Management of fetal head and neck masses: Evaluation of prenatal factors associated with airway obstruction and decision for definitive airway and ex-utero intrapartum treatment at birth.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal head and neck masses can result in critical airway obstruction. Our study aimed to evaluate prenatal factors associated with the decision for a definitive airway, including ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT), at birth among at-risk fetuses. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review evaluated all fetal head and neck masses prenatally diagnosed from 2005 to 2023. The primary outcome was the decision for a definitive airway at birth, including intubation, tracheostomy, or EXIT. RESULTS: Thirty four patients were included, with 23 deliveries occurring at our institution. 8/23 (35%) patients received a definitive airway at birth, six underwent an EXIT procedure, and two required intubation only. Patients who received a definitive airway had higher rates of polyhydramnios (50% vs. 7%, p = 0.03), tracheal narrowing on ultrasound (US) (50% vs. 0%, p = 0.01), tracheal displacement on US (63% vs. 0%, p < 0.01), abnormal fetal breathing on US (50% vs. 0%, p = 0.01), tracheal narrowing or displacement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (75% vs. 7%, p < 0.01), and larger mass maximum diameter (7.9 vs. 4.3 cm, p = 0.02). In our series, 100% of patients with polyhydramnios, tracheal narrowing or displacement on either US or MRI, and abnormal fetal breathing on US received a definitive airway at birth. CONCLUSION: Prenatal findings of tracheal narrowing or displacement, polyhydramnios, and abnormal fetal breathing are strongly associated with the decision for a definitive airway at birth and warrant mobilization of appropriate resources.

Enhanced recovery after surgery improves clinical outcomes in adolescent bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are evidence-based, multimodal approaches to optimize patient recovery and minimize complications. OBJECTIVES: Our team evaluated clinical outcomes following the implementation of an ERAS protocol for adolescents undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. SETTING: Academic hospital, New York, NY, USA. METHODS: We performed a single-institution longitudinal assessment of adolescents who underwent laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) between August 2021 and November 2022. Unpaired t-tests and Fisher's exact test were used to compare means between groups and categorical factors. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were included in the study, 21 who participated in the ERAS protocol and 22 control patients. ERAS cohort was 52% females, with a median age of 17.5 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 46.3 kg/m2. The non-ERAS cohort was 59% females, with a median age of 16.7 years and a median BMI of 44.0 kg/m2. There were no significant differences between baseline characteristics. Patients in the ERAS group had a shorter time to oral intake (10.7 hours versus 21.5 hours, P < .01), lower morphine milligram equivalents (18.2 versus 97.0, P < .01), and shorter length of stay (1.5 days versus 2.0 days, P = .01). There were no significant differences between return visits to the emergency department (ED) within 30 days (3 versus 2, P = .66) or readmissions (0 versus 1, P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: The described ERAS protocol is safe and effective in adolescents undergoing laparoscopic VSG and is associated with shorter time to oral intake, reduced opioid requirements, and shorter hospital lengths of stay with no increase in return ED visits or readmissions.

Thoracoscopic Excision of Mediastinal Bronchogenic Cysts in Children: A Case Series.

Background: Bronchogenic cysts result from a congenital anomalous budding of the tracheobronchial tree. Resection is usually recommended to avoid complications. Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts present a unique challenge due to their proximity to vital structures. The purpose of this study is to review our experience with mediastinal bronchogenic cysts. Methods: A single-institution retrospective review evaluated all mediastinal bronchogenic cyst excisions between January 2012 and November 2022. Patient demographics were assessed, including age at diagnosis, presenting symptoms, imaging workup, and cyst characteristics. Operative approach, complications, and surgical pathology were reported. Results: Five patients were identified. Age at diagnosis ranged from 18 to 27 months. No patient was diagnosed prenatally. All patients had symptoms at the time of diagnosis, including cough, wheezing, and respiratory distress. Three cysts were paratracheal, and two were paraesophageal. Age at surgery ranged from 26 to 30 months. All bronchogenic cysts were successfully resected thoracoscopically. Individual technical challenges included narrowing of the mainstem bronchus preventing lung isolation, significant mediastinal inflammation, the necessity for cyst evacuation to delineate the extent of the cyst, adherence of cyst wall to bronchus or trachea requiring cold dissection, and a stalk of tissue with an intimate connection to the carina that was amputated. No intraoperative or postoperative complication occurred. Surgical pathology was consistent with a bronchogenic cyst in all cases. Median length of hospital stay was two days. Conclusion: Thoracoscopy is a safe and effective procedure for mediastinal bronchogenic cyst excision in children. Certain technical maneuvers are highlighted, which may facilitate resection.

