bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacotherapy for the Prevention of Chronic Pain after Surgery in Adults: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Carley Meg E. , Chaparro Luis E. , Choinière Manon , Kehlet Henrik , Moore R. Andrew , Van Den Kerkhof Elizabeth , Gilron Ian 
Published: July 2021

Background
Chronic postsurgical pain can severely impair patient health and quality of life. This systematic review update evaluated the effectiveness of systemic drugs to prevent chronic postsurgical pain.

Methods
The authors included double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trials including adults that evaluated perioperative systemic drugs. Studies that evaluated same drug(s) administered similarly were pooled. The primary outcome was the proportion reporting any pain at 3 or more months postsurgery.

Results
The authors identified 70 new studies and 40 from 2013. Most evaluated ketamine, pregabalin, gabapentin, IV lidocaine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids. Some meta-analyses showed statistically significant—but of unclear clinical relevance—reductions in chronic postsurgical pain prevalence after treatment with pregabalin, IV lidocaine, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Meta-analyses with more than three studies and more than 500 participants showed no effect of ketamine on prevalence of any pain at 6 months when administered for 24 h or less (risk ratio, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.36 to 1.07]; prevalence, 0 to 88% ketamine; 0 to 94% placebo) or more than 24 h (risk ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.74 to 1.12]; 6 to 71% ketamine; 5 to 78% placebo), no effect of pregabalin on prevalence of any pain at 3 months (risk ratio, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.70 to 1.10]; 4 to 88% pregabalin; 3 to 80% placebo) or 6 months (risk ratio, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.47 to 1.28]; 6 to 68% pregabalin; 4 to 69% placebo) when administered more than 24 h, and an effect of pregabalin on prevalence of moderate/severe pain at 3 months when administered more than 24 h (risk ratio, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.33 to 0.68]; 0 to 20% pregabalin; 4 to 34% placebo). However, the results should be interpreted with caution given small study sizes, variable surgical types, dosages, timing and method of outcome measurements in relation to the acute pain trajectory in question, and preoperative pain status.

Conclusions
Despite agreement that chronic postsurgical pain is an important topic, extremely little progress has been made since 2013, likely due to study designs being insufficient to address the complexities of this multifactorial problem.

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New
Peripheral Nerve Blocks and Potentially Attributable Adverse Events in Older People with Hip Fracture: A Retrospective Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Melton Natalie , Talarico Robert , Abdallah Faraj , Beaulé Paul E. , Boet Sylvain , Forster Alan J. , Fernando Shannon M. , Huang Allen , McCartney Colin J. L. , Meulenkamp Bradley , Perry Jeff , Power Barbara , Ramlogan Reva , Taljaard Monica , Tanuseputro Peter , van Walraven Carl , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , McIsaac Daniel I. 
Published: July 2021

Background
Peripheral nerve blocks are being used with increasing frequency for management of hip fracture–related pain. Despite converging evidence that nerve blocks may be beneficial, safety data are lacking. This study hypothesized that peripheral nerve block receipt would not be associated with adverse events potentially attributable to nerve blocks, as well as overall patient safety incidents while in hospital.

Methods
This was a preregistered, retrospective population-based cohort study using linked administrative data. This study identified all hip fracture admissions in people 50 yr of age or older and identified all nerve blocks (although we were unable to ascertain the specific anatomic location or type of block), potentially attributable adverse events (composite of seizures, fall-related injuries, cardiac arrest, nerve injury), and any patient safety events using validated codes. The study also estimated the unadjusted and adjusted association of nerve blocks with adverse events; adjusted absolute risk differences were also calculated.

Results
In total, 91,563 hip fracture patients from 2009 to 2017 were identified; 15,631 (17.1%) received a nerve block, and 5,321 (5.8%; 95% CI, 5.7 to 6.0%) patients experienced a potentially nerve block–attributable adverse event: 866 (5.5%) in patients with a block and 4,455 (5.9%) without a block. Before and after adjustment, nerve blocks were not associated with potentially attributable adverse events (adjusted odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.15; and adjusted risk difference, 0.3%, 95% CI, –0.1 to 0.8).

