Laparoscopy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Survey Study.

Introduction: An increasing shift towards non-communicable diseases and an existing high surgical burden of disease in low-middle-income countries (LMICs) has impelled the need for implementing laparoscopic surgery, a safe and cost-effective surgical service. However, despite countless benefits, laparoscopic surgery programs remain limited throughout LMICs, and limited understanding is known of healthcare professionals' views regarding the implementation of laparoscopic surgery in their local healthcare environments. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to better understand the perceived challenges and barriers to implementing long-term laparoscopic surgery programs from the perspective of healthcare professionals.

Postoperative pain following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum: A descriptive study.

Background: Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum (MIRPE) is associated with significant postoperative pain. The objective of our study was to characterize the severity and duration of this pain, and to investigate possible associations with pectus severity.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients who underwent MIRPE from January 2014 to April 2018.

Risk stratification helps identify congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) infants in need of formal neurodevelopmental assessment: Observations from a structured, interdisciplinary long-term follow-up clinic.

Background/purpose: Neurodevelopmental delay (NDD) affects congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) infants. Initial assessment by experienced developmental pediatricians, supported by Bayley-3 tests, is a viable pathway for NDD identification and surveillance. We risk stratified CDH infants to observe differences in incidence and type of NDD based on disease severity.

The utility of echocardiography and pulmonary function testing in the preoperative evaluation of pectus excavatum.

Purpose: Echocardiography (ECHO) and pulmonary function testing (PFT) are routinely performed during the preoperative evaluation of pectus excavatum (PE). We hypothesized that these investigations may be performed selectively based on patient symptoms and pectus severity.

Methods: A retrospective review of all PE patients who underwent a Nuss procedure during a 15-year period (2004-2018) was conducted.

Effect of transanastomotic feeding tubes on anastomotic strictures in patients with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: The Quebec experience.

Purpose: Recent studies have identified transanastomotic tubes (TATs) as a risk factor for the development of anastomotic strictures after repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EATEF). We further investigated these findings in a multicenter study.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at three university-affiliated hospitals in the province of Quebec.

Prolonged Use of Ethanol Lock Prophylaxis With Polyurethane Catheters in Children With Intestinal Failure: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Children with intestinal failure (IF) receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) require long-term central venous catheters (CVCs). Ethanol lock prophylaxis (ELP) can reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections, but there are some concerns of increased breakage rates when used with polyurethane catheters. We reviewed our experience using ethanol locks in both polyurethane and silicone CVCs.

The Canadian Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Collaborative Mobile App: A National Guideline Implementation Strategy.

Objective: Coinciding with the publication of the Canadian congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) Collaborative's clinical practice guidelines (CPG), we developed a mobile smartphone app to increase guideline utilization and promote knowledge translation.

Study Design: This mobile app was organized into sections corresponding to the phases of CDH care (prenatal, perinatal/postnatal, and child/adolescent), and contained 22 recommendations supported by evidence summaries, PubMed links, levels of evidence, and strength of expert consensus. Download statistics were collected from September 2018 to June 2020 after release of two iOS versions and an Android platform.

Standardizing congenital diaphragmatic hernia care in Canada: Implementing national clinical practice guidelines.

Purpose: We sought to identify implementation barriers and opportunities to increase utilization of the Canadian Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Collaborative's clinical practice guideline.

Methods: A validated readiness assessment was sent via SurveyMonkey™ to CAPSNet site coordinators and local CDH stakeholders. The survey was open from 11/2018 to 02/2019.

Should you pick the PICC? Prolonged use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters in children with intestinal failure.

Purpose: Prolonged central vascular access is a source of significant morbidity in children with intestinal failure (IF). In an effort to decrease morbidity, our multidisciplinary IF team has primarily used peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) for these patients. We compared outcomes of PICCs to Broviacs®.

First 100 consecutive robotic inguinal hernia repairs at a Veterans Affairs hospital.

The utilization of robotics in general surgery has increased significantly including usage in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. We implemented a robotic inguinal hernia repair (RIHR) program in our VA hospital and report on initial experience with safety and outcomes. The first 100 consecutive RIHR at a VA hospital were reviewed and compared against the results of contemporaneous open inguinal hernia repair (OIHR).