Implementation of a Global Pediatric Trauma Course in an Upper Middle-Income Country: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Over 90% of pediatric trauma deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet pediatric trauma-focused training remains unstandardized and inaccessible, especially in LMICs. In Brazil, where trauma is the leading cause of death for children over age 1, we piloted the first global adaptation of the Trauma Resuscitation in Kids (TRIK) course and assessed its feasibility. METHODS: A 2-day simulation-based global TRIK course was hosted in Belo Horizonte in October 2022, led by one Brazilian and four Canadian instructors. The enrollment fee was $200 USD, and course registration sold out in 4 d. We administered a knowledge test before and after the course and a postcourse self-evaluation. We recorded each simulation to assess participants' performance, reflected in a team performance score. Groups received numerical scores for these three areas, which were equally weighted to calculate a final performance score. The scores given by the two evaluators were then averaged. As groups performed the specific simulations in varying orders, the simulations were grouped into four time blocks for analysis of performance over time. Statistical analysis utilized a combination of descriptive analysis, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. RESULTS: Twenty-one surgeons (19 pediatric, one trauma, one general) representing four of five regions in Brazil consented to study participation. Women comprised 76% (16/21) of participants. Overall, participants scored higher on the knowledge assessment after the course (68% versus 76%; z = 3.046, P < 0.001). Participants reported improved knowledge for all tested components of trauma management (P < 0.001). The average simulation performance score increased from 66% on day 1% to 73% on day 2, although this increase was not statistically significant. All participants reported they were more confident managing pediatric trauma after the course and would recommend the course to others. CONCLUSIONS: Completion of global TRIK improved surgeons' confidence, knowledge, and clinical decision-making skills in managing pediatric trauma, suggesting a standardized course may improve pediatric trauma care and outcomes in LMICs. We plan to more closely address cost, language, and resource barriers to implementing protocolized trauma training in LMICs with the aim to improve patient outcomes and equity in trauma care globally.

Uncovering gaps in women's authorship: A big data analysis in academic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Women are underrepresented in surgical authorship. Using big data analyses, we aimed to investigate women's representation as first and last authors in surgical publications worldwide and identify underlying predictors. METHODS: We retrieved eligible surgical journals using Scimago Journal & Country Rank 2021. We queried articles indexed in PubMed from selected journals published between January 2018 and April 2022. We used the EDirect tool to extract bibliometric data, including first and last authors' names, primary affiliation country, and publication year. Countries and dependent territories were classified following World Bank income levels and regions. Women's representation was predicted from forenames using the Gender-API software. Citations were included if gender accuracy was ≥80%. RESULTS: We analyzed 210,853 citations containing both first and last authors' forenames, representing 158 countries and 14 territories. Women constituted 23.8% (50,161/210,853) of the first and 14.7% (31,069/210,853) of the last authors. High-income economies had more women as first authors than other income categories (p < 0.001), but fewer women as last authors than upper-middle- and lower-middle-income economies (p < 0.001). The odds of the first author being a woman were more than three times higher when the last author was also a woman (OR 3.21, 95% CI 3.13-3.30) and vice versa (OR 3.25, 95% CI 3.16-3.34) after adjusting for income level and publication year. CONCLUSIONS: Women remain globally underrepresented in surgical authorship. Our findings urge concerted global efforts to overcome identified disparities.

Potentially Avertable Child Mortality Associated with Surgical Workforce Scale-up in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Global Study.

BACKGROUND: Expansion of access to surgical care can improve health outcomes, although the impact that scale-up of the surgical workforce will have on child mortality is poorly defined. In this study, we estimate the number of child deaths potentially avertable by increasing the surgical workforce globally to meet targets proposed by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. METHODS: To estimate the number of deaths potentially avertable through increases in the surgical workforce, we used log-linear regression to model the association between surgeon, anesthetist and obstetrician workforce (SAO) density and surgically amenable under-5 mortality rate (U5MR), infant mortality rate (IMR), and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) for 192 countries adjusting for potential confounders of childhood mortality, including the non-surgical workforce (physicians, nurses/midwives, community health workers), gross national income per capita, poverty rate, female literacy rate, health expenditure per capita, percentage of urban population, number of surgical operations, and hospital bed density. Surgically amenable mortality was determined using mortality estimates from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation adjusted by the proportion of deaths in each country due to communicable causes unlikely to be amenable to surgical care. Estimates of mortality reduction due to upscaling surgical care to support the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS) minimum target of 20-40 SAO/100,000 were calculated accounting for potential increases in surgical volume associated with surgical workforce expansion. RESULTS: Increasing SAO workforce density was independently associated with lower surgically amenable U5MR as well as NMR (p < 0.01 for each model). When accounting for concomitant increases in surgical volume, scale-up of the surgical workforce to 20-40 SAO/100,000 could potentially prevent between 262,709 (95% CI 229,643-295,434) and 519,629 (465,046-573,919) under 5 deaths annually. The majority (61%) of deaths averted would be neonatal deaths. CONCLUSION: Scale up of surgical workforce may substantially decrease childhood mortality rates around the world. Our analysis suggests that scale-up of surgical delivery through increase in the SAO workforce could prevent over 500,000 children from dying before the age of 5 annually. This would represent significant progress toward meeting global child mortality reduction targets.

Implementation of a checklist to improve pediatric trauma assessment quality in a Brazilian hospital.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in Brazil. Measurement of quality of care is important, as well as interventions that will help optimize treatment. We aimed to evaluate adherence to standardized trauma care following the introduction of a checklist in one of the busiest Latin American trauma centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, non-randomized interventional trial was conducted. Assessment of children younger than age 15 was performed before and after the introduction of a checklist for trauma primary survey assessment. Over the study period, each trauma primary survey was observed and adherence to each step of a standardized primary assessment protocol was recorded. Clinical outcomes including mortality, admission to pediatric intensive-care units, use of blood products, mechanical ventilation, and number of CT scans in the first 24 h were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were observed (39 pre-intervention and 41 post-intervention). No statistically significant differences were observed between the pre- and post-intervention groups in regard to adherence to checklist by specialty (57.7% versus 50.5%, p = 0.115) and outcomes. No mortality was observed. CONCLUSION: In our trauma center, the quality of the adherence to standardized trauma assessment protocols is poor among both surgical and non-surgical providers. The quality of this assessment did not improve after the introduction of a checklist. Further work aimed at organizing the approach to pediatric trauma including triage and trauma education specifically for pediatric providers is needed.

