Complication Timing, Failure to Rescue, and Readmission After Inpatient Pediatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Complications are associated with postoperative mortality and readmission. However, the timing of complications relative to discharge and the extent to which timing is associated with failure to rescue (FTR) and readmission after pediatric surgery is unknown. Our goal was to describe the timing of complications relative to discharge after inpatient pediatric surgery and determine the association between complication timing, FTR, and unplanned readmission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: National cohort study of patients within the NSQIP-Pediatric database who underwent inpatient surgery (2012-2019). Complications were categorized based on when they occurred relative to discharge: only pre-discharge, only post-discharge, both. The association between perioperative outcomes and the timing of postoperative complications was evaluated with multivariable hierarchical regression. RESULTS: Among 378,551 patients, 30,213 (8.0%) had at least one postoperative complication. Relative to patients with pre-discharge complications, post-discharge complications were associated with significantly decreased odds of FTR (odds ratio 0.21, 95% confidence interval [0.15-0.28]) and significantly increased odds of readmission (odds ratio 19.37 [17.93-20.92]). Odds of FTR and readmission in patients with complications occurring both before and after discharge were similar to that of patients with only post-discharge complications. CONCLUSIONS: FTR and readmission are associated with complications occurring at different times relative to discharge (FTR primarily pre-discharge; readmission primarily post-discharge). This suggests a 'one size fits all' approach to surgical quality improvement may not be effective and different approaches are needed to address different quality indicators.

Utility of Hospital Failure to Rescue for Analyzing Variation in Pediatric Postoperative Mortality.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between pediatric hospital performances in terms of failure to rescue (FTR), defined as postoperative mortality after a surgical complication, and mortality among patients without a surgical complication. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Forty-eight academic, pediatric hospitals; data obtained from Pediatric Health Information System database (Child Health Corporation of America, Shawnee Mission, KS) (2012-2020). PATIENTS: Children who underwent at least one of 57 high-risk operations associated with significant postoperative mortality. EXPOSURES: Hospitals were stratified into quintiles of reliability adjusted FTR (lower than average FTR in quintile 1 [Q1], higher than average FTR in quintile 5 [Q5]). Multivariable hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the association between hospital FTR performance and mortality among patients who did not have a surgical complication. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 203,242 children treated across 48 academic hospitals, the complication and overall postoperative mortality rates were 8.8% and 2.3%, respectively. Among patients who had a complication, the FTR rate was 8.8%. Among patients who did not have a complication, the mortality rate was 1.7%. There was a 6.5-fold increase in reliability adjusted FTR between the lowest and highest performing hospitals (lowest FTR hospital-2.7%; 95% CI [1.6-3.9]; highest FTR hospital-17.8% [16.8-18.8]). Complex chronic conditions were highly prevalent across hospitals (Q1, 72.7%; Q2, 73.8%; Q3, 72.2%; Q4, 74.0%; Q5, 74.8%; trend test p < 0.01). Relative to Q1 hospitals, the odds of mortality in the absence of a postoperative complication significantly increased by 33% at Q5 hospitals (odds ratio 1.33; 95% CI [1.07-1.66]). This association was consistent when limited to patients with a complex chronic condition and neonates. CONCLUSION: FTR may be a useful and valid surgical quality measure for pediatric surgery, even when considering patients without a postoperative complication. These findings suggest practices and processes for preventing FTR at high performing pediatric hospitals might help mitigate the risk of postoperative mortality even in the absence of a postoperative complication.

Hospital Variation in Mortality and Failure to Rescue after Surgery for High-Risk Neonatal Diagnoses.

