Surgical Procedures, Operative Commons^™

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

Efficacy Of Submuscular Transposition For Revision Cubital Tunnel Release: Comparative Outcomes Analysis, Joshua Riklan, Alexzandra Mattia, Markos Mardourian, Harvey Chim

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: To assess outcomes after revision cubital tunnel release and submuscular transposition and compare these to a cohort of patients undergoing primary release with in situ decompression. Methods: Patients who underwent revision cubital tunnel release and submuscular transposition (n = 16) were enrolled. Mean follow-up was 21.4 months (range 12.8–55.6). Patients were evaluated in person using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Dellon stage, McGowan grade, visual analog scale for pain, and improvement of symptoms using the Messina's criteria and Modified Bishop score were assessed. Comparative analysis was performed with a …

Retrieval Of An Embolized Left Atrial Appendage Occluder From The Aortic Arch Using A Transcatheter Retrieval Device, Juan Siordia, Hussam Al Hennawi, Muhammad Sabri, Daniel Ice, Ronald Ross, Sheena Rastogi, Chunguang Chen, Richard Kovach, Muhammad Raza

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

BACKGROUND: Device embolization is a recognized complication of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures, with outcomes depending on the location of the embolized device and patient management.

CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old male with atrial fibrillation underwent LAAO due to high bleeding risk. Postoperative surveillance revealed an Amplatzer Amulet device embolized in the transverse arch of the aorta. The patient remained asymptomatic, and transcatheter retrieval was planned. A percutaneous approach was used with the ONOCOR system and snare devices with successful retrieval. The patient recovered without complications and remained stable at follow-up.

DISCUSSION: Device embolization often presents challenges, with clinical outcomes …

Can Implementation Strategies Diminish Infection Prevention Barriers And Reduce Cardiac Surgical Site Infections, Jennifer West, Jennifer Gutowski, Jarvis Mcgrath, Kristen Paliani, Emil P. Lesho

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background:

Surgical site infections (SSI) can affect up to 26.8% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In New York State (NYS), hospitals are evaluated by comparing their risk-adjusted CABG SSI rates to the NYS average rate. In 2021, our facility’s rate was significantly higher than the NYS average at 3.40 and 1.51, respectively. We sought to reduce infection rates using a multidisciplinary Implementation Science (IS) approach across the continuum of care.

Methods:

Standardized definitions from the National Healthcare Safety Network were utilized in a 24-month before and after study at a 528-bed hospital that averages 468 CABG/year. In …

Comparative Outcomes Of Coil Embolization And Surgical Clipping In Elderly Patients With Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Yohanna Idsabella Rossi, Gabriel Bolner, Jonathan Costa Dall'acqua, Fabiana Dolovitsch De Oliveira, Lucas V. Zacaria, Taís L. Denicol, Michel Frudit, Natália Vasconcellos De Oliveira Souza

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Elderly patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) face a disproportionately high burden of morbidity and mortality. While endovascular coiling is often favored in this population, direct comparisons with surgical clipping are limited. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare outcomes of clipping versus coiling in SAH patients aged ≥ 60 years.

METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases identified studies comparing the two treatments in this age group. The primary outcome was a composite of unfavorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] > 2 and mortality). Secondary outcomes included mortality, favorable outcome (mRS 0-2), rebleeding, and hospital length …

Hardware And Software Design For A Portable Surgical Training Simulator, Victoria Nelson

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

More than 51 million surgeries are performed on patients annually in the United States. That number grows to 310 million surgeries performed globally each year. Most surgeons go through a minimum of five years of residency – where they train and hone their surgical skills. It is important during this time, and throughout their careers, that they get plenty of practice. Surgical training is time intensive, expensive, and frequently under-resourced. There are finite amounts of surgical training modules for students to share at their facilities. The problem of getting adequate surgical training time continues to exist after surgeons begin their …

