Laparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair in children: which is the true gold-standard? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed in children. Traditionally, an open surgical approach has been utilized; however, laparoscopic repair has been gaining favour within the surgical community. We aimed to determine whether open or laparoscopic hernia repair is optimal for pediatric patients by comparing recurrence rates and other outcomes. METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from 1980 onwards, including studies that compared laparoscopic and open repair for pediatric inguinal hernia. RESULTS: Our initial search yielded 345 unique citations. Of these, we reviewed the full text of 28, and included 21 in meta-analysis. The results showed that patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery were more likely to experience wound infection (p = 0.003), but less likely to experience ascending testis (p = 0.05) and metachronous hernia (p = 0.0002). There were no differences in recurrence rates (p = 0.95), surgical time (p = 0.55), length of hospitalization (p = 0.50), intra-operative injury, bleeding, testicular atrophy, or hydrocele. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic and open surgeries are equivalent in terms of recurrence rates, surgical time, and length of hospitalization. Laparoscopic repair is associated with increased risk of wound infection, but decreased risk of ascending testis. Laparoscopic surgery allows the opportunity to explore and repair the contralateral side, preventing metachronous hernia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Thoracoscopy vs. thoracotomy for the repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) require emergency surgery in the neonatal period to prevent aspiration and respiratory compromise. Surgery was once exclusively performed via thoracotomy; however, there has been a push to correct this anomaly thoracoscopically. In this study, we compare intra- and post-operative outcomes of both techniques. A systematic review and meta-analyses was performed. A search strategy was developed in consultation with a librarian which was executed in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from inception until January 2017. Two independent researchers screened eligible articles at title and abstract level. Full texts of potentially relevant articles were then screened again. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed. 48 articles were included. A meta-analysis found no statistically significant difference between thoracoscopy and thoracotomy in our primary outcome of total complication rate (OR 0.98, [0.29, 3.24], p = 0.97). Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences in anastomotic leak rates (OR 1.55, [0.72, 3.34], p = 0.26), formation of esophageal strictures following anastomoses that required one or more dilations (OR 1.92, [0.93, 3.98], p = 0.08), need for fundoplication following EA repair (OR 1.22, [0.39, 3.75], p = 0.73)-with the exception of operative time (MD 30.68, [4.35, 57.01], p = 0.02). Considering results from thoracoscopy alone, overall mortality in patients was low at 3.2% and in most cases was due to an associated anomaly rather than EA repair. Repair of EA/TEF is safe, with no statistically significant differences in morbidity when compared with an open approach.Level of evidence 3a systematic review of case-control studies.

Use of ultrasound for the palpable undescended testis: a wasteful practice.

Background: Many primary care physicians order an ultrasound (US) before referral to specialist care for suspected undescended testis; however, the value of this practice is questionable. Objective: To determine the proportion of boys referred for suspected undescended testis who had accompanying US, the cost of this practice and the accuracy of US for testis localization when compared with physical examination by a pediatric urologist. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review at a pediatric urology service, including all patients referred for suspected undescended testis from 2008 to 2012. We determined the cost of US ordered, and calculated Cohen's kappa, sensitivity and specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. Results: We identified 894 eligible patients; 32% (289/894) were accompanied by US. In 77% (223/289), the urologist was able to palpate the testis: 51% (147/289) had a normal/retractile testis and 26% (76/289) had a palpable undescended testis. At a cost of 71.10 CAD per US, 20 547.90 CAD was expended on this practice. Of the 223 patients with palpable testes, we were able to gather detailed US and physical examination results for 214 patients. Cohen's kappa was 0.06 (95% CI -0.005, 0.11; P = 0.10). US had 92.8% sensitivity (95% CI 84.1, 96.9%) and 15.2% specificity (95% CI 10.2, 21.9%) to detect an undescended testis. The positive predictive value was 34.2% (95% CI 27.8, 41.3%), while the negative predictive value was 81.5% (95% CI 63.3, 91.8%). Conclusions: Referral of patients for suspected undescended testis should not be accompanied by an US study as US is not useful in these cases.