Delphi Process for Validation of Fluid Treatment Algorithm for Critically Ill Pediatric Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: While intravenous fluid therapy is essential to re-establishing volume status in children who have experienced trauma, aggressive resuscitation can lead to various complications. There remains a lack of consensus on whether pediatric trauma patients will benefit from a liberal or restrictive crystalloid resuscitation approach and how to optimally identify and transition between fluid phases. METHODS: A panel was comprised of physicians with expertise in pediatric trauma, critical care, and emergency medicine. A three-round Delphi process was conducted via an online survey, with each round being followed by a live video conference. Experts agreed or disagreed with each aspect of the proposed fluid management algorithm on a five-level Likert scale. The group opinion level defined an algorithm parameter's acceptance or rejection with greater than 75% agreement resulting in acceptance and greater than 50% disagreement resulting in rejection. The remaining were discussed and re-presented in the next round. RESULTS: Fourteen experts from five Level 1 pediatric trauma centers representing three subspecialties were included. Responses were received from 13/14 participants (93%). In round 1, 64% of the parameters were accepted, while the remaining 36% were discussed and re-presented. In round 2, 90% of the parameters were accepted. Following round 3, there was 100% acceptance by all the experts on the revised and final version of the algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: We present a validated algorithm for intavenous fluid management in pediatric trauma patients that focuses on the de-escalation of fluids. Focusing on this time point of fluid therapy will help minimize iatrogenic complications of crystalloid fluids within this patient population.

The effect of donor graft type on survival after liver transplantation for hepatoblastoma in children.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) is the only potentially curative option for children with unresectable hepatoblastoma (HBL). Although post-transplant outcomes have improved in the contemporary era, the impact of donor graft type on survival remains unclear. METHODS: Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database (02/2002-06/2021), demographics, clinical characteristics, and patient and graft survival were analyzed in children (<18 years) who underwent LT for HBL according to donor graft type. The Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank tests, and Cox regression modeling were used to evaluate the effect of whole, partial, and split deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) on patient and graft survival. RESULTS: A total of 590 pediatric HBL LT recipients (344 whole graft DDLT; 62 partial graft DDLT; 139 split graft DDLT; 45 LDLT) were included. During 2012-2021 the proportion of LDLTs for HBL decreased to about 5% compared with about 11% during 2002-2011. No significant differences were identified by donor graft type in either patient survival (log-rank test, p = .45) or graft survival (log-rank test, p = .69). The results remained similar during the 2002-2011 era, while during the 2012-2021 era, split graft DDLT was associated with decreased graft loss risk versus whole graft DDLT (hazard ratio: 0.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.23-0.99, p = .046) without any other significant between-group differences. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing non-whole liver grafts can increase access to LT in children with unresectable HBL while ensuring favorable outcomes. LDLT is underutilized in children with HBL in the United States, and efforts to explore LDLT options should be undertaken.

Critical elements in the operative management of pediatric malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.

Performance of the appropriate operation is highly important to ensure that any patient with a suspected ovarian germ cell tumor receives optimal therapy that prioritizes cure while simultaneoulsy minimizing risk of short and long-term toxicities of treatment. The following critical elements of any operative procedure performed for a suspected pediatric or adolescent ovarian germ cell tumor are reviewed: 1. Complete resection of the tumor via ipsilateral oophorectomy while avoiding tumor rupture and spillage, and 2. Performance of complete intraperitoneal staging at the time of initial tumor resection.

Recent Advances in the Genetic Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management of Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula: A Review.

Infants born with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, a complex congenital malformation occurring in 1/2500-4000 live births, may suffer threats to their cardiac, respiratory, and digestive health in addition to anomalies that may exist in the genitourinary and musculoskeletal systems. Optimal care for these patients throughout their lives is best achieved through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that our health care system is not always well-equipped to provide. This review, though not exhaustive, highlights the components of care that pertain to initial surgical reconstruction and subsequent diagnosis and management of the complications that are most frequently encountered. Authors from among the many specialties involved in the care of these patients summarize the current best practice with attention to the most recent advances. Assessment and improvement of quality of life and transition to adult specialists as children grow to adulthood is also reviewed.

