Estimating Community Disruption from Nighttime Gunshots in 6 U.S. Cities, 2015 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Gunshots affect those directly involved in an incident and those in the surrounding community. The community-level impact of nighttime gunshots, which may be particularly disruptive to the sleep of nearby community members, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to estimate the number of people potentially affected by nighttime gunshots and the relationship between nighttime gunshots and median household income in the USA. DESIGN: We collected publicly available data on the timing and location of gunshots in six U.S. cities (Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Washington, D.C.; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; and Portland, OR) from 2015 to 2021. We then analyzed the data by computing rate ratios (RRs) to compare the frequency of gunshots during nighttime hours (6:00 pm to 5:59 am) versus daytime hours (6:00 am to 5:59 pm). Additionally, we used geospatial mapping to create choropleth maps to visualize the variation in nighttime gunshot density across cities. We estimated, using city-wide population, person-nights potentially impacted by the sound of gunshots within areas of 0.2- (low) and 0.5-mile (high) radius. Finally, for five of six cities where data on median household income were available by census tract, we built nonlinear regression models to estimate the relationship between the number of nighttime gunshots and median household income. KEY RESULTS: We analyzed 72,236 gunshots. Gunshots were more common during the nighttime than daytime (overall RR = 2.5). Analyses demonstrated that the low estimates for the mean annual number of person-nights impacted by nighttime gunshots were 0.4 million in Baltimore and Portland, 1.3 million in Philadelphia, 1.6 million in Boston, 2.9 million in New York City, and 5.9 million in Washington. The number of nighttime gunshots was inversely related to median household income. CONCLUSIONS: Nighttime gunshots are prevalent, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, and may have under-recognized effects on the surrounding community.

Where Are the Questions About Firearms?: An Analysis of US Federal Public Health Survey Data Infrastructure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate existing federal survey data infrastructure pertaining to firearms and firearm-related violence. BACKGROUND: Firearm-related violence results in >40,000 deaths in the United States each year. Limited federal investments over the past 25 years have restricted a systematic approach to federal data collection related to firearms. METHODS: We conducted a systematized review of the 22 continuously administered public health surveys in the US Federal Statistical System conducted between 1995 and 2020. Surveys were included if they addressed 1 of 4 areas of inquiry: (1) firearms; (2) exposure to or experience of firearm-related, intimate partner, or other interpersonal violence; (3) substance use and substance use disorder; (4) behavioral health. Descriptive statistics were used to report the frequency of relevant questions. RESULTS: Nine of 22 surveys were focused on one of these domains and included in this analysis, 7 focused on adults (total 128 survey administrations over the study period) and 2 on youth and adolescents (total 30 administrations). Among all adult surveys, questions related to firearm use were asked 20% of the time, firearm-related violence 4%, firearm ownership 23%; in youth surveys, firearm use was addressed 0 times, firearm-related violence 57%, and firearm ownership 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Reliable national data are critical to understanding firearm-related violence as well as to developing, implementing, and evaluating public health measures to address it. Improving the consistency of questions pertaining to firearm access and experiences of violence in federal surveys offers an opportunity to improve national data infrastructure.

Underuse and Variability in Substance Use Screening Among Adult Trauma Patients in the U.S.: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the rates and variability in substance screening among adult trauma patients in the U.S. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Emergency Department trauma visits provide a unique opportunity to identify patients with substance use disorders. Despite the existence of screening guidelines, underscreening and variability in screening practices remain. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including adult trauma patients (18- 64-year-old) from the ACS-TQIP 2017-18 database. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to adjust for demographics, clinical, and facility factors, and marginal probabilities were calculated using these multivariable models. The primary outcomes were substance screening and positivity, which were defined relative to the observation-weighted grand mean (mean). RESULTS: 2,048,176 patients were contained in the TQIP dataset, 809,878 (39.5%) were screened for alcohol (20.8% positive), and 617,129 (30.1%) were screened for drugs (37.3% positive). After all exclusion criteria were applied, 765,897 patients were included in the analysis, 394,391 (52.9%) were screened for alcohol (22.1% tested positive), and 279,531 (36.5%) were screened for drugs (44.3% tested positive). Among the patients included in our study, significant variability in screening rates existed with respect to demo-graphic, trauma mechanism, injury severity, and facility factors. Furthermore, in several cases, patient subpopulations who were less likely to be screened were in fact more likely to screen positive or vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: Effective substance-screening guidelines should be predicated on achieving universal screening. Current lapses in screening, along with the observed variability, likely affect different patient populations in disparate manners and lead to both under-detection as well as waste of valuable resources.

