Where Did All the Appendicitis Go? Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Volume, Management, and Outcomes of Acute Appendicitis in a Nationwide, Multicenter Analysis.

Objective: The study objective was to evaluate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on rates of emergency department (ED) acute appendicitis presentation, management strategies, and patient outcomes.

Summary Background Data: Acute appendicitis is the most commonly performed emergency surgery in the United States and is unlikely to improve without medical or surgical intervention. Dramatic reductions in ED visits prompted concern that individuals with serious conditions, such as acute appendicitis, were deferring treatment for fear of contracting COVID-19.

Derivation and validation of a practical Bedside Score for the diagnosis of cholecystitis.

Objective: We sought to develop a practical Bedside Score for the diagnosis of cholecystitis and test its accuracy against the Tokyo Guidelines (TG13).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 438 patients undergoing urban, academic Emergency Department (ED) evaluation of RUQ pain. Symptoms, physical signs, ultrasound signs, and labs were scoring system candidates.

Inhaled epoprostenol improves oxygenation in severe hypoxemia.

Background: Epoprostenol (Flolan), an inhalational epoprostenol vasodilator, increases pulmonary arterial flow and decreases pulmonary pressures, thereby improving gas exchange and arterial oxygenation. We evaluated the benefits of inhaled epoprostenol as a less expensive alternative to nitric oxide in ventilated surgical intensive care patients with severe hypoxemia.

Methods: After institutional review board approval was obtained, the records of mechanically ventilated surgical intensive care unit patients who received epoprostenol as a therapy for severe hypoxia (SaO₂ < 90%) in a tertiary care referral center were retrospectively reviewed.