DR. JOSEPH J. SFERRA, M.D.

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This study looked at how social factors, like race and income, are linked to blood clots in COVID-19 patients in the U.S. Researchers found that among 322,319 COVID-19 patients, 78,101 had pulmonary embolism (PE) and 67,826 had deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The risk of developing PE was more than double for COVID-19 patients, while DVT risk was about 44% higher, with notable disparities linked to socioeconomic status and race. Who this helps: This helps patients at higher risk for complications due to COVID-19, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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This study looked at how safe and effective stomach surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) is when combined with a special procedure (Nissen fundoplication) for people who are obese and have acid reflux (GERD). Researchers analyzed data from over 236,000 patients and found that those who had the combined surgery stayed in the hospital longer and faced higher costs, but both groups had similar chances of returning to the hospital within 30 days after surgery, and complications were generally low. This matters because it helps doctors understand the trade-offs of doing these procedures together versus separately. Who this helps: This helps patients with obesity and GERD considering bariatric surgery options.

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This study focused on improving the evaluation process for residents in a medical training program. After analyzing five years of feedback, researchers reduced a lengthy 30-question evaluation form to just 12 questions, which still captured 96% of the important information about resident performance. As a result, evaluations were completed more quickly, and faculty provided written feedback more often, increasing from 40.8% to 53.4% of the time. Who this helps: This benefits medical residents and faculty by making the evaluation process more efficient and effective.

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This study looked at how peritoneal dialysis catheters were placed in nearly 15,000 patients with end-stage kidney disease across the U.S. from 2017 to 2019. It found that 12% of patients faced major complications, about 13% were readmitted to the hospital, and 1.4% died within six months. Laparoscopic placement had fewer infections, while fluoroscopic procedures were linked to higher rates of serious infections and mortality. Understanding which techniques have better outcomes for patients helps ensure safer treatment options. Who this helps: Patients with end-stage kidney disease needing dialysis.

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This study looked at a rare situation where a man's small intestine was blocked due to cancer that invaded the mesh used in his past hernia surgery. The man, who was over 89 years old and had a history of prostate cancer and hernia repairs, experienced a severe blockage that required surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. This case is important because it highlights a possible link between hernia mesh and the development of certain cancers, which could have implications for patient care and surgical practices in the future. Who this helps: Patients who have had hernia surgery and their doctors.

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This study looked at a rare condition called gastrosplenic fistula (GSF), which occurs when there is an abnormal connection between the stomach and the spleen, often in patients with certain types of cancer. The researchers described the case of a 64-year-old woman with GSF caused by B-cell lymphoma who experienced severe bleeding but improved after surgery that involved removing part of her stomach and spleen. Understanding how to manage this condition is crucial because timely treatment can prevent serious complications and improve patient outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients with gastrosplenic fistula and their doctors.

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This study looked at why some patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, a weight-loss surgery. Out of over 235,000 patients, 3% were readmitted, with older age, being male, and having other health conditions leading to a higher chance of returning to the hospital. Understanding these factors is important for improving patient care and reducing hospital readmissions, which can help healthcare providers optimize treatment and reduce costs. Who this helps: Patients undergoing gastric surgery and healthcare providers.

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This study examined a rare complication called Horner's syndrome that can occur after thyroid surgery. It followed a 29-year-old woman who had surgery for thyroid cancer and developed symptoms of Horner's syndrome, including drooping eyelids and pupil constriction, which persisted for eight months post-surgery. The findings emphasize the need for better techniques to prevent nerve damage during thyroid operations, which is important for improving patient outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

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This study focused on improving a robotic surgical technique for treating thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), a condition that can cause pain and discomfort in the upper body. Over 16 years, researchers used the da Vinci Surgical System to perform 412 surgeries, finding that none of the patients died and only 5% experienced complications, including one who needed a follow-up operation. This technique is important because it allows doctors to operate with better visualization and precision, leading to safer and more effective treatment for patients suffering from TOS. Who this helps: This helps patients with thoracic outlet syndrome and the doctors who treat them.

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This study looked at a rare type of hernia called Spigelian hernias, which occur in a specific area of the abdominal wall and make up about 0.1-2% of all hernias. The researchers reported on three patients with these hernias who had successful repairs using robotic surgery and mesh to fix the problem. This matters because Spigelian hernias can lead to serious complications if not treated quickly, and robotic surgery might offer a better approach for fixing them. Who this helps: This helps patients with Spigelian hernias and their surgeons.

