Surgical treatment of invasive pulmonary fungal infections in immunocompromised pediatric patients: Aspergillus spp. and other emerging fungi.

PURPOSE: Invasive Pulmonary Fungal Infections (IPFIs) represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The exact role of surgery is not well defined. This study analyzes our experience with surgical treatment of IPFI in immunocompromised pediatric patients and, secondarily, compares IPFI caused by Aspergillus spp. with other fungal infections. METHODS: This is a retrospective review (2000-2019) of patients with IPFI surgically treated at our pediatric institution. Statistical analysis was used to compare data between Aspergillus spp. and non-Aspergillus IPFI. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (64% female) underwent 29 lung resections. Median age at surgery was 7.19 years (1.63-19.14). The most frequent underlying condition (64%) was acute leukemia. Surgical indications included persistence or worsening of symptoms and pathological image findings (52%) or asymptomatic suspicious lesions in patients scheduled for intensive cytotoxic treatments or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (48%). All patients underwent atypical lung resections, except one lobectomy. Aspergillus spp. was the most frequently isolated pathogen (68%). Follow-up was 4.07 years (0.07-18.07). Surgery-related mortality was 0%, but 4 patients died in the 100 days following surgery (2 due to disseminated fungal infection); the remaining 21 did not show signs of IPFI recurrence. Non-specific consolidations on CT scan were more frequent in non-Aspergillus IPFI (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of IPFI should be considered as a part of the treatment in selected pediatric immunocompromised patients, and it may have both diagnostic and therapeutic advantages over non-surgical management. When there is clinical suspicion of IPFI but CT scan shows unspecific alterations, the possibility of a non-Aspergillus IPFI should be considered.

Abdominal wall muscle weakness outcomes after split abdominal flap repair of large congenital diaphragmatic hernias in newborn.

PURPOSE: Split abdominal wall muscle flap (SAWMF) is a technique to repair large defects in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). A possible objection to this intervention could be any associated abdominal muscle weakness. Our aim is to analyze the evolution of this abdominal muscle wall weakness. METHODS: Retrospective review of CDH repair by SAWMF (internal oblique muscle and transverse) from 2004 to 2023 focusing on the evolution of muscle wall weakness. RESULTS: Eighteen neonates of 148 CDH patients (12,1%) were repaired using SAWMF. Mean gestational age and birth weight were 35.7 ± 3.5 weeks and 2587 ± 816 g. Mean lung-to-head ratio was 1.49 ± 0.28 and 78% liver-up. Seven patients (38%) were prenatally treated by tracheal occlusion. Ninety-four percent of the flaps were used for primary repair and one to repair a recurrence. One patient (5.6%) experienced recurrence. Abdominal muscle wall weakness was present in the form of a bulge. Resolution of weakness at 1, 2 and 3 years was 67%, 89% and 94%, respectively. No patient required treatment for weakness or died. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal muscular weakness after a split abdominal wall muscle flap repair is not a limitation for its realization since it is asymptomatic and presents a prompt spontaneous resolution. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS IN NEWBORNS: INCIDENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF INTESTINAL STRICTURES.

BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the main causes of acute abdomen in neonates. Surgical treatment entails important morbidity and mortality and conservative management, when possible, offers better outcomes. Post-NEC intestinal strictures are one of the main complications.   METHODS Retrospective analysis from June 2011 to November 2022 of post-NEC strictures (PNS) after conservative management of neonates diagnosed with NEC (modified Bell stage IIA or higher) at a tertiary neonatal surgery center.  RESULTS Out of 219 NEC, 126 received initial conservative management (57.5%), 24 (19%) of which eventually underwent surgery for PNS. Average gestational age and weight at birth of our cohort were 31,3 ± 4,9 weeks and 1694 ± 1009g.   PNS diagnosis was made 38,4 ± 16,5 days after the NEC episode. 6/24 (25%) were asymptomatic and diagnosed by screening enema, 11 (46%) presented signs of intestinal obstruction before the enema could be performed and 7 (29%) after a normal previous protocol study.   Median age at PNS surgery was 56 ± 17,9 days. 2/3 strictures were found in cecum, ascendent and transverse colon. Primary resection and anastomosis were performed in all cases. Feeds were restarted on postoperative day 4,3 ± 2,9. 2 cases presented anastomotic complications (1 dehiscence and 1 stenosis) and no deaths were recorded.  CONCLUSIONS Post-Necrotizing enterocolitis stricture is a frequent complication after conservative management. Deffered surgical treatment after the acute NEC episode is resolved allows for safer surgeries (since patients have reached haemodynamical stability and overcome septic shock), shorter resections and favorable postoperative outcomes.

Are Low Weight or Cardiopathy Contraindications for Thoracoscopic Repair of Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula?

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is becoming an increasingly widespread technique; there is still controversy about its indication in certain patients. Our objective is to analyze if potential risk factors such as major congenital heart disease (CHD) or low birth weight (LBW) are a limitation to this approach. METHODS: Retrospective study (2017-2021) of patients with EA and distal TEF who underwent thoracoscopic repair were included. Patients with LBW less than 2,000 g or major CHD were compared with the rest. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery. Nine patients (36%) had major CHD. Five of them (20%) were LBW less than 2,000 g, and only 8% (2/25) presented both risk factors. There were no differences in terms of operative time, conversion rate, tolerance evaluated with gasometric parameters (pO2, pCO2, pH) or complications (anastomotic leak and stricture, both early or during follow-up) in patients with major CHD and LBW (1,473 ± 319 vs. 2,664 ± 402 g). One conversion to thoracotomy was performed in a neonate weighing 1,050 g due to anesthetic intolerance. There was no recurrence of TEF. One patient died at the age of 9 months, due to major uncorrectable heart disease. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic repair of EA/TEF is feasible technique in patients with CHD or LBW, with similar results to other patients. The complexity of this technique warrants individualizing the indication in each case. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Anastomosis near to the ileocecal valve in neonates with focal intestinal perforation, is it safe.

BACKGROUND: Anastomosis near the ileocecal valve (ICV) are controversial due to the increased pressure on the suture; in this situation, the valve could be removed at a first stage or at the moment of stoma closure. However, preservation of the ICV has proved important benefits in the long term. The aim of this study is to evaluate its feasibility in neonates with focal intestinal perforation (FIP). METHODS: Retrospective study (2010-2019) of neonates with FIP who underwent intestinal resection and primary anastomosis. Patients were divided into group A (anastomosis less than 5 cm from ICV) and group B (more than 5 cm). RESULTS: Forty patients were treated. Patients ostomized or with resection of ICV were excluded. Finally, 24 patients (birth weight 1043 ± 594 g (520-3000), age 8.8 ± 7.8 days (2-39)) were included for analysis. Patent ductus arteriosus was present in 75%. There were 6 patients in group A (25%) and 18 in group B (75%). Groups were comparable in terms of gestational age, birth weight, and age at the time of surgery (p > .05). There were no cases of dehiscence nor stenosis of the anastomosis. There were no differences in reoperation rate, infectious complications, time to enteral feeding, days of parenteral nutrition, hospital stay nor survival (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Ileo-ileal anastomosis closer to the ileocecal junction, in neonates with focal intestinal perforation, is an effective and safe option which also allows the preservation of the ICV avoiding the complications derived from its absence in a group of patients with high morbidity.