Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Selective Nonoperative Management of Abdominal Gunshot Wounds from Heresy to Adoption: A Multicenter Study of the Research Consortium of New England Centers for Trauma (ReCoNECT).
Selective nonoperative management (SNOM) of abdominal gunshot wounds is being practiced in certain trauma centers, but its broader acceptance in the surgical community is unknown. We hypothesized that SNOM has been adopted in New England as an acceptable method of abdominal gunshot wound management. ⋯ Selective nonoperative management of abdominal gunshot wounds, despite being a heresy only a few years ago, has now been established as an acceptable method of management in Level I and II trauma centers in New England.
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Although there is increasing literature about burnout and attrition among surgeons, little is known about personal and professional well-being of surgical trainees. ⋯ Surgical trainee well-being is critical to optimal patient care, career development, and burnout reduction. Surgical residents attend to their own preventive health maintenance, finances, sleep, and stress reduction with variable success. Residency programs should make modest programmatic accommodations to allow trainees to tend to various aspects of their personal well-being.
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An elevated odds ratio for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prompted development of a Caprini risk assessment and risk-based prophylaxis protocol for all general surgery patients. This system includes pre- and postoperative prophylactic heparin as well as extended courses of low molecular weight heparin for high-risk patients. This study evaluated the safety of this chemoprophylaxis program in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. ⋯ Although the incidence of VTE is quite low for patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid operations, the Caprini prophylaxis protocol identifies a subset of high-risk patients who may benefit from extended VTE prophylaxis without the likelihood of added harm. Conversely, Caprini scores might also select low-risk patients who require no chemoprophylaxis, possibly reducing risks of hemorrhage.
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Comparative Study
National Rise of Primary Pancreatic Carcinoid Tumors: Comparison to Functional and Non-Functional Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.
New guidelines recommend differentiating between carcinoid and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) during clinical trials. However, little is known about the behavior and incidence of primary pancreatic carcinoid tumors. ⋯ Primary pancreatic carcinoid tumors are increasingly being diagnosed. Differentiating PNET subtypes plays an important role in prognostication. Resection remains a critical component of care.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Sutureless vs Sutured Gastroschisis Closure: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.
Sutureless gastroschisis repair involves covering the abdominal wall defect with the umbilical cord or a synthetic dressing to allow closure by secondary intention. No randomized studies have described the outcomes of this technique. Our objective was to prospectively compare short-term outcomes of sutureless vs sutured closure in a randomized fashion. ⋯ Sutureless repair of uncomplicated gastroschisis can be performed safely, however, it is associated with a significant increase in time to full feeds and time to discharge.