Postoperative respiratory complications and disposition in patients with type 1 laryngeal clefts undergoing injection or repair - A single institution experience.

OBJECTIVE: Identify incidence and factors associated with respiratory complications after type 1 cleft repair. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent cleft repair over a 5-year period performed by a single surgeon. Primary endpoint was respiratory complications (oxygen desaturation <90%). Fisher's exact test was used to identify differences between repair types (endoscopic carbon dioxide laser-assisted repair and injection laryngoplasty). Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of respiratory events. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were included. Thirty-four (62%) patients underwent endoscopic carbon dioxide laser-assisted repair and 21 (38%) underwent injection laryngoplasty. Average hospital stay for each group was 1.6 days (SD = 3.1) and 0.6 days (SD = 0.9), respectively. Desaturations occurred in three patients (9%) in the laser-assisted repair group and one patient (4%) in the injection group. All occurred within 3 h after surgery and resolved with supplemental oxygen, oral airway placement, and/or mask ventilation. Two affected patients had comorbid diagnosis of asthma (one had poor medication compliance), and one had a history of developmental delay and hypotonia. In the injection group, desaturations occurred in one patient with a history of tracheal stenosis and double aortic arch. No correlation existed between repair type and desaturation (p = 0.57). No variables were significant predictors of events. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, respiratory events after type 1 laryngeal cleft repair occurred early in the postoperative period, in children with cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities. This suggests postoperative admission may only be necessary for a select group of patients undergoing type 1 cleft repair. However, further research is needed to determine criteria for same-day discharge.

Implementing a Pediatric Perioperative Surgical Home Integrated Care Coordination Pathway for Laryngeal Cleft Repair.

BACKGROUND: The Pediatric Perioperative Surgical Home (PPSH) model is an integrative care model designed to provide better patient care and value by shifting focus from the patient encounter level to the overarching surgical episode of care. So far, no PPSH model has targeted a complex airway disorder. It was hypothesized that the development of a PPSH for laryngeal cleft repair would reduce the high rates of postoperative resource utilization observed in this population. METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained for the purpose of data collection and analysis. A multidisciplinary team of anesthesiologists, surgeons, nursing staff, information technology specialists, and finance administrators was gathered during the PPSH development phase. Standardized perioperative (preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative) protocols were developed, with a focus on preoperative risk stratification. Patients presenting before surgery with ≥1 predefined medical comorbidity were triaged to the intensive care unit (ICU) postoperatively, while patients without severe systemic disease were triaged to a lower-acuity floor for overnight observation. The success of the PPSH protocol was defined by quality outcome and value measurements. RESULTS: The PPSH initiative included 120 patients, and the pre-PPSH period included 115 patients who underwent laryngeal cleft repair before implementation of the new process. Patients in the pre-PPSH period were reviewed and classified as ICU candidates or lower acuity floor candidates had they presented in the post-PPSH period. Among the 79 patients in the pre-PPSH period who were identified as candidates for the lower-acuity floor transfer, 70 patients (89%) were transferred to the ICU (P < .001). Retrospective analysis concluded that 143 ICU bedded days could have been avoided in the pre-PPSH group by using PPSH risk stratification. Surgery duration (P = .034) and hospital length of stay (P = .015) were found to be slightly longer in the group of pre-PPSH observation unit candidates. Rates of 30-day unplanned readmissions to the hospital were not associated with the new PPSH initiative (P = .093). No patients in either group experienced emergent postoperative intubation or other expected complications. Total hospital costs were not lower for PPSH observation unit patients as compared to pre-PPSH observation unit candidates (difference = 8%; 95% confidence interval, -7% to 23%). CONCLUSIONS: A well-defined preoperative screening protocol for patients undergoing laryngeal cleft repair can reduce postoperative ICU utilization without affecting patient safety. Further research is needed to see if these findings are applicable to other complex airway surgeries.

