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Biomedical subjects

Mark L Wulkan

Publications and source records attributed to Mark L Wulkan.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for support of children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization experience.

PURPOSE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a means of respiratory and hemodynamic support for patients failing conventional therapies. Children requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who develop complications during therapy may require ECMO. Such patients pose medical and ethical challenges for clinicians considering initiation of ECMO. The authors review the outcomes of these patients and propose recommendations. METHODS: The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry was queried for all patients younger than 18 years with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, or Current Procedural Terminology code related to bone or stem cell transplant. RESULTS: Nineteen children in the registry met inclusion criteria. The median age was 9.6 years (7 months to 17.5 years). Initiation of ECMO was for pulmonary support (n = 17), cardiac support (n = 1), or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (n = 1). The median duration of ECMO support was 5.1 days (range, 30 hours to 42 days). Pulmonary infections included 3 parainfluenza, 2 Pneumocystis carinii, 1 influenza A, and 1 respiratory syncytial virus. Overall, 15 (79%) died during their ECMO run, whereas only 4 (21%) survived to come off ECMO. Furthermore, of those who survived their ECMO run, only one patient survived to discharge from the hospital. Risk factors for death on ECMO include development of renal complications and development of multiorgan dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Patients who require ECMO for cardiopulmonary support after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have a poor prognosis. Clinicians must be cautious in presenting this option to parents and present them with appropriate expectations in this high-risk population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Left-sided gastroschisis.

Gastroschisis is a periumbilical, abdominal wall defect arising to the right of the umbilicus. We describe the clinical course of a left-sided gastroschisis in a term female born at 39 weeks' gestation. To our knowledge, there have been only 14 left-sided abdominal wall defects reported in the literature. We discuss our case and review the literature to try to determine if there is any clinic difference between right- versus left-sided lesions to make recommendations as to management.

Colon↗
PubMed2005

Obesity in the United States: is there a quick fix? Pros and cons of bariatric surgery from the pediatric perspective.

Bariatric surgery has become a standard of care for the treatment of severely obese adults who meet National Institutes of Health criteria. Unfortunately, there is a need for weight loss surgery in adolescents. Criteria developed for adolescents are generally more restrictive than those for adults due to concerns about the ability of children to consent for life-altering surgery and the lack of long-term results. Several preliminary series have reported adolescent bariatric procedures with promising results. The two primary bariatric procedures performed on adolescents are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and adjustable gastric banding (AGB). Each procedure has its advantages and disadvantages. RYGB has the longest follow-up results and is considered the "gold standard." AGB has promising results, is reversible, and can be performed with less morbidity and mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical excision of cystic lung disease in children.

PURPOSE: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) technique for resection of cystic lung disease (CLD) may offer some advantages when compared with thoracotomy in children. METHODS: From September 1999 to August 2004, 6 pediatric patients underwent VATS for CLD. Patients were chosen for VATS based upon surgeon's choice. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD. The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta institutional review board approved this study. RESULTS: The types of lesions included congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (n = 1), extrapulmonary sequestrations (n = 3), congenital lobar emphysema (n = 1), and bronchogenic cyst (n = 1). The extent of resection included lobectomy (n = 2) and excision (n = 4). Age and weight were 11.8 +/- 18 months (range 6 days to 4 years) and 7.5 +/- 3.6 (range 4.0-14.0) kg, respectively. Operating time was 103 +/- 70 (range 38-223) minutes. Chest tube duration was 1.2 +/- 0.8 (range 0-2) days. Morphine use on the first postoperative day was 0.2 +/- 0.3(range 0.05-0.20) mg/kg. Length of stay was 2.5 +/- 1.9 (range 1-6) days. There were no conversions to thoracotomy and no complications. CONCLUSION: VATS technique appears to be a safe and effective technique in managing CLD in children of all ages. More patients, however, need to be studied.

Bronchogenic Cyst↗
PubMed2005

Renal artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to blunt trauma treated with microcoil embolization.

