Reliability and validity of Urdu PARENTS for assessing non-technical skills of paediatric residents in a teaching hospital in Pakistan.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of our study is twofold. First, we assessed nontechnical skills (NTSs), such as the cognitive, social, and personal skills of postgraduate residents (PGRs), from paediatric caregivers' perspectives in a paediatric emergency department (PED) of a tertiary care hospital. Second, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the 'Parents' Assessment of Residents Enacting Non-Technical Skills' (PARENTS) instrument in its Urdu-translated version, ensuring its applicability and accuracy in the Pakistani context. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This mixed-method study used an instrument translation and validation design. We translated an existing instrument, PARENTS, into Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, and administered it to paediatric caregivers in the PED of a tertiary care hospital. We collected data from 471 paediatric caregivers and coded them for analysis in AMOS and SPSS. RESULTS: The Urdu-translated version of the PARENTS demonstrated reliability and internal validity in our study. The findings from the assessment revealed that paediatric caregivers expressed satisfaction with the knowledge and skill of residents. However, there was comparatively lower satisfaction regarding the residents' display of patience or empathy towards the children under their care. CONCLUSION: The study findings support the validity and reliability of the PARENTS as an effective instrument for assessing the NTS of PGRs from the perspective of paediatric caregivers. With its demonstrated efficacy, medical educators can utilize PARENTS to pinpoint specific areas that require attention regarding the NTS of PGRs, thus facilitating targeted interventions for enhanced patient care outcomes.

The Outcome of Purse-string Versus Conventional Wound Closure Techniques in Patients Undergoing Stoma Reversal: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing stoma reversal may experience surgical site infections and poor scarring. A purse-string closure approach may lower the incidence of surgical site infections due to its inherent ability to drain wound exudates. This study compared the frequency of surgical site infections and the cosmetic outlook of the scar among patients undergoing stoma reversal with linear and purse-string skin closure techniques. SETTING AND DURATION: Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Child Health Sciences Lahore with a duration of one year (June 2021 to June 2022). METHODS: This randomized controlled trial (TCTR20210417001) was conducted with IRB approval. A total of 124 patients undergoing stoma reversal were randomly assigned to two groups (62 in each): Group A received conventional linear skin closure, while Group B received purse-string wound closure. The study evaluated surgical site infection, cosmetic outcome, and length of stay. RESULTS: Both groups had similar age, gender ratio, indication for surgery, and length of stay. The purse-string group had a significantly lower incidence of SSI (38.7 % vs. 14.5 %; p = 0.002) and better scar quality (Manchester scar scale showed 'good' scar quality in 63 % of patients vs. 22.6 % in the linear closure group, p-value <0.0001). CONCLUSION: The purse-string technique for skin closure resulted in fewer surgical site infections and improved scar appearance.

Intussusception risk following oral monovalent rotavirus vaccination in 3 Asian countries: A self-control case series evaluation.

Rotavirus vaccines have substantially decreased rotavirus hospitalizations in countries where they have been implemented. In some high- and middle-income countries, a low-level of increased risk of intussusception, a type of acute bowel obstruction, has been detected following rotavirus vaccination. However, no increased risk of intussusception was found in India, South Africa, or a network of 7 other African countries. We assessed the association between a 2-dose monovalent rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix) and intussusception in 3 early-adopter low-income Asian countries -- Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Children <12 months of age admitted to a sentinel surveillance hospital with Brighton level 1 intussusception were eligible for enrollment. We collected information about each child's vaccination status and used the self-controlled case series method to calculate the relative incidence of intussusception 1-7 days, 8-21 days, and 1-21 days following each dose of vaccine and derived confidence intervals with bootstrapping. Of the 585 children meeting the analytic criteria, the median age at intussusception symptom onset was 24 weeks (IQR: 19-29). Overall, 494 (84 %) children received the first Rotarix dose and 398 (68 %) received the second dose. There was no increased intussusception risk during any of the risk periods following the first (1-7 days: 1.01 (95 %CI: 0.39, 2.60); 8-21 days: 1.37 (95 %CI: 0.81, 2.32); 1-21 days: 1.28 (95 %CI: 0.78, 2.11)) or second (1-7 days: 0.81 (95 %CI: 0.42, 1.54); 8-21 days: 0.77 (95 %CI: 0.53, 1.16); 1-21 days: 0.78 (95 %CI: 0.53, 1.16)) rotavirus vaccine dose. Our findings are consistent with other data showing no increased intussusception risk with rotavirus vaccination in low-income countries and add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating safety of rotavirus vaccines.

