Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Treatment of Biliary Dyskinesia is Safe and Effective in the Pediatric Population

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 1069-1072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Hofeldt ◽  
Bryan Richmond ◽  
Kristy Huffman ◽  
Jennings Nestor ◽  
Damian Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Perioperative Complications ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Biliary Dyskinesia ◽  
Quadrant Pain ◽  
Gallbladder Ejection Fraction ◽  
Patients Âgés ◽  
History Of

Experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia in children remains limited. The aim of this study was to examine the results of a single institution's experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the treatment biliary dyskinesia in the pediatric population. Medical records were reviewed on all patients younger than age 18 who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at our institution from July 2004 to December 2006. Patients undergoing surgery for biliary dyskinesia, as evidenced by a preoperative gallbladder ejection fraction of 40 per cent or less, comprised the study group. Of the 51 pediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 30 (58.8%) were performed for biliary dyskinesia. The patients’ ages ranged from 7 to 17 (mean, 12.67 years; SD, 2.75). Symptoms consisted of chronic right upper quadrant pain (96.67%), nausea/vomiting (73.33%), back pain (30.0%), weight loss (13.33%), and a history of pancreatitis (6.66%). The amount of time between onset of symptoms and surgery was as follows: 1 to 3 months (34.62%), 4 to 6 months (30.77%), 7 to 12 months (7.69%), and greater than 1 year (26.92%). Gallbladder ejection fraction ranged from 1 to 36 per cent (mean, 14.7%). Seven of the 30 (26.67%) underwent endoscopic evaluation as part of their preoperative workup (six upper endoscopy, one colonoscopy), all of which were noncontributory. Pathology revealed chronic cholecystitis in 26 of 30 (93.3%), no abnormalities in three of 30 (10.0%), and unexpected cholelithiasis in one of 30 (3.33%). No perioperative complications were encountered. Twenty-nine of the 30 patients were available for follow up and all but one reported relief of symptoms (96.55%). This study supports the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a safe and effective treatment for biliary dyskinesia in the pediatric population. The success rate in our study was substantially higher than that reported in previous series. Routine preoperative endoscopy was not used and was reserved for investigation of ambiguous or unrelated complaints.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Biliary Dyskinesia in Children: Report of 100 Cases from a Single Institution

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 587-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantinos Constantinou ◽  
Iswanto Sucandy ◽  
Max Ramenofsky
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Biliary Dyskinesia ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Functional Abdominal Pain ◽  
Biliary Stones ◽  
Persistent Symptoms

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is increasingly performed in the pediatric population. Biliary dyskinesia (BD) is largely responsible for this increase and is presently the most common indication for LC in this age group. In our institution the diagnosis of BD is made in patients with biliary symptoms, absence of biliary stones, and an ejection fraction <35 per cent on hydroxy iminoadiacetic acid (HIDA) scan. We reviewed our experience of 100 children with BD that underwent LC. Data that was prospectively collected and entered into electronic medical records by gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and pediatric surgeons was reviewed and analyzed. Patients were symptomatic for an average of 15 months before undergoing surgery. Seventy-seven per cent reported resolution of symptoms from 6 months to 5 years following LC, whereas the rest complained of persistent symptomatology. When the two groups were compared, patients with persistent symptoms were more likely to be female and to have longer symptom duration. An ejection fraction <35 per cent reliably predicts successful outcome of LC in patients with BD. The diagnosis of BD should be entertained early in the differential of functional abdominal pain in children and referred to Pediatric Surgery when its presence is confirmed.

Quality of Life after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Biliary Dyskinesia in the Pediatric Population: A Pilot Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Maxwell ◽  
Stephanie Thompson ◽  
Bryan Richmond ◽  
Jillian McCagg ◽  
Adam Ubert
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Biliary Dyskinesia ◽  
Gallbladder Ejection Fraction

