Role of nasogastric tube in children undergoing elective distal bowel surgery.

BACKGROUND: Nasogastric tubes are being routinely used in children and adults undergoing elective abdominal surgery without much scientific evidence supporting their true usefulness. The aim of our study was to assess the role of nasogastric tube in children undergoing elective distal bowel surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All pediatric patients undergoing elective distal bowel surgery were enrolled and randomized into two groups: those with nasogastric tube (NG group) or without nasogastric tube (NNG group). Outcome parameters such as resumption of bowel function, enteral feed tolerance, postoperative complications, hospital stay and patient with their parent satisfaction were compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were included with equal distribution in the NG and NNG groups. Patient variables were comparable in both the groups. Patients in NNG group progressed to full oral feeds significantly earlier (57 ± 18 vs. 106.07 ± 18.35 h, p < 0.001) and had shorter duration of hospital stay (91.93 ± 26.03 vs. 114.67 ± 18.83 h, p < 0.001) as compared to the NG group. Significant number of patients with nasogastric tube reported sore throat (9 vs. 1 p = 0.03) and nausea (5 vs. 0 p = 0.010). There was no significant difference in return of bowel function (39.43 h ± 15.92 vs. 43.60 h ± 17.77, p = 0.171), hiccups, sleep disturbance, complications and nasogastric tube reinsertion rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Routine use of nasogastric tube after elective distal bowel surgery in children is not necessary.

Pediatric Penile and Glans Anthropometry Nomograms: An Aid in Hypospadias Management.

OBJECTIVE: To establish pediatric penile and glans anthropometry nomograms. This may be used as a reference model for penile assessment while managing hypospadias. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 2012 and September 2013, 263 boys of varying ages (0-16 years) were included in the study. Those with genetic, endocrine disorders, having genital anomaly, undescended testis, neonates, and infants with a nonretractile prepuce, with multiple congenital anomalies and refusal to take part in the study were excluded. Evaluated outcome variables were stretched penile length, glans circumference (GC) at coronal sulcus, glans diameter at coronal sulcus (Gdcl), mid glans diameter, and ventral glans length. Glans ratios were generated by dividing Gdcl by GC. Data were expressed as mean, median, and standard deviation. Correlation between age and variables was evaluated using nonparametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The patients were divided in six age groups, namely 0-1 (n = 61), 1-3 (n = 37), 3-5 (n = 36), 5-7 (n = 36), 7-12 (n = 45), and >12 years (n = 48). Gdcl was the maximum transverse glans diameter and based on it small glans size varied widely from 8.9 to 35.04 mm for various age groups. Although glans anthropometry showed age-related changes, glans ratio remained relatively constant between 0.49 and 0.53 (mean: 0.5 ± 0.051, r = 0.29). All the variables except glans ratio showed a significant positive correlation with age (r = 0.954-0.98, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Penile anthropometry nomograms provide a reference model for hypospadias. This may aid in (a) objective preoperative assessment of glans size (b) patient selection for preoperative hormonal stimulation (c) provides a yardstick for postoperative cosmesis.

Predictors of upper tract damage in pediatric neurogenic bladder.

INTRODUCTION: Upper tract damage (UTD) is a life-threatening complication of neurogenic bladder (NB). Early identification of risk factors for UTD and institution of remedial measures may probably prevent UTD. The aim was to study the predictors of UTD in children 2 years or older with NB. METHOD: This cross-sectional, observational study over 2 years included 30 children. UTD was defined as serum creatinine of >1 mg/dL or society of fetal urology grade III-IV hydronephrosis or hydroureteronephrosis on ultrasonography or renal scars on 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic scan or subnormal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for age. The evaluated clinical variables were age at presentation, gender, palpable bladder lump, and recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Bladder wall thickness (BWT), grade and laterality of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), status of the bladder neck, post-void residue (PVR), and level and type of intraspinal lesions were also noted. Urodynamic studies were performed for functional bladder assessment. A p-value <0.05 identified the risk factors. RESULTS: UTD was detected in 15 (50%) with serum creatinine >1 mg% (2, 6%), SFU III-IV (11, 36%), renal scars (12, 40%), and subnormal GFR in (2, 6%) patients. Clinical risk factors for UTD were delayed presentation (p = 0.034), palpable bladder lump (p ≤ 0.001; OR 38.5; CI 5.6-262.5), and recurrent UTI (p = 0.033, OR 4.125, CI 0.913-18.630). The presence of significant PVR, trabeculated bladder, spin-top urethra, and bilateral VUR were identified as radiological risk factors for UTD. Mean BWT in patients with and without UTD was 4.69 ± 1.78 mm and 2.91 ± 1.08 mm respectively. BWT predictive of UTD was 3.05 mm (Figure). The mean detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) did not vary significantly in those with and without UTD (36.82 ± 14.74 and 29.09 ± 10.44 cmH2O, respectively), yet 75% patients with DLPP > 40 cmH2O had UTD (p = 0.038, OR 5.4, CI 0.84-34.84). DLPP <40 cmH2O was associated with UTD in 35% patients. DISCUSSION: The incidence of UTD in this series is in accordance with that reported with expectant management (40%) and is much higher than the 17% stated with proactive management. A limitation of this study is the small number of patients and heterogeneous clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Delayed presentation with palpable bladder lump, recurrent UTI, increased BWT, bilateral VUR, increased PVR, and DLPP > 40 cm H2O were identified as potential risk factors for UTD. This study highlights the significance of BWT as a predictor of UTD in NB.

Efficacy and safety of flupirtine maleate and tramadol hydrochloride in postoperative pain management--a prospective randomised double blinded study.

The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of flupirtine maleate 100 mg thrice daily compared to tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg thrice daily as postoperative pain management for 5 days. A total of 113 postoperative patients were recruited for the study. Those who met the inclusion criteria (n = 104) were randomised into two treatment groups. One of the groups received flupirtine maleate and the other tramadol hydrochloride both orally. The pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scale. Patients were informed to report any adverse effect encountered during the study period. The overall effect of the drug (global assessment of the study medication) on pain and side-effects was assessed by the patients at the end of the trial on a categorical scale. There was significant reduction in pain score (p < 0.001) in the flupirtine group with almost equal efficacy to that of tramadol group but the incidence of adverse effects were much less (7.4%) and didn't need discontinuation of the study. All drugs were assessed as good. Therefore it can be concluded that oral flupirtine can deliver the same analgesic efficacy as oral tramadol for postoperative pain relief, which might be beneficial for avoiding the adverse effects ofopioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy.