Kris R. Kaulback

Treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex immune reconstitution disease in HIV-1-infected individuals.

Immune reconstitution disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection presenting shortly after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been reported with increasing frequency in persons with HIV-1 infection during the past several years. Several therapeutic modalities have been utilized for this entity, but the optimal means of treating MAC immune reconstitution disease remains unclear. We now describe a patient who underwent some of these therapies. We then review the therapeutic outcomes from the numerous case reports of this disorder. Finally, we propose recommendations and a clinical algorithm regarding the optimal means of treatment of MAC immune reconstitution disease during HIV-1 infection.

Emergent pancreaticoduodenectomy: a dual institution experience and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Emergent pancreaticoduodenectomy (EPD) is an uncommon surgical procedure performed to treat patients with acute pancreaticoduodenal trauma, bleeding, or perforation. This study presents the experience of two university hospitals with EPD. METHODS Clinical data on EPD in trauma and nontrauma patients from 2002-2012 were extracted from the hepatopancreatobiliary surgery databases at Thomas Jefferson University and Kaunas Medical University Hospitals. Data on indications, perioperative variables, morbidity, and mortality rates were evaluated. RESULTS Ten single-stage EPD patients were identified. Five underwent a classic Whipple resection, whereas five had pylorus preservation. Seven patients had traumatic indications for pancreaticoduodenectomy: three from gunshot wounds to the abdomen and four from blunt high-energy injuries (two sustained injuries by falling from height and two by direct assaults on the abdomen). Three cases of nontrauma patients had EPD surgery for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The median age of the EPD cohort was 46 y (range, 19-67 y). All 10 patients were recovered and were discharged from the hospital with a median postoperative length of stay of 24 d (range, 8-69 d). There were no perioperative mortalities. CONCLUSIONS Despite a high morbidity rate and prolonged recovery, this dual institutional review suggests that EPD can serve as a lifesaving procedure in both the trauma and the urgent nontrauma settings.

Are Roadside Pedestrian Injury Patterns Predictable in a Densely Populated, Urban Setting?

BACKGROUND Roadside pedestrian injuries represent a significant portion of trauma team activations, especially at urban trauma centers. Patient demographics and severity of injury vary greatly in this patient population. Herein, we hypothesize that injury patterns may be predictable, especially with respect to age. MATERIALS AND METHODS All patients with roadside pedestrian injuries evaluated at our urban, level one trauma center from January 2006 through December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected from the institutional trauma registry. Age was used as an independent variable and compared with injury type, substance abuse, discharge setting, and mortality. RESULTS There were 226 roadside pedestrian injuries during the study period. Patients were divided into groups according to age, under 20 y, 21-40 y, 41-65 y, and over 65 y. Head injuries were more prevalent in patients over age 65, 30.4% versus 14.0% (P = 0.05). There was a trend for increasing alcohol use in the younger population. The likelihood of discharge to a rehab facility increased with age, 0%, 11.8%, 38.2%, 50.0%, respectively (P < 0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in patients older than 65 y, 15.2% versus 3.3% (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS Roadside pedestrian injuries have predictable injury patterns based on age. Older patients are more likely to have a head injury, longer length of stay, need for a rehab stay, and have a higher mortality. Further studies are needed to correlate precise injuries with collision mechanism and evaluate specific risk factors in this high risk population.

Applying Expectancy Theory to residency training: proposing opportunities to understand resident motivation and enhance residency training

Medical resident education in the United States has been a matter of national priority for decades, exemplified initially through the Liaison Committee for Graduate Medical Education and then superseded by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. A recent Special Report in the New England Journal of Medicine, however, has described resident educational programs to date as prescriptive, noting an absence of innovation in education. Current aims of contemporary medical resident education are thus being directed at ensuring quality in learning as well as in patient care. Achievement and work-motivation theories attempt to explain people’s choice, performance, and persistence in tasks. Expectancy Theory as one such theory was reviewed in detail, appearing particularly applicable to surgical residency training. Correlations between Expectancy Theory as a work-motivation theory and residency education were explored. Understanding achievement and work-motivation theories affords an opportunity to gain insight into resident motivation in training. The application of Expectancy Theory in particular provides an innovative perspective into residency education. Afforded are opportunities to promote the development of programmatic methods facilitating surgical resident motivation in education.

Nonoperative Management of Blunt Traumatic Cardiac Rupture: Considerations of a Novel Approach

Blunt traumatic cardiac rupture carries a dismal prognosis. Patients who survive to presentation are treated with prompt surgical repair. Operative intervention carries significant morbidity and mortality, as these patients present in extremis. Intervention can be complicated by prior cardiac surgery. Obliteration of the pericardial space from adhesions may offer the patient an alternative conservative option under rare circumstances. We present a case of an older man with blunt cardiac rupture caused by a motor vehicle crash. The patient remained hemodynamically stable as his rupture only communicated with a small space within his obliterated pericardial sac. He was managed nonoperatively.