A multi-institutional approach for decreasing narcotic prescriptions after laparoscopic appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is a common indication for surgical hospital admission. Uncomplicated appendicitis is typically treated with surgical intervention, most commonly a laparoscopic appendectomy. As with many procedures, narcotic utilization is highly varied among surgeons for postoperative pain control. With the opioid epidemic and a demonstrated link between excessive narcotic prescriptions paving the way to dependence and addiction, it is more important than ever to decrease the circulation of these medications. We hypothesized that a perioperative, multimodal analgesia strategy coupled with monthly feedback reports comparing hospitals narcotic prescribing habits would decrease, and in some cases eliminate, the use of outpatient narcotics in adults after laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: A quality improvement project was initiated to provide monthly feedback to surgeons on narcotic prescribing habits after adult laparoscopic appendectomies. A multi-hospital database was created to include adult patients that were diagnosed with acute appendicitis, treated with laparoscopic appendectomy, and discharged within 48 h of surgery. The database provided information regarding the number of narcotic doses prescribed on discharge. Participating hospitals selected a site champion who distributed monthly prescribing reports. A protocol was created and distributed to participating sites that provided a guideline for preoperative and postoperative pain medication management. The intervention period was 10/1/2019-3/31/2020. We utilized the preceding year's data (October 1, 2018-September 30, 2019) as the pre-intervention control group. We also compared results between local and distant sites to see if personal connection to surgeons influenced the results. RESULTS: A total of 1785 appendectomies were performed during the study period at participating hospitals. The average number of prescribed narcotics decreased from 23.6 doses during the control period to 14.2 during the intervention (p < 0.001). There was no change in the number of total narcotic prescriptions (8.9 vs 7.9%, p = 0.52). Overall, the average number of narcotics prescribed decreased by 40% with similar decrease in average prescribed narcotics for local and distant hospitals, respectively (47.7% vs 42.1%). Average narcotic dose during the first 2 months of intervention at the local hospitals was 9.7 and 11.1 for the last 2 months of intervention (p = 0.69). Average narcotic dose during the first 2 months of intervention at the distant hospitals was 19.5 and 13.4 for the last 2 months of intervention (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: A multimodal pain regimen combined with a monthly narcotic prescription report provided to prescribers decreases the average number of narcotic prescriptions after laparoscopic appendectomy. Local sites demonstrated immediate decrease in narcotic utilization compared to distant sites whose change occurred more gradually.

Post operative pediatric appendicitis nurse-driven discharge: Patient outcomes and nursing perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Nurse-driven discharge pathways following pediatric appendectomies have proven effective in children's hospitals; studies in general hospital settings are lacking. Additionally, despite the central role of nursing in such pathways, nursing perspectives aren't investigated in the literature. METHODS: Data from all pediatric acute uncomplicated appendicitis patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy in the 12 months following institution of a nurse-driven discharge pathway (intervention, n = 67) were compared to those treated in the preceding year (control, n = 64). Surveys on the pathway were distributed to pediatric ward nurses. RESULTS: Postoperative length of stay (POLOS) decreased by 37% in the intervention group, about 6 h, (0.44 days ± 0.22 vs 0.7 days ± 0.27, p-value 0.0001), without a significant increase in related readmissions. Same day discharges increased from 10.9% to 46.3%, (P-value 0.0001). Nurse surveys revealed a high approval of the pathway (7-10/10) and yielded valuable feedback. CONCLUSION: A nurse-driven discharge pathway decreased POLOS without increasing readmission following pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy in a general hospital setting. Valuable insight into nursing perspectives on this pathway was acquired.

Does the implementation of a pediatric appendicitis pathway promoting ultrasound work outside of a children's hospital?

BACKGROUND: Efficacy of care pathways for pediatric appendicitis is well established in children's hospitals, but not in community Emergency Departments (EDs). METHODS: A diagnostic pathway combining the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) with selective ultrasound was implemented. The charts of 2201 pediatric patients seen at four general EDs before and after implementation were retrospectively reviewed, identifying 611 children seriously considered for appendicitis. RESULTS: There were no cases of missed appendicitis within the pathway cohort (0/72). Low-PAS children on pathway had fewer computed tomography (CT) scans (0% vs. 21%; p < 0.02). Moderate-PAS patients also had a reduced CT-first rate (2.4% vs. 23%; p < 0.01). However, pathway adoption in 2016 was only 24%. Correct pathway application would have avoided 58 ultrasounds and 17 CTs over three months (annual savings $281,276). CONCLUSION: A pediatric appendicitis pathway is safe, rules out low suspicion patients without imaging, and is cost effective in a general hospital setting.

