Does Mechanical Bowel Preparation Reduce the Risk of Developing Infectious Complications in Pediatric Colorectal Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the application of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) before colorectal surgery reduces the risk of developing infectious complications in children. STUDY DESIGN: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify all articles comparing pediatric patients receiving MBP with pediatric patients not receiving MBP before colorectal surgery. Results are presented with weighted risk differences based on the number of events and sample size per study. RESULTS: Six original studies were included comparing MBP (n = 810) and no MBP (n = 1167). The overall risk of developing infectious complications was 10.1% in patients with MBP, compared with 9.1% in patients without MBP, resulting in a nonsignificant risk difference of -0.03% (95% CI, -0.09% to 0.03%). Concerning the number of wound infections and anastomotic leaks, we found nonsignificant risk differences of -0.03% (95% CI, -0.08% to 0.02%) and 0.01% (95% CI, -0.01% to 0.02%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on the current literature, there is insufficient evidence to indicate that the use of MBP leads to a significant difference in the risk of developing infectious complications in pediatric colorectal surgery.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery increases health-related quality of life in children with GERD.

INTRODUCTION: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is increasingly recognized as an essential part of patient care outcome. Little is known about the effect of laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) on the HRQoL in the pediatric patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of LARS on HRQoL in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to identify predictors that influence HRQoL outcome after LARS. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2013, 25 patients with therapy-resistant GERD [median age 6 (2-18) years] were included prospectively. Caregivers and children with normal neurodevelopment (>4 years) were asked to fill out the validated PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales before and 3-4 months after LARS. RESULTS: The PedsQL was completed by all caregivers (n = 25) and 12 children. HRQoL total score improved significantly after LARS, both from a parental (p = 0.009) and child's perspective (p = 0.018). The psychosocial health summary and physical health summary scores also improved significantly after LARS. HRQoL before and after LARS was significantly lower in children with impaired neurodevelopment (p < 0.001). However, neurodevelopment did not influence the effect of LARS on HRQoL. The only significant predictor for improvement in HRQoL after LARS was age at the time of operation (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL significantly improves after LARS. Although children with impaired neurodevelopment had lower overall HRQoL, neurodevelopment by itself does not predict inferior improvement in HRQoL after LARS. Older children have a more favorable HRQoL outcome after LARS compared to younger children. This may suggest caution when considering LARS in younger GERD patients.

Esophageal mucosal integrity improves after laparoscopic antireflux surgery in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal intraluminal baseline impedance reflects the conductivity of the esophageal mucosa and may be an instrument for in vivo evaluation of mucosal integrity in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) is a well-established treatment option for children with proton pump inhibitory (PPI) therapy resistant GERD. The effect of LARS in children on baseline impedance has not been studied in detail. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LARS on baseline impedance in children with GERD. METHODS: This is a prospective, multicenter, nationwide cohort study (Dutch national trial registry: NTR2934) including 25 patients [12 males, median age 6 (range 2-18) years] with PPI-resistant GERD scheduled to undergo LARS. Twenty-four hour multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring (MII-pH monitoring) was performed before and 3 months after LARS. Baseline impedance was evaluated during consecutive 2-h intervals in the 24-h tracings. RESULTS: LARS reduced acid exposure time from 8.5 % (6.0-16.2 %) to 0.8 % (0.2-2.8 %), p < 0.001. Distal baseline impedance increased after LARS from 2445 Ω (1147-3277 Ω) to 3792 Ω (3087-4700 Ω), p < 0.001. Preoperative baseline impedance strongly correlated with acid exposure time (r -0.76, p < 0.001); however, no association between symptomatic outcome and baseline impedance was identified. CONCLUSIONS: LARS significantly increased baseline impedance likely reflecting recovery of mucosal integrity. As the change in baseline impedance was not associated with the clinical outcome of LARS, other factors besides mucosal integrity may contribute to symptom perception in children with GERD.

Validation of a Novel 3-Dimensional Sonographic Method for Assessing Gastric Accommodation in Healthy Adults.

