Canal narrowing in adult patients with cervical spinal cord injury without computed tomography evidence of trauma

PURPOSE

Cervical spinal cord injury can be a particularly devastating sequela of trauma. The purpose of this study was to describe the imaging findings of adult patients with cervical spinal cord injury without computed tomography evidence of trauma (SCIWOCTET).

METHODS

All adult patients (≥18 years) treated for acute cervical SCIWOCTET at a single Level I adult trauma center over an eight-year period were retrospectively identified. CT imaging was evaluated for degenerative changes narrowing the midsagittal canal diameter (SCD) of the cervical spine and relative congenital cervical stenosis (CCS; congenital narrowing of the SCD <13 mm). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were evaluated for signal intensity change (SIC) suspicious for cord edema/contusion as well as ligamentous injury, hemorrhage, and epidural hematoma.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients with cervical SCIWOCTET met inclusion criteria. The most common mechanism of injury was fall from standing (47.9%). On CT, 86 patients (89.6%) had CCS. Degenerative changes were present in 95 patients (99.0%). In 98/99 patients (99.0%), the point of narrowest cervical SCD was ≤8 mm. On MRI, 79 patients (82.3%) demonstrated signal intensity change (SIC) indicative of cord edema/contusion, while 16 (16.7%) had ligamentous injury. Intramedullary cord hemorrhage was seen in two patients (2.1%) and epidural hematoma in three (3.1%).

CONCLUSION

Degenerative changes or CCS may narrow the minimum cervical SCD beyond the threshold at which low-energy trauma results in C-SCI. Adult patients with cervical spinal stenosis, whether congenital and/or degenerative, and neurologic findings referable to the cervical spine should be assessed for C-SCI.

Surgical Infection Society: Chest Wall Injury Society Recommendations for Antibiotic Use during Surgical Stabilization of Traumatic Rib or Sternal Fractures to Reduce Risk of Implant Infection

Background: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures is recommended in patients with flail chest or multiple displaced rib fractures with physiologic compromise. Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) and surgical stabilization of sternal fractures (SSSF) involve open reduction and internal fixation of fractures with a plate construct to restore anatomic alignment. Most plate constructs are composed of titanium and presence of this foreign, non-absorbable material presents opportunity for implant infection. Although implant infection rates after SSRF and SSSF are low, they present a challenging clinical entity often requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy, debridement, and potentially implant removal. Methods: The Surgical Infection Society's Therapeutics and Guidelines Committee and Chest Wall Injury Society's Publication Committee convened to develop recommendations for antibiotic use during and after surgical stabilization of traumatic rib and sternal fractures. Clinical scenarios included patients with concomitant infectious processes (sepsis, pneumonia, empyema, cellulitis) or sources of contamination (open chest, gross contamination) incurred as a result of their trauma and present at the time of their surgical stabilization. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for pertinent studies. Using a process of iterative consensus, all committee members voted to accept or reject each recommendation. Results: For patients undergoing SSRF or SSSF in the absence of pre-existing infectious process, there is insufficient evidence to suggest existing peri-operative guidelines or recommendations are inadequate. For patients undergoing SSRF or SSSF in the presence of sepsis, pneumonia, or an empyema, there is insufficient evidence to provide recommendations on duration and choice of antibiotic. This decision may be informed by existing guidelines for the concomitant infection. For patients undergoing SSRF or SSSF with an open or contaminated chest there is insufficient evidence to provide specific antibiotic recommendations. Conclusions: This guideline document summarizes the current Surgical Infection Society and Chest Wall Injury Society recommendations regarding antibiotic use during and after surgical stabilization of traumatic rib or sternal fractures. Limited evidence exists in the chest wall surgical stabilization literature and further studies should be performed to delineate risk of implant infection among patients undergoing SSSRF or SSSF with concomitant infectious processes.

