Utility of Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Equivalent in Screening for Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy.

Objective:  Ferritin, commonly used for diagnosing iron deficiency (ID) in pregnancy, is limited by high cost and false elevations during inflammation. Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He), an alternative marker for ID, is unaffected by inflammation and analyzed on the same collection tube as the standard complete blood count (CBC). We aimed to determine the accuracy of Ret-He in detecting ID in pregnancy compared to ferritin in a U.

Outcomes in Patients With Heel Ulcerations that Underwent Below the Knee Amputations Versus Vertical Contour Calcanectomy: Importance of Selection Criteria.

The aim of the study was to compare preoperative factors and postoperative outcomes in patients with heel ulcerations that primarily had a transtibial (below the knee) amputation (N = 38) versus vertical contour calcanectomy (n = 62). The groups had no statistical difference between their Charlson Comorbidity Index Score, a prognostic score of 10-year survival in patients with multiple comorbidities. The odds of primary closure were 21.

Positive Bacterial Cultures on Spinal Wound Closure Do Not Predict Postoperative Outcomes.

Background: Complex surgical back wounds represent significant morbidity in patients who have undergone spinal procedures requiring closure or revision by plastic surgeons. This study aimed to assess the utility of bacterial wound culture data for predicting surgical outcomes of wound management.

Methods: This study is a single-institution retrospective review of consecutive patients who required plastic surgery intervention for wound infection following spinal procedures between the years 2010 and 2021 (n = 70).

Comparing Robotic, Thoracoscopic, and Open Segmentectomy: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

Introduction: Minimally invasive approaches to lung resection have become widely acceptable and more recently, segmentectomy has demonstrated equivalent oncologic outcomes when compared to lobectomy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, studies comparing outcomes following segmentectomy by different surgical approaches are lacking. Our objective was to investigate the outcomes of patients undergoing robotic, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), or open segmentectomy for NSCLC using the National Cancer Database.

Cardiorenal Biomarkers, Canagliflozin, and Outcomes in Diabetic Kidney Disease: The CREDENCE Trial.

Background: People with type 2 diabetes and albuminuria are at an elevated risk for cardiac and renal events. The optimal biomarkers to aid disease prediction and to understand the benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibition remain unclear.

Methods: Among 2627 study participants in the CREDENCE trial (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), concentrations of NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, growth differentiation factor-15, and IGFBP7 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7) were measured.

Efficacy and tolerability of oral morphine versus oxycodone/acetaminophen for analgesia in the emergency department.

Objective: Oxycodone/acetaminophen is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for pain management in the emergency department (ED) despite its high abuse liability. Our objective was to determine whether oral immediate-release morphine is as effective and well tolerated as oral oxycodone/acetaminophen for pain relief in stable ED patients.

Design: This is a prospective comparative study in which stable adult patients with acute painful conditions who had either oral morphine (15 or 30 mg) or oxycodone/acetaminophen (5/325 mg or 10/650 mg) ordered for them at the discretion of a triage physician were recruited.

A prospective pilot study to assess for histologic changes on vulvar biopsies in postmenopausal women with lichen sclerosus treated with fractionated CO laser therapy.

Objectives: To investigate the histologic characteristics of vulvar tissues before and after completion of fractionated carbon dioxide (CO ) laser therapy (FxCO2) for vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS). The secondary objective was to assess subjective improvement in symptoms via the Skindex-16 questionnaire.

Methods: This prospective single-arm study was conducted from April 2021 to August 2022 at one academic medical center.

STOMp: sexual function trial of overactive bladder medication.

Background: Female sexual function has been shown to improve with overactive bladder (OAB) treatment.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of anticholinergics (ACHs) or a beta-agonist (BAG) on female sexual function.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Presence of a patent pedal arch is the primary predictor of transmetatarsal amputation healing and limb salvage.

Objective: Transmetatarsal amputation (TMA) is a durable and important functional limb salvage option. We have presented our results in identifying the angiographic predictors of TMA healing using single-institution retrospective data.

Methods: Consecutive patients within our institution who had undergone TMA and lower extremity arteriography from 2012 to 2020 were included.

Short-Term Outcomes Following Cemented Versus Cementless Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Cemented fixation during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has long been the gold standard due to excellent survivorship and clinical outcomes. With recent biomaterial advancements, cementless fixation has gained renewed interest. Most studies demonstrate similar clinical outcomes and survivorship between these two fixation methods, without consensus regarding the optimal method of fixation during TKA.