OBJECTIVES: A novel automated 3-dimensional (3D) sonographic method has been developed for measuring gastric volumes. This study aimed to validate and assess the reliability of this novel 3D sonographic method compared to the reference standard in 3D gastric sonography: freehand magneto-based 3D sonography. METHODS: A prospective study with 8 balloons (in vitro) and 16 stomachs of healthy volunteers (in vivo) was performed. After a 500-mL liquid meal, 1 preprandial and 3 postprandial volume scans of the stomachs were performed by the novel 3D sonographic method and the current reference-standard 3D sonographic method. RESULTS: The in vitro study showed a mean volume difference between the novel method and the true balloon volume of -1.3 mL; limits of agreement (LoA) were small (-39.3 to12.3 mL), with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.998. The in vivo study showed a mean gastric volume of 321 mL between the novel method and the freehand magneto-based method, with a mean volume difference of -4.4 mL; LoA were -40.1 to 31.2 mL, and the ICC was 0.991. The intraobserver and interobserver variability rates were low, at 0.8 mL (LoA, -24.0 to 25.6 mL), with an ICC of 0.995, and 0.5 mL (LoA, of -26.8 to 27.8 mL), with an ICC of 0.999, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The novel 3D sonographic method with automated acquisition showed good agreement with the current reference-standard gastric 3D sonographic method, with low intraobserver and interobserver variability. This novel 3D sonographic method is a valid and reliable technique for determining gastric accommodation.

Efficacy and adverse events of laparoscopic gastrostomy placement in children: results of a large cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: A gastrostomy placement is frequently performed in pediatric patients who require long-term enteral tube feeding. However, data on efficacy, perioperative complications and postoperative gastroesophageal reflux (GER) after laparoscopic gastrostomy (LAG) placement is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term efficacy and adverse events after LAG in a large cohort and determine whether routine preoperative 24-h pH monitoring should be used to predict postoperative GER. METHOD: A retrospective observational cohort study was performed including 300 patients (75 % neurologically impaired) that underwent LAG. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 2.63 years, feeding was successful in 95.9 % of patients. Weight-for-length z-scores significantly increased (p < 0.0005). Major complications were seen in only 6 patients (2.0 %), but minor complications occurred frequently (73.6 %). Overall incidence of GER remained unchanged after LAG. Sensitivity and specificity of preoperative pH monitoring were 17.5 and 76.9 %, respectively. CONCLUSION: LAG placement in pediatric patients leads to successful feeding in 96 % of patients and serious adverse events are rare. However, the minor complication rate is high. Overall incidence of GER does not increase after LAG. Preoperative 24-h pH monitoring is not a reliable tool to predict postoperative GER. This invasive investigation technique should therefore not be routinely performed.

