Universal genetic counseling in breast cancer patients significantly improves overall testing rates and improves completion rates in subpopulations.

PURPOSE: The NCCN guidelines recommend genetic testing in those patients at increased risk of breast cancer in order to identify candidates for increased frequency of screening or prophylactic mastectomy. However, genetic testing may now identify patients who may benefit from recently developed targeted breast cancer therapy. In order to more widely identify these patients, we implemented genetic counseling for all patients diagnosed with breast cancer. METHODS: In 2021, all patients evaluated within a Midwestern community hospital system diagnosed with breast cancer were offered genetic counseling. This group of patients was compared to a cohort of patients in 2021 who were offered genetic counseling based on NCCN guidelines. With Pearson's chi square, Fisher's Exact test, Mann-Whitney U, and multivariate regression as appropriate, individual demographic data and genetic testing completion between 2019 and 2021 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 973 patients were reviewed. 439 were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 and 534 in 2021. Demographics and stage at diagnosis (p = 0.194) were similar between years. Completion of genetic testing increased from 204 (46.5%) in 2019 to 338 (63.3%) in 2021 (p < 0.01) with the universal counseling protocol. Specifically, genetic testing completion increased significantly in older patients (p = 0.041) and patients receiving Medicare benefits (p = 0.005). The overall pathogenic variants found increased from 32 to 39 with the most common including BRCA2 (n = 11), CFTR (n = 9), CHEK2 (n = 8), BRCA1 (n = 6). CONCLUSION: Universal genetic counseling was related to a significant increase in genetic testing completion and an increase in pathogenic variants found among breast cancer patients, specifically in subpopulations which may have been previously excluded by traditional NCCN genetic testing screening guidelines.

A Report on the Use of Telehealth in Otolaryngology in the Pre COVID-19 Era.

Objective: To investigate the integration of and barriers to the utilization of telehealth technology and its components (telemedicine, e-Health, m-health) in daily otolaryngologic practice before the SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary academic center. A national survey of members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery was administered. Descriptive analyses were performed to determine how telehealth was employed in otolaryngologists' practices. Results: A total of 184 surveys were completed. Telehealth technology was used by 50% of otolaryngologists surveyed. Regions with the largest percentage of physicians using telehealth were the Mid-Atlantic region (84%) and West Coast (67%). Most otolaryngologists indicated that they were familiar with telehealth or any of its components and how it is used in practice (52-83%), they had heard of telehealth or any of its components but were unsure what the terms specifically entailed (17-42%); 53% were satisfied with their current use of telehealth and electronic medical record (EMR); and 72% were comfortable utilizing smart devices for patient care. Most otolaryngologists (65%) indicated reimbursement as the biggest limitation to implementing telehealth, and 67% believed that typing was a hindrance to EMR utility. Conclusion: Half of the surveyed otolaryngologists used some form of telehealth at the time of the survey. The most commonly cited obstacle to physician adoption of telehealth was reimbursement. Although the adoption of telehealth technology was still limited in the field of otolaryngology based on this study, we are now seeing significant change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acute and Chronic Hematologic Implications of Emergency and Elective Splenectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Thrombocytosis and leukocytosis are common after splenectomy. The potential effect of emergency surgery on these postoperative findings is unknown. We hypothesized that emergency splenectomy leads to a more profound and persistent hematologic change as compared to elective splenectomy. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent elective or trauma splenectomy. Records were queried for platelet (PLT) and white blood cell (WBC) count prior to splenectomy, on postoperative days 1-5, and at day 14, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Complications, including thromboembolic events, infection, need for repeat operation, and readmission within 30 days of discharge, were recorded. RESULTS: 463 patients were identified as being eligible for the study, with 173 patients in the elective cohort and 145 patients in each of the isolated trauma splenectomy and polytrauma cohorts. Both cohorts had peak thrombocytosis at week 2 postoperatively. However, polytrauma patients had a significantly higher peak platelet count (P < 0.01). The PLT:WBC ratio was lower in both trauma cohorts pre-operatively and postoperative day 1. Trauma splenectomy had a higher PLT:WBC ratio on days 2 and 3 whereas polytrauma had a lower ratio on days 4 and 5. Emergency cases had greater reoperation and infection rates, whereas elective cases were more likely to require readmission. Postoperative thromboembolic events were only higher in the polytrauma cohort. CONCLUSIONS: While trauma splenectomy resulted in more profound postoperative leukocytosis and thrombocytosis, there was no correlation with timing of infection or risk of thromboembolic events. These findings suggest that thrombocytosis and leukocytosis may be associated with thrombotic and infectious events but their presence alone does not indicate direct risks of concomitant infection or thrombosis.

