Frequency of ROP Diagnosis and Treatment in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants by Gestational Week and Birth Weight: A Single-Center Experience.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (BW) ROP patients stratified by different BW categories. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined very low BW patients (≤1500 g) treated at a neonatal intensive care unit and subsequently assessed for ROP at the outpatient clinic. Data on gestational age (GA), BW, ROP severity, treatments, and outcomes were collected following international ROP classification criteria. Patients with type 1 ROP and aggressive ROP received treatment. Patients were categorized based on 250 g BW intervals, and ROP frequency and treatment rates were assessed by GA. Results: In this study, 116 patients, comprising 60.3% of females and 39.7% of males, were analyzed. The GA ranged from 23 to 34 weeks, with a mean of 30.03±2.64 weeks, while the mean BW was 1108±275 g, ranging from 370 g to 1490 g. ROP was present in 49.1% of patients and 19.8% required treatment. Lower BW and GA were significantly associated with ROP (p<0.05). ROP incidence and treatment rates varied across BW groups. Conclusion: ROP diagnosis and treatment rates have risen over time, reflecting improvements in intensive care. Categorizing premature infants based on BW facilitates the development of screening criteria tailored to neonatal intensive care units and aids in predicting ROP diagnosis and treatment rates.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Evaluation of Retinal and Choroidal Microvascular Morphological Changes Following Strabismus Surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the structural and microvascular changes in the retina and choroid after strabismus surgery. METHODS: The study included 44 eyes from 44 patients who underwent strabismus surgery between August 2020 and December 2021. Among these patients, 9 (20%) underwent horizontal one-muscle surgery, 27 (61%) underwent horizontal two-muscle surgery, and 8 (18%) underwent inferior oblique muscle anteriorization surgery. Optical coherence tomography angiography scans were conducted preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The outer retinal blood flow showed a significant increase at 1 day postoperatively in horizontal two-muscle and inferior oblique muscle anteriorization surgery, whereas no significant difference was observed between periods in horizontal one-muscle surgery (P = .007). Choriocapillaris blood flow exhibited a significant increase at 1 day and 1 month postoperatively compared to the preoperative period (P < .001). Whole image superficial capillary plexus vascular density was significantly lower at 1 day postoperatively than preoperatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively (P < .001). Whole image deep capillary plexus vascular density was significantly lower at 1 day than at 1 month postoperatively (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Following strabismus surgery, temporary changes in the hemodynamic microcirculation in the retina and choroid are observed. A transient decrease in retinal artery blood supply may be noticed, possibly attributed to the reduced anterior segment blood supply. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 20XX;X(X):XX-XX.].

Determining the Risk Factors for Anastomotic Stricture Development after Esophageal Atresia Repair: Results from the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Anastomotic stricture (AS) is the second most common complication after esophageal atresia (EA) repair. We aimed to evaluate the data in the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry to determine the risk factors for AS development after EA repair in a large national cohort of patients. METHODS: The data between 2015 and 2021 were evaluated. Patients were enrolled into two groups according to the occurrence of AS. Patients with AS (AS group) and without AS (non-AS group) were compared according to demographic and operative features, postoperative intubation status, and postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leaks, fistula recanalization, and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to define the risk factors for the development of AS after EA repair. RESULTS: Among the 713 cases, 144 patients (20.19%) were enrolled into the AS group and 569 (79.81%) in the non-AS group. The multivariable logistic regression showed that, being a term baby (odds ratio [OR]: 1.706; p = 0.006), having a birth weight over 2,500 g (OR: 1.72; p = 0.006), presence of GER (OR: 5.267; p < 0.001), or having a recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF, OR: 4.363; p = 0.006) were the risk factors for the development of AS. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our national registry demonstrate that 20% of EA patients developed AS within their first year of life. In patients with early primary anastomosis, birth weight greater than 2,500 g and presence of GER were risk factors for developing AS. When patients with delayed anastomosis were included, in addition to the previous risk factors, being a term baby, and having recurrent TEF also became risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

An innovative surgical treatment method in persistent rectal prolapse: Ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy.

