The Association Between Platelet Mass Index and Mechanical Ventilation in Pediatric Surgery Cases

Platelet mass index (PMI) is an indicator of platelet functionality. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PMI and mechanical ventilation need in infants less than 1 year of age who underwent gastrointestinal system surgery. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of cases that underwent gastrointestinal surgery in the last 10 years (2010-2020) at Baskent University Konya Hospital. Demographic data, indications for surgery, age at surgery, preoperative blood tests, hospitalization times, discharge status, mechanical ventilation need and duration, sepsis, accompanying anomalies, recurrent surgery requirements were collected from patient records. The study group (n: 143) was divided into 2 groups as the need for mechanical ventilation (MV; n: 73) and the group that did not need mechanical ventilation (n-MV; n: 70). Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25. PMI was significantly lower in the MV group (1999 Vs 2798, p< .001). 65% of the cases were newborns. Mean gestational age was 34.5 ±4 weeks, and birth weight was 2100 ± 820 g. Most of the cases that need surgical intervention consist of small bowel atresia, esophageal atresia, surgeries due to necrotizing enterocolitis, and anal atresia. Ileus was present in 54% of the patients. The recurrent surgery requirement was 34%. The frequency of accompanying cardiac anomalies was 30.6%, and the rate of proven sepsis was 38.3%. Preoperative 2163 PMI value can discriminate not needing MV with 72% sensitivity and 69% specificity (AUC: .699, p<.001). When the basic characteristics of the groups were evaluated, 83% of the patients who underwent MV were in the newborn group. The birth weight, gestational age, hospital duration, oxygen exposure, culture-positive sepsis rates, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) rates, and duration were found to be significantly higher in patients who underwent MV. While there was no difference in the number of white blood cells in the preoperative blood analysis, the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N-L) ratio, platelet number, albumin values were significantly lower and CRP values were significantly higher in the MV group. There was no difference in the platelet –lymphocyte (PL) ratio. High PMI values can be used as a parameter to discriminate the need for mechanical ventilation

Surgical treatment of the small intestine atresia under conditions of different postoperative follow-up

Introduction. Small intestine atresia is one of the most common causes of low bowel obstruction in newborns. Mortality in this pathology ranges from 5 to 60%, depending on the country. Modern views about surgical correction are rather contradictory. Purpose. To analyze the surgical treatment of small intestine atresia in the surgical department of the City Children’s Hospital No. 1 ССH) (Chernivtsi, Ukraine) and the surgical department Saint Damien Pediatric Hospital NPH (SDH) (Port-o-Prence, Haiti). To determine the best methods of surgery. Materials and methods. The surgical treatment of 15 children under the conditions of SDH (Haiti) and 12 children under conditions of the city children’s clinical hospital (CCH, Chernivtsi) with atresia of the small intestine was analyzed. Determined the effectiveness of closed (oblique «end-to-end» anastomosis, taping with «end-to-end» anastomosis, Denis-Brown and Louw anastomoses), discharging (U- and T-shaped, taping with anostomosing and suspended proximal enterostoma), anastomoses and stomas (end, double, according to Mikulich). Mortality with limited parenteral nutrition was 40% (SDH), with the presence of parenteral nutrition – 33.33% (ССH, Chernivtsi). Results. According to the analyzed data, we believe that the use of the method of surgical treatment should correspond to the type of atresia, the distance of the blind proximal end from the Treitz ligament, the difference in the diameters of the adducting and abducting sections, the possibility of parenteral nutrition, and the threat of short bowel syndrome (SCS). Conclusions. Y-shaped discharging anastomosis «side-to-side» with the removal of the proximal area in the form of a stoma, can be the method of choice in case of significant difference between the intestinal diameters. It provides a wide area of the small bowel junction, chyme abduction until the fistula heals, and can be used for different types of small bowel atresia. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. Keywords: small intestine atresia, surgical treatment, children.