This pilot study examined symptom relief and quality of life in pediatric patients who received laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery at our institution for biliary dyskinesia. We used two validated questionnaires: the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF28), to assess general well-being, and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), to measure gastrointestinal-related health. After Institutional Review Board approval, all patients under the age of 18 years who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia between November 2006 and May 2010 received mailed questionnaires. Preoperative and postoperative data were retrospectively collected from respondents and included age, race, symptoms, gallbladder ejection fraction values, pathologic findings, and clinical course. Of 89 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 21 responded. Mean age at surgery was 13.08 years (range, 8 to 17 years). The most common preoperative symptoms consisted of nausea (100%), postprandial pain (90.5%), right upper quadrant pain (81.0%), and vomiting (66.7%). Mean long-term follow-up interval was 18.9 months (range, 7 to 40 months; SD 10.37). Patients with long-term symptom relief reported significantly higher GIQLI scores than those with enduring symptoms. Examination of the results from the CHQ-PF28 revealed significantly lower scores than a general U.S. pediatric sample in both the Physical and Psychosocial Summary Measures ( P < 0.05). Children experiencing long-term symptom cessation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy reported higher quality of life than those who had incomplete or only short-term relief. However, regardless of the degree of symptom relief, the degree of quality of life experienced by our study sample of patients with biliary dyskinesia is lower than that of a comparable U.S. pediatric sample.

Outcomes After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Hyperkinetic Biliary Dyskinesia

2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110233
Author(s):  
Litton F. Whitaker ◽  
Maggie E. Bosley ◽  
Justin M. Refugia ◽  
Myron S. Powell ◽  
Stephen S. McNatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽  
Epigastric Pain ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Biliary Dyskinesia ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Biliary Stones ◽  
Gallbladder Ejection Fraction ◽  
Symptom Status

Background Biliary dyskinesia (BD) is a poorly understood functional gallbladder disorder. Diagnosis is made with abdominal pain and an intact gallbladder without signs of anatomical obstruction on imaging or pathology. Our aim was to assess whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) resolves hyperkinetic BD symptoms. Methods Records of patients ≥18 years of age, who underwent LC by four surgeons at a tertiary care center between 2012 and 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were excluded if they had a documented gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) <80% or had biliary stones or sludge on pathology or imaging. Demographic information, HIDA results, preoperative testing, operative details, gallbladder pathology, and symptom status at follow-up were collected from electronic medical records. Improvement in BD symptoms was assessed using McNemar’s test. Risk differences with standard errors were employed to estimate percent reduction in symptoms. Results Ninety-eight patients met inclusion criteria. Of those who presented for follow-up (n = 91), 92.3% (n = 84) reported partial or complete resolution of symptoms. Preoperative symptoms, including back pain (16.7%, 95% CI: [7.9%, 25.5%]; P < .0001), epigastric pain (31.1% [21.3%, 41.3%]; P < .0001), nausea (56.7% [45.0%, 65.8%]; P < .0001), RUQ pain (57.8% [46.1%, 66.9%]; P < .0001), and vomiting (27.8% [18.4%, 37.7%]; P < .0001) showed significant improvement after LC. Chronic cholecystitis and/or cholesterolosis were present on pathology in 79.8% of gallbladders. Discussion Our study currently represents the largest cohort of patients with hyperkinetic BD. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to result in resolution of symptoms for this clinical entity.

Long-term systolic blood pressure and all-cause mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an analysis of the TOPCAT trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Huang ◽  
C Liu
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Preserved Ejection Fraction ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) at admission or discharge was associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the optimal long-term SBP for HFpEF was less clear. Purpose To examine the association of long-term SBP and all-cause mortality among patients with HFpEF. Methods We analyzed participants from the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) study. Participants had at least two SBP measurements of different times during the follow-up were included. Long-term SBP was defined as the average of all SBP measurements during the follow-up. We stratified participants into four groups according to long-term SBP: &lt;120mmHg, ≥120mmHg and &lt;130mmHg, ≥130mmHg and &lt;140mmHg, ≥140mmHg. Multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all-cause mortality associated with SBP level. To assess for nonlinearity, we fitted restricted cubic spline models of long-term SBP. Sensitivity analyses were conducted by confining participants with history of hypertension or those with left ventricular ejection fraction≥50%. Results The 3338 participants had a mean (SD) age of 68.5 (9.6) years; 51.4% were women, and 89.3% were White. The median long-term SBP was 127.3 mmHg (IQR 121–134.2, range 77–180.7). Patients in the SBP of &lt;120mmHg group were older age, less often female, less often current smoker, had higher estimated glomerular filtration rate, less often had history of hypertension, and more often had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation. After multivariable adjustment, long-term SBP of 120–130mmHg and 130–140mmHg was associated with a lower risk of mortality during a mean follow-up of 3.3 years (HR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.49–0.85, P=0.001; HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50–0.88, P=0.004, respectively); long-term SBP of &lt;120mmHg had similar risk of mortality (HR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.78–1.36, P=0.836), compared with long-term SBP of ≥140mmHg. Findings from restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrate that there was J-shaped association between long-term SBP and all-cause mortality (P=0.02). These association was essentially unchanged in sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Among patients with HFpEF, long-term SBP showed a J-shaped pattern with all-cause mortality and a range of 120–140 mmHg was significantly associated with better outcomes. Future randomized controlled trials need to evaluate optimal long-term SBP goal in patients with HFpEF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Grant (2019M660229 and 2019TQ0380)

