The Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels in Follow-up for Recurrence of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma; a Nationwide Review of SCT Cases in the Netherlands.

Background: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is often used as tumour marker for recurrent sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT). We aimed to assess the normal dynamics of serum AFP levels after initial resection and diagnostic accuracy of serum AFP levels the follow-up for recurrence in SCT.

Methods: This retrospective study included 57 patients treated for SCT in the six pediatric surgical centers in the Netherlands from 1980 to 2018.

Did Age at Surgery Influence Outcome in Patients With Hirschsprung Disease? A Nationwide Cohort Study in the Netherlands.

Objectives: Hirschsprung disease (HD) requires surgical resection of affected bowel, but the current evidence is inconclusive regarding the optimal age for resection. The aim of this study was to assess whether age at resection of the aganglionic segment is a determinant for surgical outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was done including all consecutive patients with HD between 1957 and 2015, aged 8 years or older (n = 830), who were treated in 1 of the 6 pediatric surgical centers in the Netherlands.

Familial Experience With Hirschsprung's Disease Improves the Patient's Ability to Cope.

Introduction: Familial occurrence of Hirschsprung's disease may have a positive effect on patients' ability to cope with the disease. The aim was to compare long-term bowel function and generic quality of life between patients with familial and non-familial Hirschsprung's disease.

Methods: This was a nationwide, cross-sectional study in which we included all 830 Hirschsprung patients of 8 years and older who had undergone surgery between 1957 and 2015.

Functional Outcomes After Surgery for Total Colonic, Long-Segment, Versus Rectosigmoid Segment Hirschsprung Disease.

Objectives: Knowledge on long-term outcomes in patients with Hirschsprung disease is progressing. Nevertheless, differences in outcomes according to aganglionic lengths are unclear. We compared long-term bowel function and generic quality of life in Hirschsprung patients with total colonic or long-segment versus rectosigmoid aganglionosis.

Thoracoscopic Repair of Esophageal Atresia.

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a rare congenital malformation of the esophagus. Surgical treatment is required to restore the continuity of the esophagus. This can be performed through thoracotomy.

Parental wellbeing after diagnosing a child with biliary atresia: A prospective cohort study.

Purpose: To determine anxiety, stress, and quality of life (QoL) in parents of children who are diagnosed with biliary atresia (BA).

Methods: Parents of BA patients (0-3 years) completed validated questionnaires at three time points: at first hospitalization (T0); 1-2 months post diagnosis (T1); and 2-3 years post diagnosis (T2). Results are presented in medians (min-max).

The Dutch Incidence of Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis and the Influence of Seasons.

Introduction:  Studies report contradicting results on the incidence of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) and its association with seasons. We aim to assess the IHPS incidence in the Netherlands and to determine whether seasonal variation is present in a nationwide cohort.

Materials And Methods:  All infants with IHPS hospitalized in the Netherlands between 2007 and 2017 were included in this retrospective cohort study.

Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Biliary Atresia.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine quality of life (QoL), stress, and anxiety levels in parents of children with biliary atresia (BA), and to assess factors associated with parental QoL.

Methods: Parents of children (6-16 years) with BA were included in this cross-sectional study. We used validated questionnaires to assess parental QoL, stress, and anxiety levels.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Biliary Atresia Patients with Native Liver or Transplantation.

Introduction:  We aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in biliary atresia (BA) patients, based on original data and a literature review, and to determine factors associated with their HrQoL.

Materials And Methods:  We reviewed available studies describing HrQoL in BA patients. We assessed HrQoL in Dutch BA patients (6-16 years) using the validated Child Health Questionnaire.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychosocial Morbidity in Anorectal Malformation and Hirschsprung's Disease.

Anorectal malformation (ARM) and Hirschsprung's disease (HD) are the most common congenital colorectal anomalies. Despite advances in surgical techniques and improvements in postoperative clinical care, short- and long-term physical and psychosocial morbidity of these patients remains high. This review outlines the current literature on the physical and psychosocial aspects of health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and its confounders in patients with ARM/HD.

Does Mechanical Bowel Preparation Reduce the Risk of Developing Infectious Complications in Pediatric Colorectal Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the application of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) before colorectal surgery reduces the risk of developing infectious complications in children.

Study Design: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify all articles comparing pediatric patients receiving MBP with pediatric patients not receiving MBP before colorectal surgery. Results are presented with weighted risk differences based on the number of events and sample size per study.

The fat embolism syndrome as a cause of paraplegia.

The fat embolism syndrome is a well-known complication in trauma patients. We describe a rare case of traumatic fat embolism that leads to paraplegia. A 19-year-old male motorcycle accident victim was presented to our hospital.

Esophageal Atresia and Upper Airway Pathology.

Esophageal atresia is an anomaly with frequently occurring sequelae requiring lifelong management and follow-up. Because of the complex issues that can be encountered, patients with esophageal atresia preferably should be managed in centers of expertise that have the ability to deal with all types of anomalies and sequelae and can perform rigorous lifelong follow-up. Tracheomalacia is an often-occurring concurrent anomaly that may cause acute life-threatening events and may warrant immediate management.

Quality of Life and Anxiety in Parents of Children with an Anorectal Malformation or Hirschsprung Disease: The First Year after Diagnosis.

Introduction: In 2012, we started the KLANKbord-study. A quality of life (QoL) study that follows patients with an anorectal malformation (ARM) or Hirschsprung disease (HD) and their parents from diagnosis till the age of 18 years. We hypothesized that the diagnosis of ARM or HD initially has a negative influence on QoL and anxiety levels of parents, but that this influence will diminish over time.

Qualitative analysis of studies concerning quality of life in children and adults with anorectal malformations.

Introduction: Anorectal malformations are relatively common congenital anomalies in pediatric surgery. After definitive surgery constipation, soiling, and fecal incontinence are frequently seen problems. Quality of life (QoL) can be influenced by these problems.

Historical Treatment Results of Pelvic Ring Fractures: A 12-year Cohort Study.

Background: Since the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam was appointed as a level-1 trauma center in July 1997, the number of polytrauma patients who were presented has increased. This stimulated us to perform a retrospective analysis on the treatment results of patients with a pelvic ring fracture and to evaluate our treatment strategies.

Materials And Methods: A chart review of all patients with a partially stable fracture (Tile/AO type B) or an unstable fracture (Tile/AO type C) was performed.