American journal of surgery
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Emergent cholecystostomy is superior to open cholecystectomy in extremely ill patients with acalculous cholecystitis: a large multicenter outcome study.
Morbidity and mortality are very high for critically ill patients who develop acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC). The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in extremely ill patients with AAC treated with percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), or open cholecystectomy (OC), which were also analyzed together in the LC-plus-OC (LO) group. ⋯ On the basis of this experience, extremely ill patients with AAC have superior outcomes with PC. LC should be performed in patients in whom the risk for conversion is low and in whom medical conditions allow. These results show PC to be a safe and cost-effective bridge treatment strategy with perioperative outcomes superior to those of OC.
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Comparative Study
Goal directed fluid resuscitation decreases time for lactate clearance and facilitates early fascial closure in damage control surgery.
Damage-control surgery frequently results in open abdomen. The objective of this study was to determine whether resuscitation with goal-directed fluid therapy (GDT) using "dynamic" hemodynamic indices via modern pulse contour analysis devices such as the FloTrac Vigileo monitor leads to lower fluid requirements, subsequent quicker abdominal closure, and overall improved outcomes in these patients. ⋯ Vigileo-mediated GDT did not affect fluid volume or vasopressor use in open abdomen patients, but facilitated more effective resuscitation and decreased the number of days to fascial closure, leading to shorter hospital stays. Vigileo-mediated GDT, therefore, may improve overall outcomes in open abdomen patients.
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Comparative Study
Weight-based enoxaparin dosing for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in the obese trauma patient.
Limited data exist regarding the efficacy of weight-based dosing of low-molecular weight heparin for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in obese trauma patients. ⋯ In obese trauma patients, weight-based enoxaparin is an efficacious regimen that provides adequate VTE prophylaxis, as measured by anti-Xa levels, and appears to be safe without bleeding complications.
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Data analyzing the short-term outcomes and predictors of blood transfusions (BTs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery are limited. ⋯ BTs are associated with worse short-term outcomes after CRC surgery. Knowledge of predictive factors will help in risk stratification and counseling.
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Comparative Study
Surgical safety checklist and operating room efficiency: results from a large multispecialty tertiary care hospital.
The Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) improves patient safety and outcomes; however, barriers to effective use include the perceived negative impact on operating room (OR) efficiency. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of SSC implementation on OR efficiency. ⋯ The implementation of an SSC does not negatively impact OR efficiency and should not be considered a barrier to effective use. Our data suggest that SSC use can reduce overall cost per surgical procedure.