Promoting Firearm Injury Prevention and Advocacy as Pediatric Surgeons: A Call to Action From the APSA/AAP Advocacy Committee.

Firearm injuries have become the leading cause of death among American children. Here we review the scope of the problem, and the pivotal role pediatric surgeons have in preventing pediatric firearm injury. Specific methods for screening and counseling are reviewed, as well as how to overcome barriers. Community and hospital resources as well as organizational efforts are discussed. Finally, a path for surgeon advocacy is outlined as is a call to action for the pediatric surgeon, as we are uniquely poised to identify pediatric patients and deliver timely interventions to reduce the impact of firearm violence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Discordance of the pediatric surgeon's intraoperative assessment of pediatric appendicitis with the pathologists report.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The nature and duration of postoperative treatment in children with appendicitis is largely defined by the surgeon's intraoperative assessment of the degree of disease. Therefore, misclassification of patients could result in either inadequate or excessive duration of treatment. MATERIALS/METHODS: During the execution of an institutional review board-approved multicenter, randomized, prospective, single-blinded trial of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in children, we tracked the attending pediatric surgeon's determination of the degree of appendicitis and compared it to the pathologists report. Postoperative care was determined, per protocol, by the surgeon's intraoperative classification. "Interval" appendectomies were excluded from the analysis. Statistical significance was analyzed using chi(2) analyses. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients were randomized into the open group, whereas 122 randomized to laparoscopy during the first 2 years of the study. The attending pediatric surgeons and pathologists were concordant in the determination of acute appendicitis in 90% of open patients and 93% of laparoscopic patients (P = not significant). When children were classified by the attending surgeon as having complicated appendicitis (gangrenous or ruptured), the concordance rate dropped to 38% and 52%, respectively (P = not significant). When open and laparoscopic patients were combined, the length of postoperative stay (LOS) of concordantly classified acute appendicitis patients was 35 +/- 16 hours. Concordantly classified complicated appendicitis LOS was 118 +/- 61 hours, and discordantly classified complicated appendicitis (pathology = acute) LOS was 85 +/- 41 hours (P = .01). Wound infection rates in the concordant and discordant "complicated" appendicitis groups were 23% and 7%, respectively (P = .05). When the surgeons are grouped as "junior"(n = 2) and "senior" (n = 3), there is a trend toward greater concordance in the latter group (P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: In the 2 institutions studied, the 5 pediatric surgeon's intraoperative classification of appendicitis correlated with the pathologist's reading in a high percentage of those patients labeled "acute" but in only approximately one half of those defined as "complicated." These phenomena are independent of the operative approach but may correlate with surgeon experience. Interventions to improve the timeliness of pathologic diagnosis may improve the accuracy and efficiency of care of pediatric appendicitis.

Analysis of 29 consecutive thoracoscopic repairs of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in neonates compared to historical controls.

PURPOSE: The applicability of minimally invasive surgical techniques to pediatric surgical diseases continues to grow. Surgeons have hesitated to apply these methods to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) of Bochdalek because of the disease-associated pulmonary hypertension and patient fragility. We began performing thoracoscopic repair (CDH-T) in 2004 and have since completed 29 sequential repairs. To evaluate feasibility and outcomes, we compared this experience to a historical control group who underwent open repair (CDH-O) at the same institution by the same surgeons from 2001 to 2004. METHODS: From January 2001 through November 2007, 72 neonates were evaluated jointly by the Neonatology and Pediatric Surgical services for CDH. Fifteen infants died before any corrective operation and were excluded from analysis. Demographics including gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, percent outborn, usage of extracorporeal life support, and associated anomalies were recorded. End points were complications, additional operative procedures, initial patch closure, recurrence, length of stay in non-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients, and postoperative mortality. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. There were no statistically significant differences in complications (71.5% vs 55%, P = .28), additional related operative procedures (42.9% vs 34.5%, P = .59), use of prosthetic patch (42.8% vs 51.7%, P = .60), recurrence (6.9% vs 20.7%, P = .25), length of stay (24 vs 34 days, P = .11), or postoperative mortality (21.4% vs 6.9%, P = .14) between the CDH-O and CDH-T groups, respectively. There was one conversion in the CDH-T group (3.4%). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest reported series of CDH-T of neonatal CDH of Bochdalek. We have demonstrated the feasibility of performing this procedure thoracoscopically in an unselected population including children who have undergone prior extracorporeal life support. These results compare favorably with CDH-O, although further follow-up is required to determine the durability of the approach.

