The impact of children's hospital designation on outcomes in children with malrotation

Intestinal Malrotation in Children: Clinical Presentation and Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

 Intestinal malrotation (IM) is characterized by abnormal intestinal rotation and fixation predisposing to a risk of midgut volvulus. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and outcome of IM from birth through childhood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 This was a retrospective study of children with IM managed at a single center between 1983 and 2016. Data were retrieved from medical records and analyzed.

RESULTS

 Three hundred nineteen patients were eligible for the study. Using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 138 children were included. Vomiting was the most common symptom up to 5 years of age. At 6 to 15 years of age, abdominal pain was the predominant symptom. One hundred twenty-five patients underwent a Ladd's procedure and of 124 patients with available data, 20% had a postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo IIIb-V) within 30 days. The odds ratio to develop postoperative complications was significantly increased in extremely preterm patients (p = 0.001) and in patients with severely affected intestinal circulation (p = 0.006). Two patients had intestinal failure due to midgut loss after midgut volvulus, one of whom needed intestinal transplantation. Four patients, all extremely preterm, died related to the surgical procedure. In addition, seven patients died of reasons not related to IM. Fourteen patients (11%) had adhesive bowel obstruction and one patient had recurrent midgut volvulus requiring surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

 IM presents with different symptoms through childhood depending on age. Postoperative complications are common after Ladd's procedure, particularly among extremely preterm infants and patients with severely affected circulation caused by midgut volvulus.

Laparoscopic Ladd's procedure for intestinal malrotation in small infants with midterm follow-up

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic Ladd's procedure (LL) for intestinal malrotation (IM) in small infants.

METHODS

All patients aged < 6 months with IM who underwent Ladd's procedures between January 2012 and December 2019 were enrolled. The perioperative demographics and midterm follow-up results were retrospectively reviewed and compared between patients who underwent LL and open Ladd's operation (OL).

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients were enrolled for analysis. The baseline characteristics were well matched in the two groups. The rate of volvulus was similar in the two groups (76.2% vs. 73.5%, P = 0.81). Two cases in the LL group were converted to OL due to intraoperative bleeding and intestinal swelling. The operative time (ORT) was not significantly different between the two groups (73.8 ± 18.7 vs. 66.8 ± 11.6 min, P = 0.76). Compared to the OL group, the LL group had a shorter time full feed (TFF) (3.1 ± 1.2 vs. 7.3 ± 1.9 days, P = 0.03) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (PHS) than the OL group (5.5 ± 1.6 vs. 11.3 ± 2.7 days, P = 0.02). The rate of postoperative complications was similar in the two groups (9.5% vs. 11.8%, P = 0.47). The LL group had a lower rate of adhesive obstruction than the OL group, but the difference was not significant (0.0% vs. 11.8%, P = 0.09). One patient suffered recurrence in the LL group, while 0 patients suffered recurrence in the OL group (4.8% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.07). The rate of reoperation in the two groups was similar (4.8% vs. 8.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The LL procedure for IM in small infants was a safe and reliable method that had a satisfactory cosmetic appearance and shorter TFF and PHS than OL.

Do Unpaid Children's Hospital Account Balances Correlate with Family Income or Insurance Type?

Background

Current understanding of medical debt among various income ranges and insurance carriers is limited. We analyzed median household incomes, insurance carriers, and medical debt of plastic surgery patients at a major metropolitan children's hospital.

Methods

A retrospective chart review for zip codes, insurance carriers, and account balances was conducted for 2018-2021. All patients were seen by members of the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Blue Cross was reported separately among other commercial insurance carriers by the hospital's business analytics department. Median household income by zip code was obtained. IBM SPSS Statistics was used to perform chi-squared tests to study the distribution of unpaid account balances by income ranges and insurance carriers.

Results

Of the 6877 patients, 630 had unpaid account balances. Significant differences in unpaid account balances existed among twelve insurance classes (P < 0.001). There were significant differences among unpaid account balances when further examined by median household income ranges for Blue Cross (P < 0.001) and other commercial insurance carriers (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Although patients with insurance policies requiring higher out-of-pocket costs (ie, Blue Cross and other commercial insurance carriers) are generally characterized by higher household incomes, these patients were found to have higher unpaid account balances than patients with public insurance policies. This suggests that income alone is not predictive of unpaid medical debt and provides greater appreciation of lower income families who may make a more consistent effort in repaying their medical debt.