INTRODUCTION: A large proportion of postoperative mortality after pediatric surgery occurs among neonates with specific high-risk diagnoses. The extent to which there is hospital-level mortality variation among patients with these diagnoses and whether this variation is associated with differences in failure to rescue (FTR) is unclear. METHODS: The Pediatric Health Information System® database (2012-2020) was used to identify patients who underwent surgery for eight high-risk neonatal diagnoses: gastroschisis; volvulus; necrotizing enterocolitis; intestinal atresia; meconium peritonitis; tracheoesophageal fistula; congenital diaphragmatic hernia; and perinatal intestinal perforation. Hospitals were stratified into tertiles of reliability-adjusted inpatient mortality rates (lower than average mortality - tertile 1 [T1]; higher than average mortality - tertile 3 [T3]). Multivariable hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the association between hospital-level, reliability-adjusted mortality and FTR. RESULTS: Overall, 20,838 infants were identified across 48 academic, pediatric hospitals. Adjusted hospital mortality rates ranged from 4.0% (95% CI, 0.0-8.2) to 16.3% (12.2-20.4). Median case volume (range, 80-1,238) and number of NICU beds (range, 24-126) were not significantly different across hospital tertiles. Compared to the hospitals with the lowest postoperative mortality (T1), the odds of FTR were significantly higher in hospitals with the highest (T3) postoperative mortality (odds ratio 1.97 [1.50-2.59]). CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation in neonatal hospital mortality for high-risk diagnoses does not appear to be explained by hospital structural characteristics. Rather, difference in FTR suggests quality improvement interventions targeting early recognition and management of postoperative complications could improve surgical quality and safety for high-risk neonatal care.

Association of Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation During Nuss Procedure With Complications and Costs.

BACKGROUND: Intercostal nerve cryoablation with the Nuss procedure has been shown to decrease opioid requirements and hospital length of stay; however, few studies have evaluated the impact on complications and hospital costs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed for all Nuss procedures at our institution from 2016 through 2020. Outcomes were compared across 4 pain modalities: cryoablation with standardized pain regimen (n = 98), patient-controlled analgesia (PCA; n = 96), epidural (n = 36), and PCA with peripheral nerve block (PNB; n = 35). Outcomes collected included length of stay, opioid use, variable direct costs, and postoperative complications. Univariate and multivariate hierarchical regression analysis was used to compare outcomes between the pain modalities. RESULTS: Cryoablation was associated with increased total hospital cost compared with PCA (cryoablation, $11 145; PCA, $8975; P < .01), but not when compared with epidural ($9678) or PCA with PNB ($10 303). The primary driver for increased costs was operating room supplies (PCA, $2741; epidural, $2767; PCA with PNB, $3157; and cryoablation, $5938; P < .01). With multivariate analysis, cryoablation was associated with decreased length of stay (-1.94; 95% CI, -2.30 to -1.57), opioid use during hospitalization (-3.54; 95% CI, -4.81 to -2.28), and urinary retention (0.13; 95% CI, 0.05-0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Cryoablation significantly reduces opioid requirements and length of stay relative to alternative modalities, but it was associated with an increase in total hospital costs relative to PCA, but not epidural or PCA with PNB. Cryoablation was not associated with allodynia or slipped bars requiring reoperation.

Variation in Complications and Mortality According to Infant Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate patterns of infant perioperative mortality, describe the infant diagnoses with the highest mortality burden, and evaluate the association between types of postoperative complications and mortality in infants. BACKGROUND: The majority of mortality events in pediatric surgery occur among infants (ie, children <1 y old). However, there is limited data characterizing patterns of infant perioperative mortality and diagnoses that account for the highest proportion of mortality. METHODS: Infants who received inpatient surgery were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database (2012-2019). Perioperative mortality was stratified into mortality associated with a complication or mortality without a complication. Complications were categorized as wound infection, systemic infection, pulmonary, central nervous system, renal, or cardiovascular. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between different complications and complicated mortality. RESULTS: Among 111,946 infants, the rate of complications and perioperative mortality was 10.4% and 1.6%, respectively. Mortality associated with a complication accounted for 38.8% of all perioperative mortality. Seven diagnoses accounted for the highest proportion of mortality events (40.3%): necrotizing enterocolitis (22.3%); congenital diaphragmatic hernia (7.3%); meconium peritonitis (3.8%); premature intestinal perforation (2.5%); tracheoesophageal fistula (1.8%); gastroschisis (1.4%); and volvulus (1.1%). Relative to wound complications, cardiovascular [odds ratio (OR): 19.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 13.9-27.0], renal (OR: 6.88; 4.65-10.2), and central nervous system complications (OR: 6.50; 4.50-9.40) had the highest odds of mortality for all infants. CONCLUSIONS: A small subset of diagnoses account for 40% of all infant mortality and specific types of complications are associated with mortality. These data suggest targeted quality improvement initiatives could be implemented to reduce adverse surgical outcomes in infants.

