Pigmented Epithelioid Melanocytoma of the Penis: A Case Report.

Pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma is rare cutaneous melanocytic proliferation, characterized by heavily pigmented melanocytes, with a potential for regional node metastasis, but with an overall favorable clinical course. Here, we describe an uncommon case of pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma involving the penis in an adolescent patient.

Respiratory Musculature Evaluated by Computed Tomography in the Setting of Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragm atrophy has been observed in subjects who undergo invasive mechanical ventilation. We propose a new method to assess for respiratory muscle (RM) changes in subjects who undergo invasive mechanical ventilation by assessing for changes in respiratory muscles through computed tomography (CT). METHODS: A retrospective case series study was conducted on subjects who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation and received at least 2 chest CT scans during admission. Exclusion criteria included history of chronic mechanical ventilation dependence and neuromuscular disease. Respiratory muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured at the T6 vertebrae. RESULTS: Fourteen subjects were included: mean (± SD) age, BMI, and admission APACHE II scores were 54.0 y (± 14.9), 32.6 kg/m2 (± 10.9), and 23.5 (± 6.0), respectively. Ten (71%) subjects were male. Mean length of time between CT chest scans was 7.5 d (± 3.3). Mean duration of invasive mechanical ventilation was 4.5 d (± 3.4). The percentage change in TM CSA among those who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation was 10.5% (± 6.1). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that serial analysis of respiratory muscle CSA through CT chest scans can be a method to assess for respiratory muscle atrophy in subjects undergoing mechanical ventilation. Future prospective studies involving larger populations are needed to better understand how this method can be used to predict outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients.

Dr. Olga Jonasson: A Pioneer for Women in Surgery.

The advancement of women in surgery has seen tremendous progress over the past century. Among the many physicians who paved the way for women in surgery is Dr. Olga Jonasson, a Chicago-based transplant surgeon who performed the first kidney transplantation in the state of Illinois in 1969. Her passion for service and drive for greater female representation in medicine was massively influential to the field. Aspiring female physicians are forever indebted to the efforts of Dr. Jonasson and the bold women who came before us.

End-to-end anastomosis as a superior repair type to prevent recurrence of arteriovenous fistula aneurysms and improve patency outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) complicated by aneurysms are repaired through several mechanisms. Little is known about risk factors for aneurysm recurrence or the efficacy of subsequent repair of recurring aneurysms. METHODS: About 291 patients underwent AVF aneurysm repair between 2009 and 2019 at a large urban medical center. Patients who underwent staged repair, had a primary graft with pseudoaneurysm, were status-post kidney transplant, or using other dialysis access at the time of repair were excluded. One hundred sixty-two patients were included in the study, of which 52 developed a secondary aneurysm. Chi-square and t-test analyses were used to compare demographics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine independent risk factors for aneurysm recurrence. Of the 52 patients with recurrent aneurysms, 41 were repaired again. Patency was examined for each group 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients without secondary aneurysms were more likely to have a Charlson Comorbidity Index score ⩾5 (p = 0.045). Males were 2.8 times more likely to develop a secondary aneurysm compared to females (p = 0.023). Patients who underwent elective compared to emergent or urgent surgery for primary aneurysms were significantly less likely to recur (OR = 0.222; p = 0.016). Primary aneurysms repaired by end-to-end anastomosis, compared to aneurysmorrhaphy or graft, were significantly less likely to recur (OR = 0.239; p = 0.041). Among patients with secondary aneurysms, those repaired via end-to-end anastomosis had a significantly higher primary patency rate 1 year postoperatively (p = 0.024). Secondary aneurysm repairs exhibited 1-year primary and secondary patency rates of 51.2% and 82.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: End-to-end anastomosis reduces risk of recurrence and demonstrates superior patency rates when repairing recurrent aneurysms. It remains unclear why some patients are prone to aneurysm recurrence, however continued attempts to repair existing vascular access are proven to be successful.

Graft repair of arteriovenous fistula aneurysms is associated with decreased long-term patency.

INTRODUCTION: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) aneurysms are a chronic complication which can be disfiguring, painful, and can rupture. Here, we compare the outcomes between three different methods of AVF aneurysm repair. METHODS: One-way ANOVA, Chi-square, and Fisher Exact analyses were used to compare demographics. Multivariate logistic regression compared outcomes. Kaplan-Meier estimate illustrated long-term fistula patency. RESULTS: There were no differences between demographics in the aneurysmorrhaphy, end-to-end anastomosis, and synthetic graft groups. The odds of patients who received graft repair losing primary patency within one year compared to the aneurysmorrhaphy group was 3.5 (p = 0.025). Graft repair patients were 6.7 times more likely to develop an infection compared to aneurysmorrhaphy (p = 0.014). Synthetic grafts also exhibited accelerated rates of complete access loss compared to autogenous methods (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Graft repair of AVF aneurysms results in higher rates of infection and decreased primary and ultimate patency compared to autogenous repair techniques. Therefore, synthetic grafts should be avoided whenever possible.

