Pediatric Surgery Flashcards
What is the motto of pediatric surgery?
Children are not little adults
What is a simple way to distract a pediatric patient when examining the abdomen for tenderness?
Listen to the abdomen with the stethoscope and then push down on the abdomen with the stethoscope to check for tenderness
What is the estimated blood volume of infants and children?
8% of body weight or 80 cc/kg
What is the maintenance IV fluid for children?
D5 1/4 NS + 20 mEq KCl
Why 1/4 NS?
Children (especially those younger than 4 years) cannot concentrate their urine and cannot clear excess sodium
How are maintenance fluid rates calculated in children?
4, 2, 1 per hour:
4 cc/kg for the first 10 kg of body weight
2 cc/kg for the second 10 kg of body weight
1 cc/kg for every kg over the first 20 kg
What is the minimal urine output for children?
From 1-2 mL/kg/hr
What is the best way to present urine output measurements on rounds?
Urine output total per shift, then cc/kg/hr
What is the major difference between adult and pediatric nutritional needs?
Premature infants/infants/children need more calories and protein/kg/day
What are the caloric requirements for premature infants?
80 kcal/kg/day (and then go up)
What are the caloric requirements for children younger than 1 year?
100 kcal/kg/day
What are the caloric requirements for children ages 1-7?
85 kcal/kg/day
What are the caloric requirements for children ages 7-12?
70 kcal/kg/day
What are the caloric requirements for children ages 12-18?
40 kcal/kg/day
What are the protein requirements for children younger than 1 year?
3 g/kg/day
What are the protein requirements for children ages 1-7?
2 g/kg/day
What are the protein requirements for children ages 7-12?
2 g/kg/day
What are the protein requirements for children ages 12-18?
1.5 g/kg/day
How many calories are in breast milk?
20 kcal/30 cc
What is the blood volume per kg for a newborn infant?
85 cc/kg
What is the blood volume per kg for an infant 1-3 months?
75 cc/kg
What is the blood volume per kg for a child?
70 cc/kg
What is the number of umbilical veins?
1 (usually)
What is the number of umbilical arteries?
2
Which umbilical vessel carries oxygenated blood?
Umbilical vein
The oxygenated blood travels through the liver to the IVC through which structure?
Ductus venosus
Oxygenated blood passes from the right atrium to the left atrium through which structure?
Foramen ovale
Unsaturated blood goes from the right ventricle to the descending aorta through which structure?
Ductus arteriosus
What does the ductus venosus become?
Ligamentum venosum
What does the umbilical vein become?
Ligamentum teres
What does the umbilical artery become?
Medial umbilical ligament
What does the ductus arteriosus become?
Ligamentum arteriosum
What does the urachus become?
Median umbilical ligament
What does the tongue remnant of the thyroid’s descent become?
Foramen cecum
What does the persistent remnant of the vitelline duct become?
Meckel’s diverticulum
What is ECMO?
ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation:
Chronic cardiopulmonary bypass for complete respiratory support.
What are the types of ECMO?
Venovenous: blood from vein gets oxygenated, then returned to venous system.
Venoarterial: blood from vein (IJ) gets oxygenated, then returned to artery (carotid)
What are the indications for ECMO?
Severe hypoxia, usually from congenital diaphragmatic hernia, meconium aspiration, persistent pulmonary hypertension, sepsis
What are the contraindications for ECMO?
Weight < 2 kg; intraventricular hemorrhage in brain (heparin in line)
What is the major differential diagnosis of a pediatric neck mass?
Thyroglossal duct cyst (midline), branchial cleft cyst (lateral), LAD, abscess, cystic hygroma, hemangioma, teratoma/dermoid cyst, thyroid nodule, lymphoma/leukemia, parathyroid tumor, neuroblastoma, histiocytosis X, rhabdomyosarcoma, salivary gland tumor, neurofibroma
What is a thyroglossal duct cyst?
Remnant of the diverticulum formed by migration of thyroid tissue.
Normal development involves migration of thyroid tissue from the foramen cecum at the base of the tongue through the hyoid bone to its final position around the tracheal cartilage.
What is the average age of diagnosis for thyroglossal duct cyst?
5 years
How is the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst made?
U/S
What are the complications of a thyroglossal duct cyst?
Enlargement; infection; fistula formation between oropharynx or salivary glands
What is the anatomic location of a thyroglossal duct cyst?
Midline
What is the treatment for a thyroglossal duct cyst?
