Training and validating a treatment recommender with partial verification evidence.

Background: Current clinical decision support systems (DSS) are trained and validated on observational data from the clinic in which the DSS is going to be applied. This is problematic for treatments that have already been validated in a randomized clinical trial (RCT), but have not yet been introduced in any clinic. In this work, we report on a method for training and validating the DSS core before introduction to a clinic, using the RCT data themselves.

Predictors of Tinnitus Symptom Relief With Hearing Aids in a European Multicenter Study.

Objectives: Hearing aids (HAs) are a widely accepted first-line treatment option for individuals suffering from both hearing loss and chronic tinnitus. Though HAs are highly effective at improving speech understanding, their effectiveness in ameliorating tinnitus symptoms is less clear. In recent years, several investigators have reported on attempts to predict HAs effectiveness on tinnitus symptoms using an array of variables.

Postoperative bowel dysfunction in patients with rectal cancer - Does a minimally invasive surgical approach improve outcomes?

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of MIS approaches for rectal cancer with long-term postoperative bowel dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved observational cohort study including consecutive patients with rectal or rectosigmoid cancer who underwent surgical resection between 2007 and 2017. The primary exposure was surgical approach, defined as open surgery or MIS (laparoscopy or robotic surgery).

Robotic parastomal hernia repair in Ileal-conduit patients: short-term results in a single-center cohort study.

Purpose: To describe and evaluate safety and feasibility of the robotic modified Sugarbaker technique with intraperitoneal underlay mesh (IPUM) for repairing parastomal hernias associated with ileal conduits (ICPSH).

Methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort study analyzed data from 15 adult patients who underwent robotic ICPSH repair using the modified Sugarbaker IPUM technique between July 2021 and July 2023. The primary endpoints were hernia recurrence rates and 30-day morbidity.

Robotic parastomal hernia repair: A single-center cohort study.

Parastomal hernia is a common occurrence following stoma construction, necessitating surgical intervention in symptomatic cases. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of Robotic-Assisted Parastomal Hernia Repair (r-PSHR), utilizing the Da Vinci Xi™ Surgical System. Retrospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing r-PSHR at a high-volume center.

Navigating Progress: 8-Year Single-Center Experience With Minimally Invasive Proctectomy and IPAA.

Background: IPAA has become the criterion standard for treating ulcerative colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis, and selected cases of Crohn's colitis. Robotic surgery promises improved postoperative outcomes and decreased length of stay. However, few studies have evaluated the benefits of robotic IPAA compared to laparoscopy.

Evolution of laparoscopic ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: impact of enhanced recovery program, medication changes, and staged approaches on outcomes.

Background: Although laparoscopic Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the gold standard in restorative proctocolectomy, surgical techniques have experienced minimal changes. In contrast, substantial shifts in perioperative care, marked by the enhanced recovery program (ERP), modifications in steroid use, and a shift to a 3-staged approach, have taken center stage.

Methods: Data extracted from our prospective IPAA database focused on the first 100 laparoscopic IPAA cases (historic group) and the latest 100 cases (modern group), aiming to measure the effect of these evolutions on postoperative outcomes.

Robotic modified Sugarbaker technique for parastomal hernia repair: a standardized approach.

Parastomal hernia (PSH) is a prevalent long-term morbidity associated with stoma construction, and the optimal operative management remains uncertain. This study addresses the need for a standardized approach to symptomatic PSH repair, focusing on the robotic-assisted modified Sugarbaker technique with composite permanent mesh. The study, conducted in a high-volume colon and rectal surgery referral practice, outlines a systematic approach to patient selection, surgical procedures, and postoperative care.

Telerehabilitation with ARC Intellicare to Cope with Motor and Respiratory Disabilities: Results about the Process, Usability, and Clinical Effect of the "Ricominciare" Pilot Study.

