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The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a highly impactful professional organization in cardiothoracic surgery and an important network of mentors for trainees. Annually, presidents of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons deliver an address encapsulating their professional experiences, lessons learned, and future vision for the field. We sought to summarize these lessons into salient points for trainees. Transcriptions from 1964 to 2018 were reviewed by residents and expounded into categories of importance for readers. Six overarching themes were identified: (1) leadership, (2) education, (3) clinical excellence and innovation, (4) humanism and professionalism, (5) diversity and inclusion, and (6) the future of cardiothoracic surgery., (Copyright © 2021 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had major implications for the United States health care system. This survey study sought to identify practice changes, to understand current personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and to determine how caring for patients with COVID-19 differs for vascular surgeons practicing in states with high COVID-19 case numbers vs in states with low case numbers., Methods: A 14-question online survey regarding the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on vascular surgeons' current practice was sent to 365 vascular surgeons across the country through REDCap from April 14 to April 21, 2020, with responses closed on April 23, 2020. The survey response was analyzed with descriptive statistics. Further analyses were performed to evaluate whether responses from states with the highest number of COVID-19 cases (New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and California) differed from those with lower case numbers (all other states)., Results: A total of 121 vascular surgeons responded (30.6%) to the survey. All high-volume states were represented. The majority of vascular surgeons are reusing PPE. The majority of respondents worked in an academic setting (81.5%) and were performing only urgent and emergent cases (80.5%) during preparation for the surge. This did not differ between states with high and low COVID-19 case volumes (P = .285). States with high case volume were less likely to perform a lower extremity intervention for critical limb ischemia (60.8% vs 77.5%; P = .046), but otherwise case types did not differ. Most attending vascular surgeons worked with residents (90.8%) and limited their exposure to procedures on suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases (56.0%). Thirty-eight percent of attending vascular surgeons have been redeployed within the hospital to a vascular access service or other service outside of vascular surgery. This was more frequent in states with high case volume compared with low case volume (P = .039). The majority of vascular surgeons are reusing PPE (71.4%) and N95 masks (86.4%), and 21% of vascular surgeons think that they do not have adequate PPE to perform their clinical duties., Conclusions: The initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in reduced elective cases, with primarily only urgent and emergent cases being performed. A minority of vascular surgeons have been redeployed outside of their specialty; however, this is more common among states with high case numbers. Adequate PPE remains an issue for almost a quarter of vascular surgeons who responded to this survey., (Copyright © 2020 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The burgeoning demands for quality, safety, and value in cardiothoracic surgery, in combination with the advancement and acceleration of digital health solutions and information technology, provide a unique opportunity to improve efficiency and effectiveness simultaneously in cardiothoracic surgery. This primer on digital health explores and reviews data integration, data processing, complex modeling, telehealth with remote monitoring, and cybersecurity as they shape the future of cardiothoracic surgery., (Copyright © 2020 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Several gray areas and controversies exist concerning the management of pulmonary ground-glass opacities (GGOs), and there is a lack of consensus among clinicians on this topic. One of the main aims of the Italian Society of Thoracic Surgery is to promote education and research, so we decided to perform a survey on this topic to estimate current trends in practice in a large sample of thoracic surgeons., Methods: A total of 160 thoracic surgeons responded, namely, completed our questionnaire (response rate, 53%; 160 of 302). The survey was composed of 36 questions divided into six subsections: (1) demographic characteristics of the respondents; (2) terminology and taxonomy; (3) radiologic and radiometabolic evaluation; (4) diagnostic approach and indications for surgery; (5) surgical management; and (6) radiologic surveillance., Results: We observed some divergence of opinion regarding the definition of mixed GGOs, the role of 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography scans, indications for nonsurgical biopsy, intraoperative techniques for localizing GGOs, indications for surgery, extension of lung resection and lymph node dissection according to the radiologic scenario, use of intraoperative frozen section analysis, and radiologic surveillance of pure GGOs., Conclusions: This topic warrants more investigation in the future. An upcoming consensus conference of Italian Society of Thoracic Surgery experts (also open to experts in other specialties) could provide updated indications for GGO management based on the literature, expert opinions, and the results of the present survey., (Copyright © 2018 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Adoption of new practices is challenging to the surgeon innovator given lack of standardized processes for implementation. Credentialed surgeons who want to apply new practices need to ensure adequate training depending on the procedure and underlying skills. A competent and motivated team needs to be identified and appropriate privileging sought for the procedure from the local institution. Planning for meticulous monitoring of outcomes ensures continuous safety and quality surveillance. Patients need complete transparency when being informed about a novel practice with information on comparison to standard of care treatments., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

