European Journal of Pediatric Surgery最新文献

{"title":"The Timing of Surgery for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Infants, on or after Weaning from Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Minhua Lin, Jiachi Liao, Le Li","doi":"10.1055/a-2228-6969","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2228-6969","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong> We conducted a meta-analysis of trials to determine the optimal time to conduct surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in infants, on or after weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> We searched the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases to identify relevant articles published prior to May 2023 in which surgery was performed to treat CDH in infants. Data were collected, and continuous data were represented by the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Dichotomous data were represented by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. Review Manager V.5.4 and Stata were used to synthesize results and to assess publication bias.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The results showed that infants undergoing surgery after being weaned from ECMO had reduced mortality (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.23-4.69; <i>p</i> = 0.01) and postoperative bleeding rates (OR, 16.20; 95% CI, 5.73-45.76; <i>p</i> < 0.00001) and reduced ECMO duration (MD, 3.47; 95% CI, 1.89-5.05; <i>p</i> < 0.0001) compared with those who underwent surgery while on ECMO. There was no statistically significant difference in hospital duration (MD, 5.48; 95% CI, -8.66 to 19.62; <i>p</i> = 0.45) or ventilator duration (MD, -1.93; 95% CI, -8.55 to 4.68; <i>p</i> = 0.57).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> We recommend weaning patients with CDH from ECMO before performing surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138813910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perioperative Histologically Controlled Fistula Resection in Patients with Imperforate Anus and Perineal Fistula.","authors":"Richard Skaba, Vojtech Dotlacil, Pavla Fuccillo, Blanka Rouskova, Lucie Pos, Michal Rygl","doi":"10.1055/s-0043-1777101","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0043-1777101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong> Postoperative constipation (PC) in patients with imperforate anus and perineal fistula (PF) has been reported in up to 60%. Histological studies of PF revealed innervation anomalies which seem to be one of the reasons for PC. Perioperative histologically controlled fistula resection (PHCFR) allows appropriate resection of PF and pull-down normoganglionic rectum at the time of posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong> A total of 665 patients with anorectal malformations underwent surgery between 1991 and 2021. Of these, 364 presented PF; 92 out of them (41 F) were studied. Patients with sacral and spinal cord anomalies, neurological disorders, and cut-back anoplasty were excluded. PSARP was done on all patients. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and NADH Tetrazolium-reductase histochemical method were used. Four and more ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus represented a sufficient length of the resection. The continence was scored according to the modified Krickenbeck scoring system. Final scores ranged from 1 to 7 points. Values are given as median.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A total of 65 (70.7%) patients presented an aganglionic segment in PF, and 27 patients presented hypoganglionosis. The median length of the resected fistula was 25 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 20-30). The median total continence score was 7 (IQR: 6-7). Post-op constipation was observed in 6/92 (6.5%) patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> PHCFR diminished PC to 6.5% of patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138453220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-Term Functional Outcomes and Multidisciplinary Management after Ileorectal Duhamel Pull-Through for Total Colonic Aganglionosis-20-Year Experience in a Tertiary Surgical Center.","authors":"Kailas Bhandarkar, Paolo De Coppi, Kate Cross, Simon Blackburn, Joe Curry","doi":"10.1055/a-2181-2065","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2181-2065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong> Management of patients with total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) is challenging for pediatric surgeons. The purpose of this study was to review our institution's 20-year experience regarding long-term outcomes and multidisciplinary team management of these patients after an ileorectal Duhamel pull-through procedure.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong> Retrospective review was conducted for all patients diagnosed with TCA in our tertiary institution. Data were collected on demographics, clinical presentation, complications, need for additional surgery, and long-term effects on bowel function.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Of a total of 202 patients with Hirschsprung's disease, 13 were diagnosed with TCA (6.4%). Clinical presentation was variable. Eleven presented in neonatal period with distal bowel obstruction and two presented with constipation in early infancy. Ileorectal Duhamel pull-through was performed in all patients. Median follow-up was 13 years. Eleven are toilet trained, of whom five are fully continent. Six continue to have problems with bowel continence or constipation. One developed recurrent episode of Hirschsprung's associated enterocolitis. Two patients had stoma re-established. Patients experiencing difficulties in bowel function are jointly managed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of surgeons, gastroenterologists, pediatric psychologists, and clinical nurse specialists.