Comparison of regional analgesia techniques for pleurodesis pain in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical pleurodesis can prevent recurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax but is associated with significant postoperative pain. Adequate pain control is not only beneficial for patient comfort but also critical for mobilization and pulmonary recovery. Thoracic epidural catheters and paravertebral blocks have been used to alleviate pain after thoracoscopic surgery. However, no studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of paravertebral block vs epidural analgesia vs no block in children undergoing pleurodesis. METHODS: In this retrospective case series review, data were extracted from a single institution's integrated patient outcome database on children who underwent thoracoscopic pleurodesis from 2013 to 2018. Demographics, operative indication, procedure performed, and perioperative pain management were assessed by chart review. Patients whose operation was converted to thoracotomy, who had an underlying diagnosis of chronic pain, or who underwent pleurodesis for other indications were excluded. The primary outcomes were postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes included psot anesthesia care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, functional outcomes during recovery, and any adverse events. RESULTS: 66 patients met inclusion criteria: 23 received thoracic epidurals, 34 received paravertebral blocks, and 9 received no epidural/paravertebral block. Patient characteristics did not significantly differ among groups. Although mean pain scores were statistically significantly lower in the epidural group on post-op day 1, all three groups' pain scores were in the 1 to 3 out of 10 range during the entire postoperative period. Thus, this statistical significance had little clinical significance as all groups had good pain control. The epidural group had significantly lower opioid consumption on post-op days 0 - 2 compared to paravertebral block. No adverse events related to epidural or paravertebral block were noted. DISCUSSION: We present the an analysis of epidural vs paravertebral block (with comparison to no regional analgesia) following pleurodesis in children. Pain is well managed, regardless of the method; however, additional systemic opioid consumption was decreased in the epidural analgesia cohort. Prospective trials and comparisons with other analgesic techniques for pediatric thoracic surgeries are needed. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidural analgesia offers a reduction in opioid use in the first two post-op days after pleurodesis but did not produce a clinically significant reduction in pain scores in comparison with paravertebral block or no block.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Slipping Rib Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To investigate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of slipping rib syndrome in athletes; (2) to investigate the hooking maneuver for diagnosis of slipping rib syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of 362 athletes with rib pain. SETTING: Pediatric-based sports medicine clinic between January 1, 1999, and March 1, 2014. PATIENTS: Costochondritis, Tietze, fractures, rib tip syndrome, and unclear diagnoses were excluded. Athletes were included who had a palpable rib subluxation, mechanical rib symptom, positive hooking maneuver, or resolution of pain after the resection of a slipping rib segment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Slipping rib syndrome is associated with athletic performance. RESULTS: Fifty-four athletes were diagnosed with slipping rib syndrome, of which 38 (70%) were females. Mean age at presentation was 19.1 years (range 4-40 years). Mean number of previous specialist consultations per athlete was 2.3 and mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 15.4 months. The hooking maneuver was attempted 21 times (38.9%). Unilateral symptoms presented in 49 athletes (90.7%). The most symptomatic rib was the 10th, affecting 24 athletes (44.4%), eighth and ninth were affected in 17 athletes (31.5%) each. Most, 39 (72.2%), reported insidious onset of symptoms. Running, rowing, lacrosse, and field hockey were frequently associated activities. Twelve athletes had psychiatric diagnoses (22.2%), 10 (19.2%) were hypermobile. Sixty-six total imaging studies were performed. The most successful treatment options included: osteopathic manipulative treatment (71.4%), surgical resection (70%), and diclofenac gel (60%). CONCLUSIONS: Most athletes with slipping rib syndrome were active females with insidious onset of unilateral pain, a high prevalence of hypermobility and prolonged pain. The hooking maneuver was underused.

Pediatric renal injury: which injury grades warrant close follow-up.

PURPOSE: Most children who suffer renal trauma recover fully; however, some have long-term consequences. We sought to determine what grades of injury carry concern for complication and warrant close follow-up. METHODS: Data on children with grade II or higher renal injuries from a single center over 20 years were reviewed. Demographics, presenting symptoms, lab values, clinical course, management, and follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one children suffered renal injuries: 75% boys, aged 11.6 ± 3.5 years. Falls-54 and sports-43 were leading injury mechanisms. Presentations included pain only-61, pain and hematuria-28 and hematuria alone-11. Eight had pre-existing abnormalities. Injury grades were: grade II-88 (52%), grade III-49 (29%), grade IV-28 (16%), and grade V-6 (3%). No grades II or III patient underwent intervention or suffered sequelae. Grade IV patients underwent: stenting-5, surgery-2, embolization-1, and drainage-1. Grade V patients underwent: surgery-2, embolization-1, and drain-1. Two grade IV patients underwent late interventions: nephrectomy-1 and stenting-1. Six patients, all grades IV-V, were newly hypertensive at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Grades II and III renal injuries carry a low risk of complication and repeat imaging and close follow-up are likely not necessary. However, grades IV and V injuries carry a meaningful risk of adverse outcome and close follow-up is warranted.

Successful percutaneous management of traumatic abdominal compartment syndrome in a child.

Posttraumatic abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is an unusual and potentially lethal entity in pediatric patients. Early recognition and/or prevention of the syndrome, as well as prompt treatment of ACS, can reduce its associated morbidity and mortality but has traditionally required a laparotomy. Herein, we describe a case of posttraumatic ACS successfully treated percutaneously.

Expanding Global Surgery Education in Brazil: Perspectives after the 35th Brazilian Surgical Congress.

