Lobectomy for Suspected Lung Cancer Without Prior Diagnosis.

Background: We describe use, patients, and outcome of diagnostic lobectomy for suspected lung cancer without pathologic confirmation.

Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive lobectomy or bilobectomy for suspected or confirmed primary pulmonary malignancy was conducted using our participant's sample of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Surgeons performed lobectomy based on clinical diagnosis or confirmation on a biopsy specimen.

Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Respiratory Failure in COVID-19 Patients: Early Experience From a Major Academic Medical Center in North America.

And Background Data: VV ECMO can be utilized as an advanced therapy in select patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure refractory to traditional critical care management and optimal mechanical ventilation. Anticipating a need for such therapies during the pandemic, our center created a targeted protocol for ECMO therapy in COVID-19 patients that allows us to provide this life-saving therapy to our sickest patients without overburdening already stretched resources or excessively exposing healthcare staff to infection risk.

Methods: As a major regional referral program, we used the framework of our well-established ECMO service-line to outline specific team structures, modified patient eligibility criteria, cannulation strategies, and management protocols for the COVID-19 ECMO program.

Laparoscopic surgery for trauma: the realm of therapeutic management.

Background: The use of laparoscopy in trauma is, in general, limited for diagnostic purposes. We aim to evaluate the therapeutic role of laparoscopic surgery in trauma patients.

Methods: We analyzed the National Trauma Data Bank (2007 to 2010) for all patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy.

Surgical management of esophageal diverticulum: a review of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database.

Background: Esophageal diverticulum is rare in the United States. The mainstay treatment of symptomatic esophageal diverticulum is surgical correction. Much of the available information regarding esophageal diverticulum and its surgical management has been derived from small studies and institutional reviews.

Effective weight loss management with endoscopic gastric plication using StomaphyX device: is it achievable?

Background: Despite the effectiveness of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in promoting excess weight loss, 40% of the patients regain weight. Endoscopic gastric plication (EGP) using the StomaphyX device can serve as a less-invasive procedure for promoting the loss of regained weight. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the StomaphyX device in sustaining ongoing weight loss in patients who have regained weight after RYGB at the Division of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, Howard University Hospital.