Symptom development in originally asymptomatic CPAM diagnosed prenatally: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: For the approximately three quarters of patients with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) who are asymptomatic at birth, the chance of eventually developing symptoms is unknown. We sought to explore the natural history of asymptomatic CPAM. METHODS: We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the first 50 results from Google Scholar. Studies describing the natural history of prenatally diagnosed, initially asymptomatic CPAM were included. For asymptomatic patients initially managed non-surgically, we tabulated the proportion who went on to develop symptoms as well as the median age at symptom development. RESULTS: We included data from 19 retrospective studies on 353 patients. Of the 128 patients managed expectantly, 31 (24.2%) developed symptoms requiring surgical intervention. The median age at symptom development was 7.5 months (range 15 days-5 years). CONCLUSION: The risk for developing respiratory symptoms exists with originally asymptomatic CPAM patients, but the exact risk is difficult to predict. Parents may be given the value of approximately 1 in 4 as an estimate of the proportion of asymptomatic CPAM patients who go on to develop symptoms, which will help them make an informed decision regarding the option of elective surgery.

What is the optimal surgical strategy for complex perianal fistulous disease in pediatric Crohn's disease? A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Perianal fistulous disease is present in 10-15% of children with Crohn's disease (CD) and is frequently complex and refractory to treatment, with one-third of patients having recurrent lesions. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine the best surgical strategy or strategies for pediatric complex perianal fistulous disease (CPFD) in CD. METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL for studies discussing at least one surgical strategy for the treatment of pediatric CPFD in CD. Reference lists of included studies were hand-searched. Two researchers screened all studies for inclusion, quality assessed each relevant study, and extracted data. RESULTS: One non-randomized prospective and two retrospective studies met our inclusion criteria. Combined use of setons and infliximab therapy shows promise as a first-line treatment. A specific form of fistulectomy, "cone-like resection," also shows promise when combined with biologics. Endoscopic ultrasound to guide medical and surgical management is feasible in the pediatric population, though it is unclear if it improves outcomes. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of evidence regarding the treatment of CPFD in the pediatric population, and further research is required before recommendations can be made as to what, if any, surgical management is optimal.

Laparoscopic versus open pyloromyotomy in infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine whether open or laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is superior for the treatment of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in infants. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for articles comparing laparoscopic and open procedures. We conducted meta-analyses when possible and described other results narratively. RESULTS: Our meta-analyses revealed no significant difference in our primary outcome of major complications [risk difference (RD) 0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.03 to 0.08, P = 0.35, I 2 = 55%], or in our secondary outcomes of all perioperative complications (RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.04, P = 0.74, I 2 = 0%), operative time [mean difference (MD) 0.68, 95% CI -3.60 to 4.79, P = 0.76, I 2 = 86%], and length of stay (MD -2.60, 95% CI -6.05 to 0.86, P = 0.14, I 2 = 0%). Laparoscopy was associated with a shorter time to full feeds (standardized mean difference -0.25, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.06, P = 0.009, I 2 = 8%) and a slightly higher rate of inadequate pyloromyotomy (RD 0.04, 95% CI 0.00-0.08, P = 0.03, I 2 = 0%). Results from one randomized controlled trial indicate a better cosmetic outcome after laparoscopy compared to open procedure. CONCLUSION: There is no strong evidence to support a recommendation of one procedure over the other; therefore, the choice of laparoscopic or open procedure should be left to the discretion of the surgeon.

Optimal age for elective surgery of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation: a meta-analysis.

Controversy exists on the optimal age for elective resection of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation. Current recommendations vary widely, highlighting the overall lack of consensus. A systematic search of Embase, MEDLINE, CINAL, and CENTRAL was conducted in January 2016. Identified citations were screening independently in duplicate and consensus was required for inclusion. Results were pooled using inverse variance fixed effects meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results indicate no statistically significant differences for complications within the 3-month and 6-month age comparison groups [odds ratio (OR) 4.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-22.77, I 2 = 0%; OR 2.39, 95% CI 0.63-9.11, I 2 = 0%, respectively]. Older patients were significantly favoured for 3-month and 6-month age comparison groups for length of hospital stay [mean difference (MD) 4.13, 95% CI 2.31-5.96, I 2 = 0%; MD 3.38, 95% CI 0.44-6.31, I 2 = 0%, respectively]. Borderline statistical significance was observed for chest tube duration in patients ≥6 months of age (MD 1.06, 95% CI 0.02-2.09, I 2 = 0%). No mortalities were recorded. Surgical treatment appears to be safe at all ages, with no mortalities and similar rates of complications between age groups. The included evidence was not sufficient to make a conclusive recommendation on optimal age for elective resection.

