The Effect of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol on Pediatric Colorectal Surgical Patient Outcomes at a Single Institution.

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) have been associated with fewer postoperative complications in adult colorectal surgery patients, but there is a paucity of data on pediatric patients. Our aim is to describe the effect of an ERP, compared to conventional care, on pediatric colorectal surgical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a single institution, retrospective cohort study (2014-2020) on pediatric (≤18 years old) colorectal surgery patients pre- and post-implementation of an ERP. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to assess the effect of an ERP on return visits to the emergency room, reoperation, and readmission within 30-days. RESULTS: There were 194 patients included in this study, with 54 in the control cohort and 140 in the ERP cohort. There was no significant difference in the age, BMI, primary diagnosis, or use of laparoscopic technique between the cohorts. The ERP cohort had a significantly shorter foley duration, postoperative stay, and had nerve blocks performed. After controlling for pertinent covariates, the ERP cohort experienced higher odds of reoperation within 30 days (OR 5.83, P = .04). There was no significant difference in the other outcomes analyzed. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was no difference in the odds of overall complications, readmission or return to the ER within 30-days of surgery. However, although infrequent, there were higher odds of returns to the OR within 30 days. Future studies are needed to analyze how adherence to individual components may influence patient outcomes to ensure patient safety during ERP implementation.

A Comparison of Adult and Pediatric Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Pathways: A Move for Standardization.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) are a multimodal approach to standardize perioperative care. To substantiate the benefit of a pediatric-centered pathway, we compared outcomes of children treated with pediatric ERP (pERP) versus adult (aERP) pathways. We aimed to compare components of each pathway to create a new comprehensive pERP to reduce variation in care. METHODS: Retrospective study of children (≤18 y) undergoing elective colorectal surgery from August 2015 to April 2019 at a single institution managed with pERP versus aERP. Multivariable linear and logistic regression, adjusting for demographics and operation characteristics, were used to compare outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 100 hospitalizations (72 patients) were identified, including 37 treated with pERP. pERP patients were, on average, younger (13 versus 16 y), more likely to be ASA III (70% versus 30%), and more likely to receive regional (32% versus 3%) or neuraxial (35% versus 8%) anesthesia. Epidural use was an independent risk factor for longer length of stay (P = 0.000). After adjustment, pERP patients had similar LOS and time to oral intake, but shorter foley duration. pERP patients used significantly fewer opioids and were less likely to return to the operating room within 30 d. 30-d readmissions and ED visits were also lower, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: At our institution, data from both ERPs contributed formation of a synthesized pathway and reflected the pERP approach to opioid utilization and the aERP approach to earlier enteral nutrition.

Analysis of a Modified Two-Stage Approach to Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis Without Fecal Diversion in Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: Fecal diversion after ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) in children with ulcerative colitis (UC) remains controversial. We hypothesize that a modified two-stage IPAA omitting diverting ileostomy (DI) after IPAA, found to be safe in adults, would produce similar results in children. METHODS: Retrospective, single-institution study of children (≤18 years) undergoing staged total proctocolectomy with IPAA from 2014 to 2020. Traditional two-stage and three-stage approaches including DI after IPAA were compared to two-stage approach without DI. RESULTS: 32 patients were included; of these, 7 (22%), 14 (44%), and 11 (34%) patients underwent traditional two-stage, modified two-stage, or three-stage IPAA, respectively. Following IPAA, modified two-stage patients had shorter operative time, decreased opioid utilization, quicker return to regular diet, and shorter stoma duration. After IPAA, there was similar postoperative length of stay, complication rates, readmissions, visits to the emergency department, or unplanned return to the operating room (OR) within 30 days. Anastomotic leak occurred in 2 patients; both were managed nonoperatively without evidence of pouch dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Modified two-stage IPAA with omission of DI after the IPAA stage is safe to perform in pediatric UC patients. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to identify risk factors associated with operative complications.

An enhanced recovery after surgery pathway in pediatric colorectal surgery improves patient outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways in adult colorectal surgery are known to reduce complications, readmissions, and length of stay (LOS). However, there is a paucity of ERAS data for pediatric colorectal surgery. METHODS: A 2014-2018 single-institution, retrospective cohort study was performed on pediatric colorectal surgery patients (2-18 years) pre- and post-ERAS pathway implementation. Bivariate analysis and linear regression were used to determine if ERAS pathway implementation reduced total morphine milligram equivalents per kilogram (MME/kg), LOS, and time to oral intake. RESULTS: 98 (70.5%) and 41 (29.5%) patients were managed with ERAS and non-ERAS pathways, respectively. There was no statistical difference in age, sex, diagnosis, or use of laparoscopic technique between cohorts. The ERAS cohort experienced a significant reduction in total MME/kg, Foley duration, time to oral intake, and LOS with no increase in complications. The presence of an ERAS pathway reduced the total MME/kg (-0.071, 95% CI -0.10, -0.043) when controlling for covariates. CONCLUSION: The use of an ERAS pathway reduces opioid utilization, which is associated with a reduction in LOS and expedites the initiation of oral intake, in colorectal pediatric surgery patients. Pediatric ERAS pathways should be incorporated into the care of pediatric patients undergoing colorectal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III evidence. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective cohort study.

