A systematic review of Sandifer syndrome in children with severe gastroesophageal reflux.

PURPOSE: Sandifer syndrome (SS), which combines gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and a neurological or psychiatric disorder, is an uncommon condition that often takes a long time to diagnosis. We aimed to systematically review available papers regarding SS. METHODS: After presenting our two cases of SS, we systematically reviewed articles published in MEDILINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 54 reported cases and 2 of our own cases. Our results showed that all cases achieved symptom improvement with appropriate treatment for GER. Notably, 19 of the 56 cases exhibited anatomical anomalies, such as hiatal hernia and malrotation. Significantly more patients with than without anatomical anomalies required surgery (p < 0.001). However, 23 of the 29 patients without anatomical anomalies (79%) achieved symptom improvement without surgery. Patients who did not undergo surgery had a median (interquartile range) duration to symptom resolution of 1 (1-1) month. CONCLUSION: The primary care providers should keep SS in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with abnormal posturing and no apparent neuromuscular disorders. Fundoplication may be effective especially for patients with anatomical anomalies or those whose symptoms do not improve after more than 1 month with nonsurgical treatment.

Duodenal duplication cyst at the second part of the duodenum with congenital duodenal position anomaly completely resected by laparoscopic partial duodenectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal duplication cysts (DDC) are rare duplications of the alimentary tract. Their treatment depends on their size and location. A radical treatment is total resection, if possible. However, partial excision, puncture, and marsupialization can be selected to prevent surgical injury to the pancreaticobiliary tract despite the risk of recurrence. There are some reports of pancreaticoduodenectomy for DDC because of the risk of recurrent symptoms and malignancy. However, this is considered excessively invasive for DDC, particularly in pediatric cases, because of its extremely low rate of malignancy and high morbidity and mortality rates. We encountered a case of DDC with a congenital duodenal position anomaly occurring in the second part of the duodenum. Taking advantage of the congenital duodenal position anomaly, the DDC was completely resected without injuring the pancreaticobiliary duct. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-year-old boy was diagnosed with a duodenal duplication cyst with obstruction. There was a congenital duodenal position anomaly. The distal second part of the duodenum was the dorsal side of the proximal second part of the duodenum and ascended upward from the proximal second part of the duodenum. The third and fourth parts of the duodenum ran downward to the left and posterior parts of the portal vein, forming the ligament of Treitz. Complete laparoscopic resection of the duodenal duplication cyst and the second to fourth parts of the duodenum, and duodenojejunostomy with retrocolic reconstruction was performed because the duodenum was easily mobilized to the ligament of Treitz owing to the duodenal position anomaly. The duodenojejunostomy with retrocolic reconstruction achieved a more physiologically normal appearance compared to what would have been achieved with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 12 without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure used in this case might not be easily applied in all laparoscopy cases. However, it could be an option for duodenal duplication cysts with congenital duodenal position anomalies.

Scoring system for diagnosis and pretreatment risk assessment of neuroblastoma using urinary biomarker combinations.

The urinary catecholamine metabolites, homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), are used for the adjunctive diagnosis of neuroblastomas. We aimed to develop a scoring system for the diagnosis and pretreatment risk assessment of neuroblastoma, incorporating age and other urinary catecholamine metabolite combinations. Urine samples from 227 controls (227 samples) and 68 patients with neuroblastoma (228 samples) were evaluated. First, the catecholamine metabolites vanillactic acid (VLA) and 3-methoxytyramine sulfate (MTS) were identified as urinary marker candidates through comprehensive analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentrations of these marker candidates and conventional markers were then compared among controls, patients, and numerous risk groups to develop a scoring system. Participants were classified into four groups: control, low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk, and the proportional odds model was fitted using the L2-penalized maximum likelihood method, incorporating age on a monthly scale for adjustment. This scoring model using the novel urine catecholamine metabolite combinations, VLA and MTS, had greater area under the curve values than the model using HVA and VMA for diagnosis (0.978 vs. 0.964), pretreatment risk assessment (low and intermediate risk vs. high risk: 0.866 vs. 0.724; low risk vs. intermediate and high risk: 0.871 vs. 0.680), and prognostic factors (MYCN status: 0.741 vs. 0.369, histology: 0.932 vs. 0.747). The new system also had greater accuracy in detecting missing high-risk neuroblastomas, and in predicting the pretreatment risk at the time of screening. The new scoring system employing VLA and MTS has the potential to replace the conventional adjunctive diagnostic method using HVA and VMA.

