Frailty predicts worse outcomes after intracranial meningioma surgery irrespective of existing prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE: Frailty has been recognized as a predictor of adverse surgical outcomes across multiple surgical disciplines, but until now the relationship between frailty and intracranial meningioma surgery has not been studied. The goal of the present study was to determine the relationship between increasing frailty (determined using the modified Frailty Index [mFI]) and intracranial meningioma resection outcomes (including hospital length of stay [LOS], discharge location, and reoperation and readmission rates). METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent intracranial meningioma resection between August 2012 and May 2018. Seventy-six patients met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Frailty was associated with increased hospital LOS (p = 0.0218), increased reoperation rate (p = 0.029), and discharge to a higher level of care: an inpatient rehabilitation facility or a skilled nursing facility (p = 0.0002). After multivariable analysis, frailty was determined to be an independent risk factor for increased LOS, worse discharge disposition, and subsequent readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty is an independent risk factor for worse outcomes following intracranial meningioma resection, including increased LOS, reoperations, and worse discharge disposition. Frailty may help stratify preoperative surgical risk, and thus may provide important clinical information to help neurosurgeons and elderly patients weigh the risks and benefits of resection.

Need for formalized robotic training and curriculum in obstetrics and gynecology residency: an examination of current resident outlooks and perspectives.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate current robotic surgery training methodologies for ACGME-accredited obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residency programs, better understand current resident perspectives, and explore potential areas for improvement within resident education. A cross-sectional study was done of ACGME-accredited OB/GYN residents in the 2023-2024 academic year. The study was done on a national setting via web-based survey. 75 surveys were included. The study was conducted via a 33-question survey study using a mixture of multiple choice, multiple answer, and Likert scale questions. Participants noted that 98.7% of their institutions perform robotic surgery and 90.7% have access to robotic console trainers. Outside of the operating room, slightly more than half of participants (57.3%) have formalized robotics training curriculums. A variety of training modalities were noted to be utilized by residents with the most helpful being hands-on training (67.7%) followed by dual-assist console (45.6%). The least helpful was noted to be online modules (58.7%). Most residents either strongly agree (45.3%) or agree (36.0%) that standardized robotics curriculums should be implemented for all OB/GYN residency programs. The largest barriers to completion of this training were noted to be attending comfort with resident participation in the case (74.0%), personal time (58.9%), and availability or access to trainers (42.5%). A formalized and standardized robotic training curriculum should be considered for OB/GYN residents with a multi-modal model utilizing a combination of training modalities as well as dedicated didactic hours.

A Report of a Rare Case of Rapidly Progressing Immature Teratoma With Associated Splenic Metastasis and Gliomatosis Peritonei.

Gliomatosis peritonei (GP) is a rare condition of mature glial tissue within the peritoneum often associated with immature teratomas. This was a case of rapid progression of immature teratoma with splenic lesions and associated GP. The patient was a 21-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain and CT imaging showing suspected malignant teratoma. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with fertility-sparing debulking surgery and was diagnosed with stage IIIC grade 3 immature teratoma. She then received adjuvant chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin. Surveillance imaging demonstrated a non-avid splenic lesion. The tumor markers remained normal. She underwent robotic splenectomy and partial peritonectomy with intra-operative findings revealing numerous peritoneal nodules. Follow-up surveillance imaging showed no further lesions. The final histopathology examination demonstrated mature and mesenchymal neural tissue consistent with residual teratoma and no immature elements. The specimens were largely composed of nodules of mature glial tissue and focal areas of mature neuronal tissue. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100 expression, confirming neural origin tissue. Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4) immunostain was negative which confirmed the absence of immature neural tissue. We report a rare case of rapid progression of immature teratoma with splenic metastasis and peritoneal nodules found ultimately to be mature teratoma and associated GP. Recognition of rapidly growing teratoma with new lesions as potential GP is imperative to prevent misdiagnosis as recurrence or progression of disease. This case was treated with secondary debulking surgery which should be a consideration of management if surgically feasible.

