Hepatitis C and Racial Disparity in Liver Transplant Waitlist Additions : Separate Not Equal.

BACKGROUND: In 2014, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) became available for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with successful results. Since their implementation, the rate of HCV waitlist (WL) for liver transplantation (LT) has decreased, but significant ethnic disparities exist. We hypothesized that the rate of decline for HCV WL for LT is different across the various racial groups. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data reports of adult LT candidates from 2014 to 2018. RESULTS: Overall, there was a decline in HCV WL rates for all ethnic groups (Caucasians, African Americans [AA], and Hispanics). However, the WL rates were significantly higher in AA compared with Caucasians each year, and this trend was continuous across the 5-year period. There were no differences in WL rates between Caucasians and Hispanics. DISCUSSION: The results show that health care disparities related to HCV disproportionately affect AA. The factors associated with this disparity need to be explored further to develop mechanisms to address these differences. By understanding the HCV treatment disparities across racial groups, modifications to HCV treatment nationwide can be adopted. Additional emphasis should be placed on AA to help reduce their WL rate, as well as redistributing resources to promote health care equity.

Symptomatic, Radiological, and Quality of Life Outcome of Paraesophageal Hernia Repair With Urinary Bladder Extracellular Surgical Matrix: Comparison With Primary Repair.

INTRODUCTION: Paraesophageal hernia repairs are prone to recurrence and mesh reinforcement is common. Both biologic and prosthetic meshes have been used. We report a comparison of a new type of biologically derived graft, Gentrix Surgical Urinary Bladder Matrix (UBM). METHODS: The medical records of 65 patients who underwent paraesophageal hernia repair (PEHR) were reviewed. Primary data points included demographics, first-time or recurrent hernia, operative approach, graft or primary repair, operative time, and postoperative complications. Patients then underwent upper gastrointestinal series, completed the GERD-HRQL symptom severity questionnaire, and the SF-36 generic quality of life instrument. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients underwent graft-reinforced repair, 33 underwent primary repair. More patients in the UBM group were being treated for recurrent PEH. Demographic data and postoperative complications were similar. There was no difference in recurrence rates, size of recurrence, postoperative symptomatic or quality of life improvement. Patients who suffered recurrence in the primary repair group had more severe symptoms and a higher rate of dissatisfaction. Of the 3 patients with recurrences after Gentrix placement, reoperation demonstrated anterior failure where no reinforcement had occurred because of the posteriorly placed U-shaped graft. CONCLUSIONS: The use of UBM was not associated with an increased complications despite use in more difficult patients. Although there appeared to be no difference in recurrence rate or size, it was associated with less severe symptomatic recurrences. The U-shape configuration is prone to recurrence at the site of the repair not covered by the graft, suggesting that a keyhole configuration may be superior.