Congenital H-type tracheoesophageal fistula: A multicenter review of outcomes in a rare disease.

Objective: To perform a multicenter review of outcomes in patients with H-type tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) in order to better understand the incidence and causes of post-operative complications.

Background: H-type TEF without esophageal atresia (EA) is a rare anomaly with a fundamentally different management algorithm than the more common types of EA/TEF. Outcomes after surgical treatment of H-type TEF are largely unknown, but many authoritative textbooks describe a high incidence of respiratory complications.

Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure for pectus excavatum IV: FDA sponsored multicenter trial.

Purpose: The Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure (3MP) is a minimally invasive treatment for prepubertal patients with pectus excavatum. This multicenter trial sought to supplement safety and efficacy data from an earlier pilot trial.

Methods: Fifteen patients with pectus excavatum had a titanium-enclosed magnet implanted on the sternum.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in children.

Background: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMFT) is an uncommon neoplasm in children.

Methods: Retrospective review from 1993 to 2014 of patients ≤18years of age with a histopathologic diagnosis of IMFT treated at two tertiary centers.

Results: Thirty-two patients were diagnosed with IMFT.

Challenges and climate of business environment and resources to support pediatric device development.

The incidence of pediatric disease conditions pales in comparison to adult disease. Consequently, many pediatric disorders are considered orphan diseases. Resources for the development of devices targeting orphan diseases are scarce and this poses a unique challenge to the development of pediatric devices.

Granular cell tumors and congenital granular cell epulis in children: Similar entities.

Background/purpose: Granular cell tumor (GCT) is an unusual lesion thought to originate from Schwann cells. Congenital granular cell epulis (CGCE) is a rare fibroma-like lesion arising from the alveolar ridge in newborns. These entities have been described as distinct entities.

Outcomes for Prenatally Diagnosed Right Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Background: Right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs less frequently than left CDH. Therefore, prognostic indicators for right CDH are not as well studied as for left CDH.

Methods: A retrospective review from a single, tertiary referral center (from 1994 until July 2013) of patients with unilateral right CDH was conducted.

Amniotic band syndrome: a single-institutional experience.

Introduction: Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is uncommon. We review our single-institutional experience to define its natural history and outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis from a single, tertiary referral center of patients evaluated for and confirmed to have ABS from 1997 to 2012.

Laparoscopy for small bowel obstruction in children--an update.

Introduction: We evaluated the current role of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in children with small bowel obstruction (SBO) at our institution.

Subjects And Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing MIS for acute SBO was performed from 2008 to 2013. The study population was compared with a historical control including patients from 2001 to 2008.

Multi-institutional experience with penetrating pancreatic injuries in children.

Purpose: Penetrating pancreatic injuries in children are uncommon and are not well described in the literature. We report a multi-institutional experience with penetrating pancreatic injuries in children.

Methods: A retrospective review of children sustaining penetrating pancreatic injuries was performed at eight pediatric trauma centers.

Compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining kidney in medically complex living kidney donors over the long term.

Background: The criteria for living kidney donation are changing, resulting in increased numbers of individuals with risk factors being accepted as donors. The long-term function and volume changes in the remaining kidney of these medically complex donors remain largely unknown.

Methods: Living kidney donors with three separate risk factors (older age, obesity, or hypertension) were reevaluated 5 years after donation.

Review of our experience with neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma in adults.

Background: Neuroblastomas and ganglioneuroblastomas (NB/GNB) are malignant tumors that rarely occur in adults. Their disease progression and appropriate treatment are unclear.

Methods: All adults (age ≥18 years) were evaluated for histologically confirmed NB/GNB within our institution.

Youth ice hockey injuries over 16 years at a pediatric trauma center.

Background: Youth ice hockey is an exciting sport with growing participation in the United States. Updated assessment of injury patterns is needed to determine risk factors for severe injury and develop preventive efforts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience as a level 1 pediatric trauma center in Minnesota treating injured youth ice hockey players.

Fetoscopic approach to amniotic band syndrome.

Background: Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) is an uncommon complication of pregnancy that can result in fetal demise.

Methods: We present our experience with fetoscopic amniotic band release.

Results: Five patients underwent fetoscopic amniotic band release for preoperatively diagnosed ABS involving at least one extremity.

Operative vs nonoperative management for blunt pancreatic transection in children: multi-institutional outcomes.

Background: The management of traumatic pancreatic transection remains controversial.

