The latest medical research on Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

The research magnet gathers the latest research from around the web, based on your specialty area. Below you will find a sample of some of the most recent articles from reputable medical journals about oral & maxillofacial surgery gathered by our medical AI research bot.

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Robotics vs Laparoscopy in Foregut Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Analyzing Hiatal Hernia Repair and Heller Myotomy.

Journal of the

Laparoscopic surgery remains the mainstay of treating foregut pathologies. Several studies have shown improved outcomes with the robotic approach. A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes of robotic and laparoscopic hiatal hernia repairs (HHR) and Heller myotomy (HM) repairs is needed.

PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between January 2010 and November 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROBINS-I tool. Assessed outcomes included intra- and post-operative outcomes. We pooled the dichotomous data using the Mantel-Haenszel random effects model to report odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and continuous data to report mean difference (MD) and 95% CIs.

Twenty-two comparative studies enrolling 196,339 patients were included. Thirteen (13,426 robotic, 168,335 laparoscopic patients) studies assessed HHR outcomes, while nine (2,384 robotic, 12,225 laparoscopic patients) assessed HM outcomes. Robotic HHR had a non-significantly shorter length of hospital stay (LOS) [MD -0.41 (95% CI -0.87, -0.05)], fewer conversions to open [OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.03, 1.49)], and lower morbidity rates [OR 0.76 (95% CI 0.47, 1.23)]. Robotic HM led to significantly fewer esophageal perforations [OR 0.36 (95% CI 0.15, 0.83)], reinterventions [OR 0.18 (95% CI 0.07, 0.47)] a non-significantly shorter LOS [MD -0.31 (95% CI -0.62, 0.00)]. Both robotic HM and HHR had significantly longer operative times.

Laparoscopic and robotic HHR and HM repairs have similar safety profiles and perioperative outcomes. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to compare the two methods, given the low to moderate quality of included studies.

Locally Advanced Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus: Is Esophagectomy Associated with Improved Overall Survival?

Journal of the

Esophagectomy in locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma is challenging and carries risk. The value of esophagectomy in locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma is not well-defined.

The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with cT4 esophageal adenocarcinoma from 2004-2020. Multivariable regression was used to identify factors associated with use of esophagectomy. Cox modeling was used to identify factors associated with all-cause mortality. Patients undergoing esophagectomy were 1:1 propensity score-matched to patients treated non-surgically. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare five-year overall survival (OS).

3,703 patients met inclusion criteria. 541 (15%) underwent esophagectomy, 3,162 (85%) did not. Age ≤ 65 (aOR 1.69, [1.33, 2.14]), white race (aOR 2.98, [2.24, 3.96]), treatment in academic centers (aOR 1.64, [1.33, 2.02]), private insurance (aOR 1.88, [1.50, 2.36]), and tumors <6cm (aOR 1.86, [1.44, 2.40]) were associated with use of esophagectomy. Government/lack of insurance (HR 1.23, [1.12, 1.35]), income <$46,000 (HR 1.11, [1.03, 1.20]), treatment in non-academic centers (HR 1.16, [1.07, 1.25]), CCI ≥ 1 (HR 1.22, [1.12, 1.32]), and tumors ≥ 6 cm (HR 1.20, [1.09, 1.32]) were associated with risk of all-cause mortality. Esophagectomy (HR 0.50, [0.44, 0.56]) and systemic therapy (HR 0.40, [0.37, 0.43]) were associated with decreased risk of all-cause mortality. Patients undergoing esophagectomy had higher rates of 5-year OS (27.4% vs 13.2%, p<0.0001) and longer median OS (24.71 vs. 10.09 months, p<0.0001). Among cT4b patients, those who underwent esophagectomy had higher rates of 5-year OS (24.5% vs 12.3%, p<0.0001) and longer median OS (25.53 vs. 11.01 months, p<0.0001).

In cT4 esophageal adenocarcinoma, esophagectomy is associated with improved rates of 5-year OS compared to non-surgical treatment.

Outcomes of Colectomy and Proctectomy According to Surgeon Training: General vs Colorectal Surgeons.

Journal of the

Colectomies and proctectomies are commonly performed by both general surgeons (GS) and colorectal surgeons (CRS). The aim of our study was to examine the outcomes of elective colectomy, urgent colectomy, and elective proctectomy according to surgeon training.

