Dual versus Triple Antibiotics Regimen in Children with Perforated Acute Appendicitis.

INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis is the most common emergency condition in pediatric surgery. Historically, a triple-antibiotic therapy consisted of ampicillin, gentamicin, and clindamycin has been used postoperatively for perforated appendicitis. According to recently published trials, dual therapy consists of ceftriaxone and metronidazole only, offers a more efficient and cost-effective antibiotic management compared with triple therapy. Based on these results, our department applied dual antibiotic therapy for children with perforated appendicitis that underwent appendectomy from 2009 and forth. AIM: The aim of our study was to compare postoperative outcomes between patients treated with triple therapy (ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole) (group A) versus dual therapy (ceftriaxone and metronidazole) (group B). METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected by review of the medical records for all children who underwent appendectomy for the perforated appendix at the Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, a tertiary pediatric care center between 2007 and 2011. Children with perforated appendicitis received antibiotic therapy in accordance with the hospital's guidelines that were valid at the time the surgery took place. In the first period (years 2007-2009) (group A) a triad of ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole and the second period (2009-2011) (group B) dual therapy consists of ceftriaxone and metronidazole. The two groups were compared for outcome and complications, such as wound infections, changing of antibiotic therapy, and length of stay. RESULTS: During the study period 1,203 patients underwent an appendectomy. Of these, 175 patients were diagnosed with perforated appendix and were treated with postoperative antibiotic's regimen. Group A and group B consisted of 89 and 86 patients, respectively. The two groups were not different significantly in terms of demographic data, length of stay, or readmission rates. However, more rates of wound infection and changing of antibiotic therapy were seen in group B, although not statistically significant (p = 0.064). CONCLUSION: Dual antibiotic therapy for perforated appendicitis is a cost-effective and efficient mode of therapy compared with triple-antibiotic's regimen. However, prospective studies are required to determine whether this policy is associated with higher rates of wound infections and change in antibiotic therapy.

Anorectal injuries in children: a 20-year experience in two centers.

INTRODUCTION: Anorectal injuries in children are not frequently reported and their management is challenging. This report reviews the experience in managing this type of injuries in two medical centers over 20 years. METHODS: An institutional database search for patients who were treated for anorectal injuries between 1994 and 2015 was undertaken. Twenty cases were located and medical records reviewed. This study was conducted with institutional review board approval (#572-14). RESULTS: There were 6 girls and 14 boys with ages ranging between 1 and 15 years (mean 7 years). Eleven patients sustained penetrating trauma, while nine sustained blunt trauma. The mechanism of injury was variable and associated injuries were more common in blunt trauma. Most common presenting symptoms were rectal bleeding (n = 12) and anal pain (n = 11), followed by abdominal pain in six patients. Eighteen anorectal injuries were extraperitoneal and two intraperitoneal. Among patients with extraperitoneal injuries, 12/18 were managed by primary repair with (6) or without (6) fecal diversion and 2/18 by wound irrigation and drainage with fecal diversion and delayed repair. Four patients had superficial anal and perineal injuries that were irrigated and left to heal by secondary intention. Two patients with intraperitoneal rectal injuries underwent primary repair with fecal diversion. Follow-up period ranged from 2 weeks to 8 years (mean 2 years). There were three cases of wound infection, one case of suture line leak requiring reoperation and one case of vesicorectal fistula in a patient with combined trauma of the rectum and urinary bladder. There was no mortality. Fecal continence was preserved in all patients available for follow-up evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Primary repair of the perineal wound and anal sphincters can be performed safely in most cases given hemodynamic stability. Fecal diversion should be saved for cases with severe perineal involvement or cases with substantial associated injuries and concern of gross contamination.

Compliance with surgical antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines in pediatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) guidelines balance the need to prevent infection with the risks of adverse drug effects. Our aim was to assess compliance with AP guidelines. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in a pediatric medical center. Included were patients aged 0 to 18 years that underwent clean-contaminated surgery during a 1-year period (2008-2009) and required AP. Compliance with four AP bundle guidelines was evaluated. Risk factors for noncompliance were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: AP was given to 239 of 247 (96.8%) of patients. Complete compliance with AP guidelines was achieved in 16 of 247 (6.5%) patients. Compliance with guidelines for appropriate antibiotic, drug dose, correct timing, and treatment duration were found in 97.1, 52.2, 31.9, and 35.9% of patients, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that inappropriate timing was associated with age ≥ 4 years (p = 0.002), urgent surgery (p = 0.0018), surgical department AP administration (p = 0.0001), and night-time surgery (p = 0.015). Incorrect AP dose was associated with presence of comorbidities (p = 0.006). No risk factor was related to incorrect AP duration. CONCLUSIONS: We have found a low rate of full compliance with AP guidelines. AP should only be given in the operating room. Increased awareness to AP guidelines is needed.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome: risk of malignancy and timing of surgery in a paediatric and adolescent population.

