Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Using the Marionette Transumbilical Approach Is Safe and Efficient with Careful Patient Selection: A Comparative Analysis with Conventional Multiport Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

 The "marionette technique" for transumbilical laparoscopic cholecystectomy (m-TLC) offers improved cosmesis and possibly shorter postoperative recovery for patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus the four-port conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). We compared the outcomes of m-TLC and CLC at a tertiary care facility in New York.  A retrospective chart review was conducted and data on patients who underwent m-TLC and CLC were retrieved.

Risk of pancreatic cancer in individuals with celiac disease in the United States: A population-based matched cohort study.

Background: Celiac disease (CD) has been associated with gastrointestinal malignancies. However, the magnitude of the risk of pancreatic cancer (PC) associated with CD is much less clear, and risks have not been estimated from large populations.

Aim: To assess the risk of PC in CD patients.

Incidence, predictors, and 30-day outcomes of infection in patients undergoing cystectomy: A national database analysis.

infection (CDI) is the second most common health care acquired infection (HAI) and the most common gastrointestinal HAI, with an estimated 365,200 cases reported by the center for disease control in 2017. CDI continues to remain a major cause of inpatient admission and utilization of health care resources. This study aimed to determine the true incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of CDI in patients undergoing cystectomy.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune hepatitis: A population-based matched cohort study.

Background: Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) require life-long immunosuppressive agents that may increase the risk of poor coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. There is a paucity of large data at the population level to assess whether patients with AIH have an increased risk of severe diseases.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of pre-existing AIH on the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

Prostatic adenocarcinoma in a patient with persistent Müllerian duct syndrome.

The embryonal male sexual differentiation is driven by testosterone, and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). AMH is responsible for regression of Müllerian ducts in a genetically male fetus. Mutations inactivating AMH or its receptors are responsible for persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) in virilized 46, XY males.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with celiac disease: a multicenter research network study.

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is associated with an increased risk for respiratory infections and severe outcomes. No data have been reported in the scientific literature regarding the outcomes of COVID-19 in this population. The aim of this study was to report matched clinical outcomes in a large cohort of 930 patients with COVID-19 in the setting of known CD.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed in Liver Cirrhosis; Less May Be More.

Introduction: Administration of antibiotics in patients with cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been shown to improve outcomes. Little is known regarding optimum duration of prophylactic antibiotics. Seven days of antibiotics are generally recommended but very few studies have compared antibiotic duration to clinical outcomes in current available scientific literature.

Metabolic bone disease and fracture risk after gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy: comparative analysis of a multi-institutional research network.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are the two most performed bariatric procedures. Multiple studies have investigated the metabolic bone complications after bariatric surgery, but there is a paucity of data comparing bone health after RYGB and SG.

Objectives: To compare the rates of major fractures and osteoporosis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy.

Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in differentiating peritoneal tuberculosis from peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Introduction: Peritoneal tuberculosis is difficult to diagnose as it may mimic peritoneal carcinomatosis, which has similar symptomatology. We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in differentiating peritoneal tuberculosis versus peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Materials And Methods: The associations of radiological findings in 124 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (n = 55) or tuberculosis (n = 69) were determined using Chi-square test.

Warfarin Use Is Associated with Increased Mortality at One Year in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Objectives: We studied the safety and efficacy of warfarin compared to direct acting oral anticoagulant use in patients with IPF.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients with IPF who were prescribed warfarin or direct acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for cardiac or thromboembolic indications and followed at our institute for their care. Univariate tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used for assessing association of variables with outcomes.

Prior Bariatric Surgery is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Poor Outcomes in COVID-19: Propensity Matched Analysis of a Large Multi-institutional Research Network.

Purpose: Through sustained weight loss and improvement in metabolic co-morbidities, bariatric surgery is hypothesized to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19. Small studies have suggested favorable outcomes; however, large population-based studies are lacking.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing the multi-institutional research network TriNeTx platform.