Hospital Variation in Mortality After Inpatient Pediatric Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the association between risk adjusted hospital perioperative mortality rates, postoperative complications, and failure to rescue (FTR) after inpatient pediatric surgery. BACKGROUND: FTR has been identified as a possible explanatory factor for hospital variation in perioperative mortality in adults. However, the extent to which this may be the case for hospitals that perform pediatric surgery is unclear. METHODS: The Pediatric Health Information System database (2012-2020) was used to identify patients who underwent one of 57 high-risk operations associated with significant perioperative mortality (n=203,242). Academic, pediatric hospitals (n=48) were stratified into quintiles based on risk adjusted inpatient mortality [lower than average, quintile 1 (Q1); higher than average, quintile 5 (Q5)]. Multivariable hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the association between hospital mortality rates, complications, and FTR. RESULTS: Inpatient mortality, complication, and FTR rates were 2.3%, 8.8%, and 8.8%, respectively. Among all patients who died after surgery, only 34.1% had a preceding complication (Q1, 36.1%; Q2, 31.5%; Q3, 34.7%; Q4, 35.7%; Q5, 32.2%; trend test, P =0.49). The rates of observed mortality significantly increased across hospital quintiles, but the difference was <1% (Q1, 1.9%; Q5; 2.6%; trend test, P <0.01). Relative to Q1 hospitals, the odds of complications were not significantly increased at Q5 hospitals [odds ratio (OR): 1.02 (0.87-1.20)]. By comparison, the odds of FTR was significantly increased at Q5 hospitals [OR: 1.60 (1.30-1.96)] with a dose-response relationship across hospital quintiles [Q2-OR: 0.99 (0.80-1.22); Q3-OR: 1.26 (1.03-1.55); Q4-OR: 1.33 (1.09-1.63)]. CONCLUSIONS: The minority of pediatric surgical deaths are preceded by a postoperative complication, but variation in risk adjusted mortality across academic, pediatric hospitals may be partially explained by differences in the recognition and management of postoperative complications. Additional work is needed to identify children at greatest risk of postoperative death from perioperative complications as opposed to those at risk from pre-existing chronic conditions.

Association between index complication and outcomes after inpatient pediatric surgery.

