Vascularized Biomaterials to Study Cancer Metastasis.

Cancer metastasis, the spread of cancer cells to distant organs, is responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths. Cancer cells need to enter and exit circulation in order to form metastases, and the vasculature and endothelial cells are key regulators of this process. While vascularized 3D in vitro systems have been developed, few have been used to study cancer, and many lack key features of vessels that are necessary to study metastasis.

Clinical outcomes following identification of tip appendicitis on ultrasonography and CT scan.

Background/purpose: With recent improvements in imaging technology, subtler variations in the anatomy of the appendix can be appreciated. We hypothesized that radiographic findings of tip appendicitis may not correlate strongly with a pathologic diagnosis of appendicitis.

Methods: Our radiology database was searched for reports of a diagnosis of tip appendicitis between January 2013 and June 2017 for patients between the ages of 2 and 17.

A Novel Macroscale Acoustic Device for Blood Filtration.

Retransfusion of a patient's own shed blood during cardiac surgery is attractive since it reduces the need for allogeneic transfusion, minimizes cost, and decreases transfusion related morbidity. Evidence suggests that lipid micro-emboli associated with the retransfusion of the shed blood are the predominant causes of the neurocognitive disorders. We have developed a novel acoustophoretic filtration system that can remove lipids from blood at clinically relevant flow rates.

Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures: A Single Institution Experience.

Background: Use of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has increased. Despite compelling small studies, many centers still struggle with determining criteria for intervention. We investigated the benefit of SSRF in our patients compared with nonoperative (NonOp) National Trauma Databank (NTDB) controls, specifically in the older population.

A case report of unexpected pathology within an incarcerated ventral hernia.

Introduction: Incidence of hernial appendicitis is 0.008%, most frequently within inguinal and femoral hernias. Up to 2.

Laparoscopic Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Pilot Study in a Novel Guinea Pig Animal Model.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare different techniques for pediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. We hypothesize that the amount of dissection performed at the internal ring, with or without division of the peritoneum, will impact healing and thus long-term success of the repair.

Methods: Following the Institution's Animal Care and Use Committee approval (708024-4), 20 Hartley guinea pigs underwent laparoscopic repair of their natural open internal rings.

Operative vs Nonoperative Management of Pediatric Blunt Pancreatic Trauma: Evaluation of the National Trauma Data Bank.

Background: Traumatic pancreatic injury is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the differences in outcomes among children with blunt pancreatic injuries managed operatively and nonoperatively.

Study Design: The National Trauma Data Bank was evaluated from 2002 to 2011.