Operative Volumes and Postoperative Outcomes After Elective Resection of Congenital Lung Malformations in Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hospital- and surgeon-level operative volumes are associated with differences in postoperative outcomes among infants undergoing elective lung surgery for a congenital lung malformation (CLM). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Infant lung surgery is a relatively uncommon procedure performed by pediatric surgeons nationwide. The relationship between surgical volume and postoperative outcomes remains unknown. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of asymptomatic infants who underwent elective lung resection of a CLM was conducted using the Pediatric Health Information System database (2016-2020). Multivariable linear and poisson regressions were performed based on annual lung resection tertiles. RESULTS: There were 1420 infants managed by 48 hospitals and 309 primary surgeons. Institutions that performed seven or fewer CLM resections per year (56%) were associated with significantly higher postoperative complication rates compared to medium- and high-volume hospitals (low: 134 [34%], medium: 110 [21%], high: 144 [29%]; P<0.001). Surgeons who performed one or fewer CLM resections per year (82%) were associated with significantly higher complication rates compared to medium- and high-volume surgeons (low: 171 [31%], medium: 75 [26%], high: 119 [24%]; P=0.02). Multivariable analyses confirmed that low-volume hospitals were associated with higher complications (OR 1.81, CI 1.38-2.37; P<0.001), and low-volume surgeons had an increased risk of complications (overall: OR 1.37, CI 1.01-1.84; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort study of infants undergoing elective lung resection for a CLM, lower volume providers were associated with higher postoperative patient morbidity. These findings represent an opportunity to inform quality improvement initiatives on pediatric lung resection and the debate on surgical subspecialization for this unique patient population.

Utility of a Benchmarking Report for Balancing Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Children with Complicated Appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a severity-adjusted, hospital-level benchmarking comparative performance report for postoperative organ space infection and antibiotic utilization in children with complicated appendicitis. BACKGROUND: No benchmarking data exist to aid hospitals in identifying and prioritizing opportunities for infection prevention or antimicrobial stewardship in children with complicated appendicitis. METHODS: This was a multicenter cohort study using NSQIP-Pediatric data from 16 hospitals participating in a regional research consortium, augmented with antibiotic utilization data obtained through supplemental chart review. Children with complicated appendicitis who underwent appendectomy from 07/01/2015 to 06/30/2020 were included. Thirty-day postoperative OSI rates and cumulative antibiotic utilization were compared between hospitals using observed-to-expected (O/E) ratios after adjusting for disease severity using mixed effects models. Hospitals were considered outliers if the 95% confidence interval for O/E ratios did not include 1.0. RESULTS: 1790 patients were included. Overall, the OSI rate was 15.6% (hospital range: 2.6-39.4%) and median cumulative antibiotic utilization was 9.0 days (range: 3.0-13.0). Across hospitals, adjusted O/E ratios ranged 5.7-fold for OSI (0.49-2.80, P=0.03) and 2.4-fold for antibiotic utilization (0.59-1.45, P<0.01). Three (19%) hospitals were outliers for OSI (1 high and 2 low performers), and eight (50%) were outliers for antibiotic utilization (5 high and 3 low utilizers). Ten (63%) hospitals were identified as outliers in one or both measures. CONCLUSIONS: A comparative performance benchmarking report may help hospitals identify and prioritize quality improvement opportunities for infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship, as well as identify exemplar performers for dissemination of best practices.

