Neurosurgeons’ opinions on the prenatal management of myelomeningocele

OBJECTIVEImprovements in imaging and surgical technological innovations have led to the increasing implementation of fetal surgical techniques. Open fetal surgery has demonstrated more favorable clinical outcomes in children born with open myelomeningocele (MMC) than those following postnatal repair. However, primarily because of maternal risks but also because of fetal risks, fetal surgery for MMC remains controversial. Here, the authors evaluated the contemporary management of MMC in the hope of identifying barriers and facilitators for neurosurgeons in providing fetal surgery for MMC.METHODSAn online survey was emailed to members of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ISPN) in March 2019. The survey focused on 1) characteristics of the respondents, 2) the practice of counseling on and managing prenatally diagnosed MMC, and 3) barriers, facilitators, and expectations of fetal surgery for MMC. Reminders were sent to improve the response rate.RESULTSA total of 446 respondents filled out the survey, most (59.2%) of whom specialized in pediatric neurosurgery. The respondents repaired an average of 9.6 MMC defects per year, regardless of technique. Regardless of the departments in which respondents were employed, 91.0% provided postnatal repair of MMC, 13.0% open fetal repair, and 4.9% fetoscopic repair. According to the surgeons, the most important objections to performing open fetal surgery were a lack of cases available to become proficient in the technique (33.8%), the risk of maternal complications (23.6%), and concern for fetal complications (15.2%). The most important facilitators according to advocates of prenatal closure are a decreased rate of shunt dependency (37.8%), a decreased rate of hindbrain herniation (27.0%), and an improved rate of motor function (18.9%). Of the respondents, only 16.9% agreed that open fetal surgery should be the standard of care.CONCLUSIONSThe survey results showed diversity in the management of patients with MMC. In addition, significant diversity remains regarding fetal surgery for MMC closure. Despite the apparent benefits of open fetal surgery in selected pregnancies, only a minority of centers and providers offer this technique. As a more technically demanding technique that requires multidisciplinary effort with less well-established long-term outcomes, fetoscopic surgery may face similar limited implementation, although the surgery may pose fewer maternal risks than open fetal surgery. Centralization of prenatal treatment to tertiary care referral centers, as well as the use of sophisticated training models, may help to augment the most commonly cited objection to the implementation of prenatal closure, which is the overall limited caseload.

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Fetal surgery in the context of myelomeningocele: repercussions and prognosis

10.5327/1516-3180.055 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amanda Fernandes de Sousa Oliveira Balestra ◽

Flávia Pascoal Teles ◽

Karine Felipe Martins

Keyword(s):

Fetal Surgery ◽

Uterine Wall ◽

Neural Tube Closure ◽

Motor Deficits ◽

Lung Edema ◽

Maternal Complications ◽

Secondary Damage ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Maternal Risks ◽

The Impact

Background: Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a congenital malformation of neural tube closure. The clinical picture comprises sensory and motor deficits at the point of spinal cord injury and below, in addition to ventriculomegaly, which requires ventriculo-peritoneal drains (DVP). Exposure of nervous tissue to amniotic fluid and trauma to the uterine wall, generates secondary damage. Intrauterine correction is the gold standard for MMC and aims to reduce organic and functional sequelae, improving the patient’s neurological prognosis. Objectives: The objective of this work is to identify the impact of fetal surgery against MMC. Methods: An integrative literature review was carried out based on articles selected from the Google Scholar and Scientific Eletronic Library Online databases. Results: The benefits of intrauterine neurosurgery outweigh the harm, based on maternal complications. Such maternal risks are: oligohydramnios, spontaneous rupture of the membrane, uterine dehiscence, premature birth, infections, blood transfusion, acute lung edema and contraindication for vaginal delivery due to uterine scarring. For the child, all the studies analyzed showed the same gains, extremely significant when compared to postnatal surgery: better cognitive development, greater probability of walking without using orthoses, less need for DVP. The gains from the fetal surgery technique go beyond the postnatal intervention. Conclusions: Therefore, the importance of early intrauterine treatment, in a properly equipped place and by qualified professionals, is reiterated, offering comprehensive care to pregnant women, preventing potential impasses and aiming at a better prognosis and quality of life for the child.

