The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Aug 2020
Preinjury Antiplatelet Use Does Not Increase the Risk of Progression of Small Intracranial Hemorrhage.
The modified brain injury guidelines (mBIG) provide an algorithm for surgeons to manage some mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) without neurosurgical consultation or repeat imaging. Currently, antiplatelet use among patients with any ICH classifies a patient at the highest level, mBIG 3. This study assesses the risk of clinical progression among patients taking antiplatelet medications with mild TBI with ICH. ⋯ This data suggests that antiplatelet medication use should not automatically classify a patient as mBIG 3. Adoption of this strategy would better utilize resources and avoid unnecessary costs without sacrificing care.
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The American surgeon · Jul 2020
Antiplatelet Agent Reversal Is Unnecessary in Blunt Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Not Requiring Immediate Craniotomy.
The need to reverse the coagulation impairment caused by chronic antiplatelet agents in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with acute traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (TICH) remains controversial. We sought to determine whether emergent platelet transfusion reduces the incidence of hemorrhage expansion, mortality, or need for neurosurgical intervention such as intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, burr holes, or craniotomy. ⋯ Immediate platelet transfusion is unnecessary in blunt TBI patients on chronic antiplatelet therapy who do not require immediate craniotomy.
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The American surgeon · Jul 2020
Current Trends of Women Surgeon Speakers at National Trauma Surgery Conferences: The Trauma House Is Improving.
An invitation to speak at a national meeting represents the advancement of one's career and indicates acceptance and the attention of the scientific community. Studies have revealed gender disparities across medical and surgical society meetings. The purpose of our study was to assess the current trend of women surgeon speakers at major national trauma surgery conferences during the last 4 years (ie, 2016-2019). ⋯ The number of women surgeon speakers at national trauma surgery conferences significantly increased from 2016 to 2019. The increase in women trauma surgeon speakers is encouraging and should be celebrated, but organizational leadership should take this information into account while extending invitations to surgeons for speaking opportunities and continue to promote diversity and inclusivity.
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The American surgeon · Jul 2020
ReviewSurgical Critical Care at the Epicenter of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The number of deaths and infected people by Corona-19 virusin 2020 around the world is alarming and numbing at the same time. It almostdifficult to remember when the world was normal, although it just started fewmonths ago. Our world and everything around have changed, our surgical practicehas changed, our life has changed, but Intensive Care Units (ICU)in WestchesterMedical center in Valhalla, NY, continue to care for the sickest of thesickest. ⋯ As I round in the ICU, I imagine myself in one ofthose beds that I could have been few weeks ago. Now, fully recovered fromCOVID-19, and coming back to work is a real treat. Yet, I still have morequestions than answers.
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The American surgeon · Jul 2020
The American College of Surgeons Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (Part III): Leadership in a Time of Crisis.
The response of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to the COVID-19 pandemic was vigorous and effective because it had mature programs in surgical quality and health policy and advocacy, the legacy of decades of work by its officers and leaders and its current executive director, David Hoyt. Hoyt had the foresight to institute a digital communications platform upon which the College collected data for its clinical programs and conducted many of its meetings. Through internet portals, online communities, and social media it broadcasted news and information to the membership. ⋯ As the financial impact of the outbreak on surgical practice became apparent, the ACS represented the interests of surgeons in the White House, Capitol, federal agencies, and governors' mansions and statehouses. In an interview by Steven Wexner, a member of the ACS Board of Regents, Hoyt described the response of the ACS to an unprecedented threat to the surgical care of patients in the country and the world. His story demonstrates the legacy of credibility and professionalism built by decades of principled leadership of generations of officers and Regents of the College, and his own example of effective leadership in crisis.