The Journal of surgical research
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The endothelial glycocalyx (EG) is involved in critical regulatory mechanisms that maintain endothelial vascular integrity. We hypothesized that prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may be associated with EG degradation. We performed an analysis of soluble syndecan-1 levels in relation to duration of CPB, as well as factors associated with cell stress and damage, such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and inflammation. ⋯ Longer duration of CPB is associated with increased plasma levels of soluble syndecan-1, a signal for EG degradation, which can induce neutrophil egress from the bone marrow. Development of therapy targeting EG shedding may be beneficial in patients with prolonged CPB.
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Although obesity is considered an epidemic in the United States, there is mixed evidence regarding the impact of obesity on outcomes after traumatic injury and major surgery. We hypothesized that obese patients undergoing trauma laparotomy would be at increased risk of failure to rescue (FTR), defined as death after a complication. ⋯ Obesity is a risk factor for complications after traumatic injury but not for FTR. The increased risk of complications may reflect processes of care that are not attuned to the needs of this population, offering opportunities for improvement in care.
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Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication after colon surgery. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for SSI and its types in laparoscopic colectomy patients using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database. ⋯ SSI types in patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy have different risk factors. Modifiable risk factors may provide an opportunity to reduce SSI risk and its associated morbidity.
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The process of entrustment-placing trust in a trainee to independently execute a task-has been proposed as a complementary metric to assess competence. However, entrustment decision-making by trainee supervisors is not well understood in surgical training. We aim to explore processes underlying entrustment decision-making (EDM) by general surgery program directors. ⋯ Modifiable components of entrustment are equally dependent on trainee and faculty behavior. Entrustment is more heavily informed by trainee performance in the OR, despite program directors uniformly stating that judgment outside of the OR is the most critical component of resident training. The inclusion of EDM to evaluate trainee progression should be considered as an important adjunct to established Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education milestones.
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Procedure-specific prescribing guidelines and trainee education have reduced opioid overprescribing in adult surgical patients, but tailored interventions do not yet exist for children. It is unknown what effect these adult interventions have had on postoperative opioid prescribing in children at the same institution, where trainees rotate across both adult and pediatric services. ⋯ Opioid prescribing rates are decreasing, but adult interventions did not achieve reductions in pediatric opioid prescribing at the same institution. There was no concomitant rise in postoperative ED visits or opioid refills as prescribing declined, indicating that the risks of reducing opioid prescriptions may be minimal. Development of evidence-based, procedure-specific prescribing guidelines that specifically address pediatric patients are needed to effectively minimize opioid overprescribing in this population.