American journal of surgery
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With the increased use of damage control surgery and open abdomens, there are growing challenges in achieving primary fascial closure. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review our experience using the Abdominal Reapproximation Anchor (ABRA; Canica Design Inc, Almonte, Ontario, Canada), a dynamic fascial closure system, to gain fascial apposition in complex abdominal surgical patients. ⋯ Our use of the ABRA system resulted in an 83% fascial apposition rate, which further improved when experience was taken into account. The incisional hernia rate was acceptable in this complicated patient group. This technique is an excellent addition to a surgeon's armamentarium for complicated abdominal cases that require an open abdomen. Further prospective studies are planned to identify ideal candidates for this technique.
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We sought to identify differences among black and white Medicare-insured patients with colorectal cancer who underwent resection. ⋯ Black patients with colorectal cancer demonstrated increased risk of mortality and readmission after controlling for age, sex, and comorbidities. Although black vs white differences in perioperative mortality decreased over time, disparities in readmission and long-term survival persisted.
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The Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) model and its Portsmouth modification (P-POSSUM) are used extensively to predict postoperative mortality and morbidity in general surgery. The aim of this study was to undertake the first systematic review of the predictive value of these models in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery. ⋯ POSSUM overpredicted postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery. Both POSSUM and P-POSSUM failed to offer significant predictive value for mortality in pancreatic surgery, and more data collection in large populations undergoing pancreatic surgery are needed.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Compression anastomosis ring device in colorectal anastomosis: a review of 1,180 patients.
The nickel-titanium compression anastomosis ring device (ColonRing, NiTi Surgical Solutions, Netanya, Israel) has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 to construct gastrointestinal anastomoses. We evaluated the anastomotic leak rate after end-to-end anastomosis using the ColonRing device. ⋯ The use of the ColonRing device is feasible and safe and could be considered an alternative technology for end-to-end colorectal anastomosis.
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Comparative Study
Disparities in trauma care: are fewer diagnostic tests conducted for uninsured patients with pelvic fracture?
Research from other medical specialties suggests that uninsured patients experience treatment delays, receive fewer diagnostic tests, and have reduced health literacy when compared with their insured counterparts. We hypothesized that these disparities in interventions would not be present among patients experiencing trauma. Our objective was to examine differences in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures administered to patients undergoing trauma with pelvic fractures using a national database. ⋯ Uninsured patients with pelvic fractures get fewer diagnostic procedures compared with their insured counterparts; this disparity is much greater for more invasive and resource-intensive tests and is less apparent in level 1 trauma centers. Differences in care that patients receive after trauma may be 1 of the mechanisms that leads to insurance disparities in outcomes after trauma.