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THE PRENATAL MANAGEMENT OF NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS: TIME FOR A RE-APPRAISAL

Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review ◽

10.1017/s0965539512000083 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 23 (3-4) ◽

pp. 158-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

MASAYUKI ENDO ◽

TIM VAN MIEGHEM ◽

ELISENDA EIXARCH ◽

PAOLO DE COPPI ◽

GUNNAR NAULAERS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Neural Tube ◽

Neural Tube Defects ◽

Animal Experiments ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Fetal Surgery ◽

High Volume ◽

Research Programmes ◽

Fetal Repair ◽

Upper Level

The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD) in Europe is around 9 per 10,000 births making it one of the most frequent congential anomalies affecting the central nervous system. NTD encompass all anomalies that are secondary to failure of closure of the neural tube. In this review, we will first summarize the embryology and some epidemiologic aspects related to NTDs. The review focuses on myelomeningocele (MMC), which is the most common distal closure defect. We will describe the secondary pathologic changes in the central and peripheral nervous system that appear later on in pregnancy and contribute to the condition's morbidity. The postnatal impact of MMC mainly depends on the upper level of the lesion. In Europe, the vast majority of parents with a fetus with prenatally diagnosed NTDs, including MMC, opt for termination of pregnancy, as they are apparently perceived as very debilitating conditions. Animal experiments have shown that prenatal surgery can reverse this sequence. This paved the way for clinical fetal surgery resulting in an apparent improvement in outcome. The results of a recent randomized trial confirmed better outcomes after fetal repair compared to postnatal repair; with follow up for 30 months. This should prompt fetal medicine specialists to reconsider their position towards this condition as well as its prenatal repair. The fetal surgery centre in Leuven did not have a clinical programme for fetal NTD repair until the publication of the MOMS trial. In order to offer this procedure safely and effectively, we allied to a high volume centre willing to share its expertise and assist us in the first procedures. Given the maternal side effects of current open fetal surgical techniques, we have intensified our research programmes to explore minimally invasive alternatives. Below we will describe how we are implementing this.

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Pediatric neurosurgery in Asia and Australasia: training and clinical practice

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2020.6.peds20399 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 93-101

Author(s):

Ronnie E. Baticulon ◽

Michael C. Dewan ◽

Nunthasiri Wittayanakorn ◽

Philipp R. Aldana ◽

Wirginia J. Maixner

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vascular Malformations ◽

Economic Status ◽

Pediatric Neurosurgery ◽

Income Group ◽

Fellowship Training ◽

Pediatric Epilepsy ◽

Skill Sets ◽

Survey Responses

OBJECTIVEThere are limited data on the pediatric neurosurgical workforce in Asia and Australasia. The training and clinical practice of pediatric neurosurgeons need to be characterized in order to identify gaps in knowledge and skills, thereby establishing a framework from which to elevate pediatric neurosurgical care in the region.METHODSAn online survey for pediatric neurosurgeons was created in REDCap (Research Electronic Database Capture), collecting demographic information and data on pediatric neurosurgical training and clinical practice. The link to answer the survey was sent to the mailing lists of the Asian Australasian Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Japanese Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, disseminated during the 2019 Asian Australasian Pediatric Neurosurgery Congress, and spread through social media. The survey was open to neurosurgeons who operated on patients ≤ 18 years old in Asian Australasian countries, whether or not they had completed fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery. Descriptive statistics were computed and tabulated. Data were stratified and compared based on surgeon training and World Bank income group.RESULTSA total of 155 valid survey responses were analyzed, representing neurosurgeons from 21 countries. A total of 107 (69%) considered themselves pediatric neurosurgeons, of whom 66 (43%) had completed pediatric neurosurgery training. Neurosurgeons in East Asia commonly undergo a fellowship in their home countries, whereas the rest train mostly in North America, Europe, and Australia. A majority (89%) had operating privileges, and subspecialty pediatric training usually lasted from 6 months to 2 years. On average, trained pediatric neurosurgeons perform a higher number of pediatric neurosurgical operations per year compared with nonpediatric-trained respondents (131 ± 129 vs 56 ± 64 [mean ± SD], p = 0.0001). The mean number of total neurosurgical operations per year is similar for both groups (184 ± 129 vs 178 ± 142 [mean ± SD], p = 0.80). Respondents expressed the desire to train further in pediatric epilepsy, spasticity, vascular malformations, craniofacial disorders, and brain tumors.CONCLUSIONSBoth pediatric and general neurosurgeons provide neurosurgical care to children in Asia and Australasia. There is a need to increase pediatric neurosurgery fellowship programs in the region. Skill sets and training needs in pediatric neurosurgery vary depending on the country’s economic status and between pediatric-trained and nonpediatric-trained surgeons.