Conclusions
The data suggest that nerve blocks in hip fracture patients are not associated with higher rates of potentially nerve block–attributable adverse events, although these findings may be influenced by limitations in routinely collected administrative data.

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New
Utility of the Merchant View Radiograph for Assessment of Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance: A Comparison to MRI in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients
Authors: Bernholt David L. , Lamplot Joseph D. , Block Andrew M. , Nepple Jeffrey J. 
Published: July 2021

Background:
Plain radiographic evaluation remains the standard initial assessment of patellar instability, while 3-dimensional imaging is obtained in some patients. Merchant radiographs can demonstrate the tibial tubercle relative to the trochlear groove (TT-TG), but the determination of the TT-TG from these radiographs has been abandoned since its original description. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of the TT-TG measured on Merchant radiographs for the assessment of patellar instability.

Methods:
A prospective cohort study was performed of pediatric and adolescent patients aged 10 to 18 who underwent standardized Merchant radiographs, including a total of 98 knees (in 57 patients). Merchant TT-TG was measured as the distance between the center of the trochlear groove and the tibial tubercle, with both lines perpendicular to the anterior femoral condylar axis. In Part 1, the Merchant TT-TG measured by the tibial tubercle radiographic appearance was compared with the measurement utilizing a radiographic marker. In Part 2, the Merchant TT-TG was compared with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) TT-TG distance using bivariate linear regression analysis. TT-TG measurements were compared in patients with and without patellar instability with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results:
The tibial tubercle was identified on Merchant radiograph in 81.7% (67/82) of knees, and there was an excellent correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.85) between the Merchant TT-TG and the measurement based on marker placement. Merchant TT-TG was on average 4.5 mm less than MRI TT-TG (12.8±4.4 vs. 8.4±7.7 mm, P<0.001) and was moderately correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.58, P<0.01). TT-TG distance was increased in patients with patellar instability compared with those without patellar instability on the Merchant view (10.5±6.9 vs. 2.0±5.5 mm, P<0.001) and MRI (13.9±4.4 vs. 10.5±2.9 mm, P=0.012). Merchant TT-TG also demonstrated a higher area under the curve than MRI TT-TG (0.872 vs. 0.775) in differentiating patients with and without patellar instability.

Conclusions:
Standardized Merchant radiographs allow for reliable assessment of the Merchant TT-TG distance when the tibial tubercle is visualized and moderately correlate with MRI TT-TG (with Merchant TT-TG on average 4.5 mm less than MRI).

Level of Evidence:
Level III.
A Preference-Sensitive Online Instrument to Support Shared Decision Making for Patients With Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Authors: Hulbaek Mette , Primdahl Jette , Birkelund Regner , Al-kozai Selwan Adnan Hussein , Barawi Sabat , Ebbesen Niels Teglhus , Nielsen Jesper Bo 
Published: July 2021

A preference-sensitive instrument for women with pelvic organ prolapse was developed to increase shared decision-making. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial to measure the effectiveness of the instrument. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted at three Danish gynecological clinics to assess feasibility through recruitment rates, per-protocol use and women's perception of (1) support for decision-making, (2) shared decision-making (Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire), and (3) satisfaction with their decisions. In addition, a focus group interview with participating gynecologists (five gynecologists) was conducted. We invited 226 women and recruited 46 (20%). The most common reason (45%) for nonparticipation was overlooking the invitation in their online public mailbox. Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire showed high data completeness (96%) but indicated a ceiling effect. Women felt the developed instrument supported their decision-making and more so if it was used interactively during consultations. Despite finding the instrument generally useful, gynecologists tended to apply the instrument inconsistently and not per protocol (41%), and some used it as a template for all consultations.
This pilot study indicates that recruitment methods, for a future randomized controlled trial, for example, nurse-led preconsultations, need reconsideration due to low recruitment rates and inefficient per-protocol use. In a future randomized controlled trial, cluster randomization should avoid the carryover effect bias.
Testicular torsion in adults: Demographics and 30-day outcomes after orchiopexy or orchiectomy
Authors: Brungardt Joseph G. , McLeay Matthew T. , Schropp Kurt P. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Background:
Most often studied in the pediatric population, testicular torsion also affects the adult male population. Little data exists on demographics, patient risk factors, and associated outcomes for the surgical management of testicular torsion. This study sought to describe differences in demographics and outcomes for those patients requiring orchiopexy or orchiectomy.

