20-Week Study of Clinical Outcomes of Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Prophylaxis and Treatment.

OBJECTIVES AND SETTING.: As the lethal COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, the need for effective modalities of alleviation remains urgent. This includes modalities that can readily be used by the public to reduce disease spread and severity. Such preventive measures and early-stage treatments may temper the immediacy of demand for advanced anti-COVID measures (drugs, antibodies, vaccines) and help relieve strain also on other health system resources. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS.: We present results of a clinical study with a multi-component OTC "core formulation" regimen used in a multiply exposed adult population. Analysis of clinical outcome data from our sample of over 100 subjects - comprised of roughly equal sized regimen-compliant (test) and non-compliant (control) groups meeting equivalent inclusion criteria - demonstrates a strong statistical significance in favor of use of the core formulations. RESULTS.: While both groups were moderate in size, the difference between them in outcomes over the 20-week study period was large and stark: Just under 4% of the compliant test group presented flu-like symptoms, but none of the test group was COVID-positive; whereas 20% of the non-compliant control group presented flu-like symptoms, three-quarters of whom (15% overall of the control group) were COVID-positive. CONCLUSIONS.: Offering a low cost, readily implemented anti-viral approach, the study regimen may serve, at the least, as a stopgap modality and, perhaps, as a useful tool in combatting the pandemic.

A Case of Umbilical Endometriosis: Villar's Nodule.

Umbilical endometriosis is a fairly rare clinical entity with unclear pathogenesis. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with a painful umbilical mass and discharge. Imaging performed was inconclusive, and surgical excision of the site with margins revealed endometriosis on microscopic examination. The incidence of umbilical endometriosis, its pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, workup, and management are discussed.

Patient-reported outcomes after single-incision versus traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is a newer approach that may be a safe alternative to traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TLC) based on retrospective and small prospective studies. As the demand for single-incision surgery may be driven by patient perceptions of benefits, we designed a prospective randomized study using patient-reported outcomes as our end points. METHODS: Patients deemed candidates for either SILC or TLC were offered enrollment in the study. After induction of anesthesia, patients were randomized to SILC or TLC. Preoperative characteristics and operative data were recorded, including length of stay (LOS). Pain scores in recovery and for 48 h and satisfaction with wound appearance at 2 and 4 weeks were reported by patients. We used the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) survey preoperatively and at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively to assess recovery. Procedural and total hospital costs per case were abstracted from hospital billing systems. RESULTS: Mean age of the study group was 44.1 years (±14.8), 87% were Caucasian, and 77% were female, with no difference between groups. Operative times were longer for SILC (median = 57 vs. 47 min, p = 0.008), but mean LOS was similar (6.8 ± 4.2 h SILC vs. 6.2 ± 4.8 h TLC, p = 0.59). Operating room cost and encounter cost were similar. GIQLI scores were not significantly different preoperatively or at 2 or 4 weeks postoperatively. Patients reported higher satisfaction with wound appearance at 2 weeks with SILC. There were no differences in pain scores in recovery or in the first 48 h, although SILC patients required significantly more narcotic in recovery (19 mg morphine equivalent vs. 11.5, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: SILC is a longer operation but can be done at the same cost as TLC. Recovery and pain scores are not significantly different. There may be an improvement in patient satisfaction with wound appearance. Both procedures are valid approaches to cholecystectomy.

Patient perception of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is gradually being adopted into general surgical practice. The potential risks and benefits are still being studied, and little is known about how patients perceive this new surgical technique. METHODS: After providing patients with basic educational materials on laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and SILC, we administered a questionnaire exploring patients' perspectives of the importance of postoperative pain, scar appearance, risk of complications, and cost regarding their preference for SILC versus LC. RESULTS: Among 100 patients (mean age, 43.3 years), the majority were women (85%), white (85%), college educated (77%), and privately insured (85%). Indications included biliary dyskinesia (43%), biliary colic (48%), and acute cholecystitis (9%). Patients stated that they would be somewhat or very interested in SILC if recommended by their surgeon (89%), although 35% were somewhat or very concerned about the lack of long-term results. The majority would accept no additional risk to undergo SILC. Scar appearance was somewhat or very important to <40% of patients, whereas pain was somewhat or very important to 79%. Only 27% of patients would spend >$100 to undergo SILC. When asked to rank pain, appearance, symptom resolution, personal cost, and risk of complications, 52% ranked symptom resolution, 20% ranked pain, and 19% ranked risk of complications as most important. CONCLUSIONS: Safety and relief of symptoms are most important to patients with gallbladder disease, whereas postprocedural esthetics was relatively unimportant and few would be willing to pay more for SILC versus LC. However, if the surgeon recommends SILC, most patients would trust this recommendation.

Endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic resection of gastric heterotopic pancreas.

This is a case report of a 51-year-old white female who underwent an endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic resection of a submucosal mass in the prepyloric region of the stomach, which turned out to be heterotopic pancreas. She presented with vague upper gastrointestinal complaints of pain, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and an 8 pound weight loss. Her only diagnostic workup was an upper endoscopy, which revealed this submucosal umbilicated mass. This manuscript provides a detailed description of the operation and a discussion and review of the literature about gastric heterotopic pancreas.

Retrospective analysis of traumatic bladder injury: does suprapubic catheterization alter outcome of healing?

The role of suprapubic catheters in traumatic bladder injuries is not well defined. Current literature suggests that suprapubic catheters are only necessary with large intraperitoneal bladder ruptures. The purpose of this study is to show that all bladder injuries can be managed with transurethral catheterization alone with a similar leak rate, morbidity, and healing time. Retrospective analysis was done of all patients with traumatic bladder injuries at a level I urban trauma center from June 1992 through June 2003. Medical records were reviewed and data analyzed according to type of bladder catheterization (i.e., transurethral or suprapubic). All patients with urethral injuries were excluded. Fifty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven patients suffered penetrating bladder injuries, and 29 bladder injuries were secondary to blunt trauma. Forty-seven patients were treated with transurethral catheter drainage, two were treated with suprapubic catheters, and seven were treated with both transurethral and suprapubic catheters. Forty patients had follow-up cystograms prior to catheter removal. Of the 47 patients treated with transurethral drainage alone, 3 (6%) developed urinary leaks. Of the 9 patients with suprapubic catheters, 2 (22%) developed urinary leaks. The mean time to removal of transurethral catheters was 15 days. The mean time to removal of suprapubic tubes was also 15 days. All study patients successfully healed their bladder injuries regardless of catheterization method. Suprapubic catheter drainage may increase morbidity without improving healing time. These results effectively support the decision to use transurethral catheter drainage alone in all patients with traumatic bladder injuries.