Clinical outcomes of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas treated with Mohs surgery alone: An analysis of local recurrence, regional nodal metastases, progression-free survival, and disease-specific death.

Background: The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) continues to increase, and it is now predicted that the number of deaths from cSCC will surpass that of melanoma within the next 5 years. Although most cSCCs are successfully treated, there exists an important subset of high-risk tumors that have the highest propensity for local recurrence (LR), nodal metastasis (NM), and disease-specific death (DSD).

Objective: We investigated the clinical outcomes of high-risk cSCCs treated with Mohs surgery (MS) alone, analyzing LR, NM, distant metastasis, and DSD.

Mohs surgery for early-stage Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) achieves local control better than wide local excision ± radiation therapy with no increase in MCC-specific death.

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the skin is most commonly treated with wide local excision (WLE) with or without adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) as monotherapy may offer an alternative treatment modality. The purpose of this study is to describe outcomes of patients with primary Stage I/II MCC treated with MMS alone and no RT.

Wearable and interactive technology to share fitness goals results in weight loss but not improved diabetes outcomes.

Background And Purpose: To investigate the effects of adding virtual activity groups to a multicomponent ambulatory activity monitoring intervention in managing chronic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We randomized 120 subjects with type 2 diabetes to receive an activity monitor with or without placement into virtual activity groups. We monitored subjects over six months and collected HbA1c, weight, step count, blood pressure, and SF-36 questionnaire data.

Modified Battlefield Acupuncture Does Not Reduce Pain or Improve Quality of Life in Patients with Lower Extremity Surgery.

Introduction: This study seeks to determine if modified Battlefield Acupuncture is more effective at relieving acute extremity pain, reducing medication use, and improving quality of life than placebo acupuncture or standard care after lower extremity surgery.

Methods: We conducted a multi-site 3-arm randomized, double-blind controlled trial of standard care alone versus standard care + placebo auricular acupuncture with semi-permanent needles versus standard care + modified battlefield acupuncture with semi-permanent needles for lower extremity surgery at two Air Force hospitals. Subjects reported pain level immediately after acupuncture, 24, 48, 168, and 720 hours later to a blinded research associate.

Left Ventricular Compressions Improve Hemodynamics in a Swine Model of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Introduction: We hypothesized that chest compressions located directly over the left ventricle (LV) would improve hemodynamics, including coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in a swine model of cardiac arrest.

Methods: Transthoracic echocardiography (echo) was used to mark the location of the aortic root and the center of the left ventricle on animals (n = 26) which were randomized to receive chest compressions in one of the two locations. After a period of ten minutes of ventricular fibrillation, basic life support (BLS) with mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated and performed for ten minutes followed by advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) for an additional ten minutes.

Digit-Sparing Mohs Surgery for Melanoma.

Background: Digital melanoma is commonly treated with amputation or wide local excision. Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) may offer an alternative treatment modality.

Objective: To describe outcomes of digital melanomas treated with MMS over a 35-year period.

Prospective evaluation of the correlation between torso height and aortic anatomy in respect of a fluoroscopy free aortic balloon occlusion system.

Background: To report the lengths of key torso vascular and to develop regression models that will predict these lengths, based on an external measure of torso height (EMTH, sternum to pubis) in the development of a fluoroscopy-free balloon occlusion system for hemorrhage control.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study at a Combat Support Hospital in Southern Afghanistan using adult male patients undergoing computed tomography (CT). EMTH was recorded using a tape measure and intra-arterial distance was derived from CT imaging.

Morphometric analysis of torso arterial anatomy with implications for resuscitative aortic occlusion.

Background: Hemorrhage is a leading cause of death in military and civilian trauma. Despite the importance of the aorta as a site of hemorrhage control and resuscitative occlusion, detailed knowledge of its morphometry is lacking. The objective of this study was to characterize aortic morphometry in a trauma population, including quantification of distances as well as and diameters and definition of relevant aortic zones.

Comparing fitness performance before and after breast reduction surgery.

Background: Breast reduction is one of the most commonly performed surgeries by plastic surgeons. Patients may receive many benefits and overall complications are low allowing for breast reduction to be a popular procedure offered by plastic surgeons. Fitness improvement is a perceived benefit but has not been objectively demonstrated, which is the purpose of this study.