Primary sternal osteomyelitis: a case series and review of the literature

Purpose

Primary sternal osteomyelitis is rare in the pediatric population.

Methods

We present 4 recent cases that demonstrate a wide range in age, presenting features, and clinical course, and we performed a literature review.

Result

A combination of diagnostic aspiration with prolonged appropriate antibiotic therapy led to successful resolution in all cases. Surgical debridement should be reserved for cases that do not respond to medical therapy.

Conclusion

Sternal osteomyelitis is a rare condition in children that usually resolves with aspiration and prolonged antibiotic therapy.     

First reported experience with intramuscular diaphragm pacing in replacing positive pressure mechanical ventilators in children

Purpose

Diaphragm pacing (DP) has been shown to successfully replace mechanical ventilators for adult tetraplegic patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. This is the first report of DP in ventilator-dependent children.

Methods

This was a prospective interventional experience under institutional review board approval. Diaphragm pacing involves outpatient laparoscopic diaphragm motor point mapping to identify the site where stimulation causes maximum diaphragm contraction with implantation of 4 percutaneous intramuscular electrodes. Diaphragm conditioning ensues to wean the child from the ventilator.

Results

Six children were successfully implanted ranging from 5 to 17 years old with the smallest 15 kg in weight. Length of time on mechanical ventilation ranged from 11 days to 7.6 years with an average of 3.2 years. In all patients, DP provided tidal volumes above basal needs. Five of the patients underwent a home-based weaning program, whereas one patient who was implanted only 11 days post spinal cord injury never returned to the ventilator with DP use. Another patient was weaned from the ventilator full time but died of complications of his underlying brain stem tumor. The remaining patients weaned from the ventilator for over 14 hours a day and/or are actively conditioning their diaphragms.

Conclusion

Diaphragm pacing successfully replaced mechanical ventilators, which improves quality of life.     

Long-term outcome of single institutional experience with conservative and surgical management for renal artery aneurysm

Background

Spontaneous rupture risk of a renal artery aneurysm (RAA) is extremely low. Indications for surgical repair of RAA remain uncertain.

Objective

Long-term outcomes of conservative therapy and surgical repair were evaluated.

Patients

The study included 58 patients (17 males, 41 females) who were diagnosed with RAA during the last 21 years. Median age at the time of diagnosis was 62 (19-85) years, and the median follow-up 69 months (range 3-216).

Methods

The patients were divided into two groups, conservative group (n = 30) who had been followed with blood pressure control, and treatment group (n = 29), who underwent an intervention.

Results

Multiple efferent aneurysmal branches were observed in seven conservative and 16 treatment cases (P = .002). The median maximum diameter of the aneurysm was lower in the conservative than the treatment group (15 versus 25 mm, P = .005). Two conservative group cases showed increases in aneurysm size during follow-up. The hypertensive state showed essentially no change in either group during the follow-up. Renal function decreased with age similarly both in conservative and treatment groups.

Conclusions

Our conservative management criteria for RAA are justifiable and even too strict.     

Malignancy development in lung transplant patients

Introduction

The most common neoplasias among transplant patients are skin cancers and lymphoproliferative disorders.

Objective

To characterize lung transplanted recipients who developed malignancies.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of clinical records of our patients.

Results

Seven patients developed malignancies: skin cancer (n = 5; 71%), and adenocarcinomas of prostatic, gastric, and lung (n = 1 each). One patient developed two hematologic malignancies: T-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Among five patients who died (71%), 3 were due to advanced neoplasia. The mean presentation time was 4.3 years. Skin cancers were resected. The patient with lung adenocarcinoma developed pleural involvement and died. The patient with T-cell lymphoma was treated, but succumbed afterward due to multiple myeloma. The patient with gastric adenocarcinoma died at 3 months after the diagnosis, and the patient with prostate cancer underwent surgery without disease recurrence.

Conclusion

Malignancies are a late complication of transplant recipients that require a prompt diagnosis and treatment to improve outcomes.     

Biological Changes After Liver Transplantation According to the Presence or Not of Graft Steatosis

Aim

To assess the consequences of graft steatosis on postoperative liver function as compared with normal liver grafts.

Patients and methods

From January 2005 to December 2007, liver transplant patients were prospectively included, excluding those who experienced arterial or biliary complications or presented acute rejection. All patients had a surgical biopsy after reperfusion. Patients were compared according to the rate of macrovacuolar steatosis: namely above or below 20%.