scholarly journals Predictors of Incisional Hernia after Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash Chennamsetty ◽  
Jason Hafron ◽  
Luke Edwards ◽  
Scott Pew ◽  
Behdod Poushanchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽  
Incisional Hernia ◽  
Operative Time ◽  
Patient Counseling ◽  
Incisional Hernias ◽  
Prostate Weight ◽  
History Of ◽  
Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Introduction.To explore the long term incidence and predictors of incisional hernia in patients that had RARP.Methods.All patients who underwent RARP between 2003 and 2012 were mailed a survey reviewing hernia type, location, and repair.Results.Of 577 patients, 48 (8.3%) had a hernia at an incisional site (35 men had umbilical), diagnosed at (median) 1.2 years after RARP (mean follow-up of 5.05 years). No statistically significant differences were found in preoperative diabetes, smoking, pathological stage, age, intraoperative/postoperative complications, operative time, blood loss, BMI, and drain type between patients with and without incisional hernias. Incisional hernia patients had larger median prostate weight (45 versus 38 grams;P=0.001) and a higher proportion had prior laparoscopic cholecystectomy (12.5% (6/48) versus 4.6% (22/480);P=0.033). Overall, 4% (23/577) of patients underwent surgical repair of 24 incisional hernias, 22 umbilical and 2 other port site hernias.Conclusion.Incisional hernia is a known complication of RARP and may be associated with a larger prostate weight and history of prior laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There is concern about the underreporting of incisional hernia after RARP, as it is a complication often requiring surgical revision and is of significance for patient counseling before surgery.

scholarly journals Right lumbar abscess containing a gallstone—an unexpected late complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
André Marçal ◽  
Ricardo Vaz Pereira ◽  
Ana Monteiro ◽  
José Dias ◽  
António Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽  
Late Complication ◽  
Late Complications ◽  
Gallbladder Perforation ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Symptomatic Gallstones ◽  
History Of ◽  
Gallstone Spillage ◽  
Saline Lavage

Abstract During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gallbladder perforation may occur leading to gallstone spillage and despite being rare, early or late complications may therefore develop. We report a case of a 79-year-old female, with a past medical history of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 3 years earlier for symptomatic gallstones, admitted in the emergency department with a subcutaneous right lumbar abscess confirmed by computed tomography. Emergent abscess surgical drainage was performed and a gallstone was identified during saline lavage. Postoperative evolution was unremarkable and follow-up within a year was uneventful. Split gallstones due to gallbladder perforation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be retrieved in order to reduce future complications.

P320Heart failure with mid-range (HFmrEF) or recovered (HFrecEF) ejection fraction: differential determinants of transition

