Safety and efficacy of over-the-scope clips versus standard therapy for high-risk nonvariceal upper GI bleeding: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Upper GI bleeding (UGIB) is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic hemostasis remains the mainstay of therapy and is mainly aimed at effective hemostasis and prevention of rebleeding. Lesions with high-risk stigmata can have rebleeding rates of as high as 26.3%. Rebleeding is associated with increased mortality and reduced success rates of endoscopic retreatment. The over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) is a device with widespread endoscopic indications including hemostasis for nonvariceal UGIB (NVUGIB). The current study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing OTSCs versus standard therapy (STD) for NVUGIB. METHODS: Multiple databases were searched through April 2022 for studies comparing OTSCs and STD for NVUGIBs. Primary outcomes were clinical success rates, rebleeding rates, and procedure times, and secondary outcomes were mortality rates and length of hospitalization. Meta-analysis was performed to determine pooled odds ratios to compare outcomes between the OTSC and STD groups. RESULTS: Ten studies, including 4 randomized controlled trials, with 914 patients were included in the final analysis. Of patients with NVUGIB, 431 were treated with OTSCs and 483 with STD. Patients treated with OTSCs had an overall lower risk of 7-day (risk ratio [RR], .41; 95% confidence interval [CI], .24-.68; I2 = 0%) and 30-day rebleeding (RR, .46; 95% CI, .31-.65; I2 = 0%). Clinical success rates were higher with OTSCs compared with STD (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.06-1.75). Mean procedure time was shorter in the OTSC group by 6.62 minutes (95% CI, 2.58-10.67) versus the STD group (I2 = 84%). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of mortality between the OTSC and STD groups (RR, .55; 95% CI, .24-1.24; I2 = 0%). Length of hospitalization was comparable between both groups, with a pooled mean difference for OTSCs versus STD of .87 days (95% CI, -1.62 to 3.36 days; I2 = 71%). CONCLUSIONS: Although our study was limited to high-risk NVUGIB, our analysis showed that hemostasis with OTSCs is associated with a lower 7-day and 30-day rebleeding rates, higher clinical success rates, and shorter procedure time with similar mortality rates and length of hospital stay as compared with STD.

Müllerian-type, cutaneous ciliated cyst in the gluteal cleft mimicking a pilonidal cyst.

A cutaneous ciliated cyst is a rare entity found predominantly in the lower extremities and perineal region of young females. Although initially described by Hess in 1890, the present day term, "cutaneous ciliated cyst," was proposed by Farmer in 1978 and includes a wide array of cyst types. Despite their typical female predominance and location, many have described cutaneous ciliated cysts in males and atypical locations. In addition, Mullerian cysts in the posterior mediastinum and the retroperitoneum have been reported. To date, only 40 cases have been reported in the literature of a Mullerian-type, cutaneous ciliated cyst. Here, we report a case of 13-year-old female with one in the gluteal cleft, initially presenting as a pilonidal cyst. We also discuss the differential diagnosis of pediatric sacrococcygeal lesions and pathogenesis of a Mullerian-type, cutaneous ciliated cyst.

Verification of resident bedside-procedure competency by intensive care nursing staff.

BACKGROUND: Recent efforts by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to standardize resident education and demonstrate objective clinical proficiency have led toward more accurate documentation of resident competencies. Particularly with regard to bedside procedures, hospitals are now requiring certification of competency before allowing a provider to perform them independently. The current system at our institution uses a time-consuming, online verification system. This study provided an alternative method through an identification card with a list of bedside procedures. Our aim was an easier verification method for nurses, allowing fewer delays of bedside procedures and more time for nursing to patient care. METHODS: We performed a prospective, controlled study, using general surgical residents and surgical intensive care nurses. Subjects performed an initial survey of their experience with the current online system in place to identify resident bedside procedure competency. Phase I involved educating the subjects about this current system followed by another survey. Phase II involved introducing our proficiency card. After 3 months, we conducted a final survey to evaluate opinions on the proficiency card, comparing it with the online verification method. RESULTS: Nursing postintervention responses indicated that significantly less time was required to validate a resident's proficiency (P = .04). Prior to the introduction of the proficiency card, only 15% of nurses reported a verification time of 5 minutes or less, compared with 64% postintervention. In addition, nurses rated the card validation as an easier, more efficient method of verification (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that its continued use will not only improve the adherence to a mandatory hospital policy but also result in a less-cumbersome verification process, allowing more time for physician and nurse-to-patient care.