Characterizing Early Inpatient Death After Trauma.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data to predict early death or futility after trauma. The objective of this study was to characterize the laboratory values, blood product administration, and hospital disposition for patients with trauma who died within 72 h of admission. METHODS: All deaths within 72 h of admission over a 5-y period at a level I trauma center were reviewed. Blood transfusion within the first 4 h of arrival and patient disposition from the emergency department to the operating room (OR), surgical intensive care unit, or the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU) were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to determine time to death. RESULTS: A total of 622 subjects were identified; 39.5% died in the emergency department, 10.6% went directly to the OR, 13.6% were admitted to the surgical intensive care unit, and 29.7% admitted to the NSICU. Of these subjects, 201 (32.2%) patients received blood within the first 4 h. By 24 h, early blood transfusion was associated with more rapid death for patients who were admitted to the NSICU (80% versus 60% mortality, P = 0.01) but not for patients taken directly to the OR (80% versus 70% mortality, P = 0.2). Admission coagulopathy by international normalized ratio (P < 0.01), but not anemia (P = 0.64) or acidosis (P = 0.45), correlated with a shorter time to death. In contrast, laboratory values obtained at 4 h after admission did not correlate with time to death. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that admission coagulation derangement and need for early blood product transfusion are the two factors most associated with early death after injury, particularly in those patients with traumatic brain injury. These data will help construct future models for futility of continued care in patients with trauma.

Optimizing Lower Extremity Duplex Ultrasound Screening After Traumatic Injury.

BACKGROUND: The risk assessment profile (RAP) score has been used to determine patients who would most benefit from lower extremity duplex ultrasound screening (LEDUS). We hypothesized that revising our LEDUS protocol to perform screening ultrasound examinations in patients with an RAP ≥8 within 48 h of admission would reduce the number of LEDUS performed without changing outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on trauma patients admitted from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, and July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017. In 2014-2015, patients with an RAP score ≥5 underwent weekly LEDUS examinations starting on hospital day 4. In 2016-2017, the protocol was changed to start screening patients with an RAP score ≥8 by hospital day 2. Both protocols screened with weekly ultrasounds after the first examination. Demographic data, injury characteristics, LEDUS examination findings, chemoprophylaxis type, and venous thromboembolism incidence were collected. RESULTS: A total of 602 patients underwent LEDUS examination in 2014-2015, whereas only 412 underwent LEDUS in 2016-2017. No significant difference was seen in the number of patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism. DVTs were most often identified on the first LEDUS examination in both cohorts. Of patients diagnosed with a DVT on an LEDUS examination, a significantly higher RAP score (12 versus 10), and a shorter time to first duplex (1 versus 3 d), and DVT diagnosis (2 versus 4 d) were observed in the 2016-2017 cohort. In patients diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, no significant differences were demonstrated between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Refinement of LEDUS protocols can decrease overutilization of hospital resources without compromising trauma patient outcomes.

