Association of Neighborhood Opportunity, Race, and Ethnicity with Pediatric Day-of-surgery Cancellations: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Day-of-surgery cancellations impede healthcare access and contribute to inequities in pediatric healthcare. Socially disadvantaged families have many risk factors for surgical cancellation, including low health literacy, transportation barriers, and childcare constraints. These social determinants of health are captured by the Child Opportunity Index 2.0, a national quantification of neighborhood-level characteristics that contribute to a child's vulnerability to adversity. This study examined the association of neighborhood opportunity with pediatric day-of-surgery cancellations. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of children younger than 18 yr of age scheduled for ambulatory surgery at a tertiary pediatric hospital between 2017 and 2022 was conducted. Primary addresses were geocoded to determine Child Opportunity Index 2.0 neighborhood opportunity. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate the relative risk of day-of-surgery cancellation comparing different levels of neighborhood opportunity. This study also estimated the relative risk of cancellations associated with race and ethnicity, by neighborhood opportunity. RESULTS: Overall, the incidence of day-of-surgery cancellation was 3.8%. The incidence of cancellation was lowest in children residing in very-high-opportunity neighborhoods and highest in children residing in very-low-opportunity neighborhoods (2.4% vs. 5.7%, P < 0.001). The adjusted relative risk of day-of-surgery cancellation in very-low-opportunity neighborhoods compared to very-high-opportunity neighborhoods was 2.24 (95% CI, 2.05 to 2.44; P < 0.001). The results showed statistical evidence of an interaction of Children's Opportunity Index with race and ethnicity. In very-low-opportunity neighborhoods, Black children had 1.48 times greater risk of day-of-surgery cancellation than White children (95% CI, 1.35 to 1.63; P < 0.001). Likewise, in very-high-opportunity neighborhoods, Black children had 2.17 times greater risk of cancellation (95% CI, 1.75 to 2.69; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a strong relationship between pediatric day-of-surgery cancellation and neighborhood opportunity. Black children at every level of opportunity had the highest risk of cancellation, suggesting that there are additional factors that render them more vulnerable to neighborhood disadvantage.

Preoperative neurologic comorbidity and unanticipated early postoperative reintubation: a multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of respiratory complications is highest in the first 72 h post-surgery. Postoperative respiratory events can exacerbate pre-existing respiratory compromise and lead to reintubation of the trachea, particularly in patients with neurologic disorders. This study examined the association between neurologic comorbidities and unanticipated early postoperative reintubation in children. METHODS: This multicentre, 1:1 propensity score-matched study included 420 096 children who underwent inpatient, elective, noncardiac surgery at National Surgical Quality Improvement Program reporting hospitals in 2012-22. The primary outcome was unanticipated early postoperative reintubation within 72 h after surgery. The secondary outcome was prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation, defined as ventilator use >72 h. We also evaluated 30-day mortality in patients requiring reintubation. RESULTS: Cerebral palsy was associated with the highest risk of early reintubation (adjusted relative risk [RRadj]: 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-2.69; P<0.01), followed by seizure disorders (RRadj: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.50-2.34; P<0.01), neuromuscular disorders (RRadj: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.41-2.19; P<0.01), and structural central nervous system abnormalities (RRadj: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.13-1.61; P<0.01). Unanticipated early postoperative reintubation was associated with an eight-times increased risk of 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 8.1, 95% CI: 6.0-11.1; P<0.01). Risk of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation was also increased with neurologic comorbidities, particularly seizure disorders (RRadj: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.55-1.93; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children with neurologic comorbidities have an increased risk of unanticipated early postoperative reintubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Given the high mortality risk associated with these outcomes, children with neurologic comorbidities require heightened monitoring and risk assessment.

Development and validation of a score for prediction of postoperative respiratory complications in infants and children (SPORC-C).