The 35th Brazilian Congress of Surgery marked a turning point for surgical education in the country. For the first time, the Brazilian College of Surgeons included Global Surgery on the main congressional agenda, providing a unique opportunity to rethink how surgical skills are taught from a public health perspective. This discussion prompts us to consider why and how Global Surgery education should be expanded in Brazil. Although Brazilian researchers and institutions have contributed to the fields expansion since 2015, Global Surgery education initiatives are still incipient in our country. Relying on successful strategies can be a starting point to promote the area among national surgical practitioners. In this editorial, we discuss potential strategies to expand Global Surgery education opportunities and propose a series of recommendations at the national level.

Social determinants of gastrointestinal malformation mortality in Brazil: a national study.

Introduction: In Brazil, approximately 5% are born with a congenital disorder, potentially fatal without surgery. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between gastrointestinal congenital malformation (GICM) mortality, health indicators, and socioeconomic factors in Brazil. Methods: GICM admissions (Q39-Q45) between 2012 and 2019 were collected using national databases. Patient demographics, socioeconomic factors, clinical management, outcomes, and the healthcare workforce density were also accounted for. Pediatric Surgical Workforce density and the number of neonatal intensive care units in a region were extracted from national datasets and combined to create a clinical index termed 'NeoSurg'. Socioeconomic variables were combined to create a socioeconomic index termed 'SocEcon'. Simple linear regression was used to investigate if the temporal changes of both indexes were significant. The correlation between mortality and the different indicators in Brazil was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Over 8 years, Brazil recorded 12804 GICM admissions. The Southeast led with 6147 cases, followed by the Northeast (2660), South (1727), North (1427), and Midwest (843). The North and Northeast reported the highest mortality, lowest NeoSurg, and SocEcon Index rates. Nevertheless, mortality rates declined across regions from 7.7% (2012) to 3.9% (2019), a 51.7% drop. The North and Midwest experienced the most substantial reductions, at 63% and 75%, respectively. Mortality significantly correlated with the indexes in nearly all regions (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study highlights the correlation between social determinants of health and GICM mortality in Brazil, using two novel indexes in the pediatric population. These findings provide an opportunity to rethink and discuss new indicators that could enhance our understanding of our country and could lead to the development of necessary solutions to tackle existing challenges in Brazil and globally.

Prevalence and Outcomes of High versus Low Ratio Plasma to Red Blood Cell Resuscitation in a Multi-Institutional Cohort of Severely Injured Children.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of targeting high ratio fresh frozen plasma (FFP):red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in pediatric trauma resuscitation is unclear as existing studies are limited to patients who retrospectively met criteria for massive transfusion. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of high ratio FFP:RBC transfusion and the association with outcomes in children presenting in shock. METHODS: A post-hoc analysis of a 24-institution prospective observational study (4/2018-9/2019) of injured children <18 years with elevated age-adjusted shock index was performed. Patients transfused within 24 hours were stratified into cohorts of low (<1:2) or high (>1:2) ratio FFP:RBC. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square were used to compare characteristics and mortality. Competing risks analysis was used to compare extended (≥75th percentile) ventilator, intensive care, and hospital days while accounting for early deaths. RESULTS: Of 135 children with median (IQR) age 10 (5,14) years and weight 40 (20,64) kg, 85 (63%) received low ratio transfusion and 50 (37%) high ratio despite similar activation of institutional massive transfusion protocols (MTP; low-38%, high-46%, p = .34). Most patients sustained blunt injuries (70%). Median injury severity score was greater in high ratio patients (low-25, high-33, p = .01); however, hospital mortality was similar (low-24%, high-20%, p = .65) as was the risk of extended ventilator, ICU, and hospital days (all p > .05). CONCLUSION: Despite increased injury severity, patients who received a high ratio of FFP:RBC had comparable rates of mortality. These data suggest high ratio FFP:RBC resuscitation is not associated with worst outcomes in children who present in shock. MTP activation was not associated with receipt of high ratio transfusion, suggesting variability in MTP between centers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective cohort study, Level II.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) reduce costs in the management of isolated splenic injuries at pediatric trauma centers.

