Digital Commons Network^™

Time To Safe Chest Tube Removal After Water-Seal Trial, Rahul Pawa, Joshua Gazzetta, Leo A. Benedict, Sean Nix, Phillip Jones, Yoon Cho, Alyssa Fesmire

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Esophageal Stents: How High Can You Go? A Traumatic Injury Treated With High Esophageal Stent Placement, John W. Surbeck, Anthony P. Melillo, James S. Scott

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Type 2 Myocardial Infarction In Adults Admitted For Severe Persistent Asthma With Status Asthmaticus: Evaluating Predictors And Mortality Burden, Kanwar Bir Dhaliwal, Rahul Pawa, Naresh Kodwani

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

A Histopathological Mystery: A Rare Atypical Feature Of Microscopic Colitis, Mohammad Mahfouz, Pratyush Kumar, Kumar Abhishek, Archana Machavarapu

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Overcoming Resistance To Car T-Cell Therapy In Hematologic Malignancies: Mechanisms, Counter-Strategies, And The Emerging Triple-Threat Multi-Antigen Approach, Muhammed Salman Ullah

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Baseline Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling As A Predictor Of Clinical Outcomes In Endobronchial Valve Therapy For Advanced Emphysema, Syed Ali Raza Abidi, Prithvi Basu Roy, Munaf Siyamwala, Amelia Goslin

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns Following Isolated Trigger Finger Release: A Single-Institution Quality Improvement Study, Brandalynn Mathis, Robert Garner, Cameron Sprong, Mark Gamadia, Alan Cornett, Steven Smith

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Efficacy And Safety Profile Of Busulfan Plus Low Dose Melphalan Versus High Dose Melphalan As A Conditioning Regimen For Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cells Transplantation In Multiple Myeloma Patients, Shahzaib Maqbool, Munaf Siyamwala

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Beyond Drainage: Can Pleural Effusion Serve As A Natural Tamponade Against Tumor Hemorrhage? A Case Report And Mechanistic Hypothesis, Pratyush Kumar, Kumar Abhishek, Pankti Shah, Amelia Goslin, Archana Machavarapu, Catherine Joyce, Michael Waxman

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Implications Of Glp-1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide For Hysterectomy Outcomes, Tess Branstetter, Megan Foster, Abbey Fritzel, Kimberly Swan, Alyssa Kozlowski, Jeffrey Durbin, Jordan Martin, Kari Nilsen

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Case Report: Spontaneous Gastric Intramural Hematoma With Intramural Dissection, Pedro De Castro, Rachel Steffes, John Surbeck, Anthony Melillo, Vince Narciso, Mohsin Soliman

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Turning Yellow On Rhythm Control: Dofetilide And The Unexpected Cholestatic Storm, Tejaswi Vadde, Mohammad Mahfouz, Prithvi Basu Roy, Subuhee Ahmed, Archana Machavarapu, Chelsea Curry

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Presentation And Application Of External Fixator Kickstand De-Rotational Bar Modification, Speros Gabriel, Grace Thiel, Cameron Sprong, Molly Black

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

When A Rare Neuromuscular Disorder Meets Covid-19: A Challenging Case Of Myotonic Dystrophy In The Intensive Care Unit, Pradeep Rajbhandari, Lawrence San Jose, Michael Waxman

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Dapagliflozin On Diastolic Function In Asymptomatic Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Observational Study, Pankti Shah, Kumar Abhishek, Pratyush Kumar, Aradhana Pandey

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Xylazine Associated Progressive Cutaneous Ulcerations With Non-Injectable Fentanyl Use, Briana Saravanan-Dougherty, Gazala Parvin

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Precipitated By Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Use, Karin Cha, Sparshitha Adapa

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Interventions To Reduce 30-Day Re-Hospitalization Rates In Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Systematic Review, Pradeep Rajbhandari, Karl E. Minges, Lawrence San Jose, Michael Waxman

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Retrospective Correlation Analysis Of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes In Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Examining Associations With Tumor Grade, Histologic Grade, And Lymph Node Status At A Tertiary Hospital In The Philippines, John Paul Ladera, Duebrt Guererro

MidAmerica Division GME Healthcare Symposium 2026

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of A Pressure Injury Prevention Bundle To Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries In The Intensive Care Unit, Xibo Lan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Purpose

The goal of this quality improvement project was to utilize the SKINSAFE pressure injury prevention bundle during 12 weeks of implementation to increase evidence-based pressure injury prevention practices adherence and decrease risk of hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) in the intensive care units (ICU).

