Rush General Surgery

CONTEXT: Asymptomatic sporadic nonfunctioning, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) are increasingly diagnosed, and their management is controversial because of their overall good but heterogeneous prognosis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the natural history of asymptomatic sporadic NF-PNETs smaller than 2 cm in size and the risk-benefit balance of nonoperative management. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: From January 2000 to June 2011, 46 patients with proven asymptomatic sporadic NF-PNETs smaller than 2 cm in size were followed up for at least 18 months with serial imaging in tertiary referral centers...

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the reported clinical presentation of tension pneumothorax differs between patients who are breathing unassisted versus receiving assisted ventilation. BACKGROUND: Animal studies suggest that the pathophysiology and physical signs of tension pneumothorax differ by subject ventilatory status. METHODS: We searched electronic databases through to October 15, 2013 for observational studies and case reports/series reporting clinical manifestations of tension pneumothorax...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between oral antibiotic bowel preparation (OABP) and surgical site infection (SSI) rates in a national colectomy cohort. BACKGROUND: OABP for elective colorectal surgery has fallen out of favor. Large cohort studies show that OABP is associated with a 50% reduction in SSI after colectomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program colectomy cohort from 2011 to 2012 was performed to examine the association between use of OABP and outcomes of SSI, length of stay (LOS), and readmission after elective colectomy...

BACKGROUND: The rate of recurrent appendicitis is low following nonoperative management of complicated appendicitis. However, recent data suggest an increased rate of neoplasms in these cases. METHODS: The study was a retrospective review of patients with acute appendicitis at 2 university-affiliated community hospitals over a 12-year period. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of appendiceal neoplasm following interval appendectomy. RESULTS: Six thousand thirty-eight patients presented with acute appendicitis...

BACKGROUND: When performing sleeve gastrectomy, a bougie (32 to 60 French) is used. We evaluated 2 different bougie sizes on early postoperative outcomes and long-term weight loss. METHODS: A 1-year prospective study was conducted on patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. In the first 6 months, patients had 32-French bougies (Group 1); in the second 6 months, they had 36-French bougies (Group 2). RESULTS: We evaluated 131 patients. No intraoperative complications or mortality occurred...

BACKGROUND: The appendix, considered an intestinal microbiota reservoir, may be protective against the risk of fulminant Clostridium difficile infection. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed in patients with C. difficile infection at St. Francis Medical Center from 2007 to 2011. Outcome of infection and history of appendectomy were compared. Statistical analysis was by chi-square and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 507 patients were hospitalized for C...

BACKGROUND: The relationship between branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and malignancy remains controversial and difficult to assess. METHODS: Between January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2013, we identified 84 patients with IPMN who underwent resection. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 55 patients underwent endoscopic ultrasounds and 58 underwent biopsy. Only 7 lesions were specified preoperatively as branch-duct, which inconsistently correlated with the surgical specimen...

BACKGROUND: The hemoglobin threshold for transfusion of red cells in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding is controversial. We compared the efficacy and safety of a restrictive transfusion strategy with those of a liberal transfusion strategy. METHODS: We enrolled 921 patients with severe acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and randomly assigned 461 of them to a restrictive strategy (transfusion when the hemoglobin level fell below 7 g per deciliter) and 460 to a liberal strategy (transfusion when the hemoglobin fell below 9 g per deciliter)...

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes in critically ill patients undergoing artificial ventilation who received a tracheostomy early or late in their treatment. DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, the National Research Register, the NHS Trusts Clinical Trials Register, the Medical Research Council UK database, the NHS Research and Development Health Technology Assessment Programme, the British Heart Foundation database, citation review of relevant primary and review articles, and expert informants...