Variability in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction in children

BACKGROUND

This study assessed inter-hospital variability in operative-vs-nonoperative management of pediatric adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO).

METHODS

A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed examining patients 1-21 years-of-age presenting with ASBO from 2010 to 2019 utilizing the Pediatric Health Information System. Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression was performed assessing inter-hospital variability in operative-vs-nonoperative management of ASBO.

RESULTS

Among 6410 pediatric ASBO admissions identified at 46 hospitals, 3,239 (50.5%) underwent surgery during that admission. The hospital-specific rate of surgery ranged from 35.3% (95%CI: 28.5-42.6%) to 74.7% (66.3-81.6%) in the unadjusted model (p < 0.001), and from 35.1% (26.3-45.1%) to 73.9% (66.7-79.9%) in the adjusted model (p < 0.001). Factors associated with operative management for ASBO included admission to a surgical service (OR 2.8 [95%CI: 2.4-3.2], p < 0.001), congenital intestinal and/or rotational anomaly (OR 2.5 [2.1-3.1], p < 0.001), diagnostic workup including advanced abdominal imaging (OR 1.7 [1.5-1.9], p < 0.001), non-emergent admission status (OR 1.5 [1.3-1.8], p < 0.001), and increasing number of complex chronic comorbidities (OR 1.3 [1.2-1.4], p < 0.001). Factors associated with nonoperative management for ASBO included increased hospital-specific annual ASBO volume (OR 0.98 [95%CI: 0.97-0.99], p = 0.002), older age (OR 0.97 [0.96-0.98], p < 0.001), public insurance (OR 0.87 [0.78-0.96], p = 0.008), and presence of coinciding non-intestinal congenital anomalies, neurologic/neuromuscular disease, and/or medical technology dependence (OR 0.57 [95%CI: 0.47-0.68], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of surgical intervention for ASBO vary significantly across tertiary children's hospitals in the United States. The variability was independent of patient and hospital characteristics and is likely due to practice variation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Outcomes for Ladd's procedure: Does approach matter?

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic Ladd's procedure has been proven safe and effective for the treatment of malrotation. However, the nationwide utilization and outcomes of elective Ladd's procedure are largely unknown.

METHODS

The Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014 was used to identify patients 0-18 years (excluding newborns) with malrotation who underwent elective Ladd's procedure. Demographics, hospital factors, and outcomes were compared by approach (laparoscopic vs. open) using standard statistical tests and propensity score (PS) matched analysis. Results were weighted for national estimates.

RESULTS

1343 patients (44% male) underwent elective Ladd's procedure via laparoscopic (22%) or open (78%) approach. Laparoscopic approach was more common in large hospitals (26% vs. 16%), patients >13 years (30% vs. 20%), and those with higher income (29% vs. 16%), all p < 0.001. Following PS matching, compared to the laparoscopic approach, open Ladd's was associated with index hospital length of stay > 7 days (20% vs. 8%), more post-operative gastrointestinal dysfunction (12% vs. < 1%), and more nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (16% vs. 6%), all p < 0.001. The overall readmission rates within 30 days and the year of index operation were 8% and 15%, respectively. In the matched cohort, those undergoing laparoscopic Ladd's were less likely to be readmitted than those with the open approach (7% vs. 16%, p < 0.001) and experienced less gastrointestinal issues on readmission (5% vs. 15%, p = 0.002). There were similar rates of post-operative small bowel obstruction (< 3% vs. < 3%, p = 0.840) and volvulus (0% vs. < 1%, p = 0.136). Redo Ladd's procedure was performed in less than 4% of readmissions and all occurred within 5 days of initial hospital discharge.

CONCLUSION

The majority of Ladd's procedures in the U.S. are being performed open, despite comparable outcomes following a laparoscopic approach. Readmission rates are similar with either approach, and the rate of redo Ladd's procedure is lower than previously reported.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Technology-Dependent Pediatric Inpatients at Children's Versus Nonchildren's Hospitals

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Technology-dependent children (TDC) are admitted to both children's hospitals (CHs) and nonchildren's hospitals (NCHs), where there may be fewer pediatric-specific specialists or resources. Our objective was to compare the characteristics of TDC admitted to CHs versus NCHs.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, retrospective study using the 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database. We included patients aged 0 to 18 years with a tracheostomy, gastrostomy, and/or ventricular shunt. We excluded those who died, were transferred into or out of the hospital, had a length of stay (LOS) that was an extreme outlier, or had missing data for key variables. We compared patient and hospital characteristics across CH versus NCH using χ² tests and LOS and cost using generalized linear models.

