Tag: nevin manimala

Ann Vasc Surg. 2023 Oct 30:S0890-5096(23)00723-9. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.09.066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: While EVAR has become a first-line strategy in many centers, open repair (OSR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is still the best option for certain patients. A significant number of patients who are offered OSR for AAA have been previously submitted to other open abdominal surgeries (PAS). It is unclear, however, how this may impact their outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an association between PAS and outcomes of OSR of AAA.

METHODS: This is a Retrospective cohort study, based on clinical data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (NSQIP), including all patients undergoing elective OSR for AAA between 2011-2017. Excluded were patients with missing data on prior abdominal surgery, supramesenteric clamping, or urgent repairs. Patients with prior abdominal surgery (PAS) and patients without prior abdominal surgeries (nonPAS) were compared. The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative mortality. Secondary outcomes were operating time, ischemic colitis, postoperative complications, and lengths of hospital stay.

RESULTS: Of the 2034 patients included, 27% had previous open abdominal surgery and 73% did not. Overall, the median age was 71[IQR 65-76], 72% of patients were male, 44% were smokers, and the average BMI was 27 kg/m². Univariate analysis showed no difference in postoperative 30-day mortality (4.0% PAS vs 4.1% nonPAS, p=0.91) or overall postoperative complication rates (33% PAS vs 29% nonPAS, p=0.07). Previous open abdominal surgery was significantly associated with longer operating times (p=0.032) and an almost doubled rate of ischemic colitis (4.7% PAS vs 2.6% nonPAS, p=0.02). Postoperative ICU and hospitalization were also significantly longer in patients with prior abdominal surgery (p=.005 and p=.014, respectively). Finally, there were significantly less patients discharged home, as opposed to institutionalized care (75,7%PAS down from 82,4%nonPAS, p=0,001). Despite these initial univariate analysis results, on multivariate analysis PAS actually did not prove to be a statistically significant independent risk factor for 30-day mortality, ischemic colitis or longer operating times.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that patients who have undergone PAS may have some disadvantages in OSR of AAA. However, these negative trends do not go so far as to statistically significantly identify PAS as an independent risk factor for 30day mortality, ischemic colitis, or longer operating times. As such, we suggest that a history of previous open abdominal surgery, in and of its own, should not exclude patients from consideration for open aortic abdominal aneurysm repair.

PMID:37914074 | DOI:10.1016/j.avsg.2023.09.066

Am J Ophthalmol. 2023 Oct 30:S0002-9394(23)00450-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.10.020. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the accuracy of the PEARL-DGS formula for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in post-myopic laser refractive corneal surgery eyes.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series METHODS: A total of 139 eyes of 139 patients (mean axial length: 27.4 ± 2.1 mm), who had prior myopic laser refractive corneal surgery and subsequent cataract surgery using Tecnis ZCB00 from March 2018 to February 2023 were included. Refractive outcomes of five formulas (Barrett True K, Haigis-L, Hoffer-QST, PEARL-DGS, and Shammas-PL) were evaluated. Prediction error was defined as the difference between the measured and predicted postoperative refractive spherical equivalent using the IOL power actually implanted. Mean prediction error (MPE), median absolute prediction error (MedAE), mean absolute prediction error were calculated.

RESULTS: Without constant optimization, the PEARL-DGS resulted in a MPE of +0.05 ± 0.65 D, while the other formulas resulted in myopic shifts. The MedAEs of the formulas were 0.39, 0.53, 0.65, 0.85, and 1.11 D for the PEARL-DGS, Hoffer-QST, Barrett True K, Shammas-PL, and Haigis-L, respectively, in order of magnitude (P < 0.05). With constant optimization, there were no statistically significant differences in the MedAEs among the five formulas (P = 0.388).

CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to other IOL formulas, the PEARL-DGS resulted in better refractive outcomes after cataract surgery in post-myopic laser refractive corneal surgery eyes without constant optimization. We suggest that PEARL-DGS be considered as the first choice for IOL power calculation in these eyes when the clinicians do not have their optimized constants.

