SHORT ANSWER
Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health
A Proud Few
CARDIOLOGY
Aligned with the Heart Rhythm Society , the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission , or IAC , deploys a rigorous process for certifying medical labs . So rigorous , in fact that only six pediatric electrophysiology labs are certified nationwide .
“ They analyze every aspect of procedural care and determine whether the outcomes match national standards . They also verify the institutional review process and how we make quality improvements ,” says pediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist Johannes von Alvensleben , MD . “ It ’ s quite a process .”
The IAC recently awarded the Electrophysiology Lab at Children ’ s Hospital Colorado ’ s Anschutz Campus its stamp of approval in the areas of testing and ablation , device implantation and chronic lead extraction , making it the only accredited lab of its kind in the rocky mountain region .
“ To be honest I think these quality improvement measures are things everyone should be doing ,” says Dr . von Alvensleben . “ It ’ s really about transparency . This certification just formalizes the process to say , we ’ re not just saying we ’ re doing these things — it ’ s verified . •
JOHANNES VON ALVENSLEBEN , MD
Director , Electrophysiology Fellow Education
Director , Adult Congenital Arrhythmia Services Children ’ s Hospital Colorado
Assistant professor , Pediatric Cardiology University of Colorado School of Medicine
Pulling it Off
COLORECTAL AND UROGENITAL CARE
For reasons unknown , about one in 5,000 babies is born with a lower intestinal tract missing its ganglions , the nerves that regulate bowel movements . The condition is known as Hirschsprung ’ s disease , and the treatment is surgical : Resect the aganglionic portion of the colon , “ pull ” it downward and attach the healthy portion of the lower intestine to the rectum above the anal canal .
The first surgeries accomplished that task with a laparotomy and deep pelvic dissection . Happily , the procedure has been refined since then . The most effective refinement to date is arguably the work of pediatric colorectal surgeon and world Hirschsprung disease pioneer Luis De La Torre , MD .
Dr . De La Torre ’ s innovation was to perform the entire operation transanally , without intra-abdominal dissection or even laparoscopy . Known as the “ De La Torre Pull-Through ,” the procedure boasts lower complications rates , less analgesia , shorter hospital stays , earlier feedings and lower incidence of constipation than any other method .
Now at Children ’ s Hospital Colorado ’ s International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care , Dr . De La Torre , along with fellow pediatric colorectal surgeons Andrea Bischoff , MD and Alberto Pena , MD , leads a two-day intensive course on the diagnosis , treatment and post-operative care of the disease . All healthcare
professionals , particularly those with an interest in colorectal diseases and malformations , are welcome .
The next course takes place August 12 through 13 , 2021 . Learn more at childrenscolorado . org / Hirschsprung-Course . •
LUIS DE LA TORRE , MD
Assistant Director , International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care Children ’ s Hospital Colorado
Associate professor , surgery University of Colorado School of Medicine
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