Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in disruption of healthcare services, including cancer screenings, yet data on this are limited. We sought to compare observed and expected cancer incidence rates for screenable cancers, quantifying potential missed diagnoses. ⋯ The reported incidence of screenable cancers significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), suggesting that many patients currently harbor undiagnosed cancers. In addition to the human toll, this will further burden the healthcare system and increase future healthcare costs. It is imperative that providers empower patients to schedule cancer screenings to flatten this pending oncologic wave.
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The role of curative-intent resection and perioperative chemotherapy for nonmetastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PanNEC) remains unclear due to their biological aggressiveness and rarity. This study aimed to evaluate the association of resection and perioperative chemotherapy with overall survival for nonmetastatic PanNEC. ⋯ This nationwide retrospective study suggests that resection is associated with improved survival in patients with localized PanNEC. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy needs more investigation.
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Open and robotic-assisted transthoracic approaches for diaphragm plication are accepted surgical interventions for diaphragm paralysis and eventration. However, long-term patient-reported symptom improvement and quality of life (QOL) remains unclear. ⋯ Patients report significantly improved dyspneic and fatigue symptoms after transthoracic diaphragm plication, regardless of open or robotic-assisted approach. The majority of patients report improved QOL and exercise capacity.
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The preoperative period is an important target for interventions (eg Surgical Prehabilitation and Readiness [SPAR]) that can improve postoperative outcomes for older patients with comorbidities. ⋯ The SPAR program is safe and feasible and may reduce postoperative mortality and the need for discharge to postacute care facilities in high-risk surgical patients.
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Studying firearm-related mortality is important to reduce preventable firearm death in the US. This study aims to determine the relationship between firearm laws and assault death with firearms. ⋯ Stand your ground laws are correlated with a higher rate of gun-related assault death, but background checks on private sales are correlated with a lower rate. Future studies should elucidate the specific pathways by which state laws reduce, or fail to reduce, firearm-related assault death.