Early diagnosis and treatment for intussusception in children is mandatory.

INTRODUCTION: In some cases, surgical treatment is necessary to manage intussusception despite advances in enema reduction. The purpose of this study was to analyse treatment in two tertiary referral university centres for paediatric surgery to identify time-related factors influencing treatment of intussusception. METHODS: This was a retrospective two-centre chart review, performed for all patients under the age of 16 years who underwent treatment for intussusception during the period from 2005 to 2015. Demographic data and data on different time intervals from symptom debut to end of treatment and compliacations were retrieved from the medical record. RESULTS: A total of 158 children were included. Non-surgical reduction was used as the primary treatment modality in 48% and intussusception was successfully reduced in 32% of these cases. The non-surgical success rate was found to be significantly higher when the diagnosis was confirmed within four hours of hospitalisation (p = 0.003). A lower rate of bowel resection was observed when the diagnosis was confirmed within four hours of hospitalisation (p = 0.026) and treatment was initiated within six hours of hospitalisation (p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a relatively low utilisation rate for enema reduction and an overall low enema success rate. The success rate of enema was significantly higher and the intestinal resection rate lower when the diagnosis was confirmed within four hours of hospitalisation, which underpins the importance of a quick and timely diagnosis. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Laparoscopy to Assist Surgical Decisions Related to Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Neonates.

Aim of the Study: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease that mainly affects preterm infants. Despite advancements in neonatal care, mortality of NEC remains high and controversies exist regarding the most appropriate time for surgical intervention and challenging of diagnosing NEC. Using a pig model of NEC, we aimed to examine if laparoscopy is feasible for diagnosis of NEC. Methods: Preterm caesarean-delivered piglets (n = 42) were fed with increasing amounts of infant formula up to 5 days to induce NEC. On days 3-5, we examined the intestine by laparoscopy under general anesthesia. The bowel was examined by tilting the pigs from supine position to the left and right side. Macroscopic NEC lesions were identified and graded according to a macroscopic scoring system, then a laparotomy was performed to rule out any organ injury and missed NEC lesions. Results: Visible NEC lesions (scores 4-6) were found in 26% (11/42) of the piglets. A positive predictive value of 100% was found for laparoscopy as a diagnostic marker of NEC in both colon and the small intestine. One piglet had a higher NEC score in the small intestine found at laparotomy, than at laparoscopy, resulting in a sensitivity of 67%, and a specificity of 100% for the small intestine. Conversely, both the sensitivity and specificity for colon was 100%. Acceptable levels of agreement was found, with minimal proportional bias in both colon and the small intestine for laparoscopy and laparotomy. Ultrasound examination had a lower sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 63%. All piglets were respiratory and circulatory stable during the procedure. Conclusions: In preterm piglets, laparoscopy is a feasible tool to diagnose NEC with a high positive predictive value and a high specificity.

Reproducibility and Reliability of Repeated Quantitative Fluorescence Angiography.

INTRODUCTION: When using fluorescence angiography (FA) in perioperative perfusion assessment, repeated measures with re-injections of fluorescent dye (ICG) may be required. However, repeated injections may cause saturation of dye in the tissue, exceeding the limit of fluorescence intensity that the camera can detect. As the emission of fluorescence is dependent of the excitatory light intensity, reduction of this may solve the problem. The aim of the present study was to investigate the reproducibility and reliability of repeated quantitative FA during a reduction of excitatory light.

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging to Evaluate Bowel Lesions in Neonates with NEC.

Background Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most frequent surgical emergency in newborns. Intestinal ischemia is considered a factor that precedes the development of NEC lesions. Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) can be used to assess tissue microcirculation. We evaluated if LSCI may help to detect intestinal regions with reduced microcirculation in NEC. Case Report A male patient (gestational age, 26 [3/7] weeks; birth weight, 600 g) showed clinical signs of NEC 28 days after birth. X-ray revealed pneumatosis intestinalis and portal gas. Laparotomy showed NEC lesions with signs of transmural ischemia in the terminal ileum and cecum. Surgical resection lines (RLs) were marked, followed by LSCI measurements and resection of the bowel between the two RLs. Post hoc LSCI analyses were conducted on both sides of the proximal and distal RL. Low-flux values, indicating reduced microcirculation, were found in the macroscopically assessed necrotic bowel at the proximal RL, whereas higher flux values, indicating sufficient microcirculation, were found in the macroscopically assessed normal bowel. Discussion This study is the first description of intra-abdominal use of LSCI to evaluate tissue microcirculation in relation to NEC lesions. LSCI could be a valuable tool to distinguish between ischemic and nonischemic bowel in neonates undergoing surgery for NEC.