Transverse colonic volvulus presenting in a 19-year-old female with subsequent sigmoid volvulus.

Transverse colonic volvulus is exceptionally rare and is the rarest compared to sigmoid or cecal volvulus. This case report summarizes the care of a young 19-year-old woman who presented with transverse colonic volvulus. This woman came to the emergency room with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and she had no risk factors for a volvulus. This case report has the goal of raising awareness among those taking care of anyone coming in for abdominal pain. Volvulus is a serious issue and can be life threatening if not treated appropriately.

Social disparities in pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic from the Nationwide inpatient Sample.

OBJECTIVES: Studies have shown that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a hypercoagulable state. Studies have yet to examine the interconnectedness between COVID-19, hypercoagulability, and socioeconomics. The aim of this work was to investigate socioeconomic factors that may be associated with pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and COVID-19 in the United States. METHODS: We performed a 1-year (2020) analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database. We identified all adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19, acute PE, or acute DVT using unweighted samples. We calculated the correlation and odds ratio (OR) between COVID-19 and (1) PE and (2) DVT. We executed a univariate analysis followed by a multivariate analysis to examine the effect of different factors on PE and DVT during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: We identified 322,319 patients with COVID-19; 78,101 and 67,826 patients were identified with PE and DVT, respectively. PE and DVT, as well as inpatient mortality associated with both conditions, are significantly correlated with COVID-19. The OR between COVID-19 and PE was 2.04, while the OR between COVID-19 and DVT was 1.44. Using multivariate analysis, COVID-19 was associated with a higher incidence of PE (coefficient, 2.05) and DVT (coefficient, 1.42). Other factors that were significantly associated (P < .001) with increased incidence of PE and DVT along with their coefficients, respectively, include Black race (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.14), top quartile income (95% CI, 1.08-1.16), west region (95% CI, 1.10-1.04), urban teaching facilities (95% CI, 1.09-1.63), large bed size hospitals (95% CI, 1.08-1.29), insufficient insurance (95% CI, 1.88-2.19), hypertension (95% CI, 1.24-1.32), and obesity (95% CI, 1.41-1.25). Factors that were significantly associated (P < .001) with decreased incidence of PE and DVT along with their coefficients, respectively, include Asians/Pacific Islanders (95% CI, 0.52-0.53), female sex (95% CI, 0.79-0.74), homelessness (95% CI, 0.62-0.61), and diabetes mellitus (0.77-0.90). CONCLUSIONS: In the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, COVID-19 is correlated positively with venous thromboembolism, including its subtypes, PE and DVT. Using a multivariate analysis, Black race, male sex, top quartile income, west region, urban teaching facilities, large bed size hospitals, and insufficient social insurance were associated significantly with an increased incidence of PE and DVT. Asians/Pacific Islanders, female sex, homelessness, and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated decreased incidence of PE and DVT.

Inpatient peritoneal dialysis catheters placed across the United States during a 3-year period: Lessons learned from 15,000 patients.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis is a popular option for patients with end-stage renal disease. A recent presidential executive order has incentivized in-home end-stage renal disease treatments, leading to an increase in peritoneal dialysis use. Guidelines exist for creating and maintaining peritoneal dialysis access without addressing the optimal technique. This study evaluates nationwide peritoneal dialysis catheter placement practices and their long-term outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of Nationwide Readmission Database from 2017 to 2019. Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing inpatient peritoneal dialysis catheter placement were included. Six-month readmissions, mortality, and peritoneal dialysis catheter-specific outcome measures were assessed among survivors of admission, including catheter leakage, mechanical breakdown, displacement, revision or replacement, removal, exit site infections, intra-abdominal abscess, and sepsis. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the study, 14,863 patients with inpatient peritoneal dialysis catheter insertions were identified, of which 7,096 were analyzed (4,150 [59%] laparoscopic, 1,781 [25%] fluoroscopic, 1,165 [16%] open), 847 (12%) had major complications, 931 (13%) were readmitted, and 102 (1.4%) died within 6 months. Univariate analyses demonstrated that laparoscopy had higher mechanical complications, exit-site infections, catheter revision, and removal within 6 months, and fluoroscopy had higher sepsis and mortality. Multivariate analyses showed fluoroscopy was associated with intraabdominal abscess (adjusted odds ratio, 2.36; P = .025), laparoscopy with exit-site infections (adjusted odds ratio, 0.49; P = .005), and open surgery with catheter displacement (adjust odds ratio, 2.95; P = .021). CONCLUSION: This is the first large-scale study on inpatient peritoneal dialysis catheter placement outcomes in the United States. Fluoroscopic and open surgical placements are routinely performed, but laparoscopy remains the mainstay with fewer exit-site infections. Overall, peritoneal dialysis is a safe option, with 1 in 9 patients having an infectious or mechanical complication within 6 months. Furthermore, large-scale prospective studies are warranted to identify the optimal placement technique.