Use and accuracy of diagnostic imaging in the evaluation of pediatric appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: There are safety concerns about the use of radiation-based imaging (computed tomography [CT]) to diagnose appendicitis in children. Factors associated with CT use remain to be determined. METHODS: For patients ≤18 years old undergoing appendectomy, we evaluated diagnostic imaging performed, patient characteristics, hospital type, and imaging/pathology concordance (2008-2012) using data from Washington State's Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program. RESULTS: Among 2538 children, 99.7% underwent pre-operative imaging. 52.7% had a CT scan as their first study. After adjustment, age >10 years (OR 2.9 (95% CI 2.2-4.0), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-1.9), and being obese (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.1) were associated with CT use first. Evaluation at a non-children's hospital was associated with higher odds of CT use (OR 7.9, 95% CI 7.5-8.4). Ultrasound concordance with pathology was higher for males (72.3 vs. 66.4%, p=.03), in perforated appendicitis (75.9 vs. 67.5%, p=.009), and at children's hospitals compared to general adult hospitals (77.3 vs. 62.2%, p<.001). CT use has decreased yearly statewide. CONCLUSIONS: Over 50% of children with appendicitis had radiation-based imaging. Understanding factors associated with CT use should allow for more specific QI interventions to reduce radiation exposure. Site of care remains a significant factor in radiation exposure for children.

Gastroschisis closure--does method really matter?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Management of gastroschisis varies. This study aims to determine which aspects of practice influence outcomes. METHODS: All cases of simple gastroschisis (N = 99) in the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network database were analyzed looking at methods of preoperative bowel protection, timing of closure, and closure techniques; and outcome measures included time to onset of enteral feeds, duration of parenteral nutrition (PN), and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: One third of infants had initial bowel protection using a spring-loaded silo, which was significantly associated with a delay (beyond 24 hours) in establishing primary closure. Neither preoperative bowel protection methods nor defect closure techniques conferred any significant effects on success at establishing primary closure or functional outcomes. After adjusting for all covariates, only failure to establish primary closure was associated with impaired outcomes with significantly delayed initiation of enteral feeds and prolonged LOS. Low birth weight (<2000 g) and younger gestational age (<36 weeks) were associated with a 3-fold increased risk of longer PN dependence and 5-fold risk of extended LOS, respectively. Babies undergoing the sutureless spontaneous closure technique had significant delays in initiating enteral feeds but no increased requirements for PN or LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Modes of preoperative bowel protection and techniques of abdominal wall closure ultimately have no association with functional outcomes in infants with gastroschisis. Failure to establish primary closure, however, is significantly associated with delays in establishing intestinal function and subsequent time to discharge.

Impact of maternal substance abuse and smoking on children with gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Conflicting information exists regarding the effects of maternal substance abuse on gastroschisis. The objectives of this study are to determine if maternal smoking is associated with an increased risk of gastroschisis and whether substance abuse is associated with the severity of gastroschisis. METHODS: The Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network (CAPSNET) database was evaluated for associations between maternal substance abuse and the severity of the gastroschisis. We also compared smoking rates from this group to overall Canadian maternal smoking rates. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen cases of gastroschisis acquired over 18 months were evaluated. After adjusting for covariates, illicit drug use was associated with bowel necrosis (OR, 9.4; 95% CI,1.3-70) and marijuana use with matting of the intestines (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.0-16). Functional outcomes assessment revealed that slower initiation of enteral feeds was associated with maternal smoking (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4-10). The overall maternal smoking rate in this cohort (30.7%) was significantly higher than the known Canadian rate (13.4%). This may be accounted for by the considerably higher smoking rate of mothers 20 to 24 years of age in our cohort (48.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse and smoking are associated with a greater severity of gastroschisis in terms of both the degree of intestinal injury and functional outcomes. High smoking rates among young mothers may be putting children with gastroschisis at risk for poor outcomes.