Impact of Surgery Program Characteristics on Fate of Non-designated Preliminary Surgery Interns

OBJECTIVE

Non-designated preliminary (NDP) general surgery residents face the daunting challenge of obtaining a categorical residency position while undertaking the rigors of a general surgery residency. This additional application cycle represents a stressful time for these trainees and limited data exists to help guide applicants and program directors regarding the factors predictive of application success. While previous studies have focused solely on applicant related factors, no study to date has evaluated the effect of the residency program structure, institutional resources, or administrative support on these outcomes.

DESIGN/SETTING

A multicenter retrospective review of 10 general surgery residency programs over a 5-year period from 2014 to 2019 was performed. Applicant related information was compiled from NDP general surgery residents and the results of their attempted second application into a categorical position. Applicant factors including age, gender, standardized test scores (USMLE/ABSITE), and professional training were examined. Program and administrative structure including residency class size, number of NDP PGY-2 positions, number of assistant program directors and program director (PD) background were also examined. Primary success was defined as a NDP resident successfully obtaining a categorical position within general surgery or a surgical subspecialty. Secondary success was obtaining a categorical residency position in any field of medical practice other than surgery or a surgical subspecialty in the United States.

RESULTS

A total of 260 NDP trainees were evaluated with an average age of 29.1. Almost seventy percent of applicants were male, 40% graduated from a non-U.S. medical school and 24.2% required a visa to work in the United States. Thirty 4 percent of NDPs successfully obtained a categorical surgery position and an additional 35% obtained a categorical residency position in a nonsurgical field for an overall match success rate of 68.9%. Factors associated with primary success included ABSITE score (p < 0.001), US medical school graduation (p = 0.02), visa status (p = 0.03), presence of preliminary PGY-2 positions (p = 0.02), and PD professional development time (p = 0.004). Overall success was associated USMLE Step 1 scores (p = 0.02), number of approved chiefs (p = 0.03), presence of dedicated faculty researchers (p = 0.001), and PD professional development time (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Applicant, program-related, and administrative factors all have a significant impact on the success of NDP general surgery residents in obtaining a categorical surgical position. Trainees should consider all of these factors when applying to NDP residencies and in approaching their second application cycle to maximize their likelihood of a successful match.

Multidisciplinary Simulation Training Improves Surgical Resident Comfort With Airway Management

BACKGROUND

Airway management is an essential element of surgical training, but with fewer procedures performed during residency, simulation is crucial to fill educational gaps. We evaluated the effect of a multidisciplinary airway simulation on the comfort of general surgery residents in managing airways.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All residents PGY 2-5 at a large academic general surgery residency program participated in a multidisciplinary airway management simulation. Precourse surveys evaluated self-perception of skills in three areas of airway management: surgical airway, basic ventilator strategies, and endotracheal intubation. Simulation consisted of didactic and procedural components and used high- and low-fidelity models including silicon airways, ventilators, porcine trachea, and airway adjuncts. Instruction was provided by anesthesia and otolaryngology faculty. Postcourse assessment was performed with a four-level Likert questionnaire. Results were analyzed using paired t-tests.

RESULTS

Of the 19 residents surveyed, 37% of residents had 1-5 h and 32% had 5-10 h of prior airway instruction. Significant increases in mean comfort were observed across all three studied areas. Residents reported increased comfort performing a surgical airway (1.16 versus 1.95), P < 0.0001, and troubleshooting ventilator issues (1.59 versus 2.16), P < 0.0001. Comfort regarding overall airway management including endotracheal intubation demonstrated similar improvement (1.84 versus 2.32), P = 0.02. Subgroup analysis by PGY level showed the greatest impact on comfort level in junior residents.

CONCLUSIONS

Multidisciplinary airway simulation can be effectively implemented in a general surgery training program and positively affect trainee comfort with these techniques, particularly among junior residents.

How We Do It: Creation of a Low-Cost Endoscopic Skills Model for Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery Training

OBJECTIVE

To design a low cost, high fidelity endoscopic skills model to help surgical trainees pass the Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) testing.