PMID:37914063 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajo.2023.10.020

Neurosurg Focus. 2023 Nov;55(5):E4. doi: 10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23461.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The “leaky academic pipeline” describes how female representation in leadership positions has remained stagnant despite an increase in the number of female trainees. Female mentorship to female mentees, and female role models at higher academic positions have been shown to positively influence academic productivity. To the authors’ knowledge, the impact of female editorial board representation on authorship trends in neurosurgical journals remains undescribed. This study aimed to analyze trends in the representation of female topic editors and its impact on female authorship within Neurosurgical Focus over a 10-year period.

METHODS: Publicly available data were collected from the journal’s website, inclusive from January 2013 to December 2022. The articles were grouped into technical and nontechnical themes based on their relevance to specific technical details regarding surgical techniques. Female gender-concordant publications were defined as publications having a female first author (or co-first author) and a female senior author. Linear regression analysis determined trends in publishing. Odds ratios and 95% CIs were calculated using logistic regression analysis. Pearson correlation and cross-correlation analyses were used to examine each pairwise comparison of time series. The statistical significance of associations was evaluated using t-tests and chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests.

RESULTS: The number of female topic editors and gender-concordant authors increased over time (p < 0.05). Women accounted for ≥ 50% of the topic editors on nontechnical themes relevant to education and gender diversity. Having a female senior author was associated with higher publication productivity for original research and review articles among female authors (OR 13.73, 95% CI 1.75-394.31; p < 0.05). Female authors had higher odds of publishing editorials with a female topic editor (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.37-11.02; p < 0.01). Publications with female first and senior authors were significantly more likely to have female topic editors (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.38-12.92; p < 0.01). A positive association was observed between female senior authors and female topic editors at lag -8, with a correlation coefficient of 0.19 (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: Female attending-to-female trainee mentorship and female representation among editorial boards play a crucial role in enhancing academic productivity among women. Efforts to sustain academic productivity during the early-career period would presumably help increase female representation in neurosurgery.

PMID:37913547 | DOI:10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23461

Neurosurg Focus. 2023 Nov;55(5):E2. doi: 10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23438.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated the benefits of diversity in neurosurgery. However, recruitment of minoritized groups within the neurosurgical workforce consistently lags other surgical specialties. While racial and gender demographics of neurosurgical residents are well documented, there has been minimal exploration into the multidimensional nature of diversity. The current study will evaluate the longitudinal diversity changes in neurosurgery residency programs compared with other surgical fields with validated diversity indices.

METHODS: Nationwide reports including data about resident physicians were obtained from the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges for the academic years 2008-2021. Self-reported race, biological sex, and medical school affiliation were recorded for surgical residents in the 10 commonly recognized surgical fields. The Gini-Simpson Diversity Index was used to calculate the effective counts (ECs) of races, sexes, and medical school types for each field. A Composite Diversity Index (CDI) comprising the aforementioned diversity traits was used to calculate the percentage of characteristics upon which two randomly selected residents within each specialty would differ. CDIs were calculated for each field in every year from 2008 to 2021. Median CDIs were compared between fields using Kruskal-Wallis testing, and p values < 0.05 were deemed statistically significant.

RESULTS: Plastic surgery had the highest median sex EC (1.92, interquartile range [IQR] 1.78-1.95), indicating greater diversity, while neurosurgery had the third lowest sex EC (1.40, IQR 1.35-1.41). All surgical fields examined had fewer than 3 races effectively represented among their residents, despite there being 8 races present. Neurosurgery ranked among the top fields in effective racial diversity (EC 2.17, IQR 2.09-2.21) and medical school type diversity (EC 1.25, IQR 1.21-1.26). There were statistically significant differences in the sex, race, and school ECs between surgical specialties. While neurosurgery had a relatively low median overall diversity (CDI = 32.7, IQR 32.0-34.6), there was a consistent longitudinal increase in CDI from 2015 to 2021.

CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgery resident physicians have become increasingly diverse in the past decade but are more homogenous than residents in other surgical fields. The continued use of diversity indices to more accurately track diversity progress over time may better inform leaders in the field of how they may best focus their equity and inclusion efforts.