Materials and methods:
An analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2015–2018) was performed, capturing patients with a postoperative diagnosis of testicular torsion. Patients were stratified into 2 groups if they received orchiopexy or orchiectomy. Demographics, perioperative variables, surgeon specialty, and outcomes were analyzed.

Results:
A total of 769 patients undergoing surgical treatment of testicular torsion were captured. Most of these patients were White (46.81%) and young adults (28.33 ± 12.04 years) and 28.8% required orchiectomy. Those undergoing orchiectomy were more likely to be older, have more comorbidities, and have a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Mean operative time was longer in the orchiectomy group (48 ± 23 vs. 44 ± 20 minutes, p < 0.0124). There were no deaths at 30 days. Length of stay and rate of superficial wound infection were higher in the orchiectomy group and discharge to home was more likely in the orchiopexy group.

Conclusions:
Adult testicular torsion should be considered in an acute scrotum differential. Adult patients requiring orchiectomy for testicular torsion are more likely to have confounding medical conditions compared to those undergoing orchiopexy. Clinically, rates of complications between the 2 procedures are small, making the decision to perform orchiopexy or orchiectomy based on the scenario.
Malignant Syphilis as an Initial Presentation of HIV Infection: A Case Report
Authors: Djawad Khairuddin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Introduction
: Malignant syphilis (MS) is a rare and severe variant of secondary syphilis that is frequently associated with HIV infection. The clinical impact of HIV and syphilis co-infection is bidirectional, and the presence of MS is associated with acute HIV infection. Clinically, MS is characterized by nodular and ulcerative lesions affecting the trunk and extremities, which are covered with thick crusts. The treatment of choice for MS remains benzathine penicillin G.
Herein, we report a case in which MS was the initial presentation of HIV infection.

Case presentation
: A 35-year-old male patient came with the chief complaint of extensive erythematous nodular rash for the past one month, with notable ulceration on some lesions with annular configuration along with fever and malaise. Based on the abovementioned clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings, the patient was diagnosed with MS and HIV. The diagnosis was established based on histopathological examination and syphilis serological testing.

Discussion
: Cutaneous disorders are a frequent presenting feature of HIV infection. The clinical manifestations of syphilis in immunosuppressed patients are often severe and/or atypical. The patient was then treated with weekly intramuscular administration of 2.4 million units of benzathine penicillin G for 3 weeks and achieved rapid and significant clinical improvement, with no Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.

Conclusion
: Co-infection with syphilis and HIV alters the course of both diseases, and most HIV-infected patients with syphilis have typical disease manifestations associated with decreased CD4+ T-cell counts.
Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Pasarón Raquel , Calisto Juan L. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The purpose of this article is to present an exemplar related to diagnostic testing whereby reasoned decisions can assist the pediatric surgical clinician in the expeditious screening, diagnosis, and management of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). In 2017, the Emerging Infections Program for CDI reported that the incidence of healthcare-associated CDI was 9.03 in 100,000 and 26.70 for community-associated CDI in the 1- to 17-year age group. Multistate prevalence data looking at healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in acute care hospitals showed that C. difficile was the most common pathogen, causing 12.1% of HCAIs. Given the current trends, defining the pediatric epidemiological characteristics of CDI, which is less common than in adults, is vital. Consequently, clinicians need to know when to suspect CDI; however, classic risks associated with this HCAI are considered to be a moving target leading to challenges in the diagnosis, management, and ability to control the disease. Because the diagnosis of CDI is based on clinical and laboratory findings and precludes management, a sensitive and specific diagnostic test with rapid turnaround time is imperative. The use of probabilities is discussed in the context of the threshold approach in clinical decision making.
Institutional Variation in Gastrostomy Tube Placement After Duodenal Atresia Repair in Children With Trisomy 21
Authors: Maassel Nathan L. , Guerra Mary Elizabeth , Solomon Daniel G. , Stitelman David H. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
To compare institutional practice patterns for gastrostomy tube placement in neonates with duodenal atresia (DA) and trisomy 21.

