Contextual barriers and enablers to establishing an addiction-focused consultation team for hospitalized adults with opioid use disorder.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization presents an opportunity to begin people with opioid use disorder (OUD) on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and link them to care after discharge; regrettably, people admitted to the hospital with an underlying OUD typically do not receive MOUD and are not connected with subsequent treatment for their condition. To address this gap, we launched a multi-site randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a hospital-based addiction consultation team (the Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START)) consisting of an addiction medicine specialist and care manager team that provide collaborative care and a specified intervention to people with OUD during the inpatient stay. Successful implementation of new practices can be impacted by organizational context, though no previous studies have examined context prior to implementation of addiction consultation services (ACS). This study assessed pre-implementation context for implementing a specialized ACS and tailoring it accordingly. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with hospital administrators, physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and social workers at the three study sites between April and August 2021 before the launch of the pragmatic trial. Using an analytical framework based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, we completed a thematic analysis of interview data to understand potential barriers or enablers and perceptions about acceptability and feasibility. RESULTS: We interviewed 28 participants across three sites. The following themes emerged across sites: (1) START is an urgently needed model for people with OUD; (2) Intervention adaptations are recommended to meet local and cultural needs; (3) Linking people with OUD to community clinicians is a highly needed component of START; (4) It is important to engage stakeholders across departments and roles throughout implementation. Across sites, participants generally saw a need for change from usual care to support people with OUD, and thought the START was acceptable and feasible to implement. Differences among sites included tailoring the START to support the needs of varying patient populations and different perceptions of the prevalence of OUD. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals planning to implement an ACS in the inpatient setting may wish to engage in a systematic pre-implementation contextual assessment using a similar framework to understand and address potential barriers and contextual factors that may impact implementation. Pre-implementation work can help ensure the ACS and other new practices fit within each unique hospital context.

Botulinum Toxin A as an Adjunct for the Repair Giant Inguinal Hernias: Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

The management of giant inguinoscrotal hernias remains a challenge as a result of the loss of the intra-abdominal domain from long-standing hernia contents within the scrotum. Multiple techniques have been described for abdominal wall relaxation and augmentation to allow the safe return of viscera from the scrotum to the intraperitoneal cavity without adversely affecting cardiorespiratory physiology. Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum, phrenectomy, and component separation are but a few common techniques previously described as adjuncts to the management of these massively large hernias. However, these strategies require an additional invasive stage, and reproducibility remains challenging. Botulinum toxin A (BTA) has been successfully used for the management of complex ventral hernias. Its use for these hernias has shown reproducibility and a low side effect profile. In the present report, we describe our institutional experience with BTA for giant inguinal hernias in two patients and present a review of the literature. In one case, a 77-year-old man with a substantial cardiac history presented with a giant left inguinal hernia that was interfering with his activities of daily living. He had BTA six weeks prior to inguinal hernia repair. Repair was performed via an inguinal incision with a favorable return of the viscera into the peritoneum. He was discharged on the same day of the operation. A second patient, 78 years of age, had a giant right inguinoscrotal hernia. He had a significant cardiac history and was treated with BTA six weeks prior to inguinal hernia repair via a groin incision. Neither patient had complaints nor recurrence at 7- and 3-month follow-ups. While the literature on this topic is scarce, we found 13 cases of inguinal hernias treated with BTA as an adjunct. BTA might be a promising adjunct for the management of giant inguinoscrotal hernias in addition to or in place of current strategies.

Does obesity predict morbidity and mortality amongst patients undergoing transfemoral amputations?

BACKGROUND: We investigated the role of obesity on morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing above knee amputation. METHODS: Data of 4225 patients undergoing AKAs was extracted from NIS Database (2016-2019) for a retrospectively matched case-control study and were grouped into; Non-obese (N-Ob-BMI <29.9 kg/m2; n = 1413), class I/II obese (Ob-I/II-BMI: 30-39.9 kg/m2; n = 1413), and class III obese groups (Ob-IIIBMI > 40; n = 1399). Morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and hospital charges were analyzed. RESULTS: Blood loss anemia (OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.19-1.64), superficial SSI (OR = 5.10; 95% CI = 1.4717.63) and acute kidney injury (AKI- OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.21-1.67) were higher in Ob-III patients. Mortality was 5.8%, 4.5%, and 6.4% in N-Ob, Ob-I/II and Ob-III patients (p < 0.001; Ob-I/II vs. Ob-III), respectively. Hospital LOS was 3 days higher in Ob-III (16.1 ± 18.0), comparatively resulting in $25,481 higher inpatient-hospital charge. CONCLUSION: Patients in Ob-III group were noted to have increased morbidity, higher LOS, and inpatient-hospital cost.