Medical overuse of therapies and diagnostics in rheumatology.

Medical overuse leads to a burden on healthcare costs and potentially is harmful to patients. We wanted to address medical overuse in musculoskeletal disease and rheumatology. We performed a systemic literature review from PubMed and Embase to study medical overuse. On the initial screen, 1499 studies were identified, 839 of them were related to medical overuse. Out of these, 52 were related to overuse in musculoskeletal diseases. Finally, 20 articles were chosen for this systemic review that reported overuse in rheumatology. The article identifies issues with overtesting, including the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to screen for osteoporosis in women younger than 65 years old and the use of magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate for osteoarthritis. Studies related to overtreatment reported over-prescription of vitamin D supplements resulting in vitamin D toxicity and increased risk of inappropriate prescriptions in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Overtreating osteoporosis was reported after industry-sponsored education. Articles describing methods to reduce overuse included a study showing the reduction of unnecessary dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans after the introduction of the Choosing Wisely Campaign. Our findings suggest that there is some evidence that overtesting and overtreatment may be present in the field of rheumatology. This review aims to highlight this and help rheumatologists to be aware of overuse practices and provide appropriate evidence-based healthcare.

Sarcoidosis presenting as a solitary pulmonary mass.

Sarcoidosis has a wide varying presentation. Pulmonary sarcoidosis typically presents with bilateral hilar adenopathy and reticulonodular opacities. Very rarely it can present as a single solitary mass. Here we present a case of a 39 year old African-American male who presented with cough and pleuritic chest pain. Initial imaging revealed a right lower lobe airspace opacity, concerning for pneumonia. Despite treatment with antibiotics, symptoms and radiological findings persisted. A PET scan revealed a FDG positive right lower lobe pulmonary mass. Biopsy of the mass and lymph nodes revealed non-caseating granulomas suggestive of sarcoidosis. This case showcases a rare presentation of pulmonary nodular sarcoidosis.

A Diagnostic Dilemma of Secondary Hemophagocytosis Lymphohistiocytosis in an Elderly Patient.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rapidly progressive fatal condition. Although well described in the pediatric population, cases of secondary HLH are seen in adolescents and young adults. In the elderly, HLH has been shown to have a poor prognosis. Owing to its varied presentation and multisystemic involvement, diagnosis is often delayed. Due to its high mortality, prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Here we present a case of secondary HLH in a 69-year-old male, who presented with fever for one week. Initial laboratory workup revealed a bicytopenia and elevated creatinine. He was initially treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics; however, a comprehensive infectious workup was negative. CT scan of the abdomen revealed splenomegaly. Further investigations revealed an elevated ferritin and triglycerides. Due to the constellation of findings, he was started on corticosteroids for concerns of HLH. Bone marrow biopsy was obtained, which revealed dysplastic changes and hemophagocytosis, consistent with HLH. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge and prognosis of HLH in the elderly population, suggesting that diagnosis and treatment should not be delayed for histological confirmation.

The Diagnostic Dilemma of Sarcoidosis: A Case of Acute Hypercalcemia.

Hypercalcemia is a common clinical laboratory abnormality with a majority of cases attributed to malignancy or hyperparathyroidism. Although hypercalcemia is a common manifestation of sarcoidosis, it is rarely the initial presentation. Here we present a case of acute hypercalcemia in a 60-year-old gentleman, which was diagnosed as sarcoidosis following an elaborate workup, including radiological assessment and multiple organ biopsies. This case highlights the diagnostic dilemma of sarcoidosis due to varying clinical presentation that can mimic multiple conditions, including malignancy. Biopsy showing noncaseating granulomas is pathognomic of sarcoidosis. Due to its multisystemic and nonspecific presentation, selecting an appropriate biopsy site is key to diagnosis.

Laparoscopic treatment of simultaneously occurring pyloric stenosis and malrotation.

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is a common cause of nonbilious vomiting in the neonatal period with an incidence of approximately 1 to 3 per 1000 live births. The Ramstedt pyloromyotomy has been the standard treatment since 1912. In 1991, Alain et al. reported a novel approach to HPS using laparoscopy. Since this original description, the laparoscopic pyloromyotomy has become progressively more popular and, in many institutions, has replaced the open approach. Similarly, malrotation is a condition affecting the neonatal population, resulting from incomplete intestinal rotation about the superior mesenteric artery during weeks 10 through 11 of development. If left untreated, it can lead to abnormal mesenteric attachments and a narrowed mesenteric base, placing the patient at risk for midgut volvulus. The standard surgical treatment has been the open Ladd procedure first described in 1932. In 1996, Gross described a minimally invasive procedure to address malrotation. The association of concurrent pyloric stenosis and malrotation has rarely been reported in the pediatric literature. This is the first published report of a laparoscopic treatment of HPS and malrotation simultaneously.

