Journal of pediatric surgery
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Current healthcare reform efforts have highlighted the potential impact of insurance status on patient outcomes. The influence of primary payer status (PPS) within the pediatric surgical patient population remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine risk-adjusted associations between PPS and postoperative mortality, morbidity, and resource utilization in pediatric surgical patients within the United States. ⋯ Primary payer status is associated with risk-adjusted postoperative mortality, morbidity, and resource utilization among pediatric surgical patients. Uninsured patients are at increased risk for postoperative mortality while Medicaid patients accrue greater morbidity, hospital lengths of stay, and total charges. These results highlight a complex interaction between socioeconomic and patient-related factors, and primary payer status should be considered in the preoperative risk stratification of pediatric patients.
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To characterize variation in practice patterns and resource utilization associated with the management of intussusception at Children's Hospitals. ⋯ Significant variation in practice patterns and resource utilization exists between Children's Hospitals in the management of intussusception. Prospective analysis of practice variation and appropriately risk-adjusted outcomes through a collaborative quality-improvement platform could accelerate the dissemination of best-practice guidelines for optimizing cost-effective care.
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Heterotaxy syndrome is associated with intestinal abnormalities. We sought to define the gastrointestinal anatomy and determine both the risk of volvulus and benefit of screening upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy (UGI) in these patients. ⋯ While rotational abnormalities are common in heterotaxy, risk of volvulus is low. Following operation, the risk of bowel obstruction and of need for reoperation is higher. We advocate avoiding operation in the asymptomatic patient.
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Review Case Reports
Medullary thyroid carcinoma in ethnic Chinese with MEN2A: a case report and literature review.
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) is the most common cause of death in MEN patients. It is curative by prophylactic total thyroidectomy, but controversies remain as to the optimal timing for prophylactic thyroidectomy. ⋯ We report a case of an ethnic Chinese girl with MEN2A codon 634 (C634R) mutation, whose operative specimen at prophylactic thyroidectomy at 4 years 8 months showed MTC. We advocate that management of MEN2A patients should be codon-directed, regardless of ethnicity.
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Intravenous fish oil (FO) has changed the management of intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD). This report describes two IFALD patients who received FO for 5 and 10 months, respectively and reports on their 3-year follow-up.