Omental Flap Provides Definitive Management for Pediatric Patient With Multiple Tracheoesophageal Fistula Recurrences.

A term female infant with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and esophageal atresia (EA) underwent primary operative repair that failed with 3 TEF recurrences, which all presented with feeding and respiratory issues. Recurrences were managed with reoperation and an interpositional flap of pleura and a flap of intercostal muscle on 2 separate occasions. The third recurrence was managed with complete dissection of the esophagus prior to the division of the fistula and the interposition of an omental flap between the esophageal and tracheal repair. We present the use of a viable omental flap and complete esophageal mobilization to prevent subsequent TEF recurrences and avoid the additional morbidity of reconstructive surgery.

The impact of an enhanced recovery perioperative pathway for pediatric pectus deformity repair.

PURPOSE: Pediatric repair of chest wall deformities is associated with significant pain, morbidity, and resource utilization. We sought to determine outcomes of a perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway for patients undergoing minimally invasive (Nuss) and traditional (Ravitch) corrective procedures. METHODS: Our ERAS protocol was implemented in 2015. We performed a retrospective review of patients for Nuss or Ravitch procedures before and after ERAS implementation. Combined and procedure segregated bivariate analyses were conducted on postoperative outcomes and resource utilization. RESULTS: There are 17 patients in the pre-intervention group (Nuss = 13 and Ravitch = 4) compared to 38 patients in the post-intervention group (Nuss = 28 and Ravitch = 10). Protocol implementation increased utilization of pre-operative non-narcotic medication. The combined and Nuss post-intervention groups had a significant decrease in epidural duration and time to enteral medications, but had increased total postoperative opioid usage. The Ravitch post-intervention group had a significant decrease in intra-operative narcotics and discharge pain scores. There were no differences in length of stay or complications. CONCLUSION: Implementation of our ERAS protocol standardized pectus perioperative care, but did not improve postoperative opioid usage, complications, or resource utilization. Alterations in the protocol may lead to achieving desired goals of better pain management and decreased resource utilization.

Functional Outcomes for Nonoperatively Treated Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Fractures.

Fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal are relatively common and can be treated with a variety of treatment modalities. The goals of the current study were to answer the following questions: (1) Is there a difference in functional outcomes with different nonoperative treatment modalities for avulsion and Jones fractures? (2) What is the long-term functional impairment? This study included 53 patients who were treated for proximal fifth metatarsal fracture at 1 university health care system between 2004 and 2013. Treatment methods included shoe modification, cast, and boot. Patients completed a telephone questionnaire that included selected questions from the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System (MODEMS). Treatment groups were stratified as shoe modification or immobilization, and the results of the MODEMS survey were compared. At most recent follow-up, no significant difference was found between the 2 patient groups (P=.062) for self-reported effects of the injury on work and quality of life. No significant difference was found for frequency of use of pain medication (P=.157), patient satisfaction with current symptoms (P=.633), ambulatory status (P=.281), or pain level with strenuous activity (P=.772). Obese patients were more likely to have severe pain with strenuous activity (P=.015). Most (87%) patients were able to ambulate without the need for assistive devices. Of the study patients, 79% could wear dress shoes, excluding high heels, comfortably. The findings showed that patients who were treated with a variety of nonoperative methods for closed proximal fifth metatarsal fracture had acceptable functional outcomes, regardless of treatment method. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(6):e1030-e1035.].

Abnormal Myocardial Function Is Related to Myocardial Steatosis and Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis in HIV-Infected Adults.

BACKGROUND: Impaired cardiac function persists in the era of effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy, although the etiology is unclear. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure intramyocardial lipid levels and fibrosis as possible contributors to HIV-associated myocardial dysfunction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 95 HIV-infected and 30 matched-healthy adults, without known cardiovascular disease (CVD) was completed. Intramyocardial lipid levels, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac function (measured on the basis of strain) were quantified by MRI. RESULTS: Systolic function was significantly decreased in HIV-infected subjects as compared to controls (mean radial strain [±SD], 21.7 ± 8.6% vs 30.5 ± 14.2%; P = .004). Intramyocardial lipid level and fibrosis index were both increased in HIV-infected subjects as compared to controls (P ≤ .04 for both) and correlated with the degree of myocardial dysfunction measured by strain parameters. Intramyocardial lipid levels correlated positively with antiretroviral therapy duration and visceral adiposity. Further, impaired myocardial function was strongly correlated with increased monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels (r = 0.396, P = .0002) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein levels (r = 0.25, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected adults have reduced myocardial function as compared to controls in the absence of known CVD. Decreased cardiac function was associated with abnormal myocardial tissue composition characterized by increased lipid levels and diffuse myocardial fibrosis. Metabolic alterations related to antiretroviral therapy and chronic inflammation may be important targets for optimizing long-term cardiovascular health in HIV-infected individuals.