What is the ideal surgical approach for intra-abdominal testes? A systematic review.

There is controversy regarding the ideal surgical management of intra-abdominal testes (IAT) to preserve fertility; we conducted a systematic review to address this problem. We performed a comprehensive electronic search of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL from 2008 to September 2014 (the date range was limited due to an abundance of literature), as well as reference lists of included studies. Two researchers screened all studies for inclusion, and quality assessed each relevant study using AMSTAR for systematic reviews (SRs), Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and MINORS for non-randomized studies. We identified two relevant SRs and 29 non-randomized studies. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, meta-analysis was not possible. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are insufficient for identification or localization of IAT; laparoscopic or surgical exploration is necessary. Primary orchiopexy is effective for low IAT, and Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy (FSO) is effective for high IAT. There is no clear benefit of one- vs. two-stage FSO, or of open vs. laparoscopic technique. Several alternative or modified techniques also show promise. RCTs are needed to confirm the validity of these findings, and to assess long-term outcomes.

Ideal timing of orchiopexy: a systematic review.

The ideal management of cryptorchidism is a highly debated topic within the field of pediatric surgery. The optimal timing of orchiopexy is particularly unclear, as existing literature reports mixed recommendations. The aim of this study was to determine, based on a systematic review, the most favorable age at which orchiopexy should be performed. We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library to find relevant articles. Two researchers quality assessed each study using the following tools: AMSTAR (systematic reviews), Jadad (RCTs), and MINORS (non-RCTs). We developed a conclusion based on the highest quality studies. We found one relevant systematic review, one RCT, and 30 non-RCTs. Fertility potential was greatest when orchiopexy was performed before 1 year of age. Additionally, orchiopexy before 10­11 years may protect against the increased risk of testicular cancer associated with cryptorchidism. Orchiopexy should not be performed before 6 months of age, as testes may descend spontaneously during the first few months of life. The highest quality evidence recommends orchiopexy between 6 and 12 months of age. Surgery during this timeframe may optimize fertility potential and protect against testicular malignancy in children with cryptorchidism.

Tube cecostomy versus appendicostomy for antegrade enemas in the management of fecal incontinence in children: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have directly compared between cecostomy and appendicostomy for the management of fecal incontinence in pediatric population. This systematic review of the literature describes outcomes and complications following both procedures. We also reviewed studies reporting impact on quality of life and patient satisfaction. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar were searched for chronic constipation pediatric patients who underwent cecostomy or appendicostomy. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed quality. RESULTS: An initial literature search retrieved 633 citations. After review of all abstracts, 40 studies were included in the final analysis, assessing a total of 2086 patients. The overall rate of complications was lower in the cecostomy group compared to the appendicostomy group (16.6% and 42.3%, respectively). Achievement of fecal continence and improvement in patient quality of life were found to be similar in both groups, however the need for revision of surgery was approximately 15% higher in the appendicostomy group. CONCLUSION: Cecostomy has less post procedural complications, however rates of patient satisfaction and impact on quality of life were similar following both procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of evidence-based practice by pediatric surgeons.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been identified as a foundation of mainstream medical practice, yet pediatric surgery has been slow in the acceptance and implementation of EBP. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews of 14 pediatric surgeons were conducted to determine barriers and facilitators to EBP. Resulting data were analyzed using a systematic 3-step approached of coding, generation of specific beliefs, and identification of domains relevant to practice change. RESULTS: Six domains were identified as relevant to changing pediatric surgeons' use of evidence in practice: environmental context and resources, goals, knowledge, skills, social influence, and social/professional role and identity. Important barriers to EBP implementation included time constrains and resource limitations, the general poor quality of evidence in pediatric surgery, a lack of required skills, and a culture that continues to rely on an apprenticeship style of teaching. Facilitators include working in a research hospital, and having a local champion/ peers that support EBP implementation. There were conflicting thoughts as to whether working as a group facilitated or impeded EBP. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric surgeons' use of research evidence in practice is influenced by a number of domains. These results may be used to inform the design of behavior change interventions intended to encourage EBP implementation. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Laparoscopic-assisted transanal pull-through (LATP) versus complete transanal pull-through (CTP) in the surgical management of Hirschsprung's disease.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether laparoscopic-assisted transanal pull-through (LATP) or complete transanal pull-through (CTP) is superior for the surgical management of Hirschsprung's disease. We compared outcomes between approaches. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with Hirschsprung's disease who underwent LATP or CTP at our centre between 1995 and 2014. Patients were matched based on age, birth weight, and level of aganglionosis. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were also performed. RESULTS: From our data, LATP (n=24) took significantly longer than CTP (n=12; 3.9±1.1 vs. 2.6±0.6h, p=0.001). There was no difference in length of stay or incidence of postoperative complications. A literature search identified 17 published studies, of which 2 were comparative. Our pooled analysis of comparative studies including our results showed that operative time was significantly longer for the LATP group (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.21-1.96, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in major complications (OR 1.75, 95% CI 0.76-4.04, p=0.19) or length of stay (OR 0.33, 95% CI -0.41 to 1.08, p=0.38). CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes are comparable between LATP and CTP. CTP offers shorter operative time without the need for laparoscopic instruments.

