Fellowship Research
Research supporting advances in pediatric surgery is foundation to the program at Children’s Mercy. Each Pediatric Surgery Fellow is encouraged to seek a faculty mentor in an area of surgical research and publish at least one paper or chapter per year as a result of this mentoring process.
Works from 2021
The Power of Outpatient Botulinum Injections in Preventing Hirschsprung Associated Enterocolitis, Wendy Jo Svetanoff (Oral Presentation)
Unique Evaluation and Management Considerations for Adolescents with Late Gynecologic and Colorectal Issues in the Setting of Anorectal Malformations, Wendy Jo Svetanoff (Poster Presentation)
Neonatal Renal Failure in the Setting of Anorectal Malformation: A Case Report and Literature Review., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Asma Ahmed, Richard J. Hendrickson, and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Debunking the Myth: What You Really Need to Know about Clothing, Electronic Devices, and Surgical Site Infection., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Charlene Dekonenko, Kayla B. Briggs, Joseph A. Sujka, Obiyo O. Osuchukwu, Robert M. Dorman, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Protocol-driven Antibiotic Treatment of Pediatric Empyema After Fibrinolysis., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Robert M. Dorman, Charlene Dekonenko, Obiyo Osuchukwu, Shubhika Jain, Kartik Depala, Angela Myers, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
30 Years of Flipping the Coin-Heads or Tails?, Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Robert M. Dorman, Charlene Dekonenko, Obiyo O. Osuchukwu, Richard J. Hendrickson, Jason D. Fraser, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
A single institution experience with Laparoscopic Hernia repair in 791 children., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, James Fraser, Kayla B. Briggs, Jessica K. Staszak, Charlene Dekonenko, Rebecca M. Rentea, David Juang, Pablo Aguayo, Jason D. Fraser, Charles L. Snyder, Richard J. Hendrickson, Shawn D. St Peter, and Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH (Article)
The impact of botulinum injection for hospitalized children with Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Joseph Lopez, Pablo Aguayo, Richard J. Hendrickson, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Colostomy Takedown: Ischemic Complication following Anorectal Malformation Surgery., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Justin A. Sobrino MD, Grace S. Mitchell, and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Contemporary outcomes of the Foker process and evolution of treatment algorithms for long-gap esophageal atresia., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Benjamin Zendejas, Kayla Hernandez, Kathryn Davidson, Peter Ngo, Michael Manfredi, Thomas E. Hamilton, Russell Jennings, and C Jason Smithers (Article)
The left-sided repair: An alternative approach for difficult esophageal atresia repair., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Benjamin Zendejas, Peter Ngo, Michael Manfredi, Thomas E. Hamilton, Russell W. Jennings, and C Jason Smithers (Article)
Evolution, lessons learned, and contemporary outcomes of esophageal replacement with jejunum for children., Kyle Thompson, Benjamin Zendejas, Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Brian Labow, Amir Taghinia, Oren Ganor, Michael Manfredi, Peter Ngo, C Jason Smithers, Thomas E. Hamilton, and Russell W. Jennings (Article)
Preoperative resource utilization prior to minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum., Yangyang R. Yu, Richard Sola, Abdur R. Jamal, Tyler C. Friske, Huirong Zhu, Eric Rosenfeld, Mark V. Mazziotti, Shawn D. St Peter, and Sohail R. Shah (Article)
Works from 2020
A Prospective, Randomized Cross-over Trial of 2 Low-profile Gastrostomy Buttons to Determine Family Preference., Ruba A. Abdelhadi, Charlene Dekonenko, Robert M. Dorman, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Patent Urachus, Kayla B. Briggs and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Pediatric firearm injuries: A Midwest experience., Pamela M. Choi, Charlene Dekonenko, Pablo Aguayo, and David Juang (Article)
