Management of Acute Wounds - Expert Panel Consensus Statement.

SIGNIFICANCE: The Wound Healing Foundation recognized the need for consensus-based unbiased recommendations for the treatment of wounds. As a first step, a consensus on the treatment of chronic wounds was developed and published in 2022.(1) The current publication on acute wounds represents the second step in this process. Acute wounds may result from any number of conditions, including burns, military and combat operations, and trauma to specific areas of the body. The management of acute wounds requires timely and evidence-driven intervention to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. This consensus statement provides the clinician with the necessary foundational approaches to the causes, diagnosis and therapeutic management of acute wounds. Presented in a structured format, this is a useful guide for clinicians and learners in all patient care settings. RECENT ADVANCES: Recent advances in the management of acute wounds have centered on stabilization and treatment in the military and combat environment, Specifically advancements in hemostasis, resuscitation, and the mitigation of infection risk through timely initiation of antibiotics and avoidance of high pressure irrigation in contaminated soft tissue injury. . CRITICAL ISSUES: Critical issues include infection control, pain management and the unique considerations for the management of acute wounds in pediatric patients. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Future directions include new approaches to preventing the progression and conversion of burns through the use of the microcapillary gel, a topical gel embedded with the anti-inflammatory drug infliximab.(38) Additionally, the use of three-dimensional bioprinting and photo-modulation for skin reconstruction following burns is a promising area for continued discovery.

Percutaneous versus Open Fetal Surgical Intervention for Sacrococcygeal Teratomas: Is Less Really More?

INTRODUCTION: Sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) may require in utero intervention for survival. Open surgical intervention (OSI) was first described, but increasing reports of percutaneous intervention (PI) with variable indications and outcomes exist. We reviewed the literature for all published cases of fetal SCT intervention and compared OSI to PI cohorts. METHODS: A keyword search of PubMed was conducted. Inclusion criteria were as follows: data available per individual fetus including gestational age at intervention, type of intervention, primary indication, survival, gestational age at birth, and complications. Complications were grouped into categories: placenta/membrane, procedural, or hemorrhagic. Failure was defined as little/no improvement or recurrence of the primary indication. χ2 analysis was performed for solid tumor PI versus OSI to assess significant trends in these intervention groups. A meta-analysis was not feasible due to small numbers and heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twenty-seven articles met inclusion criteria. In the PI group, 38 fetuses underwent intervention for solid tumors, 21 for cystic tumors, and 3 for solid and cystic tumor components. Among fetuses with solid tumors, OSI was associated with lower need for multiple interventions (0% vs. 31.6%, p = 0.01) and higher survival to discharge (50% vs. 39.5%, p = 0.02). A fetal intervention was performed in the absence of hydrops/early hydrops in 45% of fetuses receiving PI, compared to 21% receiving OSI. Failure to resolve the primary indication was higher in the PI group (55.9% vs. 11.1% OSI, p = 0.02). The overall complication rates were high in both groups (90% OSI, 87% PI), though bleeding was unique to the PI group (26.5%). Preemptive cyst drainage, for purely cystic tumors, was universally successful and associated with a low complication risk (18.2%). CONCLUSIONS: For solid tumors, OSI appears to be superior with regard to survival to discharge, fewer interventions, and lower failure rates. PIs to drain a cyst may facilitate delivery or preempt future complications, though consideration should be given to long-term oncologic outcomes.

An Accountable Care Organization Maintains Access for Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that pediatric patients experienced a delay in treatment for acute appendicitis during the pandemic, resulting in increased rates of complicated appendicitis. We investigated the association of the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence and severity of acute appendicitis among pediatric Medicaid patients using a population-based approach. METHODS: The claims database of Partners For Kids, a pediatric Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO) in Ohio, was queried for cases of acute appendicitis from April to August 2017-2020. The monthly rate of acute appendicitis/100,000 covered lives was calculated each year and compared over time. Rates of complicated appendicitis were also compared. Diagnosis code validation for classification as complicated or uncomplicated appendicitis was performed for patients treated at our hospital. RESULTS: During the study period, 465 unique cases of acute appendicitis were identified. Forty percent (186/465) were coded as complicated. No significant difference in the incidence of acute appendicitis cases was observed across the 4 y, either in an overall comparison or in pairwise comparisons (P > 0.15 for all). The proportion of acute appendicitis cases that were coded as complicated did vary significantly over the 4-year study period (P = 0.005); this was due to this proportion being significantly higher in 2018 than in either 2019 (P = 0.005 versus 2018) or 2020 (P = 0.03 versus 2018). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with reduced access to treatment for acute appendicitis among patients in a pediatric Medicaid ACO. This suggests that an ACO may promote continued healthcare access for their covered population during an unexpected crisis.