Cell Saver for Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Reduces Cost.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVES: To determine if the use of cell saver reduces overall blood costs in adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recent studies have questioned the clinical value of cell saver during spine procedures. METHODS: ASD patients enrolled in a prospective, multicenter surgical database who had complete preoperative and surgical data were identified. Patients were stratified into (1) cell saver available during surgery, but no intraoperative autologous infusion (No Infusion group), or (2) cell saver available and received autologous infusion (Infusion group). RESULTS: There were 427 patients in the Infusion group and 153 in the No infusion group. Patients in both groups had similar demographics. Mean autologous infusion volume was 698 mL. The Infusion group had a higher percentage of EBL relative to the estimated blood volume (42.2%) than the No Infusion group (19.6%, p < .000). Allogeneic transfusion was more common in the Infusion group (255/427, 60%) than the No Infusion group (67/153, 44%, p = .001). The number of allogeneic blood units transfused was also higher in the Infusion group (2.4) than the No Infusion group (1.7, p = .009). Total blood costs ranged from $396 to $2,146 in the No Infusion group and from $1,262 to $5,088 in the Infusion group. If the cost of cell saver blood was transformed into costs of allogeneic blood, total blood costs for the Infusion group would range from $840 to $5,418. Thus, cell saver use yielded a mean cost savings ranging from $330 to $422 (allogeneic blood averted). Linear regression showed that after an EBL of 614 mL, cell saver becomes cost-efficient. CONCLUSION: Compared to transfusing allogeneic blood, cell saver autologous infusion did not reduce the proportion or the volume of allogeneic transfusion for patients undergoing surgery for adult spinal deformity. The use of cell saver becomes cost-efficient above an EBL of 614 mL, producing a cost savings of $330 to $422. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Surgical Outcomes of Trabeculotomy in Newborns with Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Early surgical intervention is required for the primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). There are currently few reports on the surgical outcomes in infants with PCG. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of trabeculotomy and the postoperative visual outcomes in Chinese newborns with PCG within 4 weeks of birth. METHODS: A total of 21 eyes of 12 patients with PCG who underwent primary trabeculotomy within 4 weeks of birth were retrospectively studied. Preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal clarity and diameter, axial length and optic disc cupping, visual acuity and postoperative refractive error, success rates, and complications were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to evaluate the success rates. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 46.9 ± 34.4 months (range: 12-122 months). The postoperative IOP was significantly lower than the preoperative IOP at all of the follow-up visits (P < 0.001). The complete success rates for all eyes at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years postoperatively were 90.5%, 85.7%, 85.7%, and 85.7%, respectively. The IOPs of the three patients who needed antiglaucomatous medications postoperatively were also well controlled. At the last visit, the cornea became clear, and the cup-to-disc ratio decreased significantly (P = 0.01) although the horizontal corneal diameter did not change significantly (P = 0.11). Visual acuities were able to be recorded in eight eyes at the last visit, among which six eyes had a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. There were no severe intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculotomy proves to be a safe and effective treatment in reducing IOP in this group of Chinese newborns with PCG. The outcomes of vision function were satisfactory in most of the patients.

[MIKAMINOM ANTIFUNGAL THERAPY IN NEWBORNS AND INFANTS WITH SURGICAL PATHOLOGY].

Prolonged empiric and etiotropic therapy of multidrug-resistant or pan-resistant bacterial flora in different gestation age newborns has led to the growth of resistant fungalflora in intencive care units (ICU). According to risk factors and rating scales every child of ICU undergoing the abdominal cavity surgery is threatened the development of a fungal infection and requires antifungal therapy appointment or causal prophylactic. In recent years, before the advent of medications of the group of echinocandins, therapy of invasive fungal infections has been a challenge. Currently alternative drug to diflucane in neonates and infants is micafungine (mycamine) in the dose of 2-8 mg/kg/day, depending on the signs of infestation and severity of the condition.

Systematic review of sexual function and satisfaction following the management of vaginal agenesis.