Volvulus of the Transverse Colon.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, the third leading cause of a large bowel obstruction (LBO) is colonic volvulus with torsion occurring most commonly in the sigmoid and the cecum. Transverse colonic volvulus (TCV) is exceedingly rare and specific involvement of the splenic flexure (SFV) is even less common. The present analysis was undertaken to interrogate current trends in presentation, management, and outcomes of TCV. METHODS: In the present report, the world literature was reviewed for the past 90 years (1932 to 2021). We conducted a systematic review to identify all cases of TCV following the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: We identified 317 cases of TCV. This included SFV (n = 75), TCV in pediatric patients (n = 63), TCV in pregnant patients (n = 8), and TCV associated with other pathology such as Chilaiditi's syndrome (n = 11). Compared to sigmoid and cecal volvulus, TCV was rare (.94%). It affected slightly more women (54%) than men, commonly in their third decade of life (37.7 ± 23.8). The clinical presentation and diagnostic imaging were consistent with LBO. Compared to sigmoid volvulus, there was a limited role for conservative management and colonoscopic decompression was less effective. The most common operation was segmental resection (25%). Mortality was (20%) commonly because of cardiopulmonary complications and affected more women (63%). The average age of this cohort was 55.7±24.6 years old. DISCUSSION: Our review showed that TCV is an uncommon surgical entity. The diagnosis is likely to be made at laparotomy. Prompt recognition is paramount in preventing ischemia necrosis and perforation. Compared to sigmoid and cecal volvulus, the mortality for TCV remains high.

Current Predictors of Mortality in Veteran Patients Undergoing Major Lower Extremity Amputations: Risk Factors Have Not Changed and Mortality Remains High.

Major lower extremity amputation (LEA-above the ankle) carries a high rate of mortality. In the present study, we performed an institutional review of all patients submitting to LEAs at a Veteran Administration Hospital (between 2009 and 2021) accompanied with a review of the literature.For the past 12 years, 1042 LEAs were performed in 603 patients at our hospital. The 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year mortalities were 8.5%, 28.9%, and 53.0%, respectively. Age, hypoalbuminemia, and Clavien-Dindo Class were independent predictors of mortality in all the time intervals in the analysis. Cardiac disease was not an independent predictor of mortality. In 39 studies reviewed, the average 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year mortality was 14%, 36%, and 56%, respectively. There was no difference in mortality in multiple studies analyzed. No significant temporal variation was identified between 1950 and 2000 vs. 2001 and 2021. Predictors of mortality were not substantially different from our institutional experience.The mortality rate for LEAs remains constant over time. Increasing age and hypoalbuminemia are strong predictors of short- and long-term mortality.

Gas-Containing Biliary Calculi: Case Series and a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Cholelithiasis is a common gallbladder finding leading to cholecystitis in 7% of cases. Sonographic imaging or computed tomography scans are commonly employed for the diagnosis of benign gallbladder disease. Air within the gallbladder might carry various diagnoses. As opposed to pathologic air in the gallbladder seen in emphysematous cholecystitis, gas-containing gallstones are no more pathological than the exclusive presence of gallstones. In the present report, we review the incidence, physiology, typical characteristics, and clinical significance of gas-containing gallstones within the gallbladder. METHODS: We performed an institutional review of all patients with benign gallbladder disease over the past 16 years (2005 to 2021) to identify patients with gas-containing gallstones in the gallbladder. We performed a review of the literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to identify all reported cases of patients with gas-containing biliary calculi within the gallbladder. RESULTS: Our institutional review identified 5 patients with gas-containing biliary calculi in 1252 consecutive cholecystectomies; 4 of which had cholecystitis, while 1 was an incidental finding. Our review of the literature identified 30 manuscripts documenting 54 unique patients with gas-containing biliary calculi. None of these patients had consequential pathology related to gas in the stones other than that caused by the gallstones (ie, biliary colic and cholecystitis). CONCLUSIONS: Gas-containing biliary calculi are uncommon. How gas finds itself within gallstones within the gallbladder is not entirely clear. Gas-containing gallstones should not be interpreted as free gas within the gallbladder or within an abscess.

