Decision-Making in Pleural Drainage Following Lung Resection in Children: A Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Studies of adults undergoing lung resection indicated that selective omission of pleural drains is safe and advantageous. Significant practice variation exists for pleural drainage practices for children undergoing lung resection. We surveyed pediatric surgeons in a 10-hospital research consortium to understand decision-making for placement of pleural drains following lung resection in children. METHODS: Faculty surgeons at the 10 member institutions of the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium completed questionnaires using a REDCap survey platform. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were used to characterize responses regarding indications and management of pleural drains following lung resection in pediatric patients. RESULTS: We received 96 responses from 109 surgeons (88 %). Most surgeons agreed that use of a pleural drain after lung resection contributes to post-operative pain, increases narcotic use, and prolongs hospitalization. Opinions varied around the immediate use of suction compared to water seal, and half routinely completed a water seal trial prior to drain removal. Surgeons who completed fellowship within the past 10 years left a pleural drain after wedge resection in 45 % of cases versus 78 % in those who completed fellowship more than 10 years ago (p = 0.001). The mean acceptable rate of unplanned post-operative pleural drain placement when pleural drainage was omitted at index operation was 6.3 % (±4.6 %). CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatric surgeons use pleural drainage following lung resection, with recent fellowship graduates more often omitting it. Future studies of pleural drain omission demonstrating low rates of unplanned postoperative pleural drain placement may motivate practice changes for children undergoing lung resection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Machine learning to predict pediatric choledocholithiasis: A Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to accurately predict pediatric choledocholithiasis with clinical data using a computational machine learning algorithm. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed on children <18 years of age who underwent cholecystectomy between 2016 to 2019 at 10 pediatric institutions. Demographic data, clinical findings, laboratory, and ultrasound results were evaluated by bivariate analyses. An Extra-Trees machine learning algorithm using k-fold cross-validation was used to determine predictive factors for choledocholithiasis. Model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve on a validation dataset. RESULTS: A cohort of 1,597 patients was included, with an average age of 13.9 ± 3.2 years. Choledocholithiasis was confirmed in 301 patients (18.8%). Obesity was the most common comorbidity in all patients. Choledocholithiasis was associated with the finding of a common bile duct stone on ultrasound, increased common bile duct diameter, and higher serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, lipase, and direct and peak total bilirubin. Nine features (age, body mass index, common bile duct stone on ultrasound, common bile duct diameter, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, lipase, direct bilirubin, and peak total bilirubin) were clinically important and included in the machine learning algorithm. Our 9-feature model deployed on new patients was found to be highly predictive for choledocholithiasis, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic score of 0.935. CONCLUSION: This multicenter study uses machine learning for pediatric choledocholithiasis. Nine clinical factors were highly predictive of choledocholithiasis, and a machine learning model trained using medical and laboratory data was able to identify children at the highest risk for choledocholithiasis.

Pediatric DUCT Score: A Highly Specific Predictive Model for Choledocholithiasis in Children.

BACKGROUND: Current adult guidelines for the management of choledocholithiasis (CDL) may not be appropriate for children. We hypothesized adult preoperative predictive factors are not reliable for predicting CDL in children. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed evaluating children (≤18 years of age) who underwent cholecystectomy for gallstone disease at 10 children's hospitals. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to identify factors independently associated with CDL. Patients were stratified into risk groups demonstrating the presence of predictive factors for CDL. Statistical analyses were performed, and chi-square analyses were used with a significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 979 cholecystectomy patients were analyzed. The diagnosis of CDL was confirmed in 222 patients (22.7%) by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or intraoperative cholangiography. Three predictive factors were identified: (1) Dilated common bile duct ≥6 mm; (2) Ultrasound with Choledocholithiasis; and (3) Total bilirubin ≥1.8 mg/dL (pediatric DUCT criteria). Risk groups were based on the number of predictive factors: very high (3), high (2), intermediate (1), and low (0). The pediatric DUCT criteria demonstrated accuracies of >76%, specificity of >78%, and negative predictive values of >79%. Adult factors (elevated aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase, pancreatitis, BMI, and age) did not independently predict CDL. Based on risk stratification, the high- and very-high-risk groups demonstrated higher predictive capacity for CDL. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the pediatric DUCT criteria, incorporating common bile duct dilation, choledocholithiasis seen on ultrasound, and total bilirubin ≥1.8 mg/dL, highly predicts the presence of choledocholithiasis in children. Other adult preoperative factors are not predictive of common bile duct stone in children.