BACKGROUND: In infants and children, postoperative respiratory complications are leading causes of perioperative morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare utilisation. We aimed to develop a novel score for prediction of postoperative respiratory complications in paediatric patients (SPORC for children). METHODS: We analysed data from paediatric patients (≤12 yr) undergoing surgery in New York and Boston, USA for score development and external validation. The primary outcome was postoperative respiratory complications within 30 days after surgery, defined as respiratory infection, respiratory failure, aspiration pneumonitis, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, bronchospasm, laryngospasm, and reintubation. Data from Children's Hospital at Montefiore were used to create the score by stepwise backwards elimination using multivariate logistic regression. External validation was conducted using a separate cohort of children who underwent surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. RESULTS: The study included data from children undergoing 32,187‬ surgical procedures, where 768 (2.4%) children experienced postoperative respiratory complications. The final score consisted of 11 predictors, and showed discriminatory ability in development, internal, and external validation cohorts with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.83-0.87), 0.84 (0.80-0.87), and 0.83 (0.80-0.86), respectively. CONCLUSION: SPORC is a novel validated score for predicting the likelihood of postoperative respiratory complications in children that can be used to predict postoperative respiratory complications in infants and children.

Metabolomic profiling of pediatric post-tonsillectomy pain: A proof-of-concept study.

INTRODUCTION: Tonsillectomies are among the most common surgical procedures in children, with over 500 000 cases annually in the United States. Despite universal administration of intraoperative opioid analgesia, three out of five children undergoing tonsillectomy report moderate-to-severe pain upon recovering from anesthesia. The underlying molecular mechanisms of post-tonsillectomy pain are not well understood, limiting the development of targeted treatment strategies. Our study aimed to identify candidate serum metabolites associated with varying severity of post-tonsillectomy pain. METHODS: Venous blood samples and pain scores were obtained from 34 children undergoing tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy, and metabolomic analysis was performed. Supervised orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis were employed to identify differentially expressed metabolites between children with severe and mild pain, as well as between moderate and mild pain. RESULTS: Pain scores differentiated children as mild (n = 6), moderate (n = 14), or severe (n = 14). Four metabolites (fatty acid 18:0(OH), thyroxine, phosphatidylcholine 38:5, and branched fatty acids C27H54O3) were identified as candidate biomarkers that differentiated severe vs. mild post-tonsillectomy pain, the combination of which yielded an AUC of 0.91. Similarly, four metabolites (sebacic acid, dicarboxylic acids C18H34O4, hydroxy fatty acids C18H34O3, and myristoleic acid) were identified as candidate biomarkers that differentiated moderate vs. mild post-tonsillectomy pain, with AUC values ranging from 0.85 to 0.95. CONCLUSION: This study identified novel candidate biomarker panels that effectively differentiated varying severity of post-tonsillectomy pain. Further research is needed to validate these data and to explore their clinical implications for personalized pain management in children undergoing painful surgeries.

Failure to rescue following postoperative pneumonia in pediatrics: Is there a racial disparity?

