Defining digital surgery: a SAGES white paper.

BACKGROUND: Digital surgery is a new paradigm within the surgical innovation space that is rapidly advancing and encompasses multiple areas. METHODS: This white paper from the SAGES Digital Surgery Working Group outlines the scope of digital surgery, defines key terms, and analyzes the challenges and opportunities surrounding this disruptive technology. RESULTS: In its simplest form, digital surgery inserts a computer interface between surgeon and patient. We divide the digital surgery space into the following elements: advanced visualization, enhanced instrumentation, data capture, data analytics with artificial intelligence/machine learning, connectivity via telepresence, and robotic surgical platforms. We will define each area, describe specific terminology, review current advances as well as discuss limitations and opportunities for future growth. CONCLUSION: Digital Surgery will continue to evolve and has great potential to bring value to all levels of the healthcare system. The surgical community has an essential role in understanding, developing, and guiding this emerging field.

Enteral access and reflux management in neonates with severe univentricular congenital heart disease: literature review and proposed algorithm.

Neonates with severe congenital heart disease undergoing surgical repair may face various complications, including failure to thrive. Feeding tube placement and fundoplication are often performed to combat poor growth in neonates. With the variety of feeding tubes available and controversy surrounding when fundoplication is appropriate, there is no current protocol to determine which intervention is necessary for this patient population. We aim to provide an evidence-based feeding algorithm for this patient population. Initial searches for relevant publications yielded 696 publications; after review of these studies and inclusion of additional studies through external searches, a total of 38 studies were included for qualitative synthesis. Many of the studies utilized did not directly compare the different feeding modalities. Of the 38 studies included, five studies were randomized control trials, three studies were literature reviews, one study was an online survey, and the remaining twenty-nine studies were observational. There is no current evidence to suggest that this specific patient population should be treated differently regarding enteral feeding. We propose an algorithm to assist optimal feeding for neonates with congenital heart disease. Conclusion: Nutrition remains a vital component of the care of neonates with congenital heart disease; determining the optimal feeding strategy for these patients can be approached like other neonates.

Evaluating the utility of the "late ECMO repair": a congenital diaphragmatic hernia study group investigation.

PURPOSE: Optimal timing of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair in patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains controversial. The "late ECMO repair" is an approach where the patient, once deemed stable for decannulation, is repaired while still on ECMO to enable expeditious return to ECMO if surgery induces instability. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential benefit of this approach by evaluating the rate of return to ECMO after repair. METHODS: The CDH Study Group database was used to analyze CDH patients requiring ECMO support. The primary outcome was return to ECMO within 72 h of CDH repair among those repaired following ECMO decannulation ("post-ECMO" patients). Secondary outcomes were death within 72 h of repair and cumulative death and return to ECMO rate. RESULTS: A total of 668 patients were repaired post-ECMO decannulation. Six patients (0.9%) in the post-ECMO group required return to ECMO within 72 h of surgery and a total of 19 (2.8%) died or returned to ECMO within 72 h of surgery. CONCLUSION: The rate of return to ECMO and death following CDH repair is extremely low and does not justify the risks inherent to "on-ECMO" repair. Patients stable to come off ECMO should undergo repair after decannulation.

Simple diverticulectomy is adequate for management of bleeding Meckel diverticulum.

PURPOSE: It is unclear whether simple diverticulectomy, rather than segmental bowel resection (SBR), is adequate treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) secondary to Meckel diverticulum (MD). There is concern that ulcers in the adjacent bowel may continue to bleed if only the diverticulum is removed. This study seeks to determine if diverticulectomy is satisfactory treatment for bleeding MD. METHODS: A multi-institution, retrospective review was performed for patients with a diagnosis of MD and GIB who underwent simple diverticulectomy or small bowel resection. Exclusion criteria were comorbid surgical conditions and other causes of GIB. The primary outcome was post-operative bleeding during the initial hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were bleeding after discharge, transfusion or additional procedure requirement, re-admission, and overall complications. RESULTS: There were 59 patients who met study criteria (42 diverticulectomy, 17 SBR). One patient in the SBR group had early post-operative bleeding (p = 0.288). There was one re-admission (p = 0.288) and three total complications in the SBR group (p = 0.021). There were no cases of bleeding or other complications in the diverticulectomy group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that simple diverticulectomy is adequate for treatment of GIB caused by MD. Furthermore, diverticulectomy appears to have a lower overall complication rate.