One of the most challenging tasks during airway surgery is ensuring adequate ventilation throughout the procedure. Because the airway is shared between surgeon and anesthesiologist, successful oxygenation and ventilation of the patient can only be accomplished through close collaboration during the various stages of the procedure. This includes periods in which surgical airway manipulation compromises adequate ventilation and periods in which ventilation interferes with the surgical environment. With continuous communication between surgeon and anesthesiologist, optimal outcomes can be achieved., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Established in 1989, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database is one of the most comprehensive clinical data registries in health care. It is widely regarded as the gold standard for benchmarking risk-adjusted outcomes in cardiac surgery and is the foundation for all quality measurement and improvement activities of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. This is the second in a series of annual reports that summarizes current aggregate national outcomes in cardiac surgery and reviews database-related activities in the areas of quality measurement and performance improvement during the past year., (Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The key to aortic surgery is protection of the brain, heart, spinal cord, and viscera. For operations involving the aortic arch, the focus is on cerebral protection, while for pathology involving the descending thoracic aorta, the focus is on spinal protection. Optimal cerebral and spinal protection requires an extensive knowledge of the operative steps and an understanding of the cardiopulmonary bypass modalities that are possible. A bloodless field is required when operating on the aorta. As a result, periods of ischemia to the central nervous system and end-organ viscera are often unavoidable. The main techniques to mitigate ischemia include hypothermia and selective perfusion of the ischemic organ in question. This chapter will first briefly review bypass modalities and then describe how they can be used for various aortic scenarios., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS GTSD) is a voluntary effort that provides participants with semiannual, risk-adjusted performance reports that facilitate quality improvement and comparison of institutional outcomes with national benchmarks. With improved participation in the STS GTSD, increasingly meaningful analyses are available. This year, risk models for lobectomy and esophagectomy for cancer were updated. In addition, we developed the first composite quality measure for general thoracic surgery, a composite measure for lobectomy for lung cancer. Furthermore, international collaboration with the European Society of Thoracic Surgery has facilitated our understanding of variation between American and European treatment patterns, providing a foundation for future quality improvement initiatives. This article summarizes current aggregate national outcomes in general thoracic surgery and reviews related activities in the areas of quality measurement, performance improvement, and transparency from the STS GTSD over the past 12 months., (Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study determined patterns of chest tube (CT) selection and management after open lobectomy and minimally invasive lobectomy by thoracic surgeons., Methods: Surveys were sent electronically to 5,175 thoracic surgeons, and 475 were completed. Responses, blinded so individuals could not be identified, were analyzed and compared according to surgeon characteristics (academic/private practice, years in practice, lobectomy volume, and geographic region). All indicated differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05 by χ(2) tests)., Results: CT selection: Most surgeons prefer rigid tubes, and the size most commonly used was 28F. Most place 2 CTs after open lobectomy and 1 CT after minimally invasive lobectomy. Academic surgeons are more likely than private surgeons to use 1 tube after open lobectomy, but both prefer 1 tube after minimally invasive lobectomy. Younger surgeons and high-volume surgeons are more likely to use 1 CT than senior surgeons and low-volume surgeons after both open lobectomy and minimally invasive lobectomy. CT management: Academic and younger surgeons remove the CT sooner after open lobectomy. Younger and high-volume surgeons remove the CT with greater drainage amounts. All groups remove CTs sooner after minimally invasive lobectomy than after open lobectomy. Approximately half of surgeons get a daily chest roentgenogram. Younger and low-volume surgeons are most likely to discharge patients with Heimlich valves, although overall use was in less than 5% (49 of 475) of respondents. Most surgeons believe clinical experience rather than training or the literature determined their CT strategy., Conclusions: This survey determined the difference in CT management among various groups of surgeons. Clinical experience was the most important factor in determining their CT strategy., (Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