Standardized perioperative care reduces colorectal surgical site infection in children: A Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium multicenter analysis.

PURPOSE: Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a significant source of patient morbidity and resource utilization in children undergoing colorectal surgery. We examined the utility of a protocolized perioperative care bundle in reducing SSI in pediatric patients undergoing colorectal surgery. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients ≤18 years of age undergoing colorectal surgery at ten United States children's hospitals. Using a perioperative care protocol comprising eight elements, or "colon bundle", we divided patients into low (1-4 elements) or high (5-8 elements) compliance cohorts. Procedures involving colorectal repair or anastomosis with abdominal closure were included. Demographics and clinical outcomes were compared between low and high compliance cohorts. Compliance was compared with a retrospective cohort. The primary outcome was superficial SSI incidence at 30 days. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-six patients were included in our analysis: 138 from the low compliance cohort and 198 from the high compliance cohort. Age and gender were similar between groups. Preoperative diagnosis was similar except for more patients in the high compliance cohort having inflammatory bowel disease (18.2% versus 5.8%, p<0.01). The most common procedure performed was small bowel to colorectal anastomosis. Wound classification and procedure acuity were similar between groups. Superficial SSI at 30 days occurred less frequently among the high compliance compared to the low compliance cohort (4% versus 9.7%, p = 0.036). Median postoperative length of stay and 30-day rates of readmission, reoperation, intra-abdominal abscess and anastomotic leak requiring operation were not significantly different between groups. None of the individual colon bundle elements were independently protective against superficial SSI. CONCLUSION: Standardization of perioperative care is associated with a reduction in superficial SSI in pediatric colorectal surgery. Expansion of standardized protocols for children undergoing colorectal surgery may improve outcomes and decrease perioperative morbidity. TYPE OF STUDY: Clinical Research Paper LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Multi-Institutional Quality Improvement Project to Minimize Opioid Prescribing in Children after Appendectomy Using NSQIP-Pediatric.

BACKGROUND: There is wide variation in opioid prescribing after appendectomy in children and adolescents, with recent increases noted in opioid-related pediatric deaths from prescription and illicit opioids. The goal of this project was to minimize opioid prescribing at the time of discharge for children undergoing appendectomy by using Quality Improvement (QI) methodology. STUDY DESIGN: Children (18 years of age or less) who underwent appendectomy were evaluated from January to December 2019 using NSQIP-Pediatric at 10 children's hospitals within the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium. Before project initiation, 5 hospitals did not routinely prescribe opioids after appendectomy (protocol). At the remaining 5 hospitals, prescribing was not standardized and varied by surgeon (no-protocol). A prospective multi-institutional QI project was used to minimize outpatient opioid prescriptions for children after appendectomy. The proportion of children at each hospital receiving an opioid prescription at discharge was compared for 6 months before and after the intervention using chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1,524 children who underwent appendectomy were evaluated from January to December 2019. After the QI intervention, overall opioid prescribing decreased from 18.2% to 4.0% (p < 0.001), with significant decreases in protocol hospitals (2.7% vs 0.8%, p = 0.038) and no-protocol hospitals (37.9% vs 8.8%, p < 0.001). The proportion of 30-day emergency room visits did not change after the QI intervention (8.9% vs 9.9%, p = 0.54) and mean postintervention pain management satisfaction scores were high. CONCLUSION: Opioid prescribing can be minimized in children after appendectomy without increasing emergency room visits or decreasing patient satisfaction. Furthermore, NSQIP-Pediatric can be used as a platform for multi-institutional collaboration for successful implementation of QI projects.