BACKGROUND: Management of female phenotype XY disorders poses a series of problems for the treating clinician. Even after a series of investigations and imaging modalities, there are lingering doubts about the exact nature of the disease and the correct management option. Optimal timing and necessity for removal of their testes have been a debated issue by physicians. There is a generally accepted opinion among physicians that the risk of malignancy in androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is considerably lower than with other intersex disorders and occurs at a later age. OBJECTIVE: The highlight of this presentation is to reinforce the value of laparoscopic gonadectomy in management of AIS in correlation with data suggesting higher risk of malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 11 phenotypic females with XY karyotype was carried out. The patients were evaluated by a diagnostic protocol which included clinical, hormonal, sonographic and cytogenetic examinations. Patients/parents were counselled by the team concerning the different treatment modalities and contrary to the assigned gender, laparoscopy was offered to them. Uneventful bilateral gonadectomy was performed in all the patients and gonads submitted for histopathological examination. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients (mean age, 10.4 ± 4.1 years), including six with complete AIS and five with partial AIS (PAIS) were reviewed. In two patients with PAIS (18.1%), histopathology revealed malignancy (bilateral seminoma and gonadoblastoma) and in an additional patient, a benign hamartoma was found. Literature evidence suggests that AIS female phenotype patients retaining their testes through puberty have a 5% chance for developing malignant tumours. Reviewing our results in correlation with literature, we found that PAIS patients may harbour a higher risk of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: In complementation to hormonal tests and cytogenetic techniques, laparoscopic gonadectomy is required to complete the diagnostic work up for AIS as it also adds a final therapeutic approach with low risk and huge benefit. Since laparoscopy is now a well-tolerated and widely accepted gold standard, it should be included in routine management for patients with AIS. Risk of malignancy in PAIS should be investigated in larger cohort of these patients.

Meatotomy using local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia with or without penile block in children: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: Meatotomy is a simple, common procedure for the treatment of meatal stenosis. We compared the outcomes of meatotomy performed using local anesthesia and sedation, and general anesthesia with and without penile block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective comparative design was used. Participants included 76 boys 1.5 to 10 years old treated for meatal stenosis at a tertiary, university affiliated, pediatric medical center in 2008. Children were randomly allocated to undergo surgery with sedation and local anesthesia, or general anesthesia with or without penile block. All procedures were performed with the same method by the same surgeon. For local anesthesia EMLA 5% cream (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) covered with an occlusive dressing was applied 1 hour preoperatively, and midazolam (in patients younger than 5 years) or nitrous oxide (older than 5 years) was used for sedation. General anesthesia was induced with inhaled sevoflurane, and ropivacaine was used for dorsal penile nerve block. RESULTS: There was no difference among the groups in pain level intraoperatively (no pain in 92% to 93% of patients), 24 hours postoperatively (no pain in 81% to 88%) or after 1 month, or in complication rates (bleeding in 3 patients, laryngospasm in 2). General anesthesia with penile block was associated with a trend of less dysuria. Quality of void was excellent in 87% of patients at 24 hours and in 70% at 1 month, and parental satisfaction was high (88% to 92%). CONCLUSIONS: Meatotomy performed using local anesthesia and sedation has an equally good outcome to meatotomy performed using general anesthesia with or without penile block.

A case study of virilizing adrenal tumor in an adolescent female elite tennis player--insight into the use of anabolic steroids in young athletes.

A 14-year-old Caucasian girl was referred to the endocrine clinic for evaluation of voice deepening, facial hirsutism, and acne starting 2 years previously. She had been a competitive tennis player since age 7 years, practicing for 4-6 hours daily. On physical examination she was noticed to have a masculine appearance with mild facial acne and moderate hirsutism. Tanner stage was 1 for breast tissue and 5 for pubic hair. Her androgen levels (testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) were extremely elevated. Adrenal ultrasonography revealed a round left 4.6 × 5.3-cm adrenal mass. Laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed. The histologic findings were compatible with a benign adrenocortical tumor. Postoperatively, androgen levels dropped to within the normal range. Breast development proceeded normally, menarche occurred 2 months after tumor resection, and menses has been regular since then. Muscle strength of the dominant and nondominant upper and lower extremities was measured 1 month before surgery and 1 year later, using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Systems II, Biodex, Shirley, NY, USA). There was no significant decrease in overall muscle strength after removal of the virilizing tumor and the marked drop in circulating androgens. In addition, the patient maintained her age category, number 1, national tennis ranking. The results suggest that even extremely high levels of tumor-related circulating androgens had no evident effect on muscle strength and competitive performance in a female adolescent tennis player. The lack of beneficial effect on performance in adolescents, combined with the potentially hazardous side effects of anabolic steroids, suggests that teenage athletes should avoid their use.