Impact Of Extended Reality On Robot-Assisted Surgery Training: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Michael Bickford, Fayez Alruwaili, Sara Ragab, Hanna Rothenberg, Mohammad Abedin-Nasab

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Robot-assisted surgeries (RAS) have an extremely steep learning curve. Because of this, surgeons have created many methods to practice RAS outside the operating room. These training models usually include animal or plastic models; however, extended reality simulators have recently been introduced into surgical training programs. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine if extended reality simulators can improve the performance of robotic novices and how their performance compares to the conventional training of surgeons on surgical robots. Using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic review was performed searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library for studies …

Optimizing Stereotactic Intracranial Neoplasm Treatment: A Systematic Review Of Pet Integration With Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Robert C. Subtirelu, Eric M. Teichner, Milo Writer, Kevin Bryan, Shiv Patil, Talha Khan, Lancelot Herpin, Raj N. Patel, Emily Christner, Chitra Parikh, Thomas Werner, Abass Alavi, Mona-Elisabeth Revheim

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVE: Traditional imaging modalities for the planning of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) are non-specific and do not accurately delineate intracranial neoplasms. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) for the planning of GKRS for intracranial neoplasms (ICNs) and the post-GKRS applications of PET for patient care.

METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were searched in order to assemble relevant studies regarding the uses of PET in conjunction with GKRS for ICN treatment. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed to identify relevant studies on the use of PET in conjunction with …

The Articularis Genu As A Surrogate For Structural Determinants Of Peri-Articular Myopenia In Osteoarthritis, Davis Martin, José A.Cruz Ayala, Mary C. Gatterer, Tara Soria, Ryan Schroeder, Vinod Dasa, Luis Marrero

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The functional limitations associated with the painful stiffness of knee osteoarthritis (kOA) can affect the muscles of the knee, such as the quadriceps femoris (QF) and articularis genu (AG). The vastus medialis oblique (VMO) of the QF complex is particularly sensitive to kOA. The AG, which can be sampled during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for kOA, can provide information about the condition of the QF when affected by patient-reported disuse, helping to identify indicators of muscle weakness in the synovial fluid. This study compares the structural and gene expression changes between the VMO and the AG collected from patients with …

Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion Is Associated With Higher Nonroutine Discharge Rates Compared To Cervical Disc Arthroplasty In Obese Patients, Paul G. Mastrokostas, Luke B. Schwartz, Eli Berglas, Aaron B. Lavi, Leonidas E. Mastrokostas, Jonathan Dalton, Christopher K. Kepler, Arya Varthi, Jad Bou Monsef, Afshin E. Razi, Mitchell K. Ng

Rothman Institute Papers

CONTEXT: Obesity is a recognized risk factor for adverse outcomes in cervical spine surgery. While cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) has emerged as an alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), comparative outcomes among obese patients remain underexplored.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to compare nonroutine discharge rates and other postoperative outcomes between obese patients undergoing single-level ACDF and CDA.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using a national database.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was queried to identify obese patients who underwent single-level ACDF or CDA between 2016 and 2020. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were …

The Impact Of Operative Level On Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Single-Level Posterior Lumbar Decompression For Disc Herniation, Jonathan Dalton, Robert Oris, Omar Tarawneh, Gregory Toci, Rajkishen Narayanan, Dominic Finan, Hannah Bash, Marco Goldberg, John Mangan, Barrett Woods, Mark Kurd, Ian Kaye, Jose Canseco, Alan Hilibrand, Alex Vaccaro, Gregory Schroeder, Christopher Kepler

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of upper versus lower lumbar decompression on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing L1-L2, L2-L3, L4-L5, or L5-S1 single-level elective decompression with 1-year PROMs were identified. Included PROMs were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg, and Short Form-12 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores. Minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were calculated. Multivariable regressions assessed the independent predictive ability of operative level controlling for demographic confounders.

RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-six patients were included (94 upper lumbar decompressions). Upper lumbar decompression patients were older (64.0 vs. …

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Adjunct For Acetabular Labral Tear Repair: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Seth Spicer, Hanna Brancaccio, Ashley Sundin, Jamie Bono, John Desrochers, Brandon Goodwin, Nicholas Averell, Seungkyu Park, Alexandra Goodwin, William Diciurcio, Richard Jermyn

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) on long-term patient outcomes when used as an adjuvant to acetabular repair of the labrum.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were completed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Included in the analysis were controlled studies which assessed functional outcomes via the International Hip Outcome Tool-33 (iHOT-33) 12 or 24 months after acetabular repair with BMAC adjunct. Four studies totaling 315 participants were analysed.

RESULTS: Pooled effect sizes for iHOT-33 scores were not significantly different between control and treatment groups at 12 (p = …

Systemic Exogenous Progestins With Or Without Estrogens Are Associated With Decreased Rates Of Venous Procedures For Varicose Veins, Paarth Jain, Adam M. Ostrovsky, Paul J Dimuzio, Luis H. Eraso, Michael Nooromid, Dawn Salvatore, Babak Abai

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Risk factors for varicose veins (VVs) such as female sex, pregnancy, and obesity are high estrogen states, yet the role of systemic progestins with or without estrogens (SPEs) in VV management is not well characterized. This study investigates how SPE use affects rates of venous procedures for patients with VV.

METHODS: The TriNetX database was queried for subjects with International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, diagnoses of asymptomatic VV, chronic venous insufficiency, and complicated VV (inflammation or ulceration). Patients were divided into a control cohort with no subsequent SPE use, a progestin-only cohort, and a combined estrogen-progestin (CEP) cohort. …

Do Female Patients Experience Worse Outcomes Than Male Patients After Inguinal Hernia Repair? An Analysis Of The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative Database, Amrita Iyer, Sunjay Kumar, Martina Rama, Sourav Podder, Li-Ching Huang, Sami Tannouri, Talar Tatarian, Francesco Palazzo

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common general surgery operations. Some evidence suggests that female patients are at greater risk of chronic postoperative pain and hernia recurrence. We investigated rates of chronic inguinal pain and recurrence after inguinal hernia repair in both male and female patients using the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative database.

METHODS: The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative database was queried for patients undergoing elective, unilateral inguinal hernia repair who completed 30-day clinical follow-up and baseline and 1-year European Registry for Abdominal Wall Hernias Survey surveys. Both open and minimally invasive cases were included. …

Early Recurrent Midgut Volvulus Post Ladd's Procedure In A Newborn: A Case Report, Nicole Clarke, Joanna Sajdlowska, John Paul Bustamante, Nishith Bhattacharyya

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Ladd's procedure is the standard surgical intervention for intestinal malrotation. Although generally curative, rare cases of early postoperative complications, including adhesions or recurrent volvulus, can necessitate reoperation. We present the case of a full-term newborn girl who underwent emergent Ladd's procedure on Day 3 of life for malrotation with volvulus. She was discharged on postoperative Day 17 but returned the following day with recurrent bilious emesis. Imaging suggested partial obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed recurrent volvulus with two twists at the duodenojejunal junction, which was successfully reduced. The patient recovered well and was discharged on postoperative Day 8. This case underscores …

The "Dual-Port" Approach To The Posterior Incisura: A Quantitative Cadaver Study Of A Combined Endoscopic Paramedian Supracerebellar Infratentorial And Occipital Interhemispheric Transtentorial Approach, Wesley Shoap, Ezequiel Goldschmidt, Roberto Rodriguez Rubio

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The posterior incisura is a deep and surgically challenging area with complex neurovasculature. Endoscopic paramedian supracerebellar infratentorial approaches (EPSCITAs) have improved access and visualization of this region. However, endoscope and instrument conflict within this deep and narrow corridor remains a key limitation. This study evaluates the feasibility of a combined EPSCITA and endoscopic occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach (EOIHTTA) with the aim of improving surgical freedom and visualization in this region. METHODS: Five embalmed and latex-injected cadaveric donors were dissected bilaterally (10 sides total). Measurements were taken at the EPSCITA port and then were repeated after addition of the EOIHTTA …