Maternal Minocycline as Fetal Therapy in a Rat Model of Myelomeningocele.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate whether the maternal administration of minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic known to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in models of neural injury, reduces inflammation and neural cell death in a fetal rat model of myelomeningocele (MMC). METHODS: E10 pregnant rats were gavaged with olive oil or olive oil + retinoic acid to induce fetal MMC. At E12, the dams were exposed to regular drinking water or water containing minocycline (range, 40-140 mg/kg/day). At E21, fetal lumbosacral spinal cords were isolated for immunohistochemistry and quantitative gene expression studies focused on microglia activity, inflammation, and apoptosis (P < 0.05). RESULTS: There was a trend toward decreased activated Iba1+ microglial cells within the dorsal spinal cord of MMC pups following minocycline exposure when compared to water (H2O) alone (P = 0.052). Prenatal minocycline exposure was correlated with significantly reduced expression of the proinflammatory cytokine, IL-6 (minocycline: 1.75 versus H2O: 3.52, P = 0.04) and apoptosis gene, Bax (minocycline: 0.71 versus H2O: 1.04, P < 0.001) among MMC pups. CONCLUSIONS: This study found evidence that the maternal administration of minocycline reduces selected markers of inflammation and apoptosis within the exposed dorsal spinal cords of fetal MMC rats. Further study of minocycline as a novel prenatal treatment strategy to mitigate spinal cord damage in MMC is warranted.

Measuring Pectus Excavatum Severity, External Caliper, or Cross-Sectional Imaging: Family Perceptions.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with pectus excavatum (PE) often undergo cross-sectional imaging (CSI) to quantify severity for insurance authorization before surgical repair. The modified percent depth (MPD), an external caliper-based metric, was previously validated to be similar to the pectus index and correction index. This study explored family perceptions of CSI and MPD with respect to value and costs. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study including families of patients enrolled in an ongoing prospective multicenter study evaluating the use of MPD as an alternative to CSI for quantifying PE severity. Families of PE patients who underwent both MPD and CSI completed a survey to determine their perceptions of MPD and costs of CSI. Responses were described and associations were evaluated using chi squared, Wilcoxon rank-sum test and logistic regression as appropriate. Statistical significance was set to 0.05. RESULTS: There were 136 surveys completed for a response rate of 88%. Respondents were confident in MPD (86%) and confident in its similarity to CSI (76%). Families of females were less confident in the measurements than males (55% versus 80%, P = 0.02; odds ratio 0.30 (0.11, 0.83). Obtaining CSI required time off work/school in 90% and a copay in 60%. Nearly half (49%) of respondents reported CSI was a time/financial hardship. Increasing copay led to decreased reassurance in CSI (55%: copay > $100 versus 77%: lower copay/75%: no copay; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: From the family perspective, MPD is valuable in assessing the severity of PE. Obtaining CSI was financially burdensome, particularly for those with higher copays. MPD measurements provide high value at low cost in assessing the severity of PE.

Association Between Antibiotic Redosing Before Incision and Risk of Incisional Site Infection in Children With Appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether redosing antibiotics within an hour of incision is associated with a reduction in incisional surgical site infection (iSSI) in children with appendicitis. BACKGROUND: Existing data remain conflicting as to whether children with appendicitis receiving antibiotics at diagnosis benefit from antibiotic redosing before incision. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study using data from the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program augmented with antibiotic utilization and operative report data obtained though supplemental chart review. Children undergoing appendectomy at 14 hospitals participating in the Eastern Pediatric Surgery Network from July 2016 to June 2020 who received antibiotics upon diagnosis of appendicitis between 1 and 6 hours before incision were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare odds of iSSI in those who were and were not redosed with antibiotics within 1 hour of incision, adjusting for patient demographics, disease severity, antibiotic agents, and hospital-level clustering of events. RESULTS: A total of 3533 children from 14 hospitals were included. Overall, 46.5% were redosed (hospital range: 1.8%-94.4%, P <0.001) and iSSI rates were similar between groups [redosed: 1.2% vs non-redosed: 1.3%; odds ratio (OR) 0.84, (95%,CI, 0.39-1.83)]. In subgroup analyses, redosing was associated with lower iSSI rates when cefoxitin was used as the initial antibiotic (redosed: 1.0% vs nonredosed: 2.5%; OR: 0.38, (95% CI, 0.17-0.84)], but no benefit was found with other antibiotic regimens, longer periods between initial antibiotic administration and incision, or with increased disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Redosing of antibiotics within 1 hour of incision in children who received their initial dose within 6 hours of incision was not associated with reduction in risk of incisional site infection unless cefoxitin was used as the initial antibiotic.