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R De Maria ◽  
F Macera ◽  
M Gorini ◽  
I Battistoni ◽  
M Iacoviello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Nyha Class ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Lower Likelihood ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) has been identified as a multi-faceted phenotype that may encompass both patients with mild disease or those who from previous HFrEF recover EF (HFrecEF) Purpose To describe clinical characteristics and factors associated with phenotype transition at follow-up. Methods From 2009 to 2016, 1194 patients with baseline EF<50% and a second echocardiographic determination during clinically stability at a median of 6 months were enrolled in the IN-CHF Registry. Based on EF at enrollment, 335 (28%) had HFmrEF and 859 (72%) had HFrEF. We compared baseline clinical characteristics and predictors associated with follow-up reclassification to HFmrEF or full EF recovery Results When compared to HFrEF patients, those with HFmrEF had less often an ischemic etiology, advanced symptoms and a HF admission in the previous year. No other differences were found in clinical characteristics and drug therapy (Table). At a median follow-up of 6 months, 30% of HFrEF patients improved EF by 14 (9) units: 21% showed partial EF recovery (transition to HFmrEF) and 9% had full EF recovery. Conversely among HFmrEF patients 22% improved EF, by 9 (5) units, to full recovery, and 18% deteriorated by 1.5 (5.5) units sloping to HFrEF. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables associated with EF recovery at 6-month follow-up differed between baseline phenotypes. Within HFrEF, ischemic etiology (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.33–0.64) and NYHA class III-IV symptoms (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.38–0.68) were associated with a lower likelihood of EF recovery, while a history of HF<6 month correlated with a higher likelihood of EF recovery (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.76–3.39). Within HFmrEF, while ischemic etiology (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.19–0.68) was also associated with a lower likelihood of EF recovery, a history of atrial fibrillation at enrollment correlated with higher likelihood of EF recovery (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.37–5.17) by 6 month-follow-up. At a median follow-up of 36+28 months mortality was 4.6% vs 6.9% in HFrecEF vs non-recovered patients (log rank p=0.08). Baseline characteristics HFrEF vs HFmrEF Conclusions HFmrEF patients showed a less severe clinical picture than HFrEF patients, but had EF recovery less often. EF improvement is negatively associated with ischemic etiology in both phenotypes, and positively associated with atrial fibrillation in HFmrEF and a short history of HF in HFrEF.

Pediatric cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal tumors

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle A. Holman ◽  
William R. Schmitt ◽  
Matthew L. Carlson ◽  
Colin L. W. Driscoll ◽  
Charles W. Beatty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Internal Auditory Canal ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type ◽  
History Of

Object The aim in this study was to describe the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and risk for neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) in pediatric patients presenting with cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and internal auditory canal (IAC) tumors. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective study at a tertiary care academic referral center. All patients with an age ≤ 18 years who had presented with an extraaxial CPA or IAC tumor between 1987 and 2012 were included in the study cohort. Data regarding symptoms, diagnosis, tumor characteristics, and NF2 status were collected and analyzed. Results Sixty patients (55% female, 45% male) harboring 87 tumors were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.8 years (median 14.0 years, range 0.9–18.9 years). Schwannomas were the most commonly identified lesions (57 of 87 tumors, including 52 vestibular, 3 facial, and 2 trigeminal schwannomas), followed by meningiomas (5 of 87) and epidermoid cysts (4 of 87). Six malignant tumors were diagnosed, including small-cell sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant meningioma, atypical rhabdoid-teratoid tumor, endolymphatic sac tumor, and malignant ganglioglioma. Headache, followed by hearing loss and imbalance, was the most common presenting symptom, whereas dysphagia, otalgia, and facial pain were uncommon. Neurofibromatosis Type 2 was diagnosed in 20 (61%) of 33 patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS), while the other 13 patients (39%) had sporadic tumors. Nineteen of the 20 patients with NF2 met the diagnostic criteria for that disorder on initial presentation, and 15 of them presented with bilateral VS. At the last follow-up, 19 of the 20 patients subsequently diagnosed with NF2 demonstrated bilateral VSs, whereas 1 patient with a unilateral VS and multiple other NF2-associated tumors has yet to demonstrate a contralateral VS to date. Only 1 patient presenting with an isolated unilateral VS and no family history of NF2 demonstrated a contralateral VS on subsequent radiological screening. Conclusions Cerebellopontine angle and IAC tumors in the pediatric population are rare. There are several noteworthy differences between the adult and pediatric populations harboring these lesions. While VS is the most common pathology in both age groups, the lesion was found in only 60% of the pediatric patients in the present study. Unlike in adults, VSs in the pediatric population were associated with NF2 in over one-half of all cases. The majority of pediatric patients with NF2 fulfilled the diagnostic criteria at initial presentation; however, approximately 7% of patients presenting with a seemingly sporadic (no family history of NF2) unilateral VS will meet the criteria for NF2 later in life. Finally, malignancies account for a significantly higher percentage (10%) of cases among pediatric patients. These findings underscore the importance of early screening and close radiological follow-up and may be helpful in patient counseling.