BACKGROUND: Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are rarely described sequelae of blunt abdominal trauma. Interventional radiological advances have allowed such lesions to be managed nonoperatively. METHODS: The authors review the presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and hospital course of an 11-year-old girl who developed a right renal artery pseudoaneurysm 14 days after blunt abdominal trauma. RESULTS: An 11-year-old girl fell off a horse onto her right flank. She sustained multiple right hepatic lobe lacerations and a complex fracture of the upper pole of the right kidney. Her initial hospital course was uncomplicated, and she was discharged after an uneventful 6-day course. The child did well for 2 weeks, until she developed right back pain and gross hematuria. A computed tomography scan revealed a right renal artery pseudoaneurysm. Angiography confirmed the presence of a pseudoaneurysm, which was fed by a single segmental branch originating from the renal artery. The artery was successfully occluded with a single platinum microcoil, which was demonstrated by the absence of contrast flow into the pseudoaneurysm. The patient recovered and was discharged shortly after the procedure. She initially had intermittent pain and hematuria, which resolved. Follow-up computed tomography scans have shown resolution of both the renal and hepatic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Renal artery pseudoaneurysms that arise after blunt abdominal trauma in the pediatric population may be safely and effectively managed with arterial embolization, thereby avoiding extensive surgical interventions.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic cystogastrostomy for the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts in children.

Pancreatic pseudocysts (PPSs) are common sequelae of pancreatitis and pancreatic trauma. The management is based upon the pseudocyst size and presence of symptoms. Those requiring intervention are often drained using several available options. The use of laparoscopic cystogastrostomy for large and recurrent PPSs has been described in adult patients as a less morbid alternative to open drainage procedures. This technique is considered a novel approach in children. We describe 2 children who had PPSs amenable to laparoscopic cystogastrostomy. The first was an 11-year-old girl who had blunt abdominal trauma from a bicycle handlebar. The second patient was a 7-year-old girl who developed idiopathic pancreatitis. Briefly, 2 ports were placed through the anterior abdominal and gastric walls, and into the lumen of the stomach. This intraluminal placement provided access to the posterior gastric wall. Using electrocautery diathermy, an incision was made through the posterior gastric wall and into the adjacent pseudocyst to obtain complete and unobstructed drainage. Both children tolerated the procedures well with resolution of their PPSs. The patients were each discharged on the fourth postoperative day and have been asymptomatic on 2 years follow-up. Laparoscopic cystogastrostomy is a safe and effective alternative to open cystogastrostomy for the minimally invasive management of PPSs in the pediatric population.

Child↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for neuroblastoma in children: a report of 6 cases.

Neuroblastoma, a neoplasm of the sympathetic nervous system, is the most common solid extracranial tumor of childhood. Complete tumor resection has been shown to improve outcomes in both low- and high-risk neuroblastoma. The efficacy of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for metastatic lesions, benign tumors, and small neuroblastomas (<20 mm in diameter) is well established. However, the role of LA for large neuroblastomas is unclear. The authors describe the technical aspects of LA in 6 children with adrenal neuroblastomas greater than 2 cm and summarize their outcomes. All 6 patients underwent successful LA with removal of their tumors and surrounding lymph nodes. The specimens were placed in a laparoscopic specimen retrieval bag and morsulated in situ. The pathologic specimens were adequate for biologic factor analysis and histology. Mean operative time for all cases was 146 minutes. The average size of the adrenal tumors resected was 3.3 x 3.7 x 3.3 cm, and there were no intraoperative or perioperative deaths. All children, except the fifth patient who stayed for chemotherapy, were discharged home within 48 hours after surgery and are well. Our preliminary data suggest LA is a safe treatment option for neuroblastoma tumors greater than 2 cm in the select children.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Antireflux surgery outcomes in pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVES: Antireflux surgery is performed frequently in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Few comparative studies exist which assess the indications for and short- or long-term outcome of open Nissen fundoplication (ONF) and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) for pediatric GERD. We investigated the frequency of reoperation and factors that might influence its occurrence. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, follow up cohort study of all children </=5 years, who underwent LNF or ONF at our institution from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2002, where five pediatric surgeons perform fundoplication. Mean follow up time was 36.2 months. The following information was obtained: surgical indications, hospital course data, and long-term surgical outcomes. Data were analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: Overall, 456 (150 [32.9%] ONF vs. 306 [67.1%] LNF) cases were analyzed. Reoperation was performed in 55 (12.06%), LNF 43 (14.05%), and ONF 12 (8%). The mean interim to reoperation for LNF was 11 months compared to 17 months for ONF (p= 0.007). The reoperation rate at 12 and 24 months were 10.5%, 13.4% and 4%, 6.7% respectively, when LNF was compared to ONF (p= 0.01). The multivariate analysis showed that initial LNF and prematurity were the main predictors for reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of reoperations for both LNF and ONF occurred in the first year after initial operation; LNF had a significantly higher reoperation rate than ONF. The probability of reoperation for LNF and ONF increases with the presence of comorbidities, especially prematurity and chronic respiratory conditions.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2005

Video-assisted thoracoscopic division of vascular rings in pediatric patients.