DESIGN

A homemade synthetic colon model was designed using liquid silicon and other commercially available products. The construction and design of the model is described here. The model was then successfully integrated into our simulation curriculum and endoscopic skills training modules.

SETTING

Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio; large academic quaternary referral institution.

PARTICIPANTS

PGY 1-5 general surgery residents preparing for Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery testing.

RESULTS

A versatile, high fidelity model was designed for a total cost of approximately 25 dollars per unit. The model can be used with clinical endoscopic towers and easily integrated into an institution's simulation and endoscopic training curriculum. The flexibility of design allows trainees to practice all of the key motor skills necessary for FES examination success.

CONCLUSIONS

A homemade endoscopic colon model can be constructed at an affordable price point using commercially available materials. These models have significant versatility, low cost, and flexibility of design allowing for easy incorporation into a surgical residency simulation training program.

Postoperative Steroid Taper Is Associated With Pelvic Sepsis After Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomosis

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that postoperative oral steroid taper after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease would not be associated with pelvic septic complications.

BACKGROUND

Recent data has emphasized the possible association between biologic medication use and pelvic sepsis following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Limited contemporary data exist examining the effects of steroid use on these complications.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease at a single institution from January 2009 to December 2013 were included. Factors associated with anastomotic leak and pelvic sepsis were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 686 patients were included (mean age 39.5 years, 59% males). Postoperative oral steroid taper was associated with both anastomotic leak and pelvic sepsis on univariate analysis. Stress dose intravenous steroid use was not associated with complications. Multivariate analysis indicated total proctocolectomy (odds ratio [OR] 2.2; confidence interval [CI] 1.01-4.7, P = 0.047), and postoperative oral steroid taper (OR 2.3; CI 1.06-5.1; P = 0.035) as independent factors significantly associated with pelvic sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged postoperative oral steroid taper after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis should be avoided. If preoperative steroid weaning is not possible before a planned total proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, patients should undergo an initial total abdominal colectomy.

Gender and Letters of Recommendation: A Linguistic Comparison of the Impact of Gender on General Surgery Residency Applicants✰

OBJECTIVE

We investigated letters of recommendation for general surgery residency applicants to determine if any gender-based disparities exist.

DESIGN

A dictionary of over 400 terms describing applicants and 24 unique categories into which these terms were classified was created. Word count and language comparisons were performed using linguistic analysis software to assess for differences in applicant characterization, letter length, and writing style between male and female applicants and letter writers.

SETTING

A large, Midwest, academic general surgery residency program.

PARTICIPANTS

Five hundred and fifty-nine letters of recommendation received during the 2015 and 2016 interview cycles were selected for analysis.

RESULTS

Average word count was approximately equal for male and female applicants (503 vs 508, respectively). Female writers wrote longer letters (mean word count 545.5 vs 497.1, p = 0.028). "Standout" terms were more likely to be used to describe female applicants. Otherwise no statistically significant differences in applicant characterization were discovered.

CONCLUSIONS

Letters of recommendation for general surgery are written using similar descriptive terms and lengths for male and female applicants. This suggests that there is no specific gender disadvantage with regard to letters of recommendation when applying for general surgery residency.

HPLC method for the quantification of procyanidins in cocoa and chocolate samples and correlation to total antioxidant capacity

Monomeric and oligomeric procyanidins present in cocoa liquors and chocolates were separated and quantified in four different laboratories using a normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection. Procyanidin standards through decamers were obtained by extraction from cocoa beans, enrichment by Sephadex LH-20 gel permeation chromatography, and final purification by preparative normal-phase HPLC. The purity of each oligomeric fraction was assessed using HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry. A composite standard was then prepared, and calibration curves were generated for each oligomeric class using a quadratic fit of area sum versus concentration. Results obtained by each of the laboratories were in close agreement, which suggests this method is reliable and reproducible for quantification of procyanidins. Furthermore, the procyanidin content of the samples was correlated to the antioxidant capacity measured using the ORAC assay as an indicator for potential biological activity.