Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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The etiology of diverticulitis is multifactorial and poorly understood. We estimated the familiality of diverticulitis using the Utah Population Database, a statewide database linking medical records with genealogy data. ⋯ Our results indicate that the first-, second-, and third-degree relatives of diverticulitis patients are at elevated risk of developing diverticulitis. This information may aid surgeons in counseling patients and family members about diverticulitis risk and can inform the development of future risk-stratification tools. Further work is needed to clarify the causal role and relative contribution of various genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors in the development of diverticulitis.
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Laparoscopic surgery remains the mainstay of treating foregut pathologies. Several studies have shown improved outcomes with the robotic approach. A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic hiatal hernia repairs (HHR) and Heller myotomy (HM) repairs is needed. ⋯ Laparoscopic and robotic HHR and HM repairs have similar safety profiles and perioperative outcomes. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to compare the two methods, given the low to moderate quality of included studies.
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Multicenter Study
Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Effect on Long-Term Survival in Ampullary Adenocarcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study.
The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma (AA) remains controversial. This study aimed to determine if AC could improve the prognosis of patients with resected AA. ⋯ Given its favorable long-term outcomes, AC can be recommended for patients with resected AA, especially those in the advanced stage (pT4 or pN1-2).
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Whole Blood Resuscitation and Association with Survival in Injured Patients with an Elevated Probability of Mortality.
Low-titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) resuscitation is becoming common in both military and civilian settings and may represent the ideal resuscitation intervention. We sought to characterize the safety and efficacy of LTOWB resuscitation relative to blood component resuscitation. ⋯ Early LTOWB resuscitation is safe but not independently associated with survival for the overall enrolled population. When patients were selected with an elevated probability of mortality based on prehospital injury characteristics, LTOWB was independently associated with a lower risk of mortality starting at 4 hours after arrival through 28 days after injury.
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In the past 20 years of the Global War on Terror, the US has seen substantial improvements in its system of medical delivery in combat. However, throughout that conflict, enemy forces did not have parity with the weaponry, capability, or personnel of the US and allied forces. War against countries like China and Russia, who are considered near-peer adversaries in terms of capabilities, will challenge battlefield medical care in many different ways. ⋯ The team has extensive experience in medicine, surgery, austere environments, conflict zones, and building partner nation capacities. This article compares and contrasts the healthcare systems of this war against the systems used during the Global War on Terror. The lessons learned here could help the US anticipate challenges and successfully plan for the provision of medical care in a future conflict against an adversary with capabilities close to its own.