New multimedia advances in surgical information.

When discussing new trends in pediatric surgery, the tendency is to focus on novel surgical technology and techniques. However, it is equally important to examine how the practicing surgeon stays abreast in an ever-changing field. This article serves as a brief guide to the future of surgical education for the attending surgeon. Broadly, advances in surgical education consist of new methods of filtration and delivery of knowledge.

NASPGHAN Clinical Report on Postoperative Recurrence in Pediatric Crohn Disease.

Pediatric Crohn disease is characterized by clinical and endoscopic relapses. The inflammatory process is considered to be progressive and may lead to strictures, fistulas, and penetrating disease that may require surgery. In addition, medically refractory disease may be treated by surgical resection of inflamed bowel in an effort to reverse growth failure. The need for surgery in childhood suggests severe disease and these patients have an increased risk for recurrent disease and potentially more surgery. Data show that up to 55% of patients had clinical recurrence in the first 2 years after initial surgery. The current clinical report on postoperative recurrence in pediatric Crohn disease reviews the risk factors for early surgery and postoperative recurrence, operative risk factors for recurrence, and prevention and monitoring strategies for postoperative recurrence. We also propose an algorithm for postoperative management in pediatric Crohn disease.

Rural surgeons would embrace surgical telementoring for help with difficult cases and acquisition of new skills.

BACKGROUND: Surgical telementoring, consisting of an expert surgeon guiding a less experienced surgeon through advanced or novel cases from a remote location, is an evolving technology which has potential to become an integral part of surgical practice. This study sought to apprise the attitudes of rural general surgeons toward the possible benefits and applications of surgical telementoring in their practices. METHODS: A survey assessing demographics and attitudes toward telementoring was e-mailed to members of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Advisory Council for Rural Surgery and posted to the ACS website in areas targeting rural surgeons. A link to a webpage with a description of surgical telementoring and brief demonstrative video were included with the survey. RESULTS: There were 159 respondents, with 82.3 % of them practicing in communities smaller than 50,000 people. Overall, 78.6 % felt that telementoring would be useful to their practice, and 69.8 % thought it would benefit their hospitals. There was no correlation between years of practice and perceived usefulness of surgical telementoring. When asked the single most useful, or primary, application of surgical telementoring there was a split between learning new techniques (46.5 %) and intraoperative assistance with unexpected findings (39.0 %). When asked to select all applications in which they would be interested in using telementoring from a list of possible uses, surgeons most frequently selected: intraoperative consultation for unexpected findings (67.7 %), trauma consultation (32.9 %), and laparoscopic colectomy (32.9 %). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical telementoring is on the verge of widespread use but industry and surgical societies remain ambivalent about supporting its implementation due to concerns over lack of interest. This study demonstrates interest among rural surgeons. While there are differing opinions regarding compensation of the telementoring, the most common, single interest in the use of surgical telementoring was for learning new techniques or skill sets.

Treatment of routine adolescent inguinal hernia vastly differs between pediatric surgeons and general surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of inguinal hernias in adolescents is controversial as these patients do not fit into the traditional pediatric and adult populations. We aimed to compare the preferences of adult general surgeons and pediatric surgeons in managing adolescents by conducting a survey through social media. METHODS: A poll was posted on the International Hernia Collaboration Group Facebook page as well as the Facebook page for the authoring pediatric surgeon. The poll gave scenarios of a 16-year-old male with an inguinal hernia and asked surgeons to select one of five listed procedures to repair the hernia: high ligation (open or laparoscopic), mesh repair (open or laparoscopic) or open muscle repair. The four scenarios differed in the diameter of the internal ring (1 vs. 4 cm) and the BMI of the patient (20 vs. 35). Fisher's exact test was implemented for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In total, 43 (67 %) adult surgeons and 21 (33 %) pediatric surgeons responded. In the routine adolescent (normal BMI, small defect), 65 % of adult surgeons chose adult-type repairs (mesh or muscle repairs) whereas 86 % of pediatric surgeons chose pediatric-type repairs (high ligation). When the size of the defect increased, 100 % of adult surgeons and 81 % of pediatric surgeons selected an adult-type repair, suggesting agreement. When the patient was obese, there was a tendency to prefer laparoscopy. In all patient scenarios, the answers were significantly different between pediatric and adult surgeons (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For the same routine adolescent inguinal hernia, pediatric surgeons and adult general surgeons choose a different procedure. This finding suggests that further study is needed to determine the optimal treatment for inguinal hernias in adolescents, as the type of practitioner to whom the patient is referred, rather than the disease process itself, currently dictates treatment.

