Does subtotal resection ameliorate hypothalamic morbidity in pediatric craniopharyngioma? A 30-year retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The optimal extent of resection of craniopharyngiomas to minimize the long-term risks of hypothalamic and endocrine dysfunction (obesity and panhypopituitarism) in children remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to report long-term outcomes of pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma undergoing surgical treatment and to study rates of endocrinological and hypothalamic dysfunction in association with extent of resection.

Methods: This retrospective study was performed in a cohort of children who underwent resection for craniopharyngioma at Children's of Alabama between 1990 and 2020.

Delivery of essential pediatric congenital surgical care within Brazil's universal health coverage system: a national survey of pediatric surgeons.

Objective: In this study, we assess the delivery of congenital pediatric surgical care under Brazil's system of universal health coverage and evaluate differences in delivery between public and private sectors.

Methods: A cross-sectional national survey of pediatric surgeons in Brazil was conducted. Participants were asked which of 23 interventions identified through the they perform and to report barriers faced while providing surgical care.

Understanding and identifying the needs of parent caregivers of children with hydrocephalus: a qualitative study.

Objective: Hydrocephalus is inherently unpredictable. Most parents whose child is diagnosed with hydrocephalus do not anticipate the diagnosis, nor can anyone predict if or when a child's shunt will fail and require emergency surgery. Previous research has shown that children with hydrocephalus and their caregivers experience significant posttraumatic stress symptoms secondary to the diagnosis.

Surgical capacity assessment in the state of Amazonas using the surgical assessment tool. Cross-sectional study.

Objective: Brazil is a country with universal health coverage, yet access to surgery among remote rural populations remains understudied. This study assesses surgical care capacity among hospitals providing care for the rural populations in the Amazonas state of Brazil through in-depth facility assessments.

Methods: a stratified randomized cross-sectional evaluation of hospitals that self-report providing surgical care in Amazonas was conducted from July 2016 to March 2017.

Preventing birth defects, saving lives, and promoting health equity: an urgent call to action for universal mandatory food fortification with folic acid.

July 20, 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the publication of the landmark trial by the British Medical Research Council showing unequivocally that maternal intake of folic acid (vitamin B) starting before pregnancy prevents most cases of infant spina bifida and anencephaly-two major neural tube defects that are severe, disabling, and often fatal. Mandatory food fortification with folic acid is a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable intervention to prevent spina bifida and anencephaly. Yet few countries implement fortification with folic acid; only a quarter of all preventable spina bifida and anencephaly cases worldwide are currently avoided by food fortification.

Evolution of Gender Disparities Among Brazilian Surgical, Anesthesia, and Obstetric Providers.

Introduction: Since 2010, most graduating physicians in Brazil have been female, nevertheless gender disparities among surgical specialties still exist. This study aims to explore whether the increase in female physicians has translated to increased female representation among surgical specialties in Brazil.

Methods: Data on gender, years of practice, and specialty was extracted from Demografia Médica do Brasil, from 2015 to 2020.

Scope of care in the first four years of life for individuals born with myelomeningocele: A single institution experience1.

Purpose: Children with myelomeningocele are known to be consumers of substantial healthcare resources, with many early hospital encounters. The purpose of this study was to survey the extent of medical and surgical care that patients with myelomeningocele receive during the first four years of life.

Methods: Clinical and demographic data were collected on newborn infants with open myelomeningocele from the Children's of Alabama Spina Bifida Web Tracker, a prospective, comprehensive spina bifida database.

A qualitative interview study on successful pregnancies in women with spina bifida.

Background: Improvements in antenatal medicine and surgical management for conditions associated with spina bifida such as hydrocephalus have extended the lifespan for individuals with spina bifida (SB) into adulthood. Decisions and education regarding reproductive care and pregnancies for patients with spina bifida are increasingly important. Pregnancy in these patients can be particularly challenging due to physical limitations, previous abdominal surgery for urinary or bowel management and presence of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Implementation of a checklist to improve pediatric trauma assessment quality in a Brazilian hospital.

Background: Trauma is the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in Brazil. Measurement of quality of care is important, as well as interventions that will help optimize treatment. We aimed to evaluate adherence to standardized trauma care following the introduction of a checklist in one of the busiest Latin American trauma centers.

The Plastic Surgery Workforce and Its Role in Low-income Countries.

