Journal of pediatric surgery
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Diagnostic Delay, Bronchoscopic Airway Phenotype, and Early Surgical Outcomes in Children With Vascular Rings and Pulmonary Artery Sling: A 10-Year Palestinian Referral-Center cohort

Sep 21, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the presentation, diagnostic delays, airway phenotypes, and surgical outcomes in children with vascular rings and pulmonary artery sling at a Palestinian referral center. They found that while most children presented early, a significant portion was misdiagnosed, leading to longer diagnostic delays. Despite surgical intervention improving symptoms for many, persistent symptoms remained common, particularly in those with a greater initial symptom burden.

Machine Learning Predicts First Elective Bowel Resection in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Crohn Disease Patients

Sep 21, 2026

The authors aim to develop a machine learning model to predict the timing of the first elective bowel resection in pediatric patients newly diagnosed with Crohn disease, as existing risk scores do not provide accurate individual predictions. They created Individual Survival Distributions (ISDs) using clinical and laboratory data from a national cohort, achieving a mean prediction error of approximately 755 days for baseline data and 840 days with additional longitudinal data. This innovative approach offers a potential tool for better treatment planning in pediatric Crohn disease patients.

Thoracoscopic Patch Repair of Large Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Defects is Safe and Associated with Low Recurrence Rate

Sep 21, 2026

This study investigates the safety and outcomes of thoracoscopic patch repair for large congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) defects, specifically examining the impact of defect size and suturing technique on operative time and recurrence rates. The authors found that while operative times varied with defect size, the overall recurrence rate was low (7.7%) and comparable to primary thoracoscopic repair, suggesting that thoracoscopic patch repair is a feasible option for large CDH defects. Further multicenter research is recommended to confirm these results.

Recurrent Small Bowel Obstruction Following Contrast Challenge Versus Surgical Intervention at Index Presentation:1-Year Follow-Up of the Adhesive Bowel Obstruction in Children (ABC) Study

Sep 21, 2026

This study investigates the long-term outcomes of contrast challenge (CC) in pediatric patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) by assessing the recurrence of ASBO and the need for surgical intervention within one year of initial admission. The findings reveal that the 1-year recurrence rate was 13%, and neither the use of CC nor surgical intervention at the index admission significantly influenced recurrence rates or the failure of non-operative management. The authors conclude that CC remains a valuable diagnostic tool for determining the need for surgery in recurrent ASBO cases.

The association between mental health and quality of life in adolescents with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung disease

Sep 21, 2026

This study investigates the relationship between mental health and quality of life (QoL) in adolescents with anorectal malformations (ARM) or Hirschsprung disease (HD), specifically examining how psychiatric diagnoses affect patient-reported QoL scores. The findings reveal that adolescents with a psychiatric diagnosis report significantly lower QoL scores across both generic and gastrointestinal symptom measures, highlighting the importance of integrating mental health assessments into the long-term care of these patients. The authors suggest that using both PedsQL-GCS and PedsQL-GSM can help identify those needing further mental health support.

National medical expenditures associated with pediatric surgical care in the United States

Sep 19, 2026

The authors aimed to estimate the national medical expenditures associated with pediatric surgical care in the United States, addressing the gap in comprehensive data on this topic. Their analysis revealed that children who underwent surgery incurred significantly higher medical costs, averaging over $11,000 per child, leading to an estimated total of $35.4 billion in annual pediatric surgical expenditures nationwide. These findings highlight the substantial economic burden of pediatric surgery, which can inform healthcare policy and resource allocation.

Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography for Assessing Intestinal Perfusion in Infants with Necrotizing Enterocolitis-Associated Colonic Strictures: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Sep 18, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the clinical utility and safety of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG-FA) during surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)-associated colonic strictures in infants, specifically regarding its impact on intraoperative decision-making and anastomotic leakage (AL). The study found that ICG-FA was safe and facilitated modifications to surgical plans, although it did not significantly reduce AL rates compared to the non-ICG group. The authors suggest that further research is needed to confirm the benefits of ICG-FA on anastomotic outcomes in larger, prospective studies.

Parental Experience of Anal Dilations: Comparing Hospital Teaching with Home Implementation Using the Adapted AHPEQS-Parent Survey

Sep 18, 2026

The authors aimed to assess how parental experiences of performing anal dilations for children with anorectal malformations change from hospital teaching to home implementation. Their survey results indicated a significant deterioration in experiences related to pain control, safety, support, and communication once parents transitioned to home care, highlighting the need for improved guidance and follow-up for families during this process.

Multicenter Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Ladd's Procedure for Intestinal Malrotation

Sep 18, 2026

This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open Ladd's procedure for treating intestinal malrotation in children. The findings indicated no increased risk of volvulus with laparoscopic surgery and suggested a trend towards a lower risk of small bowel obstruction compared to the open approach. These results support the safety and potential long-term benefits of laparoscopic techniques, advocating for their consideration as the initial treatment option when feasible.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Guidelines Compliance and Outcomes in Canada

Sep 18, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the compliance with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) management guidelines in Canada and assess its impact on clinical outcomes. They found that adherence to guidelines-driven Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) was associated with improved survival rates among CDH patients, highlighting the importance of implementing these guidelines to enhance patient outcomes. Despite overall network mortality remaining similar, compliant sites showed a significant reduction in mortality compared to non-compliant sites.