Less Dose, Same Care: Evaluating Computed Tomography Utilization for Pediatric Appendicitis.

Background: An ultrasonography-first, magnetic resonance imaging-second protocol, and attention to dose reduction was implemented to reduce computed tomography rates for appendicitis at our institution. We aimed to compare current computed tomography usage and report radiation doses at our children's associated system hospitals and referring nonsystem hospitals.

Methods: A retrospective study of pediatric patients who underwent appendectomy and had a preoperative computed tomography scan between June 2020 and June 2023 was performed.

Surgery and pain relief: A closer look at opioid prescription trends.

Background: Published guidelines to reduce the use and misuse of opioids in pediatrics are limited. After the implementation of an opioid stewardship program, we aimed to investigate the prescribing patterns in pediatric surgery.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who underwent general pediatric surgery procedures at a single institution between July 2021 and July 2023 was conducted.

Hardware Infection From Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures Is Lower Than Previously Reported.

Introduction Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) is an emerging therapy for the treatment of patients with traumatic rib fractures. Despite the demonstrated benefits of SSRF, there remains a paucity of literature regarding the complications from SSRF, especially those related to hardware infection. Currently, literature quotes hardware infection rates as high as 4%.