Background: Plastic surgery varies in scope, especially in different settings. This study aimed to quantify the plastic surgery workforce in low-income countries (LICs), understand commonly treated conditions by plastic surgeons working in these settings, and assess the impact on reducing global disease burden.

Methods: We queried national and international surgery societies, plastic surgery societies, and non-governmental organizations to identify surgeons living and working in LICs who provide plastic surgical care using a cross-sectional survey.

Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Caregivers and Children with Hydrocephalus.

Objective: Hydrocephalus is a disorder of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, traditionally treated by placement of a ventricular shunt. Shunts are effective but imperfect as they fail in an unpredictable pattern, and the patient's well-being is dependent on adequate shunt function. The omnipresent threat of shunt failure along with the potential need for invasive investigations can be stressful for patients and caregivers.

Pediatric trauma primary survey performance among surgical and non-surgical pediatric providers in a Brazilian trauma center.

Introduction: Trauma is the leading cause of death and disability among Brazilian children and adolescents. Trauma protocols such as those developed by the Advanced Trauma Life Support course are widely taught, but few studies have assessed the degree to which the use of protocolized trauma assessment improves outcomes. This study aims to quantify the adherence of trauma assessment protocols among different types of frontline trauma providers.

Anxiety, depression, fatigue, and headache burden in the pediatric hydrocephalus population.

Objective: Childhood hydrocephalus is a common chronic medical condition. However, little is known about the burden of headache and psychological comorbidities in children living with hydrocephalus. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of these conditions among the pediatric hydrocephalus population.

Hydrocephalus-related quality of life as assessed by children and their caregivers.

Objective: Hydrocephalus is a chronic medical condition that has a significant impact on children and their caregivers. The objective of this study was to measure the quality of life (QOL) of children with hydrocephalus, as assessed by both caregivers and patients.

Methods: Pediatric patients with hydrocephalus and their caregivers were enrolled during routine neurosurgery clinic visits.

Prehospital Conditions and Outcomes After Craniotomy for Traumatic Brain Injury Performed Within 72 Hours in Central Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common neurosurgical condition globally. In Cameroon, there are 572 cases of TBI per 100,000 people, but <40% of Cameroonians live within 4 hours of a neurosurgical facility. We sought to understand the clinical outcomes at a neurosurgical center in Central Cameroon.

Caregiver-provider communication after resection of pediatric brain tumors.

Objective: Because caregivers are a crucial part of a child's medical care, it is important to understand how to best communicate with them during hospitalization. Qualitative research can elucidate the best strategies for effective parent-provider communication. This study aims to reveal communication styles of neurosurgery team members, and to identify areas for improvement in the future.

Functional outcomes at 2 years of age following treatment for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity: what do we know at the time of consult?

Objective: Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity remains a significant problem in preterm infants. In the literature, there is a scarcity of data on the early disease process, when neurosurgeons are typically consulted for recommendations on treatment. Here, the authors sought to evaluate functional outcomes in premature infants at 2 years of age following treatment for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.

High Tibial Osteotomy Survivorship: A Population-Based Study.

Background: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) was developed to treat early medial compartment osteoarthritis in varus knees.

Purpose: To evaluate the midterm and long-term outcomes of HTO in a large population-based cohort of patients.

Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Pediatric herniated lumbar disc: a population-based risk factor analysis.

Objective: Surgical treatment of herniated lumbar disc (HLD) remains rare in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate for potential disease risk factors leading to surgery based on a large single-center experience.

Methods: Data for all patients who had undergone surgical treatment for HLD between December 2008 and December 2016 at a single pediatric tertiary care referral center were collected and compared to data for a healthy control population obtained through a Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) survey in order to determine relevant disease risk factors.

Development of an evidence-based individualized transition plan for spina bifida.

Objective: In spina bifida (SB), transition of care from the pediatric to adult healthcare settings remains an opportunity for improvement. Transition of care is necessarily multidimensional and focuses on increasing independence, autonomy, and personal responsibility for health-related tasks. While prior research has demonstrated that effective transition can improve health outcomes and quality of life while reducing healthcare utilization, little is known about the most advantageous transition program components/design.

Program Evaluation of Camp V.I.P: Promoting Self-confidence and Independence for Patients with Spina Bifida.

Purpose: Camp V.I·P (Victory, Independence, Possibilities) was established by the Spina Bifida Association of Alabama in 2012. The goal is to provide children with spina bifida (SB) and their families a traditional-style summer camp focusing on self-empowerment and fostering independence in medical self-management.