Annals of surgical oncology
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Comparative Study
Cost comparison of radiation treatment options after lumpectomy for breast cancer.
Radiation therapy (RT) after lumpectomy for breast cancer can be delivered with several different regimens. We evaluated a cost-minimization strategy to select among RT options. ⋯ A cost-minimization strategy results in a 43 % reduction in estimated radiation costs among women undergoing breast conservation.
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The ACOSOG Z0011 trial has been described as practice-changing. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of the trial on surgeon practice patterns at our institution. ⋯ Surgeons at our institution have implemented Z0011 results for the majority of patients; however, clinicopathologic factors still impact the decision to perform ALND. Z0011 results have significantly impacted practice by decreasing rates of ALND, use of intraoperative nodal evaluation, and operative times.
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To assess national practice patterns regarding use of perioperative antibiotics by surgeons performing breast operations requiring drainage tubes. ⋯ Cephalosporins are utilized uniformly as preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in breast operations requiring drains. However, use of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is strongly dependent on the presence of immediate breast reconstruction. Consensus is lacking on the role of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in breast operations utilizing drains.
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Recent studies have reported increases in the rate of mastectomy and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). We hypothesized that there would be different reasons for choosing mastectomy for women aged <50 compared with those aged ≥50 years. ⋯ Choosing mastectomy and the reasons for doing so were the same for women aged <50 and ≥50 years. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether patient education regarding perceived versus actual recurrence risk and survival would alter this decision-making process.
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Multicenter Study
Surgical approach and outcomes in patients with lithium-associated hyperparathyroidism.
Patients receiving lithium therapy are at elevated risk of developing hyperparathyroidism. In lithium-associated hyperparathyroidism (LAH), the incidence of multiglandular disease (MGD) is unclear, and the need for routine bilateral cervical exploration remains controversial. Therefore, in LAH patients, surgical approaches, pathologic findings, cure rates, and factors associated with persistent or recurrent disease were investigated. ⋯ LAH patients have a high incidence of MGD, and bilateral exploration is frequently necessary. With access to the intraoperative PTH assay, it is reasonable to initiate a unilateral approach because many patients will harbor single adenomas and can be reliably rendered normocalcemic. Patients with MGD remain at higher risk of persistent/recurrent disease.