Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
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J. Gastrointest. Surg. · Sep 2014
Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus observation in older patients presenting with mild biliary disease.
Our objective was to determine the probability threshold for recurrent symptoms at which elective cholecystectomy compared to observation in older patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis is the more effective and cost-effective option. We built a decision model of elective cholecystectomy versus observation in patients >65 presenting with initial episodes of symptomatic cholelithiasis that did not require initial hospitalization or cholecystectomy. Probabilities for subsequent hospitalization, emergency cholecystectomy, and perioperative complications were based on previously published probabilities from a 5 % national sample of Medicare patients. ⋯ Elective cholecystectomy became the more effective option when the likelihood for continued symptoms exceeded 45.3 %. Elective cholecystectomy was both more effective and less costly when the probability for continued symptoms exceeded 82.7 %. An individualized shared decision-making strategy based on these data can increase elective cholecystectomy rates in patients at high risk for recurrent symptoms and minimize unnecessary cholecystectomy for patients unlikely to benefit.
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J. Gastrointest. Surg. · Sep 2014
Single-center experience with parastomal hernia repair using retromuscular mesh placement.
Parastomal hernias (PHs) are frequent complications of enterostomies. We aimed to evaluate our outcomes of open PH repair with retromuscular mesh reinforcement. ⋯ In this largest series of complex open repairs with retromuscular mesh reinforcement and stoma relocation, we demonstrate that this results in an effective repair. This technique should be considered for complex parastomal hernia repair.
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J. Gastrointest. Surg. · Sep 2014
Comparative StudyEndoscopic versus bedside electromagnetic-guided placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes in surgical patients.
Nasoenteral tube feeding is often required in surgical patients, mainly because of delayed gastric emptying. Bedside electromagnetic (EM)-guided tube placement by specialized nurses might offer several advantages (e.g., reduced patient discomfort and costs) over conventional endoscopic placement. The aim of this study was to compare the success rate of EM-guided to endoscopic placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes in surgical patients. ⋯ Bedside EM-guided placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes by specialized nurses did not differ from endoscopic placement by gastroenterologists regarding feasibility and safety in surgical patients with unaltered upper gastrointestinal anatomy.