Results

Fifty-three patients were included: 10 in the steatosis group and 43 in the control group. No significant difference was observed in terms of morbidity, mortality, and primary non- or poor function. Nevertheless, biological changes after the procedure were significantly different during the first postoperative week. Prothrombin time, serum bilirubin, and transaminases were significantly increased among the steatosis group compared with the control group (P < .05).

Conclusion

This case-controlled study including a small number of patients, described postoperative biological changes among liver transplantations with steatosis in the graft.     

Patterns of severe injury in pediatric car crash victims: Crash Injury Research Engineering Network database

Background/Purpose

Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) account for 50% of pediatric trauma. Safety improvements are typically tested with child crash dummies using an in vitro model. The Crash Injury Research Engineering Network (CIREN) provides an in vivo validation process. Previous research suggest that children in lateral crashes or front-seat locations have higher Injury Severity Scale scores and lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores than those in frontal-impact crashes. However, specific injury patterns and crash characteristics have not been characterized.

Methods

Data were collected from the CIREN multidisciplinary crash reconstruction network (10 pediatric trauma centers). Injuries were examined with regard to crash direction (frontal/lateral), restraint use, seat location, and change in velocity at impact (ΔV). Injuries were limited to Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores of 3 or higher and included head, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, spine, and long bone (orthopedic) injuries. Standard age groupings (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-18 years) were used. Statistical analyses used Fisher's Exact test and multiple logistic regressions.

Results

Four hundred seventeen MVCs with 2500 injuries were analyzed (males = 219, females = 198). Controlling for ΔV and age, children in lateral-impact crashes (n = 232) were significantly more likely to suffer severe injuries to the head and thorax as compared with children in frontal crashes (n = 185), who were more likely to suffer severe spine and orthopedic injuries. Children in a front-seat (n = 236) vs those in a back-seat (n = 169) position had more injuries to the thoracic (27% vs 17%), abdominal (21% vs 13%), pelvic (11% vs 1%), and orthopedic (28% vs 10%) regions (P < .05 for all). Seat belts were protective for pelvic (5% vs 12% unbelted) and orthopedic (15% vs 40%) injuries (odds ratio = 3, P < .01 for both).

Conclusion

A reproducible pattern of injury is noted for children involved in lateral-impact crashes characterized by head and chest injuries. The Injury Severity Scale scores were higher for children in front-seat positions. Increased lateral-impact safety measures such as mandatory side curtain airbags may decrease morbidity. Furthermore, continued public education for positioning children in the back seat of cars is warranted.     

Impact of surgery on immunologic function: comparison between minimally invasive techniques and conventional laparotomy for surgical resection of colorectal tumors

Background

Surgical trauma suppresses host immune function, potentially creating an environment vulnerable to tumor cell growth. This study compared immune function after laparoscopy, minilaparotomy, and conventional colorectal tumor resections.

Methods

Seventy-one patients underwent surgery (20 laparoscopy, 21 minilaparotomy, and 30 conventional). Blood samples were taken before surgery and at 3 hours, 24 hours, and 5 days after surgery. White blood cell constitution was determined using monoclonal antibodies. Levels of TH1 cytokines interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin (IL)-2 and TH2 cytokines IL-10, -4, and -6 were measured in plasma and from supernatants of activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Results

At 5 days after surgery, lymphocyte counts remained low in the conventional and minilaparotomy groups (P = .001 and P = .008) but had resolved in laparoscopic patients. Three-hour postoperative serum IL-6 concentrations were lower in laparoscopic than in conventional patients (P = .028). Production of TH1 cytokines 3 hours after surgery were significantly increased in laparoscopic patients (interferon-γ P = .018, tumor necrosis factor-α P = .011, and IL-2 P = .037).

Conclusions

TH1 lymphocyte function is improved transiently and immune homeostasis restored earlier in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection, which may influence disease recurrence.     

Extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis is associated with an increased incidence of cholelithiasis

Background/Purpose

The effect of portal flow deprivation to the liver on bile composition and the biliary system remains undefined in children. This report catalogues the authors’ experience with biliary tract problems in children with extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (EHPVT).

