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Biomedical subjects

B Shandling

Publications and source records attributed to B Shandling.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Minute ventilation during mask halothane anaesthesia in infants and children.

The pattern of respiration in infants during anaesthesia is not well documented. In this study, minute ventilation (MV) during elective mask halothane anaesthesia (HA) was measured during spontaneous ventilation in infants (Group I) and children (Group II). Airflow was measured with pneumotachography (#0 Fleisch in Group I and #1 Fleisch in Group II). Analogue signals of pressure and flow were recorded on magnetic tape for off-line playback. The flow signal was mathematically integrated to volume. The surgical procedure was divided into three stages: A, B and C representing HA, surgical stimulation and emergence respectively. The pattern of respiration during spontaneous ventilation was described as tidal volume (VTx), respiratory frequency (fx), mean inspiratory flow (VT/TIx), inspiratory duty cycle (TI/TTotx) where the subscript x denoted the stage. Seven infants (2.7 +/- 0.5 mo, 5.8 +/- 0.5 kg) and five children (3.1 +/- 1.1 yr, 15.8 +/- 1.7 kg) were studied. There was no difference in MV between Groups I and II. Halothane anaesthesia in both groups was characterized by rapid shallow breathing: VTA was lower in Group I (2.90 +/- 0.8 ml.kg-1) than in Group II (3.74 +/- 0.40 ml.kg-1) (P < 0.05). Tidal volume was lower during anaesthesia than emergence in both groups (P < 0.05). There was no difference in VT/TIx between groups. The VT/TIA was lower than VT/TIC in Group I (P < 0.05) but not in Group II. There was no intra or intergroup difference in TI/TTot between stages. We suggest that during HA infants have a greater reduction in VT than children, which may predispose infants to hypercarbia during HA.

Anesthesia Recovery Period↗

Thrombosis of the portal venous system after splenectomy for pediatric hematologic disease.

Splenic, portal, or mesenteric venous thrombosis after splenectomy for hematologic disease has not been reported in the pediatric literature. It is a rare complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality in adult reports. Between 1981 and 1991, 3 patients (13-year-old boy with hereditary elliptocytosis [HE], 13-year-old boy with thalassemia intermedia [TI], and 18-year-old girl with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP]) presented with abdominal pain, nausea, with or without fever, at 4, 11, and 13 days postsplenectomy, respectively. Abdominal Doppler ultrasound (US) and/or computed tomography (CT) showed: (1) an intraluminal filling defect with partial obstruction to flow in the right branch of the portal vein with the remaining vessels patent (HE); (2) splenic vein thrombosis with complete occlusion of the main portal vein and proximal superior mesenteric vein (TI); and (3) complete thrombosis of the splenic vein, proximal superior mesenteric vein and portal vein (including central radicles), with retrogastric collateralization (ITP). Subsequent imaging showed either complete resolution of vascular obstruction on no treatment (patient 1), or portal venous cavernomatous transformation with hepatofugal flow after 6 months of systemic anticoagulation (patients 2 and 3), and all 3 patients are currently asymptomatic. Postoperative sonographic evaluation of a consecutive series of pediatric splenectomies for hematologic disease (n = 16), was performed at a median of 51 days (range, 3 to 124). This demonstrated one case of asymptomatic left portal venous thrombosis with subsequent recanalization in the absence of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Pure esophageal atresia: outlook in the 1990s.

Eleven newborns with pure esophageal atresia were treated between 1980 and 1989 inclusive; there were six girls and five boys. Their gestational age ranged from 31 to 40 weeks (average, 37 weeks) and weight from 1.1 to 3.0 kg (average, 2.2). The only associated anomalies were Down's syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome, and patent ductus arteriosus. All babies received an immediate gastrostomy. Several radiologic studies were done to see if the distance between the two esophageal pouches was decreasing. Dilatations of the upper pouch were carried out in two patients. After a wait of 1 to 7 months (average, 3 1/2) a primary anastomosis was attempted; the weight of six babies doubled during this time. Eight neonates had a primary repair (two were aided by a circular myotomy). Two had a staged gastric tube constructed, and one baby had a gastric pull-up procedure. Three of the infants with a primary anastomosis required a subsequent antireflux operation, and one needed her anastomosis resected 16 months later. Ten of these 11 newborns are alive and well; one of the gastric tube children died from an adhesive small bowel obstruction at age four years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Malignant benign neonatal sacrococcygeal teratoma.