Post-Hypospadias Repair Penile Score in Follow-Up Patients of Urethroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Hypospadias is described as the abnormal location of the urethral meatus upon the ventral surface of the penis with variable association with the abnormal development of the urethral spongiosum, ventral prepuce, and penile chordee. Numerous studies have utilized techniques like "Penile Perception Score (PPPS)," "Hypospadias Objective Scoring System (HOSE)," and "Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation Score (HOPE)" to evaluate the outcome after hypospadias repair, but there is a lack of evidence analyzing the utility of "Post-Hypospadias Repair Penile Score (PHRPS)." This study was carried out to assess PHRPS in children undergoing hypospadias repair. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the department of pediatric surgery, uni-II, The Children's Hospital and University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan from November 2020 to December 2021. All male children aged up to 12 years and planning to undergo hypospadias repair during the study period were included. The PHRPS system was used to assess the outcomes of hypospadias repair. Qualitative data were represented as frequency and percentage, while mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for quantitative data. RESULTS: During this period, a total of 37 children were treated for hypospadias. The mean age of the patients at the time of repair was 8.2±3.6 years, ranging between 1.5 years and 12 years. Out of 37 patients, 14 (37.8%) had penoscrotal hypospadias, while 12 (32.4%) had distal penile hypospadias. In terms of acute post-surgery complications, edema was reported in 9 (24.3%), bleeding 1 (2.7%), and surgical site infection 1 (2.7), while all of these were successfully managed conservatively. Seven patients were lost to follow-up, so they were excluded from the final analysis. On the basis of PHRPS scoring, 17 (56.7%) patients had excellent outcomes, 2 (6.7%) had good outcomes, 8 (26.7%) had acceptable outcomes, and 3 (10.0%) had poor outcomes. CONCLUSION: The PHRPS is a new but simple objective tool, facilitating surgical audit and balanced evaluation of the outcomes of traditional and innovative procedures. The outcome of hypospadias repair was generally found to be good.

Contrast Enema: Solving Diagnostic Dilemmas in Neonates With Lower Intestinal Obstruction.

Background Anatomical abnormalities leading to bowel movement failure are the major cause of intestinal obstruction. This study was done to assess the diagnostic efficacy of contrast enema in neonates with lower intestinal obstruction. Methodology This prospective study was conducted in The Children's Hospital and University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore from February 2021 to July 2021. Patients presenting with constipation, abdominal distension, vomiting, and unable to pass meconium, evaluated clinically and by X-rays, were included in the study. Patients with lower intestinal obstruction (i.e., meconium ileus, Hirschsprung's disease, ileal atresia, meconium plug syndrome, and small left colon) were given contrast enema (gastrografin) after hydration. The radiologist was blinded by the clinical diagnosis or reference standard diagnosis, which was labeled prior to image interpretation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for major contrast enema diagnosis. Results During this period, a total of 34 patients were included in the study. The mean age of presentation was 72.0 ± 24 hours. There were 21 (61.8%) boys and 13 (38.2%) girls, representing a male to female ratio of 1.7:1. In four cases, our diagnosis on the basis of contrast enema was proven wrong. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of Hirschsprung's disease were found to be 93.3%, 50%, 87.5%, and 66.7%, while these were 84.6%, 66.7%, 91.7%, and 50.0%, respectively, for meconium ileus. Conclusion The diagnostic efficacy of contrast enema was found to be good in neonates with lower intestinal obstruction. The spectrum of intestinal obstruction among neonates shows diversity while contrast enema seems to play a major role in the identification and remodeling of the diagnostic plan in a major proportion of cases.

