Measuring immediate surgical success in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Adenotonsillectomy is the most common indication for sleep-disordered breathing in children. Measuring pharyngeal closing pressures in anaesthetised children allows identification of severe obstructive sleep apnoea. This technique could help quantify immediate surgical impact and risk stratify postoperative treatment in these patients.

Preoperative neurologic comorbidity and unanticipated early postoperative reintubation: a multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The risk of respiratory complications is highest in the first 72 h post-surgery. Postoperative respiratory events can exacerbate pre-existing respiratory compromise and lead to reintubation of the trachea, particularly in patients with neurologic disorders. This study examined the association between neurologic comorbidities and unanticipated early postoperative reintubation in children. METHODS: This multicentre, 1:1 propensity score-matched study included 420 096 children who underwent inpatient, elective, noncardiac surgery at National Surgical Quality Improvement Program reporting hospitals in 2012-22. The primary outcome was unanticipated early postoperative reintubation within 72 h after surgery. The secondary outcome was prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation, defined as ventilator use >72 h. We also evaluated 30-day mortality in patients requiring reintubation. RESULTS: Cerebral palsy was associated with the highest risk of early reintubation (adjusted relative risk [RRadj]: 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-2.69; P<0.01), followed by seizure disorders (RRadj: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.50-2.34; P<0.01), neuromuscular disorders (RRadj: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.41-2.19; P<0.01), and structural central nervous system abnormalities (RRadj: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.13-1.61; P<0.01). Unanticipated early postoperative reintubation was associated with an eight-times increased risk of 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 8.1, 95% CI: 6.0-11.1; P<0.01). Risk of prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation was also increased with neurologic comorbidities, particularly seizure disorders (RRadj: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.55-1.93; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children with neurologic comorbidities have an increased risk of unanticipated early postoperative reintubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Given the high mortality risk associated with these outcomes, children with neurologic comorbidities require heightened monitoring and risk assessment.

Using wearable technology for Posture Regulation to Improve Surgical Ergonomics in the paediatric operating room: the UPRISE trial: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The rising prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders has numerous physical, financial, and mental repercussions for surgeons. This study aims to establish whether the use of a wearable posture device can improve the operating time spent in suboptimal, high-risk postures. METHODS: Surgeons were recruited in Phase 1 of this prospective randomised study and baseline postural data was obtained. In Phase 2, participants were randomised to receive either a traditional educational workshop or intraoperative vibrations from the device to correct postural lapses. During minor elective day cases, intraoperative postural data was collected and stratified by forward flexion angle, into five risk categories (negligible to very high). Participants' experience with the sensor was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 100 surgical procedures (Phase 1: n = 50; Phase 2: n = 50) were performed by eight surgeons of varying seniority. Exposure to the educational intervention increased time spent in suboptimal posture (Phase 1 vs. Phase 2); 47.5% vs. 67.8%, p = 0.05. However, the vibrational intervention significantly reduced this time; 50.0% vs. 20.7%, p = 0.005. Procedure type didn't influence posture although, laparoscopic interventions spent most time in negligible-risk postures; 47.7% vs. 49.3%, compared to open procedures. Surgical consultants spent less time in suboptimal posture compared to fellow/registrars; 30.3% vs. 72.6% (Phase 1) and 33.8% vs. 65.3% (Phase 2). CONCLUSION: Vibrational intervention from the device significantly decreased the time spent in suboptimal, high-risk postures. As procedure type wasn't correlated with postural changes, surgeon-specific factors in regulating posture are paramount. Finally, surgeon experience was positively correlated with improved surgical ergonomics.

Swedish registry study showed that 50% of paediatric operations were performed in university hospitals and mortality was low.

AIM: To investigate the distribution of paediatric surgery in various hospitals and to study postoperative risk factors of mortality. METHODS: Retrospective registry-based cohort study of children aged 0-14 years undergoing surgery from 2017 to 2021. Data were extracted from the Swedish Perioperative Registry. A mixed logistic regression was applied for the all-risk mortality analysis. RESULTS: A total of 126 539 cases were identified, 50% in university, 36% in county and 14% in district hospitals. The dominating operations were appendectomy in 6667, orchidopexy in 5287, inguinal hernia repair in 4200 and gastrostomy in 1152 children. Among children under 1 year of age or American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification (ASA-PS-Class) 3-5, the majority underwent surgery in university hospitals. The 30-day mortality in university hospitals was 0.5% and in county hospitals 0%. The proportion of emergency surgery was similar in university and county hospitals. Independent risk factors of mortality were being under 1 year of age, ASA-PS-class 4-5, emergency surgery and surgery at university hospitals. CONCLUSION: Half of all operations in children were performed in university hospitals, with low postoperative mortality despite effective centralisation of high risk patients <1 year of age or ASA-PS-Class 3-5.

