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Background: Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) is the most common surgical treatment for patients with anorectal malformations. Such patients are often subjected to prolonged nil per os (NPO), antibiotic use, and use of parenteral nutrition. Our aim was to review our institutional experience with patients undergoing PSARP using an accelerated standardized postoperative pathway., Methods: Our hospital database was queried from 2004 to 2016 for patients diagnosed with imperforate anus who underwent a surgical procedure. Short term outcomes, hospital length of stay (LOS), and cost were evaluated., Results: Sixty-three patients were identified during the study period. Of these patients, 34 (54.0%) had a fistula to the urogenital tract or had no demonstrable fistula and one cloaca and 29 (46.0%) had a fistula in the perineum. Approximately half of patients underwent primary PSARP, including 8 patients with fistulas located in the vestibule and vagina in girls and two with no apparent fistulas (12.7% of total cohort). Only two postoperative complications occurred: one superficial surgical site infection and one perineal wound dehiscence. Among the whole cohort, median LOS was 3 days. Median time to PO intake was 2 days, and median cost was $11,532. No complications occurred among the subset of 8 patients undergoing primary PSARP., Conclusion: Patients undergoing PSARP experienced similar outcomes compared to historical series, suggesting that the accelerated pathway for early refeeding and reduced use of antibiotics may be beneficial in appropriately selected patients., Type of Study: Case series with no comparison group Level of evidence Level IV., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) with anorectal involvement has not been well characterized. We sought to describe trends in the prevalence of pediatric CD with anorectal involvement and its influence on health-care utilization., Materials and Methods: Patients (<21 y of age) with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis of CD (555.X) were identified in the Kid's Inpatient Database (2003, 2006, 2009, 2012) and stratified by anorectal involvement based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis and procedural codes. Patient characteristics and resource utilization (length of stay [LOS] and costs) were compared between CD patients with and without anorectal involvement using univariate and multivariable analyses. Propensity score matching was used to estimate attributable LOS and costs., Results: There were 26,029 patients with CD identified in the study interval. Of these, 1706 (6.6%) had anorectal involvement. Those with anorectal disease were younger (age 16 versus 17 y old), more likely to be male (59.4% versus 49.9%) and black or Hispanic (24.7% versus 18.2%), and were more commonly treated in urban teaching hospitals compared with rural or nonteaching hospitals (83.2% versus 70.9%) (P < 0.001 for all). The proportion of patients with anorectal involvement increased over time (odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.05). After propensity score matching, attributable LOS and costs were 0.5 d and approximately $1600, respectively., Conclusions: There has been an increase in the proportion of pediatric CD hospitalizations with anorectal manifestations. This pattern of disease is associated with longer hospitalization and higher costs compared with CD alone. Further research is required to understand the underlying etiology of these observed trends., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Readmission is increasingly being utilized as an important clinical outcome and measure of hospital quality. Our aim was to delineate rates, risk factors, and reasons for unplanned readmission in pediatric surgery., Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of pediatric patients (n=130,274) undergoing surgery (2013-2014) at hospitals enrolled in the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP-P) was performed. Logistic regression was used to model factors associated with unplanned 30-day readmission. Reasons for readmission were reviewed to determine the most common causes of readmission., Results: There were 6059 (n=4.7%) readmitted children within 30days of the index operation. Of these, 5041 (n=3.9%) were unplanned, with readmission rates ranging from 1.3% in plastic surgery to 5.2% in general pediatric surgery, and 10.8% in neurosurgery. Unplanned readmissions were associated with emergent status, comorbidities, and the occurrence of pre- or postdischarge postoperative complications. Overall, the most common causes for readmission were surgical site infections (23.9%), ileus/obstruction/gastrointestinal (16.8%), respiratory (8.6%), graft/implant/device-related (8.1%), neurologic (7.0%), or pain (5.8%). Median time from discharge to readmission was 8days (IQR: 3-14days). Reasons for readmission, time until readmission, and need for reoperative procedure (overall 28%, n=1414) varied between surgical specialties., Conclusion: The reasons for readmission in children undergoing surgery are complex, varied, and influenced by patient characteristics and postoperative complications. These data inform risk-stratification for readmission in pediatric surgical populations, and help to identify potential areas for targeted interventions to improve quality. They also highlight the importance of accounting for case-mix in the interpretation of hospital readmission rates., Level of Evidence: 3., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) is increasing in incidence globally. Trends in specific types of inpatient pediatric CD-related surgical procedures have not been widely reported., Methods: Patients ≤20 years of age with CD were identified in the Kids' Inpatient Database for 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012. Bowel resection, stoma creation, and perianal or percutaneous drainage procedures were identified using ICD-9 procedure codes, and trends were identified. