Is there a need for a formal gynecology curriculum in a pediatric surgery training program? A needs assessment.

PURPOSE: Fellows in Pediatric Surgery need to learn to manage a variety of gynecologic conditions. We completed a needs assessment of Pediatric Surgery training programs to inform development of a standardized gynecology curriculum. METHODS: A survey was sent to Program Directors of Canadian Pediatric Surgery training programs with 27 questions that focused on the fellowship program, surgical practice, and trainee exposure to pediatric gynecology, and how the envision a standardized gynecology curriculum. RESULTS: Six of eight Program Directors responded. All respondents had treated ovarian-related conditions and genital injuries in the past 5 years, and most felt trainees received adequate training in managing these conditions. Most respondents felt trainees had minimal or inadequate training in imperforate hymens, Müllerian anomalies, vulvar abscesses, vaginal foreign bodies, and labial adhesions. Program Directors currently allot an average of 3.5 h to delivering the gynecology objectives. All Program Directors expressed interest in a formal gynecology curriculum delivered through some combination of case-based teaching and/or simulation. CONCLUSION: There is a need for a standardized gynecology curriculum for Pediatric Surgery trainees. Most Pediatric Surgeons will manage gynecological conditions as part of their practice and current Program Directors feel that training is inadequate for a number of gynecological conditions. TYPE OF STUDY: Observational Cross-Sectional Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Safety and Outcomes of Linezolid Use for Nocardiosis.

BACKGROUND: Tropical Australia has a high incidence of nocardiosis, with high rates of intrinsic antimicrobial resistance. Linezolid, the only antimicrobial to which all local Nocardia species are susceptible, has been recommended in empirical combination treatment regimens for moderate-severe Nocardia infections at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) since 2014. We report the safety and efficacy of linezolid use for nocardiosis in this setting. METHODS: We identified cases through a retrospective review of all RDH Nocardia isolates from December 2014 to August 2018 and included 5 linezolid-treated cases from a previous cohort. Laboratory, demographic, and clinical data were included in the primary analysis of safety and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Between 2014 and 2018, Nocardia was isolated from 35 individuals; 28 (80%) had clinically significant infection and 23 (82%) received treatment. All isolates were linezolid-susceptible. Safety and efficacy were assessed for 20 patients receiving linezolid-containing regimens and 8 receiving nonlinezolid regimens. Median linezolid induction therapy duration was 28 days. Common adverse effects in those receiving linezolid were thrombocytopenia (45%) and anemia (40%). Adverse events prompted discontinuation of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole more often than linezolid (40% vs 20%). Linezolid therapeutic drug monitoring was used in 1 patient, with successful dose reduction and outcome. There was no difference in 30-day survival between those treated with linezolid (90%) vs no linezolid (87%). One Nocardia-attributed death occurred during linezolid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Linezolid is safe and efficacious in empirical treatment for moderate to severe nocardiosis in a monitored hospital setting, with 100% drug susceptibility and no difference in adverse events or outcomes compared with nonlinezolid regimens.

Loop versus divided colostomy for the management of anorectal malformations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The ideal colostomy type for patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) is undetermined. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of short-term complications comparing loop and divided colostomies. METHODS: After review registration (PROSPERO: CRD42016036481), multiple databases were searched for comparative studies without language or date restrictions. Gray literature was sought. Complications investigated included stomal prolapse/hernia/retraction, wound infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility and the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis of selected complications was performed using Revman 5.3, with p<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included, and four were multi-institutional. Reporting standards were highly variable. Studies scored between 6 and 9 of possible nine stars on the NOS. Overall, 3866 neonates with ARM were incorporated, in which 2241 loop colostomies and 1994 divided colostomies were reported. Of 10 studies reporting short-term complications, the overall rate was 27%. Meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the incidence of UTIs, (OR: 2.55 [0.76, 8.58], p=0.12), while loop colostomies had a significantly higher prolapse rate (See figure). No publication bias was noted. CONCLUSIONS: A colostomy for patients with an ARM is a source of considerable morbidity. Divided colostomies reduce the risk of subsequent prolapse and may represent the preferred approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3A.