Gastric Outlet Obstruction from Stomach-Containing Groin Hernias: Case Report and a Systematic Review.

Most abdominopelvic structures can find their way to a groin hernia. However, location, and relative fixation are important for migration. Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) from a stomach-containing groin hernia (SCOGH) is exceedingly rare. In the current report, we present a 77-year-old man who presented with GOO from SCOGH to our facility. We performed a review of the literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) of patients presenting with SCOGH since it was first reported in 1802. Ninety-one cases of SCOGH were identified (85 inguinal and six femoral) over the last two centuries (1802-2023). GOO from SCOGH occurred in 48% of patients in one review and 18% in our systematic analysis. Initial presentation ranged from a completely asymptomatic patient to peritonitis. Management varied from entirely conservative treatment to elective hernia repair to emergent laparotomy. Only one case of laparoscopic management was documented. Twenty-one deaths from SCOGH were reported, with most occurring in early manuscripts (1802-1896 [n = 9] and 1910-1997 [n = 10]). In the recent medical era, outcomes for patients with this rare clinical presentation are satisfactory and treatment ranging from conservative, non-operative management to surgical repair should be tailored towards patients' clinical presentation.

Management of opioid use disorder, opioid withdrawal, and opioid overdose prevention in hospitalized adults: A systematic review of existing guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalizations related to the consequences of opioid use are rising. National guidelines directing in-hospital opioid use disorder (OUD) management do not exist. OUD treatment guidelines intended for other treatment settings could inform in-hospital OUD management. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the quality and content of existing guidelines for OUD treatment and management. DATA SOURCES: OVID MEDLINE, PubMed, Ovid PsychINFO, EBSCOhost CINHAL, ERCI Guidelines Trust, websites of relevant societies and advocacy organizations, and selected international search engines. STUDY SELECTION: Guidelines published between January 2010 to June 2020 addressing OUD treatment, opioid withdrawal management, opioid overdose prevention, and care transitions among adults. DATA EXTRACTION: We assessed quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. DATA SYNTHESIS: Nineteen guidelines met the selection criteria. Most recommendations were based on observational studies or expert consensus. Guidelines recommended the use of nonstigmatizing language among patients with OUD; to assess patients with unhealthy opioid use for OUD using the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Diseases-5th Edition criteria; use of methadone or buprenorphine to treat OUD and opioid withdrawal; use of multimodal, nonopioid therapy, and when needed, short-acting opioid analgesics in addition to buprenorphine or methadone, for acute pain management; ensuring linkage to ongoing methadone or buprenorphine treatment; referring patients to psychosocial treatment; and ensuring access to naloxone for opioid overdose reversal. CONCLUSIONS: Included guidelines were informed by studies with various levels of rigor and quality. Future research should systematically study buprenorphine and methadone initiation and titration among people using fentanyl and people with pain, especially during hospitalization.

The Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START) study: protocol for a multi-site randomized controlled trial evaluating an intervention to improve initiation of medication and linkage to post-discharge care for hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder.

BACKGROUND: People with opioid use disorder experience high burden of disease from medical comorbidities and are increasingly hospitalized with medical complications. Medications for opioid use disorder are an effective, life-saving treatment, but patients with an opioid use disorder admitted to the hospital seldom initiate medication for their disorder while in the hospital, nor are they linked with outpatient treatment after discharge. The inpatient stay, when patients may be more receptive to improving their health and reducing substance use, offers an opportunity to discuss opioid use disorder and facilitate medication initiation and linkage to treatment after discharge. An addiction-focus consultative team that uses evidence-based tools and resources could address barriers, such as the need for the primary medical team to focus on the primary health problem and lack of time and expertise, that prevent primary medical teams from addressing substance use. METHODS: This study is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial that will evaluate whether a consultative team, called the Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START), increases initiation of any US Food and Drug Administration approved medication for opioid use disorder (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone) during the hospital stay and increases linkage to treatment after discharge compared to patients receiving usual care. The study is being conducted at three geographically distinct academic hospitals. Patients are randomly assigned within each hospital to receive the START intervention or usual care. Primary study outcomes are initiation of medication for opioid use disorder in the hospital and linkage to medication or other opioid use disorder treatment after discharge. Outcomes are assessed through participant interviews at baseline and 1 month after discharge and data from hospital and outpatient medical records. DISCUSSION: The START intervention offers a compelling model to improve care for hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder. The study could also advance translational science by identifying an effective and generalizable approach to treating not only opioid use disorder, but also other substance use disorders and behavioral health conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05086796, Registered on 10/21/2021. https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/results?recrs=ab&cond=&term=NCT05086796&cntry=&state=&city=&dist = .