Creation of an animal model for long gap pure esophageal atresia.

INTRODUCTION: Long gap pure esophageal atresia (LGPEA) is a congenital disorder in which the esophagus is in discontinuity, and the proximal and distal ends cannot be anastomosed in a primary fashion. No animal model for pure esophageal atresia exists. Here we describe a survival animal model for LGPEA, which will ultimately serve to test novel devices and techniques to restore continuity. METHODS: A non-survival study was first conducted in six rabbits to refine a protocol for the survival model. An open gastrostomy tube was placed, followed by a partial esophagectomy. Next, a survival study was performed with seven rabbits in which the same procedures were performed. Finally, the procedure was optimized in domestic swine. RESULTS: Despite developing the techniques and gaining valuable information in the non-survival study, none of the rabbits in the survival portion of the study lived beyond post-operative day four. Due to this complication with the rabbit, the LGPEA model was attempted in a porcine model. The pig survived to post-operative day ten, and was healthy enough to be used for further study. CONCLUSION: A porcine model of long gap pure esophageal atresia was developed which is effective and feasible to be used for testing new methods of treatment of LGPEA.

Same-day discharge after incision and drainage of soft-tissue abscess in diaper-age children is safe and effective.

PURPOSE: Many pediatric centers admit patients following incision and drainage (I&D) of soft-tissue abscesses. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the same-day discharge following I&D. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of children aged 3 months-4 years who underwent operative I&D of an abscess followed by same-day discharge. Patients receiving antibiotics within 2 weeks of presentation were excluded. Treatment failure was defined as readmission or repeat procedure related to the initial abscess. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon Rank-Sum and Fisher's Exact tests. RESULTS: There were 442 procedures performed in 408 patients. Mean age was 1.8 years. Fever was noted in 25.8%. Of those who had a white blood cell (WBC) count drawn, 59.7% had leukocytosis. Mean time from procedure to discharge was 2.3 h, and 85.0% were discharged with oral antibiotics. Treatment failure occurred in four (0.9%) and ten (2.3%) patients at 14 and 30 days, respectively. Mean WBC count was higher in the 14-day treatment failure group (24.1 versus 16.3; p = 0.10). In patients with leukocytosis, there were 2 (1.4%) treatment failures compared to none in those without leukocytosis. CONCLUSION: Same-day discharge after I&D of abscess in diaper-age children is safe and effective.

Creation of a neopylorus after pyloric exclusion using a "double-endoscope" technique.

OBJECTIVE: Pyloric exclusion may be implemented in the setting of a high-grade duodenal or pancreatic injury. After exclusion, the pylorus should spontaneously open in 3-6 weeks. However, we present the case of a critically ill 17-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the abdomen that underwent stapled pyloric exclusion with gastrostomy and jejunostomy tube placement who did not achieve pyloric patency after 5 months, and describe an innovative "double-endoscope" technique to correct it. METHODS: A gastroscope was inserted through the mouth into the stomach, and an endoscope was inserted retrograde through the jejunostomy site to the duodenum. The closed pylorus was seen from both ends with transillumination. A needle knife was pushed through the membrane with clear visualization from the contralateral side. A balloon dilation catheter was then passed over a guidewire, and the neopylorus was sequentially dilated. A gastrojejunostomy tube was placed to ensure patency of the neopylorus. Postoperative imaging showed no evidence of leak or pneumoperitoneum. Serial endoscopic dilations were performed every 1-4 weeks to prevent restricturing. RESULTS: The patient recovered well. After the first follow-up endoscopic dilation, he was eating a regular diet and had no retained food products. After four endoscopic dilations, the patient remained symptom free and the pylorus was widely patent. His gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes were removed. CONCLUSIONS: Here we presented a rare complication of pyloric exclusion and an innovative approach that used a "double-endoscope" technique and serial endoscopic dilations to establish and maintain a neopylorus, avoiding the morbidity of a major surgical procedure.

Multi-institutional experience with penetrating pancreatic injuries in children.

