History of the Section on Surgery, the American Academy of Pediatrics: the first 25 years (1948-1973).
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General Surgery↗
Biomedical subjects
J G Randolph
Publications and source records attributed to J G Randolph.
Nonoperative management of blunt hepatic and splenic injury in children.
OBJECTIVE: The authors assessed the risks of nonoperative management of solid visceral injuries in children (age range, 4 months-14 years) who were consecutively admitted to a level I pediatric trauma center during a 6-year period ending in 1991. METHOD: One hundred seventy-nine children (5.0%) sustained injury to the liver or spleen. Nineteen children (11.2%) died. Of the 160 children who survived, 4 received emergency laparotomies; 156 underwent diagnostic computer tomography and were managed nonoperatively. The percentage of children who were successfully treated nonoperatively was 97.4%. Delayed diagnosis of enteric perforations occurred in two children. Fifty-three children (34.0%) received transfusions (mean volume 16.7 mL/kg); however, transfusion rates during the latter half of the study decreased from 50% to 19% in children with hepatic injuries, despite increasing grade of injury, and decreased from 57% to 23% in the splenic group with similar injury grade (p < 0.005, chi square test and Student's t test). CONCLUSION: Pediatric blunt hepatic and splenic trauma is associated with significant mortality. Nonoperative management based on physiologic parameters, rather than on computed tomography grading of organ injury, was highly successful, with few missed injuries and a low transfusion rate.
Adolescent↗
Management of pediatric postoperative chylothorax.
Questions persist about the management of postoperative chylothorax in infants and children. Our experience with postoperative chylothorax over the most recent decade (1980 to 1990) has been reviewed. The type and amount of drainage, data from cardiac catheterization and echocardiography, operative decisions and details, and eventual outcomes have been cataloged. All patients were initially treated with total gut rest, with operation reserved for unabated drainage. Chylothorax developed postoperatively in 15 infants and 11 children (18 with a cardiac procedure and 8 with a noncardiac procedure). The average age was 3.1 years. Spontaneous cessation and cure occurred in 19 (73.1%) of these 26 patients, with an average drainage duration of 11.9 days (range, 4 to 30 days). Those for whom operation was chosen drained preoperatively for an average of 29.2 days (range, 25 to 40 days). There were no deaths in either group. Complications were lymphopenia (2 patients) and fungal sepsis (1 patient). The amount of drainage per day was not significantly different between patients treated operatively and those treated nonoperatively. Failure of nonoperative management was associated with venous hypertension from increased right-sided cardiac pressures or central venous thrombosis (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). Presumably this increased pressure is transmitted to the lymphatic system. These patients should be identified early and considered for thoracic duct suture or pleuroperitoneal shunting.
Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
Solitary thyroid nodules in 71 children and adolescents.
Seventy-one children and adolescents with a solitary nodule of the thyroid gland were seen over a 27-year period and all had their nodules removed surgically. All of the patients had preoperative thyroid scintiscans, 55 of which showed a cold nodule. The most common cause of solitary thyroid nodules was follicular adenoma. Fourteen of the 55 cold nodules were malignant (25.5%) while no malignancies were present in warm or hot nodules. Available diagnostic methods for attempting differentiation of benign from malignant solitary nodules are reviewed and recommendations to their clinical management as derived from our experience are presented.
Adolescent↗
Long-term follow-up of children with colon and gastric tube interposition for esophageal atresia.
BACKGROUND: There are two major methods of esophageal substitution for children born with long-gap esophageal atresia. This study was undertaken to see whether one method of substitution emerged as clearly superior to the other. METHODS: Twenty-four UK children who received a colon transposition for esophageal atresia were compared with 15 US children with esophageal atresia who received a gastric tube. The charts of all patients were reviewed. Follow-up data were obtained by questionnaire, and more than 80% of patients were personally evaluated at follow-up clinics. RESULTS: At follow-up US children were 3 1/2 to 18 1/2 years of age; UK children were 7 1/2 to 19 years of age. Most of the children fell at or below the 10th percentile for height and weight, reflecting the tendency for prematurity in infants with esophageal atresia. One half of the children needed to eat slowly and to avoid certain meats. Dysphagia was rare. Older children ate socially with their friends without embarrassment. Early complications were technical; there were few late complications, and no difference was apparent between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects who were growing, no difference was noted between the two methods of substitution as far as nutrition, growth, patient acceptability, or complications, early or late. Both groups functioned well and appeared to improve with the passage of time.
Anastomosis, Surgical↗
Alkaline gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children.