Historically, sexual satisfaction following the management of vaginal agenesis was assessed subjectively. Standardized sexual function questionnaires are being used more frequently as instruments to accurately and more objectively assess the subjective nature of sexual outcomes as part of a more holistic approach to the care of women with vaginal agenesis. Articles concerning the management of vaginal agenesis were systematically reviewed, with specific focus on those that discussed functional outcomes, sexual satisfaction and psychosomatic outcomes, and in particular attempted to measure these outcomes. A total of 6,691 articles on vaginal agenesis were identified, with 106 of these reporting sexual satisfaction and psychosomatic outcomes. Only 1 randomized control trial (RCT) was identified, the remaining articles being made up of case series or case reports. Only 17 articles used standardized objective assessment of sexual satisfaction. While the bowel technique had the longest vaginal length at 12.87 cm, it had the most number of complaints of dyspareunia (4.8%), stenosis (10.5%) and the lowest average subjective sexual satisfaction. The Davydov method used standardized sexual function assessments most frequently. This technique had a higher average score than both the bowel vaginoplasty technique in the only RCT and the Vecchietti method in a prospective assessment. Overall, the management of vaginal agenesis requires a multidisciplinary approach to fully support these patients from initial diagnosis, through management decision-making and long-term follow-up, through transition to adulthood.

[Autotransfusion of cord blood erythrocytes in newborns with malformations requiring early surgical intervention].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of cord blood erythrocytes autotransfiusion for the correction of anemia in the intra-and postoperative periods in infants requiring early surgical correction of congenital malformations. METHODS: Washed autoemythrocytes from placental umbilical blood were transfused for correction of intra and post-operative anemias. Umbilical blood assembly was carried out after extraction of the child and navel intersection by the occluded mean by a vein puncture distal (placental) end of a navel by the drainage needle which is a part of special transfiusion system. Further blood in the marked containers was pitched in branch of gravitational surgery of blood where its centrifiugal separation on erythrocyte mass and plasma was made. Then concentrated red cells it was put on storage for 21 day in a cooler at temperature 40 °C. Directly ahead of autotransfusion concentrated red cells was exposed to washing out in sterile physiological solution and a filtration through the micromodular filter. Then the marked package with the washed erythrocytes was pitched in branch of surgery of newborns for the purpose offurther anttqtransfusion under indications. The transfusion autoerythrocytes was made according to reacting at the moment of carrying out of work to orders of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation: to the Order of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation from November, 25th, 2002 No 363 "About the statement of the Instruction on application of components of blood" and to the Order of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation from April, 2nd, 2013 N 183n "About the statement of rules of clinical use of donor blood and (or) its components". RESULTS: Total 122 newborns received an autotransfiusion of washed erythrocytes of placental/umbilical cord blood for the correction of anemia in the department of neonatal surgery in the period from 2005 to 2013. 66 children who are in the first two weeks of life were performed surgical intervention for malformation of the gastrointestinal tract (gastorshizis (22), omphalocele (2). itestinal atresia (10), esophageal atresia or doubling (4)), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (15), space-occupying lesions (teratoma (6) and lymphangioma (3)) and other pathologies (adenomatous lung (1), the sequestration of the lung (2). ovarian cyst (1)). Control group consisted of39 infants operated on for similar malformations , which in the absence of prior communication harvested autologous red blood cells in the first three weeks of life sparkled donor erythrocytes. Inmost cases (57 newborns - 86.4%) of the amount harvested and transfused blood autokonmpo tov was sufficient for the relief ofanemia, despite the fact that the volume of transfused autoeritrotsitnoy mass per kilogram of body weight was almost two times lower than the amount of donor erythrocyte mass used in the comparison group. Additional donor transfusion of red blood cells in the group of children who had autotransfusion, it took nine newborns (13.6%). The main indications for repeated transfusions were clinical and laboratory signs of anemia, persisting after autotransfusion or resulting from repeated operations. After transfusion of washed autoerythrocytes value of clinical and biochemical. blood tests, urinalysis were within the age norm. Post-transfusion reactions in children who have received a transfusion autoerythrocytes not mentioned CONCLUSION: The use of placental/umbilical cord blood autoe,ythrocyvtes in children requiring early surgical correction of congenital malformations can significantly reduce the need for donor red blood cells. Autologous red blood cells use is a safe and effective alternative to transfusion of donor red blood cells.