Use of Antipseudomonal Antibiotics is not Associated with Lower Rates of Postoperative Drainage Procedures or More Favorable Culture Profiles in Children with Complicated Appendicitis: Results from a Multicenter Regional Research Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of postoperative drainage and culture profiles in children with complicated appendicitis treated with the two most common antibiotic regimens with and without antipseudomonal activity (piperacillin-tazobactam [PT] and ceftriaxone with metronidazole [CM]). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Variation in use of antipseudomonal antibiotics has been driven by a paucity of multicenter data reporting clinically relevant, culture-based outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with complicated appendicitis (7/2015-6/2020) using NSQIP-Pediatric data from 15 hospitals participating in a regional research consortium. Operative report details, antibiotic utilization, and culture data were obtained through supplemental chart review. Rates of 30-day postoperative drainage and organism-specific culture positivity were compared between groups using mixed effects regression to adjust for clustering after propensity matching on measures of disease severity. RESULTS: 1002 children met criteria for matching (58.9% received CM and 41.1% received PT). In the matched sample of 778 patients, children treated with PT had similar rates of drainage overall (PT: 11.8%, CM: 12.1%; OR 1.44 [OR:0.71-2.94]) and higher rates of drainage associated with growth of any organism (PT: 7.7%, CM: 4.6%; OR 2.41 [95%CI:1.08-5.39]) and Escherichia coli (PT: 4.6%, CM: 1.8%; OR 3.42 [95%CI:1.07-10.92]) compared to treatment with CM. Rates were similar between groups for drainage associated with multiple organisms (PT: 2.6%, CM: 1.5%; OR 3.81 [95%CI:0.96-15.08]) and Pseudomonas (PT: 1.0%, CM: 1.3%; OR 3.42 [95%CI:0.55-21.28]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Use of antipseudomonal antibiotics is not associated with lower rates of postoperative drainage procedures or more favorable culture profiles in children with complicated appendicitis.

Sex-Specific Differences in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To compare disease severity and mortality differences between female and male patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). STUDY DESIGN: We queried the CDH Study Group (CDHSG) database for CDH neonates managed between 2007 and 2018. Female and males were compared in statistical analyses using t tests, χ² tests, and Cox regression, as appropriate (P ≤ .05). RESULTS: There were 7288 CDH patients, of which 3048 (41.8%) were female. Females weighed less on average at birth than males (2.84 kg vs 2.97 kg, P < .001) despite comparable gestational age. Females had similar rates of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) utilization (27.8% vs 27.3%, P = .65). Although both cohorts had equivalent defect size and rates of patch repair, female patients had increased rates of intrathoracic liver herniation (49.2% vs 45.9%, P = .01) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) (86.6% vs 81.1%, P < .001). Females had lower survival rates at 30-days (77.3% vs 80.1%, P = .003) and overall lower survival to discharge (70.2% vs 74.2%, P < .001). Subgroup analysis revealed that increased mortality was significant among those who underwent repair but were never supported on ECLS (P = .005). On Cox regression analysis, female sex was independently associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.32, P = .02). CONCLUSION: After controlling for the established prenatal and postnatal predictors of mortality, female sex remains independently associated with a higher risk of mortality in CDH. Further study into the underlying causes for sex-specific disparities in CDH outcomes is warranted.