Postoperative pain control modalities for pectus excavatum repair: A prospective observational study of cryoablation compared to results of a randomized trial of epidural vs patient-controlled analgesia., Charlene Dekonenko, Robert M. Dorman, Yara K. Duran, David Juang, Pablo Aguayo, Jason D. Fraser, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, Charles L. Snyder, G W. Holcomb III, Daniel L. Millspaugh, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Approaches for Closing Gastroschisis., Charlene Dekonenko and Jason D. Fraser (Article)
Ligament of Treitz Release With Duodenal Lowering for Pediatric Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome., Charlene Dekonenko, Joshua A. Hill, Justin A. Sobrino, Charles L. Snyder, Shawn D. St Peter, and Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH (Article)
Laparoscopic Fundoplication for the Surgical Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Children., Charlene Dekonenko and G W. Holcomb III (Article)
Laparoscopic Gastrostomy During an Open Abdominal Procedure, Charlene Dekonenko and Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Optimal Treatment of Pediatric Breast Abscesses: A Retrospective Analysis, Charlene Dekonenko and Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Oral Presentation)
Same Day Discharge for Pediatric Laparoscopic Gastrostomy, Charlene Dekonenko and Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Surgical Management of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in Children, Charlene Dekonenko and Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Surgical tray reduction for cost saving in pediatric surgical cases: A qualitative systematic review., Charlene Dekonenko, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Self-reported Outcomes After Cholecystectomy for Pediatric Hyperkinetic Biliary Dyskinesia., Charlene Dekonenko, Joseph A. Sujka, Robert M. Dorman, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Impact of an institutional designed protocol in the management of dislodged gastrostomy tubes, Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Inpatient Management of Hirschsprung’s Associated Enterocolitis (HAEC) Treatment – The Benefits of Standardized Care, Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Institution Experience with Laparoscopic Hernia Repair in 500 Children, Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Optimization of Pediatric Bowel Management Using an Antegrade Enema Troubleshooting Protocol, Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Post-Operative Intra-abdominal Abscess after Appendectomy – Are Drains Necessary in All Patients?, Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Same-day Discharge and Quality of Life for Primary Laparoscopic Rectopexy for Rectal Prolapse in Children- A 10-Year Experience, Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Poster Presentation)
Same-Day Discharge and Quality of Life for Primary Laparoscopic Rectopexy for Rectal Prolapse in Children: A 10-Year Experience., Obiyo O. Osuchukwu, Robert M. Dorman, Charlene Dekonenko, Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Jason D. Fraser, Pablo Aguayo, Shawn D. St Peter, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Declining frequency of thoracoscopic decortication for empyema - redefining failure after fibrinolysis, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, Robert M. Dorman, Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Kartik Depala, Shubhika Jain, Charlene Dekonenko, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
A simple technique for the management of refractory gastrostomy site complications a technical innovation in gastrostomy tube site revision, Rebecca M. Rentea, Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Charlene Dekonenko, Courtney Pisano, and Charles L. Snyder (Article)
Torsion of an Accessory Spleen in a Child With Biliary Atresia Splenic Malformation Syndrome., David A. Simon, Nathan R. Fleishman MD, Pamala Choi, Jason D. Fraser, and Ryan T. Fischer (Article)
