Publications by authors named "Jessica Biller"

Background: Opiates present challenges due to side effects, including prolonged hospitalization and delayed bowel function. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols advocate for multimodal pain management, yet few studies explore entirely non-opiate approaches.

Methods: 134 elective ERAS colorectal surgery patients were reviewed from January 2019 to June 2020 ​at a single institution, with surgery performed by a single surgeon.

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Background: Despite the high incidence of blunt trauma in older adults, there is a lack of evidence-based guidance for computed tomography (CT) imaging in this population. We aimed to identify an algorithm to guide use of a pan-scan (head/cervical spine [C-spine]/torso) or a selective scan (head/C-spine ± torso). We hypothesized that a patient's initial history and examination could be used to guide imaging.

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Obturator hernias are rare with an incidence of less than 1% of all hernias and are most common in frail, elderly females. They are difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to repair. They often present with a small bowel obstruction from the incarcerated bowel.

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Objective: Gender bias not only continues to exist in surgical specialties, but in the medical field overall. Despite females graduating from medical schools at the same rate as men, a discrepancy still exists in the number of females pursuing surgical specialties compared to their male counterparts. We hypothesized that surgical training occurring in smaller institutions with close-knit relationships between faculty and residents should decrease the likelihood of gender bias towards females, as measured by perceived autonomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

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Generalized peritonitis with sepsis is a common general surgery emergency. The most likely implicated structure for generalized peritonitis with pneumoperitoneum is the gastrointestinal tract with urgent explorative laparotomy being the most definitive treatment. In this particular case, perforated diverticulitis was suspected and upon an exploration of the abdomen, frank pus in the setting of normal colon was noted.

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Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection, which rarely affects the esophagus. Our patient presented with persistent acute blood loss anemia and epigastric pain despite previously negative upper endoscopy. He underwent repeat endoscopy a few months later showing what was thought to be malignant esophageal cancer at the gastroesophageal junction; however, the biopsy report revealed chronic inflammation with actinomycosis.

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