Fetal Risk Stratification and Outcomes in Children with Prenatally Diagnosed Lung Malformations: Results from a Multi-Institutional Research Collaborative.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess current clinical outcomes in children with prenatally diagnosed congenital lung malformations (CLMs) and to identify prenatal characteristics associated with adverse outcomes. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Despite a wide spectrum of clinical disease, the identification of fetal CLM subgroups at increased risk for hydrops and respiratory compromise at delivery has not been well defined. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using an operative database of prenatally diagnosed CLMs managed at 11 children's hospitals from 2009 to 2016. Statistical analyses were performed using nonparametric bivariate or multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-four children were analyzed. Fifteen (5.5%) fetuses were managed with maternal steroids in the setting of hydrops, and prenatal surgical intervention was uncommon (1.7%). Seventy-five (21.8%) had respiratory symptoms at birth, and 34 (10.0%) required neonatal lung resection. Congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratio (CVR) measurements were recorded in 169 (49.1%) cases and were significantly associated with perinatal outcome, including hydrops, respiratory distress at birth, need for supplemental oxygen, neonatal ventilator use, and neonatal resection ( P < 0.001). An initial CVR ≤1.4 was significantly correlated with a reduced risk for hydrops [area under the curve (AUC), 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87-1.00]. A maximum CVR <0.9 (AUC, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.67-0.85) was associated with a low risk for respiratory symptoms at birth. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, multi-institutional study, an initial CVR ≤ 1.4 identifies fetuses at very low risk for hydrops, and a maximum CVR < 0.9 is associated with asymptomatic disease at birth. These findings represent an opportunity for standardization and quality improvement for prenatal counseling and delivery planning.

Contemporary Role of Computed Tomography in Managing Pediatric Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

INTRODUCTION: The value of chest computed tomography (CT) in pediatric primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) remains controversial. This study sought to evaluate the utility of CT scans in a contemporary cohort of children with PSP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An institutional review board approval was obtained for a retrospective review of all children (aged ≤18 y) who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for PSP between 2009 and 2019 at a university-affiliated pediatric hospital. Preoperative CT scans were evaluated for diagnostic accuracy of the CT of bleb disease. RESULTS: Thirty nine patients underwent VATS procedures for PSP, 34 (87%) of the patients were noted to have blebs. Twenty eight (72%) patients received preoperative CT scans with a 5.5:1 male to female ratio. On CT, 17 (61%) were diagnosed with blebs and all had blebs intraoperatively. CT did not identify disease in 11 patients, but seven had blebs intraoperatively. The positive and negative predictive values of preoperative CT for detecting ipsilateral bleb disease were 100% and 36%, respectively, with a sensitivity of 71%. Eleven patients had a contralateral disease on CT (39%). Five received elective contralateral VATS and three developed spontaneous PSP, with intraoperative blebs in all eight patients. Three never developed contralateral PSP. Six (21%) patients with no contralateral disease on CT developed spontaneous PSP with intraoperative blebs. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to operate for PSP should be made based on clinical findings rather than on the presence or absence of blebs identified by CT.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgical Repair of Duodenal Atresia: A NSQIP-Pediatric Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic repair of duodenal atresia in neonates has gained popularity among some pediatric surgeons. Single-center studies suggest comparable short-term outcomes to open surgery. The purpose of this study was to utilize a large, multi-institutional pediatric dataset to examine 30-day post-operative outcomes by operative approach for newborns who underwent duodenal atresia repairs. METHODS: We identified neonates aged ≤1 wk in the 2016-2018 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric -database that underwent a laparoscopic or open repair for duodenal atresia. Preoperative characteristics were compared between operative approaches. Postoperative complications, operative time, postoperative length of stay (LOS), and supplemental nutrition at discharge were assessed using multivariate regressions. RESULTS: There were 267 neonates who met inclusion criteria. There were 233 (87%) infants who underwent open repairs and 34 (13%) who underwent laparoscopic repairs. Ten (29%) children who had laparoscopy were converted to open. After adjusting for confounding, laparoscopy was associated with an increase in operative time by 65 min (95% confidence interval 45-87 min, P < 0.001) but a five-day shorter LOS (95% confidence interval -9 to -2, P = 0.006) when compared to laparotomy. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications or supplemental nutrition at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that laparoscopic repairs of duodenal atresia are associated with shorter postoperative LOS but longer operative times when compared to open repairs. Although the conversion rate to laparotomy remained relatively high, the laparoscopic approach was associated with comparable 30-day postoperative outcomes.