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A comparison between 25-gauge and 22-gauge Franseen needles for endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling of pancreatic and peripancreatic masses: a randomized non-inferiority study

Endoscopy ◽

10.1055/a-1369-8610 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dongwook Oh ◽

Joonseog Kong ◽

Sung Woo Ko ◽

Seung-Mo Hong ◽

Hoonsub So ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Endoscopic Ultrasound ◽

Care Center ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Fine Needle Biopsy ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Adverse Event Rate ◽

Current Standard ◽

Fine Needle

Abstract Background Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and fine-needle biopsy (FNB) are the current standard of care for sampling pancreatic and peripancreatic masses. Recently, a 22G EUS-FNB needle with Franseen geometry was developed, and this device was also introduced in a 25G platform. We compared the performance of the 25G and 22G Franseen needles for EUS-guided sampling of pancreatic and peripancreatic solid masses. Methods We conducted a parallel-group randomized non-inferiority trial at a tertiary-care center from November 2018 to May 2019. The primary outcome was the quality of the histologic core assessed using the Gerke score. The optimal histologic core is indicated by a Gerke score of 4 or 5, which enables optimal histologic interpretation. The overall diagnostic accuracy and adverse event rate were also evaluated. Results 140 patients were enrolled and randomized (1:1) to the 25G and 22G groups. Tissue acquisition by EUS-FNB was successful in all patients. The optimal histologic core procurement rate was 87.1 % (61/70) for the 25G needle vs. 97.1 % (68/70) for the 22G; difference −10 % (95 % confidence interval −17.35 % to −2.65 %). High quality specimens were more frequently obtained in the 22G group than in the 25G group (70.0 % [49/70] vs. 28.6 % [20 /70], respectively; P < 0.001). The overall diagnostic accuracy did not differ between the groups (97.4 % for 25G vs. 100 % for 22G). Conclusions The 25G Franseen needle was inferior to the 22G needle in histologic core procurement. Therefore, for cases in which tissue architecture is pivotal for diagnosis, a 22G needle, which procures relatively higher quality specimens than the 25G needle, should be used.

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Foreign Body Ingestions in Children: Risk of Complication Varies With Site of Initial Health Care Contact

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.91.1.121 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 91 (1) ◽

pp. 121-127 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ronald I. Paul ◽

Katherine Kaufer Christoffel ◽

Helen J. Binns ◽

David M. Jaffe ◽

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Foreign Body ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Pediatric Emergency ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Pediatric Emergency Department ◽

Parent Supervision ◽

Tertiary Care Hospitals ◽

Patient Enrollment

Current recommendations for the management of pediatric foreign body ingestions are based on studies of patients cared for at tertiary care hospitals; they call for aggressive evaluation because of a high incidence of complications. Two hundred forty-four children with suspected foreign body ingestions were prospectively followed to analyze adverse outcomes, ie, procedures, complications, and hospitalizations. Patient enrollment into the study was from three sources: (1) patients who referred themselves to a tertiary pediatric emergency department, (2) patients referred to the same tertiary pediatric emergency department after an initial evaluation by another hospital or physician, and (3) Patients who reported their foreign body ingestions to a private pediatric practitioner participating in the study. Most children were well toddlers in normal circumstances, under parent supervision at the time of ingestion. Coins were the most common item ingested (46%). Procedures were done in 53 (24%) of 221 patients and complications occurred in 48 (22%) of 221. Complications were higher in patients referred to the emergency department (63%) than in emergency department self-referred patients (13%) or private practice patients (7%) (x2, P < .01). These findings demonstrate the risk of drawing conclusions regarding a universal standard of care from studies involving only hospital-based patients.

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A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF MATERNALAND FETAL OUTCOMES OF PRETERM DELIVERIES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA.