Surgical treatment of newborns with small bowel atresia (literature review)

Intestinal atresia is a congenital obstruction of the lumen of the jejunum or ileum and is one of the most common causes of congenital obstruction in newborns. This literature review is devoted to the surgical treatment of newborns with various types intestinal atresia. Causes of intestinal atresia are considered, where a special role is assigned to the genetic theory, the expression of the nucleotide sequences ITGA2 873G/A and NPPA 2238T/C and antenatal circulatory disorders of the developing intestine. Topographical-anatomical and morphological characteristics of the intestine in newborns with intestinal atresia are studied in detail in articles. A table of revealed histomorphological features of the small intestine in children with atresia was compiled. In addition, processes occurring in the mucosa, submucosa, muscle, and serous membranes are described in detail. A relationship was found related to the size of the atresia site and duration of ischemia. The theory of neuromuscular regulation of the intestine is considered, in which an important role is assigned to interstitial pacemaker cells of Cajal. Variants of anastomosis depending on the difference in diameters of the adductor and excretory parts of the intestine are analyzed, and results of treatment in patients with laparoscopic access are described. The postoperative course of disease, development of complications, recurrent operative interventions, duration of parenteral nutrition, and onset of enteral load was evaluated. Conclusion. The choice of surgical technologies used to restore the patency of the intestinal tube is determined by the degree of discrepancy between diameters of anastomosed segments. The prognosis is not determined by tactics of surgical treatment, type of atresia, time before treatment, and presence of associated anomalies.

A female neonate with absent anal opening and dug perineum: Think high

Background: A female neonate with anorectal malformation (ARM) may have one, two, or three openings in the perineum. One opening represents cloaca while three openings usually suggest low ARM. Females with two openings in the perineum may be ARM without any fistula, rectovaginal fistula, or absent vagina. The association of ARM with multiple intestinal atresias and malrotation is rare. Case Presentation: We present here a case of a female neonate with two perineal openings, whose perineum was explored by a general surgeon without any radiological investigation and was later found to have a high ARM, multiple jejunal and ileal atresia with malrotation. Conclusion: ARM associated with small bowel atresia and malrotation are rarely described. Such cases require management in Pediatric surgery settings.

Fetal Meconium Peritonitis – Prenatal Findings and Postnatal Outcome: A Case Series, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis

Purpose To describe the postnatal outcome of fetal meconium peritonitis and identify prenatal predictors of neonatal surgery. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all fetuses with ultrasound findings suspicious for meconium peritonitis at a single center over a 10-year period. A systematic review and meta-analysis were then performed pooling our results with previous studies assessing prenatally diagnosed meconium peritonitis and postnatal outcome. Prenatal sonographic findings were analyzed to identify predictors for postnatal surgery. Results 34 cases suggestive of meconium peritonitis were diagnosed at our center. These were pooled with cases from 14 other studies yielding a total of 244 cases. Postnatal abdominal surgery was required in two thirds of case (66.5 %). The strongest predictor of neonatal surgery was meconium pseudocyst (OR [95 % CI] 6.75 [2.53–18.01]), followed by bowel dilation (OR [95 % CI] 4.17 [1.93–9.05]) and ascites (OR [95 % CI] 2.57 [1.07–5.24]). The most common cause of intestinal perforation and meconium peritonitis, found in 52.2 % of the cases, was small bowel atresia. Cystic fibrosis was diagnosed in 9.8 % of cases. Short-term neonatal outcomes were favorable, with a post-operative mortality rate of 8.1 % and a survival rate of 100 % in neonates not requiring surgery. Conclusion Meconium pseudocysts, bowel dilation, and ascites are prenatal predictors of neonatal surgery in cases of meconium peritonitis. Fetuses with these findings should be delivered in centers with pediatric surgery services. Though the prognosis is favorable, cystic fibrosis complicates postnatal outcomes.

Supplementation of Mother’s Own Milk with Donor Milk in Infants with Gastroschisis or Intestinal Atresia: A Retrospective Study

Background: Mother’s own milk (MOM) improves in-hospital outcomes for preterm infants. If unavailable, donor milk (DM) is often substituted. It is unclear if DM vs. formula to supplement MOM is associated with improved in-hospital outcomes in term/late preterm surgical infants with gastroschisis or intestinal atresia. Methods: This retrospective study included infants born ≥33 weeks gestational age (GA) with a birth weight of >1500 g who were admitted to a quaternary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Using Chi square and Mann-Whitney u testing, we compared hospital outcomes (length of stay, parenteral nutrition and central line days) before and after a clinical practice change to offer DM instead of formula in this surgical population. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between eras for the 140 infants (median GA 37 weeks). Fewer infants in DM era were receiving formula at discharge (50.0% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.03). In sub-analyses including only small bowel atresia and gastroschisis infants, the median length of stay (35 vs. 25, p < 0.01) and the central line days (28 vs. 20, p < 0.01) were lower in the DM era. Conclusion: In this retrospective study, offering DM instead of formula was associated with less formula feeding at discharge, and in infants with gastroschisis or small bowel atresia, shorter length of stay and central line days.