Violence intervention programs are critical for reducing negative outcomes in firearm violence patients, but their availability varies significantly. 64.3% of patients were treated at facilities with VIP services, but many high-risk patients in non-VIP facilities lack access. Within VIP facilities, 81.5% of patients did not receive VIP services; younger, Medicaid users, and those with assault-related […]

This study shows that historical redlining and current housing discrimination significantly impact firearm violence in Chicago, particularly affecting marginalized communities. Redlined areas have shooting rates almost 8 times higher than non-redlined zones (irr 7.90). Current housing discrimination measures are each independently linked to increased shootings. Addressing the roots of these disparities is crucial for improving […]

Older adults undergoing emergency surgery for gastrointestinal cancer often face complicated recovery trajectories that impact care planning. Among 15,398 patients, 13.2% experienced sustained high dependency beyond home, linked to advanced disease and frailty. Factors like stage IV disease (ARR 2.39) and frailty (ARR 2.58) significantly increase the risk of extended hospital stay and institutional dependence. […]

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduces mortality and complications compared to open surgery, especially in low- and middle-income settings. Laparoscopic surgery cut mortality risk by 84% (RR 0.16) and complications by 54% (RR 0.46) versus open cholecystectomy. Length of hospital stay decreased by an average of 4.08 days with laparoscopic techniques. Robotic surgery did not show significant advantages […]

Nonoperative management of acute appendicitis has high rates of later surgery and hospital visits, which surgeons should consider in patient selection. 33% of patients experienced a subsequent event (hospital visit or surgery) within 1 year, rising to 36% at 5 years. At 5 years, 16% had appendicitis-related hospital readmissions, 12% needed emergency surgery, and 21% […]

Cancer patients face a significantly higher risk of emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions shortly after diagnosis, impacting surgical decision-making. Within the first year post-diagnosis, 4.8% of cancer patients develop EGS conditions versus 3.2% of noncancer patients. Patients with lung cancer show the highest incidence at 6.8%, followed by breast cancer at 4.0%. Despite these higher […]

Surgeons need to know that a five-year collaboration in Ethiopia significantly improved trauma care capacity at Hawassa University Hospital. Trauma care scores rose in provider knowledge, infrastructure, supplies, and hospital processes. Clinical gains for specific injuries were limited, pointing to room for improvement. Investing in human resources remains critical, as this area saw no improvement […]

Robotic cholecystectomy is on the rise, especially among obese patients, but it does not improve postoperative outcomes compared to laparoscopic surgery. Robotic surgery utilization increased significantly from 23.1% in 2020 to 55.8% in 2024 for patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m². Obese patients (BMI 35-49.9 kg/m²) were 15% more likely to have robotic surgery; those […]

Performing cholecystectomy at the same admission for patients with choledocholithiasis-associated cholangitis significantly lowers complications and readmissions. Same-admission cholecystectomy led to a 1.3% 30-day readmission rate versus 13.8% for deferred surgery (p=0.0023). Recurrence of biliary events was virtually eliminated (0%) in those treated same-admission compared to 56.5% in deferred cases (p<0.001). Surgical delay poses increased risks, […]