Versatility of the Pedicled Buccal Fat Flap.

The pedicled buccal fat flap (PBFF) is a versatile and robust regional flap used for a variety of maxillofacial reconstructions. However, recent literature has questioned the popularity of this flap. The goal of this single-instruction, retrospective study is to review the outcomes and complications of the PBFF.

A Review of the Association between Exposure to Flame Retardants and Thyroid Function.

Flame retardants have been shown to cause widespread physiological effects, in particular on endocrine organs such as the thyroid. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the association between flame retardants and thyroid function within humans. A search in the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health PubMed database through January 2024 yielded 61 studies that met the inclusion criteria.

Association Between Age-stratified Cohorts and Perioperative Complications and 30-day and 90-day Readmission in Patients Undergoing Single-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Objective: To assess perioperative complication rates and readmission rates after ACDF in a patient population of advanced age.

Summary Of Background Data: Readmission rates after ACDF are important markers of surgical quality and, with recent shifts in reimbursement schedules, they are rapidly gaining weight in the determination of surgeon and hospital reimbursement.

Weekend Admission Increases Risk of Readmissions Following Elective Cervical Spinal Fusion.

Objective: The "weekend effect" occurs when patients cared for during weekends versus weekdays experience worse outcomes. But reasons for this effect are unclear, especially amongst patients undergoing elective cervical spinal fusion (ECSF). Our aim was to analyze whether index weekend admission affects 30- and 90-day readmission rates post-ECSF.

Interventions to reduce repetitive ordering of low-value inpatient laboratory tests: a systematic review.

Background: Over-ordering of daily laboratory tests adversely affects patient care through hospital-acquired anaemia, patient discomfort, burden on front-line staff and unnecessary downstream testing. This remains a prevalent issue despite the 2013 Choosing Wisely recommendation to minimise unnecessary daily labs. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify interventions targeting unnecessary laboratory testing.

Weekend Admission Increases Risk of Readmissions Following Elective Thoracolumbar Spinal Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective database study.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the influence of weekend admission on patients undergoing elective thoracolumbar spinal fusion by investigating hospital readmission outcomes and analyzing differences in demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative factors.

Methods: The 2016-2018 Nationwide Readmission Database was used to identify adult patients who underwent elective thoracolumbar spinal fusion.

Abnormal Bone Morphology in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.

Background: Although long suspected, it has yet to be shown whether the foot and ankle deformities of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are generally associated with abnormalities in osseous shape. Computed tomography (CT) was used to quantify morphologic differences of the calcaneus, talus, and navicular in CMT compared with healthy controls.

Methods: Weightbearing CT scans of 21 patients (27 feet) with CMT were compared to those of 20 healthy controls.

Significance of Hospital Size in Outcomes of Single-Level Elective Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Nationwide Readmissions Database Analysis.

Objective: To elucidate risk factors for 90-day readmission in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for small, medium, and large hospitals. To assess differences in length of stay, charges, and complication rates across hospitals of different size.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using elective, single-level ACDF data from 2016 to 2018 in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Comparison of Patient Preference, Understanding, and Sentiment for Minimally Invasive Versus Open Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective questionnaire analysis.

Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze patients' understanding and preferences for minimally invasive spine (MIS) versus open spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: MIS surgery is increasing in prevalence.

Reducing Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections via Cost-saving Diagnostic Stewardship.

We conducted a quality improvement project at our large, public, tertiary-care, academic hospital to reduce the standardized infection ratio (SIR) of hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Our diagnostic stewardship program, based on education and audit and feedback, significantly reduced inpatient urine culture orders and CAUTI SIR.

Monoclonal Antibody Protects Against Acinetobacter baumannii Infection by Enhancing Bacterial Clearance and Evading Sepsis.

Background: Extremely drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most commonly encountered, highly resistant pathogens requiring novel therapeutic interventions.

Methods: We developed C8, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), by immunizing mice with sublethal inocula of a hypervirulent XDR clinical isolate.

Results: C8 targets capsular carbohydrate on the bacterial surface, enhancing opsonophagocytosis.