Epidural versus PCA Pain Management after Pectus Excavatum Repair: A Multi-Institutional Prospective Randomized Trial., Joseph A. Sujka, Charlene Dekonenko, Daniel L. Millspaugh, Nichole M. Doyle, Benjamin J. Walker, Charles M. Leys, Daniel J. Ostlie, Pablo Aguayo, Jason D. Fraser, Hanna Alemayehu, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Are Posterior Crural Stitches Necessary in Pediatric Laparoscopic Fundoplication?, Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Charlene Dekonenko, Kayla B. Briggs, James Fraser, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Optimization of Pediatric Bowel Management Using an Antegrade Enema Troubleshooting Algorithm., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Charlene Dekonenko, Robert M Dorman, Obiyo Osuchukwu, Alonso Carrasco, John Gatti, and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Inpatient management of Hirschsprung's associated enterocolitis treatment: the benefits of standardized care., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Charlene Dekonenko, Obiyo Osuchukwu, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, Pablo Aguayo, Jason D. Fraser, David Juang, Charles L. Snyder, Richard J. Hendrickson, Shawn D. St Peter, and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Response regarding: "Intra-abdominal Abscess After Appendectomy-Are Drains Necessary in All Patients?", Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Shawn D. St Peter (Response or Comment)
Morgagni Hernia, Wendy Jo Svetanoff and Rebecca M. Rentea (Article)
Laparoscopic Ladd Procedure for the Management of Malrotation and Volvulus., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Justin A. Sobrino MD, Joseph A. Sujka, Shawn D. St Peter, and Jason D. Fraser (Article)
THE IMPACT OF BOTOX FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS WITH HIRSCHSPRUNG ASSOCIATED ENTEROCOLITIS, Wendy J. Svetanoff and Obiyo O. Osuchukwu (Oral Presentation)
Intra-abdominal Abscess After Appendectomy-Are Drains Necessary in All Patients?, Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Neal Talukdar, Charlene Dekonenko, Robert M. Dorman, Obiyo Osuchukwu, Jason D. Fraser, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
When to consider a posterolateral descending aortopexy in addition to a posterior tracheopexy for the surgical treatment of symptomatic tracheobronchomalacia., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Benjamin Zendejas, Leah Frain, Gary Visner, Charles J. Smithers, Christopher W. Baird, Sanjay P. Prabhu, Russell W. Jennings, and Thomas E. Hamilton (Article)
Great vessel anomalies and their impact on the surgical treatment of tracheobronchomalacia., Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Benjamin Zendejas, Charles J. Smithers, Sanjay P. Prabhu, Christopher W. Baird, Russell W. Jennings, and Thomas E. Hamilton (Article)
Works from 2019
A NSQIP Analysis of Post-operative Antibiotic Utilization in Uncomplicated Appendicitis, Charlene Dekonenko (Poster Presentation)
Comparison of Post-operative Pain Control Modalities for Pectus Excavatum Repair, Charlene Dekonenko (Oral Presentation)
Outcomes Following Dynamic Compression Bracing for Pectus Carinatum, Charlene Dekonenko (Poster Presentation)
Self-Reported Outcomes Following Cholecystectomy for Hyperkinetic Biliary Dyskinesia, Charlene Dekonenko (Poster Presentation)
Outcomes Following Dynamic Compression Bracing for Pectus Carinatum., Charlene Dekonenko, Robert M. Dorman, Amy L. Pierce, Beth A. Orrick, David Juang, Pablo Aguayo, Jason D. Fraser, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, Charles L. Snyder, Shawn D. St Peter, and G W. Holcomb III (Article)
Smart Trauma: Improving the Delivery of Evidence-Based Trauma Care., Charlene Dekonenko, Tracy McDonald, and Robert D. Winfield (Article)
The identification and treatment of intestinal malrotation in older children., Charlene Dekonenko, Joseph A. Sujka, Katrina L. Weaver, Susan W. Sharp, Katherine Gonzalez, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Safety of Laparoscopic Gastrostomy in Children Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis., R Michael Dorman, Leo Andrew Benedict, Joseph Sujka, Justin Sobrino, Charlene Dekonenko, Walter Andrews, Bradley A. Warady, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, and Richard J. Hendrickson (Article)