Neonate with congenital pulmonary airway malformation concurrent with enteric duplication cyst: a case report of a rare anomaly.

A congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) occurring concurrently with an enteric duplication cyst is a rare anomaly. Definitive management for both abnormalities is usually surgical resection. We present the uncommon case of a neonate with a CPAM and ileal duplication cyst, including pre-natal and post-natal workup. The patient was brought to the operating room for laparoscopic duplication cyst excision at 3 months of age. The patient returned to the operating room for a thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy at five months of age. This case presents a rare congenital anomaly with the concurrent presentation of a CPAM and enteric duplication cyst, with both being successfully excised minimally invasively.

Comparison of Invasive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma versus Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence on overall survival (OS) between invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is limited to single-center reports. We aimed to compare the characteristics, management, and OS of invasive PDAC vs. IPMN using a national United States (US) database. METHODS: Invasive PDAC or IPMN adult (≥18 years) patients were identified in the National Cancer Database (2004-2016). OS was assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method and the stratified log-rank test. RESULTS: We included 101,190 patients (100,834 PDAC, 356 IPMN). A higher proportion of PDAC vs. IPMN patients had clinical N1 (36.8% vs. 15.7%, p < 0.001) and M1 disease (41.2% vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001). A lower proportion of PDAC patients underwent surgery (25.5% vs. 80.3%, p < 0.001), but a higher proportion received chemotherapy (65.4% vs. 46.1%, p < 0.001) or radiation (25.3% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.04). A higher proportion of surgical patients with PDAC vs. IPMN underwent margin-positive resection (23.0% vs. 14.0%, p = 0.001). The median OS for PDAC vs. IPMN was 8.3 vs. 33.4 months. In the stratified analysis for N0M0 disease, the median OS for PDAC vs. IPMN was 12.8 vs. 43.3 months, for N1M0, it was 11.5 vs. 17.0 months, while for M1, it was 4.0 vs. 7.0 months. In both diagnoses, surgery yielded improved OS, while stratified analysis in the surgical cohort demonstrated similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive PDAC is more aggressive than invasive IPMN, yet in the case of metastasis, OS is equally poor. Excellent long-term OS is achievable with surgical resection in highly selected cases, and efforts should focus on facilitating surgical treatment.

Trends in sports-related concussion diagnoses in the USA: a population-based analysis using a private-payor database.

OBJECTIVE: To describe recent epidemiological trends in concussion diagnosis within the United States (US) population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of PearlDiver, a private-payor insurance database. Our search included International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision codes for sports-related concussions spanning 2010 through 2014. Overall study population included patients aged 5 to 39 with subgroup analysis performed on Cohort A (Youth), children and adolescents aged 5 to 19, and Cohort B (Adults), adults aged 20 to 39. Incidence was defined as the number of individuals diagnosed normalized to the number of patients in the database for each demographic. RESULTS: Our search returned 1,599 patients diagnosed during the study period. The average (±SD) annual rate was 4.14 ± 1.42 per 100,000 patients for the overall population. Youth patients were diagnosed at a mean annual rate of 3.78 ± 1.30 versus 0.36 ± 0.16 per 100,000 in Adults. Concussion normalized incidence significantly increased from 2.47 to 3.87 per 100,000 patients (57%) in the Youth cohort (p = 0.048). In Adults, rate grew from 0.34 to 0.44 per 100,000 patients (29%) but was not statistically significant (p = 0.077). Four-year compound annual growth rates for Youth and Adults were 26.3% and 20.4%, respectively. Youth patients comprised 1,422/1,599 (90.18%) of all concussion diagnoses and were predominantly male (75%). Adults also constituted 138/1,599 (8.63%) of the sample and were also largely male (80%). Midwestern states had highest diagnostic rates (Cohort A:19 per 100,000 and Cohort B:1.8 per 100,000). Both cohorts had the most total diagnoses made in the fourth quarter followed by the second quarter. CONCLUSION: Sports-related concussion diagnostic rates have grown significantly in the youth population. Quarterly, regional and gender distributions appear consistent with participation in concussion-prone sports. Utilization of individualized and multifaceted approaches are recommended to advance diagnosis, assessment and management of concussions in the U.S.