Background

ICU patients experience high risk for hospital acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) secondary to immobility and device related pressure. Initial adherence to SKINSAFE bundle was 55-56%. There was inconsistent use of heel offloading devices, wound photography and documentation. Prevention bundles were affected by staffing fluctuations and leadership turnovers.

Methodology

The Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle for this project included …

Developing A Multidisciplinary Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Service At A Mid-Sized Children’S Hospital, Amanda M. Harrington, John August D'Orazio

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Roughly one in ten children and young adults diagnosed with cancer has an underlying genetic variant that may explain his/her malignancy. It is critical to identify patients with cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs) to provide personalized cancer treatment, surveillance, counseling, psychosocial support, and in some cases, risk-reducing interventions to maximize long-term outcomes. Over the past five years, we developed a comprehensive pediatric CPS program at our institution. We engaged our institutional adult cancer center for clinical cancer genetic counseling services and needed research shared resource facilities. We also initiated a clinical study called “Project Inherited Cancer Risk” (PICR) to identify pediatric …

An Anti-Adhesive Compound Modulating The Production Of Staphylococcus Aureus Cell Wall-Anchored Proteins, Allison C. Leonard, Ruina Bao, Cindy Menjivar, Megan J. Myers, Telmo O. Paiva, Zhiyong Zheng, Kirsten A. Berry, Kenneth W. Bayles, Ronald S. Flannagan, Yves F. Dufrêne, Jeffrey L. Bose, David E. Heinrichs, Georgina Cox

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

As one of the leading global causes of death associated with antimicrobial resistance, Staphylococcus aureus frequently colonizes the human nasal cavity and adheres to keratinized skin, establishing reservoirs that drive subsequent infections and emphasize the need for new decolonization strategies. Using a high-throughput, whole-cell screening platform, here we identify geranylgeranoic acid (GGA), a naturally occurring polyunsaturated, branched-chain fatty acid, as having dual activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). At elevated concentrations, GGA exhibits microbicidal effects, whereas at sub‑microbicidal doses, it effectively inhibits MRSA adhesion to keratin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulins. GGA possesses anti-adhesive activity against a panel of multidrug-resistant S. …

Distal Adding-On As A Complication Of Posterior Spinal Fusion In Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Scoping Review Of Contemporary Evidence, Hussein Hashem, Hassan Abou Adma, Joseph Hayek, Ali Rezazadeh Shirazi, Karim Gaber, Waleed Kishta

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

Distal adding-on (DAO) is a complication of spinal fusion characterized by postoperative deformity progression distal to the fusion construct. DAO after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is variably defined and inconsistently managed. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on DAO detection, management, and outcomes. A PRISMA-ScR–guided search identified relevant studies. Thirty-one studies (2,998 patients; median follow-up, 30 months) met inclusion criteria. Reported DAO incidence ranged from 3.5% to 62.5%, reflecting heterogeneity in definitions, patient factors, surgical constructs, and follow-up duration. Revision surgery was infrequent and typically delayed. When performed, it was most often prompted by progressive coronal decompensation …

Infection Rates In Gunshot-Related Hand Fractures Treated Nonoperatively, T. Kyle Summers, Ian Garrison, Matthew C. Watterson, Brandon Barnes, Charles Rodriguez-Feo

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

Background: Firearm-associated injuries in the U.S. represent a major public health crisis, contributing substantially to major levels of morbidity, mortality, and economic stress. Recommendations for the management of gunshot-related hand fractures remain limited, particularly in low-velocity injuries, and current guidance often leaves treatment decisions to the discretion of the operating surgeon. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed to identify phalangeal and metacarpal fractures at a Level I trauma center from 2017 to 2023, resulting in 579 patients. Only fractures resulting from firearm injuries were included, resulting in 56 patients. Infection rates were observed in patients treated nonoperatively and those treated …

Increased Mortality And Reduced Survival In Nonagenarians With Hip Fractures: Implications For Geriatric Care, Roman Austin, Julio Avila, Audrey Wassef, Kate Parker, Katherine Gavin

