Is a Picture Worth a Thousand Words? A Scoping Review of the Impact of Visual Aids on Patients Undergoing Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: While graphics are commonly used by clinicians to communicate information to patients, the impact of using visual media on surgical patients is not understood. This review seeks to understand the current landscape of research analyzing impact of using visual aids to communicate with patients undergoing surgery, as well as gaps in the present literature. DESIGN: A comprehensive literature search was performed across 4 databases. Search terms included: visual aids, diagrams, graphics, surgery, patient education, informed consent, and decision making. Inclusion criteria were (i) full-text, peer-reviewed articles in English; (ii) evaluation of a nonelectronic visual aid(s); and (iii) surgical patient population. RESULTS: There were 1402 articles identified; 21 met study criteria. Fifteen were randomized control trials and 6 were prospective cohort studies. Visual media assessed comprised of diagrams as informed consent adjuncts (n = 6), graphics for shared decision-making conversations (n = 3), other preoperative educational graphics (n = 8), and postoperative educational materials (n = 4). There was statistically significant improvement in patient comprehension, with an increase in objective knowledge recall (7.8%-29.6%) using illustrated educational materials (n = 10 of 15). Other studies noted increased satisfaction (n = 4 of 6), improvement in shared decision-making (n = 2 of 4), and reduction in patient anxiety (n = 3 of 6). For behavioral outcomes, visual aids improved postoperative medication compliance (n = 2) and lowered postoperative analgesia requirements (n = 2). CONCLUSIONS: The use of visual aids to enhance the surgical patient experience is promising in improving knowledge retention, satisfaction, and reducing anxiety. Future studies ought to consider visual aid format, and readability, as well as patient language, race, and healthcare literacy.

United States-Based Colorectal Cancer Surgical Trials Lack Representation and Adequate Reporting of Racially and Ethnically Diverse Participants: Systematic Review and Regression Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the established National Institute of Health Revitalization Act, which aims to include ethnic and racial minority representation in surgical trials, racial and ethnic enrollment disparities persist. OBJECTIVE: To assess the proportion of patients from minority races and ethnicities that are included in colorectal cancer surgical trials and reporting characteristics. DATA SOURCES: Search was performed using MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria included 1) trials performed in the United States between January 1, 2000, and May 30, 2022; 2) patients with colorectal cancer diagnosis; and 3) surgical intervention, technique, or postoperative outcome. Trials evaluating chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other nonsurgical interventions were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Pooled proportion and regression analysis was performed to identify the proportion of patients by race and ethnicity included in surgical trials and the association of year of publication and funding source. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of trials reporting race and ethnicity and proportion of participants by race and ethnicity included in surgical trials. RESULTS: We screened 10,673 unique publications, of which 80 were examined in full text. Fifteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Ten (66.7%) trials did not report race, 3 reported races as a proportion of White participants only, and 3 reported 3 or more races. There was no description of ethnicity in 11 (73.3%) trials, with 2 describing "non-Caucasian" as ethnicity and 2 describing only Hispanic ethnicity. Pooled proportion of White participants was 81.3%, of Black participants was 6.2%, of Asian participants was 3.6%, and of Hispanic participants was 3.5%. LIMITATIONS: A small number of studies was identified that reported racial or ethnic characteristics of their participants. CONCLUSIONS: Both race and ethnicity are severely underreported in colorectal cancer surgical trials. To improve outcomes and ensure the inclusion of vulnerable populations in innovative technologies and novel treatments, reporting must be closely monitored.

A Conduit for a Culturally Competent Consent: Medical Interpreters' Perspectives on Surgical Informed Consent Discussions.

OBJECTIVE: To understand medical interpreter's perspectives on surgical informed consent discussions and provide feedback for surgeons on improving these conversations. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Informed consent is a critical component of patient-centered surgical decision-making. For patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), this conversation may be less thorough, even with a medical interpreter, leaving patients with an inadequate understanding of their diagnosis or treatment options. METHODS: A semi-structured interview guide was developed with input from interpreters and a qualitative research expert. We purposively sampled medical interpreters representing multiple languages until thematic saturation was achieved. Participants discussed their experience with the surgical consent discussion and process. Interview transcripts were analyzed using emergent thematic analysis. RESULTS: Among 22 interpreters, there were ten languages represented and an average experience of 15 years (range 4-40 y). Four major themes were identified. First, interpreters consistently described their roles as patient advocates and cultural brokers. Second, interpreters reported unique patient attributes that influence the discussion, often based on patients' cultural values/expectations, anticipated decisional autonomy, and family support. Third, interpreters emphasized the importance of surgeons demonstrating compassion and patience, using simple terminology, conversing around the consent, providing context about the form/process, and initiating a pre-encounter discussion. Finally, interpreters suggested reducing legal terminology on consent forms and translation into other languages. CONCLUSIONS: Experienced interpreters highlighted multiple factors associated with effective and culturally tailored informed consent discussions. Surgeons should recognize interpreters' critical and complex roles, be cognizant of cultural variations among patients with LEP, and improve interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate effective understanding.