PMID:37913544 | DOI:10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23438

Neurosurg Focus. 2023 Nov;55(5):E9. doi: 10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23473.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Neurosurgeons frequently move throughout their careers, with moves driven by personal and professional factors. In this study, the authors analyzed these migration trends through a dynamic migratory map and statistical review, with a particular focus on differences in education and practice patterns between male and female neurosurgeons.

METHODS: A list containing all board-certified and -affiliated US neurosurgeons practicing in 2019 was obtained from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. The list was augmented to include demographic and location information for medical school, residency, fellowship(s), and current practice for all neurosurgeons with publicly available data. Migration heatmaps were generated, and migration patterns over 10-year intervals were plotted. A web tool was additionally created to allow for dynamic visualization of this database.

RESULTS: The database included 5307 neurosurgeons with a mean age of 57.2 ± 11.3 years. The female population made up 8.93% of all neurosurgeons, and were found to be more likely to complete fellowships than their male counterparts, at 54.2% and 39.1%, respectively (p < 0.0001). A total of 39.5% of all neurosurgeons completed at least one fellowship. A large proportion of currently practicing US neurosurgeons completed medical school internationally in the 1990s. Recently, there has been a trend in neurosurgeons choosing to practice in the South, emigrating from the Northeast and the Western US Census regions. By population, the Western US region trained the fewest neurosurgeons at 1 per 115,000 residents, and the Northeastern US region trained the most at 1 per 49,000. The web tool provides a simple interface to visualize the database on a world map.

CONCLUSIONS: Diversity, equity, and inclusion in neurosurgery have been a strong point of discussion in recent literature, with neurosurgeons comprising one of the most gender-disparate workforces in the US medical system. This study provides additional metrics to assess these disparities to help motivate further action toward a larger, more diverse neurosurgical community.

PMID:37913533 | DOI:10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23473

Neurosurg Focus. 2023 Nov;55(5):E10. doi: 10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23285.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of neurosurgeons in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) gender and sexual minority status using the Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) as the single nationalized source of LGBTQ+ identification. Additionally, inclusivity was assessed through interviews by residents and attendings in the field.

METHODS: First, a PRISMA literature review was conducted and independently reviewed by two authors on studies involving LGBTQ+ representation in neurosurgery from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Then, aggregate responses of 16,901 participants’ sexual and gender identities from the GQ administered between 2016 and 2022 were compiled. To statistically analyze the response frequencies, the authors performed a chi-square analysis. Finally, interviews were conducted with individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and are currently neurosurgical residents or attendings. Direct invitations were extended to participate in interviews, and all participants gave informed consent prior to the interview. Interviews were conducted using standardized questions and were video recorded.

RESULTS: Two studies were identified by literature review that referenced the LGBTQ+ community in neurosurgery. A GQ chi-square analysis comparing neurosurgical with nonneurosurgical LGBTQ+ identification proved statistically insignificant (p = 0.65). More broad analysis of majority sexual and gender identification (heterosexual and cisgendered) compared with the total gender and sexual minority group also proved statistically insignificant (p = 0.32) in response frequency. Five interviews, including 4 residents and 1 attending, provided several overarching themes including self-identification as an invisible minority, self-limiting behavior to ensure inclusion, and LGBTQ+ status as a direct departure from the stereotypical neurosurgeon.

CONCLUSIONS: Results from the GQ analysis indicate that neurosurgery is achieving LGBTQ+ diversity of its incoming members comparable to that of other fields in medicine. However, qualitative data from the interviews and a lack of specific literature indicate that despite obtaining diversity, inclusion of LGBTQ+ neurosurgeons and trainees is lacking.