Background: "Ricominciare" is a single-center, prospective, pre-/post-intervention pilot study aimed at verifying the feasibility and safety of the ARC Intellicare (ARC) system (an artificial intelligence-powered and inertial motion unit-based mobile platform) in the home rehabilitation of people with disabilities due to respiratory or neurological diseases.

Methods: People with Parkinson's disease (pwPD) or post-COVID-19 condition (COV19) and an indication for exercise or home rehabilitation to optimize motor and respiratory function were enrolled. They underwent training for ARC usage and received an ARC unit to be used independently at home for 4 weeks, for 45 min 5 days/week sessions of respiratory and motor patient-tailored rehabilitation.

Risk factors for surgical site infections and trends in skin closure technique after diverting loop ileostomy reversal: A multi-institutional analysis.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most common complications following diverting loop ileostomy (DLI) closures. This study assesses SSIs after DLI closure and the temporal trends in skin closure technique.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for adult patients who underwent a DLI closure between 2012 and 2021 across a multistate health system.

The statistical analysis plan for the unification of treatments and interventions for tinnitus patients randomized clinical trial (UNITI-RCT).

Background: Tinnitus is a leading cause of disease burden globally. Several therapeutic strategies are recommended in guidelines for the reduction of tinnitus distress; however, little is known about the potentially increased effectiveness of a combination of treatments and personalized treatments for each tinnitus patient.

Methods: Within the Unification of Treatments and Interventions for Tinnitus Patients project, a multicenter, randomized clinical trial is conducted with the aim to compare the effectiveness of single treatments and combined treatments on tinnitus distress (UNITI-RCT).

The influence of operating room temperature and humidity on surgical site infection: A multisite ACS-NSQIP analysis.

Background: Literature evaluating intraoperative temperature/humidity and risk of surgical site infection (SSI) is lacking.

Methods: All operations at three centers reported to the ACS-NSQIP were reviewed (2016-2020); ambient intraoperative temperature (⁰F) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded in 15-min intervals. The primary endpoint was superficial SSI, which was evaluated with multi-level logistic regression.

The Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) module in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a genetic muscle disorder causing weakness and wasting of the proximal limb musculature. When ambulation is lost, the attention must be shifted to the upper limb muscles' function. We studied the upper limb muscle strength and the corresponding function in 15 LGMDR1/LGMD2A and 13 LGMDR2/LGMD2B, through the Performance of Upper Limb scale and the MRC score of upper limbs.

Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism in Colon and Rectal Cancer: Do Tumor Location and Operation Matter?

Background: Existing venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk scores help identify patients at increased risk of postoperative VTE who warrant extended prophylaxis in the first 30 days. However, these methods do not address factors unique to colorectal surgery, wherein the tumor location and operation performed vary widely. VTE risk may extend past 30 days.

Fear influences phantom sound percepts in an anechoic room.

Aims And Hypotheses: In an environment of absolute silence, researchers have found many of their participants to perceive phantom sounds (tinnitus). With this between-subject experiment, we aimed to elaborate on these research findings, and specifically investigated whether-in line with the fear-avoidance model of tinnitus perception and reactivity-fear or level of perceived threat influences the incidence and perceptual qualities of phantom sound percepts in an anechoic room. We investigated the potential role of individual differences in anxiety, negative affect, noise sensitivity and subclinical hearing loss.

Better Together. Group versus individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for tinnitus: A Multiple-Baseline Single-Case Experimental Design.

Objectives: Chronic tinnitus is effectively treated through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Both group and individual CBT for tinnitus are effective, but no study has directly compared the two. The current study explores group versus individual CBT for tinnitus.

Validation of a left-sided colectomy anastomotic leak risk score and assessment of diversion practices.

Background: A left-sided anastomotic leak risk score was previously developed and internally but not externally validated.

Methods: Left-sided colectomy anastomotic leak risk scores were calculated for patients within the ACS NSQIP Colectomy Targeted PUF from 2017 to 2018 and institutional NSQIP databases at three hospitals from 2011 to 2019. The calibration and discrimination of the risk score was assessed.