Relationship of Coagulopathy and Platelet Dysfunction to Transfusion Needs After Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: Coagulopathy and platelet dysfunction commonly develop after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thromboelastography (TEG) and platelet function assays (PFAs) are often performed at the time of admission; however, their roles in assessing post-TBI coagulopathy have not been investigated. We hypothesized that compared to blunt TBI, penetrating TBI would (1) demonstrate greater coagulopathy by TEG, (2) be associated with abnormal PFA results, and (3) require more blood product transfusions. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted to the neuroscience intensive care unit of a level 1 trauma center from 2013 to 2015 with head Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥3. Patients were compared by mechanism of injury (blunt vs. penetrating). Admission demographics, injury characteristics, and laboratory parameters were evaluated. VerifyNow® Aspirin and P2Y12 tests were used for platelet function analysis. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty-four patients were included in the analysis. There were no differences between groups in platelet count or international normalized ratio; however, patients with penetrating TBI were more coagulopathic by TEG, with all of the TEG parameters being significantly different except for R time. Patients with penetrating head trauma were not more likely than their blunt counterparts to have abnormal PFA results, and PFA results did not correlate with any TEG parameter in either group. The penetrating cohort received more units of blood products in the first 4 and 24 h than the blunt cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with penetrating TBI demonstrated increased coagulopathy compared to those with blunt TBI as measured by TEG and need for transfusion. PFA results did not correlate with TEG findings in this population.

Residents underestimate their robotic performance: evaluating resident robotic console participation time.

Lack of formal national robotic curriculum results in a void of knowledge regarding appropriate progression of autonomy in robotic general surgery training. One midwestern academic surgical training program has demonstrated that residents expect to independently operate more on the robotic console than they perceive themselves to do. As such, our study sought to evaluate expectations of residents and faculty regarding resident participation versus actual console participation time (CPT) at a community general surgery training program. We surveyed residents and faculty in two phases. Initially, participants were asked to reflect on their perceptions and expectations from the previous six months. The second phase included surveys (collected over six months) after individual cases with subjective estimation of participation versus CPT calculated by the Intuitive Surgical, Inc. MyIntuitive application. Using Mann-Whitney U-Test, we compared resident perceptions of CPT to actual CPT by case complexity and post-graduate year (PGY). Faculty (n = 7) estimated they allowed residents to complete a median of 26-50% of simple and 0-25% of complex cases in the six months prior to the study. They expected senior residents (PGY-4 and PGY-5) to complete more: 51-75% of simple and 26-50% of complex cases. Residents (n = 13), PGY-2-PGY-5, estimated they completed less than faculty perceived (0-25% of simple and 0-25% of complex cases). Sixty-six post-case (after partial colectomy, abdominoperoneal resection, low anterior resection, cholecystectomy, inguinal/ventral hernia repair, and others) surveys were completed. Residents estimated after any case that they had completed 26-50% of the case. However, once examining their MyIntuitive report, they actually completed 51-75% of the case (median). Residents, especially PGY-4 and 5, completed a higher percentage than estimated of robotic cases. Our study confirms that residents can and should complete more of (and increasingly complex) robotic cases throughout training, like the transition of autonomy in open and laparoscopic surgery.

Lessons from other fields of medicine, Part 1: Breast cancer.

Through the understanding of multiple etiologies, pathologies, and disease progression trajectories, breast cancer shifted historically from a singular malignancy of the breast to a complex of molecular/biological entities, translating into individualized disease-modifying treatments. As a result, this led to various de-escalations of treatment compared with the gold standard in the era preceding systems biology: radical mastectomy. Targeted therapies have minimized morbidity from the treatments and mortality from the disease. Biomarkers further individualized tumor genetics and molecular biology to optimize treatments targeting specific cancer cells. Landmark discoveries in breast cancer management have evolved through histology, hormone receptors, human epidermal growth factor, single-gene prognostic markers, and multigene prognostic markers. Relevant to the reliance on histopathology in neurodegenerative disorders, histopathology evaluation in breast cancer can serve as a marker of overall prognosis rather than predict response to therapies. This chapter reviews the successes and failures of breast cancer research through history, with focus on the transition from a universal approach for all patients to divergent biomarker development and individualized targeted therapies, discussing future areas of growth in the field that may apply to neurodegenerative disorders.

Mathilde Schott, A Woman's Influence in the Revolution of the Scalpel in the 1890s.

Surgery relies on the scalpel; the surgeon's first instrument in every case. From early knives crafted in the pre-historic era to today, the scalpel has evolved along with medical and surgical fields but maintained its critical role and symbolism of operative intervention. A significant catalyst for change in surgical instrument development in the late 1800s was the evolution of anesthesia and antisepsis. Surgical instruments were affected by harsh sterilization techniques, creating need for a method to maintain surgical scalpel sharpness. Mathilde Schott, an early female biomedical engineering innovator, filed a patent (US431153) in 1890 for a detachable scalpel blade. Schott identified and responded to the needs of surgeons at the turn of the 20th century and created a detachable blade and stabilizing lever. Schott persevered in a society unaccustomed to women leaders, subsequently improving medicine, surgery, and engineering.