Methods

Twenty-nine children with symptomatic idiopathic EHPVT were evaluated for the Rex shunt procedure (mesenterico-left portal bypass) over a 4-year period. The authors retrospectively reviewed all operative reports and pre- and postoperative abdominal ultrasound findings with regard to associated congenital anomalies and abnormal biliary tract findings.

Results

Seven of the 29 patients with EHPVT (24%) had associated nonbiliary congenital abnormalities. Twenty-four of 29 (83%) patients had detectable biliary tract pathology by ultrasound examination. Biliary symptoms developed in 3 of the 9 (33%) patients with either stones or sludge (10.3% of all patients). Two patients were treated by cholecystectomy. There was no statistical correlation between biliary tract pathology and the age of presentation, symptoms of portal hypertension, gender, or underlying medical condition.

Conclusions

The authors have noted a high incidence of biliary tract pathology in patients with EHPVT compared with the normal population and a 10% incidence of symptomatic biliary pathology in this series.     

Serum basic fibroblast growth factor as a marker of reflux nephropathy

Purpose

The authors investigated whether serum basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) can be used as a noninvasive marker of renal parenchymal damage (scarring) in cases of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR).

Methods

Serum levels of b-FGF were measured in 120 children with known grade III to grade V VUR and 21 controls using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.

Results

Sixty-five children had grade III VUR, 39 had grade IV, and 16 had grade V. Renal scarring was seen in 43 children on radionuclide scanning. There were no significant differences between serum b-FGF levels for different grades of VUR without scarring and controls. However, serum b-FGF levels were significantly higher in VUR patients with renal scarring than in patients with VUR without renal scarring (P < .001).

Conclusions

This report is the first to document serum b-FGF profiles in children with VUR and renal scarring. The authors recommend measuring it as a simple, noninvasive marker of renal scarring in cases of VUR.     

Addition of epinephrine to epidural bupivacaine infusions following initiation of labor analgesia with epidural fentanyl

Study Objective

To evaluate the analgesic effects of the addition of epinephrine to a bupivacaine epidural infusion in early labor after a fentanyl bolus, following a lidocaine-epinephrine test dose.

Design

Randomized, double-blinded study.

Setting

Labor suite of a tertiary care hospital.

Patients

60 ASA physical status 1 and 2, laboring, nulliparous women.

Interventions

All laboring women received a 3 mL epidural test dose of 1.5% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine, followed by a fentanyl 100 μg bolus in 10 mL of diluent volume. Patients were randomized to receive one of two continuous epidural infusions: bupivacaine 0.625 mg/mL at 10 mL/hr (control group) or bupivacaine 0.625 mg/mL with epinephrine 5 μg/mL at 10 mL/hr (epinephrine group).

Measurements

Time to re-dose, pain scores, and side effects were recorded.

Main Results

The mean duration of satisfactory analgesia prior to re-dose was 159 ± 62 min for the control group and 221 ± 111 min for the epinephrine group (P < 0.02). Pain scores were significantly higher in the control group than the epinephrine group at two time periods: 2.5 hours and 4.5 hours (P < 0.04).

Conclusions

The administration of 0.625 mg/mL bupivacaine with epinephrine 5 μg/mL at 10 mL/hr, compared with plain 0.625 mg/mL bupivacaine at 10 mL/hr, provided a longer time to re-dose, decreased pain scores at two time intervals, and had no significant difference in duration of labor or side effects.     

Urinary diversion in children with pelvic tumors

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate children presenting with malignant pelvic tumors obstructing the upper urinary tract.

Methods

Seventeen children with upper urinary tract obstruction by a malignant tumor were reviewed. A nephrostomy tube or Double J (DJ) stent was inserted into each obstructed urinary system and removed after tumor shrinkage and/or hydronephrosis regression.

Results

There were 9 boys and 8 girls in the study; the mean age and median follow-up were 5.7 years and 2.5 years, respectively. The most common obstructing tumor was rhabdomyosarcoma. Twelve children underwent diversion by nephrostomy tubes and 3 by DJ stents; 2 patients underwent resection of the tumors with ureteroureterostomy. Complications after the insertion of the stents included febrile urinary tract infections (UTI) or pyelonephritis in 4 of the children with DJ stents. In the nephrostomy group, febrile UTI developed in 3 and the tube fell out in 1, and was blocked in another. Of the 17 children, 9 have no evidence of disease, 2 are currently under treatment, and 6 died of cancer.

