Factors contributing to disparities in trauma care between urban vs rural trauma centers: Towards improving trauma care access and quality of care delivery.

Background: We aim to explore and target factors contributing to disparities in trauma-care outcomes between urban vs rural trauma centers including EMS protocols, trauma centers' (TC) distribution, infrastructure, and hospital resources.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted from January 1988 through April 1st, 2024, using Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane, ProQuest, and PubMed. Included studies evaluated prehospital and in-hospital factors impacting trauma outcomes in urban and rural care settings.

A comprehensive review of current trends in e-scooter associated injuries, associated outcomes, and effective interventions: Towards establishing sustainable prevention interventions.

Introduction: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of electric-scooter (E-Scooter) injuries by evaluating the incidence, common mechanisms of injury, clinical outcomes, associated costs, and effective interventions for injury prevention.

Methods: A literature search using PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and ProQuest was performed to identify relevant articles published between July 10, 2014, and July 10, 2024. Outcomes of interest included epidemiologic trends of E-Scooter injuries, common mechanisms of injury, associated risk factors, clinical outcomes, and interventions to decrease E-Scooter injuries.

Optimizing Nutritional Needs of Burn Patients: An Evaluation of Nutritional Assessment Tools, Feeding Strategies, and Their Impact on Patient Outcomes.

Background: Optimal nutritional support is essential to the recovery and improved outcomes of burn patients. This review aims to explore existing literature to evaluate nutrition assessment tools, feeding formulations' caloric predictive ability, timing of initiation of feeding, optimal nutritional composition, and caloric intake in burn patients.

Methods: Three databases were searched to glean studies investigating nutrition in acute severe adult burn patient populations in four areas: outcomes based on feeding type and timing, the caloric predictability of nutritional assessment tools, outcomes associated with the composition of feeding formulas, and considerations related to caloric intake.

Outcomes of Pigtail Catheter Placement versus Chest Tube Placement in Adult Thoracic Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: A debate currently exists regarding the efficacy of pigtail catheters vs chest tubes in the management of thoracic trauma. This meta-analysis aims to compare the outcomes of pigtail catheters vs chest tubes in adult trauma patients with thoracic injuries.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO.

Analysis of Bicyclist Injuries and Fatalities in The United States: The Need for Effective & Sustainable Prevention Policies.

We aim to investigate nationwide and state trends of bicyclist injuries, fatalities, and associated costs amongst adult and pediatric populations to assess the need for effective and strategic interventions. An epidemiologic study was performed investigating the injury and fatality rate of bicyclists from 2010 to 2020. The fatality rate was higher in adults compared to pediatric bicyclists (0.

The benefits and clinical application of the digital rectal exam in trauma populations: Towards enhancing patient safety and quality outcomes.

Introduction: Current literature contains an extensive number of analyses on the diagnostic value and utilization of the direct rectal exam in trauma patients. Presently, ATLS recommends the application of the digital rectal exam in trauma patients following a primary assessment of traumatic injuries. We aim to assess the validity and diagnostic value of the digital rectal exam in trauma populations.

Standardized Medical Coding Curriculum in Surgical Graduate Medical Education.

Introduction: Despite the increasing importance of coding and billing in healthcare as a whole and calls from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to emphasize systems-based practice, many surgical training programs have not prioritized coding and billing within their curricula. We aim to evaluate the performance of surgical residents and early career surgeons in coding and billing and to appraise interventions to improve coding and billing abilities within this group.

Methods: A literature search from conception to March 15th, 2022 utilizing PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE was conducted to search for studies that evaluate surgical resident coding practices and interventions to improve practice management and financial competency.

Comprehensive Assessment of Burnout Among Surgical Trainees and Practicing Surgeons: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Surgeon burnout has received increasing attention due to evidence of high prevalence across specialties. We aimed to (1) systematically characterize existing definitions of burnout, (2) evaluate tools to measure burnout, and (3) determine risk factors of surgical burnout.

Design: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase databases were searched to identify burnout rates and tools used to measure the quality of life (QoL) published from January 2000-December 2021.

Gender Distribution of First and Senior Authorship Across Most Cited Studies Within the Top Ten Surgical Journals From 2015-2020: Cementing Women Academic Surgery Representation.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the gender distribution of first and senior authors in the most highly cited original research studies published in the top 10 surgical journals from 2015 to 2020 to identify disparities and changes over time.

Methods: A retrospective study analyzing the gender distribution of first and senior authors in the top 10 most cited studies from the top 10 surgical journals from 2015 to 2020. The genders of the first and senior authors of each study were assessed using National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers or pronouns from institutional biographies or news articles.

Surgical, metabolic, and prognostic outcomes for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy: a systematic review.

The purpose of this systematic review was to study 4 different aspects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYBG) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are two commonly performed bariatric procedures. This systematic review aims to compare RYGB with SG when it comes to weight changes, and cardiometabolic risk profile.

Postoperative opioid prescribing practices in US adult trauma patients: A systematic review.

Background: Opioids have been proven effective in pain management, but overprescription can lead to addiction and abuse. Although current guidelines regarding opioid prescription for chronic and acute pain are available, they fail to address the use of opioids for pain management in traumatic injury patients who undergo operations. The primary objective of this study was to examine opioid prescribing practices for US adult trauma patients who require surgical management, based on prior history of opioid use, type of surgical practice, and age.

Regional Population-Based Workforce Shortages in General Surgery by Practicing Surgeon and Resident Trainee.

Background: The physician shortage in the United States (US) continues to become more apparent. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the US physician distribution from 2012-2019 by specialty at the state/regional level relative to the corresponding population growth.

Methods: US matched residents and practicing physicians from 2012-2019 were extracted from the National Resident Matching Program and Association of American Medical College databases, respectively.