The utility of the matrix format for surgical morbidity and mortality conference.

With the limitations posed by increasing work hour restrictions, surgical residency programs are focusing more on maximizing the educational benefit of their conferences. The Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conference serves as a forum to discuss adverse events and patient care improvement using evidence-based medicine. The matrix format (MF) is an enhancement to the traditional format (TF), focusing on the case selection process and a postconference newsletter reiterating the relevant literature review and discussion points. Our institution adopted the MF to evaluate both its short- and long-term educational values. Surveys were distributed to residents and faculty within the Department of General Surgery to assess their interest and satisfaction, perception of educational value, and efficiency with the MF compared with the TF. Responses were obtained from 22/22 (100%) residents for the TF and 11/23 (48%) for the MF. Faculty responses were 19/19 (100%) and 9/16 (56%), respectively. Reasons for an overall decreased response with the MF were not investigated further, as participation was strictly voluntary. Our results confirmed an overall approval of the MF by both residents and faculty. Faculty reported an improved efficiency of the conference (P < 0.039), encompassing improved content and presentation quality. Residents reported an improved overall interest and satisfaction with the MF (P < 0.001) as well as an improvement in the educational value (P < 0.007). Residents spent less time preparing presentations and reported learning greater educational benefit to the conference when preparing their own presentations (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the MF resulted in a greater overall satisfaction for residents and attending surgeons with an increased investment by the audience and overall improvement in perceived educational benefit.

Identification and Referral of Patients at Risk for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Literature Review and Retrospective Analysis.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-established psychological disorder after severe traumatic injury but remains poorly recognized. Recent changes in the "Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Trauma Patient 2014" stress the need for comprehensive screening and referral for PTSD and depression after injury. Our purpose was to review the current PTSD literature and perform a retrospective chart review to evaluate screening at our institution. We hypothesized a lack of documentation and thus referral of these patients to mental health professionals. We performed a literature review of 43 publications of risk factors for PTSD in the civilian adult population followed by a retrospective review. Records were analyzed for basic demographics, risk factors found in the literature, and referrals to mental health providers. Risk factors included amputation, dissociative symptoms, female gender, history of mental health disorder, and peri-traumatic emotionality. Traumatic amputation status and gender were recorded in all patients. History of mental health disorder was present in 11.5 per cent patients, absent in 80.75 per cent, and not recorded in 7.75 per cent with an overall documentation of 91.75 per cent. Dissociative symptoms and peri-traumatic emotionality were recorded in 0.5 per cent and 1.0 per cent of patients, respectively. Only 13 patients of 400 (3.25%) were referred to mental health professionals. Despite extensive evidence and literature supporting risk factors for the development of PTSD, identification and treatment at our level 1 trauma center is lacking. There is a need for consistent screening among trauma centers to identify PTSD risk factors and protocols for risk reduction and referrals for patients at risk.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of perianal fistulae with surgical correlation.

AIMS: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in detection and characterization of perianal fistulae and correlating it with surgical findings. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with suspected perianal fistulae having one or more external openings were prospectively selected for MRI evaluation. Previously operated or patients with recurrent perianal disease were excluded from the study. MRI findings were recorded according to "St. James's University Hospital MR Imaging Classification of Perianal Fistulae" and correlated with surgical observations. Finally, comparison between T2-weighted fat saturated and postcontrast T1-weighted fat saturated sequences was done. RESULTS: Amongst the total of 50 patients, per-operative findings confirmed perianal fistulae in 45 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI in correctly detecting and grading the primary tract was found to be 95.56% and 80% respectively; for abscess, it was 87.50% and 95.24% respectively. High sensitivity was also discerned in identification of secondary tract (93.75%), correct localization of internal opening (95.83%) and for correctly detecting the horse-shoeing (87.50%). Our assumption of null hypothesis was accepted on comparing results of T2-weighted fat saturated sequences and postcontrast T1-weighted fat saturated sequences. CONCLUSION: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was highly accurate in assessment of surgically important parameters (primary tract and its grading, internal opening, secondary tract, abscess, horseshoeing) of perianal fistulae. Comparison of results of imaging findings on T2-weighted and postcontrast T1-weighted fat saturated sequences were statistically similar, so contrast study can be omitted, particularly while evaluating primary / previously unoperated perianal fistulae.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a comprehensive review of a growing epidemic.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is quickly becoming one of the most prominent causes of liver disease worldwide. The increasing incidence of NAFLD is tied to the obesity epidemic and the subsequent metabolic derangements brought along with it. Current efforts to elucidate the mechanism and causes of the disease have answered some questions, but much remains unknown about NAFLD. The aim of this article is to discuss the current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of the disease, as well as the current and future diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic options available to clinicians for the management of NAFLD.