Management of vaginal agenesis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome is undergoing new research outcomes involving genetics and management. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature supports a polygenic multifactorial genetic basis for the syndrome. Management is now predominantly by vaginal dilators and nonsurgical, but holistic. The future of uterine transplantation is discussed. SUMMARY: New developments open new possibilities for understanding the genetic basis of the disease, and research in this area will continue. Management in terms of fertility may have an added dimension if uterine transplantation and successful pregnancy outcome can be proven.

Blood flow dynamics in reconstructed auricles.

Ear reconstruction with autologous rib cartilage is performed in stages. Restitution of blood flow between the separate stages is crucial to obtain a good result. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) and local temperature were measured in reconstructed and normal ears in response to indirect heating. Ten persons who had had a unilateral ear reconstruction were included in the study. At a minimum, 157 days had passed since the last operation. LDPI showed no difference in blood flow between the reconstructed ear and the normal ear, neither before nor after indirect heating. The upper part of the normal ear was slightly cooler than the corresponding part in the reconstructed ear. Indirect heating caused an increase of LDPI-values and temperatures in the upper, middle, and lower part of the ear both in the reconstructed ear and the normal one. Skin blood flow recovers after 3-stage ear reconstruction and shows normal dynamic response upon indirect heating.

What parents say about disclosing the end of their pregnancy due to fetal abnormality.

OBJECTIVE: to describe men's and women's experiences of deciding whether to tell people in their social network, including their children, about their pregnancy loss following a termination for fetal abnormality. DESIGN: secondary analysis of qualitative narrative interview data informed by a critical realist approach. SETTING: respondents were recruited throughout the United Kingdom and interviewed at home between 2004 and 2005. PARTICIPANTS: twenty-eight women and nine men who had ended a pregnancy diagnosed with a fetal abnormality and who talked about disclosing or not disclosing the termination to others. FINDINGS: few respondents reported having any advice or information about whether or how to disclose their termination. None said they completely concealed their decision from adults in their social network; most said they disclosed selectively, telling close friends and family they had terminated and acquaintances they had miscarried. Most respondents reported telling their young children that the baby had died but did not reveal that they had chosen to end the pregnancy. A minority had not told their existing offspring about the pregnancy loss. Common reasons given for (partially) concealing a termination were: guilt over the decision; to avoid being judged; and to protect other people's feelings. Common reasons for disclosure were: others knew of the pregnancy; needing time off work; needing practical help and/or emotional support during diagnosis and termination; and wanting recognition of their loss. Positive consequences of disclosure were said to be getting more support and less criticism than expected; negative consequences included not getting the anticipated support and empathy; and encountering disapproval. Some respondents felt that concealing their pregnancy loss from their children had resulted in their confusion over the cause of their parents' distress. Some men said they found it hard to access emotional support from their social networks because of expectations about how men 'should' deal with emotions. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: midwives have to make difficult judgements about what, how and when to provide information when trying to support and advise parents who have ended a pregnancy due to fetal abnormality. Further education and training in this area could be of benefit. Midwives could signpost parents to existing sources of advice around disclosure, taking into account parents' individual preferences, help parents to consider the potential implications of disclosure and concealment and different ways of disclosing. They could also recommend alternative sources of emotional support, bearing in mind that men in particular may find it harder to access support from their social networks.

Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation after surgical relocation of Sprengel deformity: a case report.

We report a case of atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation developed after scapular relocation for Sprengel deformity in a 5-year-old girl. Scapular relocation descended the scapula by 60%, and achieved a normal shoulder joint motion. However, atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation developed, probably by pulling force of the tightened anterior fibers of upper trapezius muscle. Atlantoaxial joint was reduced easily under general anesthesia and muscle relaxant, along with surgical release of the tight band at the anterior part of trapezius muscle, which was maintained by halovest immobilization.