Management and Scheduling of Spine Surgery in a Level 1 Trauma Center in the Setting of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Feasibility and Considerations for Reimplementation of Elective Spine Surgery.

Introduction: Determination of what constitutes necessary surgery in the setting of acute hospital resource strain during the COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for healthcare systems. Over the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many changes in reviews of medically necessary spine surgery. There continues to be no clear guidelines on recommendations and further discussion is necessary to continue to provide appropriate and high-level care during future pandemics. Significance: This review critically appraises and evaluates current barriers to medically necessary spine surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluates future decision making to maintain spine surgery during future pandemics or limitations in medical care. Results: Multiple studies included in this review have shown that while various orthopaedic surgeries may be considered elective, medically necessary spine surgery will need to continue during settings of limited medical care. This review discussed multiple methods and recommendations to limit transmission of virus from patients to providers and providers to patients. Conclusion: Continued medically necessary spine surgery in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics should continue while limiting risk of transmission to continue providing high-level medical care and allowing hospitals to maintain financial responsibility.

Tracheostomy decreases continuous analgesia and sedation requirements.

BACKGROUND: The goals of sedation in the critically ill surgical patient are to minimize pain, anxiety, and agitation without hindering cardiopulmonary function. One potential benefit of tracheostomy during endotracheal intubation is the reduction of sedation and analgesia; however, there are little data to support this supposition. We hypothesized that patients undergoing tracheostomy would have a rapid reduction in sedation and analgesia following tracheostomy. METHODS: A retrospective review of tracheostomies performed at a single Level I trauma center from January 2013 to June 2018 was completed. An evaluation of Glasgow Coma Scale, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, and Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit 72 hours pretracheostomy to 72 hours posttracheostomy was performed. The total daily dose of sedation, anxiolytic, and analgesic medications administered were recorded. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate longitudinal drug does over time (hours). RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-eight patients included for analysis with a mean age of 58.8 ± 18.3 years. There was a significant decrease in propofol and fentanyl utilization from 24 hours pretracheostomy to 24 hours posttracheostomy in both dose and number of patients receiving these continuous intravenous medications. Similarly, total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) use and continuous midazolam significantly decreased from 24 hours pretracheostomy to 24 hours posttracheostomy. By contrast, intermittent enteral quetiapine and methadone administration increased after tracheostomy. Importantly, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Confusion Assessment Method scoring were also significantly improved as early as 24 hours posttracheostomy. Total MME use was significantly elevated in patients younger than 65 years and in male patients pretracheostomy compared with female patients. Patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit had significantly higher MME use compared with those in the surgical intensive care unit pretracheostomy. CONCLUSION: Tracheostomy allows for a rapid and significant reduction in intravenous sedation and analgesia medication utilization. Posttracheostomy sedation can transition to intermittent enteral medications, potentially contributing to the observed improvements in postoperative mental status and agitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Defining Endotheliopathy in Murine Polytrauma Models.

