Protocol for the development of a global core outcome set for the surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer: a literature review and international Delphi survey.

Introduction: There is a lack of consensus on the optimal surgical strategy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), partly due to inconsistent reporting of outcomes. This limits the ability to compare study results, hindering the ability to draw conclusions regarding novel treatment strategies. The development of a core outcome set (COS) reduces heterogeneity in the selection and reporting of clinical trial outcomes.

Short-term postoperative complications in preterm neonates with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: Over half of preterm neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) require surgery, making it essential to understand short-term postoperative outcomes and complication rates. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an overview of 30-day postoperative complications for NEC. Secondary, risk factors for minor and major short-term postoperative complications were identified.

Diagnosing Hirschsprung Disease in Children Older than Six Months of Age: Complications After Rectal Biopsy, Insight in Final Diagnoses and Factors Associated With Hirschsprung Disease.

Introduction: It is challenging to distinguish between patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD) and patients with other causes of defecation problems based on clinical presentation in patients older than six months. Pathological examination of the rectal biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of HD. The aim of this study was to gain insight into 1) the prevalence and severity of complications following rectal biopsy, 2) the final diagnoses of patients referred for biopsy, and 3) clinical factors associated with HD in patients older than six months.

The Definition of Recurrence of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Recurrence is a key outcome to evaluate the treatment effect of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). However, no consistent definition of recurrence is available in current literature or international guidelines. Therefore, the primary aim of this systematic review was to delineate the definitions of recurrence of DTC, categorized by total thyroidectomy with radioactive iodine ablation (RAI), total thyroidectomy without RAI and lobectomy, to assess if there is a generally accepted definition among these categories.

Iodinated Contrast Induced Hypothyroidism in the Infant After Enteral Contrast Enema: A Case Report and Systematic Review.

Background: Excessive iodine intake triggers the Wolff-Chaikoff effect resulting in downregulation of thyroid hormone synthesis to prevent hyperthyroidism. Failure to escape the Wolff-Chaikoff effect can be seen especially in (premature born) infants and may result in prolonged iodine induced hypothyroidism. We describe a rare case of a preterm infant who developed severe iodinated contrast induced hypothyroidism after the use and prolonged stasis of enteral iodinated contrast media (ICM).

Long-term oncological outcomes of follicular thyroid cancer in adolescents and young adults: A nationwide population-based study.

Background: Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is rare and data on long-term oncological outcomes are scarce. This study aimed to describe the long-term recurrence and survival rates of AYAs with FTC, and identify risk factors for recurrence.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study combining two national databases, including all patients aged 15-39 years, diagnosed with FTC in The Netherlands between 2000 and 2016.

Pro-inflammatory T cells-derived cytokines enhance the maturation of the human fetal intestinal epithelial barrier.

Small intestine (SI) maturation during early life is pivotal in preventing the onset of gut diseases. In this study we interrogated the milestones of SI development by gene expression profiling and ingenuity pathway analyses. We identified a set of cytokines as main regulators of changes observed across different developmental stages.

Identifying Preoperative Clinical Characteristics of Unexpected Gastrointestinal Perforation in Infants-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Infants presenting with unexpected pneumoperitoneum upon abdominal X-ray, indicating a gastrointestinal perforation (GIP), have a surgical emergency with potential morbidity and mortality. Preoperative determination of the location of perforation is challenging but will aid the surgeon in optimizing the surgical strategy, as colon perforations are more challenging than small bowel perforations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide an overview of preoperative patient characteristics, determine the differences between the small bowel and colon, and determine underlying causes in a cohort of infants with unexpected GIP.

Core Outcome Set for Necrotizing Enterocolitis Treatment Trials.

Background And Objectives: Variability in outcome reporting in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) treatment trials hinders conducting meta-analyses and implementing novel treatments. We aimed to develop a core outcome set (COS) for NEC treatment trials including outcome measures most relevant to patients and physicians, from NEC diagnosis to adulthood.

Methods: Clinicians and/or researchers from low-middle- and high-income countries were approached based on their scientific contributions to NEC literature, and patients and parents through local organizations.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels in Follow-up for Recurrence of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma; a Nationwide Review of SCT Cases in the Netherlands.

Background: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is often used as tumour marker for recurrent sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT). We aimed to assess the normal dynamics of serum AFP levels after initial resection and diagnostic accuracy of serum AFP levels the follow-up for recurrence in SCT.