Variability of Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance Protocols: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to better understand the variability that exists in the contemporary pediatric cervical spine (c-spine) clearance protocols and how this variability affects clinical practice and outcomes. BACKGROUND DATA: Pediatric c-spine injury is a rare but potentially devastating event. In the adult population, validated tools, such as the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) criteria and the Canadian C-spine Rule, are available to aid in safely clearing the c-spine clinically while reducing the utilization of radiography. In the pediatric population, no standardized, validated tool exists, leading to variability in protocols that are put to use. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in Cochrane, Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Web of Science electronic databases from January 1, 2009 until April 30, 2021. Data were extracted from studies that met inclusion criteria. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. RESULTS: There were 19 studies included in this systematic review. From these 19 studies, there were 16 unique protocols, 12 of which (75%) utilized some or all NEXUS criteria. Of the protocols that provided a detailed imaging algorithm (N=14), 12 (85.7%) utilized x-rays as the initial imaging modality. Indications for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging varied widely across the protocols. The rate of x-rays, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging utilization ranged from 16.7% to 97.8%, 5.4% to 100%, and 0% to 100%, respectively. Ten studies evaluated the efficacy of protocol implementation, with 9 (90%) of these studies showing an overall reduction of imaging rates in the postprotocol period. No clinically significant missed injuries were reported in the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Details of c-spine clearance protocols differed significantly across the included studies, but many applied some or all NEXUS criteria. Overall, while variable, protocols served to safely treat pediatric patients without missing any clinically significant c-spine injuries, while reducing radiation exposure.

Thoracic epidural-based Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for Nuss repair of pectus excavatum shortened length of stay and decreased rescue intravenous opiate use.

BACKGROUND: PCA- and block-based enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to decrease hospital length of stay (HLOS) and opiate use following Nuss Repair for Pectus Excavatum (NRPE). No thoracic epidural-based ERAS pathway has demonstrated similar benefits. METHODS: In this pre-post single-center study, data were retrospectively collected for patients ≤ 21 years undergoing NRPE from May 2015 to August 2019. Univariate and multivariate methods were used to evaluate whether implementation of a thoracic epidural-based ERAS in April 2017 was associated with HLOS, opiate use, or pain scores. RESULTS: There were 110 patients: 35 pre- and 75 post-ERAS. HLOS decreased from median 4.8 (1.1) to 3.3 (0.6) days with ERAS (p < 0.001). Use of rescue intravenous opiates decreased from 35.3% pre- to 9.3% with ERAS (p = 0.013). When adjusted for baseline characteristics, ERAS was associated with a 1.3 ± 0.2 day decrease in HLOS and 0.188 times the odds of rescue intravenous opiate use (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Pain scores, ED visits, and readmissions did not change with ERAS (p > 0.05). Implementation of a thoracic epidural-based ERAS following NRPE was associated with decreased HLOS and need for any rescue intravenous opiates without a change in pain scores, ED visits, or readmission.

