Initial blood cultures in pediatric patients with central line infections and short bowel syndrome can direct a treatment plan that can reduce hospital length of stay.

Background: Children with short bowel syndrome requiring parenteral nutrition are at high risk of recurrent central line-associated bloodstream infections requiring inpatient admission. Predicting responses to treatment at admission could help revise our current treatment algorithm and reduce the length of stay.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all intestinal rehabilitation clinic patients admitted for central line-associated bloodstream infections at our academic hospital between January 2018 and June 2021.

Prognostic utility of noninvasive estimates of pulmonary vascular compliance in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Aim: To evaluate echocardiographic indices of pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular (RV) function in predicting death or ECMO in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods: In this single center study, early (<48 h) echocardiograms of neonates with CDH (n = 47) were reviewed by a single reader for the ratio of tricuspid regurgitant velocity to velocity time integral at the pulmonary valve (TRV/VTIpv), TRV2/VTIpv, RV fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for each parameter to obtain optimal cutoff values.

Minimally invasive surgery of the lung: lung biopsy, treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax, and pulmonary resection.

Thoracoscopy of pediatric patients has evolved from diagnostic lung biopsy to a myriad of both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In this chapter, we discuss those procedures related to the child's lung which are most commonly performed: lung biopsy; resection of bronchogenic cysts, pulmonary sequestrations, and pulmonary lobes; and the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.

Management of fulminant dissecting cellulitis of the scalp in the pediatric population: Case report and literature review.

A case of fulminant dissecting cellulitis of the scalp in a fifteen-year-old African American male is reported. The presentation was refractory to standard medical treatment such that treatment required radical subgaleal excision of the entire hair-bearing scalp. Reconstruction was in the form of split-thickness skin grafting at the level of the pericranium following several days of vacuum-assisted closure dressing to promote an acceptable wound bed for skin grafting and to ensure appropriate clearance of infection.

Computer-assisted robot-enhanced laparoscopic fundoplication in children.

Background/purpose: Robotic surgery improves laparoscopic surgery through a more natural interface, tremor filtration, motion scaling, and additional degrees of freedom of the instruments. Here, the authors report that experience with robot-assisted fundoplication in children.

Methods: The authors have performed 15 laparoscopic fundoplications with the Zeus Robotic Surgery System and retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data on set-up time, operating time, and outcome.

Early experience with minimally invasive repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias: results and lessons learned.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) had been described. This report reviews the authors' experience with MIS repairs of CDH and discusses the technical development of this approach.

Methods: From 1999 until now, the authors collected data on children who underwent an MIS approach for CDH repair.

The Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia: A review of a 27-year experience with 81 patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to utilize clinical outcome methodology through multivariable analysis of perioperative factors to predict a successful Kasai-portoenterostomy (PE).

Methods: Records of 81 patients treated for biliary atresia (BA) were reviewed. Outcome was defined as successful if the patient was alive and had no liver transplant (LT).

Increased respiratory symptoms following surgery in children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) via parental smoking (ETS+) developed more respiratory symptoms resulting in longer recovery times following surgical outpatient procedures compared with children of nonsmoking parents (ETS-).

Methods: One hundred and forty six children (4.9 +/- 3 years) undergoing inguinal hernia repair were prospectively studied.

Lung resection in infants and children with pulmonary infections refractory to medical therapy.

Background/purpose: Pulmonary infections in children are common and often resolve with antibiotics and supportive therapy. When these infections become refractory to medical therapy or develop into an abscess, operative intervention may become necessary. This study was undertaken to review the experience with these pulmonary infections at the authors' institution.