INTRODUCTION: Racial disparities in measures of health and healthcare processes are well described. Limited work exists on disparities in failure to rescue - hospital mortality following a major adverse event. Postoperative pneumonia is a serious, potentially preventable adverse event that often leads to death, i.e., failure to rescue. This study examined the association of racial grouping with failure to rescue following postoperative pneumonia. METHODS: We utilized the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatrics Participant Use Data File to assemble a cohort of children <18 years who underwent inpatient surgery from 2012 to 2022. We included Black and White patients who developed pneumonia following an index surgery. The primary outcome was failure to rescue, defined as mortality following postoperative pneumonia. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals of failure to rescue, comparing Black and White children. RESULTS: The study cohort included 3139 children <18 years who developed pneumonia following inpatient surgery. Of those, 2333 (74.3%) were White and 806 (25.7%) were Black. Failure to rescue occurred in 117 of the children (3.7%); 82 were White (3.5%) and 35 were Black (4.3%). After adjusting for gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification, emergent/urgent vs. elective case status, year of operation, and pre-existing comorbidities, the odds of failure to rescue for Black children with postoperative pneumonia did not differ from White children (adjusted-Odds Ratio: 1.00; 95% Confidence Interval 0.62-1.61; p-value = .992). CONCLUSION: We found no significant difference in the odds of failure to rescue following postoperative pneumonia between Black or White children. To improve postoperative care for all children and to narrow the racial gap in postoperative mortality, future studies should continue to investigate the association of race with failure to rescue following other postoperative complications.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Opioid Use Disorder in Pediatric Surgical Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic opioid use among adolescents is a leading preventable public health problem in the United States. Consequently, a sizable proportion of surgical patients in this age group may have a comorbid opioid use disorder (OUD). No previously published study has examined the prevalence of OUD and its impact on postoperative morbidity or mortality in the adolescent surgical population. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of comorbid OUD and its association with surgical outcomes in a US adolescent surgical population. We hypothesized that OUD among adolescent surgical patients is on an upward trajectory and that the presence of OUD is associated with higher risk of postoperative morbidity or mortality. METHODS: Using the pediatric health information system, we performed a 1:1 propensity score-matched, retrospective cohort study of adolescents (10-18 years of age) undergoing inpatient surgery between 2004 and 2019. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. The secondary outcomes were surgical complications and postoperative infection. We also evaluated indicators of resource utilization, including mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and postoperative length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: Of 589,098 adolescents, 563 (0.1%) were diagnosed with comorbid OUD (563 were matched on OUD). The prevalence of OUD in adolescents undergoing surgery increased from 0.4 per 1000 cases in 2004 to 1.6 per 1000 cases in 2019, representing an average annual percent change (AAPC) of 9.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.7-13.9; P value < .001). The overall postoperative mortality rate was 0.50% (n = 2941). On univariable analysis, mortality rate was significantly higher in adolescents with comorbid OUD than those without comorbid OUD (3.37% vs 0.50%; P < .001). Among propensity-matched pairs, comorbid OUD diagnosis was associated with an estimated 57% relative increase in the risk of surgical complications (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.57; 95% CI, 1.24-2.00; P < .001). The relative risk of postoperative infection was 2-fold higher in adolescents with comorbid OUD than in those without OUD (aRR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.62-2.51; P < .001). Adolescents with comorbid OUD had an increased risk of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and extended postoperative LOS. CONCLUSIONS: OUD is becoming increasingly prevalent in adolescents presenting for surgery. Comorbid OUD is an important determinant of surgical complications, postoperative infection, and resource utilization, underscoring the need to consider OUD as a critical, independent risk factor for postsurgical morbidity.

Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Unanticipated Admission Following Nonotolaryngologic Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 2% of ambulatory pediatric surgeries require unanticipated postoperative admission, causing parental dissatisfaction and suboptimal use of hospital resources. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs in nearly 8% of children and is known to increase the risk of perioperative adverse events in children undergoing otolaryngologic procedures (eg, tonsillectomy). However, whether OSA is also a risk for unanticipated admission after nonotolaryngologic surgery is unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine the association of OSA with unanticipated admission after pediatric nonotolaryngologic ambulatory surgery and to explore trends in the prevalence of OSA in children undergoing nonotolaryngologic ambulatory surgery. METHODS: We used the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) Database to evaluate a retrospective cohort of children (<18 years) undergoing nonotolaryngologic surgery scheduled as ambulatory or observation status from January 1, 2010, to August 31, 2022. We used International Classification of Diseases codes to identify patients with OSA. The primary outcome was unanticipated postoperative admission lasting ≥1 day. Using logistic regression models, we estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for unanticipated admission comparing patients with and without OSA. We then estimated trends in the prevalence of OSA during the study period using the Cochran-Armitage test. RESULTS: A total of 855,832 children <18 years underwent nonotolaryngologic surgery as ambulatory or observation status during the study period. Of these, 39,427 (4.6%) required unanticipated admission for ≥1 day, and OSA was present in 6359 (0.7%) of these patients. Among children with OSA, 9.4% required unanticipated admission, compared to 5.0% among those without. The odds of children with OSA requiring unanticipated admission were more than twice that in children without OSA (adjusted OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.89-2.71; P < .001). The prevalence of OSA among children undergoing nonotolaryngologic surgery as ambulatory or observation status increased from 0.4% to 1.7% between 2010 and 2022 (P trends < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Children with OSA were significantly more likely to require unanticipated admission after a nonotolaryngologic surgery scheduled as ambulatory or observation status than those without OSA. These findings can inform patient selection for ambulatory surgery with the goal of decreasing unanticipated admissions, increasing patient safety and satisfaction, and optimizing health care resources related to unanticipated admission.

