Complete resolution of vertebrobasilar dissection and aneurysm following treatment of subclavian steal physiology.

Subclavian steal syndrome results from subclavian artery stenosis that results in retrograde blood flow through the ipsilateral vertebral artery. Rarely, this retrograde flow can affect the vertebrobasilar junction and cause vertebrobasilar insufficiency, ischemia, and even aneurysm formation. We describe a unique presentation of a vertebrobasilar aneurysm presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage in the setting of subclavian steal syndrome. The subclavian stenosis was endovascularly managed, with complete resolution of both retrograde flow and the dissection itself. Reestablishment of native flow mechanics in the subclavian artery may treat aneurysms at the vertebrobasilar junction, potentially eliminating the need for further interventions.

Readability of American Society of Metabolic Surgery's Patient Information Publications.

INTRODUCTION: Appropriate education and information are the keystones of patient autonomy. Surgical societies support this goal through online informational publications. Despite these recommendations, many of these sources do not provide the appropriate level of reading for the average patient. Multiple national organizations, including the AMA and NIH, have recommended that such materials be written at or below a 6th-grade level. We therefore aimed to evaluate the readability of patient information publications provided by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). METHODS: Patient information publications were collected from the ASMBS webpage (https://asmbs.org/patients) and evaluated for readability. Microsoft Office was utilized to calculate Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) scores. Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) is a 0-100 score, with higher scores equating to easier reading (≥80 = 6th-grade reading level). Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) rates text on a US grade school level. Qualitative and univariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Eleven patient information publications were evaluated. None of the publications achieved an FRE score of 80 or an FKGL of a 6th-grade reading level. The average FRE score was 35.8 (range 14.9-53.6). The average FKGL score was 13.1 (range 10.1-17.5). The publication with the highest FRE and lowest FKGL (best readability) was that for benefits of weight loss. The brochure with the lowest FRE and highest FKGL (worst readability) was that for Medical Tourism. CONCLUSIONS: Although the ASMBS patient information publications are a trusted source of patient literature, none of the 11 publications met the recommended criteria for patient readability. Further refinement of these will be needed to provide the appropriate reading level for the average patient.

Vascular Surgery Role in Vascular Trauma: 11-Year Analysis of Peripheral Vascular Trauma Management at a Level-1 Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: Vascular surgeons are increasingly relied upon in the management of complex peripheral vascular trauma. The degree however that vascular surgery (VS) is involved in vascular trauma care is not well established. We hypothesize that VS consultation is required in a high portion of complex lower extremity vascular trauma. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of all consecutive patients who sustained traumatic arterial injury of the lower extremity requiring open operative repair at a level-1 trauma center (from February 2009 to May 2020) was performed. Patients who underwent surgical repair were stratified by the service that performed the operation (VS versus trauma surgery [TS]). Secondary outcomes assessed included location of arterial injury, type of repair, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients underwent operative repair of lower extremity arterial injury (mean age 34.5 ± 15.5 years, 89% male). The most common vessels requiring intervention were the superficial femoral artery (n = 42, 38%), popliteal artery (n = 35, 31.5%), and tibial vessels (n = 19, 17.1%). The most common intervention required in patients was an autologous bypass (n = 85, 76.5%), followed by ligation (n = 9, 8.1%) and primary repair (n = 6, 5.4%). Most interventions overall required VS involvement (n = 95, 86%). VS performed a higher proportion of autologous graft procedures compared to TS (n = 79, 92.9% vs. n = 6, 7.1%). VS case load overall was likewise predominantly autologous grafts (n = 79/95, 83.2%). TS operated on a higher proportion of injuries to the tibial vessels (44% vs. 13%, P = 0.01), whereas VS intervened more frequently on popliteal injuries (36% vs. 6%, P = 0.02). With regard to the method of arterial repair, TS was more likely to perform ligation (38% vs. 3 %, P < 0.001) or primary repair (13% vs. 3%, P = 0.04) compared to VS. However, VS was more likely to perform repair with autologous graft (83% vs. 38%, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of mortality, limb loss, transfusions requirement, fasciotomy, deep venous thrombosis, hematoma formation, or length of stay between groups. Although, surgical site infections were more common in the TS group (38% vs. 15%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular surgeons play a large role in managing complex lower extremity vascular trauma. In particular, VS remains integral for the management of more difficult injuries (e.g., popliteal injuries) and is more likely to provide more complex repairs (e.g., autologous grafts).

Renal Forniceal Rupture in the Setting of Obstructing Ureteral Stones: An Analysis of Stone Characterization and Urologic Intervention Pattern.

Introduction and Objective: Forniceal rupture due to obstructing ureterolithiasis (FROU) is a seldom encountered radiographic finding, but the impact of this diagnosis and influence on stone management has not been well studied in the literature. The purpose of the study is to examine stone characteristics and intervention patterns of patients with radiographic evidence of FROU. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients with radiographic evidence of FROU was compared with patients with obstructing ureteral stones without forniceal ruptures (noFROU). All patients presented to our Emergency Department from January 2015 until December 2018. Data analyzed included patient demographics, clinical presentation, stone characteristics, and management pattern. Primary outcome was need for hospital admission and surgical intervention. Results: Thirty-two patients with FROU (mean age = 45) were compared with 50 patients with noFROU (mean age = 57). Univariate analysis revealed that age, history of diabetes mellitus, history of hypertension, days of symptoms, degree of hydronephrosis, and degree of perinephric stranding were associated with forniceal rupture (p ≤ 0.05). On multivariate analysis, only degree of perinephric stranding remained significant (p ≤ 0.05). Average maximum axial stone diameter in the FROU group was 5.1 mm vs 4.7 mm in the noFROU group (p = 0.66). Overall, 68.8% of stones were located within the distal ureter in the FROU group vs 48.8% in the noFROU group (p = 0.09). There was no difference in hospital admission (FROU 37.5% vs noFROU 44%, p = 0.56) and need for surgical intervention (FROU 50% vs noFROU 48%, p = 0.86). There were no 30-day complications in patients with FROU. Conclusions: Ureteral stone location and size does not seem to impact the presence of FROU. FROU may be an alarming reported finding but its presence does not appear to impact clinical outcomes or affect urological management, including admission or need for urologic intervention.