Paediatric Surgery

Umbilical and inguinal hernias are one of the most common reasons a primary care patient may need referral for surgical intervention. The history and physical examination are usually sufficient to make the diagnosis. The routine use of ultrasound for these two conditions is not necessary and will not help the pediatric surgeon to reach a diagnosis.

Sources:

LeBlanc KE, et al. Inguinal hernias: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Jun 15;87(12):844-8. PMID: 23939566.

Miller J, et al. Role of imaging in the diagnosis of occult hernias. JAMA Surg. 2014 Oct;149(10):1077-80. PMID: 25141884.

Appendectomy is one of the most common surgical conditions in children. The diagnosis of appendicitis should be based on clinical findings coupled, where necessary, with imaging. Evidence shows that the routine measurement of CRP levels in patients with suspected appendicitis is not necessary and will not affect the physician’s diagnosis.

Sources:

Amalesh T, et al. CRP in acute appendicitis–is it a necessary investigation? Int J Surg. 2004;2(2):88-9. PMID: 17462226.

Jangjoo A, et al. Is C-reactive protein helpful for early diagnosis of acute appendicitis? Acta Chir Belg. 2011 Jul-Aug;111(4):219-22. PMID: 21954737.

Shogilev DJ, et al. Diagnosing appendicitis: evidence-based review of the diagnostic approach in 2014. West J Emerg Med. 2014 Nov;15(7):859-71. PMID: 25493136.

Although CT is accurate in the evaluation of suspected appendicitis in the pediatric population, ultrasound is nearly as good in experienced hands. Appendicitis may be diagnosed based on physical examination. If imaging is needed, ultrasound (including serial ultrasounds) are the preferred initial modality in children. If the results of the ultrasound exams are equivocal, it may be followed by CT. This approach reduces potential radiation risks and has excellent accuracy, with reported sensitivity and specificity of 94 percent.

Sources:

Krishnamoorthi R, et al. Effectiveness of a staged US and CT protocol for the diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis: Reducing radiation exposure in the age of ALARA. Radiology. 2011 Apr;259(1):231-9. PMID: 21324843.

Rosen MP, et al. ACR appropriateness criteria® right lower quadrant pain–suspected appendicitis. J Am Coll Radiol. 2011 Nov;8(11):749-55. PMID: 22051456.

Saito JM, et al. Use and accuracy of diagnostic imaging by hospital type in pediatric appendicitis. Pediatrics. 2013 Jan;131(1):e37-44. PMID: 23266930.

Schuh S, et al. Properties of serial ultrasound clinical diagnostic pathway in suspected appendicitis and related computed tomography use. Acad Emerg Med. 2015 Apr;22(4):406-14. PMID: 25808065.

Wan MJ, et al. Acute appendicitis in young children: Cost-effectiveness of US versus CT in diagnosis–a markov decision analytic model. Radiology. 2009 Feb;250(2):378-86. PMID: 19098225.

Undescended testes is the most common congenital genitourinary anomaly in boys. Diagnosis is made on physical examination and if necessary, imaging. The evidence shows that it is not necessary to order a routine ultrasound in children with suspected undescended testes before referring to a pediatric surgeon.

Sources:

Tasian GE, et al. Diagnostic performance of ultrasound in nonpalpable cryptorchidism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2011 Jan;127(1):119-28. PMID: 21149435.

Tasian GE, et al. Imaging use and cryptorchidism: determinants of practice patterns. J Urol. 2011 May;185(5):1882-7. PMID: 21421239.

The ideal timing for surgical correction of undescended testes is 6 months – 1 year of age. Orchiopexy should not be performed before 6 months of age, as testes may descend spontaneously during the first few months of life. The highest quality evidence recommends orchiopexy between 6 and 12 months of age. Surgery during this time frame may optimize spermatogenic functions.

Sources:

Chan E, et al. Ideal timing of orchiopexy: a systematic review. Pediatr Surg Int. 2014 Jan;30(1):87-97. PMID: 24232174.

Kim SO, et al. Testicular catch up growth: the impact of orchiopexy age. Urology. 2011 Oct;78(4):886-9. PMID: 21762966.

Kollin C, et al. Surgical treatment of unilaterally undescended testes: testicular growth after randomization to orchiopexy at age 9 months or 3 years. J Urol. 2007 Oct;178(4 Pt 2):1589-93; discussion 1593. PMID: 17707045.

Biliary atresia clinically manifests by 2 weeks of age with jaundice due to a conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and pale acholic stools. All babies with jaundice persisting beyond 2 weeks should have a blood test for total and conjugated (direct) bilirubin. If the conjugated (direct) bilirubin fraction is >20% of the total bilirubin, prompt referral to assess for biliary atresia is necessary. Timely diagnosis and early surgical intervention before 30 days of age offers the best outcomes for patient survival with their own liver without the need for liver transplantation. For more information please see www.cbar.ca.

Sources:

Guidelines for detection, management and prevention of hyperbilirubinemia in term and late preterm newborn infants (35 or more weeks’ gestation) – Summary. Paediatr Child Health. 2007 May;12(5):401-18. PMID: 19030400.

Schreiber RA, et al. Biliary atresia: the Canadian experience. J Pediatr. 2007 Dec;151(6):659-65, 665.e1. PMID: 18035148.

Wildhaber BE, et al. Biliary atresia: Swiss national study, 1994-2004. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008 Mar;46(3):299-307. PMID: 18376248.