Rapidly growing sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of the spleen is a rare benign vascular lesion with unknown pathogenesis and no definitive pathognomonic radiological features. The majority of patients with SANT are asymptomatic, and the lesion is an incidental finding on cross-sectional imaging performed for unrelated reasons or during intra-abdominal surgery. However, in the symptomatic minority, abdominal pain is the most commonly reported symptom.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with cystic fibrosis: A multicenter retrospective research network study.

Background: In this study, we report clinical outcomes in COVID-19 infection in a large cohort of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) and compare these outcomes to a propensity score matched cohort of people without CF.

Methods: Analysis of a multicenter research network TriNETX was performed including patients more than 16 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19. Outcomes in COVID-19 positive pwCF were compared with a propensity-matched cohort of people without CF.

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have poor clinical outcomes with COVID-19 disease: a propensity matched multicentre research network analysis.

Introduction: Outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with pre-existing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remain understudied, and it is unknown if IPF is an independent predictor of worse disease course. Herein, we report the clinical outcomes in a large cohort of 251 patients with COVID-19 in the setting of known IPF. Outcomes were compared with a propensity matched cohort of patients with COVID-19 without IPF.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis: A multicenter retrospective research network study.

Background: Analyses of COVID-19 infection outcomes in patients with preexisting pulmonary sarcoidosis are lacking and are limited to case reports or small case series with the largest study reporting outcomes of 37 patients.

Research Question: Retrospective cohort study to assess clinical outcomes of 945 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, presenting with COVID 19, compared to a propensity matched cohort of patients without sarcoidosis.

Study Design And Methods: Analysis of a multi-center research network TriNETX was performed including patients more than 16 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Propensity-matched Analysis of a Large Research Network.

Background: Organ transplant recipients comprise an immunocompromised and vulnerable cohort. Outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients remain understudied.

Methods: We used a multicenter federated research network to compare clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with SOT to a propensity--matched cohort of patients without SOT.

Are We Overradiating Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Introduction: Protracted exposures to small doses of radiation, even cumulative effective doses (CED) as low as 50-100 mSv, may increase the risk for malignancy. Medical radiation exposure has not been rigorously examined for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We examined medical radiation exposure in patients with IBS at a tertiary care center in the USA.

Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with HIV: a multicentre research network study.

Objective: We studied clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients living with HIV (PLH) in comparison to non-HIV population.

Design: Analysis of a multicentre research network TriNETX was performed including patients more than 10 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19.

Methods: Outcomes in COVID-19 positive patients with concurrent HIV (PLH) were compared with a propensity-matched cohort of patients without HIV (non-PLH).

Skipping the Drip: Intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitor Bolus Therapy Leads to Poor Outcomes in High-Risk Bleeding.

Background and Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a change in our institute's protocol from continuous intravenous (IV) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy to bolus IV PPI therapy for the treatment of peptic ulcer-related bleeding on patient outcomes. Current guidelines recommend PPI therapy through high-dose IV bolus followed by continuous infusion for bleeding ulcers. Conflicting data have been reported regarding the practice shift to intermittent IV PPI therapy.

Acute kidney injury after multiphase imaging for lesions detected on hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with cirrhosis.

Objective: The risk difference between multiphase multidetector contrast-enhanced CT and MRI for developing acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been previously evaluated in patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance. We aimed to compare the rate of AKI after CT and MRI for evaluation of these lesions.

Design: A retrospective chart review of all patients with cirrhosis who underwent either multiphase multidetector liver protocol CT or MRI for lesions detected on HCC screening was conducted at West Virginia University.

Reduced risk of post ERCP pancreatitis in statin users.

Background: One of the most feared complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), with an incidence of 3.5 to 15%, is post ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Given the role of statins in the reduction of systemic and pancreatic intraluminal inflammation, we hypothesized that the use of statins may lower the risk of PEP.