A review of twenty-first century developments in paediatric surgery in Africa.

This review explores the significant advancements in paediatric surgery in Africa during the twenty-first century, with a particular focus on capacity-building, education, infrastructural development, and research. Historically, paediatric surgery has been an overlooked sector, especially in low-and-middle-income countries in Africa. However, recent years have seen considerable progress. Collaborative efforts such as the Global Initiative for Children's Surgery, and the formation of the Pan African Paediatric Surgery Association, the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa and the West African College of Surgeons have facilitated knowledge sharing, collaboration, and advocacy for enhancing surgical standards. Local training programmes, including Master of Medicine programmes and fellowships, have been instrumental in building a skilled workforce. These initiatives have been complemented by infrastructural developments through non-governmental organisations like Kids Operating Room, which have expanded access to paediatric surgical care. Technological advancements, particularly in telemedicine, have further enhanced accessibility. Task-sharing strategies, where non-specialist physicians are trained in paediatric surgical skills, have also been utilised to address the shortage of specialised surgeons. Research in paediatric surgery has experienced an upswing, with local health professionals taking the lead. Research has been crucial for understanding the epidemiology of paediatric surgical conditions, and developing prevention strategies, and is increasingly leading to the inclusion of paediatric surgery in national health plans. Despite the progress, challenges remain, including the need for sustainable funding, continued investment in infrastructure, and training and retention of healthcare professionals. The review emphasises the importance of ongoing efforts in community engagement, innovative technologies, and health systems strengthening for the sustainable development of paediatric surgical services in Africa.

Paediatric testicular torsion in low- and middle-income countries: an OxPLORE scoping study.

BACKGROUND: Literature on paediatric surgical conditions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited. As a common emergency, timely treatment of testicular torsion acts as a benchmark of adequate emergency service delivery in paediatric surgery. This scoping study aims to synthesise all existing literature on paediatric testicular torsion in LMICs. METHODS: A database search was conducted by the OxPLORE global paediatric surgery research group to identify studies containing the terms 'testicular torsion' or 'acute scrotum' originating from LMICs. A thematic analysis was applied to the results of the search and the quality of evidence was appraised for all included articles. RESULTS: This review included 17 studies with 1798 patients. All studies originated from middle-income countries and the majority (76%) had sample sizes smaller than 100 patients. All studies were appraised as providing less than adequate evidence. Included studies identified long delays to treatment and highlighted ongoing debates on the value of scoring systems and Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosing torsion. Major heterogeneity in surgical approaches to treatment of testicular torsion in children was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Literature on paediatric testicular torsion in LMICs is scarce and heterogeneous. Prospective, multi-centre research on the management of this common paediatric surgical emergency is urgently required.

Long-Term Assessment of Aesthetic Results in Omphalocele Repair with POSAS Scale.

INTRODUCTION: Omphalocele (OM) is a congenital defect of the abdominal wall. The main goal of the surgical management is the survival of the neonate. However, the residual scar following the surgery can be extremely burdensome and negatively impact the quality of life (QoL) of these patients. The aim of this study is to assess the cosmetic results of the surgical treatment, the level of satisfaction of patients and surgeons, and the influence of the scar on the QoL of the patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational retrospective cross-sectional study collecting all data regarding patients born with OM, operated at our Centre between 1998 and 2021. The cosmetic results of the surgical repair were evaluated using the validated Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). The assessment of the quality of life determined by the presence of the scar was conducted using PedQL 4.0. At last, the patients were visited by two paediatric surgeons and a medical student, which then scored the cosmetic result of the scar. Statistical analysis was conducted with Spearman linear correlation and Mann-Whitney test. A P-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In our study, we included a total of 19 patients, with a mean of 12 years of age at the time of the evaluation. The parameters with the major influence on the patient's general opinion of the scar were stiffness, thickness, and irregularity. We discovered significant differences in median values of all scores between the giant OM group and the nongiant OM group, in favour of the latter. Finally, we found a low grade of concordance between PedsQL filled by parents and patients. CONCLUSION: The POSAS scale is a valid, feasible, and reliable tool for the assessment of the aesthetic outcome of surgical procedures. The original size of the defect is the most important factor acting on the result. However, it is crucial that any decision on plastic surgery to improve the looks of the scar must be postponed to the adult age of the patient. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Pediatric thoracoscopic lung resections: a comprehensive analysis of congenital lesion cases.

