Annals of surgery
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To compare surgical outcomes and expenditures at hospitals located in Health Professional Shortage Areas to nonshortage area designated hospitals among Medicare beneficiaries. ⋯ Patients presenting to Health Professional Shortage Area hospitals obtain safe care for common surgical procedures without evidence of higher expenditures among Medicare beneficiaries. These findings should be taken into account as current legislative proposals to increase funding for care in these underserved communities are considered.
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To assess the prevalence of and identify characteristics associated with unhealthy use before surgery. ⋯ As many as 2 in 5 patients in the preoperative period may present with unhealthy substance use before elective surgery. Given the potential impact of substance use on surgical outcomes, increased recognition of the problem by screening patients is a critical next step for surgeons and perioperative care teams.
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Surgical procedures in Canada were historically funded through global hospital budgets. Activity-based funding models were developed to improve access, equity, timeliness, and value of care for priority areas. COVID-19 upended health priorities and resulted in unprecedented disruptions to surgical care, which created a significant procedure gap. We hypothesized that activity-based funding models influenced the magnitude and trajectory of this procedure gap. ⋯ Those needing procedures funded through global hospital budgets may have been disproportionately disadvantaged by pandemic-related health care disruptions.
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We report here the results of a prospective study of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in patients undergoing uveal melanoma (UM) liver metastases resection (NCT02849145). ⋯ This study is the first to report ctDNA detection rate and prognostic impact in UM patients eligible for surgical resection of their liver metastases. If confirmed by further studies in this setting, this noninvasive biomarker could inform treatment decisions in UM patients with liver metastases.
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In a large multisite cohort of Veterans who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, we compared the 5-year suicidal ideation and attempt rates with matched nonsurgical controls. ⋯ Bariatric surgery appears to be associated with a greater risk of suicidal ideation and attempts than nonsurgical treatment of patients with severe obesity, suggesting that patients need careful monitoring for suicidal ideation and additional psychological support after bariatric surgery.