Conclusions

The prognosis of children with malignant pelvic tumor obstructing the upper urinary system justifies urgent and optimal upper tract diversion, enabling chemotherapy to be started immediately.     

Interpretation of radiologic abnormalities in patients with chronically infected ingrown toenails with regard to a possible exogenic osteomyelitis

Background

Chronic infection of ingrown toenails may lead to exogenous osteomyelitis. Therefore, plain x-rays are commonly taken in children with significant inflammation. We evaluated the preoperative radiologic findings and their clinical significance, especially with regard to exogenic osteomyelitis.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively evaluated all patients who underwent surgery for infected ingrown toenails during a 5-year period. Data collection included the history of infection, preoperative laboratory tests, preoperative x-rays, and intraoperative presentation.

Findings

One hundred thirty-four patients with infected ingrown nails of the hallux underwent 161 surgical procedures. Mean age at surgery was 14.1 years. Preoperative x-rays were taken in 113 (70.2%) cases. The treating surgeon classified 76 (67.2%) x-rays as negative (no bone affection), 16 (14.2%) as positive (definite bone affection), and 21 (18.6%) as suspicious for bone affection. Only 11 (30%) of 37 children with positive or suspicious x-rays showed bone affection during surgery, which presented as a softening of the cortical bone. None of the children had significantly elevated inflammation markers in the preoperative laboratory tests. Children with positive or suspicious x-rays had a significant longer history of infection compared to those without radiologic abnormalities (8 vs 4.5 weeks mean; P = .024). A reevaluation of the x-rays by an experienced radiologist was undertaken and revealed no case of definite osteolysis.

Conclusion

In about one third of all infected ingrown toenails, radiologic changes of the distal phalanx occur. These changes primarily represent periostal reactions. A typical osteomyelitis as a complication of chronically infected ingrown toenails is rare.     

Variations in aganglionic segment length of the enteric neural plexus in Mowat-Wilson syndrome

Background/Purpose

Patients with zinc finger homeo box 1B (ZFHX1B) mutations or deletions develop multiple congenital anomalies including Hirschsprung disease, known as Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS). In this study, we investigated variations in the enteric neural plexus abnormalities in MWS using morphometry-based histopathologic analysis.

Methods

Seven patients with MWS (3 with mutations in exon 8 of ZFHX1B and 4 with deletions) who had undergone modified Duhamel's operations for Hirschsprung disease were examined. Surgically resected rectosigmoid specimens were analyzed morphometrically.

Results

The length of the aganglionic segment was longer than 3 cm in all the patients with deletions. In 3 patients with mutations, the aganglionic region was not detected in the surgically resected specimens; however, the parameters of the ganglions and plexus were significantly smaller than those of controls (cloaca and aproctia), indicative of a transitional zone. Variation in the severity of pathological changes among the 3 patients with mutations was also noted.

Conclusions

The variations in myenteric plexus pathologies in MWS appear to be caused by both variations in ZFHX1B abnormalities and epigenetic factors.     

Maternal diabetes and risk of esophageal atresia

Background

The etiology of esophageal atresia is poorly understood. The incidence of some congenital malformations is increased in children of mothers with diabetes, but the role of maternal diabetes in esophageal atresia development in the infant is unknown. We hypothesized that maternal diabetes increases the risk of esophageal atresia in the infant.

Methods

A population-based, matched case-control study, nested within a cohort of neonates born in Sweden in January 1, 1982 through December 31, 2007, was undertaken. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate relative risks, expressed as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Adjustment for confounding was made through matching and by multivariable regression.

Results

Among 2,625,436 newborn infants in the study cohort, there were 780 cases of esophageal atresia, and 7,800 infants were matched and randomly selected as controls. Exposure to preexisting or gestational diabetes was more frequent in the mothers of the case group (n = 18; 2.3%) than in those of the control group (n = 103; 1.3%). The adjusted risk of esophageal atresia was 70 % higher among infants of women with diabetes than among women without diabetes (odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.9).

Conclusions

Maternal diabetes might increase the risk of esophageal atresia in the child.     

Incidence, prevention, and management of complications following percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy

Context

Incidence, prevention, and management of complications of percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (PNL) still lack consensus.

Objective

To review the epidemiology of complications and their prevention and management.