Methods:
A retrospective review of the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) from 2015 to 2018 identified infants <10 days old with ICD-10 diagnostic codes for DA and trisomy 21, in addition to procedure codes for an intestinal bypass or duodenoduodenostomy. This cohort was then queried for gastrostomy tube procedure codes and diagnostic codes for associated co-morbidities.

Results:
Two hundred and nine infants were identified with DA, trisomy 21, and an intestinal bypass. Fifty-seven (27%) underwent gastrostomy placement. Baseline characteristics of those with and without gastrostomy tubes were similar. Patients from 16 hospitals that placed no gastrostomy tubes (No-G-tube-Hospitals) were compared to children from 30 hospitals that placed at least one gastrostomy tube (G-tube-Hospitals). Open atresia repairs occurred more frequently at G-tube-Hospitals, but patients were otherwise similar. There was no difference in readmission at 12 months for gastrostomy placement between children from No-G-tube-Hospitals and those from G-tube-Hospitals that did not undergo gastrostomy during their index admission.

Conclusions:
One-third of institutions in this study did not place gastrostomy tubes during index admissions for neonates with trisomy 21 and DA, yet this did not negatively impact the length of stay or incidence of subsequent gastrostomy placement as a result. Future research is needed to determine factors that predispose patients to failure without gastrostomy, as well as best practices for post-operative management in these patients to reduce unnecessary tube placement.
Hepatic Cavernous Hemangioma Mimicking Metastasis of Midgut Neuroendocrine Neoplasia on 18F-Fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine PET/CT
Authors: Noskovicova Lucia , Kovacova Martina , Janik Jan , Marcinek Juraj , Balogova Sona 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
A 61-year-old man after resection of well-differentiated midgut neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) was referred to 18F-fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine PET/CT for localization of recurrent midgut NEN in the context of clinical symptoms and mild elevation of serum CgA (chromogranin A) levels. Isolated hepatic focus of increased 18F-Fluorodihydroxyphenylalanine uptake was detected. The biopsy of this focus, followed by radiofrequency ablation, revealed a hepatic cavernous hemangioma. Complete remission of midgut NEN was confirmed during 4-year clinical and imaging follow-up. The persistent mild elevation of serum CgA was retrospectively attributed to treatment with proton-pump inhibitors.
No Evidence to Favor 99mTc-HMPAO or 99mTc-ECD for Ictal Brain Perfusion SPECT for Identification of the Seizure Onset Zone
Authors: Jaber Mariam , Taherpour Jila , Voges Berthold , Apostolova Ivayla , Sauvigny Thomas , House Patrick M. , Lanz Michael , Lindenau Matthias , Klutmann Susanne , Martens Tobias , Stodieck Stefan , Buchert Ralph 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
Ictal brain perfusion SPECT with the tracer 99mTc-HMPAO or 99mTc-ECD is widely used for identification of the epileptic seizure onset zone (SOZ) in presurgical evaluation if standard pointers are uncertain or inconsistent. For both tracers, there are theoretical arguments to favor it over the other for this task. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of ictal brain perfusion SPECT between 99mTc-HMPAO and 99mTc-ECD in a rather large patient sample.

Patients and Methods
The study retrospectively included 196 patients from clinical routine in whom ictal perfusion SPECT had been performed with stabilized 99mTc-HMPAO (n = 110) or 99mTc-ECD (n = 86). Lateralization and localization of the SOZ were obtained by the consensus of 2 independent readers based on visual inspection of the SPECT images.

Results
The 99mTc-HMPAO group and the 99mTc-ECD group were well matched with respect to age, sex, age at first seizure, duration of disease, seizure frequency, history of previous brain surgery, and findings of presurgical MRI. The proportion of lateralizing ictal SPECT did not differ significantly between 99mTc-HMPAO and 99mTc-ECD (65.5% vs 72.1%, P = 0.36). Sensitivity of ictal perfusion SPECT (independent of the tracer) for correct localization of the SOZ in 62 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and at least worthwhile improvement (Engel scale ≤ III) 12 months after temporal epilepsy surgery was 63%.

