American College of Surgeons/Association for Surgical Education medical student simulation-based surgical skills curriculum needs assessment.

BACKGROUND: Simulation can enhance learning effectiveness, efficiency, and patient safety and is engaging for learners. METHODS: A survey was conducted of surgical clerkship directors nationally and medical students at 5 medical schools to rank and stratify simulation-based educational topics. Students applying to surgery were compared with others using Wilcoxon's rank-sum tests. RESULTS: Seventy-three of 163 clerkship directors (45%) and 231 of 872 students (26.5%) completed the survey. Of students, 28.6% were applying for surgical residency training. Clerkship directors and students generally agreed on the importance and timing of specific educational topics. Clerkship directors tended to rank basic skills, such as examination skills, higher than medical students. Students ranked procedural skills, such as lumbar puncture, more highly than clerkship directors. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery clerkship directors and 4th-year medical students agree substantially about the content of a simulation-based curriculum, although 4th-year medical students recommended that some topics be taught earlier than the clerkship directors recommended. Students planning to apply to surgical residencies did not differ significantly in their scoring from students pursuing nonsurgical specialties.

Granulomatous mastitis: a 10 year experience from a large inner city county hospital.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory condition of the breast with unknown etiology that affects women of child-bearing age. It can be mistaken radiographically and clinically for breast cancer and due to its rarity can cause a delay in establishing a definitive diagnosis and subsequent initiation of treatment. Furthermore, GM has a progressive clinical course with multiple recurrences. To date, there is no universally accepted treatment for GM. The goal of this study is to review the experience with granulomatous mastitis at a large inner-city public hospital over a 10-y period. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional database was queried for all patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of GM between July 1, 2000 and July 1, 2010. A separate database was created for these patients, and data was collected from electronic medical records and paper charts. Demographic, clinical, and outcomes data were analyzed using summary statistics. RESULTS: A total of 41 cases were identified. The median age at time of diagnosis was 34 y. Thirty-three (80%) patients were of Hispanic ethnicity. The most common physical findings were mass (n = 32, 78%), tenderness (n = 17, 41%), and erythema (n = 12, 29%). Three (7%) patients had a previous history of treatment for tuberculosis whereas 12 (29%) patients were human immunodeficiency virus-positive. Mammography and ultrasonography noted mass (n = 14, 34% and n = 15, 37%, respectively) as the most common radiographic finding. Core needle biopsy and incisional biopsy were used with equal frequency (n = 16, 37%) to establish a definitive pathologic diagnosis. The median number of days between onset of symptoms and definitive diagnosis was 73. Thirteen (32%) patients received antibiotics as initial treatment, whereas 23 (56%) underwent surgical procedures and 1 (2%) received steroid therapy. Steroids were used at any point in the clinical course of 7 (17%) patients, and none of these patients required definitive surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: GM affects women of childbearing age and typically presents as an inflamed breast mass with or without pain. The clinical features of GM among Hispanic patients are similar to those among other study populations in the reported literature. This disease is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge and a high degree of clinical suspicion is warranted. Treatment with steroids may obviate the need for surgery in some patients. Reported recurrence rates for GM are high, and long-term follow-up is essential.

Factors associated with phyllodes tumor of the breast after core needle biopsy identifies fibroepithelial neoplasm.

BACKGROUND: Phyllodes tumors represent less than 1% of all breast neoplasms and can mimic fibroadenoma on core needle biopsy (CNB). The treatment of fibroepithelial (FE) neoplasms identified on CNB is controversial. We sought to identify factors that were associated with phyllodes tumors after CNB suggested FE neoplasm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective database was queried for all patients diagnosed with FE neoplasm on CNB at Ben Taub General Hospital over a 10-y period. One hundred twenty-three patients were identified and demographic, clinical, and outcome data were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 123 patients, 46 (37%) were found to have fibroadenomatous features and 59 (48%) were found to have FE features. All went on to have surgical excision. Forty (38%) contained phyllodes tumors, and 65 (62%) found no phyllodes tumor on final pathology. There were significant differences in the median size of the masses (4 cm versus 2.4 cm P < 0.002) and density of the masses (P < 0.001) between the group that contained phyllodes tumors and the group that did not on preoperative imaging. Further evaluation did not show any significant differences on preoperative imaging between benign and borderline/malignant phyllodes tumors. Hispanic ethnicity correlated with a higher chance of phyllodes tumor after CNB (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women commonly present to clinics for evaluation of palpable breast masses. Based on the results of CNB, clinical decisions can be made to help direct treatment. If CNB identifies phyllodes tumor, surgical excision remains the standard of care; however, patients with suspicious FE neoplasms represent a treatment dilemma as many will prove to be benign. Preoperative size and the density of the mass on imaging and ethnicity were associated with phyllodes tumors on final pathology.

