PubMed · 10914518
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G R Krishnayya. 2000-06-23. ACC elective surgery contracts.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10914518/
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The efficacy of prophylactic thyroidectomy in patients with positive RET mutational analysis, familial thyroid cancer, or both has been reported. As cost has become critical to medical decision-making, this study was designed to evaluate currently existing coverage policies for prophylactic thyroidectomy. A confidential detailed cross-sectional nationwide survey of 481 medical directors from the American Association of Health Plans, Medicare, and Medicaid was conducted. Of the 150 respondents, 65% (n = 97) had 100,000 or more enrolled members, and 35% (n = 53) had fewer than 100,000 enrolled members. Only 9% of private plans have specific policies for coverage of prophylactic thyroidectomy for patients with a strong family history of thyroid cancer, 19% provided no coverage, and 72% had no policy. Only 9% of private plans have specific policies for patients with a known thyroid cancer genetic mutation, 12% provided no coverage, and 79% had no policy. Governmental carriers were less likely to provide coverage for prophylactic surgery: 4% for a strong family history and 6% for a genetic mutation. Altogether, 52% of government carriers provided no coverage for patients with a strong family history, and 50% provided no coverage in patients with a known genetic mutation; 44% of governmental carriers had no policy for either clinical scenario. Limited health insurance coverage for prophylactic thyroidectomy is offered in both private and governmental plans, with variations in coverage. As genetic testing becomes more widespread and with the potential identification of a gene predisposing to familial nonmedullary thyroid cancer, more uniform policies should be established to enable appropriate high risk candidates broader, equal coverage and access to these procedures.
INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding represent a major problem even today. Nearly 50% of upper gastrointestinal bleedings are originating from peptic ulcers of different locations. Thanking to the modern gastroenterological treatment the number of elective operations carried out because of peptic ulcers is very low. On the other hand the number of urgent operations required by the complications--mainly by bleeding--of the ulcers is still rather high. AIM: Summarizing the possible treatments of these patients. METHODS AND DISCUSSION: The therapeutic endoscopy accompanied by the medical treatment has the primary role in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers. If this treatment fails, the surgical treatment is mandatory. Also surgical treatment is necessary in case of massive rebleeding. These kinds of operations are accompanied by a high morbidity and mortality, so it is understandable that the surgeons are trying to avoid them. After spontaneous or successful endoscopic cessation of bleeding in some cases rebleeding can be expected. The probability of rebleeding can be predicted with the consideration of predictive factors. With the help of such prognosis we can decide the indication of "early elective operation". In the surgical treatment we can expect better results with more "aggressive" type of operations (resections). The delay of an indicated operation, or repeatedly carried out endoscopic and medical treatment can reduce the survival chance of the bleeding patients. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a multidisciplinary task, which needs the correct cooperation of gastroenterologists, intensive therapists and surgeons.
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy is currently the procedure of choice for elective splenectomy. This study reviews the initial 100 laparoscopic splenectomies completed at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. METHODS: A retrospective review of elective laparoscopic splenectomy was performed to assess clinical outcomes at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Patient demographics, preoperative diagnoses, operative characteristics, morbidity, and mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 169 elective splenectomies completed over a 4-year period from 1995 to 1999, 100 were attempted laparoscopically. The proportions of all splenectomies attempted laparoscopically by year were 17%, 38%, 75%, and 72%. Nearly 70% of splenectomies were performed for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or malignancy. Overall, the mean blood loss was 181 ml, and the mean operative time was 170 min. Splenomegaly occurred in 31% of the patients and accounted for longer operative times. Three patients required conversion to an open procedure. Postoperative complications were seen in 13% of the patients. One patient died in the postoperative period from staphylococcal sepsis, giving a mortality rate of 1%. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic splenectomy currently is the procedure of choice for elective splenectomy at our institution. As compared with traditional open splenectomy, laparoscopic splenectomy results in minimal morbidity even in the setting of splenomegaly.