PURPOSE: The American Pediatric Surgical Association Trauma Committee proposed the use of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the non-operative management of isolated splenic injuries in 1998. An analysis was conducted to determine the financial impact of CPGs on the management of these injuries. METHODS: The Pediatric Health Information System database, which contains data from 44 children's hospitals, was used to identify children who sustained a graded isolated splenic injury between June 2005 and June 2010. Demographics, length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, and laboratory, imaging, procedural, and total cost data were determined for all hospitals verified as a pediatric trauma center by the American College of Surgeons and/or designated by their local authority. Comparisons were made between facilities self-identifying as having a splenic injury management CPG and those without a CPG. RESULTS: Children (1,154) with isolated splenic injuries (grades 1-4) were cared for in 26 pediatric trauma centers: 20 with a CPG and 6 without (non-CPG). Median costs were significantly lower at CPG than non-CPG centers for imaging (US $163 vs. US $641, P < .001), laboratory (US $629 vs. US $1,044, P < .001), and total hospital stay (US $9,868 vs. US $10,830, P < .001). The median LOS for CPG and non-CPG centers were similar (3 vs. 2 days, P = .38), as were readmission rates within 90 days (3.1 vs. 5.1 %, P = .21). Multiple linear regression indicated that LOS (P < .001) and utilization of a CPG (P = .007) are significant independent predictors of total cost. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of a CPG to manage children with isolated splenic injuries at a pediatric trauma center results in significantly reduced imaging, laboratory, and total hospital costs independent of patient age, gender, grade, and LOS.

Impact of trauma system development on pediatric injury care.

PURPOSE: Trauma systems improve survival by directing severely injured patients to trauma centers. This study analyzes the impact of trauma systems on pediatric triage and injury mortality rates. METHODS: Population-based data were collected on injured children less than 15 years who were admitted to any hospital in New England from 1996 to 2006. Data from three trauma system states were compared to three non-trauma system states. The percentages of injured children, severely injured children, and brain-injured children admitted to trauma centers were determined as well as injury hospitalization and death rates. Time trend analysis examined the pace of change between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 58,583 injured children were hospitalized during the study period. Injury hospitalization rates were initially similar between the two groups (with and without trauma systems) and decreased over time in both. Rates decreased more rapidly in trauma system states compared to those without, (P = 0.003). Injury death rates decreased over time in both groups with no difference between the groups, (P = 0.20). A higher percentage of injured children were admitted to trauma centers in non-trauma system states throughout the study period, and this percentage increased in both groups of states. A higher percentage of severely injured children and brain-injured children were admitted to trauma centers in non-trauma system states and both percentages increased over time. The increase was more rapid in trauma system states for children with severe injuries (P < 0.001) and children with brain injuries (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Trauma systems decreased childhood injury hospitalization rates and increased the percentage of severely injured children and brain-injured children admitted to trauma centers. Mortality and overall triage rates were unaffected.

Crystalloid volume is associated with short-term morbidity in children with severe traumatic brain injury: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter trial post hoc analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined differences in clinical and resuscitation characteristics between injured children with and without severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) and aimed to identify resuscitation characteristics associated with improved outcomes following sTBI. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of a prospective observational study of injured children younger than 18 years (2018-2019) transported from the scene, with elevated shock index pediatric-adjusted on arrival and head Abbreviated Injury Scale score of ≥3. Timing and volume of resuscitation products were assessed using χ 2t test, Fisher's exact t test, Kruskal-Wallis, and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: There were 142 patients with sTBI and 547 with non-sTBI injuries. Severe traumatic brain injury patients had lower initial hemoglobin (11.3 vs. 12.4, p < 0.001), greater initial international normalized ratio (1.4 vs. 1.1, p < 0.001), greater Injury Severity Score (25 vs. 5, p < 0.001), greater rates of ventilator (59% vs. 11%, p < 0.001) and intensive care unit (ICU) requirement (79% vs. 27%, p < 0.001), and more inpatient complications (18% vs. 3.3%, p < 0.001). Severe traumatic brain injury patients received more prehospital crystalloid (25% vs. 15%, p = 0.008), ≥1 crystalloid boluses (52% vs. 24%, p < 0.001), and blood transfusion (44% vs. 12%, p < 0.001) than non-sTBI patients. Among sTBI patients, receipt of ≥1 crystalloid bolus (n = 75) was associated with greater ICU need (92% vs. 64%, p < 0.001), longer median ICU (6 vs. 4 days, p = 0.027) and hospital stay (9 vs. 4 days, p < 0.001), and more in-hospital complications (31% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.003) than those who received <1 bolus (n = 67). These findings persisted after adjustment for Injury Severity Score (odds ratio, 3.4-4.4; all p < 0.010). CONCLUSION: Pediatric trauma patients with sTBI received more crystalloid than those without sTBI despite having a greater international normalized ratio at presentation and more frequently requiring blood products. Excessive crystalloid may be associated with worsened outcomes, including in-hospital mortality, seen among pediatric sTBI patients who received ≥1 crystalloid bolus. Further attention to a crystalloid sparing, early transfusion approach to resuscitation of children with sTBI is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Periampullary duodenal duplication cyst masquerading as a choledochocele.