The Veteran Affair Surgical Quality Improvement Program Calculator is a Poor Predictor of Morbidity and Mortality in Octogenarian and Nonagenarian Veterans Undergoing Major Lower Extremity Amputations.

BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality for major (above the ankle) lower extremity amputation (LEA) is high in veteran patients and age is a predictor of mortality. The Veteran Affair Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) risk assessment tool has been validated for several operations but not for elderly patients undergoing LEA. The present study interrogated the accuracy for the VASQIP calculator for a medium/high-risk operation in a high-risk veteran population (octogenarians and nonagenarians). METHODS: Variables required from input for the VASQIP calculator were retrospectively obtained for 57 octogenarians and 11 nonagenarians submitting to LEA at our institution from 2009 to 2021. The six-outcome variables provided by the VASQIP calculator (30-day mortality, 180-day mortality, 30-day morbidity, 30-day surgical site infection risk, probability of intensive care unit stay, and probability of hospital stay) were compared to observed morbidity and mortality. The accuracy of the calculator was assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and reported by the area under the curve (AUC) as previously described. RESULTS: In the 68 patients included in this analysis, the time to death from the last index operation was 422.0 ± 604.9 days for octogenarians and 65.6 ± 89.3 days for nonagenarians. Predicted versus observed 30-day mortality for octogenarians and nonagenarians was 8.46 vs. 24.56 [AUC = 0.739; 95% confidence interval (0.581 to 0.898)] and 24.46 vs. 45.45 [AUC = 0.600 (0.171 to 1.000)], respectively. Predicted versus observed 180-day mortality for the same cohorts was 25.22 vs. 47.37 [AUC = 0.578 (0.427 to 0.728)] and 45.34 vs. 90.91 [AUC = 0.100 (0.000 to 0.286)], respectively. Thirty-day morbidity, 30-day surgical site infection, probability of intensive care unit, and probability of in-hospital stay produced an AUC less than 0.600 for all these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The VASQIP risk calculator is a poor predictor of short-term outcomes in octogenarians and nonagenarians undergoing major LEA. Most octogenarian and nonagenarian veterans died within 1 year, and the mean survival for nonagenarians was less than 3 months after LEA. The decision for major LEA in octogenarian and nonagenarian veterans warrants an informed discussion with the patient and family.

Feasibility of Umbilical Hernia Repair Under Local Anesthesia and Monitored Anesthesia Care at a Veteran Affairs Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthesia (LA) for open umbilical hernia tissue repair (OUHTR) is not widely utilized in academic centers in the United States. We hypothesize that LA for OUHTR is feasible in a veteran patient population. METHODS: From 2015 to 2019, 449 umbilical hernias were repaired at our institution utilizing a standardized technique in veteran patients. OUHTR was included in this analysis (n = 283). Since 2017, 18.7% (n = 53) UH were repaired under LA. We compared outcomes and operative times between general anesthesia and LA in patients undergoing OUHTR. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine significance. RESULTS: The entire cohort was composed of older (56.3 ± 12.1 years), White (75.5%), obese (body mass index [BMI] = 32.3 ± 4.6 kg/m2) men (98.0%). The average hernia size for the entire cohort was 2.42 ± 1.2 cm. The groups were similar in age and BMI. Patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) (Odds ratio [OR] 3.1; 95% CI 1.5-6.8) and cardiovascular disease (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.0-7.2) were more likely to receive LA. Recurrence (0.0% vs 6.0%; P = .9) and 30-day complications (6.0% vs 13%; P = .9) were similar between LA and GA after correcting for hernia size. Operating room times were reduced in the LA group (17.7 minutes; P < .05). None of the patients with LA required postanesthesia care unit for recovery. The patients who received LA reported being comfortable (78.9% of patients), with the worst reported pain being 2.4 ± 2.4 (out of a scale of 10), and 94.7% would elect to receive LA if they had another hernia repair. CONCLUSION: Patients who received LA had more cardiac disease and a higher ASA. Complications were similar between both groups. LA reduced operating room times. Patients were satisfied with LA.