BACKGROUND: Congenital lung lesions in pediatric patients may be managed conservatively or by video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This study aimed to determine the complications after VATS for congenital lung lesions in children. METHODS: All children undergoing a lung resection between January 2009 and June 2022 were retrospectively identified. Children undergoing a primary open lobectomy or a resection other than a congenital lung lesion were excluded. Both early (<30 days) and late postoperative pulmonary complications were determined. The primary endpoint was postoperative complications within 30 days. RESULTS: In total, 56 patients were included, with a median age of 13 months (IQR 9-37). A VATS lobectomy were performed in 46 patients (82%), an extralobar sequestration in 8 patients (14%), an wedge resection in 1 patient and a segment resection in 1 patient. During the COVID pandemic, fewer resections were performed with an increase in symptomatic patients. A conversion to open occurred in 6 patients (11%), of which a preoperative lung infection was associated with an increased risk thereof(p = 0.004). The median follow-up was 22 months (IQR 7-57) and all patients were alive. A postoperative complication (Clavien Dindo ≥3) occurred in 9 patients and complications without the need of intervention in 6 patients. During follow-up a pneumonia occurred in 11 patients. CONCLUSION: There seems to be a shift towards delayed surgery with an increase in symptomatic congenital lung malformations, which might lead to an increase in postoperative complications.

Surgical waitlist management: Perspectives from surgeons on surgical prioritization at a paediatric hospital.

Globally exacerbated surgical waitlists have provided the opportunity to reflect on prioritization and resource allocation decisions. The unique circumstances of paediatric surgery and consequences of surgical delay prompted the study reported in this paper. As part of a larger project to attend to prioritization in our surgical waitlists, we conducted a Quality Improvement study, the purpose of which is to understand surgeon's perspectives regarding the ethical and practical realities of surgical prioritization at our institution. The study comprises semi-structured interviews with nine full-time paediatric surgeons from a variety of subspecialties conducted at our institution, which is a tertiary paediatric hospital with ten surgical subspecialties in a publicly funded healthcare system. Participants articulated how they prioritize their waitlists, and how they understand ethical prioritization. These findings resonate with the growing public concern for ethical practice in healthcare delivery and transparency in prioritization and resource allocation practices. Specifically, more transparency, consistency, and support is required in prioritization practices. This work highlights the importance of institutional dialogue regarding surgical case prioritization. Because quality improvement work is necessarily site-specific, concrete generalizations cannot be offered. However, the insights gleaned from these interviews and the process by which they were gleaned are a valuable knowledge-sharing resource for any institution that is interested in ongoing quality improvement work. The objectives here were to clarify the goals of prioritization within the institution, improve prioritization practices, and make them more ethical and transparent.

Determination of reference ranges for the ClotPro® thromboelastometry device in paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: A new thromboelastometry analyser (ClotPro®) was developed with advanced diagnostics. The reference ranges of ClotPro® in children ages 0-16 yr have not been reported. METHODS: In this prospective study, venous blood samples from 321 patients were obtained from children undergoing elective surgery after induction of anaesthesia. Reference ranges were defined by calculating the 2.5% and 97.5% percentiles for each age group (0-3 months, 4-12 months, 13-24 months, 2-5 yr, 6-10 yr, and 11-16 yr). RESULTS: Reference ranges of the ClotPro® analyser in all age groups demonstrated significant differences in some parameters between age groups. In the first 3 months of life, a significant shortening of the clotting time (CT) in the extrinsically activated test (EX-test) was observed in children aged 0-3 months compared with children of all older age groups (P<0.001), whereas there were no overall differences in the intrinsically activated test (IN-test). In both assays, the clot amplitude 5 and 10 min after CT (A5, A10 value) was significantly higher in the first year of life compared with children older than 1 yr (EX-test and IN-test A5 and A10, respectively; P<0.001). The strength of fibrin polymerisation (FIB-test) was significantly higher in the first 3 months of life (A5 and A10, P<0.003). CONCLUSIONS: ClotPro® reference ranges were determined for six paediatric age groups, and show age-dependent differences in specific parameters. These values will be helpful in monitoring haemostasis in paediatric patients and for developing tailored bleeding management protocols. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04190615.