Laparoscopic Fundoplication in Patients with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts: A Systematic Review and Our Experience.

Background: Data on the outcomes of laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) in patients with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts are limited. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the demographic characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent LF at our institutions between 2014 and 2022. Then, we systematically reviewed articles in MEDILINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Results: There was no significant difference in terms of the outcomes between patients with VP shunt (n = 10) and those without (n = 96) at our institutions. None of the patients presented with shunt trouble after LF. The meta-analysis included four retrospective studies and our institutional data. In total, 605 patients (55 with VP shunt) underwent LF. Furthermore, 2 (3.6%) of 55 patients (1 with infection and 1 with occlusion) had shunt troubles. The conversion and complication rates, operative time, and length of hospital stay did not significantly differ between patients with VP shunt and those without. Conclusions: LF can be safely performed on children with VP shunts and is associated with a low risk of shunt troubles. The Clinical Trial Registration number is 2022-387.

Surgical Strategies for Neonates with Prenatally Diagnosed Congenital Biliary Dilatation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop a postnatal treatment strategy for infants with prenatally diagnosed congenital biliary dilatation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with prenatal diagnosed congenital biliary dilatation (CBD), aged <1 year who underwent surgery at our hospital between 2013 and 2023. We classified the patients into two groups, the "early group," consisting of patients who could not wait for growth, and required early surgery, and the "scheduled group," consisting of patients who were asymptomatic and could undergo scheduled surgery, and compared them. The parameters for early surgical prediction were AST, ALT, TB, DB, and CRP levels at birth, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after birth, and immediately before surgery, as well as the cyst diameter, presence of intrahepatic bile duct dilation, and presence of debris in the common bile duct. RESULTS: During the study period, 15 patients were diagnosed prenatally. The cyst diameter was significantly larger at all points in the early group. Patients with a cyst diameter of >30 mm at birth, intrahepatic bile duct dilatation at birth, and postnatal enlargement of the common bile duct to >30 mm are more likely to develop symptoms early. Blood biochemistry tests showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a cyst diameter >30 mm in the early postnatal period require careful postnatal management and parents should be counseled regarding the high likelihood of their child needing surgery within the first 3 months of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Preoperative management comprising tube irrigation using a trans-anal indwelling tube for infants with hirschsprung disease can allow single-stage radical surgery.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative management of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is currently being conducted with the goal of performing single-stage radical surgery without ileostomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed HD cases between 2013 and 2022, as well as their outcomes related to preoperative management. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with HD were included in this study, including short-segment HD (30 cases), long-segment HD (4 cases), and total colonic aganglionosis (5 cases). Among these 39 patients, 95% (37 of 39 patients) underwent single-stage radical surgery after management with glycerin enema use (n = 13), irrigation with tube insertion each time irrigation was performed (n = 13), and irrigation using a tube placed in the bowel (n = 11). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative management of patients with HD allowed for single-stage surgery of long-segment HD and total colonic aganglionosis. Cases that could be managed without performing an emergency enterostomy during the neonatal period were managed with irrigation until radical surgery was performed.

Variations of the hepatic artery and bile duct in patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction: Impact on postoperative outcomes.

PURPOSE: Preoperative comprehension of the anatomical variations of the hepatic artery and bile duct is essential for safe laparoscopic surgery for pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM). This study aimed to investigate the impact of anatomical variations of the hepatic artery and bile duct on surgical technique and postoperative complications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with PBM who underwent laparoscopic surgery at our institution between January 2014 and December 2022 to investigate anatomical variations in the hepatic artery and bile duct, surgical technique, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We included 112 patients with PBM, with a median age of 4 years (interquartile range, 0-55). Overall, 29 of 112 patients had an aberrant right hepatic artery (ARHA) running ventral to the common hepatic duct (CHD), and they underwent hepaticojejunostomy on the ventral side of the ARHA. Additionally, eight of 112 patients had an aberrant posterior hepatic duct (APHD), which was joined to the CHD in all but one case. The presence of APHD was associated with postoperative bile leak occurrence. CONCLUSION: Performing hepaticojejunostomy ventral to the ARHA is important to prevent complications. Furthermore, APHD may be a risk factor for postoperative bile leak and requires careful bile duct plasty.