Hypotensive resuscitation strategy reduces transfusion requirements and severe postoperative coagulopathy in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock: preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is a leading cause of death worldwide and is thus a major public health concern. Previous studies have shown that limiting the amount of fluids given by following a strategy of permissive hypotension during the initial resuscitation period may improve trauma outcomes. This study examines the clinical outcomes from the first 90 patients enrolled in a prospective, randomized controlled trial of hypotensive resuscitation, with the primary aim of assessing the effects of a limited transfusion and intravenous (IV) fluid strategy on 30-day morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Patients in hemorrhagic shock who required emergent surgery were randomized to one of the two arms of the study for intraoperative resuscitation. Those in the experimental (low mean arterial pressure [LMAP]) arm were managed with a hypotensive resuscitation strategy in which the target mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 50 mm Hg. Those in the control (high MAP [HMAP]) arm were managed with standard fluid resuscitation to a target MAP of 65 mm Hg. Patients were followed up for 30 days. Intraoperative fluid requirements, mortality, postoperative complications, and other clinical data were prospectively gathered and analyzed. RESULTS: Patients in the LMAP group received a significantly less blood products and total i.v. fluids during intraoperative resuscitation than those in the HMAP group. They had significantly lower mortality in the early postoperative period and a nonsignificant trend for lower mortality at 30 days. Patients in the LMAP group were significantly less likely to develop immediate postoperative coagulopathy and less likely to die from postoperatively bleeding associated with coagulopathy. Among those who developed coagulopathy in both groups, patients in the LMAP group had significantly lower international normalized ratio than those in the HMAP group, indicating a less severe coagulopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Hypotensive resuscitation is a safe strategy for use in the trauma population and results in a significant reduction in blood product transfusions and overall IV fluid administration. Specifically, resuscitating patients with the intent of maintaining a target minimum MAP of 50 mm Hg, rather than 65 mm Hg, significantly decreases postoperative coagulopathy and lowers the risk of early postoperative death and coagulopathy. These preliminary results provide convincing evidence that support the continued investigation and use of hypotensive resuscitation in the trauma setting.

Cryptosporidium infection of human intestinal epithelial cells increases expression of osteoprotegerin: a novel mechanism for evasion of host defenses.

Cryptosporidium parasites are pathogens of human intestinal epithelial cells. To determine which genes are regulated during early infection, human ileal mucosa cultured as explants was infected with C. parvum or C. hominis, and gene expression was analyzed by microarray. The gene for osteoprotegerin (OPG) was up-regulated by both parasites. OPG mRNA was also significantly increased in biopsy specimens obtained from a volunteer experimentally infected with C. meleagridis, compared with levels in a prechallenge biopsy specimen. After in vitro infection of HCT-8 cells, there was an early peak in production of OPG mRNA protein. Treatment of infected cells with the OPG ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induced epithelial cell apoptosis and reduced parasite numbers, and recombinant OPG blocked these effects. These results suggest a novel TRAIL-mediated pathway for elimination of Cryptosporidium infection and a role for OPG in modulating this host response.

Medical and psychosocial predictors of delay in seeking medical consultation for breast symptoms in women in a public sector setting.

We examined demographic, medical and psychosocial factors related to delay in seeking medical consultation for breast symptoms. In this cross-sectional survey, 124 women with breast symptoms attending an outpatient breast surgery clinic in a county general hospital completed questionnaires measuring demographic, medical and psychosocial variables. Our outcome variable was delay in seeking medical consultation. Younger age (p