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with surgical intervention and trends., Results: Rates of overall bowel resection (including ileocolic resection, other small bowel resection, or other colon resection) did not change significantly over time. However, the odds of having a laparoscopic colon resection increased by 41% annually (p<0.001). Rates of subsequent ileostomy formation increased (odds ratio 1.09, p<0.001). Older age, male sex, fewer comorbidities, and treatment in large urban teaching hospitals were also associated with higher odds of undergoing bowel resection., Conclusions: This study noted a stable rate of all types of bowel resections and increase in post resection ileostomy formation in US pediatric inpatients with CD from 2003-2012. Other rates of many CD-related procedures have remained stable. Further studies correlating the effects of biologic agents on surgical rates are warranted., Type of Study: Treatment Study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The purpose of this analysis was to assess the burden of Clostridium difficile infection in the hospitalized pediatric surgical population and to characterize its influence on the costs of care., Methods: There were 313,664 patients age 1-18 years who underwent a general thoracic or abdominal procedure in the Kids' Inpatient Database during 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012. Logistic regression was used to model factors associated with the development of C difficile infection. A propensity score-matching analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of C difficile infection on mortality, duration of stay, and costs in similar patient cohorts. Population weights were used to estimate the national excess burden of C difficile infection on these outcomes., Results: The overall prevalence of C difficile infection in the sampled cohort was 0.30%, with an increasing trend of C difficile infection over time in non-children's hospitals (P < .001). C difficile infection was associated with younger age, nonelective procedures, increasing comorbidities, and urban teaching hospital status (P < .001). An estimated 1,438 children developed C difficile infection after operation. After propensity score matching, the mean excess duration of stay and costs attributable to C difficile infection were 5.8 days and $12,801 (P < .001), accounting for 8,295 days spent in the hospital and $18.4 million (2012 USD) in spending annually., Conclusion: C difficile infection is a relatively uncommon but costly complication after pediatric operative procedures. Given the increasing trend of C difficile infection among hospitalized surgical patients, there is substantial opportunity for reduction of inpatient burden and associated costs in this potentially preventable nosocomial infection., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nail gun injuries primarily occur in the extremities of adult males as a consequence of accidental occupational trauma. Such injury involving the thorax is much less common, and penetrating cardiac injury secondary to pneumatic nail gun discharge is rare. Although potentially lethal, most cases with cardiac trauma are survivable with expedient surgical intervention. Despite improvements in engineered safety mechanisms, the incidence of nail gun injuries has risen as use of the devices has increased. The widespread availability of these tools to nonprofessional consumers exposes a broader population to the potential hazards associated with these devices. We describe the presentation and successful management of the first reported case of penetrating cardiac nail gun injury in a young child.

Small intestinal injury is seldom described in the context of child abuse. Signs and symptoms are subtle, often leading to delays in diagnosis. We describe a 3-year-old boy initially admitted with severe blunt abdominal trauma from physical child abuse. He was successfully managed nonoperatively. The child was then hospitalized several times for nonspecific abdominal symptoms until diagnostic laparoscopy discovered a jejunal stricture with a proximal jejuno-jejunal fistula. Symptoms fully resolved after resection. Delayed presentation of small intestinal injury should remain on the differential diagnosis in the evaluation of persistent abdominal symptoms in a child with a prior history of physical abuse, even if imaging studies do not reveal specific abnormalities.