Trends and Outcomes in the Operative Management of Traumatic Vascular Injuries: A Comparison of Open versus Endovascular Approaches.

Controversy exists in vascular trauma regarding the best method of treatment-open versus endovascular techniques. Little has been published on this complex topic. Patients from 2005 to 2013 at a Level I trauma center with vascular injuries were identified via a prospectively trauma registry. Patient data, injury type/severity, treatment, and 30-day outcomes were obtained from the trauma registry and the chart review. Adverse events (limb loss, major disability, and death) were outcomes of interest. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of adverse events. In all, 346 patients were included (median age 34, range 1-93 years). Median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 10 (1-59). Endovascular repairs (n = 52) increased from 0 per cent (2005) to 32 per cent (2013), and demonstrated equivalent outcomes to open approaches (P = 0.24). On multivariate analysis, higher ISS (P = 0.001), increasing age (P = 0.01), and lower extremity injuries (P = 0.001) were associated with adverse outcomes across the entire series. Endovascular approaches were most commonly used in vascular injuries of the chest/abdomen (39 of 52, 75% of all endovascular procedures in the series, P < 0.001), older patients (P = 0.003), blunt injury mechanism (P < 0.001), and patients with a higher ISS at presentation (P < 0.001). In conclusion, this large series, the use of endovascular procedures increased over time, and was associated with equivalent outcomes to open approaches, despite their higher usage in older patients, those with chest/abdominal injuries, and those with a higher ISS at presentation. Although these retrospective results are encouraging, further prospective study into the role of endovascular therapies in the treatment of vascular injuries.

Sonographic Appearance Is Useful in Predicting the Extent of Initial Operative Therapy for Thyroid Nodules Classified as "Suspicious for Malignancy".

The "suspicious for malignancy" (SFM) category of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology predicts an incidence of malignancy from 60 to 75 per cent. Recommended treatment is via either lobectomy or total/near total thyroidectomy. Identification of predictors of malignancy in this category would be useful in selecting the extent of operative therapy in these patients. Published literature has suggested that suspicious ultrasound (US) findings are useful in predicting malignancy in both the "benign," "atypia of uncertain significance/follicular lesion of uncertain significance," and "suspicious for follicular neoplasm" categories. We hypothesized that US would be similarly useful in patients with nodules classified as SFM. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) classified as SFM who underwent thyroidectomy from October 2007 to October 2012. Data collected included symptoms, suspicious imaging findings, FNAB results, and histopathology results-all obtained via chart review. Findings were compared between patients with/without a diagnosis of thyroid malignancy. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Of 3839 FNAB, 53 were classified as SFM. Of these, 36 were available for review. Twenty-four (66.7%) carcinomas were identified-19 papillary, 3 follicular variant of papillary, 1 follicular, and 1 medullary. No symptoms/signs reached significance as a predictor of malignancy. A suspicious US appearance, however, was significantly associated with an underlying carcinoma (P = 0.002). Patients with a Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology report of SFM and suspicious US findings are statistically more likely to harbor an underlying malignancy. This information is useful in selecting which patients are most likely to benefit from total/near total thyroidectomy as opposed to lobectomy as the initial operative strategy.

The Levator Claviculae Muscle Presenting as a Neck Mass.

The levator claviculae muscle is an uncommonly encountered muscle variant, occurring in 1% to 2% of the human population. Most accounts of the levator claviculae muscle have been reported in association with routine cadaveric examination and as an incidental finding by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. We report a case of this variant muscle presenting as a soft-tissue mass within the neck of a young male. Furthermore, we discuss the embryologic origin, imaging features and clinical implication.

The Integration of Adult Acute Care Surgeons into Pediatric Surgical Care Models Supplements the Workforce without Compromising Quality of Care.

Acute care of children remains a challenge due to a shortage of pediatric surgeons, particularly in rural areas. In our institutional norm, all cases in patients age six and older are managed by dedicated general surgeons. The provision of care to these children by these surgeons alleviates the impact of such shortages. We conducted a five-year retrospective analysis of all acute care pediatric surgical cases performed in patients aged 6 to 17 years by a dedicated group of adult general surgeons in a rural tertiary care hospital. Demographics, procedure, complications, outcomes, length of stay, and time of consultation/operation were obtained via chart review. Elective, trauma related, or procedures performed by a pediatric surgeon were excluded. Descriptive statistics are reported. A total of 397 cases were performed by six dedicated general surgeons during the study period. Mean age was 11.5 ± 3.1 years. In all, 100 (25.2%) were transferred from outlying facilities and 52.6 per cent of consultations/operations occurred at night (7P-7A), of which 33.2 per cent occurred during late night hours (11P-7A). On weekends, 34.0 per cent occurred. Appendectomy was the most commonly performed operation (n = 357,89.9%), of which 311 were laparoscopic (87.1%). Others included incision/drainage (4.5%), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (2.0%), bowel resection (1.5%), incarcerated hernia (0.5%), small bowel obstruction (0.5%), intra-abdominal abscess drainage (0.3%), resection of intussusception (0.3%), Graham patch (0.3%), and resection omental torsion (0.3%). Median length of stay was two days. Complications occurred in 23 patients (5.8%), of which 22(5.5%) were the result of the disease process. These results parallel those published by pediatric surgeons in this age group and for the diagnoses treated. Models integrating dedicated general surgeons into pediatric call rotations can be designed such that quality of pediatric care is maintained while providing relief to an overburdened pediatric surgical workforce.