Giant Omphaloceles-Morbidity, Mortality, and Financial Impact of Early Versus Delayed Repair.

INTRODUCTION: We compared strategy outcomes and financial impact over the first two years of life (F2YOL) for patients with giant omphaloceles undergoing early repair (ER) (primary or staged) versus delayed repair (DR). METHODS: A retrospective review of giant omphaloceles (fascial defect > 5 cm/> 50% liver herniation) at a tertiary children's hospital between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2019 was performed. Survival, length of stay, age at repair, ventilation days (VD), time to full enteral feeds, readmissions during the F2YOL, incidence of major associated anomalies, and total hospitalization charges during the F2YOL were compared. A subanalysis removing potential confounders and only including patients who underwent fascial closure within the F2YOL was also conducted. RESULTS: Thirty four giant omphaloceles (23DR and 11ER) were identified. The median age (days) at repair was 289 [148, 399] DR versus 10 [5, 21] ER, P < 0.001. Total cohort two-year survival was significantly higher in the DR group (95.7% versus 63.6%, P = 0.03). Including patients with a tracheostomy there was no significant difference in VD during the index hospitalization. Excluding tracheostomy patients, the DR group had significantly fewer VD during the index hospitalization, 15 [0, 15] versus 18 [10, 54], P = 0.02 and over the F2YOL 6.5 [ 0, 21] versus 18 [14, 43], P = 0.03. There were no significant differences in the incidence/type of major associated anomalies, time to full enteral feeds, index length of stay, total hospital days, total admissions, or associated hospital charges. On subanalysis, there was no significant difference in VD or survival at any time. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed and early repair strategies for giant omphaloceles have equivalent outcomes in the index hospitalization and over the course of the first two years of life. These findings are useful for family counseling and expectation setting.

Serum Amyloid P Attenuates Hypertrophic Scarring in Large Animal Models.

INTRODUCTION: This study's purpose was to (1)determine the effect of locally administered serum amyloid P (SAP) on the development of hypertrophic scars (HTS) in porcine and rabbit HTS models and (2)determine the pharmacokinetics of systemically administered SAP and its effect on circulating fibrocyte quantities. METHODS: Two large animal (New Zealand White Rabbit and Female Red Duroc Pigs) HTS models were utilized to study the effects of daily local injections of SAP immediately post wounding (x5 d in rabbits; x7 d in pigs) on HTS development as measured by scar elevation index , scar area, wound closure, and molecular expression studies of scar components. For SAP pharmacokinetics, total and human SAP levels in porcine blood were measured at regular intervals following intravenous administration of human SAP. Fibrocyte quantities were determined prior to and 1 h following human SAP intravenous administration. RESULTS: In the rabbit model, local SAP significantly decreased the level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 mRNA expression and maintained matrix mettaloproteinase-9 expression, while control and vehicle groups significantly declined. In the pig model, there was a significant decrease in the trend of scar elevation indexes treated with local SAP versus controls over the study period. This decrease was statistically significant at days 14 and 84. Human SAP administered intravenously is degraded within 24 h and does not influence circulating fibrocyte quantities. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate attenuation of HTS formation using locally administered SAP in large animal HTS models. Local SAP administration reduces HTS formation by maintaining matrix mettaloproteinase-9 and decreasing tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1. Intravenous administration of SAP is not as effective.