Laparoscopic inversion and ligation inguinal hernia repair in girls.

Inguinal hernia repair is one on the most frequently performed operative procedures in pediatric surgery. The technique of high ligation of the hernia sac has been described for over a century and has proven to be a highly effective and durable repair. Several laparoscopic repairs have been described but, at least in boys, all of them have a slightly higher recurrence rate. This may be due to the fact that they leave an intact sac that has been sutured closed. We describe a technique in girls in which the sac is grasped, inverted, and then ligated with an endoloop. This technique is simple and can be performed quickly. Using 3-mm instruments without trocars minimizes the length of the incisions and postoperative pain is almost nonexistent. Furthermore, with the addition of the leash technique, dissection of an adherent ovary can be done without damaging the sac. We have performed this procedure in over 30 patients and have had no recurrences. We believe that this could become the laparoscopic repair of choice in females with inguinal hernias.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with a Nuss bar--a case report and review of the literature.

Pectus excavatum (PE) is a common chest wall deformity that may produce a variety of physiological and psychological effects in children and adolescents. In addition, some of these patients have associated cardiac diseases (ie, mitral valve prolapse and Marfan syndrome). Recently, a minimally invasive surgical repair of PE that requires sternal bar placement has become increasingly frequent to enhance patients' cardiopulmonary functioning as well as their self-esteem. However, despite this innovative technique, it is possible for such patients to have a cardiac arrest while their sternal bar is in place. Whether the presence of a metal bar on the underside of their sternum may hinder resuscitative chest compressions (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an issue that concerns us, our patients, and their families; the answer requires further investigation. We present a 21-year-old man with PE who underwent a minimally invasive pectus repair but had a fatal cardiac event before bar removal. Paramedics conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the patient later reported that they were unable to deliver effective cardiac compressions and that the sternal bar may have contributed to this.

Miniature access pectus excavatum repair: Lessons we have learned.

BACKGROUND: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest well deformity seen in children. In 1997, the Miniature Access Pectus Excavatum repair (MAPER) was presented by Nuss et al, adding a new option for PE repair. This operation entails placing a custom bent metal bar across the chest to mechanically raise the sternum and remodel the cartilage. The authors have added modifications to Nuss' original description of this operation in an attempt to optimize technique, minimize complications, and improve outcomes. METHODS: The authors have performed 52 MAPERs with an average operating time of 106 minutes, average length of stay of 3.9 days, and return to normal activities of 2 to 6 weeks. Modifications to Nuss' original description include preoperative evaluation consisting of an echocardiogram and pulmonary function tests (PFTs; with and without exercise and with and without bronchodilators), abandoning the use of routine preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, the use of unilateral positive pressure insufflation of the hemithorax to provide visualization, and anesthesia using an epidural pain catheter (intraoperative and postoperative for 3 days). Intraoperatively, we use a 70 degrees thoracoscope for optimal visualization, and we have modified their location for optimal visualization. Additionally, the bars are secured with surgical wire, not absorbable suture, to avoid bar slippage. RESULTS: Postoperatively, we leave our bars in for 3 years and have had no recurrences. Furthermore, these patients require significant support during the time their bars are in place and occasionally require reoperation to fix symptomatic problems with their bar. CONCLUSIONS: Since the first description of the MAPER was presented more than 5 years ago, the operative treatment of PE has changed dramatically. The authors feel that the MAPER is superior to the open technique, and with the modifications they have implemented, complications have been minimized, and long-term results have been improved.