[Development of pediatric surgery in the next 20 years]. / Entwicklung der Kinderchirurgie in den nächsten 20 Jahren.

Pediatric surgery focuses not on an anatomic region or organ system, but on the development of a growing human being according to age. Recently, a tendency to reduce and to downgrade pediatric surgery could be observed which is due to economic reasons and an alarming lack of trained surgeons. Just as 60 years ago, general surgeons continue to operate on infants and children. However, this is a step backwards and an anachronism. Children are not small adults and pediatric surgery can be distinguished from adult surgery in many aspects, such as the spectrum of surgical diseases, the congenital malformations and frequently the indications and techniques of surgery. Pediatric surgeons, however, by themselves should specialize in centers which are focused on rare and complex diseases. Pediatric surgery should not be separated in the hospital, but integrated in a network with general surgery, traumatology, pediatrics, neonatology and specialists of the other surgical disciplines. Strict patient age limitations are not compatible with the individuality of adolescents and should be avoided. A well-equipped clinic for pediatric surgery is expensive, but a mandatory investment in the future!

Z-plasty for Tanzer type IIb constricted ears.

This article describes the Z-plasty technique for Tanzer type IIb constricted ears. The technique was used in 6 patients to lengthen the upper pole of the ear with simultaneous unfurling of the cupping deformity. All patients also underwent creation of an antihelix with Mustarde sutures as well as a "mastoid hitch" (sutures between the upper pole of the ear and the mastoid fascia) to prevent recurrence. After a mean follow-up of 1.5 years, all patients were satisfied with no recurrence of the deformity. The advantages and disadvantages of the Z-plasty are discussed and compared with other techniques.

The efficacy of autologous cord-blood transfusions in neonatal surgical patients.

PURPOSE: Allogenic blood transfusions have a risk of infection owing to unknown organisms, graft-versus-host reaction, and immunosupression; however, the use of autologous blood has been reported to be safe. Cord blood has been reported to be useful as a source of stem cell transplantation for the treatment of leukemia and genetic disease. Furthermore, autologous cord-blood transfusions (ACBT) have been reported to be effective for the treatment of anemia in premature infants. The authors examined the efficacy of ACBT in neonatal surgical patients. METHODS: Autologous cord-blood was stored from 12 infants at delivery, including 2 transvaginal and 10 cesarean section deliveries, from 1998 to 2001. All infants had surgically correctable malformations diagnosed antenatally. The mean gestational age was 37.2 +/- 1.6 weeks, and the birth weight was 2,597 +/- 1.6 g. The results of the blood count, serum electrolyte, and liver function tests of the patients who underwent ACBT only (group 1, n = 7) were compared with those of the 7 neonates who underwent an allogenic transfusion during the same period (group 2, n = 7). RESULTS: The mean volume of the stored blood was 64 +/- 35.6 g (range, 20 to 100). Eleven of the 12 patients underwent transfusions. Ten of 11 patients received autologous cord blood. A mean of 44.1 +/- 37.3 g of cord blood was used. Three of 10 cases also required an allotransfusion because of ECMO circuit preparation and a shortage of the stored blood. One patient underwent allotransfusion only. As a result, 7 of 11 babies (64%) who required transfusion were able to avoid an allotransfusion. The blood potassium levels were lower in group 1 than in group 2. No significant complications were recognized clinically. CONCLUSIONS: ACBT is considered beneficial because it enables neonatal surgical patients to avoid allotransfusions. Therefore, autologous cord-blood storage should be considered in the patients antenatally diagnosed to have surgical malformations. However, the storage volume varies for each case. Improved techniques to obtain an adequate amount of blood also should be developed.

[Features of colonic fixation in children with chronic abdominal pain]. / Osobennosti fiksatsii tolstoi kishki u detei s khronicheskimi boliami v zhivote.