Access to Family Planning Services Following Natural Disasters and Pandemics: A Review of the English Literature.

BACKGROUND: When natural disasters strike, there is a sudden decrease in access to care due to infrastructure loss and displacement. A pandemic has the similar ability to acutely limit access to care. The relationship between decreased access to care and natural disasters has been previously explored. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to present a focused review of the available and emerging literature regarding the overall impact of natural disasters and pandemics on unintended pregnancy and decreased care in this setting. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Embase databases. The search was restricted to studies that were population-based, prospective or retrospective. Only peer-reviewed articles were considered. The search was further restricted to manuscripts in English or officially translated manuscripts. All qualifying papers from which data were extracted were subjected to a quality assessment conducted by two independent investigators (SK and AA). Each investigator reviewed all nine papers relevant to data collection using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHP). MeSH terms were utilized across various databases. Studies were selected that were population-based, prospective or retrospective. Case reports and case series were not used. The primary outcomes were the rates of unintended pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included the use of contraception, short interval pregnancy, and access to reproductive services. RESULTS: An initial search yielded 74 papers, of which nine papers were reviewed for qualitative data, examining the subjects affected by natural disasters or pandemics. An additional two papers regarding theoretical data and COVID-19 were analyzed. Although there seems to be a rise in unintended pregnancy and more difficulty accessing care following natural disasters and pandemics, there are variations in the rates based on region and event. CONCLUSIONS: The full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rates of unplanned pregnancies will become apparent in the months and years to come. As obstetrician-gynecologists, we must communicate openly with our patients regarding the use of available contraception, sexual education, and family planning services at times of natural disasters and pandemics.

Spinal Epidural Abscess Patients Have Higher Modified Frailty Indexes Than Back Pain Patients on Emergency Room Presentation: A Single-Center Retrospective Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) patients have increased medical comorbidities and risk factors for infection compared with those without SEA. However, the association between frailty and SEA patients has not been documented. METHODS: A total of 46 SEA patients were randomly paired and matched by age and sex with a control group of patients with back pain who had presented to our emergency department from 2012 to 2017. Statistical analysis identified the risk factors associated with SEA and frailty using the modified frailty index (mFI), and the patients were stratified into robust, prefrail, and frail groups. We examined the value of the mFI as a prognostic predictor and evaluated the classic risk factors (CRFs). RESULTS: The SEA patients had higher mFIs and CRFs (P = 0.023 and P < 0.001, respectively) and a longer length of stay (22.89 days vs. 1.72 days; P < 0.001). Of the mFI variables, only diabetes had a significant association with SEA (odds ratio [OR], 3.60; P = 0.012). Among the stratified mFI subgroups, a frail ranking (mFI >2) was the strongest risk factor for SEA (OR, 5.18; P = 0.003). A robust ranking (mFI, 0-1) was a weak negative predictor for SEA (OR, 0.41; P = 0.058). The robust patients were also more likely to be discharged to home (OR, 7.58; P = 0.002). Of the CRF variables, only intravenous drug use had a statistically significant association with SEA (OR, 10.72; P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SEA were more frail compared with the control back pain patients. Frailty was determined to be an independent risk factor for SEA, outside of the CRFs. The use of the mFI could be potentially useful in predicting the diagnosis, prognosticating, and guiding SEA treatment.

Characterization of Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to a Community Hospital of East Harlem in New York City.

Background New York City was the epicenter for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to characterize the population of patients admitted with this condition to a community hospital in East Harlem located in the northeast part of the city. Methods A retrospective review of medical records of patients at least 18 years of age, admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 disease from March 14 to April 30 of 2020. Results Three hundred and seventy-one patients were identified. The majority was comprised of men. Obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were the most prevalent comorbidities. Most patients were treated with a combination of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, zinc, and vitamin C. Twenty-three percent of the patients died from the disease during the study period. Conclusion Morbidity and mortality were substantial in patients with COVID-19 admitted to a community hospital in East Harlem.