The incidence of alkaline gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was examined in 111 consecutive children referred for evaluation of GER during a 1-year period. The results of 24-hour pH monitoring studies and the medical records were retrospectively evaluated. Acid reflux was defined as occurring whenever the pH was less than 4 and alkaline reflux was defined whenever the pH was greater than 7. The percentage of time that reflux occurred, the number of reflux episodes, the number of episodes greater than 5 minutes, and the longest episode were all recorded. Based on these data, four categories of patients were identified as compared with normal values as determined by Pellegrini et al. When using criteria based on the percentage of time that reflux occurred, the largest group of children with GER was found to reflux acid (50%). However, 27 children (24%) had combined acid and alkaline reflux. Eighteen (16%) had predominantly alkaline reflux. Previously, these 18 children would have been considered as having a low likelihood of reflux by pH criteria. Endoscopic examination showed that pathological evidence of esophagitis occurred in four of the children with pure alkaline reflux. This review shows that symptomatic GER in infants and children may be due to acid or alkaline secretions or a mixture of both. A previously unrecognized cohort exists of children who demonstrate primary alkaline reflux. These patients need to be recognized and may benefit from a therapeutic program specifically designed to control alkaline reflux.
Child↗
Ectopic umbilical liver in conjunction with biliary atresia: uncommon association.
The case of a neonate with an ectopic liver in the umbilicus in conjunction with biliary atresia in the liver proper and an ectopic pancreas in the jejunum is reported. Following excision of the ectopic umbilical liver and Kasai type 1 hepatic portoenterostomy, bile fistula originating in the anterior inferior area of the right lobe of the liver was a complication, and it was successfully treated by construction of hepaticojejunostomy. No similar case has been reported in English language literature. It is of particular interest that the pathological features of the ectopic liver and the liver proper are quite similar.
Biliary Atresia↗
A controlled trial of corticosteroids in children with corrosive injury of the esophagus.
BACKGROUND: It is controversial whether treatment with corticosteroids reduces stricture formation in the esophagus after the ingestion of caustic material. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study over an 18-year period in which 60 children (median age, 2 years) with esophageal injury from the ingestion of caustic material were assigned randomly to treatment either with or without corticosteroids. The corticosteroids were given initially as prednisolon (2 mg per kilogram of body weight per day intravenously) and then as prednisone orally to complete a three-week course. All patients were evaluated by esophagoscopy within 24 hours of the ingestion. Those with moderate or severe esophageal injury had repeat esophagoscopy and barium swallow at follow-up. RESULTS: Esophageal strictures developed in 10 of the 31 children treated with corticosteroids and in 11 of the 29 controls (P not significant). Four children in the steroid group and seven in the control group eventually required esophageal replacement (P not significant). All but 1 of the 21 children with strictures had severe circumferential burns on initial esophagoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be no benefit from the use of steroids to treat children who have ingested a caustic substance. The development of esophageal stricture was related only to the severity of the corrosive injury.
Administration, Oral↗
Cloacal exstrophy: individualized management through a staged surgical approach.
Cloacal exstrophy, centered on the maldevelopment of the primitive streak mesoderm and cloacal membrane, results in bladder and intestinal exstrophy, omphalocele, gender confusion, and hindgut deformity. The surgical management and outcome of 10 of 14 survivors (1965 to 1988) are described. Genotypic males (6) were assigned male (2) or female (4) phenotype. Genotypic females (4) were unchanged. All had omphalocele closure in the newborn period. Two had loop stomas. Eight had end stomas (ileostomy [6], ileocolostomy [2]). Toddler and adolescent reconstruction differed in each. Early in the study, abdominoperineal pull-through failed in four patients, necessitating permanent stoma. Four patients had a stoma from the outset. Augmentation using colon remnant improved water loss and nutrition in two infants. Exstrophy turn-in for urinary reservoir was considered in all, but was impossible in three who required urinary diversion. Six patients had exstrophy turn-in and now void by clean intermittent catheterization (4), continent vesicostomy (1), and incontinent (1). Hindgut augmentation improved urinary capacity in two. Two genotypic-phenotypic males had penile lengthening. Four genotypic male-phenotypic females had early orchiectomy with subsequent clitoroplasty or vaginoplasty. Four genotypic-phenotypic females had clitoroplasty or vaginoplasty. Cloacal exstrophy is compatible with a useful life and sound psychologic development, but requires staged reconstruction with long-term support and follow-up.
Abnormalities, Multiple↗
Patterns of injury in children.
Trauma is the leading cause of death for children over 1 year of age. This study was undertaken to identify the patterns of injury among children admitted to a regional pediatric trauma center. During a 34-month period, 3,472 injured children were consecutively admitted to a regional pediatric trauma center. Data were collected on medical, etiological, and financial aspects of injury. Eight subgroups were defined by mechanism of injury: motor-vehicle crash occupants, pedestrian and cycle injuries, falls, child abuse, gunshot and stab wounds, burns, poisonings, and foreign body ingestions or aspirations. Analysis of variance, Duncan's multiple range test, and contingency table analysis were used to determine differences among subgroups of children. Blunt and penetrating trauma accounted for 64.3% of all admissions. The mean age of injured children was 5.5 years; 64% of the children were boys. Sixty-seven percent of the children were admitted directly from the scene of injury. One-way analysis of variance yielded significant differences in mean age, mean hospital length of stay (LOS), mean intensive care LOS, mean trauma score, mean injury severity, and mean hospital charges by mechanism of injury (P less than .01). The overall mortality rate was 2.4%. Child abuse, gunshot/stab wounds, and drowning had the highest mortality rates, but injuries to motor-vehicle crash occupants and pedestrians accounted for the greatest number of deaths.