Description and Impact of a Comprehensive Multispecialty Multidisciplinary Intervention to Decrease Opioid Prescribing in Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Diversion of excess prescription opioids contributes to the opioid epidemic. We sought to describe and study the impact of a comprehensive departmental initiative to decrease opioid prescribing in surgery. METHODS: A multispecialty multidisciplinary initiative was designed to change the culture of postoperative opioid prescribing, including: consensus-built opioid guidelines for 42 procedures from 11 specialties, provider-focused posters displayed in all surgical units, patient opioid/pain brochures setting expectations, and educational seminars to residents, advanced practice providers, residents and nurses. Pre- (April 2016-March 2017) versu post-initiative (April 2017-May 2018) analyses of opioid prescribing at discharge [median oral morphine equivalent (OME)] were performed at the specialty, prescriber, patient, and procedure levels. Refill prescriptions within 3 months were also studied. RESULTS: A total of 23,298 patients were included (11,983 pre-; 11,315 post-initiative). Post-initiative, the median OME significantly decreased for 10 specialties (all P values < 0.001), the percentage of patients discharged without opioids increased from 35.7% to 52.5% (P < 0.001), and there was no change in opioids refills (0.07% vs 0.08%, P = 0.9). Similar significant decreases in OME were observed when the analyses were performed at the provider and individual procedure levels. Patient-level analyses showed that the preinitiative race/sex disparities in opioid-prescribing disappeared post-initiative. CONCLUSION: We describe a comprehensive multi-specialty intervention that successfully reduced prescribed opioids without increase in refills and decreased sex/race prescription disparities.

A Longitudinal Population Analysis of Cumulative Risks of Circumcision.

BACKGROUND: Circumcision is widely accepted for newborns in the United States. However, circumcision carries a risk of complications, the rates of which are not well described in the contemporary era. METHODS: We performed a longitudinal population analysis of the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database between 2005 and 2010. Using International Classification of Procedures, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification and Current Procedural Terminology codes, we calculated early and late complication rates by Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. Late complications were defined as those that occurred between 30 d and 5 y after circumcision. Descriptive analysis of complications was obtained by analysis of variance, chi-square test, or log-rank test. On adjusted analysis, a Cox proportional hazard model was performed to determine the risk of early and late complications, adjusting for patient demographics. RESULTS: A total of 24,432 circumcised children under age 5 y were analyzed. Overall, cumulative complication rates over 5 y were 1.5% in neonates, 0.5% of which were early, and 2.9% in non-neonates, 2.2% of which were early. On adjusted analysis, non-neonates had a higher risk of early complications (OR 18.5). In both neonates and non-neonates, the majority of patients with late complications underwent circumcision revision. CONCLUSIONS: Circumcision has a complication rate higher than previously recognized. Most patients with late complications after circumcision received an operative circumcision revision. Clinicians should weigh the surgical risks against the reported medical benefits of circumcision when counseling parents about circumcision.

Clinicopathologic Features and Chromosome 12p Status of Pediatric Sacrococcygeal Teratomas: A Multi-institutional Analysis.

Chromosome 12p gains are typically present in postpubertal male patients with testicular malignant germ cell tumors, including most teratomas, and absent in pure ovarian teratomas, both mature and immature. We sought to evaluate the clinicopathologic features and chromosome 12p status of pediatric patients with sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) using the institutional databases of 2 tertiary medical centers. Seven mature teratomas (3 pure, 2 with yolk sac tumor, 1 with medulloepithelioma, and 1 with ependymoma) and 3 immature teratomas (2 pure: grade 2 and grade 3 and 1 mixed: grade 3 with yolk sac tumor) were identified. All patients underwent surgery and 2 received adjuvant chemotherapy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis was performed to elucidate chromosome 12p gains, including isochromosome 12p. All 10 tumors analyzed lacked 12p gains regardless of the components. No patient had evidence of disease at their most recent interval follow-up (mean: 30, range: 7-91 months), irrespective of margin status or of receiving chemotherapy. Overall, our study suggests an absence of chromosome 12p abnormalities in clinically nonaggressive SCTs. Additional data are required to confirm these findings before definitive patient care recommendations can be made.

Prevent the Bleed: How Surgeons Can Lead the National Conversation About Firearm Safety Forward.