PMID:37913532 | DOI:10.3171/2023.8.FOCUS23285

ASAIO J. 2023 Nov 2. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000002050. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

HeartMate 3 is the only durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) currently implanted in the United States. The purpose of this study was to develop a predictive model for 1 year mortality of HeartMate 3 implanted patients, comparing standard statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms. Adult patients registered in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (STS-INTERMACS) database, who received primary implant with a HeartMate 3 between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, were included. Epidemiological, clinical, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic characteristics were analyzed. Standard logistic regression and machine learning (elastic net and neural network) were used to predict 1 year survival. A total of 3,853 patients were included. Of these, 493 (12.8%) died within 1 year after implantation. Standard logistic regression identified age, Model End Stage Liver Disease (MELD)-XI score, right arterial (RA) pressure, INTERMACS profile, heart rate, and etiology of heart failure (HF), as important predictor factors for 1 year mortality with an area under the curve (AUC): 0.72 (0.66-0.77). This predictive model was noninferior to the ones developed using the elastic net or neural network. Standard statistical techniques were noninferior to neural networks and elastic net in predicting 1 year survival after HeartMate 3 implantation. The benefit of using machine-learning algorithms in the prediction of outcomes may depend on the type of dataset used for analysis.

PMID:37913499 | DOI:10.1097/MAT.0000000000002050

Int Dent J (Phila). 1897 Jan;18(1):11-14.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37912237 | PMC:PMC10128772

Anesthesiology. 2023 Nov 1. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000004827. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia for total knee arthroplasty has been deemed high priority by national and international societies and its use can serve as a measure of healthcare equity. We estimated the association between utilization of regional anesthesia for postoperative pain and 1) race and 2) hospital in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. We hypothesized that Black patients would be less likely than White patients to receive regional anesthesia, and that variability in regional anesthesia would more likely be attributable to the hospital where surgery occurred than race.

METHODS: We used Medicare fee-for-service claims for patients aged 65 or older who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty between 1/1/2011 and 12/31/2016. Our primary outcome was administration of regional anesthesia for postoperative pain, defined as any peripheral (femoral, lumbar plexus, or other) or neuraxial (spinal or epidural) block. Our primary exposure was self-reported race (Black, White, or Other). We defined clinical significance as a relative difference of 10% in regional anesthesia administration.

RESULTS: Data from 733,406 cases across 2,507 hospitals were analyzed: 90.7% of patients were identified as White, 4.7% as Black, and 4.6% as Other. Median hospital-level prevalence of use of regional anesthesia was 51% (interquartile range 18-79%). Black patients did not have a statistically different probability of receiving a regional anesthetic compared to White patients (adjusted estimates: Black 53.3%, 95% CI 52.5-54.1%; White 52.7%, 95% CI 52.4-54.1%, p=0.132). Findings were robust to alternate specifications of the exposure and outcome. Analysis-of-variance revealed that 42.0% of the variation in block administration was attributable to hospital, compared to less than 0.01% to race, after adjusting for other patient-level confounders.

CONCLUSIONS: Race was not associated with administration of regional anesthesia in Medicare patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty. Variation in the use of regional anesthesia was primarily associated with the hospital where surgery occurred.

PMID:37910860 | DOI:10.1097/ALN.0000000000004827

Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2023 Nov 1;0(0):1-24. doi: 10.11607/jomi.10467. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In the clinical setting, assessing bone quality and quantity at the implant site is the basis to select implant characteristics and the insertion protocol to be applied. However, a quantitative method to classify bone quality and quantity is still lacking. A recently introduced implant placement micromotor that provides site-specific, operator-independent cancellous bone density measurements may be useful for this purpose, but it remains unknown whether this device can detect the presence of a cortical bone layer and measure its thickness and density.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thus, an in vitro experiment was performed on six double-layer polyurethane foam blocks mimicking the jaw bone with different cortical thickness/cancellous density combinations. The densities were measured using the micromotor, either removing the cortical layer or leaving it intact, with and without irrigation.

RESULTS: The results collected in each condition were compared by means of non-parametric statistical tests. Independent of irrigation, the micromotor detected the cortical layer when it was left intact and accurately estimated its thickness. The micromotor did not discriminate each block from the other ones when they were considered separately, but it did when they were grouped into four or three classes.

CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that the micromotor may represent a valid device to quantitatively assess bone quality and density. If the micromotor can quantitatively distinguish different cortical/cancellous bone combinations in humans, it may be a helpful tool to define finely-tuned, patient-tailored preparations of the implant seat, making teeth rehabilitation in challenging clinical conditions more predictable.

PMID:37910838 | DOI:10.11607/jomi.10467