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This study looked at trends in the use of two types of breast biopsy: minimally invasive biopsy and open breast biopsy (OBB). It found that 34% of breast biopsies were OBB, with younger women under 50 having a higher OBB rate of 47% compared to 29.1% in women over 50. OBB was more common among Asian (39.8%) and Hispanic (40.6%) women and those with private insurance (40.9%) compared to those on Medicaid/Medicare (30.6%). Importantly, fewer women needed multiple biopsies when they underwent minimally invasive procedures (0.5%) versus OBB (1.2%). Who this helps: This research benefits patients by highlighting the need for better understanding and possibly shifting to more effective biopsy methods.

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This study focused on issues related to deformities of the second toe, which are very common and can cause pain. Researchers found that the second toe joint is most often affected because it doesn't move much and is close to the big toe. They discovered that using a step-by-step treatment approach, starting with soft tissue adjustments before considering surgery, leads to good results for treating these toe problems. Who this helps: This benefits patients suffering from second toe deformities.

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This study looked at complications from the femoral artery after patients underwent heart tests known as cardiac catheterizations. Out of 579 patients, 14% (82 people) experienced complications, with the most common being bruising (10%) and active bleeding (2.4%). The research identified factors that increased risk, such as certain blood thinners and having coronary artery disease, while using closure devices and being male actually protected against complications. Who this helps: This research benefits patients undergoing cardiac procedures and their doctors by highlighting risks and preventive measures.

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This study looked at how blood transfusions affect survival rates in patients who have surgery for hip fractures. Researchers found that among patients who died after surgery, 53% had received blood transfusions, compared to 35% of those who survived. They determined that blood transfusions increased the risk of death, but this risk didn't start until at least 90 days after the surgery, with a relative risk of 3.39 for those receiving transfusions. Who this helps: This information is useful for doctors and patients considering blood transfusions during hip fracture surgeries.

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This study looked at how well oral anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) works for treating plantar fasciitis compared to a placebo. Researchers treated 29 patients and found that pain and disability reduced more in the group taking the NSAID celecoxib than in the placebo group, although the difference was not statistically significant. Specifically, pain improved by 5.2 points and disability by 3.8 points in the NSAID group after six months, compared to improvements of 3.6 and 3.5 points, respectively, in the placebo group, meaning NSAIDs may provide additional pain relief and improve overall function. Who this helps: This benefits patients suffering from plantar fasciitis.

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This study looked at a specific muscle in the foot called the abductor digiti quinti to see how often it shows signs of damage in patients with heel pain. Out of 602 patients who had foot MRIs, 38 (about 6.3%) showed this muscle damage, with more cases found in women (7.5%). Despite this finding, it only changed the treatment plan for one patient, indicating that while this muscle damage is common in MRIs, its significance for treating heel pain is still unclear. Who this helps: Patients experiencing unexplained heel pain may benefit from this research.

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This study looked at how different conditions and treatments affect the first ray of the foot, which includes the big toe and surrounding bones. Researchers created a computer model to simulate the foot in various postures and applied forces to see how these factors changed pressure on the foot. They found that restricted movement in the big toe can cause pressure to increase by up to 223%, and that modifications in surgery and footwear can significantly reduce pressure, with up to a 43% decrease under the big toe when using specific materials. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with foot disorders, particularly those involving the big toe.

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This study looked at how the size of the hole drilled into bone affects the strength of a tendon fixated with a bioabsorbable screw. Researchers tested three different pilot hole sizes (5.0 mm, 5.5 mm, and 6.0 mm) and found that the size of the hole didn't significantly impact how well the tendon held, with similar pullout strengths across all sizes. This matters because it confirms that using a pilot hole size close to the screw size doesn't weaken the fixation, simplifying surgical choices for doctors. Who this helps: This helps surgeons performing tendon transfers.

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This study looks at diabetes and the problems it can cause, like eye damage, kidney disease, and heart issues. It highlights the importance of controlling blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and high blood pressure to manage diabetes effectively. Strategies like laser treatments for eye problems and special shoes can help prevent serious complications, such as amputations. Who this helps: Patients with diabetes and their healthcare providers.

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This study examined the first metatarsal bone (a bone in the foot) to understand its variations in shape and size among a large group of people. Researchers looked at 478 bones from 239 cadavers and found that the angle of the bone changes with age, increasing by about 4.5 degrees between ages 20 and 60. They discovered that a joint between the first and second metatarsals was present in 25% of individuals, which may lead to foot deformities. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and specialists who treat foot problems, as it provides valuable information on bone structure and its variations.

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This study looked at how well a method called callotasis, which is used to lengthen bones in dogs, works and how strong the new bone is. Researchers treated six dogs, and by the end of the experiment, the dogs' tibial bones were lengthened by an average of 12 mm. They found that 5 out of the 6 dogs had fractures, indicating that the new bone became stronger than the original bone, which may lead to better ways to assess bone strength during recovery. Who this helps: This benefits veterinarians and pet owners managing dogs with bone lengthening procedures.