Component separation with porcine acellular dermal reinforcement is superior to traditional bridged mesh repairs in the open repair of significant midline ventral hernia defects.

The optimal technique for complex ventral hernia repair (VHR) remains controversial. Component separation (CS) reinforced with porcine acellular dermal matrix (PADM) has shown favorable results compared with series of conventional bridged VHR, but few comparative studies exist. We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing 40 randomly selected patients who underwent CS/PADM reinforcement against an identical number of patients who underwent conventional open VHR with mesh at our institution. Patient characteristics, operative findings, outcomes, complications, reoperations, and recurrences were obtained by chart review. Fisher's exact/t test compared outcomes between the two cohorts. Statistical significance was set as P < 0.05. Mean follow-up was 33.1 months. Patient groups did not differ significantly in race (P = 1.00), age (P = 0.82), body mass index (P = 0.14), or comorbid conditions (smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, steroid use; P values 0.60, 0.29, 0.08, and 0.56, respectively). Defect size was greater in the CS/PADM group (mean, 372.5 vs 283.7 cm(2), P = 0.01) as was the percentage Ventral Hernia Working Group Grade III/IV hernias (65.0 vs 30.0%, P = 0.03). Recurrences were lower in the CS/PADM group (13.2 vs 37.5%, P = 0.02). Mesh infection was lower in the CS/PADM group (0 vs 23% in the bridged group, P = 0.002), all of which occurred with synthetic mesh. Indications for reoperation (recurrence or complications requiring reoperation) were also lower in the CS/PADM group (17.5 vs 52.5%, P = 0.002). Superior results are achieved with CS/PADM reinforcement over traditional bridged VHR. This is evidenced by lower recurrence rates and overall complications requiring reoperation, particularly mesh infection. This is despite the greater use of CS in larger defects and contaminated hernias (VHWG Grade III and IV). CS/PADM reinforcement should be strongly considered for the repair of significant midline ventral hernia defects.

False-negative results with the Bethesda System of reporting thyroid cytopathology: predictors of malignancy in thyroid nodules classified as benign by cytopathologic evaluation.

The benign category of the Bethesda System for reporting thyroid cytopathology (BSRTC) predicts an incidence of malignancy from zero to three per cent. However, recent series report higher rates of malignancy ranging from eight to 14 per cent. Surgery is often performed for reasons other than their fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) such as symptoms, nodule enlargement, or worrisome imaging. We hypothesized that an analysis of patients who underwent thyroidectomy despite a benign FNAB would identify predictors of malignancy, an area not currently addressed by American Thyroid Association guidelines. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with benign FNAB results who underwent thyroidectomy from October 2007 to October 2012. Data collected included symptoms, imaging findings, FNAB results, and operative and histopathology results, all of which were obtained by chart review. Findings were compared between patients with and without a diagnosis of malignancy. Statistical significance was set as P < 0.05. Of 3839 FNABs, 2838 were benign. Of these, 180 underwent surgery for indications other than the FNAB category. Twenty-four (13.4%) malignancies were identified: 12 (6.7%) incidental microcarcinomas and 12 (6.7%) significant cancers (papillary greater than 1.0 cm, any nonpapillary histology). No patient's symptoms or signs reached significance as a predictor of malignancy. Suspicious ultrasound appearance was significantly associated with an underlying carcinoma (P = 0.004). The false-negative result with benign FNAB is higher in surgical series than suggested by the BSRTC. Patients with tolerable symptoms may be observed in the face of a benign FNAB. Additionally, despite a benign FNAB, recommendations for closer follow-up or surgical intervention are warranted if the ultrasound appearance is suspicious.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease presenting as a nonhealing ulcer in a 26-year-old man.

A 26-year-old man presented with a nonhealing ulcer on the plantar aspect of the left foot of five years duration. Initial investigations were unremarkable. It was only after careful neurological examination that an inherited neuropathy was suspected. This was confirmed by nerve conduction studies and serum electrophoresis. He subsequently underwent partial great toe amputation for the ulcer and underlying first phalangeal osteomyelitis with uneventful healing. Neuropathic ulcers are usually associated with several well-known disorders including diabetes mellitus, tabes dorsalis, pernicious anemia, and sickle cell disease. A rarer cause is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMTD). The report gives a review of CMTD and emphasizes that when faced with a nonhealing ulcer in the younger age group, such an underlying hereditary neuropathic cause must be considered.