Horner's Syndrome Following Thyroid Surgery.

Horner's syndrome (HS) is a rare complication of thyroidectomy caused by damage to the oculosympathetic nerves. This article reports the case of a 29-year-old woman referred to the clinic with a newly diagnosed papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Ultrasound studies were concerning for multiple thyroid nodules and an enlarged lymph node, confirmed by a computed tomography (CT) scan. Cytology results of fine needle aspiration (FNA) diagnostic for PTC showed tumors in the thyroid tissue and lymph node. The patient underwent a thyroidectomy and woke up with right-sided ptosis and miosis. Clinical follow-up revealed subjective ipsilateral anhidrosis. She also developed a low parathyroid hormone level and dysphonia, albeit they resolved after months. The patient still exhibits HS eight months after surgery. This paper reviews the literature and attempts to establish the most probable causal factor while providing implications for surgical teams to minimize HS occurrence in future thyroid surgeries.

Gender, BMI, Patient Comorbidities, and Hospital Characteristics Influence 30-Day Readmission Following Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Obesity impacts 300 million people worldwide and the number continues to increase. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of several bariatric procedures offered to help these individuals achieve a healthier life. Here, we report 30-day readmission rates and risk factors for readmission after gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the US Healthcare Utilization Project's Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2019 for patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy and evaluated 30-day readmission rates, comparing readmitted patients to non-readmitted patients. Confounder adjusted and unadjusted analysis were proceeded to the potential factors. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 235,563 patients, with a 3.0% readmission rate. Factors associated with a higher readmission rate included older age, male gender, higher BMI, Medicare as the primary payer, longer length of stay, higher total charge, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, higher Elixhauser-Comorbidity Index, lower household income, non-elective admission type, and non-routine disposition. Additionally, larger hospital bed size, and private, invest-own hospital ownership were associated with higher readmission rates. After adjusting for confounders, several comorbidities and complications were found to be significantly associated with readmission, including ileus, abnormal weight loss, postprocedural complications of digestive system, acute posthemorrhagic anemia, and history of pulmonary embolism (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patient characteristics including age, BMI, and payment source, as well as hospital characteristics, can impact the 30-day readmission after LSG. Such factors should be considered by CMS when deciding on penalties related to readmission.

Management of Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Secondary to Gastrosplenic Fistula.

Gastrosplenic fistula (GSF) is seen secondary to the development of a fistulous track between the stomach and spleen and/or splenic vessels. It is most commonly seen in patients with diffuse B-cell lymphoma, who usually present with symptoms of abdominal pain and weight loss. GSF has also been seen in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, peptic ulcer disease, splenic abscesses, and post gastric sleeve resection. Less than 25% of the patients with GSF may present with upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB). This presentation of GSF is common with benign causes including peptic ulcer disease. UGIB secondary to GSF, while rare, requires prompt identification and intervention, to avoid catastrophic outcomes. We discuss the case of a 64-year-old female with GSF, who presented with sentinel bleed followed by hemorrhagic shock, secondary to a B-cell lymphoma, who was managed with a partial gastrectomy, splenectomy, and distal pancreatectomy, with favorable outcomes.

Development and evolution of a robotic surgical technique for the treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We describe the development and evolution of a surgical technique that uses the robotic da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif) for the transaxillary approach to repair the disabling thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). We report our patient outcomes associated with the use of this robotic technique. METHODS: We present a retrospective review and analysis of data collected from a 16-year experience of a single surgeon using a robotic surgical system and technique for TOS surgery. From the initial design of an endoscope attached to a microvideo camera in 1982 to the adoption of the monorobotic arm with integrated voice in 1998, the main objective of the transaxillary approach has always been to improve visualization of congenital cervical anomalies of the scalene muscles. From February 2003 to December 2018, we performed 412 transaxillary decompression procedures using the robotic da Vinci Surgical System. The surgical procedure has been described in further detail and includes the following steps: (1) positioning of the patient into a lateral decubitus position and using a monoarm retractor; (2) creation of a mini-incision in the axillary area and creation and maintenance of the subpectoral anatomic working space; (3) placement of endoscopic ports and engagement of the robotic instrumentation; (4) dissection of extrapleural and intrapleural soft tissue; (5) creation of the "floater" first rib; (6) excision of the cervical bands and first rib; and (7) placement of thoracostomy tubes for drainage and closure of the incisions. RESULTS: None of the patients died, and no patient experienced permanent neurovascular damage of the extremity. Of the 306 patients, 22 (5% of 441 operations) experienced complications. One patient developed postoperative scarring that required a redo operation with a robotic-assisted transaxillary approach. CONCLUSIONS: With its three-dimensional visual magnification of the anatomic area, the endoscopic robotic-assisted transaxillary approach offers safe and effective management of disabling TOS symptoms. The endoscope facilitates observation of the cervical bands and the mechanism (pathogenesis) of the neurovascular compression that causes TOS, thereby allowing complete excision of the first rib, cervical bands, and scalene muscle. We sought to develop and perfect this robotic approach. The present study was not intended to be a comparative study to nonrobotic TOS surgery.