More than 235 million patients undergo surgery every year worldwide, but less than 1% are enrolled in surgical clinical trials--few of which are international collaborations. Several levels of action are needed to improve this situation. International research collaborations in surgery between developed and developing countries could encourage capacity building and quality improvement, and mutually enhance care for patients with surgical disorders. Low-income and middle-income countries increasingly report much the same range of surgical diseases as do high-income countries (eg, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and the surgical sequelae of metabolic syndrome); collaboration is therefore of mutual interest. Large multinational trials that cross cultures and levels of socioeconomic development might have faster results and wider applicability than do single-country trials. Surgeons educated in research methods, and aided by research networks and trial centres, are needed to foster these international collaborations. Barriers to collaboration could be overcome by adoption of global strategies for regulation, health insurance, ethical approval, and indemnity coverage for doctors., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines are intended to assist physicians and other health care providers in clinical decision making by describing a range of generally acceptable approaches for the diagnosis, management, or prevention of specific diseases or conditions. These guidelines should not be considered inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed at obtaining the same results. Moreover, these guidelines are subject to change over time, without notice. The ultimate judgment regarding the care of a particular patient must be made by the physician in light of the individual circumstances presented by the patient., (Copyright © 2013 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Clinical and nonclinical indicators of performance are meant to provide the surgeon with tools to identify weaknesses to be improved. The World Health Organization's Performance Evaluation Systems represent a multidimensional approach to quality measurement based on several categories made of different indicators. Indicators for patient satisfaction may include overall perceived quality, accessibility, humanization and patient involvement, communication, and trust in health care providers. Patient satisfaction is included among nonclinical indicators of performance in thoracic surgery and is increasingly recognized as one of the outcome measures for delivered quality of care., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate and compare self-reported surgical experience and comfort levels of Canadian thoracic surgery trainees and junior thoracic surgeons (<5 years in practice) with respect to core thoracic surgery procedures., Methods: A modified Delphi process was used to create a survey that was distributed electronically to all Canadian thoracic surgery residents and newly graduated thoracic surgeons. A descriptive summary, including calculation of frequencies, means, proportions, and standard deviations was conducted. Associations between reported experience and comfort level for residents and surgeons were explored separately using the Pearson product moment correlation. The differences between resident and junior surgeons' rating of experience and comfort for each procedure were explored using Fisher exact tests., Results: The response rates were 50% for residents and 85% for staff. Adequate or better experience was reported by residents for 9 of 18 core thoracic surgical procedures and by staff for 10 of 18 procedures. A significant difference in self-reported experience level was found between groups for only 1 of 18 procedures. Staff reported that they would confidently perform 7 of 18 procedures independently at the end of their training. The mean resident response did not reach this level of comfort for any of the 18 procedures. Eight of 16 staff had completed extra training, primarily for personal interest, whereas 4 of 6 residents were planning on further training because of job market factors., Discussion: The results of this study help to characterize the comfort levels of thoracic trainees and new attending thoracic surgeons with core thoracic procedures and might assist training programs in identifying and improving areas of weakness., (Copyright © 2011 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Assessing the degree of involvement and participation in thoracic surgical research as well as surgical quality improvement conducted across Canadian institutions is difficult as no common data collection system and no prior studies exist. As a pilot investigation, we designed and conducted a membership survey of the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons (CATS) to evaluate the extent of participation in research and quality improvement processes among thoracic surgeons., Design, Setting, and Participants: A 45-item needs assessment survey was mailed to all national members of CATS (n = 86) in August 2009. Questions primarily focused on clinical research programs and research activity, research funding, database use and interest, and other methods of quality monitoring., Results: The 49 completed surveys represented