Conclusions
This study does not provide evidence to favor 99mTc-HMPAO or 99mTc-ECD for identification of the SOZ by ictal perfusion SPECT.
Vascularized Pericranial Flap as a Method to Prevent Persistent Skull Defects After Craniectomy for Sagittal Synostosis
Authors: Flores Chiara A. , French Brooke M. , Alexander Allyson L. , Graber Sarah , Wittenberg Blake , Poppleton Kim , Wilkinson C. Corbett 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Some cranial defects resulting from sagittal craniectomy for craniosynostosis never completely close and require cranioplasty. This study evaluates the results of 2 methods to minimize such defects: (1) trapezoidal craniectomy that is narrower posteriorly (2) vascularized pericranial flap that is sewn to the dura under a rectangular craniectomy.
Children who underwent primary open sagittal craniectomy with biparietal morcellation (with/without frontal cranioplasty) for single-suture nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis from 2013 through 2018 were included. Children were excluded if there was a dural tear, if they had no 1-year follow-up, or if they had unmeasured and/or uncounted skull defects. Surgeries were divided into (1) standard craniectomy, (2) trapezoidal craniectomy, or (3) craniectomy with pericranial flap. Differences in percentage of children with defects and mean total defect area 1 year postsurgery were compared between the 3 groups.
We reviewed 148 cases. After exclusions, 34 of 53 children (64%) who underwent standard craniectomy, 6 of 17 children (35%) who had pericranial flaps, and 5 of 11 children (46%) who underwent trapezoidal craniectomy had defects 1 year postsurgery. The percentage of children with defects (P = 0.0364) but not the defect area was significantly higher in the standard craniectomy than in the pericranial flap group. The percentage of subjects with defects was not significantly different between the standard and the trapezoidal craniectomy groups.
Sewing a vascularized pericranial flap to the dura at the craniectomy site may protect against persistent bony defects after sagittal craniectomy for craniosynostosis. Longer follow-up is needed to determine if this technique leads to lower rates of cranioplasty.
An Observational Study to Evaluate Association Between Velopharyngeal Anatomy and Speech Outcomes in Adult Patients With Severe Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
Authors: Lou Qun , Liu Ting , Wang Xudong , Wu Dandan , Wang Guomin , Chen Yang , Wan Teng 
Published: July 2021

Objective:
By measuring velopharyngeal structure and evaluating speech intelligibility, to explore and observe the association between velopharyngeal anatomy and speech outcomes in these patients.

Methods:
Thirty-one adult patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency after the primary palatoplasty aged 18 to 35 years (mean 22.03 years) were enrolled as the study group. The patients had significant hypernasality and audible nasal emission. The degree of velopharyngeal closure assessed by electronic nasopharyngeal fiberoptic endoscopy was grade III. Cephalometric analysis was performed on lateral cephalograms to measure velopharyngeal structure, including hard palate length (ANS-PNS), velar length (PNS-U), pharyngeal depth (PNS-PPW), and oropharyngeal airway space (U-MPW). Their speech intelligibility was evaluated through the Mandarin Chinese speech intelligibility test, and each speech sample was examined by 2 speech and language pathologists. The results were assessed with the SPSS 23.0 software package, and regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between velopharyngeal structure and speech outcomes.

Results:
A significant negative correlation was confirmed between speech intelligibility and pharyngeal depth. Pharyngeal depth also showed a linear relationship with speech intelligibility, and there was no significant correlation between speech intelligibility and other measures (hard palate length, velar length, oropharyngeal airway space).

Conclusions:
In the velopharyngeal anatomy, only pharyngeal depth was associated with speech intelligibility in adult patients with severe velopharyngeal insufficiency, this is consistent with our clinical observation. It suggests that appropriate reduction of pharyngeal depth during palatopharyngoplasty may have a good effect on the speech recovery in patients with cleft palate and patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency after palatorrhaphy.