Timing and Risk Factors Associated With Postoperative Stroke in Vascular Surgery Patients Using Time-Varying Coefficients From a Cox Model.

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms of postoperative stroke are poorly understood, particularly for strokes occurring after uneventful emergence from anesthesia. We sought to create a model to study retrospectively the timing and associations for stroke in a high-risk surgery population. METHODS: Using a large prospective database containing detailed information on the occurrence and timing of stroke, we identified patients undergoing procedures involving the distal vascular (DV) and the cerebral vascular (CV) to assess the association between perioperative factors and stroke. We used separate Cox regressions with time-varying coefficients, one for each cohort, to assess the association between baseline factors and the timing of postoperative stroke within the DV and CV cohorts. Using time-varying coefficients allows hazard ratios to vary over time rather than assuming that the hazard ratio remains constant with time. Propensity score matching was used to compare the timing of stroke between DV and CV groups. RESULTS: Among the 80,185 patients with qualifying procedures, there were 711 strokes (0.9%) in the first 30 days after surgery. Stroke incidence was lower for DV patients (0.5%, 306/57,553; P < .001) than CV (1.8%, 405/21,940) and the majority of strokes in the DV group were delayed, occurring between postoperative (POD) days 2 and 30 (236/306, 77%). Among the 711 patients who had a stroke, the proportion of strokes that occurred on day 0 was 8% (n = 24 of 306 strokes) in the DV group compared to 35% in the CV group (n = 140 of 405 strokes). Factors associated with stroke on POD 1 for both groups were preoperative mechanical ventilation and emergent procedures. Acute renal failure and female sex were highly associated with delayed stroke (POD 2-30). Perioperative blood transfusion was associated with an increased hazard of delayed stroke in the DV group and a hazard ratio that increased with time in the CV group. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for confounding, stroke was more common and occurred earlier in the CV group. Factors associated with delayed postoperative stroke include acute renal failure, emergent procedures, female sex, preoperative mechanical ventilation, and perioperative transfusion.

Complications Associated With Mortality in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database.

BACKGROUND: Attributing causes of postoperative mortality is challenging, as death may be multifactorial. A better understanding of complications that occur in patients who die is important, as it allows clinicians to focus on the most impactful complications. We sought to determine the postoperative complications with the strongest independent association with 30-day mortality. METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2012-2013 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use Data Files. All inpatient or admit day of surgery cases were eligible for inclusion in this study. A multivariable least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis was used to adjust for patient pre- and intraoperative risk factors for mortality. Attributable mortality was calculated using the population attributable fraction method: the ratio between the odds ratio for mortality and a given complication in the population. Patients were separated into 10 age groups to facilitate analysis of age-related differences in mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1,195,825 patients were analyzed, and 9255 deceased within 30 days (0.77%). A complication independently associated with attributable mortality was found in 1887 cases (20%). The most common causes of attributable mortality (attributable deaths per million patients) were bleeding (n = 368), respiratory failure (n = 358), septic shock (n = 170), and renal failure (n = 88). Some complications, such as urinary tract infection and pneumonia, were associated with attributable mortality only in older patients. DISCUSSION: Additional resources should be focused on complications associated with the largest attributable mortality, such as respiratory failure and infections. This is particularly important for complications disproportionately impacting younger patients, given their longer life expectancy.