Indications and efficacy of conversion from tacrolimus- to sirolimus-based immunosuppression in pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation for unresectable hepatoblastoma., Richard J. Hendrickson, Joseph Sujka, Ryan T. Fischer, Michelle Manalang, James F. Daniel, and Walter S. Andrews (Article)
Clearing the cervical spine in patients with distracting injuries: An AAST multi-institutional trial., Abid D. Khan, Sean C. Liebscher, Hannah C. Reiser, Thomas J. Schroeppel, Michael J. Anstadt, Patrick L. Bosarge, Shannon L. Carroll, Jacob A. Quick, Stephen L. Barnes, Justin Sobrino, Jason Murry, Nicholas Morin, Mario Gomez, Heitor Consani, and Richard P. Gonzalez (Article)
Factors Associated With Management of Pediatric Ovarian Neoplasms., Amy E. Lawrence, Dani O. Gonzalez, Mary E. Fallat, Jennifer H. Aldrink, Geri D. Hewitt, S Paige Hertweck, Amanda Onwuka, Christina Bence, Robert C. Burns, Patrick A. Dillon, Peter F. Ehrlich, Jason D. Fraser, Julia E. Grabowski, Ronald B. Hirschl, Rashmi Kabre, Jonathan E. Kohler, Dave R. Lal, Matthew P. Landman, Charles M. Leys, Grace Z. Mak, Thomas T. Sato, Madeline Scannell, Joseph A. Sujka, Peter C. Minneci, and Katherine J. Deans (Article)
Supraclavicular Right/Left First Rib Resection, Justin A. Sobrino, Pablo Aguayo, and David Juang (Book Chapter)
Withholding Urinary Catheters in Children Receiving Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Appendicitis., Justin A. Sobrino, Jason Axt, Joseph A. Sujka, Leo Andrew Benedict, Lisa Wedel, Daniel L. Millspaugh, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Temporal Artery Biopsy, Justin A. Sobrino and Jason D. Fraser (Book Chapter)
Current Operative Management of Meckel Diverticulum, Justin A. Sobrino and G W. Holcomb III (Book Chapter)
Therapeutic Direction Versus Adverse Outcomes in Children Undergoing Lung Biopsy., Justin A. Sobrino, Nhatrang Le, Joseph A. Sujka, Leo Andrew Benedict, Rebecca M. Rentea, Hanna Alemayehu, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Minimally Invasive Management of Duodenal and Jejunal Atresia, Justin A. Sobrino and Shawn D. St Peter (Book Chapter)
Does Intravenous Acetaminophen Improve Postoperative Pain Control after Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Perforated Appendicitis? A Prospective Randomized Trial., Richard Sola, Amita A. Desai, Katherine W. Gonzalez, Nichole M. Doyle, Katrina L. Weaver, Ashwini S. Poola, Jason D. Fraser, Shawn D. St Peter, and Daniel L. Millspaugh (Article)
Outcomes of Ostomy Location in Children: Placement of the Ostomy at the Umbilicus., Joseph Sujka, Hanna Alemayehu, Leo Andrew Benedict, Justin A. Sobrino, Shawn D. St Peter, and Jason D. Fraser (Article)
Efficacy of oral antibiotics in children with post-operative abscess from perforated appendicitis., Joseph A. Sujka, Katrina L. Weaver, Justin A. Sobrino, Ashwini Poola, Katherine W. Gonzalez, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Works from 2018
A Pilot Study of Viscoelastic Monitoring in Pediatric Trauma: Outcomes and Lessons Learned., Bola Aladegbami, Pamela M. Choi, Martin S. Keller, and Adam M. Vogel (Article)
The Laparoscopic Versus Open Approach for Reduction of Intussusception in Infants and Children: An Updated Institutional Experience., Leo Andrew Benedict, Derrick Ha, Joseph Sujka, Justin A. Sobrino, Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, Shawn D. St Peter, and Jason D. Fraser (Article)
Same-Day Discharge for Nonperforated Appendicitis in Children: An Updated Institutional Protocol., Leo Andrew Benedict, Joseph Sujka, Justin Sobrino, Pablo Aguayo, Shawn D. St Peter, and Tolulope A. Oyetunji (Article)
Benchmarking rectal cancer care: institutional compliance with a longitudinal checklist., William C. Chapman, Pamela Choi, Alexander T. Hawkins, Steven R. Hunt, Matthew L. Silviera, Paul E. Wise, Matthew G. Mutch, and Sean C. Glasgow (Article)
Are Foley catheters needed after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum?, Tyler C. Friske, Richard Sola, Yangyang R. Yu, Abdur R. Jamal, Eric Rosenfeld, Huirong Zhu, Mark V. Mazziotti, Shawn D. St Peter, and Sohail R. Shah (Article)
Variability in outcomes after gastroschisis closure across U.S. children's hospitals., Dani O. Gonzalez, Jennifer N. Cooper, Shawn D. St Peter, Peter C. Minneci, and Katherine J. Deans (Article)