Flap versus fascial closure for gastroschisis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Flap closure represents an alternative to fascial closure for gastroschisis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes comparing these techniques. METHODS: A registered systematic review ( PROSPERO: CRD42015016745) of comparative studies was performed, querying multiple databases without language or date restrictions. Gray literature was sought. Outcomes analyzed included: mortality, ventilation days, feeding parameters, length of stay (LOS), wound infection, resource utilization, and umbilical hernia incidence. Multiple reviewers independently assessed study eligibility and literature quality. Meta-analysis of outcomes was performed where appropriate (Revman 5.2). RESULTS: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria, of which three were multi-institutional. Quality assessment revealed unbiased patient selection and exposure, but group comparability was suboptimal in four studies. Overall, 1124 patients were evaluated, of which 350 underwent flap closure (210 immediately; 140 post-silo). Meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, LOS, or feeding parameters between groups. Flap patients had less wound infections (OR 0.40 [95%CI 0.22-0.74], P=0.003). While flap patients had an increased risk of umbilical hernia, they were less likely to undergo repair (19% vs. 41%; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Flap closure has equivalent or superior outcomes to fascial closure for patients with gastroschisis. Given potential advantages of bedside closure and reduced sedation requirements, flap closure may represent the preferred closure strategy.

The correlation between the time spent in utero and the severity of bowel matting in newborns with gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND: Optimal timing of delivery in fetuses with gastroschisis (GS) is unknown. Some favor early induced delivery to prevent bowel injury. This study evaluates the correlation between bowel injury and the gestational age at birth using the Gastroschisis Prognostic Score (GPS). METHODS: A national database was analyzed from 2005 to 2013. Patients were pooled based on their gestational age at birth. The mean GPS and % of patients with severe bowel matting were tabulated for each week in utero. Regression modeling was used to evaluate the relationship between the dependent (severe matting and GPS) and independent (gestational age) variables and the R(2) coefficient of determination was derived to evaluate model strength. Additional factors influencing the timing of delivery were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 780 cases, 88 were excluded because of missing data. A linear relationship is seen between increasing gestational age and decreasing bowel matting (R(2)=0.66) and GPS (R(2)=0.72). For every week in utero, the % of patients with severe matting decreases by 3.6%. CONCLUSION: Early induced delivery simply to protect the bowel from ongoing in utero damage appears unfounded and should be reserved for evidence of closing gastroschisis or traditional obstetrical/fetal indications.

A risk-stratified comparison of fascial versus flap closure techniques on the early outcomes of infants with gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND: While fascial closure is traditionally used in gastroschisis (GS), flap closure (skin or umbilical cord) has gained popularity. We evaluated early outcomes and complications of the two techniques. METHODS: A national, population-based gastroschisis data registry was analyzed from 2005 to 2011. We compared fascial to flap closures and stratified patients into low or high-risk groups using the Gastroschisis Prognostic Score (GPS), a validated marker of post-natal bowel injury. Demographic and outcome data, including length of stay, complications, and markers of resource utilization were analyzed using Fisher's exact and Student's t-tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively (p<0.05 significant). RESULTS: The analyzed dataset included 436 fascial closures (344 [78.8%] low-risk, 92 high-risk) and 129 flap closures (112 [86.7%] low-risk, 17 high-risk; p=0.06). Demographics and birth weight did not differ between groups. In patients with low GPS, flap closure demonstrated significant decreases in resource utilization and failure of closure, without differences in complication rates. Analysis of high-risk patients revealed no statistically significant differences in outcome. CONCLUSION: Flap closure was not associated with an increase in patient morbidity and seemed suitable as a definitive closure method for gastroschisis patients irrespective of disease severity. Furthermore, flap closure reduced several markers of resource utilization in patients with low-risk disease.