Publications by authors named "Alice Zhu"
Article Synopsis
- * The program involved educational sessions and hands-on coaching, with positive outcomes reported, including a 34.9% increase in surgeons' comfort with laparoscopic HPB surgeries.
- * Participants recognized challenges in adopting surgical coaching, emphasizing the need for teamwork, respect, and a willingness to learn to effectively implement these changes in practice.
Article Synopsis
- * A study reviewed 46 patients who had completion cholecystectomy after subtotal cholecystectomy, finding that remnant cholecystitis was the main reason for reoperation in 80.4% of cases, with some encountering complications like bile leaks and pancreatitis.
- * The procedure is generally safe and effective, with a high rate of symptom resolution (95.6%), although it can be technically challenging, with a small percentage needing conversion to open surgery.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) models in diagnosing hand and wrist fractures and dislocations through imaging, finding early and accurate diagnosis vital for patient care and cost reduction in healthcare.
- - Researchers conducted a systematic review of 36 studies, focusing on pediatric and adult patients, and utilized a structured analysis approach to ensure reliable results, with most studies using radiographs and radiologists for comparison.
- - AI models showed impressive diagnostic performance metrics, including a high area under the curve (0.946) and positive likelihood ratio (7.690), indicating that while the evidence quality was moderate, AI could significantly aid in identifying these injuries.
Introduction: Loss to follow-up (LTFU) distorts results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Understanding trial characteristics that contribute to LTFU may enable investigators to anticipate the extent of LTFU and plan retention strategies. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the extent of LTFU in surgical RCTs and evaluate associations between trial characteristics and LTFU.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In 2006, Cancer Care Ontario created Surgical Oncology Standards for the delivery of hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery including hepatectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Our objective was to identify the impact of standardization on outcomes after HPB surgery in Ontario, Canada.
Study Design: This study was a population-level analysis of patients undergoing hepatectomy or PD (2003 to 2019).
Introduction: Vasopressors are traditionally avoided in microsurgery due to concerns about their effect on free flap survival. We examine the impact of intraoperative vasopressors on microsurgical outcomes in a large series of DIEP flap breast reconstructions.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who underwent DIEP breast reconstruction between January 2010 and May 2020.
Article Synopsis
- Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a critical treatment for patients experiencing severe early graft dysfunction after heart transplant, and the study aims to analyze mortality rates, complications, and prognostic factors associated with its use.
- The research involved a systematic review of 49 studies and included individual patient data from 448 patients, revealing a 30-day mortality rate of 33% and a 1-year mortality rate of 50% in those receiving VA-ECMO.
- The findings highlight the need for further research to improve VA-ECMO strategies, as factors like older age and prior surgeries are linked to higher mortality rates.
Article Synopsis
- - The study in New South Wales examined the effectiveness of an active contact tracing method for follow-up on hepatitis B exposure, contrasting it with the usual passive approach led by general practitioners.
- - In this investigation, staff and clients from a dental practice, identified as a potential hepatitis B exposure site, were contacted multiple times to request blood tests, leading to a participation rate of just 39% among eligible individuals.
- - While the active follow-up required significant resources and staff time ($30,000 and 430 hours), it demonstrated the ability to accurately document participation rates, suggesting that active methods may be beneficial for managing high-risk blood borne virus exposures despite their intensity.
Background: Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) can be accomplished with either resection of the splenic vessels via the Warshaw Technique (WT) or via preservation of the splenic vessels (SVP). Our study aims to compare outcomes for the two methods of LSPDP.
Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review with intent-to-treat analysis of adults undergoing LSPDP at a single institution from 2009 to 2021.
Purpose: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are at increased risk of respiratory infections and associated morbidity and mortality. To characterize optimal intervention strategies, we completed a systematic review of mitigation strategies for PEH to minimize the spread and impact of respiratory infectious disease outbreaks, including COVID-19.
Methods: The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (#2020 CRD42020208964) and was consistent with the preferred reporting in systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines.
Bondi and beyond. Lessons from three waves of COVID-19 from 2020.
Public Health Res Pract
September 2021
Objectives: To describe local operational aspects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response during the first three waves of outbreaks in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, which began in January, July and December 2020. Type of program or service: Public health outbreak response.
Methods: Narrative with epidemiological linking and genomic testing.
Background: Bile duct injury sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and can be a devastating complication for a general surgeon. We introduce a novel, individualized surgical coaching program for surgeons who recently injured a bile duct in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We aim to explore the perception of coaching among these surgeons and to assess surgeons' experiences in the coaching program.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is associated with variable outcomes. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the mortality after VA ECMO across multiple etiologies of cardiogenic shock (CS).
Methods: In June 2019, we performed a systematic search selecting observational studies with ≥10 adult patients reporting on short-term mortality (30-day or mortality at discharge) after initiation of VA ECMO by CS etiology published after 2009.
A case of primary pulmonary Schizophyllum commune empyema treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication.
Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
March 2021
Schizophyllum commune (S. commune) is an environmental basidiomycete bracket fungus that can rarely cause invasive fungal disease. Its diagnosis is challenging and often missed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMechanistic studies in human cancer have relied heavily on cell lines and mouse models, but are limited by in vitro adaptation and species context issues, respectively. More recent efforts have utilized patient-derived xenografts; however, these are hampered by variable genetic background, inability to study early events, and practical issues with availability/reproducibility. We report here an efficient, reproducible model of T-cell leukemia in which lentiviral transduction of normal human cord blood yields aggressive leukemia that appears indistinguishable from natural disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The objective is to determine if suspected concussions in elite football are medically assessed according to the International Conferences on Concussion in Sport consensus statement recommendations.
Setting: Men's Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Football Championship.
Participants: All professional football players in the UEFA 2016 Championship Tournament.
Background: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are an important public health challenge. The classification of baseball and softball as low contact sports and their association with extremity injuries cause individuals to overlook the risk of TBI in baseball and softball.
Purpose: To summarize our knowledge of the epidemiology and risk factors of TBIs associated with baseball and softball with an aim to better design and implement preventive strategies.