Pulmonary function and exercise response in patients with pectus excavatum after Nuss repair.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The Ravitch repair of pectus excavatum removes segments of abnormal costal cartilages after which the sternum is elevated and stabilized. Some investigators have found a worsening in total lung capacity postoperatively. Recently, a technique has been used in which the costal cartilages are preserved, and the sternum is elevated with an internal steel bar (Nuss repair). The authors hypothesized that placement of a substernal bar in the first stage of the Nuss repair will not adversely affect pulmonary and exercise function. METHODS: Patients who presented to the Children's Hospital of Buffalo for surgical repair of pectus excavatum from June 1997 through June 2000 underwent pulmonary function and exercise testing before and 6 to 12 months after the first stage of a Nuss repair. RESULTS: Ten patients were studied (all boys; mean age at operative repair, 13.4 +/- 3 years). Mean baseline pulmonary function was normal, and no significant differences were seen before and after placement of the intrathoracic bar. Peak oxygen consumption was near normal, although work at VO2max was less than predicted (mean, 68.2% before v. 71.8% after surgery). V(E) was below normal and Vt/FVC was below the expected 50% to 60% level both before and after surgery (41.3% +/- 3 SE and 41.6% +/- 3 SE pre- and postoperatively, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Placement of a substernal steel bar in the first stage of the Nuss procedure for repair of pectus excavatum does not cause adverse effects on either static pulmonary function or on the ventilatory response to exercise.

Diagnosing Hirschsprung's disease: increasing the odds of a positive rectal biopsy result.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Rectal biopsies are performed as a definitive means of diagnosing Hirschsprung's Disease (HD) in children presenting with constipation. The authors hypothesized that key features in the history, physical examination, and radiographic evaluation would allow us to avoid unnecessary rectal biopsies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing rectal biopsy between 1995 and 2001. Patients with HD were identified (n = 50), and a concurrent cohort of patients with idiopathic constipation (IC; n = 50) was selected. Pertinent features in patients with HD versus those with IC were cross tabulated using Pearson Chi2 testing (significance was P <.05). RESULTS: Sixty percent of patients with HD and 15% of patients with IC experienced onset of symptoms in the first week of life. HD patients more frequently experienced delayed passage of meconium (P <.05), abdominal distension (P <.05), vomiting (P <.05), and transition zone on contrast enema (P <.05). All patients with HD had one or more of these significant features. In contrast, only 64% of patients with IC had one or more of these features. The classic triad of symptoms (ie, delayed passage of meconium, vomiting, and abdominal distension) was present in 18%, and one or more of these symptoms was present in 98% of HD patients. In contrast, only 60% of patients with IC had a history of delayed passage of meconium, vomiting, or abdominal distension. CONCLUSIONS: A history of delayed passage of meconium, abdominal distension, vomiting or the results of a contrast enema identified all patients with HD and excluded HD in approximately 36% of patients with idiopathic constipation. The authors have shown that key features in a patient's history, physical examination, and radiologic evaluation can differentiate between HD and IC. In a child presenting with constipation and none of the above features, it is not necessary to perform a rectal biopsy to exclude HD.

Presence of the M-type sPLA(2) receptor on neutrophils and its role in elastase release and adhesion.

Secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) produces lipids that stimulate polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). With the discovery of sPLA(2) receptors (sPLA(2)-R), we hypothesize that sPLA(2) stimulates PMNs through a receptor. Scatchard analysis was used to determine the presence of a sPLA(2) ligand. Lysates were probed with an antibody to the M-type sPLA(2)-R, and the immunoreactivity was localized. PMNs were treated with active and inactive (+EGTA) sPLA(2) (1-100 units of enzyme activity/ml, types IA, IB, and IIA), and elastase release and PMN adhesion were measured. PMNs incubated with inactive, FITC-linked sPLA(2)-IB, but not sPLA(2)-IA, demonstrated the presence of a sPLA(2)-R with saturation at 2.77 fM and a K(d) of 167 pM. sPLA(2)-R immunoreactivity was present at 185 kDa and localized to the membrane. Inactive sPLA(2)-IB activated p38 MAPK, and p38 MAPK inhibition attenuated elastase release. Active sPLA(2)-IA caused elastase release, but inactive type IA did not. sPLA(2)-IB stimulated elastase release independent of activity; inactive sPLA(2)-IIA partially stimulated PMNs. sPLA(2)-IB and sPLA(2)-IIA caused PMN adhesion. We conclude that PMNs contain a membrane M-type sPLA(2)-R that activates p38 MAPK.