Thirty-six patients with benign neonatal sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) were treated in our medical center from 1972 to 1990. Mean gestational age was 38.6 +/- 3.3 weeks with a mean birth weight of 3,484.0 +/- 938.5 g. Twenty-nine patients (89%) were females. The majority of the tumors (75%) contained cystic components and 96% were Altman classification I and II. The initial surgical removal of the SCT (including the coccyx) was carried out during the first 7 days of life. Six patients (22%) developed recurrence of the tumor. Three were benign and reappeared locally after 12 +/- 3 months and were reexcised. The mean serum alpha-fetoprotein level in this group was 13 +/- 1 g/L. The malignant recurrence (all originally reported as being mature benign SCT) appeared at 20.3 +/- 1.5 months and had markedly elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels (7,320 +/- 4,630 micrograms/L). All the patients in this group had multimodal therapy including complete excision of the recurrent tumor. We conclude that SCT, although histologically benign, has an alarming potential to recur either as a benign or malignant tumor during the first 2 years of life. Close follow-up for at least 3 years (frequent examination, serum alpha-fetoprotein, and diagnostic imaging) is recommended for all patients who had undergone excision of SCT in the newborn period.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Chest wall motion during halothane anaesthesia in infants and young children.

Chest wall motion during anaesthesia may differ from the awake state because of the effect of anaesthetic agents on the muscles of respiration. The purpose of this study was twofold (1) to describe the pattern of chest wall motion in infants and children during halothane anaesthesia (HA) using respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) and (2) to calibrate the voltage output of RIP in units of volume. Seven infants (2.3 +/- 1.7 mo, 5.9 +/- 0.7 kg) and five children (2.9 +/- 1.1 yr, 15.5 +/- 1.5 kg) were studied. Since results in both age groups were qualitatively similar they are presented as a single group. Respiratory excursions of the rib cage (RC) and abdomen (ABD) were measured using RIP. Airflow was measured with a pneumotachograph. During spontaneous breathing the analogue signals of airflow, pressure, RC and ABD were recorded. Measurements were taken during (1) halothane anaesthesia and (2) during emergence from anaesthesia. The XY plots of the RC and ABD signals were plotted for each period. In addition the voltage output of the respiratory excursions of the RC and ABD signals was converted to units of volume using the simultaneous solution of equation method. The accuracy of conversion factors was validated by regression analysis of the predicted and measured tidal volume using breaths sampled at random throughout the entire period of study. Regression analysis of this relationship gave a slope between 0.85 and 1.15 (r2 value greater than 0.7) in five of the twelve patients. The pattern of chest wall motion in the XY plots showed synchronous motion between RC and ABD signals during HA in nine of the twelve patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia Recovery Period↗

Pseudomembranous colitis following resection for Hirschsprung's disease.

Enterocolitis is the most common cause of significant morbidity and death in Hirschsprung's disease. Although most cases respond to nasogastric decompression, antibiotics, and colonic evacuation, some children have an unusually fulminant or protracted clinical course. Four cases are reported of pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) that developed 1 to 18 months (mean, 8 months) after definitive surgery for Hirschsprung's disease (Soave endorectal pull-though, 2; Duhamel procedure, 2). While all children presented with fever, abdominal distention, and diarrhea, indistinguishable from typical Hirschsprung's enterocolitis, the clinical course was fulminant in two cases, both of whom died of septic shock. Postmortem examination in both showed extensive colonic pseudomembranes despite identification of Clostridium difficile toxin and subsequent vancomycin therapy (initiated late in the clinical course). Two children in the series had protracted hospitalizations and eventually required diverting enterostomy despite recognition of C difficile toxin and treatment with enteral vancomycin, in one child necessitating multiple courses of antibiotic therapy. Awareness of the virulence of PMC associated with Hirschsprung's disease (even after definitive resection) should prompt submission of stool specimens from any child who presents with enterocolitis for both C difficile culture and toxin levels. On the basis of our experience it is our policy to initiate a prompt course of vancomycin by rectal lavage or nasogastric tube in all children with Hirschsprung's enterocolitis, pending culture results, in view of the significant morbidity and mortality exemplified by cases in this review.

