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. MethodsWe 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. FindingsWe 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•4...

Background:Thyroid gland malignancies are rare in pediatric patients (0.7% of tumors); only 1.8% are observed in patients aged &lt;20 years, with a higher prevalence recorded in women and adolescents. Risk factors include genetic syndromes, MEN disorders, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiotherapy is also associated with an increased risk of secondary thyroid cancer. This study describes the clinical features and surgical outcomes of primary and secondary thyroid tumors in pediatric patients.MethodsInstitutional data were collected from eight international surgical oncology centers for pediatric patients with thyroid cancer between 2000 and 2020. Statistical analyses were performed using the GraphPad Prism software.ResultsAmong 255 total cases of thyroid cancer, only 13 (5.1%) were secondary tumors. Primary thyroid malignancies were more likely to be multifocal in origin (odds ratio [OR] 1.993, 95% confidence interval [CI].7466–5.132, p = 0.2323), have bilateral glandular location (OR 2.847, 95% CI.6835–12.68, p = 0.2648), and be metastatic at first diagnosis (OR 1.259, 95% CI.3267–5.696, p &gt; 0.999). Secondary tumors showed a higher incidence of disease relapse (OR 1.556, 95% CI.4579-5.57, p = 0.4525) and surgical complications (OR 2.042, 95% CI 0.7917–5.221, p = 0.1614), including hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. The overall survival (OS) was 99% at 1 year and 97% after 10 years. No EFS differences were evident between the primary and secondary tumors (chi-square 0.7307, p = 0.39026).ConclusionsThis multicenter study demonstrated excellent survival in pediatric thyroid malignancies. Secondary tumors exhibited greater disease relapse (15.8 vs. 10.5%) and a higher incidence of surgical complications (36.8 vs. 22.2%).

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Background: Thyroid gland malignancy is rare in pediatrics (0.7% of tumors); only 1.8% are observed in patients < 20 yrs with a higher prevalence recorded in females and adolescents. Risk factors include genetic syndromes - MEN disorders, autoimmune disease and ionizing radiation exposure. Radiotherapy is also linked with increased risk of secondary thyroid cancers. The present study describes the clinical features and surgical outcomes of primary and secondary thyroid tumors. Methods: Institutional data was collected on pediatric patients with thyroid cancer during 2000 - 2020 from 8 International Surgical Oncology centers. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism. Results: Of 255 cases of thyroid cancer, only 13 (5.1%) were secondary tumors. Primary thyroid malignancies were more likely to be multifocal in origin (odds ratio [OR] 1.993, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7466-5.132, p 0.2323), had bilateral glandular location (OR 2.847, 95% CI 0.6835-12.68, p 0.2648) and proved metastatic at 1st diagnosis (OR 1.259, 95% CI 0.3267-5.696 p>0.999). Secondary tumors showed a higher incidence of disease relapse (OR 1.556, 95% CI 0.4579-5.57, p 0.4525) and surgical morbidity (OR 2.042, 95% CI 0.7917-5.221, p 0.1614) including hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Overall survival (OS) was 99% at 1 year and 97% after 10 years. No EFS differences were evident with primary vs. secondary tumors (Chi square 0.7307, p 0.39026). Conclusions: This multicenter study demonstrates excellent survival for pediatric thyroid malignancy. Secondary tumors exhibit greater disease relapse (15.8% vs 10.5%) and a higher incidence of surgical related complications (36.8% vs 22.2%).

Purpose Malignant chest wall tumors are rare in pediatrics. They require multimodal oncological treatment and local surgical control. Resections are extensive; therefore, thoracoplasty should be planned to protect intrathoracic organs, prevent herniation, future deformities, preserve ventilatory dynamics, and enable radiotherapy. Methods We present a case series of children with malignant chest wall tumors and our surgical experience with thoracoplasty using absorbable rib substitutes (BioBridge®), after local surgical control. BioBridge® is a copolymer made of a polylactide acid blend (70% L-lactic acid y 30% DL-lactide). Results In 2 years, we had three patients with malignant chest wall tumors. Resection margins were negative, without recurrence at follow-up. We achieved good cosmetic and functional results, and no postoperative complications. Conclusion Alternative reconstruction techniques such as absorbable rib substitutes provide protection, guarantee a flexible chest wall, and do not interfere with adjuvant radiotherapy. Currently, there are no management protocols in thoracoplasty. This option represents an excellent alternative for patients with chest wall tumors. Knowledge of different approaches and reconstructive principles is essential to offer children the best onco-surgical option.