Robotic Living Donor Right Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The introduction of robotics in living donor liver transplantation has been revolutionary. We aimed to examine the safety of robotic living donor right hepatectomy (RLDRH) compared to open (ODRH) and laparoscopic (LADRH) approaches. A systematic review was carried out in Medline and six additional databases following PRISMA guidelines. Data on morbidity, postoperative liver function, and pain in donors and recipients were extracted from studies comparing RLDRH, ODRH, and LADRH published up to September 2020; PROSPERO (CRD42020214313). Dichotomous variables were pooled as risk ratios and continuous variables as weighted mean differences. Four studies with a total of 517 patients were included. In living donors, the postoperative total bilirubin level (MD: −0.7 95%CI −1.0, −0.4), length of hospital stay (MD: −0.8 95%CI −1.4, −0.3), Clavien−Dindo complications I−II (RR: 0.5 95%CI 0.2, 0.9), and pain score at day > 3 (MD: −0.6 95%CI −1.6, 0.4) were lower following RLDRH compared to ODRH. Furthermore, the pain score at day > 3 (MD: −0.4 95%CI −0.8, −0.09) was lower after RLDRH when compared to LADRH. In recipients, the postoperative AST level was lower (MD: −0.5 95%CI −0.9, −0.1) following RLDRH compared to ODRH. Moreover, the length of stay (MD: −6.4 95%CI −11.3, −1.5) was lower after RLDRH when compared to LADRH. In summary, we identified low- to unclear-quality evidence that RLDRH seems to be safe and feasible for adult living donor liver transplantation compared to the conventional approaches. No postoperative deaths were reported.

Proteinuria selectivity and prednisone response in children with nephrotic syndrome. / Selectividad de proteinuria y respuesta a prednisona en niños con síndrome nefrótico.

BACKGROUND: The proteinuria selectivity index (PSI) can predict the response to prednisone in the primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS). OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of prednisone response with the PSI in patients with PNS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: With analytical cross-sectional design, pediatric patients with PNS were studied with at least six months of prior follow-up, at the Nuevo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara from 2014 to 2015. They were divided into poor response to prednisone (frequent relapses or resistance) and good response (habitual relapses). PSI was calculated with serum and urinary measurement of IgG and transferrin. Chi square and OR were used, with 95% CI. RESULTS: 67 patients with relapsing PNS were studied. The response to prednisone had been good in 33 (49.3%) and poor in 34 (50.7%). The PSI was ≤ 0.10 mg/mg in 23/67 (34.3%); 0.11-0.19 mg/mg in 15/67 (22.4%); and ≥ 0.20 mg/mg 29/67 (43.3%). 3/34 patients (8.8%) presented ≤ 0.1 mg/mg with poor response to prednisone and 20/33 presented good response (60.6%) (p < 0.001; OR: 0.6; 95% CI, 0.010-20). PSI between 0.11-0-19 mg/mg occurred in 8/34 patients (23%) with poor response to prednisone and in 7/33 with good response (21%). PSI ≥ 0.20 mg/mg resulted in 23/34 patients (67.6%) with poor response to the steroid and in 6/33 with good response (18.2%) (p < 0.001; OR: 9.4; 95% CI, 3.01-29.42). CONCLUSIONS: In children with PNS, a PSI ≥ 0.20 mg/mg was associated with a poor response to prednisone treatment and a PSI ≤ 0.10 mg/mg with a satisfactory response.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El índice de selectividad de proteinuria (ISP) puede predecir la respuesta a prednisona en el síndrome nefrótico primario (SNP). OBJETIVO: Determinar la asociación de la respuesta a prednisona con el ISP en pacientes con SNP. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Con diseño transversal analítico, se estudiaron pacientes pediátricos con SNP en recaída con al menos 6 meses de seguimiento previo, en el Nuevo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, de 2014 a 2015. Se dividieron en mala respuesta a prednisona (recaídas frecuentes o resistencia) y buena respuesta (recaídas habituales). El ISP se calculó con medición sérica y urinaria de IgG y transferrina. Se utilizaron la prueba de chi cuadrada y razones de momios (RM) con sus intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC 95%). RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 67 pacientes con SNP en recaída. La respuesta a prednisona había sido buena en 33 (49.3%) y mala en 34 (50.7%). De los 67 pacientes, el ISP fue ≤ 0.10 mg/mg en 23 (34.3%), 0.11-0.19 mg/mg en 15 (22.4%) y ≥ 0.20 mg/mg en 29 (43.3%). De los 34 con mala respuesta, el ISP fue ≤ 0.1 mg/mg en 3 (8.8%); de los 33 con buena respuesta, el ISP fue ≤ 0.1 mg/mg en 20 (60.6%) (p < 0.001; RM: 0.6; IC 95%: 0.010-20). El ISP fue 0.110-19 mg/mg en 8 (23%) de los 34 pacientes con mala respuesta a prednisona y en 7 (21%) de los 33 con buena respuesta. El ISP fue ≥ 0.20 mg/mg en 23 (67.6%) de los 34 pacientes con mala respuesta al esteroide y en 6 (18.2%) de los 33 con buena respuesta (p < 0.001; RM: 9.4; IC 95%: 3.01-29.42). CONCLUSIONES: En los niños con SNP, un ISP ≥ 0.20 mg/mg se asoció con mala respuesta a prednisona y un ISP ≤ 0.10 mg/mg se asoció con respuesta satisfactoria.

