Endoscopic Vein Harvest Is Associated with Worse but Improving Outcomes in Infrainguinal Bypass.

Objective: The impact of great saphenous vein harvest technique on infrainguinal bypass outcomes remains a matter of debate, with no robust evidence favoring a specific technique over the other. This study aims to compare the outcomes of open vein harvest with endoscopic vein harvest in patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent an infrainguinal bypass from a femoral origin using a single-segment great saphenous vein between 2011 and 2023 were identified in the Vascular Quality Initiative infrainguinal bypass module.

National trends and outcomes of pedal bypass surgery.

Objective: The technical demands associated with pedal bypass (PB) surgery place it at risk of underutilization and may be limiting its widespread adoption as a valuable revascularization modality. This study aims to evaluate trends in PB performance, assess its outcomes, and compare its results between high- and low-volume centers.

Methods: All patients receiving a PB between 2003 and 2023 were identified in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) infrainguinal bypass (IIB) module.

Effect of Chronic Steroid Use on Postoperative Wound Complications in Patients Undergoing Arterial Bypass Surgery for Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Background: While existing literature reports adverse effects of chronic steroid use on surgical wound outcomes, there remains lack of data exploring the effect of steroids on postoperative outcomes following lower extremity arterial bypass surgery. This study aims to explore the effect of chronic steroid use on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing open revascularization for lower extremity arterial occlusive disease.

Methods: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) files between 2005 and 2020, all patients receiving aortoiliac or infrainguinal arterial bypass for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were identified by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes.

Overview of knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with HPV vaccination in Beirut, Lebanon.

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a prevalent sexually transmitted infection carrying significant risks ranging from benign lesions to various types of malignancies, represents a matter of great public health concern. Notably, most Arab countries lack public awareness campaigns or national immunization programs. This study aims at assessing the overall knowledge on HPV and HPV vaccination among the Lebanese population, exploring the prevalent attitude on the matter, and identifying barriers and misconceptions that prevent individuals from receiving the HPV vaccine.

Predicting outcomes following lower extremity open revascularization using machine learning.

Lower extremity open revascularization is a treatment option for peripheral artery disease that carries significant peri-operative risks; however, outcome prediction tools remain limited. Using machine learning (ML), we developed automated algorithms that predict 30-day outcomes following lower extremity open revascularization. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program targeted vascular database was used to identify patients who underwent lower extremity open revascularization for chronic atherosclerotic disease between 2011 and 2021.