Complex examination (clinical, rentegenological, endorectal ultrasonography and colodynamic investigations) of 73 children with chronic pains in the abdomen has shown that the cause of the disease might be the impaired fixation of the colon. Four main variants of the abnormal position of the colon in the abdominal cavity are determined which manifested themselves as a combination of pain syndrome with constipation. They are: "moving" blind gut, right-sided colonoptosis, total colonoptosis and the Payr syndrome. Most frequently the abdominal pains as well as their combination with constipation were noted in children with the Payr syndrome. The treatment was started with conservative measures directed to cupping the pain syndrome and elimination of intestinal stasis. The conservative therapy was effective in 75% of cases. The indication for surgical correction of the wrong fixation of the colon were: pronounced pain syndrome not cupped by conservative methods and deterioration of the quality of life of the patient. Surgical correction of the impairment of fixation of the colon was fulfilled on 10 patients. Good immediate and long-term results were obtained in 8 of them. If the cause of constipation was intumescence of the internal sphincter of the anus, the first step of surgery was internal sphincterotomy after Lynn (7 patients).

Usefulness of cord-blood harvesting for autologous transfusion in surgical newborns with antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The risks of homologous transfusion and the effectiveness of predeposit autologous transfusion have been described. The authors examined the clinical usefulness of cord-blood harvesting for autologous transfusion in newborns who had congenital anomalies antenatally diagnosed that would require surgical intervention at or near the time of delivery. METHODS: Of 112 cases of antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies, 50 mothers gave informed consent and enrolled in this study. Cord-blood was withdrawn immediately after clamping of the umbilical cord and was used for autologous transfusion in newborns within the first 3 days postpartum. RESULTS: A mean of 72 +/- 54 mL of cord-blood was harvested (27 +/- 18 mL/kg). While preserving cord-blood for 3 days at 4 degrees C, no signs of clot formation or hemolysis were observed. The harvested cord-blood included plasma-free Hb ranging from 1 to 68 (13 +/- 18) mg/dL and thrombin-antithrombin III complex ranging from 2 to 273 (18 +/- 50) ng/mL. Bacteriologic examination of the stored cord-blood showed negative cultures, except for samples from 3 newborns after vaginal delivery. A mean of 46 +/- 34 mL of cord-blood was used in 26 patients for autologous transfusion. No significant complications related to cord-blood transfusion were recognized clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous cord-blood transfusion has the potential to be a useful alternative to homologous transfusion in newborns requiring surgery. Adequate collection and storage techniques for cord-blood must be developed. J Pediatr Surg 36:851-854.

[Hippocrates or Taigetos--ethical dilemmas in neonatal surgery]. / Hippokratész vagy Taigetosz--etikai dilemmák az újszülöttsebészetben.

As a result of the decrease of the medical authority and the increasing power of the lawyers, the relationship between doctors and patients, patients and society has changed. The situation is more complicated in the case of neonates, infants and children who are unable to articulate their rights and wishes. The problem is complex in connection with the fetus because their interest and that of the mothers are often in conflict. The neonatal surgeon--only together with the geneticist, obstetrician and neonatologist--plays and important role in the evaluation of the mentally or somatically handicapped fetuses and neonates. The neonatal surgeon should suggest the termination of a pregnancy, should give his/her expert opinion about the result of the treatment of a malformation or should propose the withdrawal of the intensive care in the case of a critically ill neonate. Fetuses and neonates with congenital anomalies can be divided into 6 groups. 1. potential for total recovery--2. anomaly enabling a nearly normal life--3. malformations requiring permanent supervision and/or medical care--4. somatic rest defect and subnormal mental development--5. serious somatic and mental damage--6. anomal incompatible with life. In the complex evaluation of a fetus or a neonate with congenital malformation the neonatal surgeon--while not forgetting his/her Hippocratic oath--should take into consideration the quantity and quality of the rescued life, possibilities of a long treatment he/she should act according to the law and fulfil the expectations of the society.