Selection of surgical modality for massive splenomegaly in children.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS), a treatment for both benign and malignant splenic diseases, can prove technically challenging in patients with massive splenomegaly. In particular, the optimal surgical modality for treating massive splenomegaly in children remains controversial. METHODS: The clinicopathologic data of 289 pediatric patients undergoing splenectomy for massive splenomegaly were studied in a retrospective analysis. Accordingly, the patients were classified into the LS surgery group and open splenectomy (OS) surgery group. In the laparoscopy cohort, they were separated into two subgroups according to the method of surgery: the multi-incision laparoscopic splenectomy (MILS) and the single-incision laparoscopic splenectomy (SILS) surgery groups, respectively. Patient demographics, clinical data, surgery, complications, and postoperative recovery underwent analysis. Concurrently, we compared the risk of adverse laparoscopic splenectomy outcomes utilizing univariable and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The total operation time proved remarkably shorter in the OS group in contrast to the LS group (149.87 ± 61.44 versus 188.20 ± 52.51 min, P < 0.001). Relative to the OS group, the LS group exhibited lowered postoperative pain scores, bowel recovery time, and postoperative hospitalization time (P < 0.001). No remarkable difference existed in post-operation complications or mortality (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, the operation duration was remarkably longer in the SILS surgery group than in the MILS surgery group (200 ± 46.11 versus 171.39 ± 40.30 min, P = 0.02). Meanwhile, the operative duration of MILS and SILS displayed a remarkable positive association with splenic length. Moreover, the operative duration of SILS displayed a remarkable positive association with the age, weight, and height of the sick children. Splenic length proved an independent risk factor of adverse outcomes (P < 0.001, OR 1.378). CONCLUSIONS: For pediatric patients with massive splenomegaly who can tolerate prolonged anesthesia and operative procedures, LS surgery proves the optimal treatment regimen. SILS remains a novel surgery therapy which may be deemed a substitutional surgery approach for treating massive splenomegaly.

A valued voice: A qualitative analysis of parental decision-making preferences in emergent paediatric surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Shared decision-making, with an emphasis on patient autonomy, is often advised in healthcare decision-making. However, this may be difficult to implement in emergent settings. We have previously demonstrated that when considering emergent operations for their children, parents prefer surgeon guidance as opposed to shared decision-making. Here, we interviewed parents of paediatric patients who had undergone emergent operations to better understand parental decision-making preferences. METHODS: Parents of paediatric patients who underwent surgery over the past 5 years at a University-based, tertiary children's hospital for cancer, an emergent operation while in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were invited to complete a 60-min semi-structured interview. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was performed via deductive and inductive analysis. An iterative approach to thematic sampling/data analysis was used. RESULTS: Thematic saturation was achieved after 12 interviews (4 cancer, 5 NICU and 3 ECMO). Five common themes were identified: (1) recommendations from surgeons are valuable; (2) 'lifesaving mode': parents felt there were no decisions to be made; (3) effective ways of obtaining information about treatment; (4) shared decision-making as a 'dialogue' or 'discussion' and (5) parents as a 'valued voice' to advocate for their children. CONCLUSIONS: When engaging in decision-making regarding emergent surgical procedures for their children, parents value a surgeon's recommendation. Parents felt that discussion or dialogue with surgeons defined shared decision-making, and they believed that the opportunity to ask questions gave them a 'valued voice', even when they felt there were no decisions to be made. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: For this study, we interviewed parents of paediatric patients who had undergone emergent operations to better understand parental decision-making preferences. Parents thus provided all the data for the study.

Complication rate after gastrostomy placement in children can be reduced by simple surgical steps.

AIM: To evaluate if the incidence of postoperative complications after gastrostomy placement is correlated to perioperative parameters or patient characteristics. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, children <18 years of age planned to receive a gastrostomy at partaking clinics between 2014 and 2019 were invited. Pre-, peri- and postoperative variables were collected and followed up 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Five hundred and eighty-two patients were included (median age: 26 months, median weight: 10.8 kg), mainly laparoscopic (52.0%) and push-PEG (30.2%) technique used. The incidence of complications was lower in the group of patients receiving a gastrostomy tube that was 2 mm longer than the gastrostomy canal (p < 0.001-0.025), and a thickness of 12 Fr (p < 0.001-0.009). These findings were confirmed by multivariate analysis also including operative technique, age and weight. Patients with oncological disease had significantly higher incidence of pain and infection but the lowest incidence of granulomas (p < 0.001-0.01). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that a 12 Fr gastrostomy tube that is 2 mm longer than the gastrostomy canal is correlated with the lowest incidence of postoperative complications the first 3 months after surgery. Oncological patients had the lowest incidence of granulomas which probably is related to chemotherapy.

