Publications by authors named "Stephanie Joseph"

Background: There are several surgical options each with their potential for complications, differences in length of procedure, and in meaningful outcomes. This study aims to explore those outcomes after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and Loop Duodenal Switch (LDS).

Objective: The purpose of this project is to offer a comparative analysis of RYGB and LDS at the NorthShore University Health System for up to 4 years postoperatively.

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Objective: Use of impedance planimetry (EndoFLIP) has shown distensibility index ranges associated with improved patient-reported outcomes after antireflux surgery. Questions remain whether the previously described ideal distensibility index range can be used for patients with esophageal motility disorders. We hypothesized that patients with esophageal motility disorders would have a different ideal distensibility range for optimal outcomes.

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Background: Despite excellent surgical outcomes, a minority of qualified patients undergo weight loss surgery. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), an incisionless procedure, has proven to be effective in achieving weight loss and comorbidity improvement. We aim to compare outcomes of ESG to those of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG).

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Introduction: Numerous studies comment on quality of life outcomes comparing complete and partial fundoplication with or without a bougie. Society guidelines are moving toward recommending partial fundoplication over complete fundoplication due to improved side effect profile with similar outcomes. Retrospective studies and randomized trials have elucidated that use of a bougie during Nissen fundoplication does impact long-term dysphagia.

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Background: Per-oral plication of the (neo)esophagus (POPE) is an endoscopic procedure used to improve emptying of the defunctionalized esophagus or gastric conduit, with the hope of improving symptoms and quality of life. As this procedure has only been performed in the United States for the past 4 years, safety and efficacy have not been well established.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series for patients who underwent POPE from a single institution between 2019 and 2023.

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Background: Antireflux procedures (ARPs) are effective treatments for GERD. However, variation in objective and patient-reported outcomes persists. Limited evidence and anecdotal experience suggest that patient sex may play a role.

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Background: Anti-reflux operations are effective treatments for GERD. Despite standardized surgical techniques, variability in post-operative outcomes persists. Most patients with GERD possess one or more characteristics that augment their disease and may affect post-operative outcomes-a GERD "phenotype".

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Background: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is an innovative, minimally invasive bariatric procedure with an excellent safety and efficacy profile in adults with obesity. The purpose of the procedure is to shorten and tubularize the stomach along its greater curvature. Nevertheless, there are some heterogeneities in the approach to ESG, which will be important to address as the procedure sees increasingly widespread clinical adoption.

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Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and fundoplication are effective treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease, though the optimal procedure of choice in obesity is unknown. We hypothesize that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is non-inferior to fundoplication for symptomatic control of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with obesity.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained quality database.

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Background: Anti-reflux mucosectomy is a novel endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease that serves as an intermediate therapy between medical and surgical intervention. We aimed to evaluate outcomes and identify predictors of treatment failure in patients requiring anti-reflux mucosectomy.

Methods: A prospective quality database was retrospectively reviewed.

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Article Synopsis
  • Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is a condition in older adults that causes difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and can be treated with a procedure called Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (Z-POEM) combined with intraoperative impedance planimetry (FLIP) for measuring esophageal functionality.
  • A study from 2014 to 2022 reviewed 54 patients who underwent Z-POEM, showing a technical success rate of 100%, with 85% achieving clinical success, although some experienced complications like leaks and readmissions.
  • The results indicated significant improvements in esophageal distensibility and symptoms associated with GERD, although bigger diverticula (>4 cm) might lead to poorer treatment outcomes,
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Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is equivalent in safety and efficacy to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) while decreasing number of procedures and length of stay (LOS). Despite these advantages LCBDE is infrequently utilized. We hypothesized that formal, simulation-based training in LCBDE would result in increased utilization and improve patient outcomes across participating institutions.

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Background: Endoluminal functional impedance planimetry and panometry assesses secondary peristalsis in response to volumetric distention under sedation. We hypothesize that impedance planimetry and panometry can replace high-resolution manometry in the preoperative assessment prior to anti-reflux surgery.

Methods: Single institution prospective data were collected from patients undergoing anti-reflux surgery between 2021 and 2023.

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Introduction: Impedance planimetry (FLIP) provides objective feedback to optimize fundoplication outcomes. Ideal FLIP ranges for differing wraps and bougies have not yet been established. We report FLIP measurements during fundoplication grouped by choice of wrap and bougie with associated outcomes.

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Background: Criteria to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) vary. The American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) 2022 Expert Review on GERD focuses on acid exposure time (AET) rather than DeMeester score from ambulatory pH testing (BRAVO). We aim to review outcomes following anti-reflux surgery (ARS) at our institution, grouped by differing criteria for the diagnosis of GERD.

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Pancreatic cancer has a low survival rate even after ostensible complete resection, and treatment for recurrence is usually only palliative. However, rare solitary metastasis can occur and may be operable. In this report, we describe such a case and review the literature on metastasectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

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Background: The Global Initiative for Children's Surgery (GICS) group produced the Optimal Resources for Children's Surgery (OReCS) document in 2019, listing standards of children's surgical care by level of healthcare facilities within low resource settings. We have previously created and piloted an audit tool based on the OReCS criteria in a high-income setting. In this study, we aimed to validate its use in identifying gaps in children's surgery provision worldwide.

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Background: Breast cancer is an important public health issue among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women in the US. This article describes the design and implementation of a culturally sensitive intervention to promote breast health among AI/AN women through a hybrid model that incorporates clinical and community-based approaches. This is one of the first studies using this model addressing breast cancer disparities among AI/AN populations in the US.

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CoxD of the α-proteobacterium Oligotropha carboxidovorans is a membrane protein which is involved in the posttranslational biosynthesis of the [CuSMoO₂] cluster in the active site of the enzyme CO dehydrogenase. The bacteria synthesize CoxD only in the presence of CO. Recombinant CoxD produced in E.

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American Indian women have rising incidence and disproportionate mortality rates due to breast cancer. Using a community-based participatory research approach, we conducted ten focus groups with American Indian women in Kansas and Missouri to understand their barriers to mammography and identify ways to intervene to improve screening rates. Focus groups were stratified by screening status, including women who were up to date with current screening mammography recommendations (mammogram within the last 2 years, N = 7 groups, 66 participants) and women who were not (N = 3 groups, 18 participants).

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Background: Mortality from breast cancer has increased among American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) women. Despite this alarming reality, AI/AN women have some of the lowest breast cancer screening rates. Only 37% of eligible AI/AN women report a mammogram within the last year and 52% report a mammogram within the last two years compared to 57% and 72% for White women.

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A community-based participatory approach requires that community members be involved in all phases of the research process. We describe three focus group studies with American Indians in Kansas and Missouri, using a newly developed method of conducting and analyzing focus groups with community input (72 focus groups, 519 participants). We conducted two needs assessment studies focused on barriers to breast and colorectal cancer screening and one study focused on Internet use for gathering health information.

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A consortium of organization identified solutions to the problem of enteral feeding misconnections in three areas: (1) education, awareness, and human factors; (2) purchasing strategies; and (3) design changes.

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Literary scholars are generally suspicious of the concept of universals: there are presently no candidates for literary universals that a high proportion of literary scholars would accept as valid. This paper reports results from a content analysis of patterns of characterization in folktales from 48 culture areas, aimed at identifying patterns of characterization that apply across regions of the world and levels of cultural complexity. The search for these patterns was guided by evolutionary theory and the findings are consistent with previous research on patterns of altruism, sex differences in mate preferences, sex differences in reproductive strategy, and differing emphases on male and female physical attractiveness.

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