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Kumarapuram S, Sreenivasan S, Mathivanan A, Manchiraju P, Khuroo M, Sundararajan S, Nanda A, Roychowdhury S, Gupta G. Network analysis of neurosurgical literature: an increased focus on training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Neurosurg Rev 2023; 46:178. [PMID: 37466764 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02069-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to stringent guidelines to restrict the conduct of non-emergent surgical procedures. Consequently, neurosurgery departments experienced a decline in case volumes and greater educational time being spent on virtual research projects. In our report, we reveal how neurosurgical research has changed during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic phase. The WebOfScience database was searched for neurosurgical articles published between 2012-2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020-2022 (pandemic). From this data, the keywords, terms, and countries were analyzed using networks formed by the VOS Viewer software. In addition, the analysis was repeated for neurosurgical articles specific to COVID-19. Network analyses of terms and keywords revealed an increased popularity of virtual research projects, including case reports, meta-analyses, reviews, surveys, and database studies. Additionally, there was increased interest in research pertaining to neurosurgical education during the post-pandemic era, including topics regarding virtual training modalities, mental health, and telemedicine. Our bibliometrics analysis suggests that the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on hospital systems affected neurosurgical training programs. Future investigations should explore the effects of the trainee experience during the COVID-19 pandemic on the outlook for neurosurgical education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhant Kumarapuram
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RUTGERS University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Sanjeev Sreenivasan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RUTGERS University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Akanksha Mathivanan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RUTGERS University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Pranav Manchiraju
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RUTGERS University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Mohammad Khuroo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Srihari Sundararajan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RUTGERS University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Anil Nanda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RUTGERS University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Sudipta Roychowdhury
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RUTGERS University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, RUTGERS University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
- Rutgers RWJ Barnabas Healthcare System, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 10 Plum Street, 5th floor, # 548, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903-2601, USA.
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Johnson RA, Eaton A, Tignanelli CJ, Carrabre KJ, Gerges C, Yang GL, Hemmila MR, Ngwenya LB, Wright JM, Parr AM. Changes in patterns of traumatic brain injury in the Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program database early in the COVID-19 pandemic. J Neurosurg 2023; 138:465-475. [PMID: 35901671 DOI: 10.3171/2022.5.jns22244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors' objective was to investigate the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on hospital presentation and process of care for the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Improved understanding of these effects will inform sociopolitical and hospital policies in response to future pandemics. METHODS The Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program (MTQIP) database, which contains data from 36 level I and II trauma centers in Michigan and Minnesota, was queried to identify patients who sustained TBI on the basis of head/neck Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) codes during the periods of March 13 through July 2 of 2017-2019 (pre-COVID-19 period) and March 13, 2020, through July 2, 2020 (COVID-19 period). Analyses were performed to detect differences in incidence, patient characteristics, injury severity, and outcomes. RESULTS There was an 18% decrease in the rate of encounters with TBI in the first 8 weeks (March 13 through May 7), followed by a 16% increase during the last 8 weeks (May 8 through July 2), of our COVID-19 period compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. Cumulatively, there was no difference in the rates of encounters with TBI between the COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 periods. Severity of TBI, as measured with maximum AIS score for the head/neck region and Glasgow Coma Scale score, was also similar between periods. During the COVID-19 period, a greater proportion of patients with TBI presented more than a day after sustaining their injuries (p = 0.046). COVID-19 was also associated with a doubling in the decubitus ulcer rate from 1.0% to 2.1% (p = 0.002) and change in the distribution of discharge status (p = 0.01). Multivariable analysis showed no differences in odds of death/hospice discharge, intensive care unit stay of at least a day, or need for a ventilator for at least a day between the COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 periods. CONCLUSIONS During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patients who presented with TBI was initially lower than in the years 2017-2019 prior to the pandemic. However, there was a subsequent increase in the rate of encounters with TBI, resulting in overall similar rates of TBI between March 13 through July 2 during the COVID-19 period and during the pre-COVID-19 period. The COVID-19 cohort was also associated with negative impacts on time to presentation, rate of decubitus ulcers, and discharge with supervision. Policies in response to future pandemics must consider the resources necessary to care for patients with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reid A Johnson
