1,721,085 research outputs found

    Contemporary management of pyloric stenosis.

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    Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is a common surgical cause of vomiting in infants. Following appropriate fluid resuscitation, the mainstay of treatment is pyloromyotomy. This article reviews the aetiology and pathophysiology of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, its clinical presentation, the role of imaging, the preoperative and postoperative management, current surgical approaches and non-surgical treatment options. Contemporary postoperative feeding regimens, outcomes and complications are also discussed

    Out with the old and in with the new: a comparison of rectal suction biopsies with traditional and modern biopsy forceps

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    AimsRectal suction biopsy, the gold standard for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease, has been associated with a varying incidence of complications and inadequate biopsy. The rbi2 is a modern alternative to the ‘Noblett’ biopsy forceps and has recently become available. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of this novel tool with the Noblett forceps.MethodsSingle-center retrospective study of all infants (<1 year) undergoing rectal suction biopsy from January 2004 to December 2007. During the study period, 2 different biopsy forceps were used—the Noblett forceps (first 2.5 years) and the rbi2 (last 1.5 years). A specimen was defined as inadequate if it was too small or contained inadequate submucosa for histological diagnosis. Fisher's Exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used as appropriate.ResultsDuring the study period, 238 specimens were obtained from 88 infants in 102 biopsy episodes. Overall, 13 episodes were inadequate. There were no demographic differences between the 2 groups, and no serious complications (hemorrhage requiring transfusion, rectal perforation, pelvic sepsis) occurred in any infant. A significantly higher proportion of specimens taken with the Noblett forceps were inadequate compared with the rbi2 (Noblett 30/153 [20%] vs rbi2 6/85 [7%]; Relative risk (RR) = 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-6.3; P = .01). There was a nonsignificantly higher incidence of inadequate biopsy episode with the Noblett forceps compared with the rbi2 (Noblett 10/63 [16%] vs rbi2 3/40 [7%]; RR = 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-7.3; P = .24). The rbi2 carries a small cost premium for each biopsy episode compared with the Noblett forceps, but this is low when compared with the cost of repeat biopsy.ConclusionsRectal suction biopsy is a safe procedure with a low incidence of complications. The rbi2 offers superior efficacy over the Noblett forceps, and its use is likely to be more cost-effective

    Outcome reporting in randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of gastroschisis treatment: a systematic review

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    BackgroundCore outcome sets (COS) facilitate clinical research by providing an agreed set of outcomes to be measured when evaluating treatment efficacy. Gastroschisis is increasing in frequency and evidence-based treatments are lacking. We aimed to identify initial candidate outcomes for a gastroschisis COS from existing literature.MethodsUsing a sensitive search strategy we identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (SRs) of treatment interventions for gastroschisis. Outcomes were extracted and assigned to the core areas, ‘Pathophysiological Manifestations’, ‘Life Impact’, ‘Resource Use’, ‘Adverse Events’ and ‘Mortality’.ResultsA total of 50 outcomes were identified. RCTs reported 6–9 outcomes each; SRs reported 9–25. The most frequently reported outcomes were ‘Length of hospital stay’ (reported in 8 studies), ‘Duration of ventilation’ and ‘Time to full enteral feeds’ (7 studies). Outcomes identified could be assigned to all five core areas.ConclusionsThere is wide heterogeneity in outcomes reported in studies evaluating treatment interventions for gastroschisis. It is unclear which outcomes are of highest importance across stakeholder groups. Developing a COS to standardize outcome measurement and reporting for gastroschisis is warranted

    Royal Australasia of Surgeons guest lecture. Necrotizing enterocolitis: prevention, treatment, and outcome

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    Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a very serious disease, particularly in premature infants. This review describes various aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The pathogenesis of NEC is not completely understood, and risk factors include formula enteral feeding and bacterial involvement. Prevention of the disease is desirable, and the most robust evidence is linked to the protective effet of human milk and probiotics. The medical and surgical management has not changed significantly in the last 20 years. Insertions of peimary peritoneal drainage in comparison with laparotomy remain controversial, and this uncertainty stimulated the development of two randomized controlled trials. Neither definitely demonstrated an advantage of either periotneal drainage or laparotomy over the other. The advantage offered by a stoma compared to primary intestinal anastomosis is currently investigated in a multicenter randomized controlled trial (STAT Trial). The mortality of the disease remains high, and new therapeutic interventions are needed. Novel forms of treatment that can improve the outcome of this disease are currently under investigation. These include whole-body moderately controlled hypothermia and administration of amniotic fluid stem cell

