Home intravenous versus oral antibiotics following appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To compare the effect of home intravenous (IV) versus oral antibiotic therapy on complication rates and resource utilization following appendectomy for perforated appendicitis.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial of patients aged 4-17 with surgically treated perforated appendicitis from January 2011 to November 2013. Perforation was defined intraoperatively and divided into three grades: I-contained perforation, II-localized contamination to right gutter/pelvis, and III-diffuse contamination.

Predictors and Outcomes of Nondiagnostic Ultrasound for Acute Appendicitis in Children.

Ultrasound assessments of children with possible acute appendicitis (AA) are often nondiagnostic. We aimed to identify the predictors of nondiagnostic ultrasound and to investigate the outcomes. A retrospective review was conducted on children aged 4 to 17 years evaluated in 2013 for AA with ultrasound at a tertiary hospital pediatric emergency department.

Thoracoscopic Versus Open Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair: Single Tertiary Center Review.

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) can be repaired open or through thoracoscopy. Thoracoscopic CDH repair could improve cosmesis and avoid the complications of laparotomy, but may have higher recurrence rates. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of thoracoscopic versus open CDH repair, with regard to recurrence, perioperative parameters, and postoperative complications.

Return of the surgeon in the diagnosis of pyloric stenosis.

Background: The diagnosis of pyloric stenosis (PS) by physical examination is a lost art that has been replaced by radiology-performed ultrasound (US). The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the diagnosis of PS can be made solely upon the surgeons US evaluation.

Methods: Surgical ultrasonographers included 2 senior general surgery residents and 2 pediatric surgery residents without prior formal US experience.

Tracheobronchial injury diagnosed by computed tomography scan: a case report.

Tracheobronchial injuries are uncommon after pediatric blunt trauma. Because they are easily missed and potentially life-threatening, surgeons caring for pediatric patients with trauma should be aware of this spectrum of injuries. We present a case of tracheobronchial injury in a 10-year-old girl caused by blunt trauma sustained during an all-terrain vehicle collision.

Surgeon-performed ultrasound for diagnosis of pyloric stenosis is accurate, reproducible, and clinically valuable.

Purpose: We will demonstrate that a surgical resident with proven accuracy in the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) can teach other surgeons to diagnose HPS with reproducible accuracy.

Methods: A surgical resident with proven sonographic accuracy in diagnosing HPS instructed 5 other surgical residents in the technique. Consecutive patients referred to pediatric surgery with a presumed clinical diagnosis of HPS were examined, and measurements of residents were compared with formal radiology studies.

Residency training in pyloromyotomy: a survey of 331 pediatric surgeons.

Purpose: Both pediatric and general surgeons perform pyloromyotomy. Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy (LAP), and changes in referral patterns have affected the training of pediatric surgery fellows and general surgery residents. We surveyed pediatric surgeons regarding these issues.

Hospital characteristics affect outcomes for common pediatric surgical conditions.

Appendicitis, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), and intussusception are common conditions treated in most hospitals. In which hospital settings are children with these conditions treated? Are there differences in outcomes based on hospital characteristics? Our purpose was to use a nationwide database to address these questions. Data were extracted from Kids' Inpatient Database 2000.