Pediatric traumatic abdominal wall hernia as a component of the seatbelt syndrome: a case series and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Blunt impact-induced traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is an uncommon pediatric surgical problem classically associated with handlebar injury but increasingly seen with seatbelt use in motor vehicle collisions (MVC). Herein we describe the largest case series of pediatric TAWH to date and review the literature to establish the unique syndromic characteristics of MVC-associated TAWH. METHODS: In this single-institution series, we discuss four pediatric patients, all with seatbelt-associated TAWH after high-speed MVC characterized by full-thickness disruption of the lateral abdominal wall. We then performed a review of the literature to identify additional pediatric MVC-associated TAWH and define the characteristics of patients who sustained this unique injury. RESULTS: In addition to the four patients in our case series, five additional pediatric patients presenting with TAWH after restrained MVC were identified in the literature. Of these nine patients, eight (89%) presented with an obvious seatbelt sign (bruising/laceration to the abdominal wall). Six (67%) had associated injuries typical of the seatbelt syndrome, including four spinal flexion injuries (44%) and five bowel injuries requiring repair or resection (56%). Overall, 56% of seatbelt-associated TAWH occurred in children with a BMI percentile > 95%. CONCLUSIONS: In this case series and literature review, we note a high rate of seatbelt syndrome injuries in pediatric patients presenting with TAWH after restrained MVC. Suspicion for TAWH should be high in children presenting with a seatbelt sign and should trigger a low threshold for pursuing additional axial imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV; case series.

Fetal lung transcriptome patterns in an ex vivo compression model of diaphragmatic hernia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to employ a novel ex vivo lung model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) to determine how a mechanical compression affects early pulmonary development. METHODS: Day-15 whole fetal rat lungs (n = 6-12/group) from nitrofen-exposed and normal (vehicle only) dams were explanted and cultured ex vivo in compression microdevices (0.2 or 0.4 kPa) for 16 h to mimic physiologic compression forces that occur in CDH in vivo. Lungs were evaluated with significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Nitrofen-exposed lungs were hypoplastic and expressed lower levels of surfactant protein C at baseline. Although compression alone did not alter the α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) expression in normal lungs, nitrofen-exposed lungs had significantly increased ACTA2 transcripts (0.2 kPa: 2.04 ± 0.15; 0.4 kPa: 2.22 ± 0.11; both P < 0.001). Nitrofen-exposed lungs also showed further reductions in surfactant protein C expression at 0.2 and 0.4 kPa (0.53 ± 0.04, P < 0.01; 0.69 ± 0.23, P < 0.001; respectively). Whereas normal lungs exposed to 0.2 and 0.4 kPa showed significant increases in periostin (POSTN), a mechanical stress-response molecule (1.79 ± 0.10 and 2.12 ± 0.39, respectively; both P < 0.001), nitrofen-exposed lungs had a significant decrease in POSTN expression (0.4 kPa: 0.67 ± 0.15, P < 0.001), which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these pilot data in a model of CDH lung hypoplasia suggest a primary aberration in response to mechanical stress within the nitrofen lung, characterized by an upregulation of ACTA2 and a downregulation in SPFTC and POSTN. This ex vivo compression system may serve as a novel research platform to better understand the mechanobiology and complex regulation of matricellular dynamics during CDH fetal lung development.

Surveillance of fetal lung lesions using the congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratio: natural history and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratio (CVR) is a widely used sonographic measure of relative mass size in fetuses with lung malformations. The purposes of this study were to examine serial CVR measurements to understand longitudinal growth patterns and to determine correlation with postnatal imaging. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was performed on fetuses referred for an echogenic lung malformation between 2002 and 2014. For each fetus, the CVR was prospectively calculated using 2D ultrasound and followed with advancing gestation. RESULTS: Based on 40 fetuses, the mean initial CVR was 0.51 ± 0.07 at 20.5 ± 0.3 weeks of gestation. The CVR increased after 24 weeks of gestation (p = 0.0014), peaking at a CVR of 0.96 ± 0.11 at 25.5 ± 0.05 weeks, followed by a significant decrease in the CVR to 0.43 ± 0.07 prior to term (p < 0.0001). However, approximately one third showed no appreciable increase in size. The mean CVR was significantly correlated with postnatal chest computed tomography (CT) size dimensions (p = 0.0032) and likelihood for lung resection (p = 0.0055). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal lung malformations tend to follow one of two distinct growth patterns, characterized by either (1) a maximal CVR between 25 and 26 weeks of gestation or (2) minimal change in relative growth. The mean CVR correlates with postnatal CT size and operative management.