The 16 golden hours for conservative treatment in children with postoperative small bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Conservative treatment of postoperative small bowel obstruction in children is widely accepted, provided that there are no clinical signs of bowel strangulation. However, the length of time surgery can be safely deferred remains unclear. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the time limit for observant management of postoperative small bowel obstruction. METHODS: The medical records of 128 children with 174 episodes of postoperative small bowel obstruction were reviewed. RESULTS: Spontaneous resolution occurred in 63% of cases, 85% within 48 hours of admission. Bowel compromise was noted in 31% of the operated cases, and about half of them underwent bowel resection, accounting for 6% of all admissions. None of the cases treated surgically within 16 hours of admission was associated with bowel strangulation or need for resection. CONCLUSIONS: In children presenting with postoperative small bowel obstruction, prolonging observant treatment for more than 48 hours yields only a small benefit in terms of spontaneous resolution. Bowel strangulation can occur within 16 hours of admission. On the basis of these findings, we suggest raising the index of suspicion for compromised bowel after 16 hours and making the decision for surgery at around 48 hours.

Conservative approach to the treatment of injured liver and spleen in children: association with reduced mortality.

BACKGROUND: Previous analyses of the safety of the conservative versus the operative approach to the treatment of liver and spleen blunt injuries in children often failed to account for differences in quality of care and expertise among dedicated pediatric trauma center, non-pediatric centers, centers without trauma units, and non-trauma centers. To eliminate this potential bias, the present study examined changes in the rate of surgery and their impact on outcome within the same medical centers over time. METHODS: The Israel Trauma Registry was searched for patients <18 years who were treated for non-penetrating liver or spleen injuries from 1998 to 2004. Patients were grouped by period, 1998-2000 and 2001-2004, and compared for type of injury, severity of injury, type of treatment, and inpatient mortality. RESULTS: The earlier period (1998-2000) was characterized by a significantly higher rate of operations compared with the later period (2001-2004) (P = 0.001) and higher in-hospital mortality (P = 0.04). Injury severity scores, type of organs injured, and accompanying injuries were similarly distributed in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the similarity in the severity and characteristics of the intraabdominal injuries in 1998-2000 and in 2001-2004, the proportion of children treated conservatively increased over time, concomitant with a significant drop in inpatient mortality. We attribute this shift over a relatively short interval to increased experience and greater acceptance of conservative management in this setting.

Laparoscopic ovarian tissue preservation in young patients at risk for ovarian failure as a result of chemotherapy/irradiation for primary malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive chemotherapy/radiotherapy for cancer may cause gonadal failure in young female survivors. The putative aim of ovarian tissue cryopreservation is to restore fertility by transplantation of a patient's frozen-thawed ovarian tissue or, further into the future, by in vitro maturation of frozen-thawed oocytes followed by in vitro fertilization. This report presents our early experience with ovarian tissue preservation in young patients. METHODS: We conducted a database review of the techniques and outcomes of the ethics board-approved ovarian tissue cryopreservation procedures performed at our center since 1998 for young girls with malignancy. RESULTS: The study group included 23 patients (median age = 14 years) with various types of cancer (hematologic, bone, ovarian, or intracranial); 11 patients were scheduled for chemotherapy, 11 patients had already undergone some form of chemotherapy before the ovarian tissue harvesting, and 1 patient was not scheduled for chemotherapy. Ten underwent bone marrow transplantation after tissue retrieval. Twenty-one patients underwent laparoscopic harvesting of their ovarian tissue. In the other 2 patients, the ovary was preserved during inguinal hernia repair or tissue was obtained at laparotomy for a pelvic tumor. All patients had benign operative and postoperative courses. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy for ovarian tissue retrieval for cryopreservation is safe in young cancer patients. Based on reports of successful cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue containing primordial follicles, we believe that this approach holds promise for female cancer survivors.

