The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Oct 2014
Observational StudyMagnetic sphincter augmentation with the LINX device for gastroesophageal reflux disease after U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) of the gastroesophageal junction with the LINX Reflux Management System is an alternative to fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that was approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2012. ⋯ There were eight patients with persistent dysphagia that required balloon dilation with improvement in symptoms. MSA with LINX is a safe and effective alternative to fundoplication for treatment of GERD. The most common postoperative complaint is mild to moderate dysphagia, which usually resolves within 12 weeks.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2014
The cost of preventing readmissions: why surgeons should lead the effort.
In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, Medicare has instituted financial penalties for hospitals with 30-day readmission rates that exceed a predetermined value. Currently, this value only considers "excess" readmissions for myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia with a maximum fine being one per cent of total Medicare reimbursements. In 2015, this penalty will increase to three per cent and encompass more surgical diagnoses. ⋯ Whereas the calculated net profit for readmission was $144,000, inclusion of Medicare's penalty resulted in a loss of $11,950. A readmission reduction program with an annual cost exceeding $11,950 would lead to financial loss. The financial implications of Medicare's readmission penalty alone necessitate the development of cost-effective strategies to reduce rehospitalization.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyLaparoscopic versus robotic-assisted rectal surgery: a comparison of postoperative outcomes.
Rectal surgery continues to be an area of advancement for minimally invasive techniques. However, there is controversy regarding whether a robotic approach imparts any advantages over established laparoscopic procedures. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare outcomes of laparoscopic and robotic rectal resection operations. ⋯ Conversion rate was 7.9 per cent for the laparoscopic group and zero per cent for the robotic (P = 0.09). There were no mortalities in either group. A pure laparoscopic or robotic rectal surgery may be associated with a shorter hospital stay compared with a laparoscopic-assisted approach.
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The American surgeon · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyMucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: are we overestimating malignant potential?
Surgical resection is recommended for all mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas as a result of: 1) lack of an accurate tumor marker for invasive cancer; 2) young age at diagnosis; and 3) historical studies revealing 36 per cent incidence of malignancy in resected lesions. This study compares the clinicopathologic and prognostic features of our series of resected MCNs to recent studies using the current International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) system. Thirty-eight resected MCNs were identified. ⋯ Comparison of the five high-grade (HG, 13.2%) and 33 low-grade (86.8%) MCNs revealed that 1) patients were similar in age (55.0 vs 52.0 years, respectively) and 2) HG lesions were significantly larger on preoperative imaging (9.9 vs 3.5 cm) and final pathology (10.9 vs 3.5 cm). These data, taken together with five recent studies that adhere to the 2012 IAP criteria (385 total MCNs), reveal that a cutoff of less than 3 cm without mural nodules would have only missed one (0.26%) HG lesion. Surveillance of these lesions may be appropriate for some patients.
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Early diagnosis remains the cornerstone of management of Fournier's gangrene. As a result of variable progression of disease, identifying early predictors of necrosis becomes a diagnostic challenge. We present a scoring system based on objective admission criteria, which can help distinguish Fournier's gangrene from nonnecrotizing scrotal infections. ⋯ Only 34.2 per cent of patients with Fournier's gangrene had hard signs of necrotizing infection on admission, which were not observed in patients with nonnecrotizing infections. Objective admission criteria assist in distinguishing Fournier's gangrene from scrotal cellulitis or abscess. In situations in which results of the physical examination are ambiguous, this scoring system can heighten the index of suspicion for Fournier's gangrene and prompt rapid surgical intervention.