INTRODUCTION: "Endotheliopathy of trauma" is recognized as endothelial dysfunction following traumatic injury leading to poor patient outcomes. Acute post-traumatic disruptions in endothelial cell function have been associated with profound physiologic, hemodynamic, and coagulation derangements. The goal of this study was to define the generation and extent of endotheliopathy in murine polytrauma models by evaluating the post-traumatic release of serum biomarkers of ongoing cellular injury. METHODS: Mice were randomized to undergo moderately severe concussive TBI by weight drop, 60-min hemorrhagic shock to MAP 25 mmHg with subsequent resuscitation with Lactated Ringer's, submandibular bleed (SMB), and/or midline laparotomy with rectus muscle crush. Mice were sacrificed at 1, 4, or 24 h for serum biomarker evaluation. RESULTS: Serum biomarkers revealed differential timing of elevation and injury-dependent release.At 24 h, soluble thrombomodulin was significantly elevated in combined TBI + shock + lap crush compared to untouched, and shock alone. Syndecan-1 levels were significantly elevated after shock 1 to 24 h compared to untouched cohorts with a significant elevation in TBI + shock + lap crush 24 h after injury compared to shock alone. UCHL-1 was significantly elevated in shock mice at 1 to 24 h post-injury compared to untouched mice. UCHL-1 was also significantly elevated in the TBI + shock cohort 24 h after injury compared to shock alone. Hyaluronic acid release at 4 h was significantly elevated in shock alone compared to the untouched cohort with further elevations in TBI + shock + lap crush and TBI + shock compared to shock alone at 24 h. Hyaluronic acid was also increased in lap crush and laparotomy only cohort compared to untouched mice 24 h after injury. CONCLUSIONS: A murine model of polytrauma including TBI, hemorrhagic shock, and laparotomy abdominal crush is a reliable method for evaluation of endotheliopathy secondary to trauma as indicated by differential changes in serum biomarkers.

How Informed Is Your Informed Consent: Evaluating Differences Between Resident and Attending Obtained Consents for Cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: There is considerable variability in surgeons' approach to write and obtain informed consent for surgery, particularly among resident trainees. We analyzed differences in procedures and complications described in documented surgical consents for cholecystectomy between residents and attendings. We hypothesized that attending consents would describe more comprehensive procedures and complications than those done by residents. DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of 334 patients who underwent cholecystectomy. Charts were queried for demographics, surgical approach, whether the consent was completed electronically, and which provider completed the consent. Specifically, consents were evaluated for inclusion of possible conversion to open procedure, intraoperative cholangiogram, bile duct injury, injury to nearby structures, reoperation, bile leak, as well as if the consent matched the actual procedure performed. SETTING: This study was conducted at an accredited general surgery training program at an academic tertiary care center in the Midwest. PARTICIPANTS: This was a review of 334 patients who underwent cholecystectomy over a 1 year period. RESULTS: Of all documented consents analyzed, 153 (47%) specifically included possible intraoperative cholangiogram, 156 (47%) included bile duct injury, 76 (23%) included injury to nearby structures, 22 (7%) included reoperation, and 62 (19%) included bile leak. In comparing residents and attendings, residents were more likely to consent for bile duct injury (p = 0.002), possible intraoperative cholangiogram (p = 0.0007), injury to nearby structures (p < 0.0001), reoperation (p < 0.0001), and bile leak (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation exists between documentation between resident and attending cholecystectomy consents, with residents including more complications than attendings on their consent forms. These data suggest that experience alone does not predict content of written consents, particularly for common ambulatory procedures. Education regarding the purpose of informed consent and what should be included in one may lead to a reduction in variability between providers.

Prehospital end-tidal carbon dioxide is predictive of death and massive transfusion in injured patients: An Eastern Association for Surgery of Trauma multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Prehospital identification of the injured patient likely to require emergent care remains a challenge. End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) has been used in the prehospital setting to monitor respiratory physiology and confirmation of endotracheal tube placement. Low levels of ETCO2 have been demonstrated to correlate with injury severity and mortality in a number of in-hospital studies. We hypothesized that prehospital ETCO2 values would be predictive of mortality and need for massive transfusion (MT) in intubated patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter trial with 24 participating centers. Prehospital, emergency department, and hospital values were collected. Receiver operating characteristic curves were created and compared. Massive transfusion defined as >10 U of blood in 6 hours or death in 6 hours with at least 1 U of blood transfused. RESULTS: A total of 1,324 patients were enrolled. ETCO2 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.67; confidence interval [CI], 0.63-0.71) was better in predicting mortality than shock index (SI) (AUROC, 0.55; CI, 0.50-0.60) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (AUROC, 0.58; CI, 0.53-0.62) (p < 0.0005). Prehospital lowest ETCO2 (AUROC, 0.69; CI, 0.64-0.75), SBP (AUROC, 0.75; CI, 0.70-0.81), and SI (AUROC, 0.74; CI, 0.68-0.79) were all predictive of MT. Analysis of patients with normotension demonstrated lowest prehospital ETCO2 (AUROC, 0.66; CI, 0.61-0.71), which was more predictive of mortality than SBP (AUROC, 0.52; CI, 0.47-0.58) or SI (AUROC, 0.56; CI, 0.50-0.62) (p < 0.001). Lowest prehospital ETCO2 (AUROC, 0.75; CI, 0.65-0.84), SBP (AUROC, 0.63; CI, 0.54-0.74), and SI (AUROC, 0.64; CI, 0.54-0.75) were predictive of MT in normotensive patients. ETCO2 cutoff for MT was 26 mm Hg. The positive predictive value was 16.1%, and negative predictive value was high at 98.1%. CONCLUSION: Prehospital ETCO2 is predictive of mortality and MT. ETCO2 outperformed traditional measures such as SBP and SI in the prediction of mortality. ETCO2 may outperform traditional measures in predicting need for transfusion in occult shock. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic test, level III.

