Accuracy of Ultrasound Imaging for Etiology of New-Onset Painless Jaundice.

Purpose: Ultrasound (US) is considered a first-line study for painless jaundice. However, in our hospital system, patients with new-onset painless jaundice often have a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) regardless of the sonographic findings. Thus, we investigated the accuracy of US for detection of biliary dilatation in patients with new-onset painless jaundice.

Chronologic Age, Independent of Frailty, is the Strongest Predictor of Failure-to-Rescue After Surgery for Gastrointestinal Malignancies.

Background: Prior studies of older cancer patients undergoing large operations have reported similar rates of complications to the general population but higher rates of mortality, suggesting higher rates of failure-to-rescue (FTR) with advanced age. Whether age is a marker for frailty, or an independent predictor of FTR, is not clear.

Methods: The ACS-NSQIP database was queried from 2015-19 for patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy.

Does Neoadjuvant Radiation Therapy Contribute to the Incidence of Pulmonary Complications Following Esophagectomy for Malignant Neoplasm?

Background: Post-operative pulmonary complications (POPC) are common in patients undergoing esophagectomy and neoadjuvant radiotherapy may exacerbate POPC. This study assessed whether neoadjuvant radiation increases the incidence of POPC in patients undergoing esophagectomy for malignancy.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database files from 2016 to 2018 were queried for patients undergoing esophagectomy for malignancy.

Pancreatoduodenectomy: the Metabolic Syndrome is Associated with Preventable Morbidity and Mortality.

Background: Patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) may have increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the association of MS with mortality, serious morbidity, and pancreatectomy-specific outcomes in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods: Patients with MS who underwent PD were selected from the 2014-2018 ACS-NSQIP pancreatectomy-specific database.

Propensity score methods in the surgical oncology literature.

The use of propensity score methods in the surgical literature is increasing. Randomized, controlled clinical trials are the gold standard of medical research, allowing for accurate measurement and analysis of treatment effects. Use of propensity score methods allows researchers to mimic randomization when true randomization may not be possible.

Diabetes workshops for providers improve glucose control in coronary artery bypass grafting patients.

Objectives: Postoperative hyperglycemia occurs in up to 80% of cardiac surgery patients and is associated with poor outcomes. We sought to determine if case-based diabetes workshops for providers would improve postoperative glycemic control and outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting  (CABG).

Methods: Healthcare providers taking care of patients in the cardiothoracic step-down unit underwent 30-min weekly case-based diabetes workshops over 6 months.

Efficacy of Primary Surgical Versus Medical Intervention for Treatment of Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis.

Background: Left-sided staphylococcal, streptococcal, and enterococcal infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Our primary aim is to compare clinical outcomes of staphylococcal, streptococcal, and enterococcal IE patients who undergo valve replacement surgery and outcomes of patients who are treated solely with antibiotics.

Methods: All patients were treated medically or surgically for left-sided staphylococcal, streptococcal, or enterococcal IE at our institution from 1998 to 2014 and were retrospectively studied.