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The aim of this study is to report the experience of implementing a pediatric robotic surgery program at a free-standing pediatric teaching hospital. A database was created to prospectively collect perioperative data for all robotic surgeries performed by the pediatric surgery department. The database was queried for all operations completed from October 2015 to December 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the dataset, using median and interquartile ranges for continuous variables. From October 2015 to December 2021, a total of 249 robotic surgeries were performed in the department of pediatric surgery. Of the 249 cases, 170 (68.3%) were female and 79 (31.7%) were male. Across all patients, there was a median weight (IQR) of 62.65 kg (48.2–76.68 kg) and a median (IQR) age of 16 years (13–18 years). The median (IQR) operative time was 104 min (79.0–138 min). The median console time was 54.0 min (33.0–76.0 min) and the median docking time was 7 min (5–11 min). The majority of procedures were performed on the biliary tree (52.6%). In the 249 procedures, there were no technical failures of the robot and only two operations (0.8%) were converted to open procedures and one (0.4%) to laparoscopic. This study highlights the ability to successfully integrate a pediatric robotic surgery program into a free-standing children's hospital with a low conversion rate. Additionally, the program extended across multiple surgical procedures and offered real-time exposure to advanced surgical techniques for current and aspiring pediatric surgery trainees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In children, gallbladder disease has become more common due to the rise in childhood obesity and subsequent shift in etiology. While the gold standard of surgical management remains a laparoscopic technique, there has been increasing interest in robotic-assisted techniques. The aim of this study is to report a 6-year update on the experience of treating gallbladder disease with robotic-assisted surgery at a single institution. Materials and Methods: A database was created to prospectively collect patient demographic and operative variables at the time of operation from October 2015 to May 2021. Descriptive analysis of select available variables was performed using median and interquartile ranges (IQRs) for all continuous variables. Results: In total, 102 single-incision robotic cholecystectomies and one single-port subtotal cholecystectomy were performed. From available data, 82 (79.6%) patients were female, median weight was 66.25 kg (IQR: 58.09–74.24 kg), and median age was 15 years (IQR: 15–18 years). Median procedure time was 84 minutes (IQR: 70.25–103.5 minutes) and median console time was 41 minutes (IQR: 30–59.5 minutes). The most frequent preoperative diagnosis was symptomatic cholelithiasis (79.6%). One (0.97%) operation was converted from a single-incision robotic approach to open. Conclusion: Single-incision robotic cholecystectomy is a safe and reliable technique for the treatment of gallbladder disease in the adolescent population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hepatopulmonary fusion (HPF) is a rare anomaly specifically associated with right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Fewer than 50 cases of HPF have been reported, most at the time of surgery or postmortem with an associated high morbidity and mortality rate. Prenatal diagnosis and optimal management of these rare cases have not been established. Case Presentation: We present a case of HPF diagnosed prenatally by fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging allowing postnatal and intraoperative planning leading to successful HPF separation and repair of the CDH. Discussion: The prenatal recognition allowed the use of preoperative computed tomography angiogram and right cardiac catheterization to plan the surgical approach. Intraoperative ultrasound confirmed abnormal vasculature associated with the HPF facilitating a successful complete HPF separation and CDH repair was performed. The patient survived and continues to do well on long-term follow-up. Prenatal recognition may help reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with HPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have examined the role that the caudal-related homeobox transcription factors Cdx1 and Cdx2 play in activating the enterocyte differentiation marker gene intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP). Human colon cancer Caco-2 cells were transiently transfected with Cdx1 and/or Cdx2, and semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to study the effects on IAP mRNA expression. Transfections with a variety of IAP-luciferase reporter constructs were used to identify a Cdx response element located within the human IAP gene promoter. Protein-DNA interactions were examined by EMSA. Results showed that Cdx1 markedly induced IAP mRNA expression, whereas Cdx2 did not, and, in fact, inhibited the Cdx1 effects. Functional analysis revealed that Cdx1 transactivates (fourfold, P < 0.05) the IAP promoter through a novel Cdx response element (GTTTAGA) located between -2369 and -2375 upstream of the translational start site. EMSA showed that both Cdx1 and Cdx2 could bind to the cis element, but in cotransfection experiments, Cdx2 inhibited the Cdx1 effects by ~50%. Thus we have identified a previously unrecognized interaction between two important gut transcription factors, Cdx1 and Cdx2, in the context of IAP gene regulation. Cdx1 activates the IAP gene via a novel cis element, whereas Cdx2 inhibits the Cdx1 effects. cell cycle; enterocyte differentiation; gene regulation; gut development; homeostasis; intestinal alkaline phosphatase; tumorigenesis