Characteristics of General Surgery Social Media Influencers on Twitter.

BACKGROUND: The influence of social media and Twitter in general surgery research, mentorship, networking, and education is growing. Limited data exist regarding individuals who control the dialogue. Our goal was to characterize influencers leading the discussion in general surgery. METHODS: Right Relevance Insight API was searched for "general surgery," and individual influencers were ranked by a comprehensive assessment of connections (followers/following) and engagement (likes, retweets, and comments). Profession, specialty, gender, and location were collected utilizing Twitter, Doximity, LinkedIn, ResearchGate, and institutional websites. American Board of Surgery and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada were queried for board certification and academic h-index scores were acquired from Scopus. RESULTS: Eighty-eight individual influencers in general surgery were identified, with 73 holding positions in general surgery. Attending level general surgeons comprised 50%, of which 91% are board certified, and 94% completed a fellowship (surgical oncology, laparoscopic surgery, critical care/trauma, and colorectal surgery). Residents comprised 31%; 11% were nonsurgeons and 3% were not physicians. The majority of residents and fellow influencers were female (72%). Many general surgery influencers were international (51%), particularly Canadian (28% overall). The academic h-indices for these influencers (n = 73) ranged from 0 to 73 (mean 14.5 ± 8.2; median 9.5). DISCUSSION: Our data describe the positions, backgrounds, and research contributions of the top Twitter influencers in general surgery. Those engaged in social media should consider the background, expertise, and motivation of these influencers as the utilization and impact of this platform grows.

Current opinions in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery: functional considerations in reconstruction after laryngectomy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review reconstruction techniques following total laryngectomy, partial laryngopharyngectomy, and total laryngopharyngectomy with an emphasis on long-term swallow and speech outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature has shown that the use of fasciocutaneous free flaps in the reconstruction of laryngectomy defects may lead to improved speech and swallow outcomes as compared with regional or free musculocutaneous flaps. Radial forearm and anterolateral thigh are the most often used fasciocutaneous free flaps, with similar speech and swallow outcomes. Primary closure with myofascial flap onlay yields similar speech and swallow results to fasciocutaneous flaps following laryngectomy that spares sufficient pharyngeal mucosa. SUMMARY: Whenever reconstructing a salvage laryngectomy defect or a primary laryngectomy defect with mucosal deficiency, current evidence suggests that a fasciocutaneous free flap used to augment pharyngeal volume both improves fistula rates as well as long-term speech and swallow outcomes. When sufficient pharyngeal mucosa is present, myofascial onlay can be considered as well.

Retinal Artery Macroaneurysm Associated With Retinal Hemangioblastoma.

