Diagnosis of Anal Cancer: Symptoms, Imaging, and Endoscopy.

Anal cancer is an uncommon disease in a sensitive region of the body that benefits from early and systematic workup and treatment. Main modalities for workup include history, physical examination, and MRI. PET scan and computed tomography scan are helpful in assessing spread of disease.

Is language a barrier in the management of acute appendicitis?

Background: Language preference is a contributing factor for prolonged time from symptom onset to appendectomy within pediatrics, but is poorly characterized in adults. We aimed to investigate associations between language barriers and delays in assessment and treatment for adults with acute appendicitis.

Methods: In a multiethnic community, patients aged ≥18 years old who underwent appendectomy were identified between January 2017 and August 2022 at a single institution.

Reporting Minority Race and Ethnicity in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Journals.

Introduction: Currently, there is no mandatory standard for reporting race and ethnicity in medical journals, presenting significant barriers to studying disparities in medical outcomes. We seek to investigate whether greater recent awareness of diversity and inclusion reflects in reporting of race and ethnicity by peer-reviewed cardiothoracic articles.

Methods: Pubmed was queried for clinical outcomes articles published from January 2017 to June 2023 in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, and CHEST Journal.

Impact of English proficiency on use of Glasgow Coma Scale in geriatric patients with traumatic brain injury.

Background: The relationship between English proficiency (EP), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not well characterized. We aimed to understand the impact of limited English proficiency (LEP) on the evaluation and outcomes of TBI.

Methods: Retrospective comparative study in a single institution of patients aged ⪰65 who presented to the emergency department after a fall with head strike between January 2018 and December 2021.

Uncommon Sociodemographic Factors Are Associated With Racial Disparities in Length of Stay Following Oncologic Elective Colectomy.

Introduction: Although outcome disparities by race have been identified in colorectal cancer, these patterns are challenging to explain using variables that are commonly available in databases. In a single institution serving a diverse community, length of stay (LOS) varies by race following elective oncologic colectomy. We investigated previously unexplored variables that may explain the relationship between race and LOS following elective resection of colorectal neoplasms.

Prehospital Assaults Against Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders During COVID-19.

Introduction: Anti-Asian sentiment increased when the SARS-CoV-2 virus reached the United States in 2020. Trends in national assaults occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community were evaluated.

Methods: Patients treated for assaults by emergency medical services between January 2019 and December 2021 were extracted from ImageTrend Collaborate, a national database.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols mitigate the weekend effect on length of stay following elective colectomy.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effect of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols on the weekend effect after elective colectomies.

Methods: This was a retrospective study on all elective colorectal surgeries at a single institution in New York City between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. The length of stay (LOS) by day of the week of surgery and the effect of ERAS using univariable and multivariable analyses were compared.

Acute Appendicitis in the Epicenter of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A New York City Single-Center Experience.

Background: Appendectomy is the gold standard for simple appendicitis. During the coronavirus-19 pandemic, it was estimated that appendectomies in the United States decreased by 24%. We aimed to describe trends in acute appendicitis management at a center located in one of the largest epicenters of the pandemic.

Outcomes of a Colorectal Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol Modified for a Diverse and Urban Community.

Introduction: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) colorectal programs have been shown to improve the length of stay (LOS) without increasing hospital resource utilization at academic centers worldwide. A multidisciplinary ERAS protocol that includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management guidelines was recently implemented at our urban, racially diverse, and academically affiliated community hospital. A delivery option was provided to reduce barriers to care.

Impact of Medicaid Expansion on the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes of Stage II and III Rectal Cancer Patients.

Background: Insurance status has been associated with disparities in stage at cancer diagnosis. We examined how Medicaid expansion (ME) impacted diagnoses, surgical treatment, use of neoadjuvant therapies (NCRT), and outcomes for Stage II and III rectal cancer.

Study Design: We used 2010-2017 American College of Surgeons National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify patients ages 18-65, with Medicaid as primary form of payment, and were diagnosed with Stage II or III rectal cancer.