CT imaging of congenital lung lesions: effect of iterative reconstruction on diagnostic performance and radiation dose.

BACKGROUND: Different iterative reconstruction techniques are available for use in pediatric computed tomography (CT), but these techniques have not been systematically evaluated in infants. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of iterative reconstruction on diagnostic performance, image quality and radiation dose in infants undergoing CT evaluation for congenital lung lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of contrast-enhanced chest CT in infants (<1 year) with congenital lung lesions was performed. CT examinations were reviewed to document the type of lung lesion, vascular anatomy, image noise measurements and image reconstruction method. CTDIvol was used to calculate size-specific dose estimates (SSDE). CT findings were correlated with intraoperative and histopathological findings. Analysis of variance and the Student's t-test were used to compare image noise measurements and radiation dose estimates between groups. RESULTS: Fifteen CT examinations used filtered back projection (FBP; mean age: 84 days), 15 used adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR; mean age: 93 days), and 11 used model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR; mean age: 98 days). Compared to operative findings, 13/15 (87%), 14/15 (93%) and 11/11 (100%) lesions were correctly characterized using FBP, ASiR and MBIR, respectively. Arterial anatomy was correctly identified in 12/15 (80%) using FBP, 13/15 (87%) using ASiR and 11/11 (100%) using MBIR. Image noise was less for MBIR vs. ASiR (P < 0.0001). Mean SSDE was different among groups (P = 0.003; FBP = 7.35 mGy, ASiR = 1.89 mGy, MBIR = 1.49 mGy). CONCLUSION: Congenital lung lesions can be adequately characterized in infants using iterative CT reconstruction techniques while maintaining image quality and lowering radiation dose.

Paracrine regulation of fetal lung morphogenesis using human placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

BACKGROUND: Recent experimental work suggests the therapeutic role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) during perinatal lung morphogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential paracrine effects of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (PL-MSCs) on pulmonary development. METHODS: Human MSCs were isolated from preterm placental chorion. Normal E14.5-15.5 fetal rat lungs were subsequently harvested and cultured ex vivo in the presence of conditioned media from PL-MSCs for 72 h. The lungs were analyzed morphometrically and by quantitative DNA, protein, and gene expression. Postnatal human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (FF) were used as controls. RESULTS: The MSC phenotype of the isolated placental cells was confirmed. Compared with lungs cultured in the absence of PL-MSCs, fetal lung growth was markedly accelerated on exposure to PL-MSC conditioned media as demonstrated by increases in Δlung surface area, terminal bud formation, and Δterminal bud formation. Pulmonary growth was predominantly impacted by enhanced branching morphogenesis, as shown by 73.5±6.1 terminal buds after stimulation with PL-MSCs compared with 46.7±5.7 terminal buds in control unconditioned media (P<0.05). Significant differences were noted favoring PL-MSCs over FFs based on terminal bud formation and Δterminal bud formation (P<0.05). There was significant upregulation of club cell secretory protein in lungs exposed to PL-MSCs compared with all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that human PL-MSCs are potent paracrine stimulators of pulmonary morphogenesis in a fetal organ culture model. Cell therapies based on autologous or donor-derived PL-MSCs may represent a novel strategy for enhancing perinatal lung growth.

The diagnosis of fetal esophageal atresia and its implications on perinatal outcome.