Barriers and facilitators of CT scan reduction in the workup of pediatric appendicitis: A pediatric surgical quality collaborative qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite ongoing efforts to decrease ionizing radiation exposure from computed tomography (CT) use in pediatric appendicitis, high CT utilization rates are still observed across many hospitals. This study aims to identify factors influencing CT use and facilitators and barriers to quality improvement efforts. METHODS: The Pediatric Surgery Quality Collaborative is a voluntary consortium of 42 children's hospitals participating in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project - Pediatric. Hospitals were compared based on CT utilization from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with surgeons, radiologists, emergency medicine physicians, and clinical data abstractors from 7 hospitals with low CT use rates (high performers) and 6 hospitals with high CT use rates (low performers). A mixed deductive and inductive coding approach for analysis of the interview transcripts was used to develop a codebook based on the Theoretical Domains Framework and subsequently identify prominent barriers and facilitators to CT reduction. RESULTS: Thematic saturation was achieved after 13 interviews. We identified four factors that distinguish high-performing from low-performing hospitals: (1) consistent availability of resources such as ultrasound technicians, pediatric radiologists, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (2) presence of and adherence to protocols guiding imaging modality decision making and imaging execution; (3) culture of inter-departmental collaboration; and (4) presence of a radiation reduction champion. CONCLUSIONS: Significant barriers to reducing the use of CT in pediatric appendicitis exist. Our findings highlight that future quality improvement efforts should target resource availability, protocol adherence, collaborative culture, and radiation reduction champions. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The need for early Kasai portoenterostomy: a Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors impacting transplant-free survival among infants with biliary atresia. METHODS: A multi-institutional, retrospective cohort study was performed at nine tertiary-level children's hospitals in the United States. Infants who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) from January 2009 to May 2017 were identified. Clinical characteristics included age at time of KP, steroid use, surgical approach, liver pathology, and surgeon experience. Likelihood of transplant-free survival (TFS) was evaluated using logistic regression, adjusting for patient and surgeon-level factors. Secondary outcomes at 1 year included readmission, cholangitis, reoperation, mortality, and biliary clearance. RESULTS: Overall, 223 infants underwent KP, and 91 (40.8%) survived with their native liver. Mean age at surgery was 63.9 days (± 24.7 days). At 1 year, 78.5% experienced readmission, 56.9% developed cholangitis, 3.8% had a surgical revision, and 5 died. Biliary clearance at 3 months was achieved in 76.6%. Controlling for patient and surgeon-level factors, each additional day of age toward operation was associated with a 2% decrease in likelihood of TFS (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99). CONCLUSION: Earlier surgical intervention by Kasai portoenterostomy at tertiary-level centers significantly increases likelihood for TFS. Policy-level interventions to facilitate early screening and surgical referral for infants with biliary atresia are warranted to improve outcomes.

Ethics and multiculturalism in pediatric surgery.

The concept of culture includes many defining characteristics such race, ethnicity, gender, identity, socioeconomic status, beliefs, traditions, and habits. Multiculturalism is a concept that allows for respect, understanding and acknowledgement of a diversity of identities. The cases discussed in this manuscript indicate the importance of multiculturalism in the practice of pediatric surgery.

Attitudes Affecting Decision-Making for Use of Radiologic Enteral Contrast in the Management of Pediatric Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction: A Survey Study of Pediatric Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric surgeons are often asked to treat clinical problems for which little high-quality data exist. For adults with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO), water soluble contrast-based protocols are used to guide management. Little is known about their utility in children. We aimed to better understand key factors in clinical decision-making processes and integration of adult based data in pediatric surgeon's approach to ASBO. METHODS: We administered a web-based survey to practicing pediatric surgeons at institutions comprising the Western Pediatric Surgery Research Consortium. RESULTS: The response rate was 69% (78/113). Over half of respondents reported using contrast protocols to guide ASBO management either routinely or occasionally (n = 47, 60%). Common themes regarding the incorporation of adult-based data into clinical practice included the need to adapt protocols for pediatric patients, the dearth of pediatric specific data, and the quality of the published adult evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that pediatric surgeons use contrast-based protocols for the management of ASBO despite the paucity of pediatric specific data. Furthermore, our survey data help us understand how pediatric surgeons incorporate adult based evidence into their practice.

Impact of Clinical Factors on the Intestinal Microbiome in Infants With Gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND: Infants with gastroschisis require operations and lengthy hospitalizations due to intestinal dysmotility. Dysbiosis may contribute to these problems. Little is known on the microbiome of gastroschisis infants. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the fecal microbiome in gastroschisis infants. Microbiome profiling was performed by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The microbiome of gastroschisis infants was compared with the microbiome of healthy controls, and the effects of mode of birth delivery, gestational age, antibiotic duration, and nutrition type on microbial composition and diversity were investigated. RESULTS: The microbiome of gastroschisis infants (n = 13) was less diverse (Chao1, P < .001), lacked Bifidobacterium (P = .001), and had increased Staphylococcus (P = .007) compared with controls (n = 83). Mode of delivery (R2 = 0.04, P = .001), antibiotics duration ≥7 days (R2 = 0.03, P = .003), age at sample collection (R2 = 0.03, P = .009), and gestational age (R2 = 0.02, P = .035) explained a small portion of microbiome variation. In gastroschisis infants, Escherichia-Shigella was the predominate genus, and those delivered via cesarean section had different microbial communities, predominantly Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, from those delivered vaginally. Although antibiotic duration contributed to the variation in microbiome composition, there were no significant differences in taxa distribution or α diversity by antibiotic duration or nutrition type. CONCLUSION: The microbiome of gastroschisis infants is dysbiotic, and mode of birth delivery, antibiotic duration, and gestational age appear to contribute to microbial variation.