Gender and racial differences in surgical outcomes among adult patients with acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Approximately three million U.S. adult women have heart failure (HF), increasing their risk of adverse perioperative outcomes. While gender and racial differences are reported in surgical outcomes, less is known about 30-day perioperative outcomes in HF patients. OBJECTIVES: To characterize and compare gender and racial differences in 30-day perioperative outcomes in adults with new or acute/worsening HF. METHODS: The 2012-2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database of surgical patients (n = 9458) with HF was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to adjust for gender and racial differences in baseline covariates. RESULTS: No gender difference in mortality (odds ratio = 0.922, 95% confidence interval = 0.0792-1.073, p = 0.294) was noted. Whites were more likely than Blacks to die 30 days after surgery (14% vs 9%, p < 0.001); after adjustment, Blacks were more likely to experience complications and be readmitted compared to Whites. CONCLUSIONS: There was no gender difference in mortality. White patients with HF were more likely to die after surgery than Black patients.

Robotic repair of symptomatic Spigelian hernias: a series of three cases and surgical technique review.

Spigelian hernias are a rare defect in the Spigelian aponeurosis, comprising of 0.1-2% of all hernias. These rare hernias can contain intra-abdominal tissue, and rarely bladder. Spigelian hernias pose a high risk for incarceration or strangulation of its herniated content if not repaired promptly. There are a number of routinely employed operative techniques to repair Spigelian hernias, including open or laparoscopic, suture or mesh repair, transabdominal pre-peritoneal approach or totally extraperitoneal approach. Robotic Spigelian repairs have been rarely reported in the literature. We report three cases of incarcerated Spigelian hernias that were successfully repaired robotically with mesh.

Relative value units and payer mix analysis of facial trauma coverage at a level 1 trauma center: is the current model sustainable?

PURPOSE: We aimed to approximate the annual clinical work that is performed during facial trauma coverage and analyze the economic incentives for subspecialty surgeons providing the coverage. METHODS: A retrospective, clinical productivity data analysis of 6 consecutive years of facial trauma coverage at an American College of Surgeons-verified Level I trauma center was performed by the use of a trauma database and relative value unit (RVU) data. A payer mix analysis also was completed. SPSS V19 was used for analysis. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2011, 526 patients were treated for facial injuries. The annual nonoperative RVUs ranged from 371 to 539, whereas the annual operative RVUs range was 235-426. Trend analysis displayed that most of the annual RVUs were nonoperative until the year 2011, when the operative RVUs surpassed the nonoperative. Payer mix analysis revealed that commercial insurance coverage was the most common (range 21-54%, median 41%) followed by self-pay coverage (18-32%, median 29%). This finding was a consistent phenomenon except in the year 2009, when self-pay covered the majority of the RVUs (32%). Nasal bone fractures (24%) and mandibular fractures (16%) were the two most common diagnoses. Open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures (17%), open reduction and internal fixation orbital bone fractures (15%), and complex facial repair (12%) constituted the most common operative procedures. Facial trauma consultations were obtained 22% (16-24%) of covered days. The percent of days requiring emergency procedures was (0.5-1%). CONCLUSION: The infrequency of subspecialty consultations and operative interventions, and significant payer mix differences between facial trauma patients relative to the current ambulatory surgery population of the covering subspecialties poses economical challenges for both the hospitals and providers that use the traditional coverage models.

The evaluation of national time trends, quality of care, and factors affecting the use of minimally invasive breast biopsy and open biopsy for diagnosis of breast lesions.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive breast biopsy is a recommended biopsy method for suspicious lesions. This study examines national trends and factors associated with the use of open breast biopsy (OBB). METHODS: The national inpatient sample database was used to examine trends and factors associated with the use of OBB. Factors associated with OBB were evaluated using chi-square test for univariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: OBB rate was 34%. Patients below 50 years of age had OBB rates of 47%, while those above 50 had OBB rates of 29.1% (P < .001). Higher OBB rates were observed in Asian (39.8%) and Hispanic (40.6%) women compared with white women (34.1%, P < .001). Private insurance patients were more likely to have OBB compared with Medicaid/Medicare patients (40.9% vs 30.6%, P < .001). About 1.2% of women who underwent OBB required multiple biopsies for diagnosis compared with .5% for minimally invasive breast biopsy (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: OBB is still performed in one third of women despite higher morbidity and less accuracy. Factors associated with higher OBB rate included younger age; Asian ethnicity; private insurance; small, rural, and nonteaching hospitals.

Effect of insurance payer status on the surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer: data analysis from a single health system.

The effect of insurance payer status on surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer is unclear. This retrospective study examined the effect of insurance payer on mastectomy rates of 1539 women treated within a single health system. Women with Medicaid had significantly larger tumors compared with those with private insurance (PI) at diagnosis (3.3 cm vs 2.1 cm, P < .05) and were more likely to be treated with mastectomy for larger tumors compared with women with PI. However, women with PI were more likely to have mastectomy for smaller tumors; among women with tumors less than 2 cm, 11% with Medicaid underwent mastectomy compared with 47% with PI (P < .05). Overall, when compared with those with PI, women with Medicaid were more likely to receive mastectomy (60% vs 39%, P < .05).

