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Biomedical subjects

Scott Q Nguyen

Publications and source records attributed to Scott Q Nguyen.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Surgical residents as medical student mentors.

BACKGROUND: Medical students' decreasing interest in surgery may be caused by the inadequate availability of role models. We believe that surgical residents show the qualities of outstanding surgical mentors and are in a key position to influence students' career choices. METHODS: In 2004-2005, 117 medical students at Mount Sinai School of Medicine completed their third-year surgery clerkship. They were asked to complete an anonymous survey regarding a career in surgery and surgical mentors. RESULTS: A total of 107 students (91%) completed the survey. Seventy-nine percent were influenced positively toward a surgical career after the clerkship. A higher fraction of these students identified a mentor or role model than the students who did not increase their interest in surgery (95% vs 52%). Residents scored higher than attendings in 12 of 14 qualities describing outstanding clinical mentors (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Role models are crucial in bolstering medical students' interest in surgical careers. Residents are identified as having qualities that are essential to being an outstanding mentor and residents may play a role in influencing students' career choices.

Clinical Clerkship↗

Management of goblet cell carcinoid.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Goblet cell carcinoid, a rare tumor of intermediate malignant potential, is known to account for a significant minority of appendiceal neoplasms. Sixteen new cases of gastrointestinal goblet cell carcinoid were reviewed to describe their presentation, treatment, and outcome. METHODS: A review of 16 cases from a single institution. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were diagnosed with goblet cell carcinoid between 1995 and 2005. Presenting diagnoses included appendicitis (n=8), abdominal or liver mass (n=5), uterine fibroids (n=1), ovarian mass (n=1), and Crohn's Disease exacerbation (n=1). Mean follow-up was 12 months with a mortality of 19% (n=3). Patients were divided into two groups: those where the diagnosis was an incidental finding at operation (Group 1) and those where the presentation was of an abdominal mass or metastatic disease (Group 2). Nine of ten patients in Group 1 initially received appendectomies. Group 2 included patients presenting with Krukenberg type lesions (n=2) and abdominal masses (n=4). CONCLUSIONS: Goblet cell carcinoid is a rare malignant tumor largely affecting the appendix. In patients presenting with appendicitis, our series does not support the recommendation of right hemicolectomy based on pathologic diagnosis alone and surgical intervention must be customized to the individual patient.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic surgery for diverticular disease complicated by fistulae.

OBJECTIVES: Elective laparoscopic surgery for recurrent, uncomplicated diverticular disease is considered safe and effective; however, little data exist on complicated cases. We investigated laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticulitis complicated by fistulae. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent laparoscopic treatment of enteric fistulae complicating diverticular disease performed by 4 surgeons at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. RESULTS: From 1994 to 2004, 14 patients underwent elective laparoscopic sigmoid resections for diverticular disease complicated by enteric fistulae. Patients' mean age was 62 and 4 were female. Multiple fistulae were present in 21%. Types of fistulae included 8 colovesical, 5 enterocolic, 2 colovaginal, 1 colosalpingal, and 1 colocutaneous. All patients successfully underwent sigmoidectomy, and 14% required additional bowel resections. No cases were proximally diverted. Conversion to open was necessary in 36% of cases, all due to dense adhesions and severe inflammation. The mean operative time was 209 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 326 mL. Two (14%) postoperative complications occurred, including one anastomotic bleed and one prolonged ileus. No anastomotic leaks or mortalities occurred. The mean postoperative stay was 6 days. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of diverticular disease complicated by fistulae can be performed effectively and safely. The conversion rate is higher than traditionally accepted rates of uncomplicated cases of diverticulitis and is associated with severe adhesions and inflammation.

Diverticulum↗