ÌÇÐÄvlog

Furman and colleagues undertook a retrospective study to determine the rate of mucinous neoplasms among adults undergoing interval appendectomy.

Dingeman et al compare the efficacy of ultrasonography-guided bilateral rectus sheath block (BRSB) and local anesthetic infiltration in providing postoperative analgesia after umbilical hernia repair in children. An invited critique by Warner follows.

Winner et al conducted a large population-based study to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with bowel obstruction in elderly patients with stage IV colon cancer. An by Krouse follows.

Lee et al evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic compared with open ventral hernia repair in obese patients.

Krajewski et al describe the implementation of an intern boot camp curriculum and the effect on resident performance and teaching faculty and nursing staff perceptions. All interns underwent a 2-month (July and August 2011) curriculum, followed by several assessment tools. Data were analyzed by independent group t tests and χ² tests of proportions.

Bhayani et al compared rates of pulmonary and overall morbidity, infection, and thromboembolic complications between patients undergoing transhiatal esophagectomy and those undergoing esophagectomy with the Ivor Lewis or McKeown technique. See the invited commentary by Chang.

Cassidy et al developed and implemented a set of multidisciplinary standardized interventions to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications in patients. The I COUGH program emphasizes incentive spirometry, coughing and deep breathing, oral care (brushing teeth and using mouthwash twice daily), understanding (patient and family education), getting out of bed at least 3 times daily, and head-of-bed elevation. See also the invited critique by Leavitt.

Amri et al assess the effect of screening colonoscopy on outcomes of colon cancer surgery by reviewing differences in staging, disease-free interval, risk of recurrence, and survival and identify whether diagnosis through screening improves long-term outcomes independent of staging.

Musallam et al evaluate the association between current and past smoking on the risk of postoperative mortality and vascular and respiratory events in patients undergoing major surgery.

Sorensen et al describe the burden of secondary overtriage in a rural trauma system with a single level I trauma center.

In a retrospective review of the National Cancer Data Base, 1998-2007, Russell and coauthors identify treatment-related factors associated with hospital margin-positive resection and develop a tool that could be used by individual hospitals to assess their outcomes based on their unique mix of patient and tumor characteristics. See the invited critique by Fleshman.

In a systemic review and meta-analysis, Bhangu et al determine whether delayed primary skin closure of contaminated and dirty abdominal incisions reduces the rate of surgical site infection compared with primary skin closure. See also the Invited Critique by Cohn.