Annals of surgery
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Evaluate associations between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in heat and moisture exchange (HME) filters and the presence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ Carbon disulfide associated with gram-negative VAP can be identified on HME filters up to 3 days before the initial clinical suspicion, and approximately a week before culture confirmation. This suggests VOC sensors may have potential as an adjunctive method for early detection of VAP.
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To examine case logs reported by general surgery residents and identify potential disparities in operative experience. ⋯ Overall, URiM residents submitted fewer cases in the 5-year study period than their non-URiM peers. The gap in submitted cases between male and female residents was more pronounced, with male residents submitting significantly more cases than their female counterparts. This finding was consistent and statistically significant throughout the entire study period, in most case categories, and without narrowing of difference over time. A difference of 30 to 40 cases can amount to 1 to 3 months of surgical training and is a concerning national trend deserving the attention of every training program and our governing institutions.
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Historical Article
The American Surgical Association in the 21st Century.
Writing a presidential address is an interesting exercise, and for those of you who have been fortunate enough to lead an organization, you know that not a day goes by since you become President-elect that you do not think about something that you should include, some experience with a mentor you have had that is worthy of documentation, a message you hope the audience remembers after you are finished, and the hope that it will measure up to the memorable presidential addresses that you have heard in many societies, including the American Surgical Association.
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We sought to determine if genetically modified porcine kidneys used for xenotransplantation had sufficient tissue integrity to support long-term function in a human recipient. ⋯ The findings of this study suggest kidneys from 10-gene edited porcine donors have sufficient tissue integrity to tolerate xenotransplantation into a living human recipient. There was no evidence of anastomotic complications, and the xenografts tolerated needle biopsy without issue. Xenograft growth occurred but plateaued by the study end; further observation and investigation will be required to confirm this finding and elucidate underlying mechanisms.