Sutured Versus Sutureless Enterostomies: An Alternative Technique in Critically Sick Neonates.

Background and objective Intestinal perforations and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) requiring the formation of temporary intestinal stoma are prevalent conditions worldwide. This prospective study aimed to address the following research question: does sutureless enterostomy lead to fewer complications compared to conventional enterostomy in critically sick surgical neonates who need a stoma? Methods We conducted a randomized control trial (TCTR20211011004) from October 2020 to October 2021. A total of 120 patients were randomized to the following two study groups: Group A: conventional sutured enterostomy; Group B: sutureless enterostomy, with 60 patients in each group. The operative time, complications, and mortality were compared between the two groups using the chi-squared test. Results The groups were comparable with respect to the mean age at presentation, gestational age, weight, and sex ratio. In Group A, the main operative diagnoses were NEC in 22 patients, pneumoperitoneum in 25, complicated meconium ileus in nine, bowel atresia in three, and midgut volvulus in one; while in Group B, 25 patients had NEC, 20 had pneumoperitoneum, eight had meconium ileus, two had bowel atresia, and five had midgut volvulus. The mean operative time (93.5 ± 28.71 minutes) was significantly longer in the conventional group compared to the sutureless group (52.08 ± 18.53 minutes). Oral feed was started significantly earlier in the sutureless stoma group. Mortality was 43.3% in Group A and 46.6% in Group B. Complication rate was significantly higher in sutured stoma group. Conclusion The management of critically sick neonates, especially those with NEC and intestinal perforation, still presents a surgical dilemma. Based on our findings, the sutureless enterostomy may reduce operative time and complications in critically sick neonates.

Mesenteric Lipoma with Volvulus: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen in a Child.

Lipoma is benign tumor of mature fat cells and is reported to develop anywhere in the body, e.g. trunk and extremities; however, lipoma in the mesentery of gut is rare, particularly in children. Mesenteric lipomas may be asymptomatic or may present with acute abdomen by leading to volvulus of gut. We report a 6-year female with intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large mesenteric lipoma in the mesentery of small bowel causing volvulus of ileum. Lipoma was excised and postoperative recovery remained uneventful both in the hospital and on subsequent follow up. We believe mesenteric lipoma should be considered as a cause of volvulus and in differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in children. Key Words:  Mesentery, Lipoma, Volvulus, Ileum, Intestinal obstruction.

Correction to: 14 Years' experience of esophageal replacement surgeries.

The quality of the images published in the original version was not satisfactory. The better version images are provided below.

Gastrointestinal trichobezoar: An experience with 17 cases.

BACKGROUND: Trichobezoar is an exceedingly rare entity in children and mimics other chronic ailments such as abdominal tuberculosis or malignancy. Delayed diagnosis and management result in various complications. The study was conducted to describe our experience with 17 consecutive cases of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) trichobezoars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 17 consecutive cases of GIT trichobezoar managed in our department between January 2005 and December 2018. RESULTS: There were 3 males and 14 females. The median age of presentation was 7 years. Fifteen patients (88%) presented with abdominal pain and vomiting, while 8 (47%) had abdominal distension. Seven (41%) patients developed complications secondary to the GIT trichobezoar (intussusception and gangrene in 1, small bowel obstruction in 4, gastric perforation and massive bleeding per rectum in 1, acute transient pancreatitis and hypertension in 1). At operation, 9 (54%) patients had Rapunzel syndrome, 6 (35%) had gastric trichobezoar, and 2 (12%) had small bowel trichobezoars. One patient presented with massive bleeding per rectum and gastric perforation, succumbed postoperatively. One patient developed a recurrent trichobezoar. CONCLUSION: GIT trichobezoar is rare in children and simulates chronic gastrointestinal ailments. Trichobezoars may reside in the alimentary tract, remain unnoticed for years, and become overt with the onset of complications. The majority of trichobezoars had a tail in our series. Life threatening complications can occur with delayed presentations. TYPE OF STUDY: Case series. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

