Risk Factors that Predict Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infections in Surgical Patients.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) is a serious problem mostly studied during patients' index infections. The aim of this study is to define the incidence of primary and recurrent postoperative (postop) CDI in a single institution's entire surgical population and to identify risk factors that influence disease recurrence.

Statin therapy is associated with improved pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancer.

Background: Achieving a pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation improves prognosis in rectal cancer. Statin therapy has been shown to enhance the impact of treatment in several malignancies, but little is known regarding the impact on rectal cancer response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether statin use during neoadjuvant chemoradiation improves pathologic response in rectal cancer.

Quantification of risk for early unplanned readmission after rectal resection: a single-center study.

Background: Several factors predictive of readmission after colorectal surgery have been identified. Although often grouped together in readmission studies, colon and rectal resections differ in many ways. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with readmission after rectal resection.

Effect of obesity on B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are lower in obese patients with left ventricular failure than in their comparably ill, leaner counterparts. The effect of obesity on BNP in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unknown. We reviewed our prospective PAH registry data collected from November 2001 to December 2007 for patients undergoing right heart catheterization who met the criteria for PAH and had the BNP level and body mass index determined at baseline.

A characterization of factors determining postoperative ileus after laparoscopic colectomy enables the generation of a novel predictive score.

Background/objective: Postoperative ileus (POI) after colorectal surgery is associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased costs. The aim of this study is to investigate pre-, intra-, and postoperative risk factors associated with the development of POI in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial colectomy.

Methods: Patients operated between 2004 and 2008 were retrospectively identified from a prospectively maintained database, and clinical, metabolic, and pharmacologic data were obtained.

Comparison of perineal operations with abdominal operations for full-thickness rectal prolapse.

Background: We can divide surgery for rectal prolapse into two broad categories: abdominal and perineal. However, few studies compare the long-term outcomes and quality of life among operations for full-thickness rectal prolapse. The purpose of this study was to compare abdominal (AO) versus perineal (PO) procedures for the treatment of full-thickness rectal prolapse regarding recurrence rate, incontinence, constipation, and quality of life.