Inhaled Nitric Oxide and Higher Necrotizing Enterocolitis Rates in Congenital Heart Disease Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Certain congenital cardiac lesions are at increased risk for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). These patients are often reliant on pulmonary and systemic vasomodulators to maintain adequate perfusion and oxygenation. This study sought to determine whether pulmonary or systemic vasodilator treatment is protective against the development of NEC in this population. METHODS: We utilized International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to identify high risk congenital cardiac disease patients ≤6 mo of age, cared for at a tertiary children's hospital between January 2011 and January 2021. Cardiac anomalies were stratified into ductal dependent (pulmonary DD-P or systemic DD-S) or independent lesions. The rate of NEC development in those who received vasodilators (inhaled nitric oxide [iNO], pulmonary vasodilators, systemic vasodilators) was compared to controls in a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 352 patients, who met inclusion criteria, 77.6% had ductal dependent lesions (DD-S 41.9%, DD-P 35.7%), 19.5% received iNO, and 37.5% received other vasodilatory drugs. The overall NEC rate was 15.1%. On univariate analysis, DD-S, iNO use, and systemic vasodilators was associated with a significantly higher risk of NEC, while DD-P was associated with lower NEC risk. On multivariate analysis, only iNO (odds ratio 2.725, confidence interval [1.36-5.44]) and DD-S (odds ratio 2.279, confidence interval [1.02-5.11]) were independent risk factors for NEC. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with at-risk congenital cardiac disease lesions, a ductus dependent systemic circulation or iNO treatment is associated with an increased risk of developing NEC. The presence of iNO or DD-S should be utilized as markers of increased risk both in the prevention and workup of suspected NEC.

A Review of Covered Abdominal Wall Defects: Cord Hernias Are Associated With Major Anomalies.

INTRODUCTION: Covered abdominal wall defects (CAWD) can be categorized into giant omphaloceles (GOs), nongiant omphaloceles (NGOs), and umbilical cord hernias (UCHs). We sought to evaluate differences in management and outcomes of the different CAWD, treated at a large tertiary children's hospital, with regards to survival and association with other major congenital anomalies. METHODS: A retrospective review of CAWD patients between January 2010 and January 2021 was conducted. GO was defined as a fascial defect >5 cm or >50% liver herniation. UCH were defined as fascial defects ≤ 2 cm. All others were classified as NGO. Type of repair, time to fascial closure, index hospitalization length of stay (LOS), and survival rates were compared. Four major anomaly categories were identified: cardiac, midline, Beckwith-Weidemann Syndrome, and other genetic anomalies. RESULTS: We identified 105 CAWD patients (UCH n = 40; GO n = 34; and NGO n = 31). Ninety percent of UCH underwent primary repair, 10% were never repaired. NGOs were repaired by primary or staged methods in 92.9% of cases and 7.1% by delayed repair. Primary or staged repair occurred in 32.4% of GOs and delayed repair occurred in 67.6%. The median days to repair was 181 [24,427] GO, 1 [1,3] NGO, and 1 [0,1] UCHs (P < 0.01). Index hospitalization median LOS (days) was 90 [55,157] GO, 23 [10,48] NGO, 9 [5,22] UCH, (P < 0.01). There were no statistical differences in survival rates, number of patients with major anomalies (GO 35.4%, NGO 51.5%, UCH 50%), or types of anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: UCHs and omphaloceles have similar incidences of major associated anomalies. Thus, all patients with a covered abdominal wall defect should undergo workup for associated anomalies.

Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Patients on Hydroxyurea Have Higher Rates of Surgical Splenectomy.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to investigate whether hydroxyurea therapy is associated with the need for surgical splenectomy among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). We hypothesized that as hydroxyurea gained widespread use, surgical splenectomy among pediatric patients with SCD occurred at a higher rate and older age among those taking hydroxyurea. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the Pediatric Health Information System was queried for all SCD International Classification of Diseases 9/10 diagnosis codes and splenectomy procedure codes from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020. Hydroxyurea use was defined as at least one hospital admission with hydroxyurea listed as a medication. The rates of surgical splenectomy, age at splenectomy, hospital length of stay, and incidence of blood transfusion during the splenectomy admission were compared among patients receiving hydroxyurea versus those not receiving hydroxyurea. Additional subanalysis was performed in the Hemoglobin-SS, Hemoglobin-SC, and Other cohorts separately. RESULTS: During the study period, 28,520 patients were identified. All patients with SCD receiving hydroxyurea had a significantly higher rate of surgical splenectomy compared with the nontreatment group (7.2% versus 3.2%, P = 0.01). The age at surgical splenectomy was significantly younger among Hemoglobin-SS patients receiving hydroxyurea (5.7 [5.1, 6.4] y versus 6.6 [5.8, 7.4] y; P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in length of stay or incidence of blood transfusion during the surgical splenectomy admission between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxyurea use in children is associated with higher rates of surgical splenectomy and occurs at a younger age in the Hemoglobin-SS population. Although these findings warrant further investigation for causality, it provides useful information to clinicians and patients alike, allowing for more informed decision-making.