Safe thoracoscopic repair of recurrent congenital diaphragmatic hernia after initial open abdominal repair.

PURPOSE: The optimal surgical approach for recurrent congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains controversial. We compared the surgical outcomes of a thoracoscopic approach versus an open abdominal approach for recurrent CDH after initial abdominal open repair. METHOD: The subjects of this comparative study were patients who underwent open abdominal or thoracoscopic surgery for recurrent CDH following an initial open abdominal repair. RESULTS: Among 166 patients with Bochdalek-type CDH, 15 underwent reoperation for recurrent CDH following an open abdominal repair. Seven patients underwent open abdominal surgery (group O) and eight underwent thoracoscopic surgery (group T). The operative duration was similar for the two groups, with less blood loss (17.2 ml/kg vs. 1 ml/kg, P = 0.001) and fewer intraoperative complications in the T group (n = 6 vs. n = 0 cases, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the number of postoperative complications (n = 1 vs. n = 1, P = 1.0) or in the number of patients with a second CDH recurrence (n = 2 vs. n = 1, P = 0.569) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic surgery is preferable to the open surgical approach for recurrent CDH following an initial abdominal open repair.

Robotic versus laparoscopic radical surgery for pediatric congenital biliary dilatation: a comparison of surgical outcomes of a single surgeon's initial experience.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify the validity of robot-assisted surgery (RAS) for pediatric patients with congenital biliary dilatation (CBD). METHODS: We retrospectively compared RAS and laparoscopic surgery (LS) for pediatric CBD performed by the same certified surgeon between 2016 and 2022. RESULTS: We included 6 RAS and 12 LS cases in this study. One case of RAS with laparotomy was excluded from the analysis. The patients in the two groups had comparable ages and body weights. The median surgery duration, the suture time per stitch, and the time to drain removal were 385 min, 145 s, and 5 days in the RAS group and 370 min (p = 0.28), 177 s (p = 0.03), and 6 days (p = 0.03) in the LS group, respectively. The time to create the Roux-en-Y limb was significantly longer in the RAS group. Postoperative complications occurred in one RAS case and in four LS cases. CONCLUSIONS: Less anastomotic time per stitch and less time to drain removal suggest that RAS may contribute to accurate suturing and fine intra-pancreatic bile duct dissection. In addition, RAS requiring large movements of forceps in a large surgical field, such as Roux-en-Y creation, is inferior to LS.

Case report: Laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy for duodenal atresia with situs inversus and preduodenal portal vein: a report of two cases.

Congenital duodenal atresia with situs inversus is occasionally accompanied by a preduodenal portal vein (PDPV), which is incidentally diagnosed during surgery. Duodenoduodenostomy is the most common and effective treatment. However, some patients require other anastomoses. Here, we present two cases of laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy for congenital duodenal atresia with situs inversus and PDPV and describe the reason for selecting gastrojejunostomy. The optimal surgical strategy is patient specific and should be determined based on the patient's general and physical condition.

Preoperative Contrast Examinations Help Determine the Appropriate Cervical Approach for Congenital Gross Type C Esophageal Atresia: A Report of Two Cases.

