Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Clinical Trial
Anorectal Function and Quality of Life after Transrectal Rigid-Hybrid NOTES Sigmoidectomy.
In transrectal rigid-hybrid natural orifice translumenal endoscopic sigmoidectomy (trNS), extraction-site laparotomy is avoided, which reduces postoperative pain and improves recovery time. However, current research evaluating anorectal function after trNS is limited. This study aims to evaluate clinical continence, anorectal manometry, and quality of life in patients undergoing trNS for diverticular disease. ⋯ Six months after trNS, neither clinical continence nor manometric findings deteriorated. Quality of life after trNS for recurrent diverticulitis is excellent. Long-term implications of a temporary decline in resting pressure after 3 months remain unclear and warrant long-term follow-up.
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Comparative Study
Non-Operative Management Is As Effective As Immediate Splenectomy For Adult Patients with High-Grade Blunt Splenic Injury.
The comparative effectiveness of nonoperative management (NOM) vs immediate splenectomy (IS) for hemodynamically stable adult patients with grade IV or V blunt splenic injury (BSI) has not been clearly established in the literature. ⋯ Nonoperative management is as effective as IS for hemodynamically stable adult patients with grade IV or V BSI. The delay in operative intervention that results from failed attempts at NOM does not adversely affect the outcomes of patients who ultimately require splenectomy.
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Public reporting of surgical outcomes must adjust for patient risk. However, whether patient sociodemographic status (SDS) should be included is debatable. Our objective was to empirically compare risk-adjustment models and hospital ratings with or without SDS factors for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ Adjusting for insurance improves statistical models when analyzing readmissions after coronary artery bypass grafting, but does not impact hospital performance ratings substantially. Deciding whether SDS should be included in a patient's risk profile depends on valid measurements of SDS and requires a nuanced approach to assessing how these variables improve risk-adjusted models.