Assessment of jejunal interposition perfusion using indocyanine green.

INTRODUCTION: Jejunal interposition (JI) is an option for oesophageal replacement in children; ensuring good graft perfusion is essential. We report three cases where Indocyanine Green (ICG) with Near-Infrared Fluorescence (NIRF) was used to assess perfusion during graft selection, passage into the chest and anastomotic assessment. This extra assessment may reduce risk of anastomotic leak and/or stricture. METHODS: We describe the technique and salient features of all patients who have undergone ICG/NIRF-assisted JI in our centre. Patient demographics, indications for surgery, intra-operative plan, video of NIR perfusion assessment, complications and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: ICG/NIRF was used in three patients (2M:1F) at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg. ICG/NIRF imaging helped select the jejunal graft and confirmed perfusion after division of segmental arteries. Perfusion was assessed before and after passing the graft through the diaphragmatic hiatus and before and after making the oesophago-jejunal anastomosis. Intrathoracic assessment at the end of the procedure confirmed good perfusion of mesentery and intrathoracic bowel. In two patients, the reassurance contributed to successful procedures. In the third patient, graft selection was satisfactory, but borderline perfusion on clinical assessment after passing the graft to the chest, confirmed by ICG/NIRF meant the graft was abandoned. CONCLUSIONS: ICG/NIRF imaging was feasible and augmented our subjective assessment of graft perfusion, giving greater confidence during graft preparation, movement, and anastomosis. In addition, the imaging helped us abandon one graft. This series demonstrates the feasibility and benefit of ICG/NIR use in JI surgery. Further studies are required to optimise ICG use in this setting.

Esophago-Vascular Fistulae in Children: Five Survivors, Literature Review, and Proposal for Management.

INTRODUCTION: Esophago-vascular fistulae in children are almost uniformly fatal with death occurring by exsanguination. We present a single centre series of five surviving patients, a proposal for management and literature review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were identified from surgical logbooks, surgeon recollection and discharge coding data. Demographics, symptoms, co-morbidities, radiology, management and follow up details were recorded. RESULTS: Five patients (1M, 4F) were identified. Four were aorto-esophageal and one caroto-esophageal. Median age at initial presentation was 44 (8-177) months. Four patients had cross sectional imaging prior to surgery. Median time from presentation to combined entero-vascular surgery was 15 (0-419) days. Four patients required repair on cardio-pulmonary bypass with four undergoing staged surgical procedures. All required combined esophageal and cardio-vascular surgery. Length of PICU stay following combined surgery was 4 (2-60) days and overall hospital stay was 53 (15-84) days. Median follow up was 51 (17-61) months. Two patients had esophageal atresia and trachea-esophageal fistula managed as neonates. Three had no co-morbidities. Four had esophageal foreign bodies:1 esophageal stent, 2 button batteries, 1 chicken bone. One patient had a complication following colonic interposition. Four patients required an esophagostomy at the time of definitive surgery. All patients were alive and well at last follow up with one having successful reconnection surgery. CONCLUSION: In this series, outcomes were favourable. Multidisciplinary discussion and surgery are mandatory. If hemorrhage is controlled at presentation, then survival to discharge is possible but the magnitude of surgical intervention is both significant and very high risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

Characterization of the upper pouch tracheo-oesophageal fistula in oesophageal atresia.

AIM: A small proportion of infants with oesophageal atresia (OA) are thought to have a proximal tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF). Failure to recognize these can hamper mobilization of the upper pouch and lead to life-threatening episodes of aspiration once oral feeding starts. We reviewed our experience of upper pouch fistulae to identify characteristic features of proximal TOF. METHODS: A retrospective review of TOF/OA patient notes and bronchoscopy photographs and videos, identified from our database from 01/01/2006 to 12/31/2015, was performed. RESULTS: Eight (6.1%) infants were identified (M:F 5:3) from a total population of 131 newly diagnosed TOF/OA infants during the period. Their median gestational age was 33 (range 28-39) weeks, and median birth weight was 1647g (range 1100-3400g). Five were initially diagnosed with pure OA and 3 with a distal TOF. All patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy at the initial surgery but only one proximal fistula was identified. The 7 missed proximal fistulae were subsequently found either during on-table oesophagograms for gap assessment (n=2), at the time of thoracotomy when mobilizing the upper pouch (n=3), or during subsequent bronchoscopy for symptoms post OA repair (n=2). Two patients needed a further operation to divide the fistula. Review of the bronchoscopy videos identified four characteristic differences between upper and lower pouch fistulae. Proximal fistulae are found just distal to the vocal cords, are very small, often no more than a pit, do not open and close with ventilation, and are best identified by insufflation of the esophagus. CONCLUSION: Upper pouch fistulae are relatively easy to miss because of different characteristics compared with H-type or distal fistulae that have not previously been mentioned in the literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: level IV.

Management of gastroesophageal reflux associated with malrotation in children.

AIM: Children being investigated for gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) have a high incidence of malrotation. Current literature suggests these patients should be managed with a combined antireflux and Ladd's procedure. We review our experience, the largest series to date, of performing an elective Ladd's procedure as the first-line intervention. METHOD: Retrospective case note review of 20 children with significant symptoms of GOR and an incidental finding of malrotation. Children presenting immediately with bilious vomiting were excluded. All patients underwent a Ladd's procedure as their sole primary operative intervention. RESULTS: Median age at operation was 7 months (21 days-12 years). Fifteen patients (75%) had evidence of reflux on barium contrast study. All children were followed up for at least 6 months. Eighteen (90%) had resolution or significant improvement of their symptoms postsurgery. Only 3 have not managed to tolerate a full oral diet, all unrelated to GOR. None of our series required an antireflux procedure. CONCLUSION: In children with debilitating vomiting necessitating surgical management, a contrast study is imperative in the work up. The high incidence of GOR and the significant improvement after correction of malrotation show the relationship between delayed gastric emptying and GOR. We suggest that when an abnormally placed duodenojejunal flexure is found, a Ladd's procedure alone is sufficient and may obviate the need for a more invasive antireflux procedure.