European study showed that children with congenital anomalies often underwent multiple surgical procedures at different ages across Europe.

AIM: Children with congenital anomalies often require surgery but data on the burden of surgery for these children are limited. METHODS: A population-based record-linkage study in Finland, Wales and regions of Denmark, England, Italy and Spain. A total of 91 504 children with congenital anomalies born in 1995-2014 were followed to their tenth birthday or the end of 2015. Electronic linkage to hospital databases provided data on inpatient surgical procedures and meta-analyses of surgical procedures were performed by age groups. RESULTS: The percentage of children having surgery in the first year was 38% with some differences across regions and 14% also underwent surgery at age 1-4 years. Regional differences in age at the time of their first surgical procedure were observed for children with cleft palate, hydronephrosis, hypospadias, clubfoot and craniosynostosis. The children had a median of 2.0 (95% CI 1.98, 2.02) surgical procedures before age 5 years with children with oesophageal atresia having the highest median number of procedures (4.5; 95% CI 3.3, 5.8). CONCLUSION: A third of children with congenital anomalies required surgery during infancy and often more than one procedure was needed before age 5 years. There was no European consensus on the preferred age for surgery for some anomalies.

Classification systems of acute appendicitis as an indicator for paediatric surgical consultation of children with acute abdominal pain.

AIM: This study examined if the classification systems for acute appendicitis could be applied in the emergency department as an indicator for surgical consultation, in order to reduce unnecessary paediatric surgery admission. METHODS: The Alvarado Score (ALS) and the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) were applied. The decisions for hospitalisation and treatment were made independent of the scores. RESULTS: In total, 307 children with abdominal pain suggestive of acute appendicitis were included. We used a cut-off point of 7 and divided the patients into groups; the group with score ≥ 7 points was considered the positive ALS and/or PAS group, and the group with score < 7 points was the negative ALS and/or PAS group. The same process for cut-values set at 6 points was followed. The joint probabilities for the 7-point-thresholds were: ALS-sensitivity 84%, PAS-sensitivity 85%, ALS-specificity 92%, PAS-specificity 92%, ALS-positive predictive value (PPV) 83%, PAS-PPV 84% and 93% negative predictive value (NPV) for both scores. Considering the 6-point-thresholds, we estimated: 94% sensitivity for both scores, 74% ALS-specificity, 84% PAS-specificity, 66% ALS-PPV, 73% PAS-PPV, 91% ALS-NPV and 97% PAS-NPV. CONCLUSION: The scoring systems provided acceptable prediction of patients with and without appendicitis. They may be of use in the emergency department, as assistive diagnostic-tools, in order to reduce paediatric surgery consultations, admissions and treatment costs.

New surgical frontiers for 4K 3D-exoscope in paediatric head and neck surgery.

PURPOSE: To define the interest, advantages, and disadvantages of the use of a 3D-exoscope in paediatric ENT surgery. METHODS: Four surgeons with experience in paediatric surgery completed a questionnaire following each surgery performed under 3D-exoscope to evaluate the contribution of the tool compared to the usual practice (microscope or magnifying loupes). Surgeries were separated into three groups: otology, transoral and cleft palate surgery, and open head and neck surgery. RESULTS: Between June 2021 and June 2022, 151 paediatric surgeries were included in this study. Among them, 93 (62%) otologic surgeries, 35 (23%) transoral surgeries, and 23 (15%) head and neck surgeries were performed. The median age at surgery was 68 months (interquartile range 19-135 months). For otologic surgeries, the mean scores (/100) for the contribution of the exoscope compared to the microscope were 68.4(± 23.2). For transoral and cleft palate surgery, the mean score (/100) for the contribution of the use of the exoscope compared to the magnifying loupes was 92.9 (± 8.6), whereas for open head and neck surgeries, the mean score (/100) was 89.5 (± 7.2). CONCLUSION: 3D-exoscopy appears to be a relevant tool for paediatric head and neck surgery, applicable in otologic, transoral, and cervical fields. It presents educational and ergonomic advantages and improves surgical team communication.

