Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Recurrent Polymicrobial Bloodstream Infections As Harbingers Of A Duodenal-Inferior Vena Cava Fistula, Gregory E. Koval, Richard J. Hankins, Jasmine R. Marcelin

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

This is a case of an 82-year-old patient who presented with recurrent polymicrobial bloodstream infections and no obvious undrained source of infection. She had prior double barrel iliocaval stenting for post thrombotic syndrome. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and primary repair of a duodenal-caval fistula with a fascia lata patch and an omental pedicle flap. No further bloodstream infections were documented after the repair. This discussion highlights an uncommon complication of IVC stenting, its presentation as well as the operative approach used to repair the fistula.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections For Refractory Abdominal Dystonia: A Case Report, William J. Naber Ii, Jodi M. Wilhelm, Kurt A. Kuhlman, Gabriel Howard

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background: A 58-year-old male with chronic bilateral treatment resistant abdominal spasms secondary complications of ascites/ alcoholic cirrhosis. Spasms would occur 4-5 times/day, lasting minutes to hours despite a 2-year course of therapeutic and pharmacological interventions. Due to treatment refraction, 6 uniformly spaced botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections were placed per side, using electromyography for audible intramuscular syringe placement confirmation, while visual confirmation was made via ultrasound. During the initial trial, 6 evenly spaced injections were performed bilaterally, uniformly distributing 80U/side. Injections began bilaterally just medial to the junction of the inferior rib cage border/ anterior axillary line and progressed …

How Long Does It Take To Master Laryngeal Visualization Using Flexible Nasolaryngoscopy In Children?, Kieran Boochoon, Julina Ongkasuwan, Annie Ahn, Mary Musso, Yi-Chun Carol Liu

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background: To assess when residents become proficient in performing flexible nasolaryngoscopy (FNL) in the pediatric population.

Objective: To objectively evaluate the quality of FNL by year of residency training.

Methods: Ninety-five pediatric FNL’s were performed by otolaryngology residents and pediatric otolaryngology fellows (postgraduate year [PGY] 1 – 6). Three pediatric otolaryngologists rated the FNL videos (anonymized and without sound) using the Modified Cormack-Lehane scoring system (MCLS). Data analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer adjustment.

Results: Overall, there was a significant difference in the quality of the FNL based on the year of training (p

Conclusion: The quality …

Discordant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation At An Academic Midwest Medical Center- Prevalence And Solutions, Jeremy Payne, Anne Skinner, David Gannon, Jenenne A. Geske

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background: Code status orders are important features of patient-centered clinical decisions, patient autonomy, and end-of-life care. Despite proper documentation of “do not resuscitate” (DNR) code status, hospitalized patients may be subjected to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts that go against their wishes.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify and describe the population of hospitalized patients receiving discordant resuscitation efforts at a Midwest academic medical center utilizing electronic health records (EHR).

Method: The study included EHR records between 01/01/2011 and 01/01/2021 for hospitalized patients 19 years and older who experienced cardiac arrest (ICD-10 I46) and were documented as DNR. …

Stellate Ganglion Block For Refractory Raynaud’S Phenomenon- A Case Report, William J. Naber Ii, Derik J. Scribner, Gabriel Howard

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Introduction: Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is predominately a sympathetically mediated ischemic vasospastic disease involving the distal limbs and is associated with sharp pains, numbness, and dermatological color changes. The symptoms are commonly induced by cold weather, stress, and trauma and it is known to affect 4.85% of the population. There are few well-defined treatments for patients with RP that are refractory to 1st-line therapies. We present a case of intractable RP with corresponding response to stellate ganglion block (SGB) which demonstrates the efficacy profile and safety of SNS blocks in treatment of resistant RP.

Methods: Per Bon Secours Mercy Health …

Successful Latissimus Dorsi Free Flap Salvage Using Intraoperative Vasopressors: A Case Report, Aubree Ford, Hugo Palacios Vazquez, Sean Figy

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Arterial thrombosis is a rare, but dreadful complication in microvascular surgery. Here we report on a case of recurrent arterial thrombosis in a latissimus dorsi (LD) free flap used for scalp reconstruction in an 18-year-old woman who sustained a gunshot wound (GSW) to the head. In the immediate postoperative period, internal and external doppler signals to the flap were lost. Emergent surgical exploration revealed arterial thrombosis, which was emergently explored and successfully repaired. Doppler signals were again lost and the flap was emergently explored for a second time. Following revision of the arterial anastomosis, flap perfusion decreased and appeared to …

Pelvic Actinomycosis: A Case Report, Jacklyn Locklear, Rachel Gilbert, Neelima Sukhavasi, Elizabeth Sutton

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Introduction: Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection caused by the gram positive anaerobic bacteria that most commonly infects the cervicofacial region of the body. Rarely, it can infect the pelvis and typically presents in a nonspecific manner.

Case Report: We present a case of a 43 year old female G6P6006 with Paragard® intrauterine device (IUD) who presented with purulent umbilical discharge and pelvic pain. Initial imaging was concerned for gastrointestinal or ovarian malignancy. Patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy with pelvic washings and hysteroscopy D&C. Operative pathology returned with results for actinomyces (IUD likely source).

Conclusion: While it is established IUDs can be …

Expedited Recovery Pain Management Pathway For Minimally Invasive Repair Of Pectus Excavatum (Mirpe), Maria E. Tecos, Jessica Goeller, Robert Cusick, Stephen Raynor

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Introduction: Pectus Excavatum (PEX) is the most common anterior chest wall deformity. While minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) has improved perioperative outcomes, there continue to be opportunities to optimize postoperative pain management and reduce length of stay (LOS). We compared the impact of a multimodal expedited protocol utilizing a combination of systemic and regional analgesia (with single shot paravertebral truncal blocks), along with coping techniques (such as meditation), and physical therapy, with systemic analgesia on LOS and opioid requirements.

Methods: 51 patients underwent MIRPE with an expedited recovery protocol in comparison with 112 historical control patients at a …

Systemic Inflammation Is Associated With Disease Extent And Survival In Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Brendan Coutu, Dallin N. Christensen, Evan Ryan, Elizabeth Bradford Bell, Weining Zhen, Zafar Sayed

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background: Although systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) correlates with patient survival in various solid malignancies limited information is available in the setting of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 222 patients who underwent a resection of curative intent for patients with OCSCC. SII was determined prior to surgical resection as platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count.

Results: At a median follow-up of 30.6 months, 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 63.9% and 76.4%, respectively. A high SII (>1047) was associated with poor performance status and disease extent. A low SII was independently …