Annals of surgery
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Numerous authors take multiple predictive factors into account to decide whether or not the nipple-areola complex (NAC) can be conserved during mastectomy. These factors include the tumor-nipple distance, tumor size, axillary lymph node status, and lymphovascular invasion. Thus only a very limited percentage of patients can keep their NAC. If the breast gland tissue and all milk ducts can be separated completely from the nipple-areola skin (NA-skin) during subcutaneous mastectomy (SCM), conservation of the NA-skin is feasible even in the case of large, central, and retroareolar tumors. ⋯ SCM with NAC-skin conservation may be performed according to total mastectomy indications if an intraoperative frozen section (and the corresponding HE histopathology) of the tissue next to the nipple-areola skin is free of tumor. The remaining contraindications for SCM are: extensive tumor involvement of the skin, inflammatory breast cancer, and a clinically suspicious nipple.
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Modern publications on response to single explosive events are from non-US hospitals, predate current resuscitation guidelines and lack detail on surgical and intensive care unit (ICU) requirements. The objective of this study is to provide a contemporary account of surge response to multiple casualty incidences following explosive events managed at a US trauma hospital in Iraq. ⋯ Results from this study provide a contemporary assessment of transfusion, surgical, and intensive care resource requirements after a single explosive event. Data from this experience may translate into useful guidelines for emergency planners worldwide.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Preliminary results of a prospective randomized trial of restrictive versus standard fluid regime in elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is associated with a significant morbidity (primarily respiratory and cardiac complications) and an overall mortality rate of 4% to 10%. We tested the hypothesis that perioperative fluid restriction would reduce complications and improve outcome after elective open AAA repair. ⋯ Serious complications are common after elective open AAA repair, and we have shown for the first time that a restricted perioperative fluid regimen can prevent MC and significantly reduce overall hospital stay.
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Multicenter Study
The obesity paradox: body mass index and outcomes in patients undergoing nonbariatric general surgery.
We sought to examine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on 30-day morbidity and mortality in a large cohort of patients undergoing nonbariatric general surgery. ⋯ Overweight and moderately obese patients undergoing nonbariatric general surgery have paradoxically "lower" crude and adjusted risks of mortality compared with patients at a "normal" weight. This finding is in contrast to observations from the general population, confirming the existence of an "obesity paradox" in this patient population.
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Higher surgeon volume is associated with improved patient outcomes. This finding has prompted recommendations for increasing specialization and referrals to high-volume surgeons, yet their implementation in clinical practice has not been measured. ⋯ The proportion of procedures performed by high-volume surgeons increased over a 6-year period, as evidence mounted in support of a surgeon volume-outcome association. Efforts are still needed to improve access among underserved subsets of the population and eliminate apparent disparities based on patient race and insurance status.