10.36106/ijsr/0701516 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 42-44

Author(s):

Varsha Konyala ◽

Poornima M ◽

Suma K.B

Keyword(s):

Preterm Delivery ◽

South India ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Preterm Births ◽

Late Preterm ◽

Preterm Neonates ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Maternal Complications ◽

Record Keeping

Aim:To study preterm delivery outcomes in a tertiary care hospital in South India. Methods: The study was conducted for a 7 month period from July 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021at JSS Hospital, Mysuru. Relevant details of every pregnant woman who underwent a preterm delivery and the subsequent neonate born were collected and followed till discharge. Results: The prevalence rate of preterm births was 11.81%. There were 44 early preterm deliveries and 88 late preterm deliveries. The most common maternal complications that lead to preterm births PPROM and preeclampsia.36 early preterm and 29 late preterm neonates required an NICU admission. This included 7 pairs of twins in the early preterm and 1 pair of twins in the late preterm. In the NICU, the most common complications noted were RDS, and sepsis.4 neonates remained by mother's side soon after delivery in the early preterm subset, whereas 54 of late preterm neonates were kept by the mother's side soon after delivery. 31 of 40 early preterm, 86 of the 88 of late preterm neonates were healthy and t for discharge. Conclusion:The prevalence of preterm birth rate in our study stands comparable to the reported global average. Preterm births have a multifactorial etiology. Timely referral to higher centers, experienced obstetricians, and a good NICU facility proved helpful to both the mother and neonate. Thorough record keeping also allows a true picture of preterm prevalence on the basis of which, policies and decisions can be made to further improve preterm care.

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Fetal Surgery Procedures and Associated Maternal Complications

Critical Care Obstetrics ◽

10.1002/9781119129400.ch56 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 997-1004

Author(s):

Alireza A. Shamshirsaz ◽

Venkata Bandi ◽

David Muigai ◽

R.H. Ball ◽

Michael A. Belfort

Keyword(s):

Fetal Surgery ◽

Maternal Complications

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P094 CPAP Service Patient Experience Survey

SLEEP Advances ◽

10.1093/sleepadvances/zpab014.138 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A51-A52

Author(s):

R Mihai ◽

K Ellis ◽

N Verginis ◽

M Davey ◽

G Nixon

Keyword(s):

Support Groups ◽

Online Survey ◽

Positive Airway Pressure ◽

High Standard ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Sleep Apnoea ◽

Information Support ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Experience Survey

Abstract Introduction Increasing numbers of children with obstructive sleep apnoea require continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. We aimed to collect feedback from parents/carers about our CPAP education and follow-up programme. Methods An online survey link was texted to families of children starting outpatient CPAP from Jan 2019 -Feb 2021. Questions assessed satisfaction with the CPAP initiation process, including education by our nurse educator (NE), mask fitting, using equipment, accessing help, confidence using CPAP and follow up. Open-ended feedback was invited. Results 17/55 (31%) of eligible families responded. “Very satisfied” responses regarding CPAP education ranged from 76% (discussion of costs) to 94% (machine use and maintenance). All families felt confident starting CPAP at home. Two reported issues starting CPAP, but reported feeling fully supported by staff remotely to troubleshoot. All families were “somewhat” or “very satisfied” with NE follow-up, with 2 families more neutral about physician follow-up. Two families reported lower satisfaction (“somewhat dissatisfied” or neutral) with the range of paediatric masks, rather than with the mask fitting process itself. Of 14 general comments, 64% were positive (most common theme was high standard of care from the NE); 21% negative (lack of mask choices, location of consulting suites); and 15% neutral. Suggestions for improvement included financial support information, support groups and online consumable ordering. Discussion Families feel confident and well supported to commence outpatient CPAP, highlighting the care, knowledge and support provided by our team. Findings emphasize the importance of a dedicated NE. Suggestions provided will inform future service improvements.