Slow-Growing Lung Mass In A Patient With Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I: Consider Carcinoid Tumor, Ramin Talebi, Charalambos C. Solomides, Nathaniel R. Evans Iii, Gregory C. Kane

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

A 23-year-old man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) with pancreatic tail masses and Cushing syndrome (status after transsphenoidal adenomectomy) presented with a slow-growing, asymptomatic right lower lung lobe mass confirmed to be an atypical carcinoid tumor by pathologic staging following successful basilar segmentectomy with mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Pulmonary carcinoid tumor (PCT) is a rare neoplasm in patients with MEN 1, but there is limited data on trends in atypical versus typical carcinoid tumors in these patients. This case emphasizes the need to characterize these trends given the implications for metastatic potential and 5-year survival, which can help guide …

Advancing Novel Contrast Agents For Applications In Fluorescence-Guided Neurosurgery Using Fluorescence Cryotomography, Augustino Vittorio Scorzo

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) is an emerging surgical technique that aims to help surgeons identify tissue types to assist in surgical decision making - ideally providing “cut-by-color” guidance. A primary application for this approach is the identification of tumor tissue to achieve more accurate and complete tumor removal while simultaneously minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissue. The cornerstone of tumor visualization for FGS is the administration of fluorescent contrast agents, or in some cases metabolic precursors, designed to accumulate specifically in tumor tissue, and a wide range of agents that use different targeting mechanisms are currently under investigation. Although these …

24-Month Patient-Reported Outcomes For A Novel Lumbar Total Joint Replacement, Ahilan Sivaganesan, Marissa Koscielski, Ashmal Sami, J. Alex Sielatycki, Jeffrey Goldstein, Brady Riesgraf, Craig Humphreys, Scott Hodges

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Lumbar fusion remains a prevalent treatment for degenerative conditions; however, its limitations have sparked interest in alternative motion-sparing procedures. Our study evaluates 24-month postoperative patient-reported outcomes from an OUS pilot clinical study on a novel lumbar total joint replacement (TJR) for degenerative conditions.

METHODS: Data was collected from 63 patients, of which 56 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Self-reported measures collected for this study are Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Minimal Symptom State (MSS), Minimal Clinical Important Difference (MCID), Substantial Clinical Benefit (SCB). This retrospective analysis of prospective, IRB-approved collected data reports 24 month patient-reported outcomes …

Attitudes Toward Pig Islet Xenotransplantation For Type 1 Diabetes: A Scoping Review, Daniel J Hurst, Daniel Rodger, Luz A Padilla, Fernando Ovalle

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Over 8 million people globally have type 1 diabetes. Islet allotransplantation offers an alternative to insulin therapy but is constrained by donor availability. Genetically modified pig islet transplantation presents a potential solution, yet understanding stakeholder attitudes is crucial before clinical adoption.

METHODS: This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA guidelines. CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO, and SCOPUS were searched for studies examining attitudes toward pig islet xenotransplantation among patients, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders.

RESULTS: From 199 sources, 16 met eligibility criteria, spanning ten countries from 2003 to 2023. The 23,780 participants included 1,535 (6.5%) patients/family members, …

Plug And Coil Procedure For Management Of Large Postinfarct Ventricular Septal Defect, Hussam Al Hennawi, Sergio Flores, Michael Little, Lacy Harville, Ahmad Almomani, Muhammad Hammadah

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

Acute surgical mortality for postinfarction ventricular septal rupture remains alarmingly high at approximately 50%. In comparison, medical mortality is nearly 100% and likely exceeds historical levels because of the declining frequency of these acute surgeries, with many surgeons now performing fewer than 1 or 2 annually. Percutaneous device closure has become a feasible option for managing postinfarction ventricular septal defects in carefully selected patients. However, this technique may be associated with challenges such as significant residual shunting, delayed endothelialization, hemolysis, and extended hospital stays. Here, we present a novel approach using coil packing to enhance closure and reduce shunting.

