Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Preservación ósea femoral con tallos cortos de fijación cervicometafisaria

Background: uncemented hydroxyapatite-coated stems with methaphyseal fixation have demonstrated excellent long-term results. Second generation of short stems has been developed in the 90’s with the purpose to preserve femoral bone at the femoral neck and diaphysis. However, the amount of bone that would be theoretically saved has not been well-established. To radiographically determine femoral bone preservation in a series of patients operated on with a short, neck preserving stem, we compared these results with the length of a templated conventional length, uncemented hydroxyapatite-coated stem.Methods: the first 50 short hydroxyapatite-coated uncemented stems (MiniHipTM, Corin, Cirencester, UK) were radiographically analyzed by two independent observers measuring the level of neck cut and the stem length. Then, these results were compared with the level of neck cut and stem length when a conventional, metaphysodiaphyseal stem (MetaFixTM, Corin, Cirencester, UK) was implanted using templates.Results: according to the radiographic results, short stems measured an average length of 79 mm (range 68-102). Conventional stems would have required 78 mm (range 47-94) more bone for fixation than short stems. This difference was observed in the neck cut (average 10 mm more distal with a conventional stems), as well as in the diaphysis (average 66 mm more distal with a conventional stems) (p <0.001). Conclusion: femoral bone preservation may be related to long-term benefits especially in young patients.   Introducción: los tallos no cementados recubiertos con hidroxiapatita de fijación metafisaria han logrado excelentes resultados a largo plazo. La segunda generación de tallos cortos de fijación cervicometafisaria ha surgido a principios de la década de 1990, con el objetivo de preservar capital óseo femoral. Sin embargo, la preservación ósea femoral teóricamente propuesta no ha sido comprobada. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar radiográficamente la preservación del capital óseo femoral cuando se utilizó un tallo corto de fijación cervicometafisaria, comparando las radiografías posoperatorias con la programación del tallo que se debería haber utilizado en caso de ser un diseño convencional con fijación metafisaria.Materiales y Métodos: los primeros 50 tallos cortos de fijación cervicometafisaria (MiniHipTM, Corin, Cirencester, Reino Unido) fueron analizados por dos observadores independientes, con radiografías de frente, en cuanto a nivel de resección cervical y longitud del tallo, comparándolos con las filminas de un tallo convencional de fijación metafisodiafisaria (MetaFixTM, Corin, Cirencester, Reino Unido).Resultados: según el análisis radiográfico, los tallos cortos de fijación cervicometafisaria ocuparon una longitud femoral promedio de 79 mm (rango 68-102). Los tallos convencionales de fijación metafisaria hubiesen ocupado, en promedio, 73 mm más que los tallos cortos (rango 47-94). Esta distribución se observó en el corte de cuello (promedio 10 mm más distal) y en la longitud del implante (promedio 66 mm mayor longitud) (p <0,001). Esta diferencia permite preservar un 42% el capital óseo femoral. Conclusión: la preservación ósea relacionada con el uso de tallos cortos de fijación cervicometafisaria podría traer beneficios a largo plazo en pacientes jóvenes con alta demanda funcional. 

Condromatosis sinovial de Cadera: Tratamiento Artroscópico

Background: Synovial chondromatosis is defined as a benign metaplastic lesion, with a low incidence in hips. The ideal treatment technique is controversial due to the probable recurrence and degenerative progression described with both arthroscopic and open surgery. The aim of this study is to report the surgical technique and short-term results in a series of patients with synovial chondromatosis treated with arthroscopic hip.Methods:­ From April 2007 to May 2011, 10 patients (9 women and a man; average age 38 years; range 17-53) underwent hip arthroscopy for synovial chondromatosis. Surgical technique, clinical and radiological results, and satisfaction with the procedure were evaluated. The preoperative modified Harris hip functional scale was 51 points (range 49-54). Delayed histology confirmed diagnosis in all cases. Prospective follow-up averaged 35 months (range 24-47).Results:­ The conventional arthroscopic technique to extract loose bodies and partial anterolateral synovectomy were performed in all patients. In three patients incision of one of the portals was extended to extract bodies of large diameter. The postoperative modified Harris hip functional scale averaged 88 points (range 85-91). No radiographic joint degenerative progress was seen at the last control. All patients were satisfied with the procedure. There were no complications.Conclusions:­ Favorable short-term results are consistent with those reported in the literature. Patients with synovial chondromatosis can be treated with hip arthroscopy safely and effectively.  In­tro­duc­ción: La condromatosis sinovial se define como una lesión metaplásica benigna, de baja incidencia en cadera. La técnica ideal de tratamiento genera controversia por la probable recurrencia y la progresión degenerativa descrita para técnicas tanto a cielo abierto como artroscópicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es reportar la técnica quirúrgica y los resultados a corto plazo en una serie de pacientes con condromatosis sinovial de cadera tratados por vía artroscópica.Materiales­ y­ Métodos: Entre abril de 2007 y mayo de 2011, 10 pacientes (9 mujeres y 1 hombre, edad promedio 38 años; rango 17-53) fueron operados por vía artroscópica a causa de una condromatosis sinovial de cadera. Se evaluaron la técnica quirúrgica, los resultados clínicos y radiológicos, y el grado de satisfacción con el procedimiento. La escala funcional de Harris modificada preoperatoria fue de 51 puntos (rango 49-54). La histología diferida confirmó el diagnóstico en todos los casos. El seguimiento prospectivo fue, en promedio, de 35 meses (rango 24-47).Resultados: En todos los casos, se realizó una técnica artroscópica convencional para extraer cuerpos libres y sinovectomía parcial anterolateral. En tres pacientes, se amplió la incisión de uno de los portales para extraer cuerpos de gran diámetro. La escala funcional de Harris modificada posoperatoria fue, en promedio, de 88 puntos (rango 85-91). No se observó progreso degenerativo articular radiológico en el último control. Todos los pacientes se mostraron satisfechos con el procedimiento. No se registraron complicaciones. Conclusiones: Los resultados a corto plazo favorables coinciden con los publicados. Los pacientes con condromatosis sinovial de cadera pueden ser tratados por vía artroscópica en forma segura y eficaz. 