Accidental Falls↗
Pyloric stenosis: diagnosis and management.
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Humans↗
The prune belly syndrome: a comprehensive approach to management.
Our approach to management of the prune belly syndrome entails a program of comprehensive early reconstruction, including abdominoplasty, bilateral orchiopexy, reduction cystoplasty, and selective ureteral tailoring and reimplantation. Of 20 patients with the prune belly syndrome treated at our institution during the last 18 years 15 underwent comprehensive reconstruction. Abdominoplasty was performed in 16 patients. Results were evaluated as to cosmetic appearance, functional performance, and preoperative and postoperative electromyography. Immediate good results were obtained in 9 patients. Of 16 patients 6 required more than 1 abdominal wall tailoring and 3 had minor complications that did not compromise the ultimate result. Transabdominal orchiopexy was performed on 32 testes; 28 (88 per cent) are in the scrotum and growing. Of the 4 failures 3 occurred in patients greater than 2 years old at repair. Selective urinary tract reconstruction has been performed; 13 patients underwent tapering and reimplantation of 1 or both ureters. Reduction cystoplasty was done in all 15 patients. Functional assessment of the upper urinary tract by improved radiological techniques and the necessity for long-term antibiotic prophylaxis have led to a more conservative approach in 5 recent patients. Renal function as measured by serum creatinine and/or glomerular filtration rate has remained stable in 12 of 15 patients (92 per cent) undergoing comprehensive reconstruction. Aggressive surgical management of patients with the prune belly syndrome provides improved abdominal wall function and appearance, and offers excellent testicular salvage. Surgical reconstruction of deformed ureters should be selective and decided on longitudinal studies of renal function.
Abdomen↗
Pediatric hepatic surgery.
Tumors of the liver are uncommon in children. It is imperative that surgeons caring for these patients have a knowledge of the likely diagnosis, proper radiographic evaluation, and appropriate selection and extent of surgical therapy. Of the benign lesions, infantile hemangioendothelioma often is best treated nonoperatively, whereas mesenchymal hamartoma and teratoma should be resected. All malignant lesions must be completely excised to cure the patient, but some may be converted from unresectable tumors to resectable ones by preoperative chemotherapy. Major hepatic resection is one of the most formidable procedures in the surgery of children. Careful preparation, attention to technical detail, and precise postoperative management of the critically ill child are prerequisites for success. For a recent review of the extrahepatic biliary tract problems of infants and children, the reader is referred to the article by Stolar and Altman in Surgical Clinics of North America, Volume 65, October 1985.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
Current results in repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula using physiologic status as a guide to therapy.
Since 1966, 118 infants with esophageal atresia associated with tracheoesophageal atresia (Vogt-Gross Type C) have been operated upon with an overall survival rate of 90% at our institution. Since Haight's first survivor in 1941, argument has continued about the relative merits of immediate repair, delayed primary repair, and staged repair, and the criteria for selection of each approach. The Waterston classification served as the foundation for selection of surgical management from 1966 to 1982. Since 1982, physiologic status has been used as the sole basis for surgical management without regard to weight, gestation, or pulmonary condition. Twenty-six patients so chosen for immediate repair have all survived. Fewer have required gastrostomy, and the average hospital stay has shown significant decrease, a reflection of improved overall care of the neonate. Thirteen infants with severe cardiopulmonary compromise had some form of staged repair in this latter period with a 77% survival rate. Our experience using a refinement of Waterston's principles has led to more and earlier primary repairs with maintenance of excellent survival rates in stable infants. A staged approach is still useful for certain severely compromised infants.
Birth Weight↗
Antireflux cologastric anastomosis following colonic interposition for esophageal replacement.
Colon interposition is an accepted method of esophageal replacement in children. Severe symptomatic reflux has occurred in only two of our patients with colonic esophageal substitution. Formation of an antireflux submucosal gastric tunnel eliminated gastrocolic reflux in both patients without impeding normal passage of food into the stomach.
Child↗
The National Institutes of Health point of view.
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Bile Ducts↗
Hazards of nonoperative therapy of hepatic injury in children.
Several reports suggest that pediatric patients with stable liver injuries can be managed nonoperatively with few complications. From March 1978 to July 1983 seven children with hepatic injury were managed without surgery at CHNMC. Four children required greater than 50% total blood volume replacement, while the mean PRBC transfusion rate was 28 cc/kg. Eight major complications developed in five patients. Hospitalization averaged 23 days, without a mortality. This morbidity is greater than that described in earlier reports. In view of the limited cumulative clinical experience, we caution against routine nonoperative management of liver trauma in children until data with this new technique become available for analysis.
Blood Transfusion↗