    The evidence base for neonatal surgery

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    The practise of evidence based medicine means integrating the clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. There is a lack of supporting scientific evidence from rigorous trials in neonatal surgery. The indications for surgery and the type of operation performed in neonates are rarely supported by randomised controlled trials. As a consequence, the majority of the operations performed in neonates are supported by retrospective studies and surgeon preference. This review article is focussed on operations in neonates which are performed by general paediatric surgeons. Only a few randomised controlled trials have been performed in neonatal diseases such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia, necrotizing enterocolitis, pyloric stenosis and inguinal hernia. All of these trials have been based on collaboration between paediatric surgical units highlighting the importance of creating a network of centres that will promote multicentre prospective studies

    Acquired colonic atresia in children: a report of three cases and review of the literature

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    We describe cases of three infants who developed acquired colonic atresia presumed secondary to significant systemic cardiovascular compromise and in the absence of necrotizing enterocolitis. An acquired colonic atresia may present as feed intolerance and should be investigated with a lower gastrointestinal contrast study. We would also recommend routine lower gastrointestinal contrast study prior to stoma closure in an infant with history of significant cardiovascular compromise, even in the absence of significant widespread colonic inflammation such as necrotizing enterocolitis.<br/

    Do infants with gastroschisis may have a high incidence of non-IgE-mediated cow's milk protein allergy?

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    Background/purposeTo determine the frequency and characteristics of suspected cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) in infants with gastroschisis and response to change in milk.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 111 consecutive infants with gastroschisis.Results64 episodes suggesting non-IgE-mediated CMPA occurred in 50 infants (45 %) at a median age of 44 days (9–186) and during the primary admission in 38 %. At the time of the episode the infant feed was breast milk (BM, n = 24), term formula (TF, n = 20) or extensively hydrolysed formula (EHF, n = 6). The feed was changed to EHF (34), amino acid formula (AAF) (14) or BM with maternal CMP-free diet (2). Partial or complete resolution of symptoms occurred in all. There was histological evidence of an allergic reaction to CMP in all four infants in whom tissue was available. Recurrent episodes occurred in 13/50 infants (26 %), 10 of whom were receiving EHF. There were no recurrent episodes in infants being fed with AAF.ConclusionFeatures suggesting non-IgE-mediated CMPA appear common in infants with gastroschisis

    Outcome of appendicectomy in children performed in paediatric surgery units compared with general surgery units

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    Background: appendicectomy for acute appendicitis in children may be performed in specialist centres by paediatric surgeons or in general surgery units. Service provision and outcome of appendicectomy in children may differ between such units.Methods: this multicentre observational study included all children (aged less than 16 years) who had an appendicectomy at either a paediatric surgery unit or general surgery unit. The primary outcome was normal appendicectomy rate (NAR). Secondary outcomes included 30-day adverse events, use of ultrasound imaging and laparoscopy, and consultant involvement in procedures.Results: appendicectomies performed in 19 paediatric surgery units (242 children) and 54 general surgery units (461 children) were included. Children treated in paediatric surgery units were younger and more likely to have a preoperative ultrasound examination, a laparoscopic procedure, a consultant present at the procedure, and histologically advanced appendicitis than children treated in general surgery units. The unadjusted NAR was significantly lower in paediatric surgery units (odds ratio (OR) 0·37, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·23 to 0·59; P?&lt;?0·001), and the difference persisted after adjusting for age, sex and use of preoperative ultrasound imaging (OR 0·34, 0·21 to 0·57; P?&lt;?0·001). Female sex and preoperative ultrasonography, but not age, were significantly associated with normal appendicectomy in general surgery units but not in paediatric surgery units in this adjusted model. The unadjusted 30-day adverse event rate was higher in paediatric surgery units than in general surgery units (OR 1·90, 1·18 to 3·06; P?=?0·011). When adjusted for case mix and consultant presence at surgery, no statistically significant relationship between centre type and 30-day adverse event rate existed (OR 1·59, 0·93 to 2·73; P?=?0·091).Conclusion: the NAR in general surgery units was over twice that in paediatric surgery units. Despite a more severe case mix, paediatric surgery units had a similar 30-day adverse event rate to general surgery units. Service provision differs between paediatric and general surgery unit
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