Concordancia de la tasa de filtración glomerular con depuración de creatinina en orina de 24 horas, fórmulas de Schwartz y Schwartz actualizada / Concordance of glomerular filtration rate with creatinine clearance in 24-hour urine and Schwartz and Schwartz updated

Resumen: Introducción: Los métodos de referencia para cuantificar la tasa de filtración glomerular (TFG) son poco accesibles en la práctica clínica. Para evaluar la TFG se utilizan fórmulas basadas en la creatinina sérica y/o aclaramiento de creatinina. El objetivo de este estudio fue cuantificar la correlación y concordancia de la TFG con depuración de creatinina en orina de 24 horas (TFG24) y fórmulas de Schwartz y Schwartz actualizada. Métodos: Estudio transversal analítico que incluyó pacientes de 5 a 16.9 años, sanos y con enfermedad renal crónica. Se evaluó la relación lineal entre la TFG24 y ambas fórmulas con el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson (r) y la concordancia con el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). Resultados: Se estudiaron 134 pacientes, 59.7% de género masculino, la edad promedio fue 10.8 años. La TFG24 promedio fue 140.34 ml/min/1.73 m2; el 34.3% (n = 46) presentaron TFG < 90 ml/min/1.73 m2. Se observó moderada relación lineal entre la TFG24 y las fórmulas de Schwartz (r= 0.63) y Schwartz actualizada (r= 0.65). Hubo buena concordancia entre la TFG24 y fórmula de Schwartz (CCI= 0.77) y de Schwartz actualizada (CCI= 0.77). En pacientes con TFG24 ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 la fórmula de Schwartz clásica estimó valores mayores de TFG, mientras que Schwartz actualizada subestimó los valores. Conclusiones: Existe moderada correlación y buena concordancia entre la TFG24 y fórmulas de Schwartz y Schwartz actualizada. Con ambas fórmulas la concordancia fue mayor en pacientes con obesidad y menor en mujeres, pacientes con hiperfiltración y con peso normal.

Abstract: Background: Reference methods for the quantification of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are difficult to use in clinical practice; formulas for evaluating GFR based on serum creatinine (SCr) and/or creatinine clearance are used. The aim of this study was to quantify the correlation and concordance of GFR with creatinine clearance in 24-hour urine (GFR24) and Schwartz and Schwartz updated formulas. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving healthy pediatric patients and with chronic kidney disease (CKD) from 5 to 16.9 years. Linear correlation between GFR 24 and two formulas was evaluated with the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: We studied 134 patients, of which 59.7% were male. Mean age was 10.8 years. The average GFR24 was 140.34 ml/min/1.73 m2; 34.3% (n = 46) had GFR <90 ml/min/1.73 m2. Moderate linear correlation between GFR24 and Schwartz (r= 0.63) and Schwartz updated (r= 0.65) formulas was observed. There was good concordance between the GFR24 and Schwartz (ICC= 0.77) and updated Schwartz (ICC= 0.77) formulas. Schwartz classical formula in patients with GFR24 ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 estimated higher values, while Schwartz updated underestimated values. Conclusions: There is moderate correlation and good concordance between the GFR24 and Schwartz and Schwartz updated formulas. The concordance was better in patients with obesity and lower in women, patients with hyperfiltration and normal weight.