The Effect of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Infection.

Background: There have been varying impacts of COVID-19 on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic communities in the US. Recent literature suggests that Black Americans have the highest unadjusted and adjusted mortality rates from COVID-19, while White Americans have the lowest unadjusted and adjusted rates. However, the role of socioeconomic status and comorbidities in these disparities in health outcomes from COVID-19 are unclear.

Gabapentin as an adjunct for pain management during dilation and evacuation: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To assess the analgesic efficacy of preoperative gabapentin among patients undergoing dilation and evacuation (D&E) with moderate sedation.

Study Design: We conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial among patients undergoing same-day D&E at 14 to 19 weeks gestation under moderate sedation. We randomized participants 1:1 to gabapentin 600 mg or placebo after cervical preparation at least 1 hour prior to D&E.

Bacitracin for Injection Recall: Impact on Immediate Breast Implant Surgical Outcomes.

Background: Triple-antibiotic irrigation of breast implant pockets is a mainstay of infection prophylaxis in breast reconstruction and augmentation. The recall of bacitracin for injection due to risk of anaphylaxis and nephrotoxicity in January 2020, a staple component of the irrigation solution, has raised concern for worsened postoperative sequelae. This study aimed to investigate pre- and post-recall implant-based breast surgery to analyze the impact of bacitracin in irrigation solutions on infection rates.

Bone Density by Specific Anatomic Location Using Hounsfield Samples of the Lower Extremity: A Multi-center Retrospective Analysis.

Understanding bone mineral density and its effects on patient outcomes is a useful tool for lower extremity surgeons. Historically, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans have been the gold standard for quantifying bone mineral density. In this study, we look at an indirect way to measure bone mineral density using Hounsfield units on computed tomography.

Metastatic Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Survival Is Unaffected by Mode of Preparation for I Administration.

Context: Recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) is currently not Food and Drug Administration approved for the treatment of high-risk patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

Objective: The goal of our study was to compare the outcomes in higher-risk patients with metastatic DTC prepared for radioiodine (RAI) therapy with rhTSH vs thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients with metastatic DTC in follow-up at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital from 2009 to 2017.

Double Versus Triple Arthrodesis Fusion Rates: A Systematic Review.

Hindfoot arthrodesis is often required for end-staged deformities, such as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Although the need for hindfoot arthrodesis is generally accepted in severe deformities, there is a debate whether a double or triple arthrodesis should be performed. The aim of our systematic review is to review the fusion rates and mean time to fusion in double and triple arthrodesis.

The impact of statins on wound healing: an ally in treating the highly comorbid patient.

Objective: To identify the impact that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) use has on wound healing outcomes in patients with comorbidities.

Method: A retrospective chart review evaluating all new patients presenting to our tertiary wound care centre in 2013 with lower extremity wounds. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they took statins or not.

Treatment of refractory overactive bladder with OnabotulinumtoxinA vs PTNS: TROOP trial.

Introduction And Hypothesis: We hypothesized that patients with refractory overactive bladder (rOAB) have similar improvement with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX).

Methods: This multicenter cohort study compared BTX and PTNS in women with rOAB. Baseline information included Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OABq) short form, Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), and voiding diary.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption and Caries Prevalence in Underserved Black Adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and dental caries prevalence among underserved Black adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study of 545 Black adolescents, ages 12 to 17 years, who participated in the Howard Meharry Adolescent Caries Study (HMACS). The outcome was dental caries prevalence, measured using the decayed, missing, and filled permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS) index.

Oral Prescription Opioids as a High-Risk Indicator for Hepatitis C Infection: Another Step Toward HCV Elimination.

Background: The opioid epidemic across the U.S. poses an array of public health concerns, especially HCV transmission.

Virtual reality for pain management in advanced heart failure: A randomized controlled study.

Background: Hospitalized patients with advanced heart failure often experience acute and/or chronic pain. While virtual reality has been extensively studied across a wide range of clinical settings, no studies have yet evaluated potential impact on pain management on this patient population.

Aim: To investigate the impact of a virtual reality experience on self-reported pain, quality-of-life, general distress, and satisfaction compared to a two-dimensional guided imagery active control.