Background: Laparoscopic nonbanded restrictive procedures are becoming more popular as staging and primary operations in bariatric surgery. The Magenstrasse and Mill (MM) procedure produces a restrictive gastric tubular pouch based along the lesser curvature; for the most part anatomy and physiology are preserved. In Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG), 80% of normal stomach is resected to produce restriction and to decrease ghrelin levels. Methods: This is a retrospective nonrandomized study evaluating the medical records of patients who had the laparoscopic MM (LMM) and laparoscopic SG (LSG) between January 2007 and October 2008. One bariatric surgeon performed the LMM and two bariatric surgeons performed the LSG. Results: A total of 20 patients were identified: 13 SG and 7 MM. The mean age was 50 for the MM vs 42.9 for the SG. For the MM, the mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 65.4 ± 11.1 kg/m², with a mean excess weight of 282 ± 73.7 kg. For the SG, the mean preoperative body mass index was 47.5 ± 8.3 kg/m², with a mean excess weight of 156.1 ± 52.6 kg. The mean excess weight loss after six and 12 months for the M&M was 35 ± 10.5% and 20.1 ± 1.4%, vs 52.4 ± 17.8% and 49% ± 15.4% for the SG. Follow-up of one year was achieved in two M&M patients and three SG patients. Median follow-up of all patients was seven months (range 12-1). Conclusion: This is a short-term retrospective outcome study. The LMM patients were larger than LSG patients. Total weight loss was greater for the LMM patients. Operative time for the LMM is shorter. The percent excess weight loss in the short-term 12 month period was more in the LSG compared to the LMM. Long term follow-up is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa; NovoSeven) is well recognized as an effective hemostatic agent in the management and prophylaxis of patients with hemophilia.We report here the successful use of rFVIIa in a coagulopathic burn patient. Methods: A 63-year-old man was admitted with significant upper-body burns in a total body surface area of 60%. Initial management included early intubation and escharotomies, with subsequent admission to the burn unit. Fascial excision was carried out with allograft placement. During a complicated hospital course, decline in platelet function was noted and was associated with the development of a generalized coagulopathy with elevated international normalized ratio. Following a routine follow-up debridement and autografting, extensive bleeding was noted from donor sites. A period of increasing hemodynamic instability followed in the burn unit, with serial hematocrit measurements pointing toward ongoing bleeding from the surgical sites. Following administration of significant amounts of blood product, it was decided to administer rFVIIa per pharmacy protocol. Results: Within 4 hours of administration of rFVIIa, the patient was noted to be hemodynamically stable with unchanging serial hematocrit measurements. Hemostasis was attributed to the use of rFVIIa with prior administration of platelets. Conclusions: Our case demonstrates the successful use of rFVIIa in the severely coagulopathic burn patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma during pregnancy is the leading non-obstetric cause of morbidity and mortality, and accounts for five per 1000 fetal deaths. Direct fetal injury due to trauma during pregnancy is rare, and limited information is available about how to optimize fetal outcomes after injury. Early recognition and appropriate management of direct fetal trauma may improve outcomes for the fetus. There are currently no available guidelines to direct management of the injured fetus. We provide a detailed literature review of the management and outcomes of direct fetal injury following blunt and penetrating injury during pregnancy, and describe a suggested initial approach to the injured pregnant patient with a focus on evaluation for fetal injury. We identified 45 reported cases of blunt trauma resulting in direct fetal injury, with 21 surviving past the neonatal period, and 33 of penetrating trauma resulting in direct fetal injury, with 24 surviving past the neonatal period. Prenatal imaging identified fetal injury in 19 cases of blunt trauma and was used to identify bullet location relative to the fetus in 6 cases. These reports were used to develop management algorithms for the injured fetus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]