New Persistent Opioid Use After Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Study of 348 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The opioid epidemic is a devastating public health issue to which orthopaedic surgery is inextricably linked. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for new persistent opioid use after orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery among patients who were opioid naive preoperatively. METHODS: Patients undergoing orthopaedic foot or ankle surgery at a single institution were identified. Our state's prescription monitoring program was used to track opioid prescriptions filled in the preoperative (6 months to 30 days before surgery), perioperative (30 days before to 14 days after), and postoperative (2 to 6 months after) periods. Patients filling a prescription during the preoperative period were excluded. Baseline characteristics, surgical characteristics, and perioperative morphine milligram equivalents were tested for association with new persistent use during the postoperative period. RESULTS: A total of 348 opioid-naive patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the rate of new persistent postoperative opioid use was 8.9%. Patients reporting recreational drug use had the highest risk, at 26.7% (relative risk [RR] = 3.3, 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 8.2, P = 0.0141). In addition, patients who had perioperative opioid prescription >160 morphine milligram equivalents were at increased risk (RR = 2.2, 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 4.5, P = 0.021). Other risk factors included age ≥40 years (RR = 2.2, P = 0.049) and consumption of ≥6 alcoholic beverages per week (RR = 2.1, P = 0.040). New persistent use was not associated with ankle/hindfoot surgery (versus midfoot/forefoot), bone surgery (versus soft-tissue), or chronic condition (versus acute; P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The rate of new persistent postoperative opioid use after orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery is high, at 8.9%. Greater perioperative opioid prescription is a risk factor for new persistent use and is modifiable. Other risk factors include recreational drug use, greater alcohol use, and greater age. Orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons should limit perioperative prescriptions and be cognizant of these other risk factors to limit the negative effects of opioid prescriptions on their patients and communities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Novel application of respiratory muscle index obtained from chest computed tomography to predict postoperative respiratory failure after major non-cardiothoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative respiratory failure (PRF) is a serious complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We propose a new method to predict PRF by utilizing computed tomography (CT) of the chest to assess degree of respiratory muscle wasting prior to surgery. METHODS: Patients who received a chest CT and required invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) after major non-cardiothoracic surgery were included. Exclusion criteria included cardiothoracic surgery. Respiratory muscle index (RMI) was calculated at the T6 vertebra measured on Slice-O-Matic® software. RESULTS: Thirty three patients met inclusion with a mean (±SD) age, BMI, and APACHE II score of 62.2 years (±12.1), 28.1 kg/m2 (±7.8), and 14.1 (±4.7). Most patients were female (n = 22 [67%]). Eleven patients (33%) developed PRF with a mean of 6.0 (±10.7) initial ventilation days. There was no difference in baseline demographics between groups. RMI values for the PRF group were significantly lower when compared to the non-PRF group: 22.7 cm2/m2 (±5.3) vs. 28.5 cm2/m2 (±5.9) (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Presence of respiratory muscle wasting prior to surgery was found to be associated with postoperative respiratory failure.

The role of integrated community case management projects in strengthening health systems: case study analysis in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique.

Integrated community case management (iCCM) has now been implemented at scale globally. Literature to-date has focused primarily on the effectiveness of iCCM and the systems conditions required to sustain iCCM. In this study, we sought to explore opportunities taken and lost for strengthening health systems through successive iCCM programmes. We employed a systematic, embedded, multiple case study design for three countries-Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique-where Save the Children implemented iCCM programmes between 2009 and 2017. We used textual analysis to code 62 project documents on nine categories of functions of health systems using NVivo 11.0. The document review was supplemented by four key informant interviews. This study makes important contributions to the theoretical understanding of the role of projects in health systems strengthening by not only documenting evidence of systems strengthening in multi-year iCCM projects, but also emphasizing important deficiencies in systems strengthening efforts. Projects operated on a spectrum, ranging from gap-filling interventions, to support, to actual strengthening. While there were natural limits to the influence of a project on the health system, all successive projects found constructive opportunities to try to strengthen systems. Alignment with the Ministry of Health was not always static and simple, and ministries themselves have shown pluralism in their perspectives and orientations. We conclude that systems strengthening remains 'everybody's business' and places demands for realism and transparency on government and the development architecture. While mid-size projects have limited decision space, there is value in better defining where systems strengthening contributions can actually be made. Furthermore, systems strengthening is not solely about macro-level changes, as operational and efficiency gains at meso and micro levels can have value to the system. Claims of 'systems strengthening' are, however, bounded within the quality of evaluation and learning investments.