RESULTS

In the final sample of 64 521 discharges, 55% of discharges of TDC were from NCHs. A larger proportion of those from CHs had higher disease severity (55% vs 49%; P < .001) and a major surgical procedure during hospitalization (28% vs 24%; P < .001). In an adjusted generalized linear model, the mean LOS was 4 days at both hospital types, but discharge from a CH was associated with a higher adjusted mean cost ($16 754 vs $12 023; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Because the majority of TDC are hospitalized at NCHs, future research on TDC should incorporate NCH settings. Further studies should investigate if some may benefit from regionalization of care or earlier transfer to a CH.

The adequacy of fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal studies for suspected intestinal volvulus in a tertiary care centre vs. secondary centres: A regional multicentre study

INTRODUCTION

Early diagnosis and treatment of intestinal volvulus are important to reduce morbidity. A fluoroscopic upper GI study is the gold standard for diagnosis and may be performed in a secondary or tertiary care centre prior to surgery. It is important the reporting radiologist is confident in the findings. We aim to assess whether there is any difference in confidence and study quality between paediatric and general radiologists who work in secondary or tertiary care centres.

METHODS

Retrospective review of initial radiology reports and blinded review of the study images by paediatric radiologists.

RESULTS

A total of 277 children underwent a fluoroscopic study for intestinal volvulus over a four-year period. The majority were performed at a tertiary care centre, by paediatric radiologists. The confidence of initial reporting was higher in paediatric than general radiologists despite whether they worked in a secondary or tertiary care centre (P-value < 0.001). On retrospective review, studies performed by paediatric radiologists were rated as having a higher confidence in identifying the location of the duodenojejunal flexure. General radiologists tended to have a slightly higher rate of repeat studies but still low at 2.2%. Despite this, there was no significant difference in the diagnosis rates and secondary centre general radiologists excluded malrotation in 62% of studies likely reducing transfer rates.

CONCLUSION

Confidence in initial reporting and on review of the duodenojejunal flexure location in suspected intestinal volvulus is higher in paediatric radiologists compared with general radiologists, although diagnosis rates are no different.

Sex differences in surgically correctable congenital anomalies: A systematic review

PURPOSE

This study aims to compare the prevalence and outcomes of surgically correctable congenital anomalies between sexes.

METHODS

Upon registration on PROSPERO (CRD42019120165), a librarian aided in conducting a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines. The five largest relevant studies were included for each anomaly. Cumulative prevalence differences and confidence intervals were calculated, and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was performed.

RESULTS

Of 42,722 identified studies, 68 were included in our analysis. All included anomalies had greater than 1000 patients except duodenal atresia (n = 787) and intestinal duplication (n = 148). Males had a significantly higher prevalence than females in 10/14 anomalies (Hirschsprung's disease, omphalomesenteric duct, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, anorectal malformation, malrotation, esophageal atresia, congenital pulmonary airway malformation, intestinal atresia, omphalocele, and gastroschisis; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the prevalence of duodenal atresia or intestinal duplication between sexes (p = 0.88 and 0.65, respectively). Females had a significantly higher prevalence of biliary anomalies (atresia and choledochal cyst).

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that males have higher prevalence rates of most congenital anomalies. Further investigations are required to illuminate the embryology underlying this sex distribution and whether sex influences outcomes.

TYPE OF STUDY

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, level II.

Implications of transfer status on bowel loss in children undergoing emergency surgery for malrotation

OBJECTIVE

Malrotation with midgut volvulus is a time-sensitive pediatric surgical disease that requires emergent operative exploration to avoid bowel loss; however, it also requires specialized pediatric care. The purpose of this study was to identify disparities in bowel resection in children who underwent emergency surgery for malrotation; particularly the role of transfer status.

METHODS

The Pediatric Health Information System was used to identify a multicenter cohort of patients who underwent emergency surgical intervention for malrotation. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to determine factors associated with the primary outcome of bowel resection; secondary outcomes included surgical complications, prolonged length of stay, TPN dependence, and death.

RESULTS

Of 3373 patients with malrotation included, 44.8% were transferred in. Younger age, prematurity and other comorbidity, nonwhite race, and public insurance were associated with transfer. Transferred patients were more likely to undergo bowel resection on univariate (30.7 vs 16.4%, p < .001) and multivariable analysis (RR =1.38, p < .010). After adjusting for bowel resection, only patient factors including age and comorbidity were associated with surgical complications, TPN dependence, and death.