BACKGROUND Kluth demonstrated that esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) has several anatomical variations and thus requires a preoperative imaging study to determine the surgical strategy. We routinely perform a contrast examination with iodixanol to assess the location of the TEF and the upper end of the esophageal pouch to determine the most appropriate approach. We herein present two cases of type C EA/TEF who successfully underwent radical surgery by a cervical approach based on the information from the contrast examination. CASE REPORT Case 1 was a Japanese boy suspected of type C EA/TEF after birth. A contrast examination with iodixanol showed that a TEF was at the second thoracic vertebra (Th2), as was the upper end of the esophageal pouch. Thus, the patient underwent esophago-esophageal anastomosis and TEF ligation using a cervical approach; the postoperative course was uneventful. Case 2 was also a Japanese boy suspected of type C EA/TEF. A contrast examination showed that the TEF was at Th1-2, as was the upper end of the esophageal pouch. Thus, the patient underwent esophago-esophageal anastomosis and TEF ligation using a cervical approach. The patient suffered from congenital tracheal stenosis and required tracheoplasty. However, there were no apparent complications after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS Here, we used the imaging information to adopt the cervical approach in type C EA/TEF cases and concluded that routine preoperative contrast examinations helped assess the TEF location and upper end of the esophageal pouch without significant complications.

Anastomotic time was associated with postoperative complications: a cumulative sum analysis of thoracoscopic repair of tracheoesophageal fistula in a single surgeon's experience.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve of thoracoscopic repair of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) by a single surgeon using a cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. METHODS: Prospective clinical data of consecutive Gross type-C TEF repairs performed by a pediatric surgeon from 2010 to 2020 were recorded. CUSUM charts for anastomosis and operating times were generated. The learning curves were compared with the effect of accumulation based on case experience. RESULTS: For 33 consecutive cases, the mean operative and anastomosis times were 139 ± 39 min and 3137 ± 1110 s, respectively. Significant transitions beyond the learning phase for total operating and anastomosis times were observed at cases 13 and 17. Both the total operating time and anastomosis time were significantly faster in the proficiency improvement phase than in the initial learning phase. Postoperative complications significantly decreased after the initial anastomosis learning phase but not after the initial total operating learning phase. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic repair of TEF is considered safe and feasible after 13 cases, where the surgeon can improve their proficiency with the total operation procedure, and 17 cases, which will enable the surgeon to achieve proficiency in anastomosis. Postoperative complications significantly decreased after gaining familiarity with the anastomosis procedure through the learning phase.

Single-cell RNA sequencing of intestinal immune cells in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

PURPOSE: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) causes fatal intestinal necrosis in neonates, but its etiology is unknown. We analyzed the intestinal immune response to NEC. METHODS: Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we analyzed the gene expression profiles of intestinal immune cells from four neonates with intestinal perforation (two with NEC and two without NEC). Target mononuclear cells were extracted from the lamina propria of the resected intestines. RESULTS: In all four cases, major immune cells, such as T cells (15.1-47.7%), B cells (3.1-19.0%), monocytes (16.5-31.2%), macrophages (1.6-17.4%), dendritic cells (2.4-12.2%), and natural killer cells (7.5-12.8%), were present in similar proportions to those in the neonatal cord blood. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that the MTOR, TNF-α, and MYC signaling pathways were enriched in T cells of the NEC patients, suggesting upregulated immune responses related to inflammation and cell proliferation. In addition, all four cases exhibited a bias toward cell-mediated inflammation, based on the predominance of T helper 1 cells. CONCLUSION: Intestinal immunity in NEC subjects exhibited stronger inflammatory responses compared to non-NEC subjects. Further scRNA-seq and cellular analysis may improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of NEC.

Management of Congenital and Postoperative Chylothorax: Use of Thoracoscopic Lymphatic Leak Ligations with Intraoperative ICG Lymphangiography.

BACKGROUND: Congenital chylothorax (CCT) and postoperative chylothorax (POCT) are rare and difficult to treat. We report our treatment strategy and outcomes for chylothorax, including thoracoscopic surgery with indocyanine-green (ICG) near-infrared fluorescence lymphangiography. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with CCT and POCT from 2014 to 2021 was performed. After definitive diagnosis, conservative treatments with octreotide, followed by intravenous steroids as needed, were performed. Patients who were refractory to conservative treatment were transferred to surgical treatment, consisting of thoracoscopic lymphatic leak ligations using ICG intraoperative lymphangiography. The effectiveness of conservative and surgical treatment was then examined. RESULTS: We included 19 cases of CCT and 31 cases of POCT. The 31 POCT patients included 23 of 84 postoperative patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), 7 of 54 postoperative patients with esophageal atresia (EA), and 1 of 3 postoperative patients with lymphatic malformation. The efficacy of conservative treatment was 12/19 for CCT, 22/23 for CDH, and 4/7 for EA. Surgical intervention was performed in 10 patients, and the rate of resolution of chylothorax within 3 weeks after surgery was 90%. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic lymphatic leak ligations with intraoperative ICG lymphangiography are feasible and useful in patients with chylothorax refractory to conservative treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

The presence of high-risk varices after sclerotherapy in biliary atresia.