OBJECTIVE: Herein, the results of the cases, who underwent surgical repair with or without ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy due to recurrent rectal prolapse, were discussed. METHODS: The demographic characteristics, surgical technique, and results of children who were operated in the department of Pediatric Surgery for rectal prolapse between 2004 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In 18 years, six pediatric cases (2 females [33%] and 4 males [67%]) were operated for persistent rectal prolapse. The mean operative age of the patients was 7.5 years (2.1-17), and all had severe rectal prolapse. Some of these patients were followed up in other centers and their rectal prolapse continued despite diet changes, toilet behavior training, and the treatment of sclerosing agents. Rectal trimming was applied to one of the first two patients who were operated for anal atresia and recurrence did not occur. In the second case who underwent laparoscopic colon pull-through, Ekehorn rectopexy was performed alone and no recurrence was observed also in this case. Considering that rectosigmoid colon adhesions formed on the anterior abdominal wall due to colostomy opening-closing may provide ventral sigmoidopexy, it was decided to offer the option of applying both methods together. Three of the next four cases were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. All four underwent ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy. Ekehorn's butterfly sutures were removed on 15th day and Foley catheters on 21st day. Three cases with cystic fibrosis were uneventful. However, a 14-year-old girl with a history of sexual abuse relapsed 6 months later. CONCLUSION: Ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy is a successful and unique method in terms of providing intestinal fixation. It may be the primary option for definitive surgical treatment of persistent rectal prolapse.

Esophageal Atresia Associated with Congenital Duodenal Obstruction: Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry (TEAR) Evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Coexistent congenital duodenal obstruction and esophageal atresia (EA) is known to have significant morbidity and mortality. Management strategies are not well-defined for this association. The data from the Turkish EA registry is evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database search was done for the years 2015 to 2022. RESULTS: Among 857 EA patients, 31 (3.6%) had congenital duodenal obstruction. The mean birth weight was 2,104 (± 457) g with 6 babies weighing less than 1,500 g. Twenty-six (84%) had type C EA. The duodenal obstruction was complete in 15 patients and partial in 16. Other anomalies were detected in 27 (87%) patients. VACTERL-H was present in 15 (48%), anorectal malformation in 10 (32%), a major cardiac malformation in 6 (19%), and trisomy-21 in 3 (10%). Duodenal obstruction diagnosis was delayed in 10 (32%) babies for a median of 7.5 (1-109) days. Diagnosis for esophageal pathologies was delayed in 2. Among 19 babies with a simultaneous diagnosis, 1 died without surgery, 6 underwent triple repair for tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), EA, and duodenal obstruction, and 3 for TEF and duodenal obstruction in the same session. A staged repair was planned in the remaining 9 patients. In total, 15 (48%) patients received a gastrostomy, the indication was long-gap EA in 8. Twenty-five (77%) patients survived. The cause of mortality was sepsis (n = 3) and major cardiac malformations (n = 3). CONCLUSION: Congenital duodenal obstruction associated with EA is a complex problem. Delayed diagnosis is common. Management strategies regarding single-stage repairs or gastrostomy insertions vary notably depending on the patient characteristics and institutional preferences.

Evaluation of the Long-Term Clinical Results of 3 Patients Implanted with the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis.

This study presents the long-term clinical results of Argus II retinal prosthesis implantation in eyes with light perception and projection in 3 patients with end-stage retinitis pigmentosa. No conjunctival erosion, hypotony, or implant displacement was observed during postoperative follow-up. The electrical threshold values were lower in the macular region and higher close to the tack fixation region and peripherally. Optical coherence tomography scans showed fibrosis and retinoschisis formation at the retina-implant interface in two cases. This was attributed to mechanical and electrical effects on the tissue due to the active daily use of the system and the electrodes' proximity to the retina. The patients were able to integrate the system into their daily lives and perform activities that they could not do before. Studies on retinal prostheses for the rehabilitation of hereditary retinal diseases are ongoing, so both social and clinical observations and experiences related to the implant are valuable.