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> TCA can be associated with significant long-term morbidity. Nearly half of the patients in this series have ongoing problems with bowel continence requiring a permanent stoma in some. Diligent follow-up coupled with inputs of a multidisciplinary team has greatly helped manage these complex patients in our institution.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41166557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Irish Experience with Sacrococcygeal Teratomas: Are Type IV Lesions More Common than We Think?","authors":"Gavin Alan Kane, Alan Mortell, John Gillick, Sri Paran Thambipillai, Salvatore Cascio","doi":"10.1055/a-2185-9018","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2185-9018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong> Sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) are rare tumors occurring in approximately 1 in 35,000 to 40,000 live births. The Altman classification is used to describe SCTs. There are four types, with type 1 predominantly external through to type IV which is a presacral, completely internal mass. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first study to focus on type IV SCT lesions.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong> Using ICD-10-AM (The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification) codes, we identified all patients in the Republic of Ireland with a diagnosis of SCT from 2004 to 2020. The following information was obtained for each patient: gender, time of diagnosis, clinical presentation, method of diagnosis, Altman classification, biomarkers, age at operation, surgical technique, pathology, recurrence, and age at most recent follow-up.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> There were 29 patients in total; 23 females (79%) and 6 males (21%). In total, 16 (55%) were diagnosed antenatally, 4 (14%) at less than 1 month, 4 (14%) less than 1 year, 3 (10%) age 2 to 4 years, and 2 (7%) were aged 5 to 12 years. In addition, 22 (76%) were mature teratomas, 2 (7%) immature teratomas, and 5 (17%) were malignant tumors. There were 6 (21%) type I lesions, 9 (30%) type II, 6 (21%) type III, and 8 (28%) type IV lesions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> In Altman's original 1974 study, type IV lesions were present in 10% of cases. As a result, this is the most frequently quoted figure. Type IV lesions were present in 28% of cases in our study. We propose that type IV lesions may be more common than the current literature suggests and consequently a higher index of suspicion of their presence should be entertained.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41155980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Image-Guided Transrectal Drainage of Pelvic Abscesses in Children.","authors":"Jose Santiago, Murali Surnedi, Horacio M Padua, Raja Shaikh, Rush Chewning, Ahmad I Alomari, Gulraiz Chaudry","doi":"10.1055/s-0044-1779278","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0044-1779278","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong> To describe our technique and share our experience with image-guided transrectal drainage (TRD) of pelvic abscesses in children.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong> Retrospective review and analysis of indications for image-guided TRD and examination of procedural outcomes in pediatric patients with pelvic abscesses over 8 years.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A total of 69 patients (33 males and 36 females) with symptomatic pelvic abscesses underwent image-guided TRD. The median age and weight of the patients were 11.5 years (range, 3-18) and 46.8 kg (range, 15.1-118.0), respectively. The etiologies of the pelvic abscesses were perforated appendicitis (72.5%) and post-operative collections (27.5%). All patients presented with abdominal pain. Fever, emesis, and diarrhea were also common symptoms. The size of the pelvic abscesses ranged from 24.0 to 937.1 mL (median, 132.7). Technical success was achieved in 68 of 69 TRD procedures (98.6%). Clinical improvement was observed in all patients with technically successful TRD. The TRD catheter dwell time ranged from 0 to 10 days (median, 4.0). Most patients who underwent TRD for perforated appendicitis subsequently underwent elective appendectomy after the resolution of the pelvic abscess (84.0%). The median time from TRD to elective appendectomy was 2.8 months (range, 0.3-6.1). There were no procedure-related complications.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Image-guided TRD is a safe and effective procedure with high technical and clinical success rates for the treatment of pelvic abscesses in children.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139698944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis and Management of Appendicitis in Pediatric Departments: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Robin Rey, Renato Gualtieri, Giorgio La Scala, Klara Posfay Barbe","doi":"10.1055/a-2257-5122","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2257-5122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong> Artificial intelligence (AI) is a growing field in medical research that could potentially help in the challenging diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) in children. However, usefulness of AI in clinical settings remains unclear. Our aim was to assess the accuracy of AIs in the diagnosis of AA in the pediatric population through a systematic literature review.