Methods: This retrospective study included 57 patients treated for SCT in the six pediatric surgical centers in the Netherlands from 1980 to 2018.

Trends in Simple and Complex Appendicitis in Children and the Potential Correlation to Common Viral Pathogens-A Retrospective Cohort Study between 2010 and 2019 in The Netherlands.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the annual, seasonal and monthly trends in children with simple and complex appendicitis and their correlation to common viral pathogens in the Netherlands. A consecutive multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed between 2010 and 2019 including children (<18 years) surgically treated for appendicitis. The primary outcome was the distribution of children with simple and complex appendicitis per year, season and month.

Congenital small bowel obstruction: Prenatal detection and outcome.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the outcome of fetuses and neonates with congenital small bowel obstructions (SBO), evaluate the screening performance of prenatal ultrasound for SBO and identify possible risk factors for adverse outcomes.

Methods: All cases referred to the Amsterdam University Medical Centers between 2007 and 2021 for a prenatal suspected SBO, supplemented by cases of postnatal diagnosis of SBO, were included. The primary outcome was survival after 24 weeks of gestation until the first year of life.

Prognostic accuracy of factors associated with poor outcome in prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several factors associated with poor outcome in patients with prenatally diagnosed sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) have been found. However, the prognostic accuracy of these factors has not been well established. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the prognostic accuracy of factors associated with poor outcome in these patients.

Implementing Contralateral Surgical Exploration during Hernia Repair in Children with Unilateral Inguinal Hernia: A Dutch Qualitative Study.

A total of 10-15% of children undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair develop a metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH) that necessitates second anesthesia and surgery. Contralateral exploration can be performed to prevent MCIH development. This study investigates (1) factors that promote or hinder the adoption and (de-)implementation of contralateral groin exploration in children ≤ 6 months undergoing unilateral hernia repair and (2) strategies to overcome these barriers.

Histology and transcriptome insights into the early processes of intestinal anastomotic healing: a rat model.

Background: Understanding the early processes underlying intestinal anastomotic healing is crucial to comprehend the pathophysiology of anastomotic leakage. The aim of this study was to assess normal intestinal anastomotic healing and disturbed healing in rats to investigate morphological, cellular and intrinsic molecular changes in the anastomotic tissue.

Method: Anastomoses were created in two groups of Wistar rats, using four sutures or 12 sutures to mimic anastomotic leakage and anastomotic healing respectively.

The Prevalence and Clinical Impact of Transition Zone Anastomosis in Hirschsprung Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hirschsprung disease (HD) is characterized by absent neuronal innervation of the distal colonic bowel wall and is surgically treated by removing the affected bowel segment via pull-through surgery (PT). Incomplete removal of the affected segment is called transition zone anastomosis (TZA). The current systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the prevalence and clinical impact of TZA.

[Adhesive small bowel obstruction after surgery during infancy; a potentially fatal long term complication].

Background: Pyloromyotomy, the treatment for infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, is a procedure with a low risk of complications and quick recovery. We describe a rare and fatal complication.

Case Description: A 12-year old boy presents with persistent abdominal pain and vomiting at his general practitioner.

Appendicitis and its associated mortality and morbidity in infants up to 3 months of age: A systematic review.

Background And Aims: Although appendicitis is rare in young infants, the reported mortality is high. Primary aim of this systematic review was to provide updated insights in the mortality and morbidity (postoperative complications, Clavien-Dindo grades I-IV) of appendicitis in infants ≤3 months of age. Secondary aims comprised the evaluation of patient characteristics, diagnostic work-up, treatment strategies, comorbidity, and factors associated with poor outcome.

Should primary anastomosis be considered more? A retrospective analysis of anastomotic complications in young children.

Objective: Little is known about intestinal anastomotic leakage and stenosis in young children (≤3 years of age). The purpose of this study is to answer the following questions: (1) what is the incidence of anastomotic stenosis and leakage in infants? (2) which surgical diseases entail the highest incidence of anastomotic stenosis and leakage? (3) what are perioperative factors associated with anastomotic stenosis and leakage?

Methods: Patients who underwent an intestinal anastomosis during primary abdominal surgery in our tertiary referral centre between 1998 and 2018 were retrospectively included. Both general incidence and incidence per disease of anastomotic complications were determined.