The Journal of surgical research
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Surgical stress may cause excessive inflammation and lead to microcirculatory dysfunction. The hypothesis of this study was that early microcirculatory dysfunction may result in anaerobic glycolysis and lead to elevated blood lactate levels in patients admitted to surgical intensive care units. ⋯ Early total and perfused small vessel density may be used as an early predictor or therapeutic goal for critically ill surgical patients in further studies.
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End-to-side nerve repair is a new tool in managing certain nerve injuries. In previous studies, it was limited to somatic nerves. Herein, we evaluate the feasibility of anorectal reinnervation after end-to-side coaptation of autonomic nerve to somatic nerve. ⋯ These results suggest that the somatic motor axon ingrowth into autonomic nerve could be through collateral sprouting after end-to-side coaptation of autonomic nerve to somatic nerve. Our innovative technique of end-to-side coaptation may be of great value in anorectal reinnervation without functional impairment of the donor somatic nerve.
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Litigation analysis and clinician education are essential to reduce the number and cost of malpractice claims. This study evaluates the clinical characteristics and legal outcomes of medical malpractice litigation initiated by patients having undergone a hernia repair operation. ⋯ Complications and death resulting from alleged clinical negligence play a significant role in both the initiation and the outcome of malpractice litigation. Retained foreign bodies and lack of informed consent account for roughly one-third of malpractice litigation associated with hernia repairs. Many of these suits may be avoided with proper patient education and documentation of such along with standard operative preventative measures.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of pediatric appendectomy outcomes between pediatric surgeons and general surgery residents.
Appendectomy is the most common urgent procedure in children, and surgical outcomes may be affected by the surgeon's experience. This study's aim is to compare appendectomy outcomes performed by pediatric surgeons (PSs) and general surgery residents (GSRs). ⋯ The results of this study suggest that the presence of a PS does not affect the outcomes of appendectomies.
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In the critically ill, mineralocorticoid deficiency (MD) is associated with greater disease severity, the development of acute renal insufficiency, and increased mortality. We hypothesized that severely injured trauma patients presenting with hemorrhagic shock would demonstrate a high degree of MD. We also hypothesized that MD in these patients would be associated with increased length of stay, hypotension, fluid requirements, and acute kidney injury (AKI). ⋯ MD is a common entity in trauma patients presenting in hemorrhagic shock. Patients with MD required a more aggressive resuscitative effort, were more likely to experience hypotension, and had a higher risk of AKI than non-MD patients. Future studies are needed to fully understand the impact of MD following trauma and the potential role for hormonal replacement therapy.