PURPOSE: A cascade of complications is believed to be the primary mechanism underlying failure to rescue (FTR), or death of a patient after a postoperative complication. It is unknown whether specific types of index complications are associated with the incidence of secondary complications and FTR after pediatric surgery. METHODS: National cohort study of patients within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database who underwent inpatient surgery (2012-2019). Index complications were grouped into nine categories (cardiovascular, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary, bleeding/transfusion, renal, central nervous system, wound, infectious, or minor [defined as having an associated mortality rate <1%]). The association between the type of index complication with FTR, secondary complications, reoperation, unplanned readmission, and postoperative length of stay was evaluated with multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear modeling. RESULTS: Among 425,386 patients, 15.5% had at least one complication, 16.6% had one or more secondary complications, 13.9% reoperation, 14.5% readmission, and 2.4% FTR.  Secondary complication (10.8-59.7%) and FTR (0.3-31.1%) rates varied by type of index complication. Relative to patients who had an index minor complication, those with an index infectious complication were most likely to have secondary complication (Odds Ratio [OR] 10.3, 95% CI [9.36-11.4]). Index CV complications were most strongly associated with FTR (OR 30.7 [24.0-39.4]). Index wound complications had the greatest association with reoperation (OR 21.9 [20.5-23.4]) and readmission (OR 18.7 [17.6-19.9]). Index pulmonary complications had the strongest association with length of stay (coefficient 9.39 [8.95-9.83]). CONCLUSIONS: Different types of index complications are associated with different perioperative outcomes. These data can help identify patients potentially at risk for suboptimal outcomes and can inform pediatric quality improvement interventions. TYPE OF STUDY: Cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Association of red blood cell transfusion volume with postoperative complications and mortality in neonatal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) is commonly administered in neonatal surgical care in the absence of clear clinical indications such as active bleeding or anemia. We hypothesized that higher RBCT volumes are associated with worse postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Neonates within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database who underwent inpatient surgery (2012-2016) were stratified by weight-based RBCT volume: <20cc/kg, 20-40cc/kg, and >40cc/kg. Postoperative complications were categorized as wound, systemic infection, central nervous system (CNS), renal, pulmonary, and cardiovascular. Multivariable logistic regression and cubic spline analysis were used to evaluate the association between RBCT volume, postoperative complications, and 30-day mortality. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by performing propensity score matching. RESULTS: Among 9,877 neonates, 1,024 (10%) received RBCTs. Of those who received RBCT, 53% received <20cc/kg, 27% received 20-40cc/kg, and 20% received >40cc/kg. Relative to neonates who were not transfused, RBCT volume was associated with a dose-dependent increase in renal complications, CNS complications, cardiovascular complications, and 30-day mortality. With cubic spline analysis, a lone inflection point for 30-day mortality was identified at a RBCT volume of 30 - 35 cc/kg. After propensity score matching, the dose-dependent relationship was still present for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Total RBCT volume is associated with worse postoperative outcomes in neonates with a significant increase in 30-day mortality at a RBCT volume of 30 - 35 cc/kg. Future prospective studies are needed to better understand the association between large RBCT volumes and poor outcomes after neonatal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Retrospective cohort study.

Ileocolic intussusception in pediatric SARS-CoV-2 patients: experience at a tertiary pediatric center.

PURPOSE: COVID-19 disease can manifest with intussusception in pediatric patients, but prevalence of abnormalities on ultrasounds performed for intussusception is uncertain. We aim to report our experience in children with COVID-19 presenting with suspected intussusception imaged with ultrasound. METHODS: Children under 18 years who had an ultrasound for possible intussusception underwent retrospective analysis and were tested for COVID-19 between April 1 and December 14, 2020. Patients' demographic, clinical, radiological and surgical characteristics were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-four COVID-19-positive patients were identified; 19 boys with mean age 3 years (range: 3 months-18 years). Ultrasound was abnormal in 11 patients (11/24, 46%). Sonographic features of enterocolitis were documented in seven children (7/24, 29%). Three boys (3/24, 13%) were found to have ileocolic intussusception on ultrasound and underwent air enema with failed reduction (3/3, 100%), precipitating surgical reductions, all with favorable outcomes. One patient (1/24, 4%) was found to have a long segment of persistent small bowel-small bowel intussusception which was surgically repaired. CONCLUSION: Given the known association between failed reduction at air enema and delayed presentation, heightened awareness for intussusception in the setting of COVID-19 should be maintained, though more often, the etiology was attributed to other GI manifestations of COVID-19.