Enteric duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies of unclear etiology. While they can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, they typically occur in the ileum or ileocecal region and very rarely in the duodenum. Here, we report a case of a periampullary duodenal duplication cyst in a 13-year-old male who presented with clinical and laboratory evidence of small bowel obstruction, hepatitis, and pancreatitis. Based on radiologic imaging, the patient was thought to have a type III choledochal cyst (choledochocele) within the duodenal lumen. Intraoperative findings and postoperative pathological evaluation, however, revealed that the lesion was a duodenal duplication cyst masquerading as a choledochal cyst. Interestingly, the duplication cyst was communicating with the common bile duct, simultaneously causing biliary and small bowel obstruction.

Resolution of Mild Pilonidal Disease in Adolescents Without Resection.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal disease is a common condition of the gluteal crease, affecting around 1 in 2,000 adolescents and young adults. 1 Traditional options for management of pilonidal disease include improved hygiene with or without hair removal or resection of the nidus. Given a high recurrence rate associated with hygiene alone, nidus resection is often recommended, even for patients with mild pilonidal disease, despite significant postoperative morbidity. We present a consecutive series of patients with mild pilonidal disease managed in a dedicated Pilonidal Care Clinic using an alternate approach directed toward source control: improved hygiene to limit debris in the gluteal crease, excision of midline pilonidal pits under local anesthesia to prevent intrusion of debris with drainage of any nidus present, and laser ablation of midline follicles to prevent new pits from forming. 2. STUDY DESIGN: Data on demographics, disease severity, symptom scoring, treatments provided, and outcome for consecutive new patients presenting to an outpatient pilonidal care clinic with mild disease between August 2017 and September 2020 were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred two patients presented; their mean age was 16.3 years, 56 (55%) were female, and 42 (41%) had undergone prior nidus incision and drainage. Twenty-four were lost to follow up, and 77 of the 78 who continued care had resolution of their pilonidal disease after a mean of 3 ± 2.5 laser epilations and 1.3 ± 1 pit excisions during 4 ± 2 clinic visits over a treatment duration of 30 ± 19 weeks. CONCLUSION: Mild pilonidal disease may be resolved with improved hygiene, pit excision, and laser epilation with minimal morbidity and no activity restrictions. Adoption of this approach may keep a large number of patients with pilonidal disease from undergoing unindicated resection.

Variation in management of pediatric post-traumatic urine leaks.

PURPOSE: High-grade pediatric renal trauma may be associated with a urine leak and appropriate management remains unclear. METHOD: Data on patients with a traumatic renal injury were retrieved from the trauma registry and data warehouse of a pediatric level 1 trauma center over a 15-year period. Demographics, diagnoses, imaging, interventions performed, and follow-up information on patients with a urine leak were analyzed. RESULTS: 187 renal injuries were identified and 32 (17%) were high grade. There were 21 (11%) diagnoses of urine leak, comprising the study population. Leaks were identified 0-10 day post-injury. All patients underwent initial computerized tomography (CT); however, 10 (48%) lacked excretory-phase imaging, leading to repeat CT. Ten patients (48%) did not undergo an intervention for their leak, and 11 (52%) underwent at least one, most commonly stent placement (10). Comparing non-intervention and intervention groups: Injury Severity Score (ISS) and initial Shock Index - Pediatric Adjusted (SIPA) were similar, but there was variation in antibiotic prophylaxis (60% vs 100%), average number of imaging studies performed (6.4 vs 8.1) and average length of hospital stay in days (7.7 vs 8.6). CONCLUSION: Traumatic urine leaks are unusual, and half require no intervention. Management is variable and the development of care guidelines could decrease variation. Given their infrequency a multi-institutional study is required to generate sufficient patient volume.

