Pre-operative mechanical bowel preparation and prophylactic oral antibiotics for pediatric patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery: a protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

Background: Infections after elective colorectal surgery remain a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system. Adult studies suggest that the combination of oral antibiotics and mechanical bowel preparation is effective at reducing infections after colorectal surgery. In children, there is limited evidence for either of these practices and the utility of combining oral antibiotics with mechanical bowel preparation remains uncertain.

Management of Pediatric Patients With Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Purpose: Given the paucity of data on pediatric spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM), management is largely informed by extrapolation from adult studies or personal clinical experience, resulting in significant heterogeneity. The purpose of this study was to describe how pediatric patients with SPM are clinically managed at our institution and propose a treatment algorithm.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with SPM from April 2002 to December 2021 at a single Canadian tertiary care center.

Observation, Aspiration, or Tube Thoracostomy for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Cost-Utility Analysis.

Background: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) has several commonly used management strategies: observation, aspiration, and chest tube placement. Economic modelling of pooled data comparing techniques has not been performed.

Research Question: Based on studies from the past 20 years, which approach to management of PSP delivers the highest utility?

Study Design And Methods: A systematic review of PSP management strategies (observation, aspiration, or chest tube placement) included in the Medline and EMBASE databases from January 1, 2000, through April 10, 2020, was conducted.

Treatment and Outcomes of Congenital Ovarian Cysts A Study by the Canadian Consortium for Research in Pediatric Surgery (CanCORPS).

Objective: We conducted a multicenter study to assess treatments and outcomes in a national cohort of infants with congenital ovarian cysts.

Summary Background Data: Wide variability exists in the treatment of congenital ovarian cysts. The effects of various treatment strategies on outcomes, specifically ovarian preservation, are not known.

Differentiating congenital ovarian cysts from other abdominal cystic lesions in female infants: A study by the Canadian Consortium for Research in Pediatric Surgery (CanCORPS).

Purpose: The origin of congenital abdominal cysts in the female fetus often dictates management. While most arise from the ovary and are often managed non-operatively, some are non-ovarian and are frequently removed. We analyzed a national sample of female infants with congenital abdominal cysts to elucidate prenatal and postnatal factors associated with the diagnosis of a non-ovarian cyst.

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor With Ascending Intraspinal Metastasis at Recurrence: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and aggressive malignancy commonly involving the abdomen and/or pelvic peritoneum. Despite aggressive therapy, the prognosis remains poor. Central nervous system relapse is rare in abdominal/pelvic primary DSRCT.

Generalised urticaria following ingestion of a nickel-plated coin in a 4-year-old girl.

We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department after ingestion of a nickel-plated coin. Abdominal radiographs confirmed the presence of a coin in her stomach but she was otherwise asymptomatic. She was discharged with assurances that the foreign body would pass spontaneously.

The fragility of statistically significant findings from randomized controlled trials in pediatric appendicitis: A systematic review.

Purpose: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) in pediatric appendicitis remain limited, and the robustness of available evidence is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the fragility of results in pediatric appendicitis RCTs.

Methods: A systematic search of Embase and MEDLINE was performed.

Management of the normal-appearing appendix during laparoscopy for clinically suspected acute appendicitis in the pediatric population.

Purpose: The widespread use of laparoscopy has brought forth the question of how to manage a macroscopically normal-appearing appendix in cases of clinically suspected appendicitis. This study aimed to determine the current practices of pediatric general surgeons in Canada regarding this matter.

Methods: An online survey was created following the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) guidelines and distributed via email to the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (CAPS) staff surgeons.

Neutropenia at the time of subcutaneous port insertion may not be a risk factor for early infectious complications in pediatric oncology patients.

Background: The risk of infection associated with subcutaneous port (SQP) placement in patients with neutropenia remains unclear. We reviewed the rate of early infectious complications (<30 days) following SQP placement in pediatric oncology patients with or without neutropenia [absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <500/mm].

Methods: Baseline characteristics and infectious complications were compared between groups using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Replacing gastrostomy tubes with collapsible bumpers in pediatric patients: Is it safe to "cut" the tube and allow the bumper to pass enterally?

Purpose: The "cut and push" technique for removal of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes with collapsible bumpers offers an alternative to the standard traction method of removal. This study compared the outcomes of these techniques.

Methods: We completed a research ethics board-approved retrospective cohort study, identifying all patients less than 18years of age who underwent PEG tube removal at a children's hospital between December 2013 and December 2016.

Use of ultrasound in diagnosing postoperative small-bowel intussusception in pediatric surgical oncology patients: a single-center retrospective review.

Background: Postoperative intussusception can be a complication of abdominal surgery and often poses a diagnostic dilemma.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of intussusception in children who had recently undergone resection of a primary solid tumor.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all pediatric surgical oncology patients undergoing laparotomy for excision of an abdominal tumor at our institution from 1995 to 2015.

Operative and Immediate Postoperative Differences Between Traditional Multiport and Reduced Port Laparoscopic Total Splenectomy in Pediatric Patients.

Background: Laparoscopy offers many benefits to splenectomy, such as reduced incisional pain and shortened hospital duration. The purpose of this study is to evaluate procedural and outcome differences between multiport (MP) and reduced port (RP) splenectomy when utilized to treat children.

Patients And Methods: An institutional review board approved retrospective analysis of all consecutive laparoscopic total splenectomies performed at a single institution between January 2010 and October 2015 was conducted.

Hair epilation versus surgical excision as primary management of pilonidal disease in the pediatric population.

Pilonidal disease is a chronic, acquired inflammatory process of the skin due to entrapped hair at the natal cleft. Reported recurrence rates are as high as 30%, and recurrence has been attributed to persistent hair near the surgical site. Although conservative measures, such as meticulous hair control and improved perineal hygiene, have been shown to be effective, these techniques typically require much effort on behalf of the patient.

The significance of pseudoaneurysms in the nonoperative management of pediatric blunt splenic trauma.

Purpose: Nonoperative management is the standard of care for hemodynamically stable pediatric and adult blunt splenic injuries. In adults, most centers follow a well-defined protocol involving repeated imaging at 24 to 48 hours, with embolization of splenic pseudoaneurysms (SAPs). In children, the significance of radiologically detected SAP has yet to be clarified.