Antibiotics if infection is present, then Sistrunk procedure (excision, which must include the mid-portion of the hyoid bone and entire tract to foramen cecum)
What is a branchial cleft cyst?
Remnant of the primitive branchial clefts in which epithelium forms a sinus tract between the pharynx (2nd cleft), or the external auditory canal (1st cleft), and the skin of the anterior neck.
If the sinus ends blindly, a cyst may form.
What is the common presentation of branchial cleft cyst
Infection because of communication between pharynx and external ear canal
What is the anatomic position of a branchial cleft cyst?
2nd cleft anomaly: lateral to midline along anterior border of the SCM, anywhere from angle of jaw to clavicle.
1st cleft anomaly: less common than 2nd cleft, tend to be located higher under the mandible.
What is the most common cleft remnant?
2nd
What is the treatment for a branchial cleft cyst?
Antibiotics if infection is present, then surgical excision of cyst and tract once inflammation is resolved
What is the major anatomic difference between thyroglossal cyst and branchial cleft cyst?
Thyroglossal: midline
Branchial cleft: lateral
What is stridor?
Harsh, high-pitched sound heard on breathing caused by obstruction of the trachea or larynx
What are the signs and symptoms of stridor?
Dyspnea, cyanosis, difficulty with feeding
What is the differential diagnosis for stridor?
Laryngomalacia, tracheobronchomalacia, vascular rings and slings
What is laryngomalacia?
Results from inadequate development of supporting laryngeal structures.
Usually self-limited and treatment is expectant unless respiratory compromise is present.
What are vascular rings?
Abnormal development or placement of thoracic large vessels resulting in obstruction of trachea/bronchus
What are the symptoms of vascular rings?
Stridor, dyspnea on exertion, dysphagia
How is the diagnosis of vascular rings made?
Barium swallow (revealing typical configuration of esophageal compression); Echo/arteriogram
What is the treatment of vascular rings?
Surgical division of the ring, if the patient is symptomatic
What is cystic hygroma?
Congenital abnormality of lymph sac resulting in lymphangioma
What is the anatomic location of cystic hygroma?
Occurs in sites of primitive lymphatic lakes and can occur virtually anywhere in the body, most commonly in the floor of the mouth, under the jaw, or in the neck, axilla, or thorax
What is the treatment for cystic hygroma?
Early total surgical removal because they tend to enlarge.
Sclerosis may be needed if the lesion is unresectable.
What are the possible complications of cystic hygroma?
Enlargement in critical regions, such as the floor of the mouth or paratracheal region, may cause airway obstruction.
Tend to insinuate onto major structures (although not malignant) making excision difficult.
Which bronchus do foreign bodies go into more commonly?
< 4 years: No preference
> 4 years: Right (develops into straight shot, less of an angle)
What is the most commonly aspirated object?
Peanut
What is the associated risk with peanut aspirations?
Lipoid pneumonia
How can a foreign body result in air trapping and hyperinflation?
By forming a ball valve (i.e. air in, no air out) as seen on CXR as a hyper inflated lung on expiratory film
How can you tell on AP CXR if a coin is in the esophagus or the trachea?
Coin in esophagus results in the coin lying en face with face of the object viewed as a round object because of compression by anterior and posterior structures.
Coin in trachea is viewed as a side projection due to the U-shaped cartilage with membrane posteriorly.
What is the treatment of tracheal or esophageal foreign bodies?
Remove foreign body with rigid bronchoscope or rigid esophagoscope
What is the differential diagnosis of a lung mass?
Bronchial adenoma (carcinoid is most common); pulmonary sequestration; pulmonary blastoma; rhabdomyosarcoma; chondroma; hamartoma; leiomyoma; mucus gland adenoma; metastasis
What is the differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumor or mass?
- Neurogenic tumor (ganglioneuromas, neurofibromas)
- Teratoma
- Lymphoma
- Thymoma
Rare: pheochromocytoma, hemangioma, rhabdomyosarcoma, osteochondroma
What heart abnormality is associated with pectus abnormality?
Mitral valve prolapse (many patients receive preoperative echocardiogram)
What is pectus excavatum?
Chest wall deformity with sternum caving inward
What is the cause of pectus excavatum?
Abnormal, unequal overgrowth of rib cartilage
What are the signs and symptoms of pectus excavatum?
Often asymptomatic.
Mental distress, dyspnea on exertion, chest pain.
What is the treatment for pectus excavatum?
Open perichondrium, remove abnormal cartilage, place substernal strut.
New cartilage grows back in the perichondrium in normal position.