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using the following keywords: \"pediatric,\" \"artificial intelligence,\" \"standard practices,\" and \"appendicitis,\" up to September 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using PROBAST.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A total of 302 articles were identified and nine articles were included in the final review. Two studies had prospective validation, seven were retrospective, and no randomized control trials were found. All studies developed their own algorithms and had an accuracy greater than 90% or area under the curve >0.9. All studies were rated as a \"high risk\" concerning their overall risk of bias.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> We analyzed the current status of AI in the diagnosis of appendicitis in children. The application of AI shows promising potential, but the need for more rigor in study design, reporting, and transparency is urgent to facilitate its clinical implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139643497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"European Paediatric Surgeons' Association Survey on the Adherence to EAU/ESPU Guidelines in the Management of Undescended Testes.","authors":"Ophelia Aubert, Hind Zaidan, Hanna Garnier, Amulya K Saxena, Salvatore Cascio","doi":"10.1055/s-0043-1777338","DOIUrl":"10.1055/s-0043-1777338","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong> The aim of this study was to assess the adherence to the European Association of Urology (EAU)/European Society for Pediatric Urology (ESPU) 2016 guidelines in the management of undescended testes (UDT).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong> An online questionnaire was sent in 2023 to members of the European Paediatric Surgeons' Association (EUPSA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Among 157 members, 46 and 44% perform orchidopexy before 12 and 18 months, respectively. In total, 92% recommend conservative management of retractile testes and 58% offer close follow-up. In case of nonpalpable testes, 78% favor laparoscopy and 18% ultrasonography. If a peeping testicle is identified at laparoscopy, 76% perform a single-stage orchidopexy. In case of a high testicle, a staged procedure is preferred (84%). Management of blind-ending spermatic vessel is heterogenous with a majority ending the operation, followed by exploration of the inguinal canal and removal of the testicular nubbin with optional fixation of the contralateral testis. Only a minority recommends hormonal therapy to improve fertility potential in bilateral UDT. A majority (59%) discuss testis removal in UDT in postpubertal boys. In addition, 77% declare following the EAU/ESPU guidelines. Unawareness of guidelines was the most common reason cited for nonadherence. International guidelines were found to have the greatest influence on clinical practice; however, personal experience and institutional practice seem to play an important role.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Most recommendations of the EAU/ESPU guidelines are being followed by EUPSA members; however, personal and institutional practice impact decision making. Hormonal therapy in bilateral UDT, management of vanishing testes, and UDT in postpubertal boys could be improved.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138453219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antegrade Continence Enema Alone for the Management of Functional Constipation and Segmental Colonic Dysmotility (ACE-FC): A Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium Study.","authors":"Hira Ahmad, Caitlin Smith, Amanda Witte, Katelyn Lewis, Ron William Reeder, Jose Garza, Sarah Zobell, Kathleen Hoff, Megan Durham, Casey Calkins, Michael D Rollins, Lusine Ambartsumyan, Rebecca Maria Rentea, Desale Yacob, Carlo Di Lorenzo, Marc A Levitt, Richard J Wood","doi":"10.1055/a-2206-6508","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2206-6508","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong> The purpose of the study was to determine if antegrade continence enema (ACE) alone is an effective treatment for patients with severe functional constipation and segmental colonic dysmotility.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> A retrospective study of patients with functional constipation and segmental colonic dysmotility who underwent ACE as their initial means of management. Data was collected from six participating sites in the Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium. Patients who had a colonic resection at the same time as an ACE or previously were excluded from analysis. Only patients who were 21 years old or younger and had at least 1-year follow-up after ACE were included. All patients had segmental colonic dysmotility documented by colonic manometry. Patient characteristics including preoperative colonic and anorectal manometry were summarized, and associations with colonic resection following ACE were evaluated using Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. <i>p</i>-Values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Statistical analyses and summaries were performed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina, United States).