PURPOSE: Penetrating pancreatic injuries in children are uncommon and are not well described in the literature. We report a multi-institutional experience with penetrating pancreatic injuries in children. METHODS: A retrospective review of children sustaining penetrating pancreatic injuries was performed at eight pediatric trauma centers. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were identified. Eleven patients were male; (mean ± SE) age was 11.7 ± 1.2 years. The mechanism of injury was gun-shot wound in 14 patients and mean injury-severity score was 18 ± 3. All patients had associated injuries, most frequently small bowel injuries (n = 9). Patients had either grade I (n = 4), grade II (n = 7), or grade III (n = 4) injuries; there was a single grade V injury. All patients underwent exploratory celiotomy. Drainage of the injured pancreas was performed in 11 patients, and 2 patients underwent pancreatorrhaphy in addition to drainage; 3 underwent resection for grade III (n = 2) and grade V (n = 1) injuries. Thirteen patients required other intra-abdominal procedures. All patients required intensive care over a mean 11.0 ± 3.0 days. Mean duration of stay was 30.1 ± 5.6 days. Post-operative morbidity was 62.5% with no mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating pancreatic injuries in children are uncommon and most often due to firearms. There is a high association with other injuries particularly hollow viscous perforation.

The use and timing of angioembolization in pediatric blunt liver and spleen injury.

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management (NOM) is the standard of care for the management of blunt liver and spleen injuries (BLSI) in the stable pediatric patient. Angiography with embolization (AE) is used as an adjunctive therapy in the management of adult BLSI patients, but it is rarely used in the pediatric population. In this planned secondary analysis, we describe the current utilization patterns of AE in the management of pediatric BLSI. METHODS: After obtaining IRB approval at each center, cohort data was collected prospectively for children admitted with BLSI confirmed on CT at 10 Level I pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) throughout the United States from April 2013 to January 2016. All patients who underwent angiography with or without embolization for a BLSI were included in this analysis. Data collected included patient demographics, injury details, organ injured and grade of injury, CT finding specifics such as contrast blush, complications, failure of NOM, time to angiography and techniques for embolization. RESULTS: Data were collected for 1004 pediatric patients treated for BLSI over the study period, 30 (3.0%) of which underwent angiography with or without embolization for BLSI. Ten of the patients who underwent angiography for BLSI failed NOM. For patients with embolized splenic injuries, splenic salvage was 100%. Four of the nine patients undergoing embolization of the liver ultimately required an operative intervention, but only one patient required hepatorrhaphy and no patient required hepatectomy after AE. Few angiography studies were obtained early during hospitalization for BLSI, with only one patient undergoing angiography within 1 hour of arrival at the PTC, and 7 within 3 hours. CONCLUSION: Angioembolization is rarely used in the management of BLSI in pediatric trauma patients with blunt abdominal trauma and is generally used in a delayed fashion. However, when implemented, angioembolization is associated with 100% splenic salvage for splenic injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Need for subsequent fundoplication after gastrostomy based on patient characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Gastrostomy tube placement is common in children. Many of the conditions associated with need for gastrostomy are also associated with gastroesophageal reflux. It is not clear how many patients without complicated reflux will subsequently require a fundoplication or which conditions increase this risk. Therefore, we performed a two-center review to determine the disease-specific propensity for fundoplication after gastrostomy tube placement. METHODS: The data set was retrospectively collected from two centers from 2000 to 2008. All patients underwent gastrostomy tube placement without fundoplication owing to the surgeon's discernment that fundoplication was not needed at the time. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate the influence of patient variables and operative approach against the subsequent need for fundoplication. Significance was defined as two-tailed P ≤ 0.01. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate independence. RESULTS: A total of 684 patients underwent gastrostomy tube placement only, of which 124 were open, 282 laparoscopic, and 278 endoscopic (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy). The mean patient age was 2.9 years. Subsequent fundoplication was performed in 62 patients (9.1%). The mean interval to fundoplication was 20.7 months. Cerebral palsy and anoxic brain injury had the most significant correlation with subsequent fundoplication. These were also independent predictors. The laparoscopic approach had a negative correlation with the subsequent need for fundoplication. CONCLUSIONS: The low incidence of subsequent fundoplication in children who undergo gastrostomy tube placement justifies conservative use of fundoplication in the absence of complicated reflux. Those with cerebral palsy and anoxic brain injury appeared to have the greatest risk of the need for subsequent fundoplication.

Needlescopic surgery: what's in the toolbox?