Supra Inguinal Fascia Iliac Versus Peng Block For Post-Operative Pain Management Of Hip Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Megan S. Walker, Mary O'Dell Duplechin, Drake P. Duplechin, Charles J. Fox, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Effective post-operative pain management following hip arthroplasty is critical to improving recovery, reducing opioid consumption, enhancing mobility, and reducing the risk of complications for patients. Multimodal anesthesia strategies, including the supra inguinal fascia iliac block (SIFIB) and the periarticular nerve group (PENG) block have become the new point of focus as opposed to traditional methods previously used. This narrative review compares the SIFIB and the PENG block in their efficacy to treat post-operative pain management. Mechanism of action, safety, patient outcomes, and clinical applications are compared between the two blocks for evaluation. Clinical studies have indicated that both blocks reduce …

Quality Over Quantity-Current Challenges Of Robotic Surgery In Poland, Marcin Kubiak, Jacek Doniec, S Vincent Grasso, Andrew Gumbs, Amir Nour Mohammadi, Katarzyna Sędłak, Zuzanna Pelc, Stanisław Góźdź, Wojciech Załuska, Artur Bachta, Paweł Rybojad, Kamil Torres, Timothy M Pawlik, Marek Zawadzki, Andrzej Budzyński, Karol Rawicz-Pruszyński

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Since its introduction in 2010, a dynamic growth of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has been observed in Poland. The number of healthcare institutions implementing RAS has tripled in the last 36 months, with 80 surgical robots currently utilized on a national scale. While urological procedures dominate RAS utilization (73%), adoption in gynecology (12.2%) and gastrointestinal surgery (8.5%) is rising, driven by recent National Health Fund reimbursement policies. However, significant fragmentation and alarmingly low numbers of individual RAS procedures were identified: 47.7% of surgeons perform less than 40 cases annually. Parallel to expanding the robotic surgery reimbursement program, several standardized actions are …

Comparison Of Open And Laparo-Endoscopic Repair Techniques For Patients With Bilateral Inguinal Hernias, Divyansh Agarwal, Tina Bharani, Nora Fullington, Lauren Ott, Kortney Hodgson, Daelyn Mcclain, Kaela Blake, Michael Reinhorn

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: For primary bilateral inguinal hernias, international guidelines favor a laparoscopic posterior mesh repair due to relatively lower risk of acute and chronic pain, faster recovery, and favorable biomechanical properties compared to open anterior approaches (Lichtenstein, plug and patch, etc.). However, studies comparing open mesh-based bilateral inguinal hernia repairs to bilateral laparoscopic and robotic mesh-based approaches are limited. The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) registry includes longitudinal data on bilateral inguinal hernia repairs performed via open as well as laparo-endoscopic approaches. We hypothesize that outcomes for bilateral inguinal hernia repair are similar between open and laparo-endoscopic approaches in the …

Comparison Between Pipeline Embolization Device (Ped) Versus Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device (Fred) For Intracranial Aneurysms: A Comprehensive Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Seyed Maroufi, Mohammad Fallahi, Muhammad Waqas, Othman Bin-Alamer, Manisha Koneru, Joanna Roy, Jane Khalife, Hamza Shaikh, Daniel Tonetti

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: The performance of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) and relatively newer double-layered Flow Re-Direction Endoluminal Device (FRED) have been studied for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, but direct comparisons between PED and FRED are limited. The current systematic review aims at comparing the efficacy and safety of PED and FRED.

METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched, and related records were identified. A meta-analysis of double-arm studies comparing PED and FRED was conducted on angiographic and clinical outcomes, retreatment rates, and …

The Evolvement Of The 100 Most Cited Articles In Spine Surgery In The Last Decade Compared To All-Time, Mark Miller, Matthew Meade, Ruchir Nanavati, William T Diciurcio, Maneesha Palakurthi, Adam Kohring, Justin Le, Christopher Giuditta, Christopher Kepler, Barrett Woods

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Decision-making in spine surgery is continuously shaped by advancements in the field through evidence-based medicine. This is demonstrated through the evolution of the quality and impact of scientific research within the field of spine surgery. To date, there is limited literature investigating interval changes in methodological rigor of scientific investigation within the field of spine surgery.

METHODS: The top 100 cited articles were recorded for manuscripts from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2023, and the top 100 most cited manuscripts of all time for spine surgery, via the Scopus abstract and citation database. Data collected included year of …

Decompression With Intradural Dissection For The Chiari Malformation Type I: Toward Eliminating Wound Complications, Anna Lin, Lindsey Asti, Marissa Carroll, Jeffrey Campbell, Jospeh Piatt

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There is continuing conversation about surgical technique in the management of the Chiari malformation. Popular options include osseous decompression alone, decompression with dural splitting, and decompression with intradural dissection (DID) and duraplasty. Wound complications after intradural dissection are a persistent problem. The current study of an institutional series examines wound complication rates after intradural dissection without dural closure.

METHODS: A retrospective single-institution chart review was performed for patients < 21 years with Chari malformation type I who underwent DID without dural closure and had at least 6 months of follow-up. Bone removal corresponded to the area of attachment of the rectus capitis posterior minor muscles together with laminectomy of the atlas. The trapezius and semispinalis capitis muscles were retracted but were not separated from the occiput.

RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were treated from May 2010 through May 2024. Thirty-eight (50.0%) patients had syringomyelia. The median age at surgery was 9 years (interquartile range [IQR] 4-13), …

Consideration Of Anesthesia Techniques For Deep Brain Stimulation Implantation In The Treatment Of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Narrative Review, Alan D. Kaye, Benjamin Esneault, Shreya Deshpande, Joseph Wentling, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Pooja Potharaju, Sahar Shekoohi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures, affecting millions worldwide. While anti-seizure medications serve as first-line treatment, approximately one-third of patients develop drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), necessitating alternative interventions. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a promising therapy for DRE, particularly for patients who are ineligible for resective surgery. DBS involves stereotactic implantation of electrodes into target brain regions, such as the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT), centromedian nucleus (CMT), and hippocampus (HC), to modulate aberrant neural activity and to reduce seizure frequency. Anesthesia plays a critical role in DBS implantation, influencing both patient safety and …

Post-Operative Management Of Chronic Subdural Hematomas, Steven R. Glener, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Primary Objective & Outcome Measures

Objective: Identify standard of care for post-operative subacute to chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) that undergo burr hole evacuation

Primary outcomes:

• Rate of SDH recurrence requiring re-evacuation or MMA embolization

Secondary outcomes:

• LOS
• Readmission for a medical problem related to chronic subdural evacuation

Early Results With Hypofractionated Gamma Knife Radiotherapy For Treatment Of Vestibular Schwannoma, Omar Azmeh, Samuel R. Barber, Maurice King, Moisés A. Arriaga

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: Vestibular schwannoma (VS) management with stereotactic radiation previously only included stereotactic radiosurgery with Gamma Knife (GKRS) or LINAC-based radiotherapy (LBR). Hypofractionated Gamma Knife radiotherapy (hfGKRS) is a novel protocol potentially producing less toxicity than the alternatives. This study examines early results in tumor control, complications and hearing preservation outcomes in a consecutive series of VS patients treated with hfGKRS. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was conducted for all patients with unilateral VS treated with primary hfGKRS at an academic center between 2017 and 2023. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. INTERVENTIONS: Therapeutic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre- and post-treatment imaging, notes and …