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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. Outcomes included need for sedation and complications., Results: We identified 127 children who had PEG tubes removed. Significantly fewer children required sedation with the cut and push group (1.1% vs. 60.6%, p≤0.001). Ten complications occurred, including 9 in the cut and push group (9.6% vs. 3%, p=0.23). Mean age at time of complication was significantly younger in the cut and push group (2.2 vs. 6.3years p=0.004)., Conclusion: This is the largest reported series comparing the cut and push vs. traction removal methods. The cut and push technique significantly reduced the need for procedural sedation but was associated with increased risk of complications. While these data suggest that the technique is safe in older children, caution should be taken in younger children who appear to be more likely to vomit the residual bumper., Levels of Evidence: Level III-Treatment study, Retrospective comparative study., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: The Canadian 4-year native liver survival rate for biliary atresia (BA) after Kasai Portoenterostomy (KP) is 39%. The Canadian Biliary Atresia Registry (CBAR) was used to examine variability of surgical and medical management of BA., Methods: Gastroenterologists and surgeons in all 14 Canadian pediatric tertiary centers were invited to complete an online survey of their BA management practices., Results: Of gastroenterologists, diagnostic procedures included liver biopsy (92%), HIDA scan (58%), and percutaneous cholangiogram (46%). Surgeons reported Roux-en-Y lengths of 20-50cm with 78% avoiding diathermy at the portal plate; 16% performed laparoscopic exploration, but none laparoscopic KP. Postoperative corticosteroids and antibiotics were used by 24% and 85% of gastroenterologists, respectively, with similar rates for surgeons. At discharge, gastroenterologists prescribed oral antibiotics (80%), and ursodeoxycholic acid (95%), while surgeons reported lower rates (62% and 55%). Considerable variation existed in follow-up monitoring. No center had a standard protocol for evaluating suspected cholangitis. There was a lack of consensus for defining failed KP and referral criteria for transplant evaluation., Conclusion: In Canada, treatment of BA is not centralized, and there is variability in diagnostic approaches and management. Collaboration through CBAR will allow for implementation and evaluation of standardized surgical and medical management with a goal to improve outcomes., Level of Evidence: Survey study. Level IV evidence., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) have become the standard metric for estimating burden of disease (BoD), but have not yet been applied to delayed access to surgical procedures. This study estimates the DALYs accrued from delayed access to surgical care in two pediatric surgical units in Kenya and Canada., Methods: Records of operations for 13 congenital health states in a Kenyan and a Canadian hospital were prospectively collected for 2012. DALYs caused by delayed presentation were estimated using disability weights and ideal and actual age at surgery., Results: 1208 first-time procedures in general surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and urology were included. Delays were longest in general surgery and longer in Kenya than in Canada in all specialties. The longest delays in Kenya were for orchidopexy (72 months) and anorectoplasty (PSARP) (74 months), and in Canada for orchidopexy (40 months). Corresponding total delayed BoD was highest in general surgery and neurosurgery and higher again in Kenya than in Canada (484 cf. 84 DALYs)., Conclusions: Estimating BoD resulting from delayed surgery is feasible and reflects both late presentation and limited access to care. Further exploration of these factors can make delayed DALYs a useful measure of health care coverage and waitlist prioritization., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) ligation in premature infants is an urgent procedure performed by some but not all pediatric surgeons. Proficiency in PDA ligation is not a requirement of Canadian pediatric surgery training. Our purpose was to determine the outcomes of neonatal PDA ligation done by pediatric surgeons., Methods: We performed a retrospective review of premature infants who underwent PDA ligation by pediatric surgeons in 3 Canadian centers from 2005 to 2009. Outcomes were compared to published controls., Results: The review identified 98 patients with a mean corrected GA and