A Bariatric Surgery Primer for Orthopedic Surgeons.

Increasing numbers of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery are now presenting to orthopedic surgeons for elective arthroplasties. In addition, orthopedic surgeons themselves are referring more patients for consideration of bariatric surgery in anticipation of future elective procedures. Although the full effects of bariatric surgery on metabolism are not yet known, the altered digestion associated with these surgeries poses several issues for orthopedic surgeons. In this article, we address 3 aspects of care of this class of patient: review of the most commonly performed procedures and their metabolic consequences; suggested preoperative assessment of bariatric patients for any conditions that should be corrected before surgery; and evaluation of outcomes of elective procedures performed after bariatric surgery. Awareness of the unique characteristics of this group of patients helps minimize the potential for complications of planned orthopedic surgeries.

Cholecystoduodenal fistula in a patient post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

We presented a case of a cholecystoduodenal fistula in a patient 4 years post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The patient presented with biliary colic symptoms after a stone became impacted in the fistula and outflow through the cystic duct was intermittently obstructed by a second stone. The fistulous tract was taken down with a cholecystectomy and duodenum repaired with a modified Graham patch.

Plastic surgery chief resident clinics: the current state of affairs.

BACKGROUND: One of the goals of plastic surgery residency programs is to provide effective training in aesthetic surgery. Recently, programs have adopted the idea of chief clinics to provide senior residents with the opportunity to perform cosmetic surgery with an increased level of autonomy. The goal of this article is to characterize chief clinics currently in place and their usefulness in providing effective training in plastic surgery under the precepts set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. METHODS: A survey was created focusing on six broad categories: respondent identifier, clinic structure, clinic monetary earnings, patient demographics, procedures, and educational utility. Surveys were distributed to all plastic surgery residency programs targeting current and recently graduated chief residents, and program directors. RESULTS: A total of 123 surveys were returned. Eighty of the 88 plastic surgery residency programs (91 percent) were represented. Of the programs responding, 71.3 percent (57 programs) had a chief resident clinic. Thirty-two of the respondents (43.8 percent) reported that 100 percent of the procedures performed were cosmetic in nature. Programs differed widely on their frequency of occurrence and support staff available. A majority of respondents felt these clinics enhanced resident understanding of the six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of plastic surgery training programs use the chief clinic model to enhance resident education. These clinics vary in makeup and case distribution but serve as an effective way of teaching autonomy, surgical maturity, and the six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies.

CT scan for suspected acute abdominal process: impact of combinations of IV, oral, and rectal contrast.

BACKGROUND There are limited data available on the ability of computed tomography (CT) to accurately diagnose abdominopelvic pathology in acutely ill inpatients suspected of having an acute abdominal process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal/pelvic CT with varying use of contrast agents in hospitalized patients. METHODS A retrospective review of all hospital inpatients (3/1/07-5/31/07) who underwent urgent or emergent abdominal/pelvic CT with any combination of contrast, intravenous (IV), oral, rectal, or unenhanced for a suspected acute abdominal process was performed. Data collected included demographics, combination of contrast used, CT diagnosis, time from CT scan to subsequent intervention, intervention type, and actual diagnosis of the acute abdominal process. Accuracy of CT was compared between enhanced and unenhanced imaging using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS A total of 661 patients were identified. Use of IV contrast alone was found in 54.2% of CT scans and was correct in 92.5% of cases. IV and oral contrast was used in 22.2% of CT scans and was 94.6% correct. Unenhanced imaging was performed in 16.2% and was correct in 92.5%. Oral contrast alone was used in 7.0% and was 93.5% correct. There was no significant difference in the ability to correctly diagnose a suspected acute abdominal process when enhanced CT imaging was compared to unenhanced (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CT contrast administration in critically ill hospitalized patients is not necessary to accurately diagnose an acute abdominal process. Eliminating the use of contrast may improve patient comfort, decrease patient risk, and minimize financial cost.