Potter, D. Dean

Importance: Media reports have questioned the safety of overlapping surgical procedures, and national scrutiny has underscored the necessity of single-center evaluations of its safety; however, sample sizes are likely small. We compared the safety profiles of overlapping and nonoverlapping pediatric procedures at a single children's hospital and discussed methodological considerations of the evaluation. Data and Design: Retrospective analysis of inpatient pediatric surgical procedures (January 2013 to September 2015) at a single pediatric referral center. Overlapping and nonoverlapping procedures were matched in an unbalanced manner (m:n) by procedure. Mixed models adjusting for Vizient-predicted risk, case-mix, and surgeon compared inpatient mortality and length of stay (LOS). Results: Among 315 overlapping procedures, 256 (81.3%) were matched to 645 nonoverlapping procedures. There were 6 deaths in all. The adjusted odds ratio for mortality did not differ significantly between nonoverlapping and overlapping procedures (adjusted odds ratio = 0.94 vs overlapping; 95% CI, 0.02–48.5; P = 0.98). Wide confidence intervals were minimally improved with Bayesian methods (95% CI, 0.07–12.5). Adjusted LOS estimates were not clinically different by overlapping status (0.6% longer for nonoverlapping; 95% CI, 9.7% shorter to 12.2% longer; P = 0.91). Among the 87 overlapping procedures with the greatest overlap (≥60 min or ≥50% of operative duration), there were no deaths. Conclusions: The safety of overlapping and nonoverlapping surgical procedures did not differ at this children's center. These findings may not extrapolate to other centers. LOS or intraoperative measures may be more appropriate than mortality for safety evaluations due to low event rates for mortality.

According to recent statistics from the American Heart Association, Heart Failure (HF) affects 5.7 million Americans [1]. HF is characterized by the global dilation of the heart, which leads to an increase in ventricular volume and a reduction in pumping efficiency. Several treatment strategies have been investigated to combat the adverse remodeling that leads to the progression of HF [2,3]. These therapies include reshaping the heart by means of surgical intervention and implantation of medical devices.

AimThe minimally‐invasive Nuss procedure has become the preferred technique for pectus excavatum repair. This procedure is still associated with significant postoperative pain, and an optimal pain‐management strategy is yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA).Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 112 charts from a single paediatric centre. Patients were grouped according to pain‐management strategy: 90 patients received a PCA, and 22 patients received TEA. Outcomes included length of hospitalization and daily pain scores, operating room time and duration of Foley catheterization.ResultsDemographic data were similar between the two groups. The daily pain scores were not statistically different between the groups. Length of hospitalization was similar (PCA: 4.6 days, epidural: 4.3 days, P = 0.33). The PCA group required less operating room time (2:44 vs 2:58, P = 0.04) and shorter Foley catheter duration (2.1 days vs 2.5 days, P = 0.04).ConclusionIn our patient population, TEA for the Nuss procedure does not offer an advantage over PCA‐centred analgesia in terms of subjective daily pain scores or length of hospital stay. The potential risks of TEA need to be carefully considered in this patient population.

Objectives To review the need for operative intervention and critical care services for motocross truncal injuries in children. Design cohort Retrospective review of patients identified via the hospital trauma registry. Setting Our Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center serves five motocross tracks. These patients require frequent medical care for injuries. Participants All patients ≤17 years of age with truncal injuries sustained during motocross activities, between 2000 and 2011, were identified through the trauma registry. Primary and secondary outcome measures Operative intervention, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of stay, morbidity and demographics were reviewed. Results Motocross injured 162 children. Thirty (18.5%) were thoracic or abdominal injuries. Operative intervention was required in eight (27%) patients. Mean injury severity score (ISS) was 11.8. ICU admission was required in 50% and average hospital length of stay was 4.1 days. The most common injuries include pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, spleen and liver lacerations. 13% of subjects suffered truncal injury from motocross on more than one occasion. Conclusions Paediatric motocross-related truncal injuries are significant. Surgical intervention is required in 27% of patients. The lower ISS incurred from motocross combined with high surgical and ICU admission rates suggests focal high-impact injuries to the chest and abdomen. Despite significant injury, 13% of motocross patients suffer recurrent injuries. Parents and children need injury prevention education.

Abstract Celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of small bowel adenocarcinoma. The aims of this study were to investigate the molecular basis, assess outcomes, and identify clinicopathologic characteristics of small bowel adenocarcinoma in celiac disease. Retrospective case control cohort study of all celiac disease patients treated at our institution for small bowel adenocarcinoma and matched control patients with sporadic small bowel adenocarcinoma from July 1960 to November 2002. Mismatch repair (MMR) status was accessed by testing tissue for microsatellite instability (MSI) and for hMLH1 and hMSH2 protein expression. Over a 40-year time period, 18 patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma and celiac disease were treated at the Mayo Clinic. One celiac disease patient was excluded. High-frequency MSI (MSI-H) was identified in 8 of 11 (73%) and 2 of 22 (9%) available small bowel adenocarcinoma specimens in the celiac disease and control groups, respectively. In the celiac disease group, MSI-H was associated with loss of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in 6 and 1 specimens, respectively. Loss of hMLH1 occurred in both control tumors. Stage was associated with celiac disease status (P = 0.018), and 78% of controls were stage III or IV compared with 47% of celiac disease patients. Overall, survival was better (P = 0.025) in the celiac disease group compared with stage-matched controls. Celiac disease patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma had a high incidence defective MMR (73%) compared with controls and had better survival compared with stage-matched controls. In addition, celiac disease patients presented more frequently with early-stage small bowel adenocarcinoma. The better survival and earlier presentation of small bowel adenocarcinoma in celiac disease appears to be biologically associated with defective MMR.