Intravenous Fish Oil and Serum Fatty Acid Profiles in Pediatric Patients With Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous fish oil (FO) treats pediatric intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). There are concerns that a lipid emulsion composed of ω-3 fatty acids will cause an essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). This study's objective was to quantify the risk for abnormal fatty acid concentrations in children treated with FO. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for this prospective study were children with intestinal failure. Intravenous soybean oil (SO) was replaced with FO for no longer than 6 months. Serum fatty acids were analyzed using linear and logistic models, and compared with age-based norms to determine the percentage of subjects with low and high concentrations. RESULTS: Subjects (n = 17) started receiving FO at a median of 3.6 months (interquartile range 2.4-9.6 months). Over time, α-linolenic, linoleic, arachidonic, and Mead acid decreased, whereas docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid increased (P < 0.001 for all). Triene-tetraene ratios remained unchanged (P = 1). Although subjects were 1.8 times more likely to develop a low linoleic acid while receiving FO vs SO (95% CI: 1.4-2.3, P < 0.01), there was not a significant risk for low arachidonic acid. Subjects were 1.6 times more likely to develop high docosahexaenoic acid while receiving FO vs SO; however, this was not significant (95% CI: 0.9-2.6, P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of parenteral nutrition-dependent children, switching from SO to FO led to a decrease in essential fatty acid concentrations, but an EFAD was not evident. Low and high levels of fatty acids developed. Further investigation is needed to clarify if this is clinically significant.

Long-Term Outcomes in Children With Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease Treated With 6 Months of Intravenous Fish Oil Followed by Resumption of Intravenous Soybean Oil.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous soybean oil (SO) is a commonly used lipid emulsion for children with intestinal failure (IF); however, it is associated with IF-associated liver disease (IFALD). Studies have demonstrated that intravenous fish oil (FO) is an effective treatment for IFALD. However, there is a lack of long-term data on children who stop FO and resume SO. This study's objective was to investigate our institution's outcomes for children with IFALD treated with 6 months of FO and who then restarted SO. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for FO included children with IFALD. Parenteral nutrition (PN)-dependent children resumed SO after FO and were prospectively followed for 4.5 years or until death, transplant, or PN discontinuation. The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence rate (CIR) for cholestasis after FO. RESULTS: Forty-eight subjects received FO, and conjugated bilirubin decreased over time (-0.22 mg/dL/week; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.25, -0.19; P < .001). The CIR for cholestasis resolution after 6 months of FO was 71% (95% CI: 54%, 82%). Twenty-seven subjects resumed SO and were followed for a median of 16 months (range 3-51 months). While the CIR for enteral autonomy after 3 years of follow-up was 40% (95% CI: 17%, 26%), the CIR for cholestasis and transplant was 26% (95% CI: 8%, 47%) and 6% (95% CI: 0.3%, 25%), respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, FO effectively treated cholestasis, and SO resumption was associated with cholestasis redevelopment in nearly one-fourth of subjects. Long-term FO may be warranted to prevent end-stage liver disease.

Impact of societal factors and health care delivery systems on gastroschisis outcomes.

Care of infants with gastroschisis is associated with a significant burden on health care delivery systems. Mortality rates in patients with gastroschisis have significantly improved over the past few decades. However, the condition is still associated with significant short-term and potentially long-term morbidity. Significant variations in clinical outcomes and resource utilization may be explained by several factors including provider and hospital experience, level of neonatal intensive care, variations in hospital regionalization of care, and differences in healthcare delivery systems. Reviewing and assessing these hospital and healthcare system related factors are paramount in addressing variations in gastroschisis care and improving outcomes for these vulnerable infants.

Nonoperative Management of Appendicitis.