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are an important end point and measure of quality of care. Surgical site infections can be identified using clinical registries, electronic surveillance, and administrative claims data. This study compared measurements of SSIs using these 3 different methods and estimated their implication for health care costs., Study Design: Data were obtained from 5,476 surgical patients treated at a single academic children's hospital (January 1, 2010 through August 31, 2014). Surgical site infections within 30 days were identified using a clinical registry in the NSQIP Pediatric, an electronic surveillance method (Nosocomial Infection Marker; MedMined), and billing claims. Infection rates, diagnostic characteristics, and attributable costs were estimated for each of the 3 measures of SSI., Results: Surgical site infections were observed in 2.24% of patients per NSQIP Pediatric definitions, 0.99% of patients per the Nosocomial Infection Marker, and 2.34% per billing claims definitions. Using NSQIP Pediatric as the clinical reference, Nosocomial Infection Marker had a sensitivity of 31.7% and positive predictive value of 72.2%, and billing claims had a sensitivity of 48.0% and positive predictive value of 46.1% for detection of an SSI. Nosocomial Infection Marker and billing claims overestimated the costs of SSIs by 108% and 41%, respectively., Conclusions: There is poor correlation among SSIs measured using electronic surveillance, administrative claims, and clinically derived measures of SSI in the pediatric surgical population. Although these measures might be more convenient, clinically derived data, such as NSQIP Pediatric, may provide a more appropriate quality metric to estimate the postoperative burden of SSIs in children., (Copyright © 2016 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Recent efforts have been directed at reducing ionizing radiation delivered by CT scans to children in the evaluation of appendicitis. MRI has emerged as an alternative diagnostic modality. The clinical outcomes associated with MRI in this setting are not well-described., Methods: Review of a 30-month institutional experience with MRI as the primary diagnostic evaluation for suspected appendicitis (n=510). No intravenous contrast, oral contrast, or sedation was administered. Radiologic and clinical outcomes were abstracted., Results: MRI diagnostic characteristics were: sensitivity 96.8% (95% CI: 92.1%-99.1%), specificity 97.4% (95% CI: 95.3-98.7), positive predictive value 92.4% (95% CI: 86.5-96.3), and negative predictive value 98.9% (95% CI: 97.3%-99.7%). Radiologic time parameters included: median time from request to scan, 71 minutes (IQR: 51-102), imaging duration, 11 minutes (IQR: 8-17), and request to interpretation, 2.0 hours (IQR: 1.6-2.6). Clinical time parameters included: median time from initial assessment to admit order, 4.1 hours (IQR: 3.1-5.1), assessment to antibiotic administration 4.7 hours (IQR: 3.9-6.7), and assessment to operating room 9.1 hours (IQR: 5.8-12.7). Median length of stay was 1.2 days (range: 0.2-19.5)., Conclusion: Given the diagnostic accuracy and favorable clinical outcomes, without the potential risks of ionizing radiation, MRI may supplant the role of CT scans in pediatric appendicitis imaging., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: In children, persistent air leaks can result from pulmonary infection or barotrauma. Management strategies include surgery, prolonged pleural drainage, ventilator manipulation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We report the use of endobronchial valve placement as an effective minimally invasive intervention for persistent air leaks in children., Methods: Children with refractory prolonged air leaks were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team (pediatric surgery, interventional pulmonology, pediatric intensive care, and thoracic surgery) for endobronchial valve placement. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed, and air leak location was isolated with balloon occlusion. Retrievable one-way endobronchial valves were placed., Results: Four children (16 months to 16 years) had prolonged air leaks following necrotizing pneumonia (2), lobectomy (1), and pneumatocele (1). Patients had 1-4 valves placed. Average time to air leak resolution was 12 days (range 0-39). Average duration to chest tube removal was 25 days (range 7-39). All four children had complete resolution of air leaks. All were discharged from the hospital. None required additional surgical interventions., Conclusion: Endobronchial valve placement for prolonged air leaks owing to a variety of etiologies was effective in these children for treating air leaks, and their use may result in resolution of fistulae and avoidance of the morbidity of pulmonary surgery., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy has been associated with improved cosmetic benefits, and decreased postoperative pain. Less is known about costs and other outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the costs and outcomes between transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) and multiport laparoscopic appendectomy (MLA)., Methods: IRB-approved retrospective review (September 2010-July 2013) of institutional medical records identified 372 pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. Outcomes included costs, LOS and readmission. Costs were fully loaded operating costs from the hospital's cost accounting database. Generalized linear regression was used to assess costs of MLA and TULAA. A subgroup analysis was performed using only patients with non-perforated appendicitis., Results: There were 132 patients (35.5%) that underwent TULAA while 240 patients (65.5%) underwent MLA. Compared to MLA, TULAA was associated with decreased operative time (0.6 vs. 1.0h, p<0.0001), used in comparable proportions of interval appendectomies, but was performed less often for perforated appendicitis (9.8% vs. 22.9%, p=0.002). Readmission and postoperative complications were similar between both groups. In the setting of non-perforated appendicitis, TULAA was associated with lower costs of $1378 relative to MLA (p=0.009)., Conclusions: In non-perforated appendicitis, TULAA is associated with lower costs and comparable rates of readmission and postoperative complications., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)