Developing a pediatric trauma system in Tuscany, Italy: a case study in transformative change.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability in Italy among patients aged between 1 year and 19 years. To transform its fragmented regional pediatric trauma system to a more organized and efficient spoke and hub model, Tuscany has developed a partnership with physicians from the United States to facilitate the process and to implement a series of strategic system changes to create the first pediatric trauma center in Italy. METHODS: After establishing a multidisciplinary and institutional task force, a rigorous needs assessment was conducted to evaluate resources and develop a strategic timeline with specific project goals. Once an intensive educational program was completed, a series of system changes were made in Tuscany to create a full-service pediatric trauma center. Once accomplished, regional changes were enacted to divert the most severely injured children to the new center. RESULTS: In <3 years, a full-service pediatric trauma center was developed and ingratiated into the adult trauma system. All these changes were achieved through relentless administrative support, creation of a strong sense of urgency, and empowerment of innovators and early adopters to effect change. CONCLUSION: Through a comprehensive process including early extensive system analysis leading to educational interventions and organizational changes, the Anna Meyer Children's Hospital has developed the first Italian pediatric trauma center.

When to take it out? Optimal timing of interval appendectomy in 500 consecutive children.

PURPOSE: While interval appendectomy following nonoperative management of perforated appendicitis is delayed until several weeks after presentation, the optimal time from presentation to interval appendectomy is unknown. METHODS: The data warehouse of a large children's hospital was queried for interval appendectomies from 2006 to 2019. Data extracted included demographics, initial and operative hospitalization details, and pathology findings. Student's t-test and logistic regression were used where appropriate. RESULTS: 500 patients were identified with a mean age of 10 years, 53% male. Mean time to operation was 12.7 weeks. Operation prior to 12 weeks was associated with increased odds of acute inflammation on pathology (OR = 2, p < 0.01). Acute inflammation was associated with increased mean operative time (101 vs 84 min, p < 0.01). Presence of an appendicolith, initial hospitalization length, drain placement, readmission prior to operation, age and gender were all non-predictive of acute inflammation. Only 11% of appendices had an occluded lumen and 17% an appendicolith. Carcinoid tumors were identified in 6 patients (1.2%). CONCLUSION: Acute inflammation is found many weeks after perforation and is associated with increased operative time. Acute inflammation is more likely to be present in operations performed prior to 12 weeks.

A minimally invasive pilonidal protocol improves quality of life in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal disease adversely affects the quality of life (QoL) of adolescents with this condition. We report the impact of minimally invasive care on the QoL of a series of adolescent patients in a dedicated Pilonidal Care Clinic. METHODS: Beginning in February 2019, all patients completed QoL surveys prior to each visit reporting current symptoms and their QoL impact. Data were collected prospectively with objective disease severity and treatment details. Patients with at least 2 clinic visits were included. Demographics, procedures performed, and median QoL scores by severity were analyzed. RESULTS: 74 patients were included. Mean age was 17.3 years (SD 2.4), mean BMI was 27.5 (SD 6.2), median follow-up duration was 4 months (2-12). At intake patients reported a median total QoL impact of 12 for those with mild disease, 11 for those with moderate disease, and 12 with severe disease. Median total QoL impact resolved by the second visit for patients with mild disease, the third for moderate disease, and decreased 88% by the fourth visit for patients with severe disease. CONCLUSION: Pilonidal disease has a profound impact on most patients' quality of life. Minimally invasive care promptly resolves negative impacts on quality of life in adolescents.