14 Years' experience of esophageal replacement surgeries.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal replacement is a challenge to the therapeutic skills of surgeons and a technically demanding operation in the pediatric age group. Various conduits and routes have been described in the literature, each with their specific advantages and disadvantages. We carried out this retrospective study to share our experience of esophageal replacement. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted at the department of pediatric surgery The Children's Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore. The records of patients treated for esophageal replacement were reviewed. The patients under follow-up were called for clinical evaluation and assessed of long terms complications if any. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients with esophageal replacement were included in the study. Esophageal replacement was done with gastric transposition in 84 cases (90%), colon interposition in 7 cases (7.5%) including one case of redo colonic interposition, and jejunal interposition in 2 cases (2%). Routes of esophageal replacement were trans-hiatal in 71 (76%), retrosternal in 13 (14%), and trans-hiatal with thoracotomy in 9 (10%) patients. Postoperatively, all of the conduits maintained viability. Wound infection was seen in 10 (11%), wound dehiscence in 5 (5%), anastomotic leak in 9 (10%), anastomotic stenosis in 12 (13%), fistula formation in 4 (4%), aortic injury 1 (1%), dumping syndrome 8 (9%), reflux 18 (19%), dysphagia 15 (16%) and death occurred in 12 patients (13%). CONCLUSION: There are problems with esophageal replacement in developing countries. In this context, gastric conduit appeared as the best conduit for esophageal replacement, using the trans-hiatal route for replacement, in the authors' experience.

Gastric teratoma: Our 17 year experience.

BACKGROUND: Teratomas originating from the stomach are extremely rare and account for less than 1% of all cases of teratomas. This site of occurrence has unique diagnostic and management issues. METHODS: A single centre case-record review of gastric teratomas presenting between January 2000 and April 2017 was performed. RESULTS: Thirteen children were found to have gastric teratomas. Presenting features were abdominal distension in 12 (92%) and palpable abdominal mass in 9 (69%). At operation, 8 (61%) were exogastric tumors. The tumor was excised with partial gastrectomy (n=7, 54%), total gastrectomy (n=1, 8%), partial gastrectomy and limited transverse colectomy (n=2, 15%), and excision of small part of serosa (mucosal sparing) (n=3, 23%). Histopathologically, these were identified as mature gastric teratomas in 8 (61%). Three (23%) children died postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Gastric teratomas are rare, with the majority described as exogastric. Partial gastrectomy is always needed, but occasionally complete gastrectomy is necessary. Overall survival is >75% in our experience. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

A Rare Fetal Firearm Injury.

Firearm injury (FAI) in pregnant women is reported in the literature; however, no reference to date was found to address the neonatal abdominal surgery performed after maternal FAI. FAI during fetal life is extremely rare and very few cases have been reported. We present a report of a 37-week gestation newborn whose mother had an accidental FAI. The neonate was delivered by emergency caesarian section along with emergency laparotomy of the newborn. The baby presented at eight hours of life, who was managed surgically in emergency for multiple small and large bowel perforations and a piece of bullet was recovered from anterior part of thigh.

Ingested Metallic Spool: A Rare Cause of Acquired Tracheoesophageal Fistula.

Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common problem in children. Prolonged impaction of FB in esophagus may result in tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). A 6-year-old girl presented with progressive dysphagia and recurrent chest infections. No history of FB ingestion was given by parents. Further investigations revealed FB (spool) in cervical esophagus. Patient was successfully managed by surgery through trans-cervical approach.

Allgrove Syndrome: Adrenal Insufficiency with Hypertensive Encephalopathy.