Characteristics of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth Presenting for Surgery in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The number of adolescents and adults identifying as trans or gender-diverse is increasing. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and "other" (LGBTQ+) population is recognized as a marginalized health care population. This retrospective study sought to investigate demographic trends in transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth accessing surgical care in the United States. METHODS: Using a multi-institutional dataset from the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS), we described demographic and periprocedural data for TGD adolescents, ages 10 to 18 years, who underwent a surgical procedure between January 1, 2016 and August 31, 2022. RESULTS: Among 767,224 youth who underwent surgical procedures during the study period, 807 (0.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.11) were identified as TGD. The overall prevalence of identified TGD youth increased from 0.02% in 2016 to 0.23% in 2022. TGD youth were mostly (71%) assigned female at birth and 13 to 18 years of age (91%, 733/807) at the time of surgery. A total of 76% of TGD patients were non-Hispanic White, 62% had commercial insurance, and 49% lived in a ZIP code with a median annual income between $39,000 and $63,000. Of the 807 TGD patients identified, 264 (33%) were from the Northeast, 226 (28%) were from the Midwest, 219 (27%) were from the West, and 98 (12%) were from the South census regions. The most common procedures for TGD youth to undergo were breast reduction/augmentation (n = 135), insertion/removal of subcutaneous implant device (n = 98), and orthopedic procedures of the hip and lower extremity (n = 29). CONCLUSIONS: We reported the perioperative characteristics of TGD youth and showed a steady increase in the detected prevalence of TGD adolescents accessing surgical care. Future investigations into specific challenges associated with caring for these patients are warranted.

Risk assessment of postoperative pneumonia in children with neurologic disorders and obesity.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pneumonia increases the risk of postsurgical mortality, making it a serious healthcare-associated complication. Children with preoperative neuromuscular impairments have a higher risk of postoperative pneumonia. Obesity is also a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications, including pneumonia. Moreover, obesity is increasingly prevalent among children living with a neurological diagnosis. Whether obesity increases the risk of postoperative pneumonia among children with neurologic diseases remains largely unknown. Therefore, we assessed the risk of postoperative pneumonia among children with neurologic diagnoses based on their obesity status. METHODS: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of children ≤18 years from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2012-2019) database who underwent inpatient orthopedic surgery. We used Cox proportional regression model to estimate the hazard ratio for the association between neurologic disorders and postoperative pneumonia. In addition, we included an interaction term between body mass index and neurologic disorders to evaluate the moderating effect of obesity status and then performed stratified analyses to compare the magnitude of hazard ratios across body mass index subgroups. RESULTS: A total of 60 745 children underwent inpatient orthopedic surgery during the study period, of whom 43.6% were healthy weight and 30.8% overweight/obese. The median age was 13 years (Interquartile range: 8-15). The incidence of postoperative pneumonia was higher among healthy weight patients with neurologic disorders than healthy weight patients without any neurologic disorders [Hazard ratio: 3.55 vs. 0.34]. Furthermore, the association between neurologic disorders and postoperative pneumonia was strongest among overweight patients than healthy weight or obese patients [Hazard ratio:11.88 vs. 9.45 vs. 4.40]. This observation was consistent across the various neurologic disorders analyzed. CONCLUSION: Childhood obesity buffered the association between neurologic disorders and postoperative pneumonia, consistent with an 'obesity paradox'. Further research exploring the underlying mechanisms for the obesity paradox in children with neurologic disorders is warranted.

Childhood obesity trends: Association with same-day hospital admission in a National Outpatient Surgical Population.

BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of obesity in the general population and its perioperative implications among children undergoing inpatient surgeries are well known, little is known about obesity prevalence among children scheduled for ambulatory surgery. AIMS: Here, we report the trends of obesity and severe obesity among children who underwent ambulatory surgery across multiple centers in the United States and explore the association of obesity status with admission following elective ambulatory surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric (2012-2019), we selected children 2-18 years old who underwent outpatient surgical procedures under general anesthesia and had documented height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) data. We estimated the prevalence of overweight, obesity (class 1), and severe obesity (class 2 and class 3) patients and explored their association with same-day hospital admission, defined as hospital length of stay ≥1 day. RESULTS: Data from 152 918 children (mean age: 9.7 ± 4.7 years) were analyzed. Of these, 16.4% (n = 25 007) were overweight, 13.8% (n = 21 085) were class 1 obese, 5.2% (n = 7879) were class 2 obese, and 3.0% (n = 4623) were class 3 obese. From 2012 to 2019, class 2 or 3 obesity prevalence increased by 26.7% and 32.5%, respectively. Overweight and obese children had relatively higher odds of same-day hospital admission compared to healthy weight children (overweight odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.05 [1.02, 1.08]; class 1 obesity: 1.04 [1.00, 1.07]; class 2 obesity: 1.09 [1.02, 1.16]; class 3 obesity: 1.20 [1.11, 1.30]). DISCUSION AND CONCLUSION: The burden of obesity continues to increase in children scheduled for ambulatory surgery. Children with class 2 and class 3 obesity have higher rates of same-day hospital admission following elective ambulatory surgery compared to healthy weight children, a factor that should be considered in scheduling these patients.