Maturation of effect size during enrollment of prospective randomized trials., Ashwini S. Poola, Tolulope A. Oyetunji, G W. Holcomb III, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
A Single-Center Experience with Dynamic Compression Bracing for Children with Pectus Carinatum., Ashwini Suresh Poola, Amy L. Pierce, Beth A. Orrick, Shawn David St. Peter, Charles L. Snyder, David Juang, Pablo Aguayo, Jason D. Fraser, and George W. Holcomb III (Article)
Role of intestinal Hsp70 in barrier maintenance: contribution of milk to the induction of Hsp70.2., Rebecca M. Rentea, Yuee Guo, Xiaorong Zhu, Mark W Musch, Eugene B Chang, David M Gourlay, and Jennifer L Liedel (Article)
Magnet foreign body ingestion: rare occurrence but big consequences., Richard Sola, Eric H. Rosenfeld, Yangyang R Yu, Shawn D. St Peter, Sohail R. Shah, and Y R. Yu (Article)
Does muscle biopsy change the treatment of pediatric muscular disease?, Joseph A. Sujka, Nhatrang Le, Justin Sobrino, Leo A Benedict, Rebecca M. Rentea, Hanna Alemayehu, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Enteric duplication in children., Joseph A Sujka, Justin Sobrino, Leo A. Benedict, Hanna Alemayehu, Shawn D. St Peter, and Richard J. Hendrickson (Article)
A safe and efficacious preventive strategy in the high-risk surgical neonate: cycled total parenteral nutrition., Joseph A. Sujka, Katrina L. Weaver, Joel D. Lim, Katherine W. Gonzalez, Deborah J. Biondo, David Juang, Pablo Aguayo, and Richard J. Hendrickson (Article)
Letter to the Editor concerning: "Results of pectus excavatum correction using a minimally invasive approach with subxyphoid incision and three-point fixation"., Joseph Sujka, Shawn D. St Peter, and Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH (Response or Comment)
Percutaneous transhepatic cholecysto-cholangiography (PTCC): An alternative to intraoperative cholangiography in high risk infants suspect for biliary atresia, Joseph Sujka, Katrina L. Weaver, Ashwini S. Poola, Douglas C. Rivard, and Richard J. Hendrickson (Article)
Works from 2017
The role of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate in prevention of penile adhesions after circumcision: A prospective, randomized trial., Hanna Alemayehu, Nicole E. Sharp, Katherine Gonzalez, Ashwini S. Poola, Charles L. Snyder, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
The financial impact of flipping the coin., Katherine W. Gonzalez, Shiva R. Reddy, Angela A. Mundakkal, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Re-Tubularization of Highly-Ischemic Anti-Mesenteric Border (ReHAB): A Novel Bowel Preservation Technique in Complex Gastroschisis., Richard J. Hendrickson, Ashwini S. Poola, Katherine W. Gonzalez, Joel Lim, and Tolulope A. Oyetunji (Article)
Routine use of chest radiographs in the post-operative management of pectus bar removal: necessity or futility., Ashwini Suresh Poola, Rebecca M. Rentea, Katrina L. Weaver, and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Review of surgical and anesthetic management for esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula, unilateral pulmonary agenesis and dextrocardia., Rebecca M. Rentea, Tolulope A. Oyetunji, John Erkmann, Joshua Q. Knowlton, and Richard J. Hendrickson (Article)
Contemporary Management of Appendicitis in Children., Rebecca M. Rentea and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Neonatal and pediatric esophageal perforation., Rebecca M. Rentea and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Pediatric Appendicitis., Rebecca M. Rentea and Shawn D. St Peter (Article)
Pediatric Ovarian Growing Teratoma Syndrome., Rebecca M. Rentea, Aaron Varghese, Atif Ahmed, Alexander Kats, Michelle Manalang, Tazim Dowlut-McElroy, and Richard J. Hendrickson (Article)
Are esophagocrural sutures needed during laparoscopic fundoplication: A prospective randomized trial., Shawn D. St Peter, Ashwini S. Poola, Obinna Adibe, David Juang, Jason D. Fraser, Pablo Aguayo, and George W. Holcomb III (Article)
The risk of developing a symptomatic inguinal hernia in children with an asymptomatic patent processus vaginalis., Katrina L. Weaver, Ashwini S. Poola, Joanna L. Gould, Susan W. Sharp, Shawn D. St Peter, and G W. Holcomb III (Article)
