Collection
Lectures, Courses and Honors
Educational content from recorded physician discussions — not medical advice. Always talk to your child's care team about your child's situation.
Content of this collection
Rothenberg pioneered thoracoscopic lung biopsies in children with interstitial lung disease, changing care by making tissue diagnosis accessible when previously the morbidity of open biopsy prevented diagnosis. — Steven Rothenberg, Ladd Medal Award Presentation Honoring Dr. Steven Rothenberg's Pioneering Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery · 20:50
Ladd Medal Award Presentation Honoring Dr. Steven Rothenberg's Pioneering Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery
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Surgical content by Dr. Steve Rothenberg — Lectures & Presentations
video33:12 · May 2026
Storz Lecture IPEG
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Surgical content by Dr. Steve Rothenberg — Lectures & Presentations
article · May 2026
Sybil Storz Lecture
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Surgical content by Dr. Steve Rothenberg — Lectures & Presentations
article · May 2026
JRS surgeon presentation
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Surgical content by Dr. Steve Rothenberg — Lectures & Presentations
article · May 2026
Rothenberg Vail
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Surgical content by Dr. Steve Rothenberg — Lectures & Presentations
article · May 2026
SAGES Oncology talk
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Surgical content by Dr. Steve Rothenberg — Lectures & Presentations
article · May 2026
WOFAPS 2016 Neo MIS
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Surgical content by Dr. Steve Rothenberg — Lectures & Presentations
article · May 2026
World Vet Meeting 2021
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Surgical content by Dr. Steve Rothenberg — Lectures & Presentations
article · May 2026
Bar passage direction (left-to-right versus right-to-left) is surgeon preference and probably does not make much difference as long as the substernal space is well dissected and everything is clear. Update Course Rewind: Pectus Excavatum 2021 · 10:12
IPEG 2019 Highlights: From Virtual Reality and Magnets to Robots at the Bedside
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IPEG 2019 Annual Meeting Highlights
Ponsky fellows Rae Hanke, Alex Casar and Alex Gibbons join forces to bring you highlights from IPEG 2019. Interviews with Drs Jordan Taylor, Daniel von Allmen, Bethany Slater, Philipp Szavay, Aayed Alq
video · Jan 2021
Update Course Rewind: 2021 Top Ten Key Takeaways
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The 9th annual Pediatric Surgery Update Course was held as a webinar on August 27, 2021. We had a lot of lively discussion and engaging presentations on the latest updates in pediatric surgery. In this video we are reviewing the top ten key
video16:02 · Oct 2021
Update Course Rewind: Pectus Excavatum 2021
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Did you miss our 9th Annual Update Course last year?
Don't worry, we are summarizing our favorite sessions in this podcast!
In this Episode Drs. Steven Lee, Shawn St. Peter, Victor García, Steven Rothenberg, Whit Holcomb, & Justin W
video11:56 · Sep 2022
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Contemporary pediatric surgery education emphasizes evidence-based technique selection and early adoption of minimally invasive approaches. Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) demonstrates superior outcomes compared to muscle-sparing thoracotomy, with reduced chest wall asymmetry, preserved lung volumes, and improved chest wall movement . Despite these advantages, adoption remains limited: less than 11% of 500 TEF repairs and less than 50% of CPAM resections are performed thoracoscopically . The morbidity of thoracotomy is significant and should drive broader adoption . Pain management innovations include cryoanalgesia (ribs 4–7, avoiding rib 8 to prevent abdominal wall paralysis), which reduced median length of stay from 4 days to 1 day and dramatically decreased opioid requirements [e5807-c4, e5807-c5, e5807-c3]. Erector spinal catheters offer an alternative with 2-day hospital stays and reduced opioid use both inpatient and outpatient [e5807-c11, e5807-c12]. Multimodal analgesia protocols incorporating preoperative counseling, gabapentin, methadone, and clonidine achieve discharge under 2 days with opioid cessation by 1 week [e5807-c14, e5807-c15]. Representation in medicine matters: black newborns treated by black physicians experience 58% lower mortality compared to those treated by white physicians .
- Thoracoscopic TEF repair reduces chest wall asymmetry and preserves lung volumes versus muscle-sparing thoracotomy, yet adoption remains below 11% nationally.
- Cryoanalgesia (ribs 4–7 only) reduced pectus repair length of stay from 4 days to 1 day and dramatically decreased opioid requirements; long-term data are lacking.
- Erector spinal catheters achieve 2-day hospital stays with reduced inpatient and outpatient opioid use, shorter than the 4–5 days seen with epidurals.
- Multimodal analgesia (preoperative counseling, gabapentin, methadone, clonidine) achieves discharge under 2 days with opioid cessation by 1 week.
- Black newborns treated by black physicians experience 58% lower mortality versus those treated by white physicians; representation changes outcomes.
For patients & families
Doctors have been studying better ways to help children recover from chest surgeries, especially for a condition called pectus excavatum (where the chest wall curves inward). One promising technique is called cryoanalgesia, which uses cold temperatures to temporarily block pain signals . Early results show that children who received this treatment went home much faster—in just one day instead of four—and needed far less pain medication . Another approach uses special catheters placed near the spine that deliver numbing medicine; children with these catheters typically go home in two days and can remove them at home on day three . Doctors emphasize that the best pain control combines several strategies: talking with families before surgery, using specific medications like gabapentin, and carefully managing side effects . However, it's important to know that these newer techniques haven't been studied over many years yet, so doctors are still learning about their long-term effects . The medical community is also working to understand why devices and surgical techniques don't require the same extensive testing that medications do before being used in patients .
