Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Comparative Study
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: an extensive workup is not required.
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare entity usually caused by alveolar rupture and air tracking along the tracheobronchial tree. Despite its benign nature, an extensive workup is often undertaken to exclude hollow viscus perforation. We sought to review our experience with this condition and examine the optimal management strategy. ⋯ Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign entity and rarely correlates with true esophageal perforation. Additional investigation with esophagography or other invasive procedures should be performed selectively with the aim of expediting the patient's care. The prognosis is excellent with conservative management and the risk for recurrence is low.
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Multicenter Study
Examining national outcomes after thyroidectomy with nerve monitoring.
Previous intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) studies have demonstrated modest-to-no benefit and did not include a nationwide sample of hospitals representative of broad thyroidectomy practices. This national study was designed to compare vocal cord paralysis (VCP) rates between thyroidectomy with IONM and without monitoring (conventional). ⋯ According to this study, IONM has not been broadly adopted into practice. Overall, IONM was associated with a higher rate of VCP even after correction for numerous confounders. In particular, low institutional use of IONM and use in partial thyroidectomies are associated with higher rates of VCP. Further studies are warranted to support the broader application of IONM in patients where benefit can be reliably achieved.
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Multicenter Study
Diminishing relative contraindications for immediate breast reconstruction: a multicenter study.
During the past decade, there has been a rise in US breast reconstruction rates, with a greater expansion in prosthetic-based techniques relative to autologous transfer. Immediate reconstruction in high-risk oncologic and surgical patients might be a contributing factor to these trends. ⋯ Breast reconstruction increased in high-risk surgical and oncologic patients, suggestive of a diminishing set of relative contraindications. Increased implant use in high-risk patients might be a contributing factor toward the preferential national expansion of prosthetic techniques.
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Multicenter Study
Rates and patterns of recurrence after curative intent resection for gastric cancer: a United States multi-institutional analysis.
Reports on recurrence and outcomes of US patients with gastric cancer are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine incidence and pattern of recurrence after curative intent surgery for gastric cancer. ⋯ Nearly one-third of patients experienced recurrence after gastric cancer surgery. The most common site of recurrence was distant.