Association of prematurity with complications and failure to rescue in neonatal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The majority of failure to rescue (FTR), or death after a postoperative complication, in pediatric surgery occurs among infants and neonates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between gestational age (GA) and FTR in infants and neonates. METHODS: National cohort study of 46,452 patients < 1 year old within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database who underwent inpatient surgery. Patients were categorized as preterm neonates, term neonates, or infants. Neonates were stratified based on GA. Surgical procedures were classified as low- (< 1% mortality) or high-risk (≥ 1%). Multivariable logistic regression and cubic splines were used to evaluate the association between GA and FTR. RESULTS: Preterm neonates had the highest FTR (28%) rates. Among neonates, FTR increased with decreasing GA (≥ 37 weeks, 12%; 33-36 weeks, 15%; 29-32 weeks, 30%; 25-28 weeks 41%; ≤ 24 weeks, 57%). For both low- and high-risk procedures, FTR significantly (trend test, p < 0.01) increased with decreasing GA. When stratifying preterm neonates by GA, all GAs ≤ 28 weeks were associated with significantly higher odds of FTR for low- (OR 2.47, 95% CI [1.38-4.41]) and high-risk (OR 2.27, 95% CI [1.33-3.87]) procedures. A lone inflection point for FTR was identified at 31-32 weeks with cubic spline analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The dose-dependent relationship between decreasing GA and FTR as well as the FTR inflection point noted at GA 31-32 weeks can be used by stakeholders in designing quality improvement initiatives and directing perioperative care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Retrospective cohort study.

Variations in Nuss Procedure Operative Techniques and Complications: A Retrospective Review.

INTRODUCTION: The Nuss procedure is the most common and preferred operative correction of pectus excavatum. Surgeon preference and patient factors can result in variations in Nuss procedure technique. We hypothesize that certain techniques are associated with increased risk of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective review of Nuss operations from 2016 to 2020. Variations in intraoperative techniques included sternal elevator (SE) use, number of bars placed, and usage of bilateral stabilizing sutures. Patient demographics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes were reported as median with interquartile ranges or percentages. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was determined with Wilcoxon's rank-sum and chi-square tests. Multivariate analysis was performed to control for introduction of intercostal nerve cryoablation and surgeon volume, and reported as odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-five patients were identified. Patients repaired with two bars were older with a larger Haller index (HI). Patient demographics were not significantly different for SE or stabilizing suture use. Placement of two bars was associated with significantly increased risk of readmission. Similarly, SE use was associated with increased risk of pleural effusion and readmission. Finally, the use of bilateral stabilizing sutures resulted in less frequent slipped bars without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Older patients with a larger HI were more likely to need two bars placed to repair pectus excavatum. Placement of multiple bars and SE use are associated with significantly higher odds of certain complications.

Provider education leads to sustained reduction in pediatric opioid prescribing after surgery.

BACKGROUND: The majority of opioid overdose admissions in pediatric patients are associated with prescription opioids. Post-operative prescriptions are an addressable source of opioids in the household. This study aims to assess for sustained reduction in opioid prescribing after implementation of provider-based education at nine centers. METHODS: Opioid prescribing information was collected for pediatric patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair at nine centers between December 2018 and January 2019, one year after the start of an education intervention. This was compared to prescribing patterns in the immediate pre- and post-intervention periods at each of the nine centers. RESULTS: In the current study period, 29/127 (22.8%) patients received opioid prescriptions (median 8 doses) following surgery. There were no medication refills, emergency department returns or readmissions related to the procedure. There was sustained reduction in opioid prescribing compared to pre-intervention (22.8% vs 75.8% of patients, p<0.001, Fig. (1). Five centers showed statistically significant improvement and the other four demonstrated decreased prescribing, though not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our multicenter study demonstrates sustained reduction in opioid prescribing after pediatric umbilical hernia repair after a provider-based educational intervention. Similar low-fidelity provider education interventions may be beneficial to improve opioid stewardship for a wider variety of pediatric surgical procedures. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: (treatment study)-level 3.

