Predictors of Failure in Ultrasound-Guided Hydrostatic Reduction of Intussusception in Children: Retrospective Analysis in a Specialized Center in Ethiopia

Purpose

To identify factors predicting the failure of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception in children.

Patients and Methods

The medical records of 174 children who underwent ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception over four years were reviewed at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Patient's demography, clinical data, and sonography findings (type of intussusception, length of intussusception, presence of lead point, trapped fluid, lymph node, and free peritoneal fluid) were entered into SPSS 25 (IBM) and analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

The overall success rate of ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction was 81.6%. The sex, presence of abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, trapped lymph nodes on ultrasound, or history of upper respiratory tract infection had no association with hydrostatic reducibility. Currant jelly stool (OR 0.128; 95% CI, 0.27-0.616; P=0.01), Ileo-ileo colic intussusception (OR 0.055; 95% CI, 0.005-0.597; P=0.017), pathologic lead point (OR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.01-0.447; P=0.005) and abdominal distention (OR 0.209; 95% CI, 0.044-0.998; P=0.048) showed significant association with failed hydrostatic reduction.

Conclusion

The presence of currant jelly stool, ileo-ileo colic type intussusception, pathologic lead point, and abdominal distention are the most important predictors for failed ultrasound ultrasound-guided reduction intussusception in children.

Presentation management and outcome of phlegmonous and inflammed appendicitis in children in Ethiopia: retrospective review

BACKGROUND

Acute appendicitis is the leading cause of emergency pediatric surgical admissions in the world. The diagnosis is may be difficult and is often dependent on clinical parameters. This study was aimed at reviewing the clinical presentations, the management and outcomes in children with inflamed and phlegmonous appendicitis with reference to the operative findings.

METHODS

The records of 211 children 5 to 15 years of age who were operated for acute appendicitis with intra operative findings of inflamed or phlegmonous appendicitis who met inclusion criteria were entered and analyzed using SPSS (IBM) V.26. Descriptive and regression tests were done with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of 211 children with inflamed and phlegmonous appendicitis, the M: F was 1.48:1 with a median age of 11 years. 58.3% of them presented within 24 h with the commonest symptoms being right lower abdominal pain, anorexia, and vomiting (96.2%,96.2%, 85.3%,) respectively. 96.7% of them had right lower abdominal tenderness. 73% had neutrophils ≥ 75%, and of 171 patients who had abdominal ultrasound scan, 97.7% showed appendiceal diameter ≥ 6 mm. Intraoperatively 56.4% of them were found to have phlegmonous appendicitis. In a retrospective Pediatric Appendiceal Score, only 52.6% of patients fall into the high-risk category, who could be confirmed on preoperative clinical assessment. Postoperatively 90% of them discharged improved with a mean hospital stay of 2.26(SD = 0.9) days. There was no association between the sex of the child and the intraoperative finding of inflamed or phlegmonous appendicitis (p = 0.77).

CONCLUSION

Pediatric appendicitis affects more male children in their second decade of life. Most had phlegmonous appendicitis and presented within 24 h. Duration of illness has little effect on the progress of appendicitis. Surgical management is safe for inflamed and phlegmonous appendicitis with a reasonable hospital stay and a low rate of complications.

Practice of Postoperative Pain Management in Under-Five Children in A Tertiary Hospital: A Prospective Crossectional Study

Background

Despite advancements in pain management, children have remained undertreated for postoperative pain. Data regarding the practice of post-operative pain management in paediatric patients remains less available in the developing world. This study was aimed at evaluating practice of postoperative pain management in under five children.

Methods

A prospective cross sectional one-year study was conducted on all paediatric patients who underwent major paediatric surgical procedures from February 1, 2020 to January31, 2021, at a tertiary hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Result

A single type of analgesic medication was used in 67.1% patients. Analgesic medications were administered on standing base only in 64.4% of patients. Patients' charts had no documentation of pain assessment both in the neonatal intensive care units and wards.32.89 % of assessed patients had moderate to severe pain record.

Conclusion

Significant number of patients suffer from postoperative pain because of absence of proper pain assessment and inadequate administration of analgesic medication.