A Review of Hypertrophic Scar and Keloid Treatment and Prevention in the Pediatric Population: Where Are We Now?

Significance: This body of work gives a concise and comprehensive overview for the clinician and scientist on the latest treatment modalities for hypertrophic scars (HTS) and keloids in the pediatric population, as well as the most promising methods of prevention currently being investigated. This review will serve as a guide to the clinician for treatment selection and as an efficient tool for the scientist to achieve a comprehensive overview of the scientific literature to guide their future experiments aimed at pathologic scar prevention. Recent Advances: Current studies in the literature suggest carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and E-light (bipolar radiofrequency, intense pulsed light, and cooling) are two of the most effective treatment modalities for HTS, while surgical excision+CO2 laser+triamcinolone injection was one of the most successful treatments for keloids. In animal models, drug impregnated electrospun nanofiber dressings offer encouraging results for HTS prevention, while Kelulut honey showed promising results for keloid prevention. Critical Issues: Treatment outcome reproducibility is hindered by small cohorts of patients, inadequate-follow up, and variability in assessment tools. Prevention studies show multiple ways of achieving the same result, yet fall short of complete prevention. Furthermore, some studies that have purported full prevention have not been validated. Future Directions: To establish a standard of care, large clinical trials of the most successful modalities in small cohorts are needed. The key for prevention will be validation in animal models of the most successful methods, followed by translational and clinical studies.

Does creating a dome reduce recurrence in congenital diaphragmatic hernia following patch repair?

PURPOSE: To develop a quantifiable approach to identify a dome shape of the repaired diaphragm using post-operative chest radiograph and to determine if a dome-shaped prosthetic patch repair is associated with a decreased rate of CDH recurrence. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all neonates evaluated at our institution from January 2004 to August 2017 with left- and right-sided CDH with at least 6 months of follow-up after CDH repair. Patch use, post-operative imaging and postnatal outcomes were analyzed. Neonates with patch repair were divided into two groups based on the presence of a dome. Using postoperative chest radiographs, the presence of a dome was classified as having a vertical-horizontal diaphragm ratio (VHDR) greater than 20%. Primary outcome was CDH recurrence after repair. RESULTS: We identified 192 neonates who met our inclusion criteria. Cohort survival was 96%, recurrence rate was 15%, 78% had a left-sided CDH; 54% received a patch repair, of which 58% had a type C defect. Of the 104 infants with patch repairs, the CDH recurrence rate was 22% (n = 23) at a median age of 8.5 months (3.8, 20.1). Although neonates with a dome repair had more ECMO use and longer hospital stay, their recurrence rate was about half of those with a non-dome repair (14% vs 28%, p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: A dome-shaped repair may reduce recurrence following prosthetic patch repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. A larger, multi-institutional study is needed to statistically validate this clinically significant observation. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Let's face it: patient and parent perspectives on incorporating a Facebook group into a multidisciplinary weight management program.

BACKGROUND: Social media may have the potential to enhance weight management efforts. However, the acceptability of incorporating this entity into pediatrics is unknown. The objective of this project was to explore patients' and parents' perspectives about developing a Facebook group as a component of a pediatric weight management program. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were performed between September, 2011, and February, 2012, with patients and parents in a multidisciplinary weight management program. Interviews explored participants' perceptions of potential benefits, concerns, and preferences related to a program-specific Facebook group. Transcripts were reviewed and themes identified. The study concluded when thematic saturation was achieved. RESULTS: Participants (n=32) were largely enthusiastic about the idea of a program-specific Facebook group for adolescents. Most preferred a secret group, where only participants would know of the group's existence or group members' identity. No parents expressed concern about security or privacy related to a program-specific Facebook group; one parent expressed concern about undesirable advertisements. Participants endorsed a variety of ideas for inclusion on the page, including weight loss tips, live chats with providers, quizzes, and an incentive system where participants could gain points for making healthy choices. Many parents requested a separate parent-focused page, an idea that was supported by the adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that participants perceive potential benefits from incorporating social media interventions into pediatric weight management efforts. Privacy and security issues do not appear to be major parental concerns. Future work should explore the impact of program-specific social media interventions on outcomes for patients in weight management programs.