: In the 5 years since the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and 6 of their teachers, we have witnessed intolerably more mass shooting events. In the intervening years, over 150,000 Americans have died because of firearm violence, 3 times the number who lost their lives during the Revolutionary war. In the last 2 months, we have been left reflecting on 2 more tragedies. The first came on October 1 in Las Vegas, at the Route 91 music festival where 58 were killed and over 500 injured by a single gunman. The second, on November 5, took place in Sutherland Springs, Texas (population 600) near San Antonio and claimed the lives of 26 men women and children while they prayed. As was witnessed in Orlando and San Bernardino, these most recent mass casualty incidents strained first responders, law enforcement, and the state's trauma systems to their breaking point.Once again, we were left searching for the reasons behind these tragedies asking predictable questions: who did this and why? Was it part of a terrorist plot or a lone psychopath with a grudge? Were the weapons obtained legally, and why would anyone need so many? How can we stop this from happening again?

A Nonlethal Case of Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa and Congenital Pyloric Atresia: Compound Heterozygosity in a Patient with a Novel Integrin Beta 4 Gene Mutation.

We report a case of nonfatal junctional epidermolysis bullosa and pyloric atresia in a newborn. We identified a substitution (c.914C>T) for the integrin ß4 gene that has been associated with favorable outcome. A novel mutation (c.2011T>G) of unknown significance was also found in this patient who is now thriving.

Solid pseudopapillary and malignant pancreatic tumors in childhood: A systematic review and evidence quality assessment.

A systematic review of 32 studies reporting on 489 children with pancreatic tumors was performed. The most prevalent histologic subtype was solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT) (61.3%). Pancreaticoduodenectomy was the most commonly performed operation (48%). Neoadjuvant chemo/radiotherapy was utilized in 3.9, 36.2, 25, and 27.8% of patients with SPTs, pancreatoblastomas (PBLs), neuroendocrine tumors, and exocrine carcinomas, respectively. Adjuvant chemotherapy (75.6%) and radiation (34%) were most commonly utilized in PBLs. All-cause mortality was highest in exocrine carcinomas (50%). Overall, 98.8% of patients with SPTs survived. PBL exhibited the highest recurrence rate (14.7%) within a mean of 23.5 months.

Reconstruction of Pediatric Scalp Avulsion Injuries After Dog Bites.

Dog bite injuries are common and the head and neck is most frequently involved in pediatric patients. In severe cases, the combination of crushing, tearing, and puncturing can result in scalp avulsion. Currently, microsurgical replantation of the avulsed scalp remains the gold standard but may not always be possible. The authors present their treatment algorithm with 2 patient examples. In Patient 1, the scalp was deemed unsuitable for replantation due to extensive soft tissue injury; in Patient 2, the scalp was not available on presentation. Both patients underwent debridement and early wound coverage followed by multistage secondary revision through serial tissue expansion and excision. At 3-years follow-up, both patients have achieved satisfactory aesthetic outcomes following the initial loss of 70% and 40% of hair-bearing scalp. There were no infective complications or wound dehiscence and the areas of scar alopecia are much improved with preservation of the hairline. Pediatric scalp avulsion injuries resulting from dog bites are uncommon and involve a unique injury mechanism. Coupled with the diminutive size of vessels in this patient population, replantation may be precluded altogether. A delayed and staged approach to reconstruction can restore a hair-bearing scalp for satisfactory outcomes.

Impact of a State Law on Physician Practice in Sports-Related Concussions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine physician-reported adherence to and support of the 2010 Massachusetts youth concussion law, as well as barriers to care and clinical practice in the context of legislation. STUDY DESIGN: Primary care physicians (n = 272) in a large pediatric network were eligible for a cross-sectional survey in 2014. Survey questions addressed key policy and practice provisions: concussion knowledge, state regulations and training, practice patterns, referrals, patient characteristics, and barriers to care. Analyses explored relationships between practice and policy, adjusting for physician demographic and practice characteristics. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 64% among all responders (173 of 272). A total of 146 respondents who had evaluated, treated, or referred patients with a suspected sports-related concussion in the previous year were eligible for analysis. The vast majority (90%) of providers agreed that the current Massachusetts laws regarding sports concussions are necessary and support the major provisions. Three-quarters (74%) had taken a required clinician training course on concussions. Those who took training courses were significantly more likely to develop individualized treatment plans (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-11.0). Physician training did not improve screening of youth with concussion for depression or substance use. Most physicians (77%) advised patients to refrain from computer, telephone, or television for various time periods. Physicians reported limited communication with schools. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians report being comfortable with the diagnosis and management of concussions, and support statewide regulations; however, adherence to mandated training and specific legal requirements varied. Broader and more frequent training may be necessary to align current best evidence with clinical care and state-mandated practice.