Association of Race With Postoperative Mortality Following Major Abdominopelvic Trauma in Children.

BACKGROUND: The leading cause of mortality among children is trauma. Race and ethnicity are critical determinants of pediatric postsurgical outcomes, with minority children generally experiencing higher rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality than White children. This pattern of poorer outcomes for racial and/or ethnic minority children has also been demonstrated in children with head and limb traumas. While injuries to the abdomen and pelvis are not as common, they can be life-threatening. Racial and/or ethnic differences in outcomes of pediatric abdominopelvic operative traumas have not been examined. Our objective was to determine whether disparities exist in postoperative mortality among children with major abdominopelvic trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database for 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012. Patients were included if they were < 18 years, sustained a major abdominopelvic injury, and underwent subsequent surgical intervention. Our primary outcome was inpatient mortality, comparing children of different race and/or ethnicity. RESULTS: We identified a weighted cohort of 13,955 children, of whom 6765 (48.5%) were White, 3614 (25.9%) Black, and 2647 (19.0%) Hispanic. After adjusting for covariates, Black children were 94% more likely to die than their White peers (3.3% versus 1.6%, adjusted-RR:1.94, 95%CI: 1.33-2.82, P = 0.001). Hispanic children (adjusted-RR:1.99, 95%CI: 1.36-2.91, P < 0.001) and those of other race and/or ethnicity (adjusted-RR: 2.02, 95%CI:1.20-3.40, P = 0.008) were also more likely to die compared to their White peers. CONCLUSIONS: Black and Hispanic children who require operative intervention following major abdominopelvic trauma have a higher risk of postoperative mortality compared with White children.

Association of Sugammadex or Neostigmine With Major Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Children.

BACKGROUND: Recent data in adult patients indicate that the use of sugammadex compared to neostigmine for reversal of neuromuscular block (NMB) was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of composite postoperative pulmonary complications. Despite the clinical significance of pulmonary complications in children, studies exploring the role of NMB reversal in the risk of these complications are currently unavailable. METHOD: We performed a propensity score-matched retrospective study using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) dataset spanning the years 2016 and 2020. We studied children <18 years who underwent elective, inpatient, noncardiac surgical procedures and received either neostigmine or sugammadex for reversal of NMB. Our primary outcome was major postoperative pulmonary complication, which we defined as the occurrence of either postoperative pneumonia or respiratory failure. RESULTS: Our study included a study population of 33,819 children, of whom 23,312 (68.9%) received neostigmine and 10,507 (31.1%) received sugammadex. After propensity score matching (10,361 matched from each group), we found no evidence of a statistically significant association between the NMB reversal agent and the incidence of pulmonary complications (3.1% vs 3.1%; odds ratio [OR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-1.05; P = .19). The components of pulmonary complications, including respiratory failure and pneumonia, were not statistically associated with the choice of NMB reversal agent. CONCLUSIONS: Choice of NMB reversal agent does not appear to impact the incidence of major postoperative pulmonary complications. Further research is needed to determine whether our results carry forth across subpopulations defined by surgical specialty, the presence of complex chronic conditions, and anesthesia technique.