Doctors have been studying better ways to help children recover from chest surgeries, especially for a condition called pectus excavatum (where the chest wall curves inward). One promising technique is called cryoanalgesia, which uses cold temperatures to temporarily block pain signals . Early results show that children who received this treatment went home much faster—in just one day instead of four—and needed far less pain medication . Another approach uses special catheters placed near the spine that deliver numbing medicine; children with these catheters typically go home in two days and can remove them at home on day three . Doctors emphasize that the best pain control combines several strategies: talking with families before surgery, using specific medications like gabapentin, and carefully managing side effects . However, it's important to know that these newer techniques haven't been studied over many years yet, so doctors are still learning about their long-term effects . The medical community is also working to understand why devices and surgical techniques don't require the same extensive testing that medications do before being used in patients .
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Update Course Rewind: 2021 Top Ten Key Takeaways
In the Petcova et al. study published in Annals of Surgery 2020, children with uncomplicated appendicitis were randomized to medical management with antibiotics or surgery, with 5-year follow-up.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position0:43 ↗
In the Petcova et al. appendicitis study, the surgery group had no complications, while 46% of patients in the non-surgical management group required appendectomy during follow-up.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position1:11 ↗
Medical management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis may be safe but is associated with a high failure rate, with many children ultimately requiring laparoscopic appendectomy.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position1:22 ↗
Metastectomy for osteosarcoma lung metastases improves survival and can make patients long-term survivors.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position2:15 ↗
Approximately 10% of 1 millimeter lung nodules in osteosarcoma patients contain malignant disease.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position2:24 ↗
The Children's Oncology Group is starting a study to determine whether thoracotomy or thoracoscopy is superior for resection of pulmonary metastases in osteosarcoma, with enrollment expected late 2021 or early 2022.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position2:40 ↗
The Flourish device is a catheter-based device that places magnets in proximal and distal esophageal pouches to create a compression anastomosis by causing ischemia of tissue between the magnets, which then sloughs off.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position3:16 ↗
Inclusion criteria for the Flourish device are: atretic gap less than 4 centimeters long, fistula repaired or absent, and G-tube able to accommodate an 18 French catheter.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position3:39 ↗
The Flourish device is associated with a high stricture rate and known serious life-threatening complications, and should only be used by centers with capabilities to treat the many issues associated with esophageal atresia.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position3:57 ↗
Indocyanine green (ICG) has become a topic of interest in the last few years for use in pediatric surgery, especially in minimally invasive procedures to improve visualization of structures.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position4:43 ↗
For laparoscopic cholecystectomy, ICG must be administered intravenously 12 to 18 hours prior to surgery to allow time for accumulation in the extrahepatic ducts, or can be injected directly into the gallbladder during surgery.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position5:32 ↗
ICG applications in pediatric surgery include laparoscopic cholecystectomies, varicocele repairs, partial nephrectomies, and tumor excisions.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position5:48 ↗
For anorectal malformations with rectal-perineal or rectal-vestibular fistula, outcomes including complications are similar whether the procedure is done before or after 14 days of life.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position6:37 ↗
A PCPLC consortium study comparing endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung disease at less than 31 days versus greater than 31 days found that preoperative enterocolitis, postoperative enterocolitis, constipation, and incontinence were the same between both groups.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position6:54 ↗
Delayed pull-through with irrigations is a safe alternative to an operation in the neonatal period for Hirschsprung disease.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position7:14 ↗
Cryoanalgesia is probably effective at improving post-operative pain and decreasing length of stay for pectus patients, with length of stay reduced from 4 days to 1 day.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position8:11 ↗
There are no long-term studies on the effects of cryoanalgesia for pectus repair.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position8:34 ↗
The double rim sign or halo sign on X-ray indicates a child has swallowed a button battery rather than a coin.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position9:48 ↗
The main goal of button battery ingestion treatment is to remove the battery within 2 hours of ingestion.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position10:13 ↗
Sucralfate or honey can help reduce damage from button batteries on the child's esophagus as temporizing measures.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position10:20 ↗
Children less than 1 year old should not receive honey due to risk of botulism and should instead receive 10 mL of sucralfate every 10 minutes for up to 3 doses for button battery ingestion.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position10:35 ↗
Children over age 1 with button battery ingestion should receive honey 10 mL every 10 minutes for up to 6 doses.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position10:51 ↗
New ATLS recommendations for pediatric trauma patients in hemorrhagic shock call for earlier transfusion: after 1 bolus of 20 cc per kilogram of crystalloid fluid, blood should be given.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position11:28 ↗
Balanced transfusion protocol for pediatric hemorrhagic shock typically includes 10 to 20 mLs per kilogram of packed red blood cells, plus inclusion of FFP and platelets.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position11:38 ↗
Earlier transfusion in pediatric trauma was associated with shorter median time to transfusion and a decrease in total fluid volume administered.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position11:46 ↗
Whole blood in trauma patients requires less volume compared to component therapy.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position11:59 ↗
Research shows that observation of spontaneous pneumothorax in adults is non-inferior to immediate intervention with tube thoracostomy.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position12:42 ↗
The Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium study on spontaneous pneumothorax management with simple aspiration showed 48% success rate, but 44% of patients in the simple aspiration group recurred.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position12:53 ↗
83% of patients who failed simple aspiration for spontaneous pneumothorax ultimately ended up with VATS or blebectomy.
Host summaryThe host summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position13:16 ↗
Greenwood et al. showed that mortality amongst black newborns is 3 times that of white newborns.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position14:10 ↗
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