Advancing geriatric surgical outcomes in elective ventral and incisional hernia repair surgeries: An American college of surgeons national surgical quality improvement program study.

Introduction: Increasing age is known to be associated with increased risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality, however, the goal of this study was to determine if an increase in age correlates to differences in surgical outcomes for elective ventral hernia repair.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study using American College of Surgeons NSQIP database from 2016 to 2020. Included diagnosis codes were laparoscopic or open incisional or ventral hernia repairs, categorized into three age groups: 18-64y, 65-74y, and ≥75y.

Coccidioidomycosis masquerading as thyroid nodule: a rare diagnostic challenge.

We present a compelling case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis involving the thyroid gland, a remarkably uncommon manifestation of this infection. The gravity of this sporadic disease is underscored by its high mortality rate, primarily because of challenges in timely diagnosis and treatment initiation. Accurate diagnosis hinges upon utilizing various techniques, including the culture of a fine-needle aspirate, biopsy and direct microscopy.

Retrospective Review of Preoperative Wire Localization for Peripheral Ground Glass Opacities.

Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) is performed for diagnosis and treatment of peripheral lung nodules. Localization of peripherally located ground-glass opacities (GGOs) can be challenging. We report the results and usefulness of preoperative computed tomography (CT)-guided wire localization.

Short-Term Readmissions After Open, Thoracoscopic, and Robotic Lobectomy for Lung Cancer Based on the Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Background: Readmission after surgery is an established surrogate indicator of quality of care. We aimed to compare short-term readmission rates and patient outcomes between open, video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS), and robotic lobectomies in the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD).

Methods: Adults who underwent open, VATS, or robotic lobectomy for lung cancer from 2010 to 2014 were evaluated.

Extra-Thoracic Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Rib Plating and Intra-Thoracic VATS Decortication of Retained Hemothorax.

We report a patient who presented with multiple rib fractures after falling off a horse and was initially managed medically. Several weeks later, the patient returned to the hospital complaining of dyspnea on exertion. Physical exam revealed severe chest wall malformation and imaging revealed moderate hemothorax and complete collapse of the right lower lobe.

Novel extra-thoracic VATS minimally invasive technique for management of multiple rib fractures.

We report an elderly patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer's disease and early dementia who presented with multiple displaced rib fractures of left ribs 4 through 9 with flail segments of ribs 4 through 8 and an associated traumatic pneumatocele from rib puncture of the left upper lobe. The decision to treat this patient operatively was based on the presence of flail chest, the patient's age, baseline co-morbidities and limited physiological reserve. Surgical rib fixation is traditionally performed with a thoracotomy incision and open exposure for extra-thoracic rib fixation, however, this patient underwent chest wall stabilization using an extra-thoracic video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) technique.

Is There a Role for VATS Sleeve Lobectomy in Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for 85% of all lung cancer cases. Once a lung mass is visualized on imaging, accurate staging is required for determination of treatment options and, when possible, surgical resection is recommended as it has been proven to have the best survival rates versus non-surgical treatment. If a patient has advanced or metastatic disease, therapeutic options include chemotherapy and radiation, while immunotherapy and specific agents that target tumor mutations are only recommended for appropriate candidates.