Complications and Failure to Rescue After Inpatient Pediatric Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency and patterns of postoperative complications and FTR after inpatient pediatric surgical procedures and to evaluate the association between number of complications and FTR. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND: FTR, or a postoperative death after a complication, is currently a nationally endorsed quality measure for adults. Although it is a contributing factor to variation in mortality, relatively little is known about FTR after pediatric surgery. METHODS: Cohort study of 200,554 patients within the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database (2012-2016) who underwent a high (≥ 1%) or low (< 1%) mortality risk inpatient surgical procedures. Patients were stratified based on number of postoperative complications (0, 1, 2, or ≥3) and further categorized as having undergone either a low- or high-risk procedure. The association between the number of postoperative complications and FTR was evaluated with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among patients who underwent a low- (89.4%) or high-risk (10.6%) procedures, 14.0% and 12.5% had at least 1 postoperative complication, respectively. FTR rates after low- and high-risk procedures demonstrated step-wise increases as the number of complications accrued (eg, low-risk- 9.2% in patients with ≥3 complications; high-risk-36.9% in patients with ≥ 3 complications). Relative to patients who had no complications, there was a dose-response relationship between mortality and the number of complications after low-risk [1 complication - odds ratio (OR) 3.34 (95% CI 2.62-4.27); 2 - OR 10.15 (95% CI 7.40-13.92); ≥3-27.48 (95% CI 19.06-39.62)] and high-risk operations [1 - OR 3.29 (2.61-4.16); 2-7.24 (5.14-10.19); ≥3-20.73 (12.62-34.04)]. CONCLUSIONS: There is a dose-response relationship between the number of postoperative complications after inpatient surgery and FTR, ever after common, "minor" surgical procedures. These findings suggest FTR may be a potential quality measure for pediatric surgical care.

Favorable postoperative outcomes for children with COVID-19 infection undergoing surgical intervention: Experience at a free-standing children's hospital.

BACKGROUND: Current literature has shown that adult patients with perioperative Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) have increased rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that children with COVID-19 have favorable postoperative outcomes compared to the reported adult experience. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study for children with a confirmed preoperative COVID-19 diagnosis from April 1st, 2020 to August 15th, 2020 at a free-standing children's hospital. Primary outcomes evaluated were postoperative complications, readmissions, reoperations, and mortality within 30 days of operation. Secondary outcomes included hospital resource utilization, hospital length of stay, and postoperative oxygen support. RESULTS: A total of 66 children with preoperative confirmed COVID-19 were evaluated with median age of 9.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) 5-14) with 65% male and 70% Hispanic White. Sixty-five percent of patients had no comorbidities, with abdominal pain identified as the most common preoperative symptom (65%). Twenty-three percent of patients presented with no COVID-19 related symptoms. Eighty-two percent of patients had no preoperative chest imaging and 98% of patients did not receive preoperative oxygen support. General pediatric surgeons performed the majority of procedures (68%) with the most common diagnosis appendicitis (47%). Forty-one percent of patients were discharged the same day as surgery with 9% of patients utilizing postoperative intensive care unit resources and only 5% receiving postoperative invasive mechanical ventilation. Postoperative complications (7%), readmission (6%), and reoperation (6%) were infrequent, with no mortality. CONCLUSION: COVID-19+ children requiring surgery have a favorable postoperative course and short-term outcomes compared to the reported adult experience. TYPE OF STUDY: Prognosis Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Preoperative resource utilization prior to minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative testing to assess the physiologic impact of pectus excavatum is sometimes ordered to meet third-party payor preauthorization requirements. This study describes the utility of physiologic testing prior to minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients that underwent MIRPE from 1/2012-7/2016 at two academic children's hospitals. Data collected included demographics, insurance, Haller Index (HI), pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and echocardiograms (ECHO) obtained, and preauthorization denials. RESULTS: A total of 360 patients (mean age 15.7 ± 2.0 years; mean HI 4.5 ± 1.5) underwent MIRPE (Hospital 1: 189, Hospital 2: 171). Commercial insurers covered 84% of patients. Hospital 1 obtained more frequent preoperative testing (PFTs: 73% vs 6%, p < 0.0001). Overall, 72% of PFTs were normal with abnormal studies limited to mild findings. Similarly, 85% of ECHOs were normal. Third-party payors more frequently denied preauthorization for MIRPE at Hospital 2 (11% vs. 5%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: More frequent preoperative testing may decrease initial preauthorization denials for MIRPE; however, this increased utilization of resources may not be necessary as the majority of test results are normal.