Morbidity and Mortality in Non-Obese Compared to Different Classes of Obesity in Patients Undergoing Transtibial Amputations.

This study assesses the effect of obesity classes on outcomes and inpatient-hospital-cost compared to non-obese individuals undergoing below-knee amputations (BKAs). Retrospective matched-case controlled study performed on data from NIS Database. We identified three groups: N-Ob (BMI < 29.9 kg/m2; n = 3104), Ob-I/II (BMI: 30 to 39.9 kg/m2; n = 3107), and Ob-III (BMI > 40; n = 3092); matched for gender, comorbidities, tobacco use and elective vs. emergent surgery. Differences in morbidity, mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and total inpatient cost were analyzed. Blood loss anemia was more common in Ob-III compared to Ob-I/II patients (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.1−1.4); blood transfusions were less commonly required in Ob-I/II (OR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.7−0.9) comparatively; Ob-I/II encountered pneumonia less frequently (OR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.4−0.9), whereas myocardial infarction was more frequent (OR = 7.0; 95% CI = 2.1−23.6) compared to N-Ob patients. Acute renal failure is more frequent in Ob-I/II (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.0−1.3) and Ob-III (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.6−1.9) compared to the N-Ob cohort. LOS was higher in N-Ob (13.1 ± 12.8 days) and Ob-III (13.5 ± 12.4 d) compared to Ob-I/II cohort (11.8 ± 10.1 d; p < 0.001). Mortality was 2.8%, 1.4%, and 2.9% (p < 0.001) for N-Ob, Ob-I/II, and Ob-III, respectively. Hospital charges were $22,025 higher in the Ob-III cohort. Ob-I/II is protective against peri-operative complications and death, whereas hospital cost is substantially higher in Ob-III patients undergoing BKAs.

Elective Hernia Repair in Obese Patients.

NA this is a Letter to the Editor.

Microbial Source Tracking in the Love Creek Watershed, Delaware (USA).

Fecal contamination of waterways in Delaware pose an ongoing problem for environmental and public health. For monitoring efforts, Enterococcus has been widely adopted by the state to indicate the presence of fecal matter from warm-blooded animals and to establish Primary and Secondary Contact Recreation criteria. In this study, we examined sites within the Love Creek watershed, a tributary of the Rehoboth bay, using next-generation sequencing and SourceTracker to determine sources of potential fecal contamination and compared to bacterial communities to chemical and nutrient concentrations. Microbial community from fecal samples of ten different types of animals and one human sample were used to generate a fecal library for community-based microbial source tracking. Orthophosphate and total dissolved solids were among the major factors associated with community composition. SourceTracker analysis of the monthly samples from the Love Creek watershed indicated the majority of the microbial community were attributed to "unknown" sources, i.e. wildlife. Those that attribute to known sources were primarily domestic animals, i.e. cat and dog. These results suggest that at the state level these methods are capable of giving the start for source tracking as a means to understanding bacterial contamination.

Volvulus of the transverse colon in an octogenarian veteran.

In the USA, the third leading cause of a large bowel obstruction in adults is volvulus with torsion occurring commonly in the sigmoid and the cecum. Transverse colonic volvulus is exceedingly rare and specific involvement of the splenic flexure is even more uncommon. In the present report, we discuss a Veteran octogenarian who presented with a long-standing history of constipation, but then developed an acute abdomen from a large bowel obstruction. At laparotomy, he had a double closed loop obstruction with volvulus of the splenic flexure. The colon at the splenic flexure was ischemic with patchy areas of necrosis, but no perforation. He underwent a subtotal colectomy with an ileostomy. This case illustrates the need for prompt intervention of this unusual entity. Current trends in the incidence, management, morbidity and mortality are discussed.