Health systems effects of successive emergency health and nutrition projects: an embedded retrospective case study analysis in Sudan and Pakistan.

Despite increasing attention to the concept of a humanitarian-development nexus in recent years, limited research is available to improve health systems strengthening practice within humanitarian programmes. We used an exploratory, systematic, embedded, multiple case study design to discern systems effects of successive Save the Children chronic emergency health and nutrition projects implemented in Sudan and Pakistan between 2011 and 2018. We used textual analysis to code 63 documents focused on eight themes using NVivo 11.0. This was supplemented by six key informant interviews. Findings offer a complex and mixed picture, with contributions to systems strengthening in community systems, their linkages to health management structures, and human resources for health. Projects with primary mandates for urgent service delivery progressively found systems strengthening opportunities, through a combination of tacit choices and explicit objectives. In both countries, some 'parallel systems' were set in place initially, with immediate gains (e.g. quality of services) only occasionally accompanied by enhanced systems capacity to sustain them. Cycles of implementation, however, achieved financial transition of 'macro-costs' to the government (e.g. facilities in Sudan, staff in Pakistan) through indirect pathways and the influence of pluralistic governmental structures themselves. Opportunities were taken, or missed, based on dynamic relationships within the government-development partners eco-system. Transition steps also came with unintended effects and drops in intensity. Both project contributions to systems strengthening and our own study were limited by substantial gaps in evaluation and documentation processes. We provide cautious recommendations based on the literature and our two case studies. Even mid-size chronic emergency projects can and should make meaningful and explicit contributions to systems strengthening. This contribution will, however, depend on the development eco-system context, and development of better collective intelligence (coordination, evaluation and learning, benchmarking, accountability) to improve individual projects' adaptive management efforts to improve fit with evolving national systems.

Social Interactions between Family and Community-Based Service Providers in Dementia Caregiving.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial experiences in community-based dementia caregiving by assessing the characteristics of social interactions between family caregivers and community-based service providers and associated psychological responses.Methods: Two independent groups of participants (family caregivers and community-based service providers) completed a one-time survey to report their social interactions and psychological states. A linear regression model was fit for each outcome (satisfaction, 10-item CES-D) while controlling for significant relevant covariates.Results: Higher perceived levels of collaboration were associated with higher job satisfaction and lower depression score among service providers, and higher satisfaction with providers among family caregivers. Higher perceived social support from the provider was associated with higher satisfaction among family caregivers.Conclusions: Participants reported varying levels of provider-family collaboration. The extent of collaborations and support exchange may have implications on the psychological well-being of those providing care to individuals with dementia including families and providers.Clinical implications: It may be beneficial to identify providers and families who perceive low levels of collaboration and implement intervention to facilitate positive social interactions. Developing organizational culture and payment systems that value high-quality social interactions may help enhance the psychological well-being of service providers and satisfaction among families who receive their services.

Patients With Combined Thermal and Intraabdominal Injuries: More Salvageable Than Not.

This study aims to better characterize the course and outcome of the uncommon subset of trauma patients with combined thermal and intraabdominal organ injuries. The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for burn patients with intraabdominal injury treated in all U.S. trauma centers from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015. General demographics, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), shock index (SI), Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) for burn, Injury Severity Score (ISS), blood transfusions, and abdominal surgery were evaluated. During the 5-year study period, there were 334 burn patients with intraabdominal injury, 39 (13.2%) of which received abdominal surgery. Burn patients who underwent operations had more severe injuries reflected by higher SI, AIS, ISS, blood transfusion, and worse outcomes including higher mortality, longer hospital and ICU length of stay, and more ventilator days compared to patients who did not undergo an operation. Nonsurvivors also exhibited more severe injuries, and a higher proportion received abdominal operation compared to survivors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that GCS on arrival, SI, AIS, ISS, blood transfusion, and abdominal operation to be independent risk factors for mortality. Propensity score matching to control covariables (mean age, systolic blood pressure on arrival, GCS on arrival, SI, ISS, time to operation, blood transfusion, and comorbidities) showed that of trauma patients who received abdominal operation, those with concomitant burn injury exhibited a higher rate of complications but no significant difference in mortality compared to those without burns, suggesting that patients with concomitant burns are not less salvageable than nonburned trauma patients.