Military-civilian partnerships and the clinical readiness mission: A preliminary study from the Military Health System and the American College of Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: The Blue Book , published in conjunction with the Military Health System Strategic Partnership with the American College of Surgeons, serves as a reference manual for institutions wishing to establish a military-civilian partnership (MCP). To evaluate the applicability of the criteria contained in the Blue Book , we created a survey to be distributed to MCP military surgeons and their civilian host champions. METHODS: E-mail surveys were sent to MCP military surgeons and civilian host champions. Military surgeons were queried about basic demographic information and aspects of the MCP including type, duration of assignment, onboarding, malpractice coverage, and billing for services. We gathered information on the role of military surgeons at the MCP, workload information, and trauma cases. The civilian host champions survey focused on institutional activities including trauma surgical volume, clinical and educational opportunities for the military surgeons, and exposure to research. Military-civilian partnership military surgeons and civilian host champions were questioned on program attributes: administrative support, budget, and profile of the program within the institution. RESULTS: Ten MCP military surgeons and 7 host champions completed surveys. The majority of military surgeons were assigned to the MCP for a 3-year instructor role (90%), and most were trauma surgeons (80%). Clinical activities for the military surgeon were where 60% spent ≥13 weeks annually on trauma. Military surgeons identified host program support in academic growth, deployment preparation, and sense of value at the MCP as positive attributes. Civilian host champions unanimously reported that exposure to research, opportunities to lead trauma teams, dedicated intensive care unit time, and patient volume were positive program attributes. CONCLUSION: This preliminary survey demonstrates that the criteria put forth in the Blue Book align with experiences of MCP military surgeons and host champions. Continued development of this survey and others like it may be useful in the MCP program selection and evaluation process. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management; Level V.

Half of geriatric trauma patients have significant ocular disease: Findings of a novel trauma provider eye examination for vision screening.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric ground level fall is a common admission diagnosis for trauma centers in the United States. Visual health has been linked to fall risk reduction in older adult but is rarely fully evaluated during a trauma admission. Using a commercial application and a questionnaire, we developed and tested a trauma provider eye examination (TPEE) to screen visual health. This study used the TPEE to (1) evaluate the prevalence of undiagnosed or undertreated visual disease in geriatric trauma patients and (2) determine the feasibility and reliability of the TPEE to screen for vision disease. METHODS: This prospective study included patients older than 60 years evaluated by the trauma service from June 2019 to May 2020. Patients with ocular or globe trauma were excluded. The primary outcome was significant abnormal vision (SAV) found using the TPEE. Ophthalmology performed a dilated examination as the criterion standard for comparison. We assessed the feasibility and reliability of the TPEE. Fisher's exact test and logistic model were used in the data analysis. RESULTS: Enrollment concluded with 96 patients. Mean age was 75 years, and fall (79%) was the most common mechanism of injury. Significant abnormal vision was common: undiagnosed disease was found in 39% and undertreated in 14%. Trauma provider examination was 94% sensitive and 92% specific for SAV cases. Congruence between TPEE and ophthalmology examination was highest in pupil examination (86%), visual fields (58%), and Amsler grid (52%). Multivariate analysis found that a combination of an abnormal Amsler test and abnormal visual field defect was significantly associated with SAV (odds ratio, 4.1; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Trauma provider eye examination screening can identify patients with visual deficits. Given the association between visual deficits and fall risk, older adults may benefit from such a screening or a formal ophthalmology referral. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management, level II.

A review of general surgery resident experience in common bile duct exploration in the ERCP era.

BACKGROUND: Use of minimally invasive techniques for management of common bile duct (CBD) stones has led to declining number of CBD explorations (CBDE) performed at teaching and non-teaching institutions. We evaluate the impact of this decline on surgery training in bile duct procedures. STUDY DESIGN: National operative data for general surgery residents (GSR) were examined from 2000 to 2018. Biliary operations including, cholecystectomy open and laparoscopic, and CBDE open and laparoscopic were evaluated for mean number of cases per graduating GSR. RESULTS: Despite increases in number of GSR, case numbers for laparoscopic cholecystectomy increased 39% from 84 to 117, p < .00001, per GSR. Mean number of cases for open CBDE, however, decreased 74% from 2.7 to 0.7, p < .00001, per GSR and laparoscopic CBDE declined 22% from 0.9 to 0.7 per resident. CONCLUSION: GSR operative case volume in CBDE has declined significantly creating a training deficiency for this complex skill. Novel simulation, including fresh cadavers, may offer the best option with high-fidelity, dynamic training to mitigate the loss of low volume, high acuity procedures.

