Latest Articles
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To determine the association between postdischarge mental health care and odds of readmission after emergency general surgery (EGS) hospitalization for patients with serious mental illness (SMI). ⋯ Postdischarge MHV after EGS hospitalization was associated with decreased odds of readmission for patients with SMI managed operatively and nonoperatively. In older EGS patients with SMI, coordination of MHVs may be a mechanism to reduce readmission disparities.
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Many patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have persistent cardiovascular symptoms, but whether this represents a true cardiac process is unclear. This study assessed whether symptoms associated with long COVID among patients referred for cardiovascular evaluation are associated with objective abnormalities on cardiac testing to explain their clinical presentation. ⋯ This pragmatic retrospective cohort study suggests that patients with long COVID referred for cardiovascular evaluation infrequently have new, objective cardiovascular disease to explain their clinical presentation. A multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach is warranted for symptom management along with conservative use of diagnostic testing.
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Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows digital information to be superimposed onto a user's view of the real world, thereby enhancing the user's experience of a given real-world scenario. As recent advances in AR technology have made it more available for a variety of applications, hospitals and doctors have begun to test its utility in the operating room. AR technology allows surgeons to supplement their view of the operative field with useful patient-specific information for which they might otherwise need to turn their attention away from the task at hand. ⋯ The field of spine surgery is uniquely positioned to benefit from AR, given the extent to which many spine surgeons already rely on intraoperative navigation techniques for certain surgical tasks, including pedicle screw and interbody device placement. In this review, we outline the origins and history of AR in spine surgery and cover the current state of the literature regarding the applications, benefits, and drawbacks of its use within the field. Lastly, we speculate as to the future of AR in spine surgery and propose which gaps in knowledge must be addressed before the technology enjoys a degree of adoption on par with currently available intraoperative navigation techniques.
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Persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP) following thoracic surgery affects 40%-60% of patients undergoing lung resection due to malignancies. Postoperative pain-related symptoms are common, leading to limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and deterioration in physical function, which significantly impacts quality of life. Pain-related limitations are of interest, as postsurgical pain may present as a target for intervention to improve postoperative rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PPSP and ADL limitations during the first 12 postoperative months after surgery for lung cancer. ⋯ Surgery remains a cornerstone in the treatment of early-stage lung cancer. Despite advances in minimally invasive techniques and rehabilitation, persisting postsurgical pain and pain-related limitations in daily activities may endure. This study investigated specifically the pain-related limitations in activities of daily living and described recovery trajectories during the first 12 postoperative months. Patients with persistent postsurgical pain experienced multiple limitations compared to pain-free patients. Although partial recovery was observed, impairments remained significant for up to 12 months after surgery.
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To provide a composite endpoint in pancreatic surgery. ⋯ The PACE performed well in predicting prolonged hospital stays and can be used as a standardized and clinically relevant endpoint for future prospective trials enabling lower sample sizes and therefore improved feasibility compared to single outcome parameters.