With a recent focus on minimizing the visibility of scars, minilaparoscopy has reemerged as an attractive option for surgeons. Minilaparoscopy, or needlescopic surgery, ultimately limits tissue trauma and improves cosmesis. We describe the tools that are available for surgeons who are considering utilizing this approach. Included in this review are the instruments, trocars, trocar-less instruments, and optics available for needlescopic surgery. Because this is a rapidly growing area of surgery, needlescopic surgery will benefit from additional product development with a focus on improving instrument strength and optics.

Intra-abdominal (Type IV) sacrococcygeal teratoma presenting with buttock hemangioma.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common type of extragonadal germ cell tumor in infants and young children. Sacrococcygeal teratomas can uncommonly present in an intra-abdominal fashion, with minimal clinical findings. Dermatologic lesions overlying the vertebrae or buttocks are often associated with sacrococcygeal teratoma and may be the only clue to their presence. Here, we report a case of an intra-abdominal sacrococcygeal teratoma presenting with an anatomically separate buttock hemangioma.

Commentary on shifting paradigms: The top 100 most disruptive papers in core pediatric surgery journals.

This is a commentary on the manuscript by Sullivan G, Skertich N, Gulack B, et al., titled "Shifting Paradigms: The Top Most Disruptive Papers in Core Pediatric Surgery Journals".

Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Abdominal Trauma in Infants and Children: How We Do It.

Although once thought to be a point of contention, the use of minimally invasive surgery for the hemodynamically stable pediatric trauma patients has grown dramatically since its conception in the 1970s and becoming a widely acceptable option for select patient populations. An accumulation of literature over the decades has continued to support laparoscopy for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the pediatric trauma patients as laparoscopy is likely to decrease morbidity, hospital cost, and negative laparotomy rates. In this review, we describe what we believe to be the critical aspects of diagnostic laparoscopy in the setting of pediatric trauma.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery: Effects of an automated social media strategy for knowledge dissemination.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: With increasing publications, it's hard to keep up with surgical literature. Social media is a valuable educational resource with global reach. We sought to analyze the impact of an automated social media strategy for the Journal of Pediatric Surgery (JPS). METHODS: Analytics for March-August 2019 were retrospectively reviewed for automated posts using a SocialPilot queue from the journal's RSS feed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze performance, including journal article views. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-five posts amassed 512,316 impressions and 9,795 article views. Facebook had greater overall impact (p < 0.01). Twitter was stronger when adjusted by number of followers (p < 0.01). Engagements and article views had strong correlation between platforms (p < 0.01). Day of the week had limited impact. Photographs were the preferred content format (p < 0.05). Topic had the highest effect on performance (p < 0.05) - with colorectal, EA/TEF, and general pediatric surgery leading to higher reach and engagement. ECMO/CDH was the least popular. Comments and shares were negligible. CONCLUSIONS: We reached 3,105 users, with 59 article views per post. Topic had the strongest effect on performance. For comparison, custom infographics reached 7,368 users and averaged 101 article views. Alternative knowledge dissemination strategies are likely needed to foster online discussion and build more robust forums for collaboration. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective, Non-clinical Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Can complex surgical interventions be standardized? Reaching international consensus on posterior sagittal anorectoplasty using a modified-Delphi method.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In an effort to standardize educational experience, address future physician shortages, and improve quality of care to patients, many surgical specialties are discussing how to maximize exposure to index cases. One solution being explored is telementoring, which requires a well-developed educational curriculum with intraoperative objectives. The American College of Surgery Telementoring Task Force selected anorectal malformation and posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) for the repair of imperforate anus as the initial educational focus for this pilot. The purpose of this study was to obtain international consensus on intraoperative learning objectives for a complex surgical procedure. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team of medical educators and pediatric surgery experts created an outline of essential curricular content and intraoperative learning objectives for PSARP in three clinical scenarios. Twelve international subject matter experts were identified meeting strict inclusion criteria. Intraoperative checklists were revised using the modified-Delphi process. RESULTS: After five rounds of modifications to the intraoperative checklists, international consensus was achieved for three different clinical scenarios requiring a PSARP: perineal or vestibular fistula, low prostatic fistula, and bladder neck fistula. CONCLUSIONS: A modified-Delphi approach was successful in generating guidelines for surgical techniques that can be used to standardize intraoperative teaching and expectations for trainees. TYPE OF STUDY: Diagnostic study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V (expert opinion).