Laparoscopically supervised PEG at time of Nissen fundoplication: a safe option.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often have associated feeding difficulties that warrant the insertion of a feeding gastrostomy at the time of the antireflux procedure. Options for gastrostomy tube insertion at the time of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) include laparoscopic gastrostomy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and classic open gastrostomy. The complication rate of PEG may be decreased if it is placed under laparoscopic supervision. The purpose of this paper is to describe our experience with laparoscopically supervised PEG tube placement at the time of antireflux procedure. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on all children undergoing a PEG tube placement at the time of the LNF. Perioperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-four patients had attempted PEG tube placement at the time of the LNF. In 3 (7%) cases, laparoscopic supervision was crucial in the prevention of a complication. No major PEG-related complications were recorded. In 43% of patients, minor PEG tube problems arose in the postoperative period: all were transient and/or easily correctable. Management of all these problems was in an outpatient setting. Follow-up ranged from 11 to 41 months. CONCLUSIONS: PEG tube placement at the time of a LNF is safe and effective. A combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach minimizes complications. This method also allows for an intra- and extraluminal evaluation of the fundoplication at its completion.

Two cases of thoracoscopic resection of esophageal duplication in children.

We report two cases of thoracoscopic resection of esophageal duplication cysts. Both patients underwent successful thoracoscopic excision. They were discharged on postoperative day 2 and 4, respectively. They made uneventful recoveries and were completely asymptomatic at 1-month followup. One child was lost to long-term follow-up. In the other child, barium swallow study 10 months after surgery demonstrated a pseudodiverticulum at the site of cyst excision. Thoracoscopic resection of esophageal duplications is safe. Complete excision is possible even if the cyst shares a common muscular wall with the esophagus. Pseudodiverticulum may develop at the site of excision: follow- up is necessary and consideration should be given to closure of the muscular defect at the time of excision. To help avoid esophageal injury and, should it occur, recognize esophageal perforation, we recommend performing the dissection under intraesophageal endoscopic supervision.

Primary thoracoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernia with pericostal sutures.

The surgical management of congenital diaphragmatic hernias has traditionally been via laparotomy or thoracotomy. Although laparoscopic and thoracoscopic repairs have been described, most reports are in older infants. We describe a method for primary thoracoscopic repair applied in the immediate neonatal period when no posterolateral rim of diaphragm exists. This simple technique for placing the pericostal sutures is a useful adjunct in the thoracoscopic management of diaphragmatic hernias.

Laparoscopy in the management of antenatally detected liver masses.

Antenatally detected liver masses that are not clearly benign on postnatal investigation pose a management dilemma. Unless the diagnosis is clear, observation alone is risky. Improvements in radiological diagnosis permit confirmation of the benign nature of these masses in some instances, but it is usually difficult to distinguish them from malignant lesions. Since recent advances in ultrasound facilitate identification of liver masses during prenatal life, differential diagnosis of these masses has become a recurring issue in recent years. Laparoscopy may play a major role in the surgical management of right upper quadrant masses detected antenatally. We describe its use in a patient with an antenatally detected liver mass. No clear diagnosis could be made with radiologic investigation in the neonatal period. Definitive diagnosis was made laparoscopically: focal nodular hyperplasia was confirmed with laparoscopy and biopsy. In cases where the etiology of a liver mass remains unclear after radiologic investigation, laparoscopic intervention may prove beneficial in neonates and infants. We present an algorithm for the management of similar antenatally detected right upper quadrant lesions.

Life-threatening abdominal wall hematoma in a chronic renal failure patient after a single dose of enoxaparin.

We present a patient with chronic renal insufficiency who developed a massive posttraumatic abdominal wall hematoma after a single therapeutic dose of enoxaparin administered during workup of chest pain. Surgical evacuation of the hematoma was required to control life-threatening hemorrhage. Low-molecular-weight heparin use is not without risk and mandates appropriate indication and accurate dosing. Bleeding can occur at any site during heparin therapy, and abdominal wall hematoma should be considered as a source after traumatic injury.