The Journal of surgical research
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The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic drastically reduced learning opportunities for medical students. We sought to determine the cost and success of implementation of a podcast for a surgical department in a large academic hospital. ⋯ Podcasts can serve as a cost-effective and quickly produced instructional tool to supplement online learning. Further research is required to determine the efficacy of podcasts versus video-based education modules.
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Observational Study
Circulating sFasL Levels Predict the Severity and Outcome of Burn Injury: A Prospective Observational Study.
Severe burn injury activates shock, inflammation, and blood cell system, but inappropriate reactions may lead to adverse outcomes. Soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) participates in apoptosis and inflammatory response. The circulating sFasL levels we investigated in association with the burn severity, shock, inflammation, blood cells, and mortality in patients with severe burns. ⋯ High circulating sFasL at 48 h postburn in patients with severe burns reflect shock, proinflammatory response, organ damage, and lymphocyte reductions and predict 30-day mortality.
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Comparative Study
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation with Right Ventricular Assist Device for COVID-19 ARDS.
Right ventricular failure is an underrecognized consequence of COVID-19 pneumonia. Those with severe disease are treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) but with poor outcomes. Concomitant right ventricular assist device (RVAD) may be beneficial. ⋯ RVAD support at the time of ECMO initiation resulted in the no secondary end-organ damage and higher in-hospital and 30-d survival versus IMV in specially selected patients with severe COVID-19 ARDS. Management of severe COVID-19 ARDS should prioritize right ventricular support.
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Larger opioid prescriptions are associated with increased consumption without improvements in pain, and the majority of opioids prescribed go unused. We examined postoperative opioid prescription and use in patients undergoing vascular access surgery, where preoperative opioid exposure is common. ⋯ Regardless of preoperative opioid exposure, CKD patients undergoing vascular access surgery consumed fewer opioids than prescribed, with a median of <10% of opioids used. Therefore, we've reduced our institutional prescribing recommendations to 4 and 6 oxycodone 5mg pills for short and long surgical incision procedures, respectively.
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Comparative Study
COVID-19 Pandemic and the Cholecystitis Experience at a Major Urban Safety-Net Hospital.
Acute cholecystitis is a common reason for emergency general surgery admission. The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in treatment delays and corresponding increases in severity of disease. This study compared cholecystitis admissions and disease severity pre- and postdeclaration of pandemic. ⋯ Postpandemic declaration we experienced a significant decrease in cholecystitis admissions without corresponding increases in disease severity. The pandemic impacted healthcare-seeking behaviors, with fewer mild presentations. Given that the pandemic did not increase odds of presenting with increased severity of disease, our data suggests that not all mild cases of cholecystitis progress to worsening disease and some may resolve without medical or surgical intervention.