Evidence acquisition

A literature review was performed using the PubMed database between 2001 and May 1, 2011, restricted to human species, adults, and the English language. The Medline search used a strategy including medical subject headings (MeSH) and free-text protocols with the keywords percutaneous, nephrolithotomy, PCNL, PNL, urolithiasis, complications, and Clavien, and the MeSH terms nephrostomy, percutaneous/adverse effects, and intraoperative complications or postoperative complications.

Evidence synthesis

Assessing the epidemiology of complications is difficult because definitions of complications and their management still lack consensus. For a reproducible quality assessment, data should be obtained in a standardized manner, allowing for comparison. An approach is the validated Dindo-modified Clavien system, which was originally reported by seven studies. No deviation from the normal postoperative course (Clavien 0) was observed in 76.7% of PNL procedures. Including deviations from the normal postoperative course without the need for pharmacologic treatment or interventions (Clavien 1) would add up to 88.1%. Clavien 2 complications including blood transfusion and parenteral nutrition occurred in 7%; Clavien 3 complications requiring intervention in 4.1.%; Clavien 4, life-threatening complications, in 0.6%; and Clavien 5, mortality, in 0.04%. High-quality data on complication management of rare but potentially debilitating complications are scarce and consist mainly of case reports.

Conclusions

Complications after PNL can be kept to a minimum in experienced hands with the development of new techniques and improved technology. A modified procedure-specific Clavien classification should be established that would need to be validated in prospective trials.     

Incidence of Aspirin Resistance and Its Relationship With Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Graft Function in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background

Aspirin (ASA) is frequently used to prevent cardiovascular events and improve renal graft function after renal transplantation. Clinical studies have demonstrated that decreased responsiveness to ASA therapy is associated with an increased risk of atherothrombotic events. However, no clinical trial to date has evaluated the incidence and clinical importance of ASA resistance among renal transplant recipients.

Aim

To assess the incidence of ASA resistance and its association with cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) and renal graft function after renal transplantation.

Methods

We prospectively included 40 patients undergoing living related donor renal transplantation using ASA (80 mg/d) in the study. ASA resistance was defined using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by postoperative Tc-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renal scintigraphy. We investigated the incidence of ASA resistance and its relationship to CRF and renal graft function.

Results

ASA resistance was noted in 11 patients (27.5%). The demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups (P > .05). Compared with patients in the ASA-sensitive group, patients in the ASA-resistant group showed significantly higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen levels and lower GFRs (44 ± 21 mL/min vs 63 ± 26 mL/min, P = .03). The incidence of ASA resistance was higher among patients with GFRs < 60 mL/min compared with those with a GFR ≥ 60 mL/min (10% vs 1%; P = .012).

Conclusion

ASA resistance is associated with higher lipid levels and inflammatory and thrombotic cardiovascular risk factors and lower GFRs in renal transplant recipients.     

Full functional-length urethral sphincter preservation during radical prostatectomy

Background

A key prerequisite for urinary continence after radical prostatectomy (RP) is the functional length of the urethral sphincter and the stabilisation of its anatomic position within the pelvic floor.

Objective

We describe our modified surgical technique for full functional-length urethra (FFLU) preservation during RP.

Design, setting, and participants

We analysed 691 consecutive patients who underwent RP over a 12-mo period (285 without and 406 with the FFLU technique).

Surgical procedure

The full functional urethra length was preserved by performing an individualised apical preparation strictly along anatomic landmarks, respecting the individual length of the intraprostatically located proportion of the urethral sphincter. Anatomic fixation of the sphincter was reached by a thorough preservation of the pelvic floor and anatomic restoration of the Mueller's ligaments.

Measurements

Continence rates were assessed at 7 d and 12 mo after removal of the catheter. Continence was defined as the use of no pads and no urinary leakage.

Results and limitations

The continence rates were 50.1% and 30.9% 1 wk after catheter removal (p < 0.0001) and 96.9% and 94.7% (p = 0.59) at 12 mo after surgery in patients operated on with the FFLU technique versus the non-FFLU technique. In multivariate regression analysis, only the surgical technique correlated significantly with the continence status 1 wk after catheter removal. Neither the overall positive surgical margin rates nor the number of positive margins at the urethral resection border differed significantly between the FFLU and non-FFLU groups (13.6% and 0.5% vs 14.9% and 1.3%, respectively). Although the patients’ baseline characteristics were similar in the two surgical groups, the patients were not preoperatively randomised, and the number of patients in the groups was asymmetric.