- 1University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Anne Eaton
- 2Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Christopher J Tignanelli
- 3Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,4Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kailey J Carrabre
- 1University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Christina Gerges
- 5Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - George L Yang
- 6Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Mark R Hemmila
- 7Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and
| | - Laura B Ngwenya
- 6Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - James M Wright
- 5Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Ann M Parr
- 8Department of Neurosurgery, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Van Schaik G, Self WH, Hennessy C, Ward MJ. Potentially avoidable interfacility transfers following reduced emergency department volumes due to COVID-19 "Safer-at-Home" orders. Am J Emerg Med 2022; 61:68-73. [PMID: 36057211 PMCID: PMC9389782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We sought to assess if a state-wide lockdown implemented due to COVID-19 was associated with increased odds of being a potentially avoidable transfer (PAT). METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational analysis using hospital administrative data of interfacility ED-to-ED transfers to a single, quaternary care adult ED after "Safer at Home" orders were issued March 23rd, 2020 in [Blinded for submission]. Using the PAT classification to identify transfers rapidly discharged from the ED or hospital and may not require in-person care, we used a multivariable logistic regression model to examine the association of the lockdown order with odds of a transfer being a PAT. We compared the period January 1, 2018 to March 23, 2020 with March 24, 2020 to September 30, 2020, adjusting for seasonality, patient, and situational factors. RESULTS There were 20,978 ED-to-ED transfers from during this period that were eligible and 4806 (23%) that met PAT criteria. While the first month post-lockdown saw a decrease in PATs (28%), this was not sustained. In the multivariable model there was a significant seasonal effect; May through September had the highest number of transfers as well as PATs. After adjusting for seasonality, the lockdown was not associated with PATs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.99, 95% CI 0.2, 5.2) and PATs decreased over time. CONCLUSIONS We did not find an effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on PATs though there was a considerable seasonal effect and an overall downward trend in PATs over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Van Schaik
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Wesley H Self
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Cassandra Hennessy
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Michael J Ward
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States of America; VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, United States of America; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States of America; Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Nashville, TN, United States of America.
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Yang GL, Johnson MD, Solomon D, Ferguson AM, Johnson RA, Gerges C, Wright JM, Parr AM, Ngwenya LB. The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Penetrating Neurotrauma at a Level 1 Trauma Center. World Neurosurg 2022; 164:e530-e539. [PMID: 35552030 PMCID: PMC9085351 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Background/Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the global delivery of health care. Recent data suggest a possible impact of the pandemic on patterns of neurotrauma. The aim was to assess the impact of the pandemic on the incidence of neurotrauma, with a focus on cranial gunshot wounds (cGSWs) at a large Midwestern level 1 trauma center. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of our trauma registry from March through September 2020 and compared it to the same months in 2019. Odds ratios were utilized to assess for differences in patient demographics, injury characteristics, rates of neurotrauma, and rates of cGSWs. Results A total of 1188 patients presented with neurotrauma, 558 in 2019 and 630 in 2020. The majority of patients were male (71.33% in 2019; 68.57% in 2020) and Caucasian (78.67% in 2019; 75.4% in 2020). Patients presented with cGSWs more frequently in 2020 (n = 49, 7.78%) than in 2019 (n = 25, 4.48%). The odds of suffering a cGSW in 2020 was 73.6% higher than those in 2019 (95% confidence interval = [1.0871, 2.7722]; P = 0.0209). The etiology of such injury was most commonly assault (n = 16, 21.62% in 2019; n = 34, 45.95% in 2020), followed by self-inflicted injury (n = 4, 5.41% in 2019; 12, 16.22% in 2020). Conclusions Despite the government-mandated shutdown, we observed an increase in the number of neurotrauma cases in 2020. There was a significant increase in the incidence cGSWs in 2020, with an increase in assaults and self-inflicted injuries. Further investigation into socioeconomic factors for the observed increase in cGSWs is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- George L Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Collaborative for Research on Acute Neurological Injury (CRANI), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
| | - Mark D Johnson
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Collaborative for Research on Acute Neurological Injury (CRANI), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel Solomon
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrew M Ferguson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Reid A Johnson
- University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christina Gerges
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - James M Wright
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Ann M Parr
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Laura B Ngwenya
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Collaborative for Research on Acute Neurological Injury (CRANI), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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