Administration, Rectal↗

A 20-year review of pediatric pancreatic tumors.

Pancreatic tumors are rare surgical problems in infants and children. A 20-year audit (1971 to 1991) of this institution showed six patients ranging in age from 3 weeks to 16 years who were operated on for pancreatic neoplasms. Five of these tumors were malignant, bringing the reported experience to 71 cases. This series of malignancies included three solid cystic tumors, one insulin-secreting tumor, and one pancreatoblastoma. The clinical presentations varied: three had abdominal pain, one developed hypoglycemia, and one had an abdominal mass with jaundice. In five of the six patients pancreatic pathology was suspected preoperatively. All were treated primarily with pancreatic resection including one pancreatoduodenectomy. No radiotherapy or chemotherapy was used. The perioperative mortality was 0% with a morbidity of 50%. The long-term results are encouraging, with all patients alive after a mean follow-up of 7.8 years. These data suggest that aggressive surgical therapy is warranted in the management of pediatric pancreatic tumors.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Laparoscopy for the impalpable testes: experience with 53 testes.

Impalpable testes constitute approximately 20% of most series of undescended testes. From January 1986 to March 1991, we performed laparoscopies on 53 patients with impalpable testes. Thirty-two of them were found to have normal vasa and vessels entering each internal ring on the side in question. Of these, 14 were found to have "vanishing testes" at exploration, 12 others underwent successful orchiopexy, and the remaining 6 had excisional biopsies of fibrotic testicular remnants. Five patients had no visible vessels and a sixth had a blind-ending vas and vessels adjacent to the internal ring; in these cases no further investigations were deemed necessary. Fifteen patients were found to have abdominal testes and underwent high testicular vessel ligation and division at the time of the laparoscopy; 14 of them have undergone staged orchiopexy 6 months after laparoscopy and one is scheduled for this procedure. A 3-month follow-up of those who had orchiopexy showed excellent results in 10 patients and poor results in 3, all of whom had small testes that were unimproved or worse following vessel ligation. Four boys were spared operations as a result of findings at laparoscopy. Early in the series there was one failed laparoscopy, but it was successfully completed later. the procedure, but it was successfully treated with antibiotics. There were no other complications. Laparoscopy is a safe procedure that allows accurate diagnosis and may prevent additional intervention in the treatment of the absent testes. It facilitates the locating of the impalpable testis and the planning and timing of subsequent orchiopexy. We believe that laparoscopy is the preferred procedure in the management of impalpable testes.

Catheterization↗

Rupture of the thoracic trachea following blunt trauma: diagnosis by CAT scan.

A case of isolated rupture of the thoracic trachea due to blunt trauma in a 4-year-old child is presented. The rarity of this injury and its initial presentation as massive subcutaneous emphysema and bilateral pneumothoraces warrant its description. This child was diagnosed as having a tracheal injury by computed tomography scan. The diagnosis was confirmed at bronchoscopy and was successfully treated by thoracotomy and primary closure of a 3-cm rent in the membranous portion of the trachea. There was difficulty with intraoperative ventilation due to the large air leak through the tracheal tear. This was controlled by intermittent tamponade of the defect with sequential closure. Postoperatively, the child did well and was discharged on the sixth postoperative day. Rigid bronchoscopy done 2 months later showed no abnormality. This case demonstrates that computed tomography is helpful in the diagnosis of tracheal injuries. The treatment may require early operative intervention and closure of the defect.

Child, Preschool↗

Perianal complications of pediatric Crohn's disease.

