Volvulus of the Transverse Colon.

Background: In the United States, the third leading cause of a large bowel obstruction (LBO) is colonic volvulus with torsion occurring most commonly in the sigmoid and the cecum. Transverse colonic volvulus (TCV) is exceedingly rare and specific involvement of the splenic flexure (SFV) is even less common. The present analysis was undertaken to interrogate current trends in presentation, management, and outcomes of TCV.

Does Gender Matter: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Viscoelastic Profiles for 1565 Trauma Patients With Severe Hemorrhage.

Background: Viscoelastic tests including thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) are being used in patients with severe hemorrhage at trauma centers to guide resuscitation. Several recent studies demonstrated hypercoagulability in female trauma patients that was associated with a survival advantage. The objective of our study was to elucidate the effects of gender differences in TEG/ROTEM values on survival in trauma patients with severe hemorrhage.

Volvulus of the transverse colon in an octogenarian veteran.

In the USA, the third leading cause of a large bowel obstruction in adults is volvulus with torsion occurring commonly in the sigmoid and the cecum. Transverse colonic volvulus is exceedingly rare and specific involvement of the splenic flexure is even more uncommon. In the present report, we discuss a Veteran octogenarian who presented with a long-standing history of constipation, but then developed an acute abdomen from a large bowel obstruction.

A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Damage Control Laparotomy in Elderly Trauma Patients: Do Geriatric Trauma Protocols Matter?

Background: Trauma centers are receiving increasing numbers of older trauma patients. There is a lack of literature on the outcomes for elderly trauma patients who undergo damage control laparotomy (DCL). We hypothesized that trauma centers with geriatric protocols would have better outcomes in elderly patients after DCL.

Antifungal Therapy in Fungal Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections.

Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are life-threatening surgical emergencies associated with high morbidity and mortality. Fungal NSTIs are considered rare and have been largely understudied. The purpose of this study was to study the impact of fungal NSTIs and antifungal therapy on mortality after NSTIs.

Faculty Emotional Intelligence Matters for Resident Education.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the emotional intelligence (EI) of surgical faculty and evaluate its relationship with resident evaluations of faculty behaviors.

Design: This study retrospectively collected faculty EI scores as well as general surgery resident evaluations of faculty. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis.

Transfer Is Associated with a Higher Mortality Rate in Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections.

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) are a surgical emergency with significant morbidity and mortality rates. It has been thought that NSTIs are best treated in large tertiary centers. However, the effect of transfer has been under-studied.

HIV Screening and Early Referral in the Trauma Population: The Experience of a Large Safety Net Hospital.

Background: While the prevalence of HIV infection in the population is 0.5%, it is higher among trauma patients as are rates of unknown seropositivity. Routine HIV screening for all trauma evaluations was implemented at our urban level I center in 2009.

Administration of Tumescence in Pediatric Burn Patients Causes Significant Hypertension.

The effects of injecting tumescence containing phenylephrine in pediatric burn patients are unknown, but anecdotally our clinicians note a high incidence of hypertension requiring treatment. This study sought to determine whether tumescence with phenylephrine was associated with hypertension requiring treatment in our pediatric burn patients. This was a retrospective cohort study of pediatric burn patients who underwent tangential excision with split-thickness autografting, excision alone, or autografting alone from 2013 to 2017.