CONCLUSION

Patients who require hospital-to-hospital transfer for emergent surgical management of malrotation are more likely to require bowel resection which is in turn associated with greater morbidity. Further work is needed to optimize access to prompt surgical care for this condition especially given race and insurance disparities in transfer status.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, prognostic study.

Rates and trends for inpatient surgeries in pediatric Crohn's disease in the United States from 2003 to 2012

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.

Indirect Costs and Family Burden of Pediatric Crohn's Disease in the United States

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) negatively impacts patient quality of life and results in greater healthcare utilization. For pediatric CD patients, the burden also extends to their caregivers. We aimed to estimate work loss and productivity costs among caregivers of pediatric CD patients.

METHODS

Data were from Truven MarketScan databases (2000-2012). Patients were <18 years old with ≥2 ICD-9 CD diagnostic codes. Controls were those without CD or ulcerative colitis and were matched to patients by age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, index year, and insurance plan category. Continuous enrollment was required ≥6 months before and ≥12 months after index, defined as the patient's first CD diagnosis date. Outcomes included hours of work loss and associated productivity costs of caregivers 1-year postindex. Work loss and productivity costs were compared between caregivers of patients and controls. Adjustments for unbalanced baseline factors were made using a generalized linear regression model.

RESULTS

Each cohort included 200 study participants and their caregivers. Unadjusted annual hours of work loss after first diagnosis were 214.4 ± 171.5 and 169.6 ± 157.5 for caregivers of CD patients and controls, respectively (P = 0.007). Annual productivity costs were 27.2% ($1122) higher for caregivers of CD patients than controls, estimated at $5243 and $4,121, respectively (P = 0.004). Adjusted cost analyses yielded similar findings. Over the course of a patient's childhood, accumulated productivity losses were $24,118 for CD patients and $18,957 for control caregivers.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers of pediatric CD patients have significantly higher loss in productivity costs compared with controls.

Comparing laparoscopic versus open Ladd's procedure in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of laparoscopic versus open Ladd's procedure on 30-day postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

All elective Ladd's procedures performed on patients with intestinal malrotation in the 2013-2014 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric were identified. A propensity score-matched analysis was used to account for baseline differences between groups, and generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to compare 30-day outcomes between open versus laparoscopic groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight (18.6%) patients underwent laparoscopic Ladd's while 253 (81.4%) underwent an open technique. After propensity score matching, 53 laparoscopic cases (38.1%) and 86 open cases (61.9%) were identified and compared for outcomes. Total length of stay was shorter for the laparoscopic group compared to the open group (6 vs. 4days, p<0.001). Postoperative length of stay was shorter for the laparoscopic group as well (5 vs. 4days, p<0.001). Postoperative complications occurred in 5 laparoscopic cases (9.4%) and in 18 open cases (20.9%), but did not meet statistical significance (p=0.08). One laparoscopic patient (1.9%) and 8 open patients (9.3%) required hospitalization beyond 30days, but this also did not meet significance (p=0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

In a matched analysis, laparoscopic Ladd's led to shorter hospital stays than open Ladd's in the initial 30-day postoperative period. Short-term benefits of laparoscopic Ladd's lend support for using additional resources to perform multi-institutional studies to compare differences in long-term outcomes between laparoscopic and open Ladd's.

TYPE OF STUDY

Therapeutic LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

[Prenatal discovery of Joubert syndrome associated with small bowel volvulus]

Joubert syndrome and prenatal volvulus are difficult to diagnose during pregnancy. Joubert syndrome and related diseases should be considered in case of prenatal abnormal features of the fourth ventricle. Small bowel volvulus is also a surgical emergency because of the risk of intestinal necrosis before or after delivery. This type of condition justifies the transfer of pregnant women to a specialized hospital where the newborn may receive appropriate care. We report the case of a 31-week and 4-day gestational-age fetus in whom intrauterine growth retardation and small-bowel volvulus were diagnosed. Additional imaging revealed associated Joubert syndrome. This highlights the need for regular ultrasound monitoring during pregnancy and the comanagement of obstetricians and pediatricians to provide appropriate care before and after delivery.

Measuring Surgical Site Infections in Children: Comparing Clinical, Electronic, and Administrative Data

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.