Gastroblastoma in a 28-year-old man with nodal metastasis: proof of the malignant potential.

Gastroblastoma is a newly defined neoplasm of children and young adults with only 4 reported cases to date. Morphologically, the tumor is a mixture of epithelial structures and stromal elements with minimal cytologic atypia. In these 4 reported cases, there were no metastases or postresection recurrences. We report a case of gastroblastoma in a 28-year-old man with a histologic nodal metastasis and clinical distant metastases.

Femoral artery complications after cardiac catheterization: a study of patient profile.

BACKGROUND: Femoral artery complications after cardiac catheterization range from simple events to severe complications requiring invasive techniques or surgery with significant economic costs. This study evaluated early femoral arterial complications from percutaneous arterial access during diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterizations in an era of widespread use of closure devices and intense anticoagulation. METHODS: Patients undergoing percutaneous cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery between August 2005 and December 2005 were identified using an ICD-9 patient database. Forty-six data points were extracted by retrospective chart review, including demographics, comorbidities, type of anticoagulation, procedural details, and postprocedural complications. Univariable analysis and binary logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with complications. RESULTS: Eighty-two of 579 patients (14%) suffered complications. The most common complications were hematomas (51 patients, 10%) and active bleeding (14 patients, 2.4%). Closure devices were used in 470 patients. After multivariable correction, use of preprocedural (odds ratio [OR]=5.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.58-12.3, p<0.001) and intraprocedural (OR=4.88, 95% CI 1.95-12.3, p<0.001) antithrombotic agents (antiplatelet and/or anticoagulants), intraprocedural clopidogrel (OR=2.98, 95% CI 1.21-7.30, p=0.017), and postprocedural heparin (OR=29.4, 95% CI 3.56-250, p=0.002) were associated with increased risk. Coronary artery disease was associated with increased risk (OR=11.1, 95% CI 4.78-25.6, p<0.001), while use of a closure device (OR=0.263, 95% CI 0.125-0.553, p<0.001), male gender (OR=0.421, 95% CI 0.220-0.805, p=0.009), and prior catheterization (OR=0.033, 95% CI 0.012-0.095, p<0.001) were protective. CONCLUSION: With increasing numbers of complex coronary endovascular procedures and widespread use of high-dose multidrug antithrombotic therapy, femoral artery injuries will continue to be a significant risk for patients. Postprocedural monitoring with a high level of suspicion and use of vascular closure devices in high-risk patients may decrease the incidence of femoral artery complications. The use of vascular closure devices after low-risk procedures in male patients or those with previous ipsilateral catheterization might not be warranted but needs further study.

The effect of erythrocyte blood transfusions on survival after surgery for hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Studies in cardiac surgery patients have suggested that allogeneic erythrocyte blood transfusions are associated with an increased long-term mortality. However, studies in patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures have found no effect of transfusion on short-term mortality, but did not evaluate the effects on long-term mortality. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of allogeneic erythrocyte blood transfusions on long-term mortality. METHODS: Charts of all patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture (International Classification of Disease 820.0-820.9) between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005 were reviewed for demographic, comorbidities, laboratory values, use of and age of transfused blood products. Death was determined from the Social Security Death Index. Survival was analyzed with Cox models and Kaplan-Meier statistics. To control for biases in this retrospective study, a subpopulation was analyzed after propensity matching using Cox modeling. RESULTS: Thirty-one of the 59 patients (53%) dead at follow-up had received allogeneic erythrocyte transfusions, compared with 59 of 170 survivors (35%) (p = 0.02). However, the increased risk of death was time dependent. Transfusion became a risk factor for death only after at least 90 days after surgery. By Cox modeling, transfusion was associated with an increased risk of death (relative risk = 3.386, 95% CI = 1.255-4.534, p = 0.01; c-statistic = 0.612 +/- 0.055, p = 0.03). Seventy-four (32%) of patients were matched using propensity analysis. Similar to the total population, the increased mortality associated with transfusion did not occur for at least 90 days. Using Cox proportional hazard modeling in propensity-matched patients who survived at least 90 days after surgery, transfusion remained a predictor of death (relative risk = 3.760, 95% CI = 1.216-11.626, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: We found that use of allogeneic erythrocyte transfusions to patients undergoing surgical repair of hip fractures was associated with an increased risk of death. This risk started after 90 days from surgery and persisted the length of follow-up.