Risk Factors and Consequences of Acute Kidney Injury After Noncardiac Surgery in Children.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication that is associated with prolonged hospital stay, high risk of short-term postsurgical mortality, need for dialysis, and possible progression to chronic kidney disease. To date, very little data exist on the risk of postoperative AKI among children undergoing noncardiac surgical procedures. We used data from a large multicenter cohort to determine the factors associated with AKI among children who underwent inpatient noncardiac surgical procedures and its impact on the postoperative course. METHODS: We utilized the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric participant user files to identify a cohort of children who underwent inpatient surgery between 2012 and 2018 (n = 257,439). We randomly divided the study population into a derivation cohort of 193,082 (75%) and a validation cohort of 64,357 (25%), and constructed a multivariable logistic regression model to identify independent risk factors for AKI. We defined AKI as the occurrence of either acute renal failure or progressive renal insufficiency within the 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: The overall rate of postoperative AKI was 0.10% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.11). In a multivariable model, operating times longer than 140 minutes, preexisting hematologic disorder, and preoperative sepsis were the strongest independent predictors of AKI. Other independent risk factors for AKI were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status ≥III, preoperative inotropic support, gastrointestinal disease, ventilator dependency, and corticosteroid use. The 30-day mortality rate was 10.1% in children who developed AKI and 0.19% in their counterparts without AKI ( P < .001). Children who developed AKI were more likely to require an extended hospital stay (≥75th percentile of the study cohort) relative to their peers without AKI (77.4% vs 21.0%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Independent preoperative risk factors for AKI in children undergoing inpatient noncardiac surgery were hematologic disorder, preoperative sepsis, ASA physical status ≥III, inotropic support, gastrointestinal disease, ventilator dependency, and steroid use. Children with AKI were 10 times more likely to die and nearly 3 times more likely to require an extended hospital stay, relative to their peers without AKI.

Morbidity and mortality following noncardiac surgical procedures among children with autosomal trisomy.

BACKGROUND: Trisomy 13 (T13), trisomy 18 (T18), and trisomy 21 (T21) are the most common autosomal trisomies. One unifying feature of all trisomies is their association with major congenital malformations, which often require life-prolonging surgical procedures. Few studies, mostly among cardiac surgery patients, have examined the outcome of those who undergo surgical procedures. We examined the differences in postsurgical outcomes between the trisomy groups. METHOD: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset, we identified children (<18 years of age) with T13, T18, or T21 who underwent noncardiac surgery (2012-2018). We estimated the incidence of mortality and indicator of resource utilization (unplanned reoperation, unplanned tracheal reintubation, and extended length of hospital stay). RESULTS: Of the 349 158 inpatient surgical cases during the study period, we identified 4202 children with one of the autosomal trisomies of interest (T13: 152; T18: 335; and T21: 3715). The rates of postoperative mortality were substantially higher for T18 and T13 than T21 and nontrisomy children (T18 vs. T21: 11.1% vs. 1.6%, adjusted odds ratio: 5.01, 95%CI: 2.89,8.70, p < .01), (T13 vs. T21: 8.1% vs. 1.6%, adjusted odds ratio: 2.86, 95%CI: 1.25,6.54, p = .01). Children with T18 had the highest rates of extended length of stay (62.7%) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (32.5%). T18 and T13 neonates had the highest surgical mortality burden (T13: 26.5%, T18: 31.8%, and T21: 2.8%). CONCLUSION: Approximately, one-third of T18 and T13 neonates, who had surgery, died, underscoring the lethality of these trisomies and the need for a comprehensive preoperative ethical discussion with families of these children.

Moderating Effects of Race and Preoperative Comorbidity on Surgical Mortality in Infants.

BACKGROUND: We sought to investigate the risk of pediatric surgical mortality associated with the combined effects of key preoperative comorbidities and race. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study that included infants who underwent inpatient surgical procedures between 2012 and 2017 and were entered into the NSQIP-P registry. We assessed additive moderation by estimating the proportion of mortality risk attributable to the combined effects of race and the presence of a preoperative comorbidity (attributable proportion [AP]). RESULTS: The study group was comprised of 58466 surgical cases, of whom 15711(26.9%) were neonates and 42755(73.1%) older infants. Among neonates, a history of prematurity carried a poorer prognosis in black babies than their white peers (OR:1.53, 95%CI:1.20,1.95). Additionally, there was evidence of additive moderation by race on the association between prematurity and postoperative mortality (AP: 23.9%; 95%CI: 3.8,43.9, P value = 0.020). In older infants, presence of preoperative sepsis carried almost two times higher risk of mortality for black patients than their white counterparts (OR:1.81; 95%CI:1.21,2.73). This explained 38.4% of mortality cases in black patients with preoperative sepsis (95%CI:14.0,62.7; P = 0.002). A history of prematurity also carried a greater risk of mortality in older infants of black race (OR:1.69; 95%CI: 1.27, 2.24), accounting for 24.2% of mortality cases (AP:24.2%; 95%CI:0.90, 47.5, P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: We quantified the surgical burden of mortality resulting from the differential impact of key comorbidities on black neonates and infants. Our data suggest that race-specific interventions to mitigate the incidence of the identified comorbidities could narrow the racial disparities in post surgical mortality.

