Impact of Focused Abdominal Ultrasound Utilization on Outcomes for Children With Midgut Volvulus

Ultrasound (US) is gaining acceptance for the evaluation of midgut volvulus in children. However, its impact on clinical outcomes is unknown. We aim to determine whether using US as a first-line modality changes imaging mobilization, time to surgery and re-feeding, length of stay, and frequency of bowel necrosis, short bowel syndrome, and death.

An IRB-approved retrospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary pediatric institution. Eighty children with surgically confirmed midgut volvulus from 2014 to 2021 were compared before and after implementation of US as first-line imaging and based on the modality used to diagnose midgut volvulus.

Outcomes were not statistically different pre- versus post-implementation. Compared with patients who had UGI only, those who had US only or both had significantly quicker imaging mobilization (median: -33 min; 95% CI: -61.2, -4.8; p = 0.023 and median: -31 min; 95% CI: -58.5, -3.6; p = 0.028 respectively). Patients with US only were less likely to have bowel necrosis compared with those who had UGI only (9.1% versus 43.8%, p = 0.042). Patients who had US only or both were less likely to develop short bowel syndrome compared to UGI only (4.8% US only, 0% both, 40% UGI only; p = 0.027 for US only, p = 0.005 for both).

No statistically significant change in outcomes was found after implementation of US as first-line imaging for midgut volvulus. However, patients diagnosed with US only or US in combination with UGI had quicker imaging mobilization and decreased frequency of bowel necrosis and short bowel syndrome. Findings suggest that US has potential to improve patient outcomes.

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