weight at repair of 29 weeks and 1122 g, respectively. There were no intraoperative deaths. The 30-day and inhospital mortality rates were 1% and 5%. Mortality and morbidity were comparable to the published outcomes., Conclusions: This study documents that a significant number of preterm infant PDA ligations are safely done by pediatric surgeons. To meet the Canadian needs for this service by pediatric surgeons, proficiency in PDA ligation should be considered important in pediatric surgery training programs., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: Preterm infants needing patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation are transferred to a pediatric cardiac center (CC) unless the operation can be done locally by a pediatric surgeon at a non-cardiac center (NCC). We compared infant outcomes after PDA ligation at CC and NCC., Methods: We analyzed 990 preterm infants who had PDA ligation between 2005 and 2009 using the Canadian Neonatal Network database. In-hospital mortality and major morbidities were compared between CC (n=18) and NCC (n=9)., Results: SNAP-II-adjusted mortality rates were similar (CC=8.7% vs NCC=10.7%, P=.32). Significant cranial ultrasound abnormalities (CC=24.1% vs NCC=32.1%, P<.01) and culture-proven sepsis (CC=39.7% vs NCC=54.8%, P<.01) were more frequent in infants treated at NCC. Infants transferred to CC had higher rates of cranial ultrasound abnormalities (transferred 31.6% vs non-transferred 20.4%, P<.01). NSAIDs prior to PDA ligation were used more often at NCC (CC 36.6% vs NCC 75.6%, P<.001)., Conclusions: Mortality rates after PDA ligation were similar at CC and NCC, but cranial ultrasound abnormalities and sepsis rates were higher at NCC. Higher morbidity may be associated with different PDA management strategies, including NSAID use or infant transfer. Further studies are needed to investigate the reasons for these differences in morbidity., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: The Near Needle Holder (NNH) (Near Manufacturing, Camrose, Alberta, Canada) is a reusable tool to introduce a standard hollow needle for pediatric intraosseous (IO) infusion. We compared the NNH to the Cook Dieckmann (Cook Critical Care, Bloomington, IN) manual IO needle in a simulation setting., Methods: Study subjects were 32 physicians, nurses, and medical students participating in a trauma course in Guyana. After watching a training video and practicing under supervision, subjects were observed inserting each device into a pediatric leg model using a randomized crossover design. Outcome measures were time to successful insertion, technical complications, ease of use, and safety of each device., Results: The mean time for IO insertion (32 ± 13 seconds) was similar for both devices (P = .92). Subjects rated the NNH device equivalent in ease of use to the Cook IO needle but slightly lower in perceived safety to the user., Conclusions: After training, all subjects successfully inserted the NNH IO device in a simulation environment, and most rated it as easy to use and safe. The NNH is a significant advance because IO needles are often not available in emergency departments in developing countries. Further studies are needed to evaluate clinical effectiveness of the NNH., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: Our preferred minimally invasive technique of Swenson's procedure has evolved from laparoscopic (LapSwen) to Swenson's transanal pullthrough (SWAP). We studied the incidence of postoperative Hirschsprung's enterocolitis (HEC) over the past decade., Methods and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 52 children who had a primary Swenson's pullthrough procedure between 1995 and 2006. Two cohorts (25 LapSwen [1995-2000] and 27 SWAP [1998-2006]) were compared., Results: Median ages of diagnosis were 13 days for LapSwen and 4 days for SWAP. Median age at surgery was 4.1 months for LapSwen and 3.3 months for SWAP. Postoperative HEC occurred in 12% (16% LapSwen, 7.4% SWAP). The incidence of Down's syndrome and preoperative HEC did not differ between the 2 cohorts. Three children with HEC were Clostridium difficile-positive. Long-term function in the 36 children older than 4 years was excellent in 22%, good in 50%, fair in 11% and poor in 17%., Conclusion: Our incidence of postoperative HEC is low, and we have seen a trend toward fewer cases after the SWAP procedure. Early diagnosis, preoperative rectal irrigations, and routine postoperative anal dilatation may be contributing to the elimination of HEC as a significant risk after surgery for Hirschsprung's disease.