Data were obtained from the Vizient database for adults who underwent elective colectomy, urgent colectomy, and elective proctectomy from 2020-2022. Operations performed in the setting of trauma and patients within the database's highest relative expected mortality risk group were excluded. Outcomes were compared according to surgeon's specialty: GS vs. CRS. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcome was in-hospital complication rate. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

Of 149,516 elective colectomies, 75,711(50.6%) were performed by GS and 73,805(49.4%) by CRS. Compared to elective colectomies performed by CRS, elective colectomies performed by GS had higher rates of complications(4.9% vs. 3.9%, OR1.23, 95%CI 1.17-1.29,p<.01) and mortality(0.5% vs. 0.2%, OR2.06, 95%CI 1.72-2.47,p<.01). Of 71,718 urgent colectomies, 54,680(76.2%) were performed by GS, while 17,038(23.8%) were performed by CRS. Compared to urgent colectomies performed by CRS, urgent colectomies performed by GS were associated with higher rates of complications(12.1% vs. 10.4%, OR1.14, 95%CI 1.08-1.20,p<.01) and mortality (5.1% vs. 2.3%, OR2.08, 95%CI 1.93-2.23,p<.01). Of 43,749 elective proctectomies, 28,458(65.0%) were performed by CRS and 15,291(35.0%) by GS. Compared to proctectomies performed by CRS, those performed by GS were associated with higher rates of complications (5.3% vs. 4.4%, OR1.16, 95%CI 1.06-1.27,p<.01) and mortality(0.3% vs. 0.2%, OR1.49, 95%CI 1.02-2.20,p=.04).

In this nationwide study, colectomies and proctectomies performed by CRS were associated with improved outcomes compared to GS. Hospitals without a CRS on staff should consider prioritizing recruiting CRS specialists.

Incidence of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography after Subtotal Fenestrating and Reconstituting Cholecystectomy.

Journal of the

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) is used for the difficult cholecystectomy, but published experience with resource utilization for SC is limited. We hypothesized that the need for advanced resources are common after SC.

Retrospective review of laparoscopic cholecystectomies between 2017 and 2021 at a large center. SC cases were identified using a medical record tool. Baseline characteristics were assessed with student's t-test and chi-squared. Primary outcome was ERC within 60-days. Secondary outcomes were reconstituted SC on post-op ERC and length of stay (LOS). Uni- and multivariable logistic regression were used for binary outcomes. Multiple linear regression was used for LOS. Covariates included age, sex, BMI, ASA class.

A total of 1222 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed between 2017 and 2021. Of these, 87 (7%) were SC. Male (p<0.001) and older (p<0.001) patients were more likely to undergo SC. Odds of post-op ERC were higher in the SC group (OR 9.79 95% CI 5.90, 16.23 p<0.001). There was no difference in pre-op ERC (17% vs 21% p=0.38). Reconstituting SC had lower odds of post-op ERC (OR 0.12, 0.023-0.58, p=0.009). LOS was 1.81 times higher in the SC group(p=<0.001). Post-op ERC was not associated with LOS (p=.24).

We present one of the largest single-center series of SC. SC patients are more likely to be male, older, have higher ASA class, and have increased LOS. SC should be performed when access to ERC and interventional radiology is available. Absent these adjuncts, reconstituting SC decreases the need for early ERC, but long-term outcomes are unknown.

Collaborative Approach toward Transplant Candidacy for Obese End-Stage Renal Disease Patients.

American College of Surgeons

An elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) is a major cause of transplant preclusion for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). This phenomenon exacerbates existing socioeconomic and racial disparities and increases the economic burden of maintaining patients on dialysis. Metabolic Bariatric Surgery (MBS) in such patients is not widely available. Our center created a collaborative program to undergo weight loss surgery before obtaining a kidney transplant.

We studied the outcomes of these patients post MBS and transplant surgery. One hundred and eighty-three ESRD patients were referred to the bariatric team by the transplant team between Jan 2019 through June 2023. Of these, 36 underwent MBS (20 RYGB, 16 SG), and 10 underwent subsequent transplantation, with another 15 currently waitlisted. Both surgical teams shared resources, including dieticians, social workers, and a common database, for easy transition between teams.

The mean starting BMI for all referrals was 46.4 kg/m2 and was 33.9 kg/m2 at the time of transplant. The average number of hypertension medications decreased from 2.0 (range 2.0 to 4.0) pre-surgery to 1.0 (range 1.0 to 3.0) post-surgery. Similarly, HbA1C levels improved, with pre-operative averages at 6.2 (range 5.4 to 7.6) and postoperative levels at 5.2 (range 4.6 to 5.8) All transplants are currently functioning, with a median creatinine of 1.5 (1.2 - 1.6) mg/dl (GFR 46 (36.3 - 71.0)).

A collaborative approach between bariatric and transplant surgery teams offers a pathway toward transplant for obese ESRD patients, and potentially alleviates existing healthcare disparities. ESRD patients that undergo MBS have unique complications to be aware of. The improvement in comorbidities may lead to superior post-transplant outcomes.

