Same-day discharge after appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis in children: Potential barriers to increased utilization.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of same-day discharge (SDD) after appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis (UA) was closely examined to explore potential barriers to greater use of SDD. METHODS: Children (≤18 years) who underwent appendectomy for UA between 2015 and 2019 at a tertiary care children's hospital were reviewed. Associations with SDD were evaluated using multivariable regression models. RESULTS: Among 973 children, SDD was less frequently utilized after appendectomy performed between 12pm and 5pm (aOR 0.14, p < 0.001) and after 5pm (aOR 0.01, p < 0.001) compared to before 12pm. SDD utilization was also less frequent in those from lower resource neighborhoods (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.90 per decile increase in Area Deprivation Index, p = 0.04), females (aOR 0.53, p = 0.005), and patients residing 30-60 min away (aOR 0.56, p = 0.04) compared to <30 min away. CONCLUSIONS: SDD utilization was primarily impacted by operative timing and socioeconomic and travel factors, focuses for quality improvement efforts to further increase utilization of SDD.

Reducing opioid utilization after appendectomy: A lesson in implementation of a multidisciplinary quality improvement project.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative care after appendectomy may be the first exposure to opioids for many children. A quality improvement project was implemented to assess current practice of prescribing pain medications after a laparoscopic appendectomy to decrease unnecessary opioid use via simple, targeted steps. METHODS: Three measures were implemented in patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis: (1) ice packs to incision in postanesthesia care unit, (2) standard pain scores within 30 minutes of admission to ward postoperatively, and (3) standardized postoperative order set minimizing opioid utilization and limited number of opioids prescribed at discharge. Pre- and postimplementation data were compared with the primary outcome variable: opioid utilization during the postoperative period. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in age or gender between the 814 preimplementation and 263 postimplementation patients. Postimplementation compliance is 66.9% for icepacks, 88% for pain scores, and 94.7% for postoperative order set. There were statistically significant decreases in intravenous and enteral opioids administered, number of opioid doses prescribed at discharge, and patients discharged with an opioid prescription. CONCLUSION: By using a multidisciplinary assessment of current state, culture, and management of parental, patient, and nursing expectations, our institution was able to reduce overall opioid consumption.

Gastrojejunostomy Tube Bowel Perforations in Low-Weight Infants.

This is a case series in which 3 infants with gastrojejunostomy tube (GJT) insertion developed delayed perforation secondary to pressure necrosis. A review of all patients who underwent a GJT placement in 2013 was performed. Three of these patients developed surgically confirmed perforation secondary to pressure necrosis during this time period; no patients developed perforation at the time of GJT insertion. The indications for GJT insertion for all 3 patients were severe gastroesophageal reflux disease; 2 patients also had recurrent aspiration. The patients were between 9 weeks and 10 months of age at the time of GJT insertion. The site of perforation for all 3 cases occurred just distal to the ligament of Treitz between 48 and 72 hours following insertion. Given our 3 cases of perforation in patients weighing <10 kg, there may be a higher risk of perforation in low-weight patients.