Preoperative ultrasound assessment of gastric content in patients with diabetes: A meta-analysis based on a systematic review of the current literature.

Study Objective: To conduct a systematic literature review of the current evidence on the effect of diabetes mellitus on gastric volume observed during a preoperative ultrasound examination. Using the results of this systematic literature review, a meta-analysis was performed to investigate whether there was an association between diabetes mellitus and an increased risk of presenting with a high-risk stomach (gastric volume associated with an increased risk of pulmonary aspiration).

Design: Review article and meta-analysis.

Neuraxial Anesthesia Significantly Reduces 30-Day Venous Thromboembolism Rate and Length of Hospital Stay in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Stratified Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Analysis.

Background: General anesthesia (GA) has been the commonly used protocol for total hip arthroplasty (THA); however, neuraxial anesthesia (NA) has been increasingly performed. Our purpose was to compare NA and GA for 30-day postoperative outcomes in United States veterans undergoing primary THA.

Methods: A large veteran's database was utilized to identify patients undergoing primary THA between 1999 and 2019.

Battlefield Acupuncture Use for Perioperative Anesthesia in Veterans Affairs Surgical Patients: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial.

The risks from opioid use are well known in and mandate nonpharmacological modalities for the management of postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of battlefield acupuncture (BFA) as an adjunct therapy for postoperative pain in U.S.

Outcomes of cholecystectomy in US veterans with cirrhosis: Predicting outcomes using nomogram.

Background: This study examines the outcomes of open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (OC/LC) in veterans with cirrhosis and develops a nomogram to predict outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program to identify all patients with cirrhosis and ascites who underwent cholecystectomy from 2008 to 2015. Univariate and multivariate regression were used to identify predictors of morbidity and mortality.

Postoperative outcomes of ventral hernia repair in veterans.

Background: Ventral hernia repair is a common procedure with reported 15% to 37% morbidity and 0.3% to 1.4% mortality rates.

Recent trends in cholecystectomy in US veterans.

Introduction: We hypothesize that the recent trend in performing cholecystectomy in US Veterans shows wide adoption of the laparoscopic technique and improvement in the outcome following both laparoscopic (LC) and open cholecystectomy (OC). This study utilizes the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to examine the status and outcome of cholecystectomy.

Methods: A retrospective review of veterans who underwent cholecystectomy between 2008 and 2015 was performed.

A Comparison of Neuraxial and General Anesthesia for Thirty-Day Postoperative Outcomes in United States Veterans Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate which anesthetic technique is superior on 30-day outcomes after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in United States veteran patients. To our knowledge, this is the first account from the Veterans Health Administration comparing the effects of different anesthesia modalities in patients undergoing TKA.

Methods: The Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was utilized to analyze patients undergoing primary TKA during the period of 2008-2015.

Factors Associated With Increased Mortality After Isolated Abdominal Aortic Dissection Repair.

Background: Postoperative mortality after open and endovascular repair of thoracic aortic dissection (AD) has been the focus of previous research. However, a little has been published on the far less common isolated abdominal aortic dissection (IAAD). The aim of our study was to identify risk factors associated with 30-day postoperative mortality in patients with IAAD.

Robotic Surgery Is More Expensive with Similar Outcomes in Sleeve Gastrectomy: Analysis of the NIS Database.

The aim of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes after robotic-assisted and laparoscopic bariatric sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Sleeve gastrectomy is traditionally performed using laparoscopic techniques. Robotic-assisted surgery enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive SG, but with unknown benefits.