The effect of postoperative ventilation strategies on postoperative complications and outcomes in patients with esophageal atresia: Results from the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative ventilatory strategies in patients with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) may have an impact on early postoperative complications. Our national Esophageal Atresia Registry was evaluated to define a possible relationship between the type and duration of respiratory support on postoperative complications and outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Among the data registered by 31 centers between 2015 and 2021, patients with esophago-esophageal anastomosis (EEA)/tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) were divided into two groups; invasive ventilatory support (IV) and noninvasive ventilatory support and/or oxygen support (NIV-OS). The demographic findings, gestational age, type of atresia, associated anomalies, and genetic malformations were evaluated. We compared the type of repair, gap length, chest tube insertion, follow-up times, tensioned anastomosis, postoperative complications, esophageal dilatations, respiratory problems requiring treatment after the operation, and mortality rates. RESULTS: Among 650 registered patients, 502 patients with EEA/TEF repair included the study. Four hundred and seventy of patients require IV and 32 of them had NIV-OS treatment. The IV group had lower mean birth weights and higher incidence of respiratory problems when compared to NIV-OS group. Also, NIV-OS group had significantly higher incidence of associated anomalies than IV groups. The rates of postoperative complications and mortality were not different between the IV and NIV-OS groups. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that patients who required invasive ventilation had a higher incidence of low birth weight and respiratory morbidity. We found no relation between mode of postoperative ventilation and surgical complications. Randomized controlled trials and clinical guidelines are needed to define the best type of ventilation strategy in children with EA/TEF.

Logbook of a Retinal Autograft.

This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of a retinal autograft that was used to treat a macular hole that occurred after repeated vitreoretinal surgeries. A patient underwent repeated vitreoretinal surgery due to retinal detachment in the right eye, and the internal limiting membrane was also removed during the surgeries. After silicone oil removal, the patient developed recurrent retinal detachment and macular hole, and for this reason a retinal autograft was applied to the macular hole and silicone tamponade was administered. The silicone oil was removed at postoperative 7 months, and the macular hole was observed to be closed on fundus examination at 18 months. The final visual acuity was 5/100. On optical coherence tomography (OCT), the hole in the detached retina was measured as 600 µm in diameter preoperatively, 1020 µm on the first postoperative day, gradually narrowed to 765 µm, and graft integration occurred. During follow-up, the accumulation of hyperreflective spots persisted on the inner surface of the graft tissue and in all vertically extending sections. In en face sections, it appeared as a hyperreflective arc between the graft and host retina with a shadowing artefact. In OCT angiography evaluation, a punctate multiple blood flow signal in the vertical axis of the graft was detected in the early phase at 3 months. This finding persisted at 1 month after silicone removal, and the flow signal disappeared with resorption of the cystic edema. These flow signals were in the same location as the areas of hyperreflective spots on structural OCT. In conclusion, structural OCT and OCT angiography are effective methods for the follow-up of retinal autograft integration into host tissue.

Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes in choriocapillaris and retina caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by comparing optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings of COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. METHODS: The study and control groups consisted of 54 eyes of 27 participants, each. Patients and controls underwent OCTA examination. Foveal zone vessel density and parafoveal zone vessel density (for 4 quadrants: nasal, temporal, superior, inferior) were calculated for both superficial and deep capillary plexuses. Additionally, choriocapillaris flow and foveal avascular zone areas were calculated. RESULTS: For the parafoveal area in the study group, vessel density was significantly lower in the superior and nasal quadrants of the superficial capillary plexus and in all quadrants of the deep capillary plexus compared with controls (p < 0.05 for all). The study group had significantly higher choriocapillaris flow area values compared with controls (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Reduced vessel density of the retinal capillary plexus was detected in COVID-19 patients who may be at risk for retinal vascular complications.