Remove strut in 6 months.
What is the NUSS procedure?
Placement of metal strut to elevate sternum without removing cartilage
What is pectus carinatum?
Chest wall deformity with sternum outward.
Much less common that pectus excavatum.
What is the cause of pectus carinatum?
Abnormal, unequal overgrowth of cartilage
What is the treatment for pectus carinatum?
Open perichondrium and remove abnormal cartilage, place substernal strut.
New cartilage grows into normal position.
Remove strut in 6 months.
What is esophageal atresia?
Blind-ending esophagus from atresia
What are the signs of esophageal atresia without TEF?
Excessive oral secretions and inability to keep food down
How is the diagnosis of esophageal atresia without TEF made?
Inability to pass NG tube.
Plain XR shows tube coiled in upper esophagus and no gas in abdomen.
What is the primary treatment of esophageal atresia without TEF?
Suction blind pouch, IVFs, (gastrostomy to drain stomach if prolonged preoperative esophageal stretching is planned)
What is the definitive treatment of esophageal atresia without TEF?
Surgical with primary anastomosis, often with preoperative stretching of the blind pouch.
Other options include: colonic or jejunal interposition graft or gastric tube formation if esophageal gap is long.
What is esophageal atresia with TEF?
Esophageal atresia occurring with a fistula to the trachea
What is the incidence of esophageal atresia with TEF?
1:1500-3000
What is a type A esophageal atresia/fistula?
Esophageal atresia without TEF (8%)
What is a type B esophageal atresia/fistula?
Proximal esophageal atresia with proximal TEF (1%)
What is a type C esophageal atresia/fistula?
Proximal esophageal atresia with distal TEF (85%)
What is a type D esophageal atresia/fistula?
Proximal esophageal atresia with both proximal and distal TEF (2%)
What is a type E esophageal atresia/fistula?
TEF without esophageal atresia (4%)
What are the symptoms of esophageal atresia/TEF?
Excessive secretions cause by an accumulation of saliva (may not occur with type E)
What are the signs of esophageal atresia/TEF?
Obvious respiratory compromise, aspiration pneumonia, postprandial regurgitation, gastric distention as air enters the stomach directly from the trachea
How is the diagnosis of esophageal atresia/TEF made?
Failure to pass NG tube (although this will not be seen with type E); Plain film demonstrates tube coiled in the upper esophagus; Pouchogram (contrast in esophageal pouch); gas on AXR with TEF
What is the initial treatment of esophageal atresia/TEF?
- Suction blind pouch (NPO/TPN)
- Upright position of child
- Prophylactic antibiotics (amp/gent)
What is the definitive treatment for esophageal atresia/TEF?
Surgical correction via a thoracotomy, usually through the right chest with division of fistula and end-to-end esophageal anastomosis, if possible
What can be done to lengthen the proximal esophageal pouch in esophageal atresia?
Delayed repair; with or without G tube and daily stretching of proximal pouch
Which type of esophageal atresia/TEF should be fixed via a right neck incision?
Type E is high in the thorax
What is the workup of a patient with TEF?
To evaluate the TEF and associated anomalies:
CXR, AXR, U/S of kidneys, cardiac echo
What are associated anomalies with TEF?
VACTERL cluster:
Vertebral and Vascular, Anorectal, Cardiac, TE fistula, Esophageal atresia, Radial limb and Renal, Lumbar and Limb
What is the significance of a gasless abdomen on AXR when evaluating for esophageal atresia/TEF?
No air to the stomach and, thus, no TEF
What is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia?
Failure of complete formation of the diaphragm, leading to a defect through which abdominal organs are herniated
What is the incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia?
1:2100 live births
What are the types of congenital diaphragmatic hernia?
Bochdale: posterolateral with L > R
Morgagni: anterior parasternal
What are the signs of congenital diaphragmatic hernia?
Respiratory distress, dyspnea, tachypnea, retractions, cyanosis, bowel sounds in the chest, maximal hearts sounds on right (rare), ipsilateral chest dullness to percussion
What are the effects on the lungs with congenital diaphragmatic hernia?
- Pulmonary hypoplasia
2. Pulmonary hypertension
What inhaled agent is often used with congenital diaphragmatic hernia?
Inhaled nitric oxide (pulmonary vasodilator), which decreases the shunt and decreases pulmonary hypertension
What is the treatment for congenital diaphragmatic hernia?
NG tube, ET tube, stabilization.
If stable: surgical repair.