We evaluated the outcomes for nonoperative management (NOM) of all children with suspected nonperforated appendicitis, including those patients with an appendicolith. Parents of all children with suspected nonperforated appendicitis were offered NOM versus laparoscopic appendectomy. NOM included administration of intravenous antibiotics and hospital admission. If no improvement within 24 hours, laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Primary outcomes were initial success rate and recurrence rate. Fifty patients selected NOM. The initial failure rate for NOM was 20%. Of the 10 who failed, 7 had complicated appendicitis. The recurrence rate was 13%. Overall, 34 (68%) patients avoided appendectomy. Patients with an appendicolith had a higher initial failure rate (37%) compared to patients without an appendicolith (10%; P < .05). NOM is feasible and effective in pediatric nonperforated appendicitis. The presence of an appendicolith was associated with a higher failure rate but is not an absolute contraindication for NOM.

Low-Dose Parenteral Soybean Oil for the Prevention of Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease in Neonates With Gastrointestinal Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Neonates with gastrointestinal disorders (GDs) are at high risk for parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD). Soybean-based intravenous lipid emulsions (S-ILE) have been associated with PNALD. This study's objective was to determine if a lower dose compared with a higher dose of S-ILE prevents cholestasis without compromising growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled pilot study enrolled patients with GDs who were ≤5 days of age to a low dose (~1 g/kg/d) (LOW) or control dose of S-ILE (~3 g/kg/d) (CON). The primary outcome was cholestasis (direct bilirubin [DB] >2 mg/dL) after the first 7 days of age. Secondary outcomes included growth, PN duration, and late-onset sepsis. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between the LOW (n = 20) and CON groups (n = 16). When the LOW group was compared with the CON group, there was no difference in cholestasis (30% vs 38%, P = .7) or secondary outcomes. However, mean ± SE DB rate of change over the first 8 weeks (0.07 ± 0.04 vs 0.3 ± 0.09 mg/dL/wk, P = .01) and entire study (0.008 ± 0.03 vs 0.2 ± 0.07 mg/dL/wk, P = .02) was lower in the LOW group compared with the CON group. CONCLUSION: In neonates with GDs who received a lower dose of S-ILE, DB increased at a slower rate in comparison to neonates who received a higher dose of S-ILE. Growth was comparable between the groups. This study demonstrates a need for a larger, randomized controlled trial comparing 2 different S-ILE doses for cholestasis prevention in neonates at risk for PNALD.

Is there a relationship between hospital volume and patient outcomes in gastroschisis repair?

PURPOSE: Given the well-established relationship between surgical volume and outcomes for many surgical procedures, we examined whether the same relationship exists for gastroschisis closure. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of infants who underwent gastroschisis closure between 1999 and 2007 using a California birth-linked cohort. Hospitals were divided into terciles based on the number of gastroschisis closures performed annually. Using regression techniques, we examined the effects of hospital volume on patient mortality and length of stay while controlling for patient and hospital confounders. RESULTS: We identified 1537 infants who underwent gastroschisis repair at 55 hospitals, 4 of which were high-volume and 42 of which were low-volume. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 4.8% and the median length of stay was 46.5days. After controlling for other factors, patients treated at high-volume hospitals had significantly lower odds of inpatient mortality (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.21, 0.76). There was a near-significant trend towards shorter hospital length of stay at highvolume hospitals (p=0.066). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo gastroschisis closure at high-volume hospitals in California experience lower odds of in-hospital mortality compared to those treated at low-volume hospitals. These findings offer initial evidence to support policies that limit the number of hospitals providing complex newborn surgical care.

Effect of High-Dose Cysteine Supplementation on Erythrocyte Glutathione: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study in Critically Ill Neonates.

BACKGROUND: This study's objective was to determine if parenteral cysteine when compared with isonitrogenous noncysteine supplementation increases erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) in neonates at high risk for inflammatory injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Neonates with a score for neonatal acute physiology >10 requiring mechanical ventilation and parenteral nutrition (PN) were randomized in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to receive parenteral cysteine-HCl (CYS group) or additional PN amino acids (ISO group) at 121 mg/kg/d for ≥7 days. A 6-hour [(13)C2] glycine IV infusion was administered at study week 1 to determine the fractional synthetic rate of GSH (FSR-GSH). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between the CYS (n = 17) and ISO groups (n = 21). Erythrocyte GSH and total glutathione concentrations, GSH:oxidized GSH (GSSG), and FSR-GSH after treatment were not different between groups. However, the CYS group had a larger individual positive change in GSH and total glutathione (infusion day - baseline) compared with the ISO group (P = .02 for each). After adjusting for treatment, a lower enrollment weight and rate of red blood cell transfusion were associated with a decreased change in total glutathione and GSH (P < .05 for each). CONCLUSION: When compared with isonitrogenous noncysteine supplementation, high-dose cysteine supplementation for at least 1 week in critically ill neonates resulted in a larger and more positive individual change in GSH. Smaller infants and those who received transfused blood demonstrated less effective change in GSH with cysteine supplementation. The benefit of cysteine remains promising and deserves further investigation.