BACKGROUND: Esophagogastric varices (EGVs) may develop as a result of portal hypertension in children with biliary atresia (BA). Although endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with ethanolamine oleate (EO) is reported useful for children, risk factors associated with the presence of high-risk EGVs after treatment remain unknown. METHODS: The subjects were BA patients under 15 years of age who underwent EO-EIS. We retrospectively reviewed a total of 28 treatment sessions of EGVs with red signs and those larger than F2, which were considered to be at high risk of bleeding. Survival analysis was performed for the presence of high-risk EGVs at the time of follow-up endoscopy as the occurrence of an event. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed a significantly increased risk of the presence of high-risk EGVs post-EO-EIS in patients with increased liver stiffness (LS) and Mac-2 binding protein glycan isomer (M2BPGi), with hazard ratios of 1.48 and 1.15, respectively. The median presence-free period was significantly shorter in the LS ≥ 2.8 m/s patients than in those with LS <2.8 m/s (189 vs. 266 days). Similarly, the median presence-free period was significantly shorter in patients with M2BPGi ≥ 4.0 than in those with M2BPGi < 4.0 (182 vs. 203 days). The results of multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of the presence of high-risk EGVs was significantly higher only in the high-LS group, with a hazard ratio of 2.76. CONCLUSIONS: Increased LS is associated with risk of the presence of high-risk EGVs following EO-EIS in children with BA.

Laparoscopic bile duct plasty for hilar bile duct stenosis (HBDS) in patients with congenital biliary dilatation: Diagnosis of HBDS by preoperative MRCP and laparoscopic strategy to relieve HBDS.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) is a disease associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction. The most frequent postoperative complication is intrahepatic stones, which are caused by hilar bile duct stenosis (HBDS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent primary surgery for CBD between 2013 and 2021. We evaluated images and videos of HBDS, the laparoscopic technique of releasing the stenosis, and its occurrence rate and compared intraoperative bile duct findings with those of preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). RESULTS: There were 87 CBD cases in this study. HBDS occurred in 52% and preoperative MRCP for HBDS showed a 96% sensitivity and 74% specificity in this study. Bile duct plasty was performed in 45% of the cases and videos demonstrated typical methods of laparoscopic bile duct plasty. The mid- to long-term complications were hepatolithiasis in three patients, anastomotic site stricture in three, and postoperative obstruction in two. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that preoperative imaging studies are useful for the prediction of HBDS. Our laparoscopic meticulous probing method for finding BDS reveals more intrahepatic BDS through magnification. Therefore, this may reduce the incidence of intrahepatic stones. Preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings can be complemented to plan management that reduces long-term complications.

Circumumbilical incision for neonatal abdominal surgery: additional skin incision when there is difficulty in manipulating the intestine.

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of circumumbilical incision (CUI) for neonates requiring intestinal anastomosis. Seventy neonates requiring intestinal anastomosis at our institution between 2003 and 2020 were included in this retrospective case-control study. Patients were classified into the CUI (25 patients: 36%) and transverse incision (TI) groups (45 patients: 64%). Postoperative complications and surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Intestinal perforation at the non-anastomotic site occurred significantly more often in the CUI group than in the TI group (3 patients: 12%, and 0 patients: 0%, respectively (p = 0.042)). There were no between-group differences regarding anastomotic leakages, anastomotic strictures, time to enteral feeding, operative time, and blood loss. Neonatal intestinal surgery employing CUI might be associated with increased intestinal perforation at the non-anastomotic site. Hesitating to enlarge the skin incision to maintain favorable cosmetic outcomes might cause severe injury to the delicate neonatal intestine during the surgical procedure owing to the restricted surgical field. When performing CUI, we suggest that the skin incision should be extended without hesitation whenever there is difficulty in manipulating the intestine.