If unstable: nitric oxide +/- ECMO then to OR when feasible.
What is pulmonary sequestration?
Abnormal benign lung tissue with separate blood supply that does not communicate with the normal tracheobronchial airway
What is interlobar pulmonary sequestration?
Sequestration in the normal lung tissue covered by normal visceral pleura
What is extralobar pulmonary sequestration?
Sequestration not in the normal lung covered by its own pleura
What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary sequestration?
Asymptomatic, recurrent pneumonia
How is the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration made?
CXR, chest CT, A-gram, U/S with Doppler flow to ascertain blood supply
What is the treatment for interlobar pulmonary sequestration?
Lobectomy
What is the treatment for extralobar pulmonary sequestration?
Surgical resection
What is the major risk during operation for pulmonary sequestration?
Anomalous blood supply from below the diaphragm (can be cut and retracted into the abdomen and result in exsanguination).
Always document blood supply by A-gram or U/S with Doppler flow.
What is the differential diagnosis of pediatric upper GI bleeding?
Gastritis, esophagitis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, esophageal varices, foreign body, epistaxis, coagulopathy, vascular malformation, duplication cyst
What is the differential diagnosis of pediatric lower GI bleeding?
Upper GI bleeding, anal fissures, NEC (premature infants), midgut volvulus (< 1 year), strangulated hernia, intussusception, Meckel’s diverticulum, infectious diarrhea, polyps, IBD, HUS, HSP, vascular malformation, coagulopathy
What is the differential diagnosis of neonatal bowel obstruction?
Malrotation with volvulus, intestinal atresia, duodenal web, annular pancreas, imperforate anus, Hirschsprung’s disease, NEC, intussusception (rare), Meckel’s diverticulum, incarcerated hernia, meconium ileus, meconium plug, maternal narcotic abuse (ileus), maternal hypermagnesemia (ileus), sepsis (ileus)
What is the differential diagnosis of infant constipation?
Hirschsprung’s disease, CF, anteriorly displaced anus, polyps
What is the most commonly performed procedure by US pediatric surgeons?
Indirect inguinal hernia
What is the most common inguinal hernia in children?
Indirect
What is an indirect inguinal hernia?
Hernia lateral to Hesselbach’s triangle into the internal inguinal ring and down the inguinal canal
What is Hesselbach’s triangle?
Triangle formed by:
- Epigastric vessels
- Inguinal ligament
- Lateral border of the rectus sheath
What type of hernia goes through Hesselbach’s triangle?
Direct hernia from a weak abdominal floor (rare in children)
What is the incidence of indirect inguinal hernias in all children?
3%
What is the incidence of indirect inguinal hernias in premature infants?
30%
What is the male:female ratio for indirect inguinal hernias?
6:1
What are the risk factors for an indirect inguinal hernia in children?
Male, ascites, VP shunt, prematurity, family history, meconium ileus, abdominal wall defect, hypospadias, epispadias, connective tissue disease, bladder exstrophy, undescended testicle, CF
What side is affected more commonly by indirect inguinal hernias?
Right (60%)
What percentage of indirect inguinal hernias are bilateral?
15%
What percentage of patients with indirect inguinal hernia have a positive family history?
10%
What are the signs and symptoms of inguinal hernia?
Groin bulge, scrotal mass, thickened cord, silk glove sign
What is the silk glove sign?
Hernia sac rolls under the finger like the finger in a silk glove
Why should an inguinal hernia be repaired?
Risk of incarcerated or strangulated bowel or ovary.
Will not go away on its own.
How is a pediatric inguinal hernia repaired?
High ligation of hernia sac.
No repair of the abdominal wall floor, which is a big difference between the procedure in children vs. adults.
(High refers to high position on the sac neck next to the peritoneal cavity.)
Which infants need overnight apnea monitoring?
Premature infants; infants younger than 3 months of age
What is the recurrence after high ligation of an indirect pediatric hernia?
1%
What are the steps in the repair of an indirect inguinal hernia from skin to skin?
- Cut skin, then fat, then Scarpa’s fascia, then external oblique fascia through the external inguinal ring.
- Find hernia sac anteromedially and bluntly separate from the other cord structures.
- Ligate sac high at the neck at the internal inguinal ring.
- Resect sac and allow sac stump to retract into the peritoneal cavity.
- Close external oblique, then Scarpa’s fascia, then skin.
What is cryptorchidism?
Failure of the testicle to descend into the scrotum
What is a hydrocele?
Fluid-filled sac
What is a communicating hydrocele?