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

Background: Hip fractures in nonagenarians (patients aged ≥ 90 years) are becoming increasingly common as the population ages, yet outcomes in this group remain poorly characterized. This study compared in-hospital mortality and survivorship at three months, six months, and one year after hip fracture surgery in nonagenarians with a younger elderly cohort aged 65 years to 89 years. Secondary outcomes included fracture characteristics, surgical management, and discharge disposition. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who underwent hip fracture surgery at a single Level I Trauma Center from August 2019 to December 2021. Patients were grouped into nonagenarians …

Massive Upper Extremity Neurofibroma Treated With Limb-Sparing Debulking: A Case Report, Danielle Cummings, Tomas Holy, Nathan Morrell

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

Surgical management of neurofibromas in Neurofibromatosis type 1 (Von Recklinghausen’s disease), can be challenging because tumor size, location, hypervascularity, and tissue friability pose the risk for significant intraoperative and postoperative blood loss. Despite these risks, surgery is often necessary because of functional losses or cosmetic concerns. The authors present a 31-year-old woman with a massive neurofibroma on her right distal forearm, wrist, and hand, who ultimately underwent surgical resection because of functional impairment of her hand. She required postoperative hospitalization and blood transfusion for management of acute blood loss anemia. Because of concerns regarding blood loss and surgical morbidity, the …

Median Nerve Intraneural Hematoma As An Intraoperative Finding During Carpal Tunnel Release: A Case Report, Ana Silva, Gil Gonrtre, Nikalus Skipp, Ana Love, Deana Mercer

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy and typically progresses slowly. Intraoperatively, flexor tenosynovitis, nerve edema, or hourglass deformity may be observed. In rare cases, acute compression symptoms occur due to mass effect on the nerve. Intraneural hematoma of the median nerve is uncommon and has been reported primarily in acute CTS cases associated with trauma. This report describes an 87-year-old patient with a history of mild CTS who underwent carpal tunnel release due to worsening symptoms. After the initial incision, a thickened flexor retinaculum, an hourglass deformity of the median nerve, and an intraneural hematoma were …

Proximal Iliotibial Band Rupture In A 74-Year-Old High-Level, Female Athlete: A Case Report, Jeremiah M. Langsfeld, Joseph Esquibel, Dustin L. Richter

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

A 74-year-old female endurance athlete presented with progressive pain over the left proximal and lateral hip distal to the iliac crest. Symptoms developed over three weeks, impairing weightbearing. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a high-grade tear of the proximal iliotibial band at its iliac crest insertion. The patient was treated nonoperatively and returned to high-level, asymptomatic competition three months after symptom onset. This case offers a nonoperative approach to the rare presentation of a proximal iliotibial band rupture.

Arthroscopic Treatment Of Extensive Synovial Chondromatosis Of The Knee: A Case Report, Gaurav Singh, Bhavna Singh, Rebecca Peebles, Justin Bartley

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a rare, benign monoarticular disorder characterized by intra-articular cartilaginous loose bodies resulting from synovial metaplasia, most commonly affecting the knee. The authors present the case of a 44-year-old man with progressive, debilitating left knee pain, mechanical symptoms, and functional limitations unresponsive to conservative treatment. Radiographs were unremarkable, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated multifocal noncalcified intra-articular bodies consistent with SC. The patient underwent arthroscopic debridement of the knee with limited synovectomy. Intraoperative findings included innumerable intra-articular cartilaginous loose bodies throughout the knee, synovial proliferation, and grade II chondromalacia. At three months postoperatively, the patient had regained …

Fibula Strut Allograft With Proximal Tibia Autograft For Treatment Of Humerus Nonunion: A Case Report And Review Of Oligotrophic Nonunion Management, Paul Wilson, Naomi Kelley, Samer Kakish

Western Journal of Orthopaedics

Due to their high incidence and frequent need for reoperation, nonunions of the humerus present a significant challenge in orthopaedics. Using fibular struts to treat nonunions have demonstrated excellent results. While fibular autografts provide both biologic and structural benefit, high donor site morbidity must be considered. Although their application in midshaft humeral nonunions remains limited, fibular allografts avoid donor site morbidity. Enhancing fibular strut allografts with biological components offers a promising strategy for treating fractures that have failed prior revisions. This case study presents a 36-year-old woman with an aseptic oligotrophic midshaft humeral nonunion who had an unsuccessful revision surgery. …