scholarly journals P974 Sacubitril/valsartan is well tolerated in patients with heart failure and a history of cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M K Frey ◽  
E Han ◽  
H Arfsten ◽  
N Pavo ◽  
M Huelsmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Functional Class ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Cancer

Abstract Introduction Sacubitril/valsartan has been shown to significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospitalisations due to heart failure in patients with reduced ejection fraction when compared to enalapril. Until now, sacubitril/valsartan has not been evaluated in patients with a history of cancer, as these patients were excluded from the pivotal trial, PARADIGM-HF. The aim of the current study was to assess tolerability of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with a history of cancer. Methods We retrospectively enrolled all patients at our heart failure out-patient unit who fulfilled the indication criteria to receive sacubitril/valsartan and had a history of cancer. Fifteen patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan had a diagnosis of histologically confirmed cancer: 26.7% breast cancer (n = 4), 13.3% osteosarcoma (n = 2), 13.3% colorectal cancer (n = 2), 13.3% renal cell carcinoma (n = 2), 6.7% non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1), 6.7% lung cancer (n = 1), 6.7% prostate cancer (n = 1), 6.7% bladder carcinoma and 6.7% myeoloproliferative syndrome (n = 1). Surgery due to cancer was performed in 80% of patients (n = 12), 26.7% previously received chemotherapy (n = 6) and 40% radiation therapy (n = 4). Results Sacubitril/valsartan was withdrawn in 2 patients (13.3%) because of dizziness and pruritus respectively. After a mean follow-up of 13 ±8 months, NYHA functional class improved significantly (mean -0.5, p = 0.001), ejection fraction as assassed by echocardiography increased (mean +6.8%, p = 0.018) and NT-proBNP was significantly decreased (mean -1552pg/ml, p = 0.026). There was no significant change in creatinine levels (+0.046 mg/dl, p = 0.564 ). Conclusions In this pilot study we were able to show that sacubitril/valsartan is generally well tolerated in patients with a history of cancer. Patients with cardiotoxicity induced heart failure can be treated and uptitrated with sacubitril/valsartan to usual dosages similarly as in other causes of heart failure. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings in cancer patients with cardiotoxicity.

Simple Technique for Tracheocutaneous Fistula Closure in the Pediatric Population

2003 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie A. Eaton ◽  
Orval E. Brown ◽  
David Parry
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Pulmonary Infiltrate ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Treacher Collins Syndrome ◽  
Fistula Tract ◽  
Small Leak ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
History Of

To review our experience with cauterization of persistent tracheocutaneous fistulas in children, we performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent cauterization of tracheocutaneous fistulas by the senior author (O.E.B.) from 1986 to 2001 in an academic, tertiary care children's hospital. We studied 13 pediatric patients ranging in age from 2.5 to 17.5 years of age at the time of surgery. Twelve patients underwent cauterization under endoscopic visualization. One patient underwent superficial cauterization of the tract without endoscopy. All patients had at least a 1-year history of an indwelling tracheotomy. All patients were decannulated at least 1 year before fistula cauterization. Of the 12 patients who underwent intraoperative airway endoscopy, the internal orifice of the fistula tract was specifically visualized and seen to be patent in 10. One patient was noted to have internal mucosalization of the tract, and no discrete opening to the trachea was noted in the other patient. Eleven patients had complete closure of the fistula site at follow-up (range, 2 weeks to 2 years). One patient developed a leak during a coughing spell 2 days after the operation, and the fistula was noted to be closing with a small leak at follow-up. Another patient (with Treacher Collins syndrome) ultimately required a repeat tracheotomy for persistent obstructive sleep apnea. This patient was the only one admitted after the operation, for a pulmonary infiltrate. No other patients required airway support in the immediate postoperative period. Cauterization of tracheocutaneous fistulas in children is a relatively simple, effective, and safe technique.

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