Colorectal carcinoma in childhood: a retrospective multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal carcinoma, a common adult malignancy, has an estimated childhood incidence of 0.3 to 1.5/million in Western countries and 0.2/million in Israel. Diagnosis is difficult because adult screening measures are unfeasible in children. The tumor is frequently associated with predisposing genetic factors, aggressive biological behavior, and poor prognosis. The aim of this multicenter study was to document the clinical profile, treatment and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma in children in Israel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical, laboratory, therapeutic, and prognostic parameters of all 7 children from 4 medical centers in Israel who were diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma over a 25-y period were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients presented with rectal bleeding (4 of 7), abdominal pain (2 of 7), and abdominal distension (2 of 7). Average time to diagnosis was 6 months. Six patients underwent surgery (1 refused), and 5 received chemotherapy. Histopathological studies showed poorly differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma, signet-ring type, in 4 cases, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in 2, and well-differentiated carcinoma in 1. Three patients died of the disease, 2 shortly after diagnosis. One patient with recurrent metastatic disease was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Colorectal carcinoma in children is characterized by aggressive tumor behavior and delayed diagnosis, resulting in a worse prognosis than in adults. Heightened physician awareness of the possibility of this disease in children, with special attention to adolescents with predisposing factors and rectal bleeding, could help to improve outcome.

Unique case of intramural colonic splenosis.

Splenosis is usually a sequel of splenic rupture from abdominal trauma but can be associated with elective splenectomy. Recurrence of the hematological disorder for which the patient underwent splenectomy may occur, and splenic nodules can be found anywhere in the thoracic or abdominal cavity, as well as subcutaneously. We are presenting intramural colonic splenosis, a large inoculum of the splenic tissue that has been found to have the capacity to maintain anemia and thrombocytopenia, in a child previously splenectomized because of a hematological problem.

Two year experience with minimal access surgery at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel.

BACKGROUND: The minimal access surgery revolution has only just begun to impact on pediatric surgery, thanks mainly to technologic advances and evidence of the benefits of minimally invasive procedures in this population. OBJECTIVES: To review the current status of MAS in a pediatric tertiary care center in Israel, in terms of feasibility, safety, and effect on standard practices. METHODS: We reviewed the files of all children who underwent a MAS procedure in our department during the period April 2002 to July 2004, and compared the findings with those of children treated by standard practices. RESULTS: A total of 301 procedures were performed in 271 patients: 107 thoracoscopic and 194 laparoscopic. There were no major intraoperative complications. The total conversion rate was 3.65%: 0 for thoracoscopy and 5.6% for laparoscopy (11/194). Twenty-four types of procedures were performed during the study period. The thoracoscopies accounted for 92.24% of all thoracic procedures in the department (107/116), and routine abdominal laparoscopic procedures replaced open surgery in 30-100% of cases (total 44.8%, 194/433). CONCLUSIONS: MAS procedures appear to be safe for a wide range of indications in children. In our center they currently account for a significant percentage of pediatric surgeries. We suggest that the integration of MAS training in the residency programs of pediatric surgeons be made a major long-term goal. The creation of a pediatric MAS study group that would allow for multi-institutional studies is especially important in Israel where a relatively large number of pediatric surgery departments handle a small annual number of patients.

Comparison of bursting pressure of abdominal wall defects repaired by three conventional techniques.

Still debated are the appropriate techniques for the repair of abdominal wall defects and the methods used to measure their strength. Although tension has been used in many studies to test wound strength, bursting pressure reflects more accurately the pathophysiology of wound dehiscence. The aim of the current study was to evaluate three different techniques for closure of abdominal wall defects using a new and more accurate device for bursting pressure measurements. Full thickness abdominal wall defects measuring 2 cm2 were created in 43 anesthetized rats randomly assigned to three groups: simple primary closure (n = 15), Mayo repair (n = 14), and primary closure reinforced with a mesh (n = 14). Thirty days after surgery, the rats were sacrificed. The abdominal wall was fully excised and placed over a bursting chamber made of a metal cylinder connected to a carbon dioxide source with a control valve and a manometer. Gas was gradually released while the pressure was recorded until bursting occurred. Disruption of all closures occurred at the point where the suture itself penetrated the tissue. The average bursting pressure was 1383 +/- 299 mm Hg for the primary closure group, 1200 +/- 409 mm Hg for the mesh reinforcement group, and 1607 +/- 337 mm Hg for the imbrication repair (Mayo) group (P < 0.03). The data suggests an advantage for the Mayo repair over the other two repairs. The bursting chamber tested is a new and more reliable method to study techniques and conditions influencing the strength of abdominal wall closure.