Occult Blood and Perianal Examination: Value Added in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Screening.

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often presents insidiously and standard blood tests are normal in 20% of patients. We hypothesize that fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and the perianal examination in addition to blood tests provide important information during the screening process for IBD. The aim of the present study was to measure the diagnostic value of adding FOBT and perianal examination to standard screening laboratories in evaluating children and adolescents for IBD. METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients undergoing ileocolonoscopy for IBD were reviewed. Laboratory test results, FOBT, and perianal examination before the decision to perform the ileocolonoscopy were recorded. Standard limits of laboratory tests were used. Multivariate logistic regression was performed on a discovery cohort and applied to an independent validation cohort. RESULTS: The discovery cohort included 335 patients (85 IBD and 250 non-IBD). A total of 61.2% had FOBT and perianal examination performed before the decision to perform the ileocolonoscopy. A total of 119 patients had complete blood testing, FOBT, and perianal examination available for full analysis. The sensitivity of the laboratory testing was 80.5% for IBD, and the sensitivity of FOBT with perianal examination was 66.9%. The combined sensitivity of laboratory testing and FOBT with perianal examination was, however, 97.6%. The most predictive model included C-reactive protein, platelet counts, and FOBT with perianal examination and was superior to the laboratory value-only model (P < 0.001) that was validated in a separate cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Perianal examination and FOBT improve sensitivity in screening children for IBD.

The ins and outs of pyloromyotomy: what we have learned in 35 years.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to evaluate a large series of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) patients treated by one pediatric surgeon focusing on their diagnostic difficulties and complications. METHODS: From July 1969 to December 2003 (inclusive), the charts of 791 infants with IHPS were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There were 647 (82%) males and 144 (18%) females; mean age was 38 days, median 51 (range 7 days-10 months). When ultrasonography (US) was routinely used (1990), the age at diagnosis decreased to <40 days. The mean weight before and after routine US was 3.2 kg, median 3 (range 1.5-6). Twenty-five (3.1%) were premature at diagnosis, mean age 49 days, median 56, (range 1-3 months) and mean weight 2.5 kg, median 2.3 (range 1.5-3.2). Eighty-one (10%) had a positive family history. Forty-four (5%) were non-Caucasians. Seventy-five (9 %) had other medical conditions, anomalies and/or associated findings. Sixty (7%) patients had abnormal preoperative electrolytes. Ten (1.2%) pylorics occurred after newborn operations. Of the entire total (791) who were treated, there were 13 (1.7%) not operated on. All operations were done open initially through one of two right upper quadrant incisions, and then through an upper midline incision under general endotracheal anesthesia; 14 (1.7 %) had concomitant procedures. Prophylactic antibiotics (from 1982) decreased the wound infection rate to 3.9%. There were a total of 87 (10%) complications which included 9 (1.1%) intraoperative, (including mistaken diagnoses) 78 (9%) postoperative: 59 (2%) early (<1 month) and 19 (2.4%) late (>1 month). The 13 (1.6%) postoperative transfers (12 from non-pediatric surgeons) had 16 (18%) complications (including 1 death); five (33%) requiring reoperation (4 incomplete, 1 perforation). There were two deaths. CONCLUSIONS: IHPS should be considered in any vomiting infant. US allows earlier diagnosis. Serious complications are uncommon and avoidable, but recognizable and easily corrected. Higher surgeon volume of pyloromyotomies (>14 per year) is associated with fewer complications.