Conclusions

The combination of an FFLU preparation and improved preservation of the anatomic fixation of the urethral sphincter complex resulted in significantly increased early urinary continence results.     

Inflammatory response in children after laparoscopic vs open Nissen fundoplication: randomized controlled trial

We performed a randomized controlled trial to compare the inflammatory and immune responses to Nissen fundoplication in infants and children undergoing either open or laparoscopic surgery.

Methods

Forty children undergoing Nissen fundoplication were randomized to laparoscopy or open surgery using minimization with respect to age, neurologic status, and operating surgeon. Intraoperative and postoperative analgesias were standardized. Inflammatory markers (plasma malondialdehyde, nitrate plus nitrite level, and cytokines) and monocyte class II major histocompatibility complex expression were measured preoperatively, at end of surgery, 4, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. Postoperative changes were compared between open and laparoscopic groups.

Results

There were no significant changes in circulating malondialdehyde, nitrates plus/ nitrite, interleukin-10, or tumor necrosis factor α in the postoperative period in either group. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1rA) and IL-6 were significantly increased in both groups, with a tendency for greater elevation of IL-1rA in the open group. Monocyte major histocompatibility complex expression fell significantly in both groups; however, this fall appeared to be slightly more marked in the open group.

Conclusions

The postoperative cytokine response is similar in children undergoing open and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. This trial indicates that laparoscopy may partly reduce postoperative immune suppression.     

Appendicitis in northern aboriginal children: does delay in definitive treatment affect outcome?

Background

The treatment of northern aboriginal children (NAC) is often complicated by distance from a treating facility. We sought to compare outcomes of NAC requiring transfer with appendicitis to those who presented locally. We hypothesized that NAC with appendicitis experienced higher rates of perforation and increased length of stay (LOS).

Methods

A retrospective chart review of 210 appendectomies was performed. Charts were reviewed for age, sex, weight, days of symptoms before presentation, time of transfer, leukocyte count (white blood cell count), usage of antibiotics prior to transfer, time to operation, type of procedure and findings, pathology, postoperative outcomes, and LOS.

Results

Sixty-eight children were NAC, whereas 142 were local. The average transfer times for NAC was 10 hours (range, 4-20 hours). The two groups had similar ages (11.1 vs 10.7 years), time to presentation (1.64 vs 1.85 days), and LOS (2.91 vs 2.90 days). Significantly higher perforation rates (44 vs 28%; P = .02), higher white blood cell count (17.9 vs 16.0; P = .02), and longer times to operation after arrival (10.3 vs 7.0 hours; P = .0002) were noted in NAC. Postoperative complications were similar between groups. Forty-seven (69%) NAC received antibiotics prior to transfer, which did not affect rate of rupture.

Conclusion

NAC with appendicitis experience longer transfer times and higher perforation rates than local children without a difference in length of stay or complications. Pretransfer antibiotics do not reduce perforation rates but may impact complications. We endorse their use if a delay in transfer is anticipated.     

Laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal diseases in children: is there a learning curve?

Background/Purpose

We evaluated the impact of a surgeon's experience, divided our first 20 consecutive series that involved a single surgeon at the numerical midpoint of his experience, and compared outcomes regarding this midpoint.

Methods

From August 1996 to August 2001, laparoscopic nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy was performed in 20 consecutive children, 12 girls and 8 boys aged between 1 and 15 years (median, 5.9 years). Disease was in the right side in 11 patients and in the left side in 9. The children were divided into 2 groups of 10. We retrospectively obtained data on all patients and compared pertinent perioperative information including operation time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.

Results

The procedure was feasible in all cases and did not require conversion to open surgery or perioperative transfusion in any case. The operation time reduced from a median of 181 minutes over the first 10 patients to 125 minutes over the second 10, and this difference was significant (P = .02). Estimated blood loss and days to the first postoperative oral feeding for the second 10 patients were less than for those of the first 10 but there was no significant difference. The median hospital stay of the first 10 patients was 5.4 days (range, 2-10 days), significantly longer than the 2.5 days of the second 10 (range, 2-7 days) (P = .009).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic nephrectomy operation times in children reduced when the surgical experience level exceeded approximately 10 cases.