A systematic review of point-of-care abdominal ultrasound scans performed by general surgeons in paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Bedside point-of-care ultrasound scans are a cheap, quick and safe diagnostic tool. There is increasing evidence for the use of point-of-care surgeon-performed ultrasound scans in adults, however there are fewer studies of its use in children. This systematic review aims to provide an up-to-date summary of the evidence behind surgeon-performed ultrasound scans in paediatric surgery. METHODS: The PubMed database was used to conduct this systematic review between the dates 1 Jan 1980 to 1 June 2020 (last search: 1 June 2020). Seven primary research studies were included in this review. RESULTS: There is good evidence for the use of ultrasound scans in appendicitis and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Training times are easily achievable and transferable within a surgical department. CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of surgeon-performed bedside ultrasound scans has been described in appendicitis and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, more research is required to embed this into clinical practice, particularly in low volume centres such as district general hospitals. A robust training programme is also recommended to incorporate ultrasound scans into clinical practice.

Developing balloon dilatation sizing guidance for anastomotic stricture dilatation following oesophageal atresia repair.

PURPOSE: To develop guidance for the selection of balloon catheter size when performing an oesophageal dilatation for a stricture post oesophageal atresia repair. METHODS: This was a single centre retrospective study at a paediatric tertiary centre. Dilatations were performed between 2015 and 2020. All dilatations were performed under general anaesthesia using balloon catheters under fluoroscopic guidance. Outliers were excluded using ROUT method and descriptive analysis was calculated to 1SD or IQR depending on the normality of data distribution. RESULTS: 97 patients underwent 341 dilatations. Median age was 19 months (37 weeks corrected gestation-17 years), median weight was 10.7 kg (2.6-72 kg). Balloon catheter sizes ranged from 6-8 mm to 18-20 mm. There was strong correlation between weight and balloon size (r = 0.8, p < 0.0001). There were 2 perforations (0.6%), both diagnosed intra-operatively and treated conservatively. From the results, weight recommendations were created for each balloon size. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopic balloon dilatation is a safe and effective method to treat anastomotic stricture following oesophageal atresia repair. Previous studies have shown correlation between patient weight and oesophageal diameter. We propose guidance for using an appropriate balloon size based on patient's weight with the aim to reduce complication.

Drain placement in paediatric complicated appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Children undergoing appendicectomy for complicated appendicitis are at an increased risk of post-operative morbidity. Placement of an intra-peritoneal drain to prevent post-operative complications is controversial. We aimed to assess the efficacy of prophylactic drain placement to prevent complications in children with complicated appendicitis. A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Cochrane, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to November 2022 for studies directly comparing drain placement to no drain placement in children ≤ 18 years of age undergoing operative treatment of complicated appendicitis. A total of 5108 children with complicated appendicitis were included from 16 studies; 2231 (44%) received a drain. Placement of a drain associated with a significantly increased risk of intra-peritoneal abscess formation (odds ratio [OR] 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.24, p = 0.004) but there was no significant difference in wound infection rate (OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.74-2.88, p = 0.28). Length of stay was significantly longer in the drain group (mean difference 2.02 days, 95% CI 1.14-2.90, p < 0.001). Although the quality and certainty of the available evidence is low, prophylactic drain placement does not prevent intra-peritoneal abscess following appendicectomy in children with complicated appendicitis.

Assessment of the neonatal referral and transport system for patients with gastroschisis in Kenya.

PURPOSE: To assess the neonatal referral and transport system for gastroschisis patients referred to a tertiary level hospital in Kenya. METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) which recruited patients with gastroschisis using consecutive sampling approach. Data were collected on pre-, intra-transit factors, time and distance covered. Assessment was done using pre and intra transit factors as per the standard transport protocols in literature. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients presented with gastroschisis during the eight month study period. Mean age was 7.07 h. There were 16 (55.2%) males and 13 (44.8%) females. Mean birthweight was 2020 g, and a mean gestational age of 36.5 weeks. Mean duration of transit was 5 h. Mean distance from referring facility was 153.1 km. Most affected factors in the pre-transit protocol were lack of monitoring chart (0%), comment on blood investigations (0%), gastric decompression (3.4%), and prenatal obstetric scan (44.8%). For intra-transit scores, most affected were incubator use (0%), bowel monitoring (0%), functioning nasogastric tube (13.8%), and adequate bowel cover (34.5%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that pre-transit and transit care of neonates with gastroschisis is inadequate in Kenya. Interventions needed, as identified by this study, to promote care of neonates with gastroschisis are advised.