Laparoscopic Thal fundoplication in children: a prospective 10- to 15-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To study long-term (10-15 years) efficacy of antireflux surgery (ARS) in a prospectively followed cohort of pediatric patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, using 24-hour pH monitoring and reflux-specific questionnaires. BACKGROUND: Studies on short-term outcome of ARS in pediatric patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease have shown good to excellent results; however, long-term follow-up studies are scarce, retrospective, and have not used objective measurements. METHODS: Between 1993 and 1998, a cohort of 57 pediatric patients (ages 1 month to 18 years; 46% with neurological impairment) underwent laparoscopic anterior partial fundoplication (Thal). Preoperatively and postoperatively (at 3-4 months and at 1-5 and 10-15 years), reflux-specific questionnaires were filled out, and 24-hour pH monitoring was performed. RESULTS: At 3 to 4 months, at 1 to 5 years, and at 10 to 15 years after ARS, 81%, 80%, and 73% of patients, respectively, were completely free of reflux symptoms. Disease-free survival analysis, however, demonstrated that only 57% of patients were symptom free at 10 to 15 years after ARS. Total acid exposure time significantly decreased from 13.4% before ARS to 0.7% (P < 0.001) at 3 to 4 months after ARS; however, at 3 to 4 months after ARS, pH monitoring was still pathological in 18% of patients. At 10 to 15 years after ARS, the number of patients with pathological reflux had even significantly increased to 43% (P = 0.008). No significant differences were found comparing neurologically impaired and normally developed patients. CONCLUSIONS: As gastroesophageal reflux persists or recurs in 43% of children 10 to 15 years after laparoscopic Thal fundoplication, it is crucial to implement routine long-term follow-up after ARS in pediatric patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Thoracoscopic posterior tracheopexy during primary esophageal atresia repair: a new approach to prevent tracheomalacia complications.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal atresia (EA) is usually accompanied by some form of tracheomalacia (TM). During the early phases in life, excessive dynamic collapse of the trachea can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild complaints to apparent life-threatening events (ALTE's) or brief resolved unexplained events (BRUE's). Therapeutic strategies for severe TM include aortopexy to lift the anterior weakened cartilaginous rings or posterior tracheopexy of the floppy membranous tracheal intrusion. In this study, we describe the development of a new approach in which the posterior tracheopexy is performed directly during the primary thoracoscopic correction of EA. METHODS: In 2017, all nine consecutive EA patients with trachea-esophageal fistula underwent a rigid tracheo-bronchoscopy (RTB) evaluation during induction of anesthesia prior to the thoracoscopic EA repair. A floppy posterior membrane was diagnosed in four patients. During the subsequent thoracoscopic procedure, the posterior membranous trachea was fixed to the anterior longitudinal spinal ligament with non-absorbable sutures. Then, the anastomosis was made between the two esophageal pouches. RESULTS: On preoperative RTB, two patients had a severe (70-90%) mid-tracheal collapse of the pars membranacea and two patients had a moderate (33-40%) mid-tracheal collapse. Thoracoscopic posterior tracheopexy with two or three sutures was possible in all four patients, prior to the formation of the esophageal anastomosis. Median time per suture was 6 min (range 4-12 min). All operative procedures were uneventful. A median follow-up of 6 months (range 4-9 months) revealed that all patients showed further recovery without any TM symptoms or ALTE/BRUE. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report that introduces a new approach to thoracoscopic posterior tracheopexy during primary EA repair. We believe that this technique can prevent the potentially deleterious sequelae of mild to severe TM that may complicate the lives of EA patients. Also, a second, sometimes complex surgical procedure can be prevented as the posterior tracheopexy is performed during the primary thoracoscopic EA correction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The Effect of Gastrostomy Placement on Gastric Function in Children: a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: A gastrostomy placement is frequently performed in pediatric patients who require long-term enteral tube feeding. Unfortunately, postoperative complications such as leakage, feeding intolerance, and gastroesophageal reflux frequently occur. These complications may be due to postoperative gastric dysmotility. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of gastrostomy placement on gastric emptying in children. METHODS: A prospective study was performed including 50 children undergoing laparoscopic gastrostomy. Before and 3 months after gastrostomy, assessment was performed using the 13C-octanoic acid breath test, 24-h pH monitoring, and reflux symptom questionnaires. RESULTS: Gastric half-emptying time significantly increased from the 57th to the 79th percentile (p < 0.001) after gastrostomy (p < 0.001). Fifty percent of patients with normal preoperative gastric emptying develop delayed gastric emptying (DGE, P > 95) after gastrostomy (p = 0.01). Most patients (≥75%) with leakage and/or feeding intolerance after gastrostomy had DGE after operation. A decrease in gastric emptying was associated with an increase in esophageal acid exposure time (r = 0.375, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Gastrostomy placement in children causes a significant delay in gastric emptying. Postoperative DGE was associated with gastroesophageal reflux and was found in most patients with postoperative leakage and feeding intolerance. These negative physiologic effects should be taken into account when considering gastrostomy placement in children.

Evaluation of Gastric Volumes: Comparison of 3-D Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

To investigate gastric accommodation, accurate measurements of gastric volumes are necessary. An excellent technique to measure gastric volumes is dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Unfortunately, dynamic MRI is expensive and not always available. A new 3-D ultrasound (US) method using a matrix transducer was developed to measure gastric volumes. In this prospective study, 14 healthy volunteers underwent a dynamic MRI and a 3-D US. Gastric volumes were calculated with intra-gastric liquid content and total gastric volume. Mean postprandial liquid gastric content was 397 ± 96.5 mL. Mean volume difference was 1.0 mL with limits of agreement of -8.9 to 10.9 mL. When gastric air was taken into account, mean total gastric volume was 540 ± 115.4 mL SD. Mean volume difference was 2.3 mL with limits of agreement of -21.1 to 26.4 mL. The matrix 3-D US showed excellent agreement with dynamic MRI. Therefore matrix 3-D US is a reliable alternative to measure gastric volumes.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Neonatal Surgery for Major Noncardiac Anomalies.