The current diagnostic accuracy and perinatal outcome of fetuses with esophageal atresia (EA) continues to be debated. In this review, we report on our experience at a tertiary care fetal center with the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of EA. Enrollment criteria included a small/absent stomach bubble with a normal or elevated amniotic fluid index between 2005 and 2013. Perinatal outcomes were analyzed and compared to postnatally diagnosed EA cases. Of the 22 fetuses evaluated, polyhydramnios occurred in 73%. Three (14%) died in utero or shortly after birth, but none had EA. In the presence of an absent/small stomach and polyhydramnios, the positive predictive value for EA was 67%. In fetal EA cases confirmed postnatally (group 1, n = 11), there were no differences in gestational age, birthweight, or mortality when compared to postnatally diagnosed infants (group 2, n = 59). Group 1 was associated with long-gap EA, need for esophageal replacement, and increased hospital length of stay. When taken in context with the current literature, we conclude that ultrasound findings suggestive of EA continue to be associated with a relatively high rate of false positives. However, among postnatally confirmed cases, there is an increased risk for long-gap EA and prolonged hospitalization.

Management of long-gap esophageal atresia.

A uniquely challenging subset of infants diagnosed with esophageal atresia (EA) are those born with long-gap EA (LGEA). The common unifying feature in infants with LGEA is that the proximal and distal segments of the esophagus are too far apart to enable primary anastomosis via a single operation in the newborn period. Although any type of EA can technically result in a long gap, the Gross type A variant occurs in 8% of all EA cases and is most commonly associated with LGEA. In this review, we provide an evidence-based approach to the current challenges and management strategies employed in LGEA. There are fortunately a range of available surgical techniques for LGEA repair, including delayed primary repair, staged repair based on longitudinal traction strategies to lengthen both ends (e.g., Foker procedure, internal traction), and esophageal replacement using other portions of the gastrointestinal tract. The literature on the management of LGEA has long been dominated by single-center retrospective reviews, but the field has recently witnessed increased multi-center collaboration that has helped to increase our understanding on how to best manage this challenging patient population. Delayed primary repair is strongly preferred as the initial approach in management of LGEA in the United States as well as several European countries and is supported by the American Pediatric Surgery Association recommendations. Should esophageal replacement be required in cases where salvaging the native thoracic esophagus is not possible, gastric conduits are the preferred approach, based on the relative simplicity of the operation, low postoperative morbidity, and long-term durability. Long-term followup for monitoring of swallowing function, nutritional status, aspiration/respiratory illnesses, gastroesophageal reflux, and associated comorbidities is essential in the comprehensive care of these complex patients.

Patient Characteristics, Treatment, and Survival in Pleuropulmonary Blastoma: An Analysis from the National Cancer Database.

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare childhood tumor originating from the lung or pleura, typically treated with surgery, chemotherapy (CTx), and/or radiation therapy (RTx). This study aimed to assess patient and tumor features, treatment methods, and survival rates in PPB. We retrospectively analyzed PPB patients under 18 from 2004 to 2019, using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). We assessed 5-year overall survival (OS) rates based on disease presentation and treatment regimens, using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional regression. Among 144 cases identified, 45.9% were female, with a median age of 2 years (interquartile range 1-3). In all, 62.5% of tumors originated from the lung, and 10.4% from the pleura. Moreover, 6.9% were bilateral, and the median tumor size was 8.9 cm, with 4.2% presenting with metastases. The 5-year OS rate was 79.6%, with no significant change over time (2004-2009, 77.6%; 2010-2014, 90.8%; 2015-2019, OS 75.3%; p = 0.08). In all, 5.6% received CTx alone, 31.3% surgery alone, 45.8% surgery/CTx, and 17.4% surgery/CTx/RTx. The OS rates were comparable between the surgery/CTx/RTx (80.0%) and surgery/CTx (76.5%) groups (adjusted Hazard Ratio, 1.72; 95% CI, 0.57-5.19; p = 0.34). Therefore, due to the unchanged survival rates over time, further prospective multicenter studies are needed to determine the optimal multimodal treatment regimens for this rare pediatric tumor.