Racial Disparities in Failure to Rescue Following Unplanned Reoperation in Pediatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Failure to rescue (FTR) and unplanned reoperation following an index surgical procedure are key indicators of the quality of surgical care. Given that differences in unplanned reoperation and FTR rates among racial groups may contribute to persistent disparities in postsurgical outcomes, we sought to determine whether racial differences exist in the risk of FTR among children who required unplanned reoperation following inpatient surgical procedures. METHODS: We used the National Surgical Quality Improvement database (2012-2017) to assemble a cohort of children (<18 years), who underwent inpatient surgery and subsequently returned to the operating room within 30 days of the index surgery. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of FTR, comparing African American (AA) to White children. We estimated the risk-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for FTR by controlling the analyses for demographic characteristics, surgical profile, and preoperative comorbidities. We further evaluated the racial differences in FTR by stratifying the analyses by the timing of unplanned reoperation. RESULTS: Of 276,917 children who underwent various inpatient surgical procedures, 10,425 (3.8%) required an unplanned reoperation, of whom 2016 (19.3%) were AA and 8409 (80.7%) were White. Being AA relative to being White was associated with a 2-fold increase in the odds of FTR (aOR: 2.03; 95% CI, 1.5-2.74; P < .001). Among children requiring early unplanned reoperation, AAs were 2.38 times more likely to die compared to their White peers (8.9% vs 3.4%; aOR: 2.38; 95% CI, 1.54-3.66; P < .001). In children with intermediate timing of return to the operating room, the risk of FTR was 80% greater for AA children compared to their White peers (2.2% vs 1.1%; aOR: 1.80; 95% CI, 1.07-3.02; P = .026). Typically, AA children die within 5 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-16) of reoperation while their White counterparts die within 9 days following reoperation (IQR: 2-26). CONCLUSIONS: Among children requiring unplanned reoperation, AA patients were more likely to die than their White peers. This racial difference in FTR rate was most noticeable among children requiring early unplanned reoperation. Time to mortality following unplanned reoperation was shorter for AA than for White children. Race appears to be an important determinant of FTR following unplanned reoperation in children and it should be considered when designing interventions to optimize unplanned reoperation outcomes.

Association of Preoperative Pneumonia With Postsurgical Morbidity and Mortality in Children.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a common lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) and the leading cause of pediatric hospitalization in the United States. Given its frequency, children with pneumonia may require surgery during their hospital course. This poses serious anesthetic and surgical challenges because preoperative pulmonary status is among the most important risk factors for postoperative complications. Although recent adult data indicated that preoperative pneumonia was associated with poor surgical outcomes, comparable data in children are lacking. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the association of preoperative pneumonia with postoperative mortality and morbidity in children. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we assembled a retrospective cohort of children (<18 years) who underwent inpatient surgery between 2012 and 2015. Our primary outcome was the time to all-cause 30-day postoperative mortality that we evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. For the secondary outcomes, including 30-day postoperative morbidity events, we used Fine-Gray models to account for competing risk by mortality. We also evaluated the association of preoperative pneumonia with duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation and postoperative hospital length of stay. We used propensity score weighting methods to adjust for potential confounding factors, whose distributions differ across the pneumonia groups. RESULTS: Among 153,242 children who underwent inpatient surgery, 0.7% (n = 867) had preoperative pneumonia. Compared with those without preoperative pneumonia, children with preoperative pneumonia had a higher risk of mortality throughout the 30-day postoperative period (hazard ratio [HR], 4.10; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 2.42-6.97; P < .001). Although not statistically significant, children with preoperative pneumonia were twice as likely to develop cardiovascular complications compared to children without preoperative pneumonia (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.17-3.75; P = .012). Furthermore, children with preoperative pneumonia had longer duration of postoperative ventilation (incidence rate ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.26-1.71; P < .001). Finally, children with preoperative pneumonia were estimated to be 56% less likely to be discharged within the 30 days following surgery, compared to children without preoperative pneumonia (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.40-0.47; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative pneumonia was strongly associated with increased incidence of postoperative mortality and complications in children. Clinicians should make concerted efforts to screen for preoperative pneumonia and consider whether proceeding with surgery is the most expedient course of action. Our findings may be helpful in preoperative discussions with parents of children with preoperative pneumonia for risk stratification and postoperative resource allocation purposes.

