W. Brian Sweeney

Effect of music therapy on state anxiety in patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy

PURPOSE: Patient anxiety related to flexible sigmoidoscopy can negatively affect acceptability and compliance with screening protocol, complicate and prolong procedure time, and potentially result in prematurely aborted procedures. Music has been recognized through research as a safe, inexpensive, and effective nonpharmaceutical anxiolitic agent. METHODS: An experimental study was performed on 50 adults scheduled for outpatient sigmoidoscopy. The control group received standard sigmoidoscopy protocol. Subjects in the experimental group received the standard protocol with the addition of listening to music throughout the procedure. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) measurements were performed on all subjects before and postsigmoidoscopy. Physiologic recordings of heart rate and mean arterial pressure were recorded before and during the procedure. RESULTS: Patients who listened to self-selected music tapes during the procedure had significantly decreased STAI scores (P<0.002), heart rates (P<0.03), and mean arterial pressures (P<0.001) in comparison to the control subjects. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that music is an effective anxiolitic adjunct to flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Surgeon Volume and Elective Resection for Colon Cancer: An Analysis of Outcomes and Use of Laparoscopy

BACKGROUND Surgeon volume may be an important predictor of quality and cost outcomes. We evaluated the association between surgeon volume and quality and cost of surgical care in patients with colon cancer. STUDY DESIGN We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent resection for colon cancer, using data from the University HealthSystem Consortium from 2008 to 2011. Outcomes evaluated included use of laparoscopy, ICU admission, postoperative complications, length of stay, and total direct hospital costs by surgeon volume. Surgeon volume was categorized according to high (HVS), medium (MVS), and low (LVS) average annual volumes. RESULTS A total of 17,749 patients were included in this study. The average age of the cohort was 65 years and 51% of patients were female. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared with LVS, HVS and MVS were more likely to use laparoscopy (HVS, odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.15, 1.39; MVS, OR 1.16 95% CI 1.65, 1.26). Postoperative complications were significantly lower in patients operated on by HVS than LVS (OR 0.77 95% CI 0.76, 0.91). The HVS patients were less likely to require reoperation than those in the LVS group (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53, 0.92) Total direct costs were

Management of colorectal injuries during operation iraqi freedom: patterns of stoma usage.

927 (95% CI -

Clinical and financial impact of hospital readmissions after colorectal resection: predictors, outcomes, and costs.

1,567 to -

Rectal prolapse associated with bulimia nervosa

287) lower in the HVS group compared with the LVS group. CONCLUSIONS Higher quality, lower cost care was achieved by HVS in patients undergoing surgery for colon cancer. An assessment of differences in processes of care by surgeon volume may help further define the mechanism for this observed association.

CT Colonography Predictably Overestimates Colonic Length and Distance to Polyps Compared With Optical Colonoscopy

BACKGROUND Management of penetrating colorectal injuries in the civilian trauma population has evolved away from diversionary stoma into primary repair or resection and primary anastomosis. With this in mind, we evaluated how injuries to the colon and rectum were managed in the ongoing war in Iraq. METHODS The records of Operation Iraqi Freedom patients evacuated to National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) from March 2004 until November 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with colorectal injuries were identified and characterized by the following: (1) injury type; (2) mechanism; (3) associated injuries; (4) Injury Severity Score; (5) levels of medical care involved in patient treatment; (6) time interval(s) between levels of care; (7) management; and (8) outcomes. RESULTS Twenty-three patients were identified as having either colon or rectal injury. The average ISS was 24.4 (range, 9-54; median 24). On average, patients were evaluated and treated at 2.5 levels of surgically capable medical care (range, 2-3; median 2) between time of injury and arrival at NNMC, with a median of 6 days from initial injury until presentation at NNMC (range, 3-11). Management of colorectal injuries included 7 primary repairs (30.4%), 3 resections with anastomoses (13.0%), and 13 colostomies (56.6%). There was one death (4.3%) and three anastomotic leaks (30%). Total complication rate was 48%. CONCLUSIONS Based upon injury severity, the complex nature of triage and medical evacuation, and the multiple levels of care involved for injured military personnel, temporary stoma usage should play a greater role in military casualties than in the civilian environment for penetrating colorectal injuries.

Colorectal neoplasia screening before age 50?: current epidemiologic trends in the United States.

BACKGROUND:After passage of the Affordable Care Act, 30 -day hospital readmissions have come under greater scrutiny. Excess readmissions for certain medical conditions and procedures now result in penalizations on all Medicare reimbursements. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this work was to define the risk factors, outcomes, and costs of 30-day readmissions after colorectal surgery. DESIGN:Adults undergoing colorectal surgery were studied using data from the University HealthSystem Consortium. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to identify patient-related risk factors for, and 30-day outcomes of, readmission after colorectal surgery. SETTINGS:This study was conducted at an academic hospital and its affiliates. PATIENTS:Adults ≥18 years of age who underwent colorectal surgery for cancer, diverticular disease, IBD, or benign tumors between 2008 and 2011 were included in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Readmission within 30 days of index discharge was the main outcome measured. RESULTS:A total of 70,484 patients survived the index hospitalization after colorectal surgery; 9632 (13.7%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The strongest independent predictors of readmission were length of stay ≥4 days (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.32–1.57), stoma (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.46–1.51), and discharge to skilled nursing (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.49–1.76) or rehabilitation facility (OR 2.93; 95% CI 2.53–3.40). Of those readmitted, half of the readmissions occurred within 7 days, 13% required the intensive care unit, 6% had a reoperation, and 2% died during the readmission stay. The median combined total direct hospital cost was more than 2 times higher (

What is the normal aganglionic segment of anorectum in adults

26,917 vs

The dangers of being a “weekend warrior”: A new call for injury prevention efforts

13,817; p < 0.001) for readmitted than for nonreadmitted patients. LIMITATIONS:Follow-up was limited to 30 days after initial discharge. CONCLUSIONS:Readmissions after colorectal resection occur frequently and incur a significant financial burden on the health-care system. Future studies aimed at targeted interventions for high-risk patients may reduce readmissions and curb escalating health-care costs.

Routine preoperative restaging CTs after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer are low yield: A retrospective case study

PURPOSE: Rectal prolapse is a condition in which, when complete, the full thickness of the rectal wall protrudes through the anus. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by periodic food binges, which are followed by purging. Purging usually takes the form of self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, and/or diuretic abuse. We report seven cases of rectal prolapse associated with bulimia nervosa. METHODS: The case histories of seven women with rectal prolapse and bulimia nervosa, average age 29 (range 21–42) years, seen over a period of 11 years (1987–1997) were reviewed. An analysis of the clinical data, including history, presenting physical examination, surgical treatment, and outcome was performed. RESULTS: All seven patients had a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, made either before or with a diagnosis of rectal prolapse. Rectal prolapse was confirmed in each patient at anorectal examination. Five patients underwent sigmoid resection with proctopexy, one died before operative therapy, and one awaits further treatment. One of the five surgical patients had a recurrence that was managed by a perineal rectosigmoidectomy. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, despite extensive review of both bulimia nervosa and rectal prolapse as seen in the medical literature, an association between the two has not been described previously. Several aspects of bulimia nervosa, including constipation, laxative use, overzealous exercise, and increased intra-abdominal pressure from forced vomiting are likely causes for the probable relationship with rectal prolapse. The possibility that an atypically young female presenting with rectal prolapse may also have bulimia nervosa should be taken into account by clinicians. This may assist the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, a disease with multiple morbidities. Conversely, a patient being treated for bulimia nervosa who develops anorectal symptoms may come to earlier diagnosis and treatment for rectal prolapse.