Surgical versus conservative management of congenital pulmonary airway malformation in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The ideal management of infants born with asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing elective resection versus expectant management. METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PubMed for studies describing the management of asymptomatic CPAM and reporting on postoperative morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay (LOS). We performed meta-analyses when possible and provide a narrative summary of results. RESULTS: One nonrandomized prospective and eight retrospective studies met our inclusion criteria. Out of 168 patients, 70 underwent surgery before symptoms developed with seven experiencing postoperative complications (10.0%); 63 developed symptoms while being managed expectantly and subsequently underwent surgery with 20 complications (31.8%). Thirty-five patients continued to be followed nonsurgically (three months to nine years of follow-up). Morbidity was higher with surgery after symptom development (6 studies; odds ratio 4.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.40 to 15.11, P<0.01); there was no difference in LOS (3 studies; mean difference 4.96, 95% CI -1.75 to 11.67, P=0.15). There were no related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Elective resection of asymptomatic CPAM lesions is safe and prevents the risk of symptom development, which may result in a more complicated surgery and recovery.

Histologic inflammatory activity of the rectal margin as a predictor of postoperative complication in ileoanal anastomosis (J-pouch) procedure in children with refractory ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative complication from the ileoanal anastomosis (J-pouch) procedure for surgical management of refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) increases the risk of pouch dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine if histologic inflammatory activity of the rectal margin is an independent predictor of complication after controlling for other variables. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all pediatric patients with UC who underwent a J-pouch procedure between 1995 and 2014. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed on the following variables: age at surgery, body mass index, comorbidities, time between colectomy and pouch, mucosectomy, protective ileostomy status, length of pouch, and histologic inflammatory activity in the intestinal epithelium of the rectal margin. RESULTS: Nineteen complicated and 23 uncomplicated cases were included. Histologic inflammatory activity was significantly higher among the complicated group (9.3±3.1 vs. 4.1±3.1, p=0.02). No significant difference was found regarding other variables. In a multivariate regression, histologic inflammation of the rectal margin remained significantly associated with complication (p=0.04) after adjusting for other factors. CONCLUSION: After controlling for potential confounders, histologic inflammatory activity at the rectal margin was found to be a significant predictor of postoperative complication in the J-pouch procedure for refractory UC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

Formula-feeding and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: is there an association? A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to determine whether formula-feeding is associated with increased incidence. METHODS: This case-control study included HPS cases and controls admitted between 1992 and 2012. Demographic data including feeding method were collected from patient charts and analyzed. RESULTS: We identified 882 HPS cases and 955 controls. The highest incidence of HPS presentation was in summer (P=0.0028). Infants with HPS were more likely to have been exclusively formula-fed, have a family history of HPS, and be male compared to infants in the control group (P<0.001); they were also more likely to live in rural areas, although not significantly so. After adjusting for family history, sex, place of residence, and season of presentation, exclusively formula-fed infants were 1.36 times more likely to develop HPS compared with exclusively breastfed infants (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.18-1.57, P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Formula-feeding is associated with significantly increased risk of HPS. Further investigation may help to determine the components of formula that simulate hypertrophy of the pylorus muscle, or the components of breast milk that are protective, as well as other influencing factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3b.