The use of multiple serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) procedures for the management of intestinal atresia and short bowel syndrome.

The serial transverse enteroplasty procedure (STEP) was introduced as a bowel-lengthening procedure to reduce complications related to short bowel syndrome (SBS). Although some have described it as a useful adjunct to the Bianci procedure, others have acknowledged it as a primary procedure. We present a case of jejunal atresia in which two STEP procedures were performed 7 months apart to increase small bowel length. A 1-day-old, term girl presented with a known bowel obstruction diagnosed in utero. A laparotomy revealed a Type IIIb jejunal atresia with no remaining small bowel or cecum. A STEP procedure with an end jejunostomy and ascending colon mucous fistula lengthened the small bowel from 35 to 50 cm. A repeat procedure 7 months later lengthened it to 89 cm. The STEP procedure results in slower intestinal transit time and increases enterocytes contact with oral intake. We performed it during our initial exploration to increase small bowel size by 30 per cent. A repeat procedure 7 months later increased length to 89 cm. The use of multiple, staged STEP procedures avoided the need for bowel transplantation and long-term total parenteral nutrition dependence, demonstrating its effectiveness as a primary procedure for the surgical management of SBS.

Popliteal pseudoaneurysm caused by Nora's lesion of the femur in a young child: a rare presentation and first report.

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP), or Nora's lesion, was first described by Nora et al. in 1983 as a rare, tumor-like lesion involving the bones of the hands and feet. Popliteal artery pseudoaneursyms in the pediatric population are also unusual. Here, we present a case of a young male with a popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm and distal femur lesion originally thought to be an osteochondroma. A 10-year old, Caucasian male was referred to our facility following an MRI concerning for a popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm. On physical exam, there was a palpable 5 × 5-cm pulsatile mass in the upper popliteal fossa with a normal pulse exam bilaterally. A computed tomographic angiogram demonstrated a 4.5-cm by 1.8-cm by 3.6-cm pseudoaneurysm adherent to a 3.5-cm thick, exostotic lesion of the posterior right femur. He was taken to the operating room for repair of the popliteal pseudoaneurysm and resection of his bone lesion. The final pathology was consistent with a popliteal pseudoaneurysm, osteochondroma, and bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP), otherwise known as Nora's lesion. The location of the lesion and the age of our patient were both atypical for BPOP and to our knowledge, this represents the first report of a resulting popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm.

Postoperative diet advancement: surgical dogma vs evidence-based medicine.

Postoperative ileus is a natural part of recovery following abdominal and intestinal surgery. Research in the laboratory and clinical arenas has challenged the long-held belief that enteral nutrition (EN) should not be administered until bowel function has resumed, which is typically judged by a subjective bowel function assessment. Traditional postoperative management begins with clinical monitoring of return of bowel function, followed by a clear liquid diet that is advanced to regular solid food as tolerated. Studies have consistently demonstrated that early EN is safe and well tolerated, showing a reduction in wound morbidity and healing, fewer septic complications, diminished weight loss, and improved protein kinetics in patients administered early EN. Barriers to early enteral feeding include fear of GI morbidity, anastomotic disruption or leak but have not been proven valid in clinical or experimental trials. A clear liquid diet is the most frequently ordered first postoperative meal regardless of early or delayed administration. Although generally well tolerated, this diet fails to provide adequate nutrients to the postsurgical patient. In contrast, advancement to a regular diet as the initial meal has been shown to be well tolerated and provides significantly more nutrients than a clear liquid diet. This article reviews basic GI physiology, including motility, nutrient absorption, and the changes that occur in regulation and function of the GI tract following surgery, as well as clinical data regarding postoperative GI function and diet advancement. This will be applied to the clinical practices of postoperative dietary advancement to discuss the timing and choice of initial feeding in the postoperative patient.