Journal of pediatric surgery
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We aimed to examine outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy in the pediatric population and identify pre-ECMO and on-ECMO characteristics that are associated with survival. ⋯ Based on our results, ECMO therapy should be considered early in children with oxygenation index greater than 35 with worsening metabolic status. The restriction of ECMO based on ventilator days alone needs to be revisited in this era of lung protective ventilation.
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The efficiency of medical care in the United States has become intensely scrutinized with expectations from patients, families, payors, lawmakers, and, currently, the President. The most effective vehicle to bring more efficient care is the employment of evidence-based medicine whenever possible. Evidence-based medicine is dependent on best evidence, and best evidence is generated from prospective trials. To evaluate current state of evidence based practice in pediatric surgery we reviewed the literature for trials conducted in our field the past 10 years. ⋯ The current state of evidence-based surgery in pediatric surgery has remained stable in the first decade of the 21st century. Randomized controlled trials represent less than 0.05% of all publications involving pediatric surgery. Some of the hurdles to evidence based surgery are identified and reviewed.
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Biography Historical Article
"To illustrate and increase Chyrurgerie": Ambroise Paré (1510-1590).
The quincentenary of Ambroise Paré's birth celebrates a man who rose from a humble origin to become the leading surgeon of the Renaissance. Now remembered as a celebrated war surgeon, especially for his gentle treatment of gunshot wounds, it is generally forgotten that Paré also treated children and wrote about them. Despite his little schooling, Paré was appointed as the Head of the French College of Surgeons in 1567. ⋯ He also gave descriptions of conjoined twins and intersex. Paré managed childhood trauma and bladder stones using devices that he invented. This article will briefly demonstrate Paré's wide-ranging contribution to pediatric surgery, adding new insights and material to earlier work.
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Teratoid Wilms tumor is an unusual variant of nephroblastoma in which heterologous tissue predominates. Typically, histopathologic examination shows a mixture of mature squamous and mucus-producing columnar epithelium and a prominent component of mature adipose tissue. The treatment of this tumor has not been established because of its rarity with some reports doubting the value of chemotherapy. ⋯ Imaging studies of our patients were similar to those reported in the literature with areas of fat attenuation and calcification. Failure to respond to preoperative chemotherapy was seen in our patients and in most previously reported cases that were treated with preoperative chemotherapy. We recommend treating this entity with protocols designed for Wilms tumor and to conduct further basic research to understand its biologic nature.
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Comparative Study
Repeat abdominal computed tomography scans after pediatric blunt abdominal trauma: missed injuries, extra costs, and unnecessary radiation exposure.
We hypothesized that pediatric blunt trauma patients, initially evaluated at nontrauma centers with abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans, often undergo repeat scans after transfer. This study was designed to quantify this phenomenon, assess consequences, and elucidate possible causes. ⋯ Abdominal CT scans, for evaluation of pediatric blunt trauma, are frequently repeated after transfer from outside hospitals. In many cases, repeat scans provide useful diagnostic information. However, more than 80% of repeat scanning is potentially preventable with better education of transport personnel (paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and nurses) and emergency department physicians.