Search

Magnet ingestion has become more frequent in children as magnetic toys and jewellery have been popularised, with the potential to cause significant morbidity. Our aim was to describe our experience at a tertiary paediatric surgical centre.Retrospective review of patients admitted with multiple magnet ingestion (January 2011-December 2020). Division into an intervention group and conservative group. Comparisons included demographics, number of magnets and clinical outcomes. Data analysis with a Student's t-test and ROC Curve, P value of0.05 was significant.A total of 23 patients were identified with a total of 150 magnets ingested. The majority required an intervention for magnets retrieval (15/23, 65.2%), 11/15 (73.3%) surgical and 4/15 (26.7%) endoscopic. In the surgery group, 6/11 (54%) presented with an initial perforation and 1/11 (9.1%) an entero-enteric fistula. One patient (9.1%) had a multi-site anastomotic leak post-operatively. The conservative group had a significantly lower median number of ingested magnets (2 (2-6) vs. 7 (2-40), P = 0.03) and median length of stay (1 (1-4) vs. 7 (1-24), P = 0.03). ROC curve analysis revealed ingestion of3 magnets had a sensitivity of 86.7% (95% CI: 62.1-97.6%) and specificity of 87.5% (95% CI: 53.0-99.4%) for requiring an intervention.This series highlights a significant morbidity in children with a higher incidence of intervention following ingestion of more than three magnets. There is a strong requirement for the creation and adherence to new legislature involving industry standards.

To determine current perceptions of doctors, nurses and parents for the colour of a neonatal vomit which should prompt an urgent surgical review. A voluntary scoping survey of parents/guardians of patients and non-surgical healthcare professionals was conducted with respondents asked to choose from 8 different selections in a colour swatch from pale yellow to dark green. A control group consisted of 13 paediatric surgeons. Data were analysed using the paired t test, Fishers exact test. A p value of

We previously showed that the use of a tool for remote analysis of continuous glucose monitor data, Timely Interventions for Diabetes Excellence (TIDE) , was associated with improved glucose management for patients with type 1 diabetes. To facilitate the deployment of TIDE at two partner institutions, we developed an operational planning tool. We designed an interactive dashboard to match capacity and demand with a variety of operational, population, and workforce parameters. To improve the dashboard’s accessibility, simplicity, and interpretability, we performed iterative design based on feedback from users and two partner institutions. We set parameter values based on the first deployment of TIDE and conducted sensitivity analyses of the capacity-demand match. The dashboard (Figure 1) contains seven modifiable parameters; generates a table illustrating the match between capacity and demand; displays a timeseries plot of capacity and demand; and calculates three alternative capacity plans that satisfy annual patient demand. It is available online (www.bit.ly/surf-tide) . Small absolute reductions in per-patient review time produced the most significant changes in clinic capacity. We developed an interactive dashboard that facilitates data-driven operational planning for clinics seeking to deploy algorithm-enabled telemedicine-based diabetes care. Figure 1. Capacity Planning Dashboard Disclosure A.Chang: None. M.Z.Gao: None. J.Ferstad: None. D.M.Maahs: Advisory Panel; Abbott Diabetes, Eli Lilly and Company, Medtronic, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Consultant; Aditx Therapeutics, Inc., Biospex. P.Prahalad: None. R.Johari: None. D.Scheinker: None. Funding NIH R18DK122422

Background There is limited evidence for the use of postoperative antibiotics for simple appendicitis (SA) in children. Our aim was to conduct a prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial to investigate this after a laparoscopic appendicectomy. Methods Following ethical approval, children (≤16 years) undergoing appendicectomy were recruited at a single institution. Patients were randomized intraoperatively to receive either 2 postoperative intravenous doses of placebo or antibiotics (Abx). All patients received a dose of Abx at induction of anesthesia. Primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative wound infection (WI), and secondary outcome was the incidence of intra-abdominal abscess formation. Data are reported as number of cases (%), median (range), relative risk, and analyzed using Mann Whitney U test, Chi-square test, as appropriate, a P-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 304 patients were randomized. Sixty-one were subsequently excluded due to protocol violations or recruitment errors; therefore, 243 were included in the final analysis. One hundred twenty-two patients received placebo and 121 Intravenous Abx. There was no difference between the sex (50F/72 M vs 47F/74 M, P = 0.8), median age (12.4 vs 12.2 years, P = 0.5), and postoperative length of stay in a hospital (27.2 vs 25.6 hours, P = 0.7). There was also no difference in the preoperative blood results. A total of 9 WIs occurred: 8/122 (6.6%) placebo versus 1/121 (0.8%) Abx, P = 0.01 [relative risk for WI 1.83 (95% confidence interval: 1.145-2.201)]. There were no intra-abdominal abscess in either groups. Conclusions This prospective randomized double blinded randomized controlled trial has revealed a significant decrease in WI rates by giving 2 postoperative intravenous doses of Abx, suggesting postoperative Abx are of benefit in SA.

Summary Objectives There is a lack of a standardised protocol for the investigation and non-operative management of paediatric multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK). Institutional protocols for non-operative management remain essentially ad hoc. The primary outcome of this systematic review is to establish the incidence of hypertension associated with an MCDK. The secondary outcome is to determine the malignancy risk associated with an MCDK. The tertiary outcome is to assess the rate of MCDK involution. Subsequent to these, an evidence-based algorithm for follow-up is described. Methodology A systematic review of all relevant studies published between 1968 and April 2017 was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were identified by specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, all of which included data relevant to the primary, secondary and tertiary outcomes. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure greater than the 95th centile for gender, age and height centile. Subset analysis was performed for hypertension associated with an MCDK. Results The primary outcome measure revealed a 3.2% (27/838) risk of developing hypertension associated with an MCDK. The secondary outcome measure noted a 0.07% malignancy risk (2/2820). The tertiary outcome measure established that 53.3% (1502/2820) had evidence of involution of the dysplastic kidney. A total of 44 cohort studies (2820 patients) were analysed. Conclusion Given the low risk of hypertension and malignancy, which is similar to the general population, the current conservative non-operative pathway is an appropriate management strategy. An algorithm to help support clinicians with ongoing management is proposed.

Background There is ongoing debate concerning the use of peritoneal irrigation in the setting of complicated appendicitis (CA) in children. Our aim was to conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial for the treatment of CA during a laparoscopic appendicectomy in children. Methods Following ethical approval (REC10138B), pediatric patients (≤ 16 years old) were recruited from a single institution over a 3-year time period (2015–2018). Randomization occurred following intraoperative diagnosis of CA to either peritoneal lavage (PL) or suction only (SO). Primary outcome was the length of stay (LoS), and secondary outcomes were the presence of a postoperative intraabdominal abscess (IAA), wound infection (WI), or adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). Data are reported as number of cases (%), median (range), odds ratio [OR] and analyzed using t-test and Fisher's exact test. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 100 pediatric patients were recruited into the trial. Sixteen were excluded owing to either recruitment or protocol violations, and therefore a total of 86 underwent final analysis: 44 PL and 42 SO. There was no significant difference in the LoS: 5.7 (PL) vs 5.6 (SO) days, p = 0.75. Only 1 IAA occurred in the PL group: 1/44(2.3%) vs 0/42(0%), p = 1.0. There was 1 ASBOs in the PL group (2.3%, p = 1.0) and no WIs in either of the groups. Conclusion This prospective randomized control trial has revealed equivalence in techniques for the treatment of complicated appendicitis. It has also revealed a low complication rate following pediatric LA with either PL or SO. Type of study Randomized controlled trial. Level of evidence Level I.