Hip synovial chondromatosis. Arthroscopic treatment

In­tro­duc­ción: La condromatosis sinovial se define como una lesión metaplásica benigna, de baja incidencia en cadera. La técnica ideal de tratamiento genera controversia por la probable recurrencia y la progresión degenerativa descrita para técnicas tanto a cielo abierto como artroscópicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es reportar la técnica quirúrgica y los resultados a corto plazo en una serie de pacientes con condromatosis sinovial de cadera tratados por vía artroscópica. Materiales­ y­ Métodos: Entre abril de 2007 y mayo de 2011, 10 pacientes (9 mujeres y 1 hombre, edad promedio 38 años; rango 17-53) fueron operados por vía artroscópica a causa de una condromatosis sinovial de cadera. Se evaluaron la técnica quirúrgica, los resultados clínicos y radiológicos, y el grado de satisfacción con el procedimiento. La escala funcional de Harris modificada preoperatoria fue de 51 puntos (rango 49-54). La histología diferida confirmó el diagnóstico en todos los casos. El seguimiento prospectivo fue, en promedio, de 35 meses (rango 24-47). Resultados: En todos los casos, se realizó una técnica artroscópica convencional para extraer cuerpos libres y sinovectomía parcial anterolateral. En tres pacientes, se amplió la incisión de uno de los portales para extraer cuerpos de gran diámetro. La escala funcional de Harris modificada posoperatoria fue, en promedio, de 88 puntos (rango 85-91). No se observó progreso degenerativo articular radiológico en el último control. Todos los pacientes se mostraron satisfechos con el procedimiento. No se registraron complicaciones.  Conclusiones: Los resultados a corto plazo favorables coinciden con los publicados. Los pacientes con condromatosis sinovial de cadera pueden ser tratados por vía artroscópica en forma segura y eficaz

Could different direct restoration techniques affect interfacial gap and fracture resistance of endodontically treated anterior teeth?

To evaluate different direct restoration techniques on various cavity designs in anterior endodontically treated teeth (ETT). Ninety upper central incisors (n = 90) were selected, endodontically treated, and divided into three groups (n = 30) accordingly to the cavity design: minimal endodontic cavity access (group A), endodontic access + mesial class III cavity (group B), and endodontic access + two class III cavities (group C). Three subgroups (n = 10) were then created accordingly to the restoration technique: nano hybrid composite restoration (subgroup a), glass fiber post + dual-cure luting cement (subgroup b), and bundled glass fiber + dual-cure luting cement (subgroup c). Samples underwent micro-CT scan, chewing simulation, and a second micro-CT scan. 3D quantification (mm3) of interfacial gap progression was performed; then, samples underwent fracture resistance test. Data were statistically analyzed setting significance at p &lt; 0.05. Groups A and B showed significantly lower interfacial gap progression compared with group C. Subgroup b performed significantly better compared with subgroups a and c. Improved fracture strength was reported for group C compared with group A, while both subgroups b and c performed better than subgroup a. Cavity design significantly influenced interfacial gap progression and fracture resistance. Fiber posts significantly lowered gap progression and improved fracture resistance while bundled fibers only increased fracture resistance. A significant reduction of non-repairable fractures was recorded when fibers were applied. A minimally invasive approach, conserving marginal crests, should be applied whenever possible. Inserting a fiber post is indicated when restoring anterior ETT, in order to reduce gap progression, improve fracture resistance, and avoid catastrophic failures