Early aggressive closure of the open abdomen.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this series is to describe a new and aggressive approach to definitive closure of the open abdomen. METHODS: A retrospective review of 37 patients who underwent definitive abdominal closure using a combination of vacuum pack, vacuum-assisted wound management and human acellular dermal matrix (HADM). RESULTS: All patients' open abdomens were maintained with vacuum assisted wound management in attempts for primary closure. Once it was determined that the abdomen would not close primarily; it was closed with HADM and skin advancement. The mean duration of the open abdomen was 21.7 days (range 6-45), with an average of 127.78 cm of HADM, the largest number being 800 cm, with decreasing use of product later in the series. No major complications were seen with the repair. Superficial wound infection occurred with two patients that were easily treated with wet to dry dressing changes. No intraabdominal complications such as fistula or graft loss were seen. All patients left the hospital with an intact abdominal wall and skin. All 37 patients survived to discharge and were seen in follow-up within one month. No early hernia formation was seen at the one month follow up with the longest at three years. No abdominal wall complications were seen in subsequent follow up patients. CONCLUSIONS: Early aggressive closure of the open abdomen is possible with a combination of vacuum pack, vacuum-assisted wound management and HADM. Short term results are promising and warrant further study.

Self-forgiveness, spirituality, and psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer.

We evaluated whether a self-forgiving attitude and spirituality were related to psychological adjustment among 81 women being treated for breast cancer at a medical oncology clinic in a county general hospital. Both a self-forgiving attitude and spirituality were unique predictors of less mood disturbance and better quality of life (p's < 0.001). These results are consistent with previous research that has demonstrated a positive relationship between spirituality and well-being. The findings also suggest that self-forgiveness should be explored experimentally to determine whether it can protect against the psychological effects of breast cancer-related stress. Interventions targeting these characteristics could improve the quality of life and alleviate stress, especially in women with breast cancer in public sector settings.

Optimism, social support and psychosocial functioning among women with breast cancer.

Personality, psychosocial, demographic and medical variables have been identified as correlates of adjustment to breast cancer and quality of life (QoL). Most studies have examined relationships between personality, social support and adjustment to cancer in predominantly middle-class Caucasian samples, thus limiting the generalizability of their findings. Eighty-one female outpatients at a medical oncology breast clinic in a county general hospital serving primarily indigent Hispanic and African-American patients completed measures assessing demographic and medical information, health-related QoL, cancer-specific distress, mood disturbance, dispositional optimism and satisfaction with social support. Older age, receipt of treatment and greater optimism accounted for 41% of the variance in emotional well-being (p<0.01). Absence of family history of breast cancer, receipt of treatment and optimism accounted for 43% of the variance in functional well-being (p<0.01). Optimism and satisfaction with social support accounted for 43% of the variance in social/family well-being (p<0.01). Absence of treatment (not yet treated) and pessimism accounted for 31% of the variance in cancer-specific distress (p<0.01). Finally, family history of breast cancer and pessimism accounted for 48% of the variance in mood disturbance (p<0.001). Family history of breast cancer and pessimism were related to mood disturbance (p<0.001). No between-group differences were found for race/ethnicity for any of the variables. Encouraging positive expectations and facilitating social support may help women in public sector medical settings cope with the stressful demands of diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer regardless of race/ethnicity.

Intraoperative detection of traumatic coagulopathy using the activated coagulation time.

Traumatic coagulopathy manifests as a hypocoagulable state associated with hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulation factor dilution. The diagnosis must be made clinically because traditional coagulation tests are neither sensitive nor specific and take too long to be used for intraoperative monitoring. We hypothesized that the activated coagulation time (ACT) would reflect the global coagulation status of traumatized patients and would become elevated as coagulation reserves become exhausted. A prospective protocol was used to study 31 victims of major trauma who underwent immediate surgical Intervention. Victims of major head trauma were excluded and patients were selected at random over an 8-month period. At least two serial intraoperative blood samples were obtained at 15-min intervals via indwelling arterial catheters. A Hemochron model 801 coagulation monitor was used to measure the ACT. Of the 31 patients studied, 7 became clinically coagulopathic and 24 did not. The ACT measurements of coagulopathic and noncoagulopathic trauma patients were significantly different by multiple statistical comparisons. Both groups differed from normal, nontraumatized patients. The coagulopathic trauma patients had significantly elevated values when compared with other trauma patients or to normal values. We conclude that a low ACT reflects the initial hypercoagulability associated with major trauma and an elevated ACT is an objective indicator that the coagulation system reserve is near exhaustion. An elevated ACT may represent an indication for considering damage control maneuvers or more aggressive resuscitation.