Primary Stroke and Failure-to-Rescue Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the impact, on failure to rescue, of cerebrovascular accident as a first postoperative complication after thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (TEVAR). DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study using of National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participants User File. SETTING: United States hospitals taking part in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. PARTICIPANTS: Patients >18 years, who underwent TEVAR for nonruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm between 2005 and 2018, and developed one or more major postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Out of 3,937 patients who underwent TEVAR for nonruptured thoracic aneurysm, 1,256 (31.9%) developed major postoperative complications (stroke incidence: 11.4% [143/1256]). In adults <65 years old, the occurrence of stroke as the primary complication, relative to the occurrence of other complications, was associated with ten times greater risk of failure to rescue (29.4% v 4.6%; odds ratio [OR]: 10.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.45-41.56; p < 0.001). The effect size was relatively lower when stroke occurred but was not the primary complication (20.0% v 4.6%; OR: 7.55; 95% CI 1.37-41.71; p = 0.020). In patients ≥65 years, the occurrence of stroke as the primary complication did not carry the similar prognostic value. CONCLUSION: Younger patients who developed stroke were up to ten times more likely to die, relative to patients who developed other major complications. Survival was substantially reduced when stroke was the primary complication. The authors' findings imply that to maximize the survival of patients undergoing TEVAR, efforts may be needed to predict and prevent stroke occurrence as a primary postoperative morbidity event.

Race and major pulmonary complications following inpatient pediatric otolaryngology surgery.

BACKGROUND: Compared to their white peers, black children are more likely to experience serious respiratory complications in the perioperative period. Whether a racial difference exists in the occurrence of late postoperative respiratory complications is largely unknown. Here, we evaluated a multi-institutional cohort of children who underwent various elective otolaryngology procedures to examine the racial differences in major postoperative pulmonary complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of elective inpatient otolaryngology cases from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2012-2018). We used propensity score matching of black to white patients to compare the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, defined as the occurrence of either pneumonia, unplanned reintubation, or prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: The matched cohort was comprised of 4786 black and white patients (2 393 of each race). Black children were more likely to develop postoperative pulmonary complications compared to white peers (29.3% vs. 24.2%; odds ratio: 1.38; 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 1.59; P-value < .001). Furthermore, black children were almost two times more likely to require unplanned postoperative reintubation, relative to their white peers (2.6% vs. 1.3%; odds ratio: 2.07; 95% confidence interval: 1.33, 3.22; P-value < .001). Similarly, black children were estimated to have 37% relative greater odds of requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (28.6% vs. 23.7%; 95% confidence interval: 1.19, 1.58; P-value < .001). Finally, being of black race conferred greater odds of requiring prolonged hospital length of stay, relative to being of white race (38.6% vs. 34.5%; odds ratio:1.24; 95% confidence interval: 1.09, 1.42; P-value = .004). CONCLUSION: Black children undergoing elective otolaryngological surgery are more likely to develop major postoperative pulmonary complications.

Pediatric obesity and perioperative medicine.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Childhood obesity is a public health emergency that has reached a pandemic level and imposed a massive economic burden on healthcare systems. Our objective was to provide an update on (1) challenges of obesity definition and classification in the perioperative setting, (2) challenges of perioperative patient positioning and vascular access, (3) perioperative implications of childhood obesity, (3) anesthetic medication dosing and opioid-sparing techniques in obese children, and (4) research gaps in perioperative childhood obesity research including a call to action. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite the near axiomatic observation that obesity is a pervasive clinical problem with considerable impact on perioperative health, there have only been a handful of research into the many ramifications of childhood obesity in the perioperative setting. A nuanced understanding of the surgical and anesthetic risks associated with obesity is essential to inform patients' perioperative consultation and their parents' counseling, improve preoperative risk mitigation, and improve patients' rescue process when complications occur. SUMMARY: Anesthesiologists and surgeons will continue to be confronted with an unprecedented number of obese or overweight children with a high risk of perioperative complications.