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Purpose: To improve opioid stewardship for umbilical hernia repair in children., Methods: An educational intervention was conducted at 9 centers with 79 surgeons. The intervention highlighted the importance of opioid stewardship, demonstrated practice variation, provided prescribing guidelines, encouraged non-opioid analgesics, and encouraged limiting doses/strength if opioids were prescribed. Three to six months of pre-intervention and 3 months of post-intervention prescribing practices for umbilical hernia repair were compared., Results: A total of 343 patients were identified in the pre-intervention cohort and 346 in the post-intervention cohort. The percent of patients receiving opioids at discharge decreased from 75.8% pre-intervention to 44.6% (p < 0.001) post-intervention. After adjusting for age, sex, umbilicoplasty, and hospital site, the odds ratio for opioid prescribing in the post- versus the pre-intervention period was 0.27 (95% CI = 0.18-0.39, p < 0.001). Among patients receiving opioids, the number of doses prescribed decreased after the intervention (adjusted mean 14.3 to 10.4, p < 0.001). However, the morphine equivalents/kg/dose did not significantly decrease (adjusted mean 0.14 to 0.13, p = 0.20). There were no differences in returns to emergency departments or hospital readmissions between the pre- and post-intervention cohorts., Conclusions: Opioid stewardship can be improved after pediatric umbilical hernia repair using a low-fidelity educational intervention., Type of Study: Retrospective cohort study., Level of Evidence: Level II., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Every year over 330,000 people are hospitalized for hip fractures in the US. Of those patients, approximately 4-5% of patients with hip fractures present with a concomitant upper extremity fracture. Upper extremity (UE) fractures account for an estimated 2 million fractures a year. The number of hip fractures is projected to double by 2050. There is evidence that the presence of a concomitant upper extremity fracture results in an increased hospital length of stay (LOS), lower functional capacity upon discharge and higher mortality rates than seen with hip fractures in isolation. Additionally, hip fractures pose a significant economic burden and are expected to increase to over $62 billion in 2040. As such, hip fractures are a public health crisis. This study seeks to evaluate the differences in perioperative outcomes between nonoperative and operative management of humeral diaphyseal fractures in patients with concomitant hip fractures. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 29(2):99-102, 2020).

Minimally invasive surgery for inguinal hernia repair in children has been a controversial topic for pediatric surgeons. Our method for inguinal hernia repair using laparoscopic techniques has comparable outcomes to the standard open technique. We describe our technique and experience with the laparoscopic needle-assisted repair of inguinal hernia (LNAR). We report 502 cases (710 hernias) from 2009 to 2013 by 3 surgeons. We reviewed our prospectively collected outcomes database of all patients receiving LNAR from 1/2009 to 3/2013. 502 cases in 495 patients <13 years old with 710 inguinal hernias were identified for analysis and review. Hernia repair is accomplished with a single-port needle-assisted technique. After identification of a patent processus vaginalis, the internal ring is encircled in an extraperitoneal plane using a 22G-Touhy needle for placement of a purse-string suture, tied extracorporally, and buried beneath the skin. The technique was standardized for all cases. 710 inguinal hernias were laparoscopically repaired in 495 patients (408 boys and 87 girls) age range 11 days to 12.8 years (mean 29.2 months; median 15.5 months). 294 patients had unilateral repair (199R and 95L) and 208 had bilateral repair. Mean operating time for unilateral was 20.5 min, and bilateral was 26.4 min. 21 minor complications were identified (9 superficial wound infections, 8 suture granulomas, and 4 recurrent hydroceles) and 4 recurrences. Mean time since surgery is 30 months (3-54 months). Mean follow-up was 10.7 months (0.3-38.4 months). Post-operative data show our technique is safe with a 4 % rate of minor complication. Recurrence rate was 0.56 % for the total number of hernias (4/710). This recurrence rate is comparable and in many cases less than open technique. Furthermore, laparoscopy objectively identifies asymptomatic or occult contralateral defect, uses a smaller incision, and eliminates dissection of the cord structures potentially reducing the risk of cord injury.