The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Aug 2015
Comparative StudySurgical Site Occurrences of Simultaneous Panniculectomy and Incisional Hernia Repair.
Horizontal panniculectomy (PAN) offers the advantage of wide exposure for hernia repair with elimination of excess skin and adiposity, at the expense of massive subcutaneous flap creation and its attendant risks. We report our experience with ventral hernia repair (VHR) with PAN compared with patients with hernia repair alone. A prospective database was reviewed retrospectively for all patients undergoing open VHR + PAN. ⋯ Panniculectomy at the time of VHR does not increase the incidence of SSI, though higher rates of skin necrosis and cellulitis were seen. There is no difference in recurrence. This approach is a valid option for patients with excessive abdominal panniculus requiring VHR.
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The American surgeon · Jul 2015
The Role of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in the Diagnosis of Choledocholithiasis: Do Benefits Outweigh the Costs?
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the gold standard in evaluation of the biliary tree for choledocholithiasis. Formal indications for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in suspected choledocholithiasis are lacking. Our objective was to determine if MRCP affects management of patients who otherwise would undergo ERCP. ⋯ In conclusion, MRCP significantly affected the management of patients who would have undergone ERCP. MRCP did not increase length of stay and contributed to the 95 per cent positivity rate of subsequent ERCPs. These data illustrate the utility of MRCP in suspected choledocholithiasis patients at a low cost with regard to risk and time.
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The American surgeon · Jul 2015
Comparative StudyInitial Cholecystectomy with Cholangiography Decreases Length of Stay Compared to Preoperative MRCP or ERCP in the Management of Choledocholithiasis.
There are several treatments available for choledocholithiasis, but the optimal treatment is highly debated. Some advocate preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with cholangiography (IOC). Others advocate initial LC + IOC followed by common bile duct exploration or ERCP. ⋯ Preoperative ERCP was performed in eight patients with an average LOS of seven days. Initial LC+IOC is associated with a shorter LOS compared to preoperative MRCP or ERCP. It is recommended as the optimal treatment choice for suspected choledocholithiasis.
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The American surgeon · Jul 2015
Observational StudyCoagulation Profile Changes Due to Thromboprophylaxis and Platelets in Trauma Patients at High-Risk for Venous Thromboembolism.
We hypothesize there are coagulation profile changes associated both with initiation of thromboporphylaxis (TPX) and with change in platelet levels in trauma patients at high-risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). A total of 1203 trauma intensive care unit patients were screened with a VTE risk assessment profile. In all, 302 high-risk patients (risk assessment profile score ≥ 10) were consented for weekly thromboelastography. ⋯ In conclusion, hypercoagulability persists despite the use of TPX. Although clotting time normalizes, MCF increases in correlation with platelet levels. As platelet function is a dominant contributor to sustained trauma-evoked hypercoagulability, antiplatelet therapy may be indicated in the management of severely injured trauma patients.
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The American surgeon · Jul 2015
How to Further Decrease the Efficiency of Care at a Level I Trauma Center: Implement the Amended Resident Work Hours.
Work-hour restrictions were amended in 2011 to limit interns to 16 continuous duty hours, essentially requiring a night float system of 12-hour shifts. We hypothesize that there has been no improvement in outcomes after implementation of the amended work-hour restrictions. Outcomes from trauma admissions were queried from the trauma registry from 2009 to 2011 (PRE) and 2011 to 2013 (POST). ⋯ After adjusted analysis, admission in the POST period was not a predictor of mortality (odds ratio 0.857; confidence interval 0.655-1.12). The POST period was an independent predictor for LOS (β = 0.74; P = 0.002). This study adds to the mounting evidence that the implementation of the amended limits on work hours leads to furthermore decreased efficiency of care.