Innovation in Pediatric Surgical Education for General Surgery Residents: A Mobile Web Resource.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: General surgery residents lack a standardized educational experience in pediatric surgery. We hypothesized that the development of a mobile educational interface would provide general surgery residents broader access to pediatric surgical education materials. METHODS: We created an educational mobile website for general surgery residents rotating on pediatric surgery, which included a curriculum, multimedia resources, the Operative Performance Rating Scale (OPRS), and Twitter functionality. Residents were instructed to consult the curriculum. Residents and faculty posted media using the Twitter hashtag, #UCLAPedSurg, and following each surgical procedure reviewed performance via the OPRS. Site visits, Twitter posts, and OPRS submissions were quantified from September 2013 to July 2014. RESULTS: The pediatric surgery mobile website received 257 hits; 108 to the homepage, 107 to multimedia, 28 to the syllabus, and 19 to the OPRS. All eligible residents accessed the content. The Twitter hashtag, #UCLAPedSurg, was assigned to 20 posts; the overall audience reach was 85 individuals. Participants in the mobile OPRS included 11 general surgery residents and 4 pediatric surgery faculty. CONCLUSION: Pediatric surgical education resources and operative performance evaluations are effectively administered to general surgery residents via a structured mobile platform.

Outcomes and costs of surgical treatments of necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite previous studies demonstrating no difference in mortality or morbidity, the various surgical approaches for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants have not been evaluated economically. Our goal was to compare total in-hospital cost and mortality by using propensity score-matched infants treated with peritoneal drainage alone, peritoneal drainage followed by laparotomy, or laparotomy alone for surgical NEC. METHODS: Utilizing the California OSHPD Linked Birth File Dataset, 1375 infants with surgical NEC between 1999 and 2007 were retrospectively propensity score matched according to intervention type. Total in-hospital costs were converted from longitudinal patient charges. A multivariate mixed effects model compared adjusted costs and mortality between groups. RESULTS: Successful propensity score matching was performed with 699 infants (peritoneal drainage, n = 101; peritoneal drainage followed by laparotomy, n = 172; and laparotomy, n = 426). Average adjusted cost for peritoneal drainage followed by laparotomy was $398,173 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 287,784-550,907), which was more than for peritoneal drainage ($276,076 [95% CI: 196,238-388,394]; P = .004) and similar to laparotomy ($341,911 [95% CI: 251,304-465,186]; P = .08). Adjusted mortality was highest after peritoneal drainage (56% [95% CI: 34-75]) versus peritoneal drainage followed by laparotomy (35% [95% CI: 19-56]; P = .01) and laparotomy (29% [95% CI: 19-56]; P < .001). Mortality for peritoneal drainage was similar to laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Propensity score-matched analysis of surgical NEC treatment found that peritoneal drainage followed by laparotomy was associated with decreased mortality compared with peritoneal drainage alone but at significantly increased costs.

Maternal factors associated with the occurrence of gastroschisis.

We sought to identify age group specific maternal risk factors for gastroschisis. Maternal characteristics and prenatal factors were compared for 1,279 live born infants with gastroschisis and 3,069,678 without. Data were obtained using the California database containing linked hospital discharge, birth certificate and death records from 1 year prior to the birth to 1 year after the birth. Backwards-stepwise logistic regression models were used with maternal factors where initial inclusion was determined by a threshold of p < 0.10 on initial crude analyses. Due to the strong association of gastroschisis with young maternal age, models were stratified by age groups and odds ratios were calculated. These final models identified maternal infection as the only risk factor common to all age groups and a protective effect of obesity and gestational hypertension. In addition, age specific risk factors were identified. Although gestation at the time of infection was not available, a sexually transmitted disease complicating pregnancy was associated with increased risk in the less than 20 years of age grouping whereas viral infection was associated with increased risk only in the 20-24 and more than 24 years of age groupings. Urinary tract infection remained in the final logistic model for women less than 20 years. Short interpregnancy interval was not found to be a risk factor for any age group. Our findings support the need to explore maternal infection by type and gestational timing.