The significance of abdominal radiographs with paucity of gas in pediatric adhesive small bowel obstruction.

PURPOSE: Management of children with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is often based on abdominal radiographs (AXR). Our purpose was to determine the significance of paucity of gas on initial AXR. METHODS: Retrospective, single center review of children with ASBO between 2011 and 2015. Analysis included chi-square, non-parametric tests and multivariate regression. RESULTS: Of 207 cases, 99 were operative. Initial AXR showed paucity of gas in 41% and gaseous loops in 59%. Paucity was more common in operative patients (49% vs. 32%, p = 0.01). At operation, 71% of patients with paucity had closed loop or high-grade obstruction, compared to 29% of patients with gaseous loops (p = <0.001). CONCLUSION: For children with ASBO with paucity of gas on AXR, complicated obstruction (closed loop or high-grade) should be considered. In children with high clinical suspicion of complicated obstruction, additional imaging with CT or SBFT may clarify the clinical picture.

Understanding non-accidental trauma in the United States: A national trauma databank study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to characterize the epidemiology, injury patterns, outcomes and trends of non-accidental trauma (NAT) in the United States using a large national database. METHODS: Children <15 years presenting after NAT were identified in the 2007-2014 National Trauma Databank research datasets. Clinical and outcome data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 678,503 children admitted for traumatic injuries, 3% (19,149) were victims of NAT. The majority (95%) were under 5 years and 71% under 1 year old. The majority (59%) were male. The median injury severity score (ISS) was 10 (IQR:5-19). African Americans were disproportionally affected (27% vs 17% of all traumas), and the majority had public or no insurance (85%). Incidence was highest in the midwest and lowest in the northeast regions of the country, although trends varied over time. NAT resulted in 43% of trauma deaths in children <1 year and 31% of trauma deaths in children <5. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was the most commonly encountered diagnosis (50%). Polytrauma was common, and certain injury patterns were identified. Urgent operation was required in 6%, 43% were admitted to intensive care, and 9% died. Mortality was independently associated with TBI, thoracic injury, hollow viscus injury and older age. CONCLUSION: Non-accidental trauma is a leading cause of trauma mortality in young children. Multiple injuries are common, requiring comprehensive evaluation and early surgical involvement. The data presented in this study could serve as a guide to target injury prevention efforts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III STUDY TYPE: Prognostic and Epidemiological.

Provider education decreases opioid prescribing after pediatric umbilical hernia repair.

PURPOSE: To improve opioid stewardship for umbilical hernia repair in children. METHODS: An educational intervention was conducted at 9 centers with 79 surgeons. The intervention highlighted the importance of opioid stewardship, demonstrated practice variation, provided prescribing guidelines, encouraged non-opioid analgesics, and encouraged limiting doses/strength if opioids were prescribed. Three to six months of pre-intervention and 3 months of post-intervention prescribing practices for umbilical hernia repair were compared. RESULTS: A total of 343 patients were identified in the pre-intervention cohort and 346 in the post-intervention cohort. The percent of patients receiving opioids at discharge decreased from 75.8% pre-intervention to 44.6% (p < 0.001) post-intervention. After adjusting for age, sex, umbilicoplasty, and hospital site, the odds ratio for opioid prescribing in the post- versus the pre-intervention period was 0.27 (95% CI = 0.18-0.39, p < 0.001). Among patients receiving opioids, the number of doses prescribed decreased after the intervention (adjusted mean 14.3 to 10.4, p < 0.001). However, the morphine equivalents/kg/dose did not significantly decrease (adjusted mean 0.14 to 0.13, p = 0.20). There were no differences in returns to emergency departments or hospital readmissions between the pre- and post-intervention cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid stewardship can be improved after pediatric umbilical hernia repair using a low-fidelity educational intervention. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.