Allgrove syndrome or triple-Asyndrome is a rare familial multisystem autosomal recessive disorder. It is characterised by triad of alacrima, achalasia and adrenal insufficiency due to adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) resistance. If it is associated with autonomic dysfunction, it is termed as 4-Asyndrome. This syndrome is caused by a mutation in the Achalasia - Addisonism - Alacrima (AAAS) gene on chromosome 12q13 encoding the nuclear pore protein ALADIN. A5-year boy presented with history of fits and altered sensorium for one day. He also had increased pigmentation of body and persistent vomiting since six months of age. Laboratory investigations and imaging revealed alacrimia, achalasia and adrenal insufficiency due to ACTH resistance. He had episodes of hypertensive crises, for which he was thoroughly investigated and it was found to be due to autonomic instability. Based on clinical findings and investigations he was diagnosed as case of Allgrove syndrome or 4-Asyndrome with autonomic dysfunction.

ROLE OF DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY IN EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF CHRONIC ABDOMINAL PAIN IN CHILDREN.

BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal Pain in children is a very common cause of hospital admission. Many of them are discharged without a diagnosis even after battery of investigations. Laparoscopy plays a significant role in diagnosis and management of many causes of acute and chronic abdominal pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of laparoscopy as an efficient diagnostic and management tool in children with chronic abdominal pain. METHODS: A descriptive, prospective case series was collected in the department of Paediatric surgery Mayo's Hospital Lahore, over the period of 5 years between Jan 2007-Dec 2013. The data of consecutive 50 patients, who were admitted in the department with the diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain, was recorded. All patients who had 2-3 admissions in hospital for last 2 months and failed to establish a definitive diagnosis after clinical examination and base line investigations underwent laparoscopy. The details of associated symptoms, finding of laparoscopy, laparoscopic procedures done, definitive diagnosis, histopathology, complications and relief of symptoms were collected and analysed and results were evaluated using SPSS-17. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients studies, 27/50 (54%) were male, 23/50 (46%) were female. Age ranged from 2-12 years, with the mean age of 7.24 year. Tuberculosis abdomen, adhesions, mesenteric lymphadenitis, appendicitis and cholecystitis were the final diagnosis. Five abdomens were found normal on laparoscopy. Complete pain relief was achieved in 30/50 (60%), reduced intensity of pain was gained in 12/50 (24%) cases while 16% (8/50) still complained of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an efficient diagnostic and treatment tool in children with chronic unexplained abdominal pain. It avoids serial examinations; prolong admission, battery of investigations and unnecessary surgeries.

Multiple singing magnet ingestion leading to pressure necrosis of the small bowel.

Multiple Magnet ingestion may cause a number of sinister complications. We report a case of multiple singing magnets ingestion by a 2-year-old girl resulting in intestinal obstruction and pressure necrosis of the small bowel. A bunch of seven magnets present in the small bowel was removed operatively.

Our experience with unusual gastrointestinal tract duplications in infants.

BACKGROUND: Classical duplications may present along any part of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) from mouth to anus. Atypical or unusual rare varieties of GIT duplications may also occur, but with different anatomical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed our 5-year record (February 2008-January 2013) to describe clinical profile of unusual GIT duplications in neonates and small infants. RESULTS: Three patients with atypical variety of GIT duplications were managed in our department during this tenure. Two were females and one male. Age was ranged between 11 days and 2 months. All patients presented with massive abdominal distension causing respiratory embarrassment in two of them. In all patients, the pre-operative differential diagnoses also included GIT duplication cysts. Computerized tomography (CT) scan showed single huge cyst in one and multiple cysts in two patients. In one patient the CT scan also depicted a thoracic cyst in relation to posterior mediastinum. At operation, one patient had colonic tubular duplication cyst along with another isolated duplication cyst, the second case had a tubular duplication cyst of ileum with its segmental dilatation, and in the third case two isolated duplications were found. Duplication cysts were excised along with mucosal stripping in one patient, cyst excision and intestinal resection and anastomosis in one patient, and only cysts excision in one. All patients did well post-operatively. CONCLUSION: We presented unusual GIT duplications. These duplications are managed on similar lines as classical duplications with good prognosis when dealt early.

Congenital hairy polyp of posterior tonsillar pillar.

Congenital hairy polyps are exceedingly rare congenital anomalies. We report a case of congenital hairy polyp arising from posterior tonsillar pillar which was excised with bipolar cautry.