The management of perianal disease (PD) in children with Crohn's disease was reviewed. Of 325 patients (184 boys), 200 (62%) developed PD. The mean age at diagnosis of Crohn's disease was 11.2 years (range, 5 to 17 years). Skin tags were present in 114 (35%) patients, fissures in 165 (51%), fistulas in 41 (15%), and perirectal abscesses in 47 (13%). One hundred fifty-three patients had PD as one of the first symptoms; 71 of these had complete remission of PD and the remaining 82 had chronic symptoms. Forty-two patients were initially free of PD, only to develop it later. PD occurred in 50% of patients with gastroduodenal Crohn's disease, 57% with jejunal, 68% with ileal, 64% with ileocecal, 60% with ileocolic, and 51% with colonic. Local minor operation was necessary in 38 (12%) patients, fistulotomy in 12, and abscess drainage in 26. Four patients required either intestinal resection and/or enterostomy for progressive PD. Fifty-three patients received metronidazole, with amelioration in 38. It is concluded that PD is a common complication of Crohn's disease in children and adolescents. Its presentation may antedate that of the primary disease. Most PD follows a benign course. There is a limited role for operation, but a need for meticulous perineal care and a potential benefit with metronidazole therapy. We advocate conservatism in the management of perianal complications of Crohn's disease in pediatric patients.

Abscess↗

Primary closure of contaminated wounds in perforated appendicitis.

We studied the clinical course of 506 children consecutively admitted with appendicitis at The Hospital for Sick Children from 1985 to 1989. One hundred eighty-one children (35%), ranging in age from 1 to 17 years, presented with perforation verified by histological examination. Ninety-six of them (53%) had generalized peritonitis, 47 (26%) had localized peritonitis, and 38 (21%) had abscess formation. Usually, triple antibiotics were begun preoperatively if perforation was suspected; otherwise, cefoxitin was started. Triple antibiotics were used postoperatively for 5 to 7 days in almost all children in the perforated group. Neither abdominal nor subcutaneous drainage was routinely used even in cases of intraabdominal abscess. The skin was closed primarily with steri-strips (63%), staples (20%), subcutaneous Dexon (11%), or silk (4%). Postoperative wound infection arose in 20 children (11%). Wound infections were noted from 1 to 14 days postoperatively (mean, 5.9 days). Whereas 9 of these were treated with local therapy only, 11 delayed the child's discharge or necessitated readmission. No patient suffered major complications from wound infection in that there were no cases of necrotizing fasciitis, reoperation for debridement, sepsis, or death. The intraabdominal abscess rate in this group of 181 children was 6% (n = 11). The low rate of infective complications fully justifies the policy of primary closure in contaminated wounds. This policy eliminates the necessity for painful and time-consuming dressing changes, shortens hospitalization, and obviates the trauma of delayed suturing of wounds in children.

Abscess↗

The anal sphincter force in the evaluation of postoperative imperforate anus.

Eight-four children, all of whom had imperforate anus, were evaluated by measuring the anal sphincter force (ASF). Sixty-three were boys, 46 of whom had a high imperforate anus and 17 of whom had the low anomaly. There were 7 girls with cloacal malformations, 7 girls with high type and 7 with low type of malformation. In all the boys with a high imperforate anus the ASF ranged from 50 to 300 g. Those boys with a low type had an average ASF of 513 g. Normal values vary from 480 to 600 g. Twenty-five of the boys with a high imperforate anus had undergone posterior sagittal anorectoplasty and none were clinically continent. Their ASF measurements were lower than in patients with spina bifida. Patients with a low anomaly, both boys and girls, were continent and had high ASF readings. The ASF is a simple, inexpensive, and objective measurement of fecal incontinence when this is the consequence of muscular inadequacy. A reproducible quantification is now available to compare results of different operations and different centres.

Adolescent↗

Intraoperative anaphylaxis: an association with latex sensitivity.

Latex products have recently been identified as the cause of severe intraoperative anaphylactic reactions. We have identified a group of pediatric patients who appear to be at increased risk for such reactions. Fifteen patients with either spina bifida or congenital urologic abnormalities experienced 19 intraoperative anaphylactic reactions. All patients had frequent previous exposures to rubber materials since infancy as part of their management and/or investigative procedures. Seven of 15 patients had a previous history of local skin reactions to rubber. Only four patients were atopic. All patients had undergone multiple (two of 26) operative procedures before their reactions, the onset of which ranged from 40 to 290 minutes after induction of anesthesia. The reactions varied in intensity from urticaria to severe cardiorespiratory collapse. All these patients subsequently had positive allergy skin tests and positive RAST to latex antigen. We conclude that this group is at risk when they are exposed to latex intraoperatively as a result of frequent past exposure to these materials. Allergic evaluation for latex allergy may assist in the preoperative evaluation of similar patients. In sensitized patients, appropriate prophylactic measures, particularly the avoidance of latex, is required.