Current teaching and guidelines suggest that aggressive fluid resuscitation is the best initial approach to the patient with hemodynamic instability. The source of this wisdom is difficult to discern, however, Early Goal Directed therapy (EGDT) as championed by Rivers et al. and the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines appears to have established this as the irrefutable truth. However, over the last decade it has become clear that aggressive fluid resuscitation leading to fluid overload is associated with increased morbidity and mortality across a diverse group of patients, including patients with severe sepsis as well as elective surgical and trauma patients and those with pancreatitis...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term outcomes, health care utilization, and risk factors for complications after bariatric surgery. BACKGROUND: With the burgeoning problem of obesity and the consequential rise in bariatric surgery, uncertainty remains as to whether this has been matched by a reduction in long-term health care utilization. METHODS: A population-based linked-data cohort study, utilizing a comprehensive set of data, including detailed comorbidity and complications, of each individual who had undergone bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2011 in Western Australia...

Gallstone-related disease is among the most common clinical problems encountered worldwide. The manifestations of cholelithiasis vary greatly, ranging from mild biliary colic to life-threatening gallstone pancreatitis and cholangitis. The vast majority of gallstone-related diseases encountered in an acute setting can be categorized as biliary colic, cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, and pancreatitis, although these diagnoses can overlap. The management of these diseases is uniquely multidisciplinary, involving many specialties and treatment options...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (RAC) was introduced several years ago. With its more extensive use by surgeons, more information is needed regarding clinical and economic outcomes. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the Health Cost Utilization Project was analyzed using HCUPnet, National Inpatient Sample (NIS) datasets and SAS 9.2 for the years 2010-2011. Queries were made for RAC and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) procedures with a primary diagnosis of gallbladder disease...

BACKGROUND: There is little agreement on prophylactic use of drains in anastomoses in elective colorectal surgery despite many randomized clinical trials. Results of these trials are contradictory, quality and statistical power of these individual studies have been questioned. Once anastomotic leakage has occurred it is generally agreed that drains should be used for therapeutic purposes. However, on prophylactic use no such agreement exists. OBJECTIVES: Comparison of safety and effectiveness of routine drainage and non-drainage regimes after colorectal surgery...

BACKGROUND: Ruptured appendicitis has been implicated in causing scarring, which can lead to infertility and/or ectopic pregnancy. To assess the degree of association and the quality of evidence supporting the relation among appendectomy, female fertility outcomes, and ectopic pregnancy. METHODS: We systematically searched multiple electronic databases from inception through May 2013 for randomized trials and observational studies. Reviewers working independently and in duplicate extracted the study characteristics, the quality of the included studies, and the outcomes of interest...

BACKGROUND: Several factors influence the risk of recurrence after inguinal hernia surgery; however, a systematic review and meta-analysis of patient-related risk factors for recurrence after inguinal hernia surgery has not been performed earlier. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched in June 2013 for studies evaluating patient-related risk factors for recurrence after inguinal hernia operation. Observational studies evaluating nontechnical patient-related risk factors for recurrence after inguinal hernia surgery were included...

BACKGROUND: Increases in pregnancy complication rates and use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) have been demonstrated in female urologists and orthopaedic surgeons when compared with the general US population. To determine if childbearing differences exist across specialties, we evaluated female surgeons in all fields, particularly with regard to fertility. STUDY DESIGN: An anonymous, 199-item survey was distributed via specialty female surgeon interest groups and word of mouth to general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, podiatry, and urology...

Approximately 10% to 25% of patients have a pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. There is a compelling argument for attempting to avoid surgery in carefully selected groups of patients. Although nerve-preserving surgical techniques are now standard, the rates of urinary and sexual dysfunction are significant. Also, although sphincter function and quality of life among patients undergoing an ultra-low anterior resection is acceptable, results are poorer than expected and may be disabling...

IMPORTANCE: Many hospitals have undertaken initiatives to improve care during the end of life, recognizing that some individuals have unique needs that are often not met in acute inpatient care settings. Studies of surgical patients have shown this population to receive palliative care at reduced rates in comparison with medical patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in the use of palliative care and hospice between surgical and medical patients in an integrated health care system...

OBJECTIVES: There is limited data regarding the effects of preoperative dehydration on postoperative renal function. We sought to identify associations between hydration status before operation and postoperative acute renal failure (ARF) in patients undergoing colorectal resection. METHODS: The NSQIP database was used to examine the data of patients undergoing colorectal resection from 2005 to 2011. We used preoperative blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio >20 as a marker of relative dehydration...