[Concordance of glomerular filtration rate with creatinine clearance in 24-hour urine and Schwartz and Schwartz updated]. / Concordancia de la tasa de filtración glomerular con depuración de creatinina en orina de 24 horas, fórmulas de Schwartz y Schwartz actualizada.

BACKGROUND: Reference methods for the quantification of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are difficult to use in clinical practice; formulas for evaluating GFR based on serum creatinine (SCr) and/or creatinine clearance are used. The aim of this study was to quantify the correlation and concordance of GFR with creatinine clearance in 24-hour urine (GFR24) and Schwartz and Schwartz updated formulas. METHODS: Cross-sectional study involving healthy pediatric patients and with chronic kidney disease (CKD) from 5 to 16.9 years. Linear correlation between GFR 24 and two formulas was evaluated with the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: We studied 134 patients, of which 59.7% were male. Mean age was 10.8 years. The average GFR24 was 140.34ml/min/1.73m2; 34.3% (n=46) had GFR <90ml/min/1.73m2. Moderate linear correlation between GFR24 and Schwartz (r= 0.63) and Schwartz updated (r= 0.65) formulas was observed. There was good concordance between the GFR24 and Schwartz (ICC= 0.77) and updated Schwartz (ICC= 0.77) formulas. Schwartz classical formula in patients with GFR24 ≥ 90ml/min/1.73m2 estimated higher values, while Schwartz updated underestimated values. CONCLUSIONS: There is moderate correlation and good concordance between the GFR24 and Schwartz and Schwartz updated formulas. The concordance was better in patients with obesity and lower in women, patients with hyperfiltration and normal weight.

[Upper and lower neural tube defects: prevalence and association with illnesses and drugs]. / Defectos del tubo neural altos y bajos, prevalencia, y asociación con enfermedades y medicamentos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of upper and lower neural tube defects and identify its association with the exposure to illnesses and drugs during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a case-control study of 107 newborns with upper neural tube defects, 59 with lower neural tube defects, and 166 newborns without malformations, in 56,926 consecutive births between 1989 and 1997. The exposure was documented by a direct interview to the mother of those subject of study. The association was measured by the odds ratios, with confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: The prevalence of upper neural tube defects was of 1.9 for 1,000 newborn (alive or dead) and of lower neural tube defects of 1.0 for 1,000. The exposure to illnesses of less than a month of duration was associated with upper neural tube defects (OR = 3.11; IC = 1.34-7.39) the most important was flu; also the exposure to drugs (OR = 5.85; IC = 2.97-11.62), the most prominent was acetaminophen. These factors of risk were not associated with lower neural tube defects. The mother's occupation, illness of more than a month of duration and X-ray exposure were not associated with of upper and lower neural tube defects. CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed in the association among illnesses of less than a month of duration and drugs with upper neural tube defects. The different exposure frequencies between upper and lower neural tube defects suggest heterogeneity.

Defectos del tubo neural altos y bajos, prevalencia, y asociación con enfermedades y medicamentos / Upper and lower neural tube defects: prevalence and association with illnesses and drugs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of upper and lower neural tube defects and identify its association with the exposure to illnesses and drugs during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a case-control study of 107 newborns with upper neural tube defects, 59 with lower neural tube defects, and 166 newborns without malformations, in 56,926 consecutive births between 1989 and 1997. The exposure was documented by a direct interview to the mother of those subject of study. The association was measured by the odds ratios, with confidence interval of 95. RESULTS: The prevalence of upper neural tube defects was of 1.9 for 1,000 newborn (alive or dead) and of lower neural tube defects of 1.0 for 1,000. The exposure to illnesses of less than a month of duration was associated with upper neural tube defects (OR = 3.11; IC = 1.34-7.39) the most important was flu; also the exposure to drugs (OR = 5.85; IC = 2.97-11.62), the most prominent was acetaminophen. These factors of risk were not associated with lower neural tube defects. The mother's occupation, illness of more than a month of duration and X-ray exposure were not associated with of upper and lower neural tube defects. CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed in the association among illnesses of less than a month of duration and drugs with upper neural tube defects. The different exposure frequencies between upper and lower neural tube defects suggest heterogeneity.