Vascular rings are usually repaired via left thoracotomy. We report our series of pediatric patients with vascular rings that were repaired thoracoscopically. From February 2002 to September 2004, 13 patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical techniques (VATS) division of their vascular ring. Chest magnetic resonance arterography (MRA) and/or computed tomographic arteriography (CTA) were used to evaluate the vascular ring in most patients. Patients were chosen for VATS repair based on surgeon's choice and type of vascular ring. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD. The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Institutional Review Board approved this retrospective chart review. Age and weight was 1.5 +/- 1.8 years (range: 4 months - 17 years) and 16.0 +/- 12.5 kg (range: 6.0 - 22.1 kg), respectively (n = 13). Associated diseases included congenital heart disease (n = 2). Symptoms included respiratory complaints (n = 6), dysphagia (n = 2), dysphagia and shortness of breath (n = 1), pneumonia (n = 2), tracheal deviation (n = 1), and one patient was asymptomatic. Vascular ring types included double aortic arch (n = 4) and right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery and a left ligamentum arteriosum (n = 9). Operating time was 70 +/- 20 minutes (range: 46 - 122 minutes). One patient had to be opened because of a large arch. Length of stay was 1.9 +/- 0.9 days (range: 1 - 3 days). There were no complications, and all patients improved clinically at follow-up. Thoracoscopic repair of certain types of vascular rings seems to be safe and effective in children. More patients, however, need to be studied.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2004

Is the use of laparoscopy to determine presence of contralateral patent processus vaginalis justified in children greater than 2 years of age?

PURPOSE: Contralateral inguinal hernia exploration in cases of unilateral inguinal hernia remains a controversial topic. The authors have been using the in-line laparoscopic technique of contralateral evaluation for unilateral inguinal hernia in children less than 2 years of age. Because of the case of the procedure and lack of morbidity, we decided to expand the use of this procedure up to age 8 years in January 2000. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if the incidence of contralateral hernia in children greater than 2 years justifies the procedure. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all children who underwent contralateral exploration for unilateral inguinal exploration over a 20-month period. The procedure was offered routinely to all patients up to age 8 years. During the repair, the contralateral inguinal ring was examined laparoscopically using the in-line technique for the presence of a contralateral hernia. The incidence of contralateral hernia was determined, and the results were stratified by age. Patients who underwent unilateral inguinal hernia repair without laparoscopic contralateral exploration or bilateral inguinal hernia repair without laparoscopic contralateral explorations were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A total of 284 laparoscopic explorations were performed. Positive explorations were seen in 65 of 171 (38%) of children less than 2 years of age, 19 of 101 (20%) of children 2 to 8 years of age, and 1 of 12 children greater than 8 years of age (8%). There were no operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic contralateral exploration is safe and effective. Because of the low morbidity, the risk to benefit ratio warrants its use in children up to 8 years of age. This sample size is too small to make any meaningful statement in children older than 8 years.

Child↗
PubMed2002

Minimally invasive surgical techniques in reoperative surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants and children.

Fundoplication is commonly performed in children suffering from complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recently laparoscopic fundoplication has become a standard of care for GERD in children. Published reports show that 2.3 to 14 per cent of children require reoperation after failed fundoplication. The purpose of this study is to show the feasibility of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques to treat children after failed fundoplication. A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who underwent laparoscopic redo fundoplication at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston from July 1998 to July 2000. The patients' records were reviewed for age, diagnosis, type and time of initial operation, type and time of redo operation, operative time for redo operation, and complications. Seventeen children (age 3 months to 18 years) had operations for failed fundoplication attempted using MIS techniques. Six of these children were referred after their initial operation performed elsewhere. Nine (53%) were neurologically impaired. Ten (59%) have respiratory complications of GERD. The initial procedures were as follows: One open Nissen fundoplication, two open Thal fundoplications, 13 laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications, and one laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication. The reoperative procedures performed were revision of fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair (13) or hiatal hernia repair only (four). Two patients had concurrent gastric emptying procedures. One procedure was converted to open for technical reasons. One patient developed a pelvic abscess secondary to leakage around the gastrostomy tube. One child had erosion into the esophagus of a Dacron patch that was used to close a large hiatal defect. Thirteen patients began feeding by the first postoperative day. We conclude that MIS techniques can be applied to reoperative surgery for the treatment of GERD with an acceptable complication rate in this difficult group of patients. Reoperative patients appear to have the same benefits from MIS as patients undergoing their initial procedure.

Child↗