Barriers to Black Medical Students and Residents Pursuing and Completing Surgical Residency in Canada: A Qualitative Analysis.

American College of Surgeons

The limited available data suggest that the Canadian surgical workforce does not reflect the racial diversity of the patient population it serves, despite the well-established benefits of patient-provider race concordance. There have been no studies to date that characterize the systemic and individual challenges faced by Black medical students in matching to and successfully finishing training in a surgical specialty within a Canadian context that can explain this underrepresentation.

Using critical qualitative inquiry and purposive sampling to ensure gender, geographical, and student/trainee year heterogeneity, we recruited self-identifying Black medical students and surgical residents across Canada. Online in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed through an inductive reflexive narrative thematic process by four analysts.

27 participants including 18 medical students and 9 residents, were interviewed. The results showed three major themes that characterized their experiences: journey to and through medicine, perceptions of the surgical culture, and recommendations to improve the student experience. Medical students identified lack of mentorship and representation, as well as experiences with racism as the main barriers to pursuing surgical training. Surgical trainees cited systemic racism, lack of representation and insufficient safe spaces as the key deterrents to program completion. The intersection with gender exponentially increased these identified barriers.

Except for a few surgical programs, medical schools across Canada do not offer a safe space for Black students and trainees to access and complete surgical training. An urgent change is needed to provide diverse mentorship that is transparent, acknowledges the real challenges related to systemic racism and biases, and is inclusive of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Transition to Permitless Open Carry and Association with Firearm-Related Suicide.

Journal of the

Firearm-related death rates continue to rise in the United States. As some states enact more permissive firearm laws, we sought to assess the relationship between a change to permitless open carry and subsequent firearm-related death rates, a currently understudied topic.

Using state-level data from 2013-2021, we performed a linear panel analysis using state fixed-effects. We examined total firearm-related death, suicide, and homicide rates separately. If a significant association between open carry law and death rate was found, we then performed a difference-in-difference analysis to assess for a causal relationship between changing to permitless open carry and increased death rate. For significant difference-in-difference results, we performed confirmatory difference-in-difference separating firearm and non-firearm death rates.

Nineteen states maintained a no open carry or permit-required law, while five changed to permitless, and 26 had a permitless open carry prior to 2013. Fixed-effects model indicated more permissive open carry law was associated with increased total firearm-related deaths and suicides. In difference-in-difference, changing law to permitless open carry had a significant average treatment effect on the treated of 1.57 (95% CI 1.05-2.09) for total suicide rate, but no significant for total firearm-related death rate. Confirmatory difference-in-difference found a significant average treatment effect on the treated of 1.18 (95% CI 0.90-1.46) for firearm suicide rate.

Open carry law is associated with total firearm-related death and suicide rates. Based on our difference-in-difference results, changing to permitless open carry is indeed strongly associated with increased suicides by firearm.

Should I See You Again Soon? A Multispecialty Assessment of the Impact and Burden of Preoperative History and Physical Update Visits.

Journal of the

Federal regulations require a history and physical (H&P) update performed ≤30 days before a planned procedure. We evaluated the utility and burdens of H&P update visits by determining impact on operative management, suitability for telehealth, and visit time and travel burden.

We identified H&P update visits performed in our health system during 2019 for 8 surgical specialties. As available, up to 50 visits per specialty were randomly selected. Primary outcomes were a) interval changes in history, exam, or operative plan between the initial and updated H&P notes and b) visit suitability for telehealth, as determined by two independent physician reviewers. Clinic time was captured, and round-trip driving time and distance between patients' home and clinic ZIP codes were estimated.

We identified 8,683 visits and 362 were randomly selected for review. Documented changes were most commonly identified in histories (60.8%), but rarely in physical exams (11.9%) and operative plans (11.6%). 99.2% of visits were considered suitable for telehealth. Median clinic time was 52 minutes (IQR:33.8-78), driving time was 55.6 minutes (IQR:35.5-85.5), and driving distance was 20.2 miles (IQR:8.5-38.4). At the health system level, patients spent an estimated aggregate 7,000 hours (including 4,046 hours of waiting room and travel time) and drove 142,273 miles to attend in-person H&P update visits in 2019.

Given their minimal impact on operative management, regulatory requirements for in-person H&P updates should be reconsidered. Flexibility in update timing and modality might help defray the substantial burdens these visits impose on patients.

Surgical Management of Perineal Groove.

Journal of the

Alberto Peña's contributions to our understanding of pediatric perineal surgery and anatomy make this the rarest of anomalies both discernable and ...

Baseline Characteristics and Utility of Pretherapeutic Fluorodeoxyglucose-PET for Pancreatic Cancer.