A 34-year-old Caucasian woman with a past medical history of hypertension presented with acute floaters in the right eye (OD) for 1 week. Best-corrected visual acuity (VA) was 20/20 in both eyes. Fundus examination OD (Figure 1) revealed a retinal hemangioblastoma (RH) in the temporal midperiphery with a prominent feeding artery and draining vein. A retinal arterial microaneurysm (RAM) was noted within the feeding artery, and subretinal hemorrhage with a cuff of fluid was present. Fundus autofluorescence (Figure 2) showed hypoautofluorescence in the area of the RH, RAM, and subretinal hemorrhage. A hyperautofluorescent ring surrounding the hemorrhage suggested shallow subretinal fluid. Early phase fluorescein angiography (Figure 3) demonstrated appropriate arterial and venous filling and hyperfluorescence of the RH. The RAM appeared hyperfluorescent, whereas the subretinal hemorrhage blocked. There was no evidence of leakage on late images. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Figure 4) through the RAM revealed an inner retinal structure with a central lumen and hyperreflective border. Mild outer retinal exudation was also noted. Fovea was normal on OCT. Fundus examination of the left eye was normal. Genetic work-up was negative for von Hippel-Lindau disease. Treatment of the hemangioblastoma was offered, but the patient preferred observation. VA remained stable, and better systemic hypertension control was recommended. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:365-366.].

Complications in Children with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Following Spine Surgery: Analysis of the Pediatric National Surgery Quality Improvement Program Database.

BACKGROUND: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of rare congenital disorders of connective tissue that result in tissue fragility and joint hyperextensibility. Owing to its rarity, outcomes of pediatric spine surgery in patients with EDS are poorly characterized. Although it has been suggested that complication rates are high, few studies have characterized these complications. METHODS: Pediatric National Surgery Quality Improvement Program data from 2012-2016 were analyzed. Patients with EDS undergoing spine surgery were identified along with patients without EDS undergoing the same surgeries using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes. RESULTS: Of 369,176 total patients, 279 were determined to have EDS. Of these, 56 patients underwent spine surgery; 46% were male and 54% were female (P = 0.108). Mean age at surgery was 11.59 years (P = 0.888) with a range of 1.77-17.33 years. The most common procedure was arthrodesis (n = 37). There were no differences in unplanned reoperations (n = 4, P = 0.119), wound infections or disruptions (n = 2, P = 0.670), or overall complications (n = 25, P = 0.751). Blood transfusions were required in 41% of patients with EDS, but this was not significant compared with patients without EDS undergoing the same procedures (n = 23, P = 0.580). The total amount of blood transfused (P = 0.508), length of hospital stay (P = 0.396), and total operative time (P = 0.357) were not different from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients with EDS do not appear to be at a higher risk of bleeding or other complications during spine surgery as reported in past case series. This is the largest retrospective review of its kind that has been performed in this patient population.

Prevalence of anemia and its relationship with neurological status in patients undergoing surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy: A retrospective study of 2 spine centers.

Both degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and anemia are common among older patients, however insufficient data exists evaluating their co-occurrence and the influence of anemia on baseline neurological status. To address this, we examined a retrospective multicenter series of patients treated for DCM or radiculopathy. Myelopathy was graded using the Nurick scale. Established criteria for diagnosing abnormalities were used to identify blood abnormalities, including macrocytic and microcytic anemia. Multivariable regression was used to determine the impact of hematological anomalies on Nurick grades. In our analysis, we included 725 patients (age of 57.1 ± 11.7), of whom 398 presented with myelopathy and 327 presented with radiculopathy alone. Twenty six percent of all patients were anemic at baseline and the mean preoperative Nurick grade across all patients was 2.09 ± 1.29; mean Nurick grade amongst those with DCM was 2.98 ± 1.12. Compared to those with myelopathy, patients with radiculopathy were significantly younger (53.8 ± 11.0 vs 59.8 ± 11.6, p < 0.001) and less likely to be anemic (16.8% vs 33.7%, p < 0.0001). Nurick grading was significantly higher in myelopathy patients with anemia (3.13 ± 1.19 vs 2.91 ± 1.07, p = 0.05) and macrocytic anemia (4.00 ± 1.41 vs 2.97 ± 1.11, p = 0.04). Multivariate regression demonstrated that anemia (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.0001), and posterior surgical approach (p < 0.0001) were related to worse preoperative Nurick grade. In sum, these data suggest that anemia and degenerative cervical spine pathologies commonly co-occur. Anemia, and macrocytic anemia specifically, is associated with poorer neurological status in myelopathic patients. These data suggest anemia may influence baseline neurological status and impact surgical recovery in patients treated for DCM or radiculopathy.