Study Design: A multi-institutional review from 1995 to 2012 was conducted comparing operative with nonoperative management for grades II and III blunt pancreatic injuries in patients younger than 18 years.

Results: Fourteen pediatric trauma centers participated, yielding 167 patients; 57 underwent distal pancreatectomy and 95 were managed nonoperatively.

Protocol versus ad libitum feeds after laparoscopic pyloromyotomy: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: We conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing protocol to ad libitum (ad lib) feeding after laparoscopic pyloromyotomy.

Methods: Infants undergoing laparoscopic pyloromyotomy were randomized to protocol versus ad lib feeding strategies. The protocol started with Pedialyte® two hours post-operative.

Antenatal maternally-administered phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors normalize eNOS expression in the fetal lamb model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Purpose: Pulmonary hypertension (pHTN), a main determinant of survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), results from in utero vascular remodeling. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have never been used antenatally to treat pHTN. The purpose of this study is to determine if antenatal PDE5 inhibitors can prevent pHTN in the fetal lamb model of CDH.

Predictors of radiolucent foreign body aspiration.

Background: Children frequently present for suspected foreign body aspiration, many have mild symptoms and/or negative radiographs raising the question of a radiolucent foreign body aspiration.

Method: Retrospective review of patients having bronchoscopy for suspected radiolucent foreign body aspiration from 2000 to 2010 collecting demographics, history, hospital presentation, radiographic, and operative details. Pearson's correlation was used between event history, presentation, radiographic details and bronchoscopically identified foreign body with P value <0.

Accuracy of American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric for laparoscopic appendectomy at a single institution.

Background: In October 2008, the American College of Surgeons revealed the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric in an effort to improve quality of surgical care in children. A 5% disagreement rate of data reported between institutions is accepted. The two goals of this study were to (1) determine if the random sampling performed with NSQIP data collection was representative of the population, and (2) verify that data captured in NSQIP was accurate.

Clinical outcomes following bowel resection versus reduction of intussusception.

Background: Intussusception is most commonly managed with air-contrast reduction. However, when this fails, emergent operation with resection or manual reduction is indicated. It is not known if there are advantages to resection compared with manual reduction.

Single incision versus standard 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: Laparoscopy through a single umbilical incision is an emerging technique supported by case series, but prospective comparative data are lacking. Therefore, we conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing single site umbilical laparoscopic cholecystectomy to 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: After IRB approval, patients were randomized to laparoscopic cholecystectomy via a single umbilical incision or standard 4-port access.

Costal cartilage excision for the treatment of pediatric slipping rib syndrome.

Background: Costal cartilage excision is an effective treatment of slipping rib syndrome (SRS), although the diagnosis of SRS may be elusive. We review our experience with SRS in the pediatric patient.

Methods: This is a retrospective review from 2000 to 2011 of patients presenting with symptoms of SRS before 18 years of age.

Pilonidal Disease Mimicking Fistula-in-Ano in a 15-Year-Old Female.

Pilonidal disease typically presents with an abscess or intermittent pain and drainage in the sacrococcygeal region during the pubertal years. Further examination typically reveals pits in the midline of the sacrococcyx area due to entrapment of hair with recurrent entrapment, infection, and drainage. The following paper describes an unusual presentation of a pilonidal cyst with fissure and perianal drainage.

Irrigation versus suction alone during laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: The efficacy of irrigating the peritoneal cavity during appendectomy for perforated appendicitis has been debated extensively. To date, prospective comparative data are lacking. Therefore, we conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing peritoneal irrigation to suction alone during laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

Evaluation of ultrasonographic parameters in the diagnosis of pyloric stenosis relative to patient age and size.

Introduction: Pyloric thickness of 3 mm or higher and length of 15 mm or higher by ultrasonography (US) is widely accepted as diagnostic criteria for pyloric stenosis (PS). However, infants presenting at earlier ages are held to this same criteria, which may not be applicable.

Methods: Retrospective review was conducted on patients evaluated with pyloric US to rule out PS from May 2010 through December 2010.

The minimally invasive approach to appendectomy: is less better?

The benefits of the three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (TPLA) are now appreciated. Included in these advantages are reduced postoperative pain, reduced hospitalization, early return to routine activities, and a definite cosmetic benefit over the open approach. Recently, the single-incision laparoscopic technique for several disease processes has been popularized.