Adolescent↗

Factors influencing postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease in childhood.

We have reviewed the outcome of all patients undergoing their first intestinal resection for Crohn's disease at this hospital between 1970 and 1987. Recurrence rates, defined by recurrent intestinal symptoms and radiological confirmation of mucosal disease, were calculated using survival analysis. Age, sex, anatomical location of disease, indication for surgery, preoperative duration of symptomatic disease, use of preoperative bowel rest, and pathological features of the resected bowel were analysed individually and jointly as potential risk factors influencing postoperative recurrence of disease. Eighty two patients (age, mean (SD) 14.8 (2.5) years) underwent intestinal resection and were followed postoperatively for a minimum of one year (mean 5.3 (3.3) years). Anatomical location of disease, indication for surgery, and preoperative duration of symptomatic disease were the only factors that significantly influenced the duration of the recurrence free interval. Patients with diffuse ileocolonic inflammation experienced earlier recurrence (50% at one year) than children with predominantly small bowel disease (50% recurrence at five years, p less than 0.0001). Failure of medical therapy independent of disease location as the sole indication for surgery was associated with an earlier relapse than when surgery was performed for a specific intestinal complication such as abscess or obstruction (p less than 0.003). Patients undergoing resection within one year of onset of symptoms experienced delayed recrudescence of active disease (30% recurrence by eight years) compared with patients whose preoperative duration of symptomatic disease was longer (50% recurrence by four years when preoperative duration of disease was one to four years and 50% by three years when disease had been present greater than four years preoperatively, p = 0.03). The mean height velocity of patients with growth potential increased from 2.4 (2.3) cm per year preoperatively to 8.1 (3.4) cm per year in the first postoperative year (p=0.0001). These results support an early approach to surgery in the management of ileal Crohn's disease with or without caecal or right colonic involvement, especially when complicated by persistent growth failure. The higher recurrence rates in more diffuse ileocolonic disease emphasise the need for alternative treatment strategies in these children.

Adolescent↗

Intraoperative anaphylaxis to latex.

This case report describes intraoperative anaphylaxis occurring in a fourteen-year-old female with spina bifida in which latex surgical gloves were incriminated as the aetiologic agent. The patient was non-atopic but since eight years of age she had developed localized angioedema and urticarial skin reactions on exposure to rubber. She had previously undergone several uneventful surgical procedures. Forty-five minutes following induction of anaesthesia and during laparotomy for elective cholecystectomy she experienced sudden onset of increased airway pressure, oxygen desaturation, tachycardia, profound hypotension and erythema consistent with an anaphylactic reaction. Resuscitation with manual ventilation and oxygen, intravenous fluids and an epinephrine infusion was successful. Subsequent investigations for allergies demonstrated a strongly positive skin prick test and RAST to latex antigen, with negative results to anaesthetic agents, antibiotics and inhalant allergens. During two later operations prophylaxis consisting of diphenhydramine, ranitidine and hydrocortisone appeared to prevent further reactions. Latex should be considered as a cause of life-threatening intraoperative allergic reactions in patients with a history of rubber allergy or frequent exposure to latex products.

Adolescent↗

A 13-year experience with peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia for necrotizing enterocolitis perforation.

Between 1974 and 1986, inclusive, over 400 newborns with clinical, radiological, and/or pathological evidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were treated at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario. Within this group were 37 babies who had a bowel perforation that was treated with peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia. Eighty-eight percent of the 41 weighed less than 1,500 g and 65% weighed less than 1,000 g; during the same time 40 other neonates (9% of the total) with perforated NEC had laparotomies. Twelve neonates (32%) required only drainage with complete recovery of their intestinal tracts. The remaining 25 (68%) fell into one of three groups: (1) nine (24%) had rapid downhill course, sepsis, and death without laparotomy; (2) nine (24%) had rapid downhill course, sepsis, and laparotomy (five deaths); (3) seven (20%) had slow development of bowel obstruction requiring operation (two deaths). The overall survival rate was 56%. These results continue to indicate that this method is effective in temporizing 88% of the small and/or very ill babies with a NEC perforation. However, an added bonus is that 32% of these newborns treated in this fashion had complete resolution of their disease.

Anesthesia, Local↗