Feeding Post-Pyloromyotomy: A Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Postoperative emesis is common after pyloromyotomy. Although postoperative feeding is likely to be an influencing factor, there is no consensus on optimal feeding. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of feeding regimens on clinical outcomes of infants after pyloromyotomy. DATA SOURCES: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Medline. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion based on a priori inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted on methodological quality, general study and intervention characteristics, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included. Ad libitum feeding was associated with significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) when compared with structured feeding (mean difference [MD] -4.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.38 to -0.95; P = .01). Although gradual feeding significantly decreased emesis episodes (MD -1.70; 95% CI, -2.17 to -1.23; P < .00001), rapid feeding led to significantly shorter LOS (MD 22.05; 95% CI, 2.18 to 41.93; P = .03). Late feeding resulted in a significant decrease in number of patients with emesis (odds ratio 3.13; 95% CI, 2.26 to 4.35; P < .00001). LIMITATIONS: Exclusion of non-English studies, lack of randomized controlled trials, insufficient number of studies to perform publication bias or subgroup analysis for potential predictors of emesis. CONCLUSIONS: Ad libitum feeding is recommended for patients after pyloromyotomy as it leads to decreased LOS. If physicians still prefer structured feeding, early rapid feeds are recommended as they should lead to a reduced LOS.

Minimally invasive versus open repair of Bochdalek hernia: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic hernia can be repaired by open or minimally invasive surgery (MIS), although it is unclear which technique has better outcomes. Our objective was to compare the outcomes of these procedures in a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We sought all publications describing both techniques through MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL. Our primary outcome of interest was recurrence. We conducted statistical analyses using Review Manager 5.2. RESULTS: We did not identify any randomized controlled trials. Our pooled estimate of results from 10 studies showed that total recurrence was higher after MIS (OR: 2.81 [1.73, 4.56], p<0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated higher recurrence after MIS for patch repairs (OR: 4.29 [2.13, 8.67], p<0.001), but not for primary repairs. Operative time was longer for MIS (MD: 55.25 [40.21, 70.28], p<0.001), while postoperative ventilator time and postoperative mortality were higher after open surgery (MD: 1.33 [0.05, 2.62], p= 0.04; OR: 7.54 [3.36, 16.90], p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence rate is higher after MIS than open repair when a patch is used. Operative time is also longer with MIS. Poorer outcomes after open surgery may be a result of selection bias rather than surgical technique. Surgeons should carefully consider the potential morbidity associated with MIS when deciding on a repair method.

Effect of delivery approach on outcomes in fetuses with gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: There is considerable controversy regarding optimal mode and timing of delivery for fetuses with gastroschisis. Our objectives were to describe the variation in institutional approach regarding these factors, and to evaluate the effect of timing of delivery on outcomes in fetuses with gastroschesis. METHODS: Members of the maternal-fetal medicine community across Canada were surveyed regarding their personal and institutional approach of delivery. Data from the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network (CAPSnet) were analyzed. RESULTS: The survey showed significant variability in delivery approach between institutions, although no center routinely performs cesarean section. Infants delivered vaginally (VD) were categorized into three groups: Group 1, VD <36 weeks (n=114); Group 2, VD 36-37 weeks (n=218); and Group 3, VD ≥38 weeks (n=75). Score of Neonatal Acute Physiology, complication rates, length of time on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and length of hospital stay (LOS) were higher in Group 1; bowel matting was greater in Group 3. There were no differences between the groups regarding other complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that preterm delivery was associated with more complications, longer time on TPN, and longer LOS; delivery ≥38 weeks was associated with increased bowel matting. These outcomes should be considered when determining institutional protocol.