A Review of the Factors and Outcomes of Institutional Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation Committees: A Multicenter Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Neuromodulation represents one of the more advanced tools in the armamentarium of pain physicians. To optimize neuromodulation patient selection and management, an institutional interdisciplinary neuromodulation committee was created at each of two academic medical centers (University of California Davis [UCD] and Stanford University). The committee aims to collaboratively optimize neuromodulation candidates, to assess and minimize medical and psychologic risks, and to select the best device given a patient's pain condition. In this study, we present the methods and outcome data of the Neuromodulation Committee at the two institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval, we included all adult patients who were evaluated by the Neuromodulation Committee between 2017 and 2020 at two academic pain clinics. Patients with insufficient data were excluded from the study. A retrospective chart review was completed on 385 UCD and Stanford University patient committee reviews. Data collected from the chart review included demographics (age, sex), committee meeting results (proceed with trial/implant or decline), trial success, and implant rate. RESULTS: Of the 385 patients screened, the committees recommended proceeding with an implantable device (peripheral and neuraxial) in 337 patients (87.5%). Of the 278 patients recommended for neuraxial neuromodulation, 131 underwent trials with percutaneous leads (47.1%). Trials were successful (causing a ≥50% reduction in self-reported pain or improved function) in 108 patients (82.4%). The institutions completed 87 implants of 131 trials, representing a trial-to-permanent ratio of 66.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The Neuromodulation Committee aims to identify optimal patients for neuromodulation, address procedural challenges, decrease adverse events, provide educational context for trainees, and improve patient-related outcomes. Patients who were recommended for neuromodulation and subsequently underwent intervention had high trial success rates for dorsal root ganglion stimulation and spinal cord stimulation. The findings indicate that such an approach can lead to neuromodulation success, especially at academic centers, by combining the expertise of both medical and psychologic professionals.

Telescoping Stents to Maintain a 3-Way Patency of the Airway.

Background: Central airway obstruction near the right upper lobe (RUL) airway orifice poses a dilemma for the clinician. Maintaining ventilation to the right middle and right lower lobes is of utmost importance. However, preserving ventilation to the RUL is desirable as well especially in patients with significant dyspnea. Case presentation: In this case report, we describe telescoping 2 covered self-expanding hybrid stents to relieve airway obstruction while maintaining RUL ventilation. Conclusions: Review of current literature revealed several additional documented approaches to overcome this challenge. The choice of intervention needs to be deliberated based on the available stents, delineation of the airway obstruction, and the patient's anatomy.

Zinc deficiency: A cause of opioid-induced physical dependence and addiction in post-operative total hip arthroplasty patients.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, opioid abuse and related overdoses have increased warranting the need for research directed against the opioid epidemic. Previous studies identified that patients on opioid therapy may become zinc deficient and that zinc, in a murine model, may antagonistically affect the opioid receptor.13 Further understanding the relationship between opioid use and zinc deficiency may mitigate the opioid epidemic. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to identify zinc (Zn2+) deficiencies among post-operative total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. On post-operative day one, patients had routine blood tests, including Zn2+ plasma levels. Patients were considered Zn2+-deficient if their Zn2+ plasma was < 56 µg/dL (Reference: 56-134 µg/dL). Upon discharge from the hospital, the patients' inpatient opioid medication consumption per day was determined by dividing total morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) by length of stay. A Student's t-test was performed to compare the total MMEs for Zn2+-deficient patients versus Zn2+-normal patients. A univariate analysis followed by multiple linear regression was performed to identify demographic or surgical predictors of MMEs/day. RESULTS: For Zn2+-deficient patients, the total MMEs/day was 33.62 ( ± 27.06), as compared to Zn2+-normal patients who consumed 16.22 ( ±16.01) MMEs/day (p = 0.031). The univariate analysis and multiple linear regression showed that patients' Zn2+ status had a significant contribution toward predicting MMEs/day, with p = 0.022 and p = 0.04, re-spectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that Zn2+ deficiency may potentiate opioid consumption. Thus, Zn2+ sup-plementation may be a simple approach to reducing opioid addiction and dependence.

Exploring a Third Confirmed Case of Hemoperitoneum following Open Inguinal Hernia Repair Caused by Sampson Artery Hemorrhage.

Hemoperitoneum is a rare complication of open inguinal hernia repair. This is the third reported case of this complication attributed to the same bleeding source: Sampson's artery. Sampson's artery courses along the round ligament of the uterus in the inguinal canal of females, originating from the arcade formed between the uterine and ovarian arteries. Usually obliterated in postembryonic development, this artery can persist in some adult female patients. Disruption of Sampson's artery can lead to hemoperitoneum following ligation of the uterine round ligament during open inguinal hernia repair in females. This case report describes a third confirmed case of hemoperitoneum complicating an open inguinal hernia repair. We review all three reported cases to date and discuss the recurring signs, symptoms, epidemiologic factors, and diagnostic findings associated. Our review suggests that females of childbearing age, particularly those in the peripartum period, are most at risk of developing this rare complication.