CONTEXT: Increasing concerns have been raised about the incidence of neurodevelopmental delay in children with noncardiac congenital anomalies (NCCA) requiring neonatal surgery. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the incidence and potential risk factors for developmental delay after neonatal surgery for major NCCA. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library was performed through March 2015. STUDY SELECTION: Original research articles on standardized cognitive or motor skills tests. DATA EXTRACTION: Data on neurodevelopmental outcome, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and risk factors for delay were extracted. RESULTS: In total, 23 eligible studies were included, reporting on 895 children. Meta-analysis was performed with data of 511 children, assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 12 and 24 months of age. Delay in cognitive development was reported in a median of 23% (3%-56%). Meta-analysis showed a cognitive score of 0.5 SD below the population average (Mental Development Index 92 ± 13, mean ± SD; P < .001). Motor development was delayed in 25% (0%-77%). Meta-analysis showed a motor score of 0.6 SD below average (Psychomotor Development Index 91 ± 14; P < .001). Several of these studies report risk factors for psychomotor delay, including low birth weight, a higher number of congenital anomalies, duration of hospital admission, and repeated surgery. LIMITATIONS: All data were retrieved from studies with small sample sizes and various congenital anomalies using different neurodevelopmental assessment tools. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive and motor developmental delay was found in 23% of patients with NCCA. Meta-analysis showed that the mean neurodevelopmental outcome scores were 0.5 SD below the normative score of the healthy population.

The effects and efficacy of antireflux surgery in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Antireflux surgery (ARS) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most frequently performed major operations in children. Many studies have described the results of ARS in children, however, with a wide difference in outcome. This study aims to systematically review the efficacy of pediatric ARS and its effects on gastroesophageal function, as measured by gastroesophageal function tests. This is the first systematic review comprising only prospective, longitudinal studies, minimizing the risk of bias. METHODS: Three electronic databases (Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) were searched for prospective studies reporting on ARS in children with GERD. RESULTS: In total, 17 eligible studies were identified, reporting on a total of 1,280 children. The median success rate after ARS was 86% (57-100%). The success rate in neurologically impaired children was worse in one study, but similar in another study compared to normally developed children. Different surgical techniques (total versus partial fundoplication, or laparoscopic versus open approach) showed similar reflux recurrence rates. However, less postoperative dysphagia was observed after partial fundoplication and laparoscopic ARS was associated with less pain medication and a shorter hospital stay. Complications of ARS varied from minimal postoperative complications to severe dysphagia and gas bloating. The reflux index (RI), obtained by 24-h pH monitoring (n = 8) decreased after ARS. Manometry, as done in three studies, showed no increase in lower esophageal sphincter pressure after ARS. Gastric emptying (n = 3) was reported either unchanged or accelerated after ARS. No studies reported on barium swallow x-ray, endoscopy, or multichannel intraluminal impedance monitoring before and after ARS. CONCLUSION: ARS in children shows a good overall success rate (median 86%) in terms of complete relief of symptoms. Efficacy of ARS in neurologically impaired children may be similar to normally developed children. The outcome of ARS does not seem to be influenced by different surgical techniques, although postoperative dysphagia may occur less after partial fundoplication. However, these conclusions are bound by the lack of high-quality prospective studies on pediatric ARS. Similar studies on the effects of pediatric ARS on gastroesophageal function are also very limited. We recommend consistent use of standardized assessment tests to clarify the effects of ARS on gastroesophageal function and to identify possible risk factors for failure of ARS in children.

Barrett's esophagus in children: does it need more attention?

BACKGROUND: Few studies have reported on Barrett's esophagus (BE) in children. Moreover, information on the age at diagnosis and the duration between reflux-symptoms and diagnosis is lacking. METHODS: A review of the literature was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane database. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were included, of which 4 cohort studies and 10 studies investigating patients already diagnosed with BE. The cohort studies showed 37 patients diagnosed with BE (0.3-4.8%), mean age 12.4 years. Time between onset of reflux-symptoms and BE was 2.8 years. All 14 studies together showed 176 patients with BE (mean age 9.5 years). Time between onset of reflux-symptoms and BE was 5.3 years. During endoscopic follow-up of 45 patients, 26 still had BE, 17 no longer had evidence of BE, and two had developed esophageal-adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: This review shows that BE and esophageal-adenocarcinoma occur in children. However, criteria used to define BE by the included studies were not comparable to the current criteria and data on GERD symptoms may have been inaccurate. Therefore, we recommend performing a long-term prospective study on the relationship between (duration of) GERD and the development of BE in children in order to define screening guidelines.