Adding a spur valve to laparoscopic portoenterostomy for patients with biliary atresia can achieve a high jaundice clearance rate and lower the number of episodes of cholangitis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adding a spur valve to laparoscopic portoenterostomy for patients with biliary atresia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with biliary atresia (BA) who underwent laparoscopic portoenterostomy (Lap-PE) between 2013 and 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: Lap-PE with a spur valve (spur group) and without it (control group). Perioperative management was the same in both groups. We compared patient backgrounds and clinical outcomes, including jaundice clearance and the number of postoperative cholangitis episodes. RESULTS: Of 63 patients reviewed, 16 received a spur valve. There were no statistically significant differences in the patient backgrounds between the groups. All patients in the spur group achieved jaundice clearance. The number of postoperative cholangitis episodes one year after surgery was significantly lower in the spur group than in the control group (1 [0-3] vs. 3 [0-9], p = 0.04). The jaundice-free survival rate with the native liver at one year after surgery was significantly higher in the spur group (100% vs. 53%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Adding a spur valve during Lap-PE significantly lowered the number of cholangitis episodes 1 year after surgery.

Biochemical markers to predict the development of gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal varices after portoenterostomy in biliary atresia.

PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) due to esophageal varices (EV) is one of the factors that negatively impact native liver survival of patients with biliary atresia (BA). Gastrointestinal fibroscopy (GIF) is usually used to determine the presence of EVs; however, it requires general anesthesia. The aim of this study is to search for markers in blood tests obtained during routine check-ups that can predict the development of GIB. METHODS: Data of patients with BA who underwent portoenterostomy at our hospital from 2014 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' data were assigned to three groups according to specific time points: Group B, which included data at GIB; Group NB-T, which included data at GIF and EV treatment; and Group NB-NT, which included data at GIF without treatment. The data in Group B were compared to those of other groups. RESULTS: In our study, GIB occurred in 11 patients, and 12 cases and 8 cases were classified into Groups NB-NT and NB-T, respectively. Compared with the other groups, only ChE and M2BPGi in Group B showed statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: ChE and M2BPGi are useful for predicting GIB.

Thoracoscopic posterior tracheopexy during primary esophageal atresia repair ameliorate tracheomalacia in neonates: a single-center retrospective comparative cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal atresia (EA) is often associated with tracheomalacia (TM). The severity of TM symptoms varies widely, with serious cases requiring prolonged respiratory support and surgical treatment. Although we performed thoracoscopic posterior tracheopexy (TPT) during primary EA repair to prevent or reduce the symptoms of TM, few studies have investigated the safety and effectiveness of TPT during primary EA repair. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TPT in neonates. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients diagnosed with TM who underwent primary thoracoscopic EA repair between 2013 and 2020 at the Nagoya University Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: TPT (TPT group) and without TPT (control group). TPT has been performed in all patients with EA complicated by TM since 2020. We compared patient backgrounds, surgical outcomes, postoperative complications, and treatment efficacy. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients reviewed, eight were in the TPT group and 14 were in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in the surgical outcomes between the groups (operation time: p = 0.31; blood loss: p = 0.83; time to extubation: p = 0.30; time to start enteral feeding: p = 0.19; time to start oral feeding: p = 0.43). Conversion to open thoracotomy was not performed in any case. The median operative time required for posterior tracheopexy was 10 (8-15) min. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications between the groups (chylothorax: p = 0.36; leakage: p = 1.00; stricture: p = 0.53). The respiratory dependence rate 30 days postoperative (2 [25%] vs. 11 [79%], p = 0.03) and the ratio of the lateral and anterior-posterior diameter of the trachea (LAR) were significantly lower in the TPT group (1.83 [1.66-2.78] vs. 3.59 [1.80-7.70], p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TPT during primary EA repair for treatment of TM significantly lowered respiratory dependence rate at 30 days postoperative without increasing the risk of postoperative complications. This study suggested that TPT could improve TM associated with EA.