Robot-Assisted Removal of a Partially Intravesical Intrauterine Device (IUD) and Large Bladder Stone.

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a highly effective and widely utilized option for long-acting reversible contraception. IUDs are generally well-tolerated with a low rate of serious complications. Perforation of an IUD through the uterine wall and into the urinary bladder is a rare event that may be asymptomatic. The approach for surgical removal primarily depends on the location of the device. We present a case report of a 41-year-old woman who was found to have a partially intravesical IUD and associated 2.4 cm bladder calculus. Removal of the intravesical IUD and stone was achieved with cystoscopy, cystolitholapaxy, and robot-assisted laparoscopic cystotomy.

Epididymo-Orchitis Leading to Global Testicular Infarction in a Pediatric Patient - A Case Report.

Epididymo-orchitis (EO) is a common urologic condition that rarely requires surgical intervention. Global testicular infarction is an exceedingly uncommon complication of EO and is thought to occur when severe epididymal edema compresses testicular vessels. We present a rare case of global testicular infarction secondary to EO in a 17-year-old boy. Predicting which cases of EO will progress to testicular ischemia is challenging, as no clear risk factors have been identified. Early recognition of testicular compromise requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and may provide the opportunity for testis-sparing intervention.

Subjective Assessment Underestimates Fraility in Patients With Heart Failure Referred for Advanced Therapies.

Assessment of frailty is key for evaluation for advanced therapies (ATs). Most programs use a subjective provider assessment (SPA) or "eye-ball" test; however, objective measures exist. The modified five-item Fried Frailty Index (mFFI) is a validated tool to assess frailty. We compared SPA to mFFI testing in patients referred for AT. We also compared levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an inflammatory biomarker associated with worse outcomes in heart failure, between frail and not frail subjects. Seventy-eight patients referred for evaluation for AT underwent both SPA and mFFI testing. Three cardiac surgeons independently assessed patients for frailty (SPA). SPA significantly underestimated frailty compared with mFFI testing and correlation between SPA and mFFI was not strong (κ = 0.02-0.14). Providers were correct 84% of the time designating a subject as frail, but only 40% of the time designating as not frail. Agreement between all three providers was robust (76%), which was primarily driven by designation as not frail. There was no significant difference in plasma MIF levels between frail and not frail subjects (47.6 ± 25.2 vs . 45.2 ± 18.9 ng/ml; p = 0.6). Clinicians significantly underestimate frailty but are usually correct when designating a patient as frail.

Assessment of cardiac recovery in patients supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

AIMS: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly being used to support patients in cardiogenic shock (CS). Early determination of disposition is paramount, as longer durations of support have been associated with worse outcomes. We describe a stepwise, bedside weaning protocol to assess cardiopulmonary recovery during VA-ECMO. METHODS AND RESULTS: Over 1 year, we considered all patients on VA-ECMO for CS for the Weaning Protocol (WP) at our centre. During the WP, patients had invasive haemodynamic monitoring, echocardiography, and blood gas analysis while flow was reduced in 1 LPM decrements. Ultimately, the circuit was clamped for 30 min, and final measures were taken. Patients were described as having durable recovery (DR) if they were free of pharmacological and mechanical support at 30 days post-decannulation. Over 12 months, 34 patients had VA-ECMO for CS. Fourteen patients were eligible for the WP at 4-12 days. Ten patients tolerated full flow reduction and were successfully decannulated. Twenty-four per cent of the entire cohort demonstrated DR with no adverse events during the WP. Patients with DR had significantly higher ejection fraction, cardiac index, and smaller left ventricular size at lowest flow during the WP. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a safe, stepwise, bedside weaning protocol to assess cardiac recovery during VA-ECMO. Early identification of patients more likely to recover may improve outcomes during ECMO support.

College Education on Dietary Supplements May Promote Responsible Use In Young Adults.

Dietary supplement (DS) use is increasing among college students. Early adulthood is a critical developmental stage when behavioral trends are established with potential health implications. Many studies have suggested a proper college education on DSs is needed, but no follow-up reports exist in the literature. The purpose of the study was to compare DS use in college students with and without a formal education on DSs. An anonymous survey was sent over electronic mailing lists of different social and professional student groups, including students in the health and wellness studies (HWS) minor (HM) at Binghamton University. A total of 308 students completed the study. A statistical framework using multivariate analyses was designed to assess pattern of use and identify variables of interest. Principal component analysis recognized five patterns collectively contributing to 66.75% of the variance. PC 1 characterized as tobacco use, PC 2 labeled as body weight, PC 3 categorized as exercise, PC 4 labeled as educated use, and PC 5 is considered Greek-life lifestyle. Participants were then partitioned into HM versus HWS nonminor (NM). Common factor analysis was performed to extract significant variables pertaining to each pattern. Results reflected driving forces common to both groups. However, new trends surfaced in HM. A regression analysis suggests that DS use in HM is based on knowledge, whereas NM use is specifically targeted toward certain lifestyles. In addition, HM are more likely to discontinue a DS with formal knowledge. Therefore, college education on DS may be promoting a healthy pattern of supplement use.