUSION: A significant lower recurrence was found using PTFE patches instead of SIS for the repair of large CDH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. Retrospective comparative study.

Perfil de la demanda espontánea de niños de hasta 30 días de vida en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad / Profile of spontaneous demand for services among infants younger than 30 days old at a children's tertiary care hospital

En los últimos años, la aceptación de recién nacidos (RN) críticos al Área de T erapia Intensiva Neonatal del Hospital Garrahan (HG) se ha limitado, debido al ingreso de menores de 30 días a través de la demanda espontánea. Esta situación posiblemente multifactorial tiene, entre sus causas, la falta de regionalización, que determina el uso inadecuado de los recursos o distorsiona el uso de recursos pensados para la mayor complejidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el perfil de los RN que concurren espontáneamente para su atención al HG y evaluar el nivel de complejidad requerido según su patología. Material y métodos. Estudio de corte transversal. Se evaluaron todos los niños ≤ 30 días que consultaron al HG en un período de 12 meses. De cada RN, se analizaron las características clínicas, las consultas previas, la motivación de los padres a consultar al HG y se evaluó sí podrían haber sido asistidos en instituciones de menor complejidad. Resultados. Se analizaron 307 consultas, edad X 18 días ± 7,6. Requirió hospitalización el 78%. El motivo de internación más frecuente fue la infección respiratoria aguda. El 35% tenía cobertura social; 54% consultó en más de una oportunidad a otro centro. Solo 15% de los neonatos presentaban una patología de alta complejidad pasible de ser resuelta en el HG. Conclusión. El análisis del perfil de RN que concurre por demanda espontánea al HG mostró una alta necesidad de internación de patología de mediana y baja complejidad.

In recent years, admission of critical newborn infants (NBIs) to the neonatal intensive care unit of Hospital Garrahan (HG) has been limited due to the hospitalization of infants younger than 30 days old through spontaneous demand for services. This is probably a multifactorial situation, and one of its causes is a lack of regionalization, which results in an inadequate use of resources or a distorted use of resources intended for more complex care. The objective of this study was to establish the profile of NBIs who make a spontaneous demand for services at HG and to assess the level of care required based on their medical condition. Material and methods. Cross-sectional study. All infants ≤ 30 days old who sought care at HG in a period of 12 months were assessed. The analysis included clinical characteristics of NBIs, prior visits, parental reason for consultation at HG, and whether NBIs could have been seen at a primary or secondary care facility. Results. A total of 307 consultations were analyzed; NBI age was 18 days ± 7.6. Of these, 78% required hospitalization. The most common reason for hospitalization was acute respiratory tract infection. Thirty-five percent had health insurance coverage; 54% had sought care more than once at a different facility. Only 15% of NBIs had a highly complex condition that should have actually been solved at HG. Conclusion. Based on the analysis of NBIs seen at HG through spontaneous demand for services, a high requirement of hospitalization for low and medium complexity pathologies was observed.

Profile of spontaneous demand for services among infants younger than 30 days old at a children's tertiary care hospital. / Perfil de la demanda espontánea de niños de hasta 30 días de vida en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, admission of critical newborn infants (NBIs) to the neonatal intensive care unit of Hospital Garrahan (HG) has been limited due to the hospitalization of infants younger than 30 days old through spontaneous demand for services. This is probably a multifactorial situation, and one of its causes is a lack of regionalization, which results in an inadequate use of resources or a distorted use of resources intended for more complex care. OBJECTIVE: To establish the profile of NBIs who make a spontaneous demand for services at HG and to assess the level of care required based on their medical condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. All infants < 30 days old who sought care at HG in a period of 12 months were assessed. The analysis included clinical characteristics of NBIs, prior visits, parental reason for consultation at HG, and whether NBIs could have been seen at a primary or secondary care facility. RESULTS: A total of 307 consultations were analyzed; NBI age was 18 days ± 7.6. Of these, 78% required hospitalization. The most common reason for hospitalization was acute respiratory tract infection. Thirty-five percent had health insurance coverage; 54% had sought care more than once at a different facility. Only 15% of NBIs had a highly complex condition that should have actually been solved at HG. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of NBIs seen at HG through spontaneous demand for services, a high requirement of hospitalization for low and medium complexity pathologies was observed.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En los últimos años, la aceptación de recién nacidos (RN) críticos al Área de T erapia Intensiva Neonatal del Hospital Garrahan (HG) se ha limitado, debido al ingreso de menores de 30 días a través de la demanda espontánea. Esta situación posiblemente multifactorial tiene, entre sus causas, la falta de regionalización, que determina el uso inadecuado de los recursos o distorsiona el uso de recursos pensados para la mayor complejidad. OBJETIVO: Determinar el perfil de los RN que concurren espontáneamente para su atención al HG y evaluar el nivel de complejidad requerido según su patología. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de corte transversal. Se evaluaron todos los niños < 30 días que consultaron al HG en un período de 12 meses. De cada RN, se analizaron las características clínicas, las consultas previas, la motivación de los padres a consultar al HG y se evaluó sí podrían haber sido asistidos en instituciones de menor complejidad. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 307 consultas, edad X 18 días ± 7,6. Requirió hospitalización el 78%. El motivo de internación más frecuente fue la infección respiratoria aguda. El 35% tenía cobertura social; 54% consultó en más de una oportunidad a otro centro. Solo 15% de los neonatos presentaban una patología de alta complejidad pasible de ser resuelta en el HG. CONCLUSIÓN: El análisis del perfil de RN que concurre por demanda espontánea al HG mostró una alta necesidad de internación de patología de mediana y baja complejidad.