Hydrocele that communicates with the peritoneal cavity and thus fills and drains peritoneal fluid or gets bigger, then smaller
What is a noncommunicating hydrocele?
Hydrocele that does not communicate with the peritoneal cavity.
Stays about the same size.
Can a hernia be rule out if an inguinal mass transilluminates?
No (baby bowel is very thin and will often transilluminate)
From what abdominal muscle layer is the cremaster muscle derived?
Internal oblique muscle
From what abdominal muscle layer is the inguinal ligament derived?
External oblique muscle
What nerve travels with the spermatic cord?
Ilioinguinal nerve
What 5 structures are in the spermatic cord?
- Cremasteric muscle fibers
- Vas deferens
- Testicular artery
- Testicular pampiniform venous plexus
- With or without hernia sac
What is the hernia sac made of?
Basically peritoneum or a patent processus vaginalis
What is the name of the fossa between the testicle and epididymis?
Fossa of Geraldi
What attaches the testicle to the scrotum?
Gubernaculum
How can the opposite side be assessed for a hernia intra-operatively?
Many surgeons operatively explore the opposite side when they repair the affected side.
Laparoscope is placed into the abdomen via the hernia sac and the opposite side internal inguinal ring is examined.
What is the remnant of the processus vaginalis around the testicles?
Tunica vaginalis
What is a LIttre’s inguinal hernia?
Hernia with a Meckel’s diverticulum in the hernia sac
What may a yellow/orange tissue that is not fat be on the spermatic cord/testicle?
Adrenal rest
What is the most common organ in an inguinal hernia sac in boys?
Small intestine
What is the most common organ in an inguinal hernia sac in girls?
Ovary/fallopian tube
What lies in the inguinal canal in girls instead of the vas deferens?
Round ligament
Where in the inguinal canal does the hernia sac lie in relation to the other structures?
Anteromedially
What is a cord lipoma?
Preperitoneal fat on the cord structures (pushed in by the hernia sac).
Not a real lipoma.
Should be removed surgically, if feasible.
Within the spermatic cord, do the vessels or the vas lie medially?
Vas is medial to the testicular vessels
What is a small out-pouching of testicular tissue off of the testicle?
Testicular appendage.
Should be removed with electrocautery.
What is the blue dot sign?
Blue dot on the scrotal skin from a twisted testicular appendage
How is a transected vas treated?
Repair with primary anastomosis
How do you treat a transected ilioinguinal nerve?
Should not be repaired, many surgeons ligate it to inhibit neuroma formation
What happens if you cut the ilioinguinal nerve?
Loss of sensation to the medial aspect of the inner thigh and scrotum/labia.
Loss of cremasteric reflex.
What is an umbilical hernia?
Fascial defect at the umbilical ring
What are the risk factors for umbilical hernia?
- African-American infant
2. Premature infant
What are the indications for surgical repair of an umbilical hernia?
- > 1.5 cm defect
- Bowel incarceration
- > 4 years
What is GERD?
GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease
What are the causes of GERD in children?
LES malfunction or malposition, hiatal hernia, gastric outlet obstruction, partial bowel obstruction, common in cerebral palsy
What are the signs and symptoms of GERD in children?
Spitting up, emesis, URTI, pneumonia, laryngospasm from aspiration of gastric contents into the tracheobronchial tree, FTT
How is the diagnosis of GERD made?
24-hour pH probe, bronchoscopy, UGI (manometry, EGD, U/S)
What cytologic aspirate finding on bronchoscopy can diagnose aspiration of gastric contents?
Lipid-laden macrophages (from phagocytosis of fat)
What is the medical treatment of GERD?
H2 blockers; small meals; elevation of head
What are the indications for surgery for GERD in children?
SAFE:
Stricture, Aspiration (pneumonia, asthma), FTT, Esophagitis
What is the surgical treatment for GERD?
Nissen 360 degree fundoplication, +/- G tube
What is congenital pyloric stenosis?
Hypertrophy of smooth muscle of pylorus resulting in obstruction of outflow
What are the associated risk factors for congenital pyloric stenosis?
Family history, firstborn males are affected most commonly, decreased incidence in African American population
What is the incidence of congenital pyloric stenosis?
1:750 births
M:F = 4:1
What is the average age at onset of congenital pyloric stenosis?
Usually from 2 weeks after birth to about 2 months
What are the symptoms of congenital pyloric stenosis?
Increasing frequency of regurgitation, leading to eventual non-bilious projectile vomiting