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Extensively Drug-Resistant Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae From a Series of Neonatal Sepsis in a Tertiary Care Hospital, India

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.645955 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Tuhina Banerjee ◽

Jayalaxmi Wangkheimayum ◽

Swati Sharma ◽

Ashok Kumar ◽

Amitabha Bhattacharjee

Keyword(s):

Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽

Neonatal Sepsis ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Plasmid Profile ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Maternal Complications ◽

Extensively Drug Resistant ◽

Recent Emergence

The recent emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae with hypervirulent traits causing severe infections and considerable mortality is a global cause for concern. The challenges posed by these hypermucoviscous strains of K. pneumoniae with regard to their optimal treatment, management, and control policies are yet to be answered. We studied a series of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and hypervirulent K. pneumoniae ST5235 isolates with resistance to carbapenems and polymyxins causing neonatal sepsis in a tertiary care hospital in India. A total of 9 K. pneumoniae isolates from 9 cases of neonatal sepsis were studied with respect to their clinical relevance, antimicrobial susceptibility profile, presence of extended spectrum β lactamase (ESBL) production, and responsible genes, carbapenemases (classes A, B, and D), and aminoglycoside-resistant genes. Hypervirulence genes encoding hypermucoid nature, iron uptake, and siderophores were detected by multiplex PCR. The plasmid profile was studied by replicon typing. Isolates were typed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) PCR to study the sequence types (STs) and clonal relation, respectively. The neonates in the studied cases had history of pre-maturity or low birth weight with maternal complications. All the cases were empirically treated with piperacillin–tazobactam and amikacin followed by imipenem/meropenem and vancomycin and polymyxin B as a last resort. However, all the neonates finally succumbed to the condition (100%). The studied isolates were XDR including resistance to polymyxins harboring multiple ESBL genes and carbapenemase genes (blaNDM and blaOXA−48). Hypervirulence genes were present in various combinations with rmpA/A2 genes present in all the isolates. IncFI plasmids were detected in these isolates. All belonged to ST5235. In ERIC PCR, 6 different clusters were seen. The study highlighted the emergence and burden of XDR hypervirulent isolates of K. pneumoniae causing neonatal sepsis in a tertiary care hospital.

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149 Virtual Care: A Quality Improvement Project on the Experience of Paediatricians during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Paediatrics & Child Health ◽

10.1093/pch/pxab061.117 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. e102-e104

Author(s):

Emma McCrady ◽

Julie Strychowsky ◽

Jessica Woolfson

Keyword(s):

Quality Improvement ◽

Online Survey ◽

Local Level ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Subject Area ◽

Future Research ◽

Improvement Project ◽

Diagnostic Uncertainty ◽

Virtual Care ◽

Practice Efficiency

Abstract Primary Subject area Practice/Office Management Background Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person visits were the standard of care for paediatricians at our centre. With the pandemic onset, virtual care (VC) was adopted at an unprecedented scale and pace. Studies have reported positive patient VC experience; however, few have explored physician experience. This quality improvement (QI) initiative sought to qualify the VC experience of local paediatricians during the pandemic, with the intention of implementing VC clinical practice changes at the department level. Objectives To determine key factors that have supported and challenged the adoption of, and that will support integration of, VC in the future. Design/Methods The Donabedian model for healthcare QI was used to evaluate VC experience through an online survey with a focus on structure, process, and outcome measures. All physicians affiliated with the Department of Paediatrics (generalists and subspecialists in medicine and surgery) were invited to participate via email. Three reminder emails were sent at 2-week intervals. Descriptive statistics were reported. Results The response rate was 32.3% (63 of 195 physicians). The majority of respondents were subspecialists (84.1%), and at academic centres (87.5%) (Table 1). Pre-pandemic, only 30.1% used VC and saw <10% of patients virtually. During March-May 2020, 93.8% transitioned to VC, with > 50% seeing over 75% of patients virtually. By summer 2020, VC use declined, but remained higher than pre-pandemic (53.6% seeing < 25% of patients). OTN and telephone were platforms most used (32.8% and 28.6%, respectively). Most conducted visits from their work location (55.2%) versus home (44.8%). VC experience was considered positive by most physicians (73.6%), and only 18.8% found VC difficult to use despite technical difficulties reported by 41.5% (Figure 1). Physicians with ≤ 5 years in practice were most likely to find VC convenient (93.8%). Challenges with VC included lack of physical exam, diagnostic uncertainty, lower patient volumes, and poor patient VC etiquette. Regardless of practice location, specialty, years in practice, and prior experience, 96% would continue VC to 25% of patients, ideally for patients who live far away (26.4%) and for follow-ups of patients with established diagnoses (21.4%). Conclusion A rapid transition to VC during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with challenges but also positive experiences. Willingness to continue VC was high. VC experience could be improved with greater patient education and focus on select patient populations. Future research is needed to improve practice efficiency and to inform regulatory guidelines for VC at a local level.

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