Percutaneous drainage for hinchey Ib and II acute diverticulitis with abscess improves outcomes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of percutaneous drainage in Hinchey Ib and II diverticulitis is controversial. The aim of the present study was to clarify the indications for percutaneous drainage in such circumstances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective review at an academic tertiary care hospital. All Hinchey Ib and II diverticulitis cases admitted from 2012 to 2014 were considered. RESULTS: Overall, 104 (78%) patients underwent successful conservative treatment, whereas 30 (22%) patients underwent surgery during admission. During the index admission, abscess drainage was performed in 21 patients, of which 19 patients were successfully managed without surgery on the index admission and two patients ultimately required surgery. Elective versus same-admission surgery resulted in an increase use of laparoscopy (p=0.01), higher rate of restoration of gastrointestinal continuity with the index operation (p=0.04), and lower rate of diverting stoma formation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage may diminish the need for emergent surgery for Hinchey Ib and II diverticulitis. Elective surgery following conservative management increases the use of laparoscopy and decreases the rates of stoma formation.

Unexploded Ordnance Management.

The purpose of this Clinical Practice Guide is to provide details on the procedures to safely remove unexploded ordnance from combat patients, both loose and impaled, to minimize the risks to providers and the medical treatment facility while ensuring the best outcome for the patient. Military ordnance, to include bullets, grenades, flares, and explosive ordnance, retained by a patient can be a risk to all individuals and equipment along the continuum of care. This is especially true from the point of injury to the first treatment facility. Management of patients with unexploded ordnance either on or in their body is a rare event during combat surgery. Loose munitions are usually noted and easily removed prior to the patient receiving medical treatment. However, impaled munitions provide a significant challenge. These are usually caused by large caliber, high-velocity projectiles. Patients who survive to arrive at a treatment facility must be triaged safely and simultaneously treated appropriately to ensure both the survival of the patient and the treatment team. Between WWII and the Somalia conflict, there have been 36 reported cases of unexploded ordnance from U.S. soldiers. Since 2005, there have been six known cases during the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and one additional case in Pakistan. Optimal outcomes require a basic knowledge of explosives and triggering mechanisms, as well as adherence to basic principles of trauma resuscitation and surgery.

The origin of fatal pulmonary emboli: a postmortem analysis of 500 deaths from pulmonary embolism in trauma, surgical, and medical patients.

BACKGROUND: The traditional theory that pulmonary emboli (PE) originate from the lower extremity has been challenged. METHODS: All autopsies performed in Los Angeles County between 2002 and 2010 where PE was the cause of death were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 491 PE deaths identified, 36% were surgical and 64% medical. Venous dissection for clots was performed in 380 patients; the PE source was the lower extremity (70.8%), pelvic veins (4.2 %), and upper extremity (1.1%). No source was identified in 22.6% of patients. Body mass index (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.044, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.011 to 1.078, P = .009) and age (AOR 1.018, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.036, P = .042) were independent predictors for identifying a PE source. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AOR .173, 95% CI .046 to .646, P = .009) was predictive of not identifying a PE source. CONCLUSIONS: Most medical and surgical patients with fatal PE had a lower extremity source found, but a significant number had no source identified. Age and body mass index were positively associated with PE source identification. However, a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with no PE source identification.

Have endovascular procedures negatively impacted general surgery training?

OBJECTIVE: Technological advances in vascular surgery have changed the field dramatically over the past 10 years. Herein, we evaluate the impact of endovascular procedures on general surgery training. METHODS: National operative data from the Residency Review Committee for Surgery were examined from 1997 through 2006. Total major vascular operations, traditional open vascular operations and endovascular procedures were evaluated for mean number of cases per graduating chief general surgery resident (GSR) and vascular surgery fellow (VSF). RESULTS: As endovascular surgical therapies became widespread, GSR vascular case volume decreased 34% over 10 years, but VSF total cases increased 78%. GSR experience in open vascular operations decreased significantly, as evidenced by a 52% decrease (P < 0.0001) in elective open AAA repair. VSFs have also seen significant decreases in open vascular procedures. Experience in endovascular procedures has increased for both general surgery and vascular residents, but the increase has been much larger in absolute number for VSFs. CONCLUSIONS: GSR experience in open vascular procedures has significantly decreased as technology has advanced within the field. Unlike VSFs, this loss has not been replaced by direct experience with endovascular training. These data demonstrate the impact technology can have on how we currently train general surgeons. New educational paradigms may be necessary in which either vascular surgery as an essential component is abandoned or training in catheter-based interventions becomes required.