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A total of 104 patients from 6 institutions were included in the study with an even gender distribution (males <i>n</i> = 50, 48.1%) and a median age of 9.6 years (interquartile range 7.4, 12.8). At 1-year follow-up, 96 patients (92%) were successfully managed with ACE alone and 8 patients (7%) underwent subsequent colonic resection for persistent symptoms. Behavioral disorder, type of bowel management, and the need for botulinum toxin administered to the anal sphincters was not associated with the need for subsequent colonic resection. On anorectal manometry, lack of pelvic floor dyssynergia was significantly associated with the need for subsequent colonic resection; 3/8, 37.5% without pelvic dyssynergia versus 1/8, 12.5% (<i>p</i> = 0.023) with pelvic dyssynergia underwent subsequent colonic resection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> In patients with severe functional constipation and documented segmental colonic dysmotility, ACE alone is an effective treatment modality at 1-year follow-up. Patients without pelvic floor dyssynergia on anorectal manometry are more likely to receive colonic resection after ACE. The vast majority of such patients can avoid a colonic resection.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71523524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging with Intravenous Indocyanine Green Method in Segmentectomy for Infants with Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation.","authors":"Jin-Xi Huang, Qiang Chen, Song-Ming Hong, Jun-Jie Hong, Hua Cao","doi":"10.1055/a-2206-6702","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2206-6702","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a commonly used procedure for treating congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) in infants, particularly when performing segmentectomy for segmental lesions. An innovative technique employing near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) has been utilized to delineate the intersegmental demarcation during surgery. However, no previous reports have investigated this method's application, specifically in infants. The primary aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the NIRF imaging with ICG approach in this context.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Between January 2021 and April 2022, a total of 19 consecutive segmentectomies were conducted using the NIRF imaging with ICG method to precisely identify the intersegmental plane. The results were concurrently compared with those obtained using the modified inflation-deflation technique. Comprehensive imaging and clinical data were gathered and analyzed to assess the safety and accuracy of the NIRF imaging with ICG approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The study involved infants with a median age of 5.12 months (mean body weight of 8.08 g). All segmentectomies were performed successfully without any ICG-related complications. The mean operating time for the surgeries was 88.47 ± 7.94 minutes. Notably, no intraoperative conversions or significant complications were observed in any of the patients. The average hospital stay after surgery was 4.0 ± 0.82 days. During the follow-up period, extending beyond 1-year of postoperation, all patients exhibited excellent recovery with no cases of recurrence.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong> Based on our experience, the NIRF imaging with intravenous ICG method proved to be both safe and effective when performing segmentectomy for infants with CPAM. Low doses of ICG did not hinder the accurate identification of the intersegmental plane.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71523525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity in Children with Esophageal Atresia.","authors":"Numan Demir, Begüm Pişiren, Selen Serel Arslan, Ozlem Boybeyı-Turer, Tutku Soyer","doi":"10.1055/a-2181-2293","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2181-2293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong> The Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) scale was developed to evaluate the safety, efficiency, and overall pharyngeal swallowing performance in patients with dysphagia (DIGESTs, DIGESTe, and DIGESTt, respectively). Although various types of swallowing dysfunction are encountered in children with esophageal atresia (EA), oropharyngeal dysphagia poses risk for aspiration. Therefore, a retrospective study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of swallowing by using DIGEST score in children with EA.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong> Thirty-nine EA patients were included. The demographic features, respiratory problems, results, and outcomes of surgical treatment were evaluated from medical records. The videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation investigated for both airway protection and bolus residuals at the level of vallecula, posterior pharyngeal wall, and pyriform sinus at liquid and pudding consistencies. The penetration and aspiration scale (PAS) was used to define penetration and aspiration severity, and DIGEST was used to evaluate DIGESTs, DIGESTe, and DIGESTt.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The median age of the patients were 13 months (7-39 months), and male-to-female ratio was 25:14. Sixty-seven percent of patients were type-C EA and 61% of them has associated anomalies; 38% of patients had aspiration (PAS = 6-8) in liquids and 10% in pudding consistency. Life-threatening/profound swallowing dysfunction in DIGESTe (DIGEST = 4) was seen in 13% (<i>n</i> = 5) of patients; 40% of EA patients showed severe problems in DIGESTt.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> DIGEST is a valid and reliable tool to define the efficacy and safety of swallowing in children with EA.</p>","PeriodicalId":56316,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Pediatric Surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41162500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}