Journal of the

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy. Surgical resection is the only curative modality combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy to improve survival. Given the limitations of traditional responses like cross-sectional imaging (CT/MRI) or tumor markers, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), the 2023 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines included fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) as an adjunct to assess response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. There are common misconceptions on the metabolic activity (tumor avidity) in PDAC, so we aimed to describe the baseline characteristics and utility of FDG-PET in a cohort of treatment naïve PDAC patients.

A single center retrospective study was conducted capturing all biopsy proven, treatment naïve PDAC patients that underwent either baseline FDG-PET/CT or FDG-PET/MRI imaging between (2008-2023). Baseline FDG-PET characteristics were collected, including primary tumors' maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) defined as metabolic activity (FDG uptake) of tumor compared to surrounding pancreatic parenchymal background, and the identification of extra-pancreatic metastatic disease.

We identified 1095 treatment naïve PDAC patients that underwent baseline FDG-PET imaging at diagnosis. CA19-9 was elevated in 76% of patients. Overall, 96.3% (n=1054) of patients had FDG-avid tumors with a median SUVmax of 6.4. FDG-PET also identified suspicious extrapancreatic metastatic lesions in 50% of patients, with a higher proportion (p < 0.001) in PET/MRI (59.9%) vs. PET/CT (44.3%). After controlling for CA19-9 elevation, PET/MRI was superior in detection of extrapancreatic lesions compared to PET/CT.

FDG-PET has significant utility in PDAC as a baseline imaging modality prior neoadjuvant therapy given the majority of tumors are FDG avid. Furthermore, FDG-PET can identify additional extrapancreatic suspicious lesions allowing for optimal initial staging, with PET/MRI having increased sensitivity over PET/CT.

Defining the Problem: 53 Years of Firearm Violence Afflicting America's Schools.

Journal of the

Firearm violence and school shootings remain a significant public health problem. This study aimed to examine how publicly available data from all 50 states might improve our understanding of the situation, firearm type, and demographics surrounding school shootings.

School shootings occurring in the United States over 53 years ending in May 2022 were analyzed, using primary data files that were obtained from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Data analyzed included situation, injury, firearm type, and demographics of victims and shooters. We compared the ratio of fatalities per wounded after stratifying by type of weapon. Rates (among children) of school shooting victims, wounded, and fatalities per 1 million population were stratified by year and compared over time.

A total of 2,056 school shooting incidents involving 3,083 victims were analyzed: 2,033 children, ages 5-17, and 1,050 adults, ages 18-74. Most victims (77%) and shooters (96%) were male with a mean age of 18 and 19, respectively. Of the weapons identified, handguns, rifles, and shotguns accounted for 84%, 7%, and 4%, respectively. Rifles had a higher fatality-to-wounded ratio (0.45) compared to shooters utilizing multiple weapons (0.41), handguns (0.35), and shotguns (0.30). Linear regression analysis identified a significant increase in the rate of school shooting victims (β=0.02, p=0.0003), wounded (β=0.01, p=0.026), and fatalities (β=0.01, p=0.0003) among children over time.

Despite heightened public awareness, the incidence of school shooting victims, wounded, and fatalities among children has steadily and significantly increased over the past 53 years. Understanding the epidemic represents the first step in preventing continued firearm violence in our schools.

Six Square Miles of Urban America: Association Between Firearm Discharge, Injury, and Fatality.

Journal of the

Despite the increase in firearm injury observed across the country, significant gaps remain relevant to our understanding of how firearm exposure translates to injury. Using acoustic gunshot detection and a collaborative hospital and law enforcement firearm injury database, we sought to identify the relationship between firearm discharge and injury over time.

From 2018-2021, instances of firearm discharge captured via acoustic detection in six-square miles of Louisville, KY was merged with data from the collaborative firearm injury database. Key outcomes included the total number of rounds fired, injury and fatality rates per round, and the percentage of rounds discharged from automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Over the study period, 54,397 rounds of ammunition were discharged resulting in 914 injuries, 435 hospital admissions, 2,442 hospital days, 155 emergent operations, and 180 fatalities. For each round of ammunition fired, the risk of injury and fatality was 1.7% and 0.3% respectively. The total number of rounds fired per month nearly tripled (614 vs. 1,623, p < 0.001) leading to increased injury (15 vs. 37, p < 0.001) and fatality (3 vs. 7, p < 0.001). The percentage of rounds fired from automatic weapons (0 vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001) and high-capacity magazines (7.6 vs. 28.9%, p < 0.001) increased over time.

The increased burden of firearm injury is related to an overall increase in firearm exposure as measured by the total number of rounds discharged. High-capacity magazines and automatic weaponry are being used with increasing frequency in urban American.