a 57.0% response rate and 28 institutions across Canada. Research in basic and clinical science is conducted by 17.0% and 80.9% of the respondents, respectively. The annual budget of research funds is most commonly between $5000 and $50,000. A total of 72.0% (n = 18) of institutions do not have a formal surgery quality assessment program and 92.3% (n = 24) do not participate in a national or international thoracic surgery database. Ten institutions (38.6%) have a local thoracic surgery database for quality monitoring. Other systems of monitoring surgical quality include formal morbidity and mortality rounds (69.2%; n = 8 institutions), formal evaluation of surgical wait times (73.1%; n = 19 institutions), and patient satisfaction surveys (71.4%; n = 10 institutions). Overall, 97.8% of surgeons would be willing to share data on morbidity and mortality with other centers, and 73.1% have a high or very high level of interest in participating in a national thoracic surgery quality database., Conclusions: A high level of interest and participation exists in thoracic surgery research. However, more robust quality improvement processes are needed for thoracic surgical oncology services. A national thoracic surgery quality improvement database offers a potential means to improve practice effectiveness, standardize surgical outcomes, and promote thoracic research across Canada., (Copyright © 2011 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Practice guidelines reflect published literature. Because of the ever changing literature base, it is necessary to update and revise guideline recommendations from time to time. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons recommends review and possible update of previously published guidelines at least every three years. This summary is an update of the blood conservation guideline published in 2007., Methods: The search methods used in the current version differ compared to the previously published guideline. Literature searches were conducted using standardized MeSH terms from the National Library of Medicine PUBMED database list of search terms. The following terms comprised the standard baseline search terms for all topics and were connected with the logical 'OR' connector--Extracorporeal circulation (MeSH number E04.292), cardiovascular surgical procedures (MeSH number E04.100), and vascular diseases (MeSH number C14.907). Use of these broad search terms allowed specific topics to be added to the search with the logical 'AND' connector., Results: In this 2011 guideline update, areas of major revision include: 1) management of dual anti-platelet therapy before operation, 2) use of drugs that augment red blood cell volume or limit blood loss, 3) use of blood derivatives including fresh frozen plasma, Factor XIII, leukoreduced red blood cells, platelet plasmapheresis, recombinant Factor VII, antithrombin III, and Factor IX concentrates, 4) changes in management of blood salvage, 5) use of minimally invasive procedures to limit perioperative bleeding and blood transfusion, 6) recommendations for blood conservation related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and cardiopulmonary perfusion, 7) use of topical hemostatic agents, and 8) new insights into the value of team interventions in blood management., Conclusions: Much has changed since the previously published 2007 STS blood management guidelines and this document contains new and revised recommendations., (Copyright © 2011 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study reports the methods used to review the Composite Performance Score (CPS) along with a reference table, which will be used in the upcoming ESTS Quality Certification Program., Methods: Data from 4303 patients who underwent pulmonary resection (July 2007-January 2010) were captured in the ESTS database and used for the present analysis. Only patients submitted from units contributing at least 100 consecutive lung resections were used for developing the score. According to the best available evidence the following measures were selected for each surgical domain: preoperative care (1. % of DLCO measurement in patients submitted to major anatomic resections; 2. % of preoperative invasive mediastinal staging in patients with clinically suspicious N2 disease), operative care (% of systematic lymph node dissection), outcomes (risk-adjusted cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality rates). Morbidity and mortality risk-models were developed by logistic regression and validated by bootstrap analyses. Individual processes and outcomes scores were rescaled according to their standard deviations and summed to generate the CPS. Units were rated accordingly and a percentile reference table was produced., Results: Risk-adjusted survival and absence of morbidity rates varied from 91.5% to 100%, and from 50.2% to 97.5%, respectively. CPS ranged from -4.038 to 1.24. The 50% percentile of CPS corresponded to 0.404., Conclusions: A revised Composite Performance Score was developed and a reference table presented to be used as a benchmark for the ESTS Quality Certification program., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: We hypothesized that established thoracic surgeons without formal minimally invasive training can learn thoracoscopic lobectomy without compromising patient safety or outcome., Methods: Data were retrospectively collected on patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy at a single health system between August 1, 2003, and April 1, 2008. Age, sex, pulmonary function tests, preoperative and postoperative stages, pathologic diagnosis, anatomic resection, extent of lymph node sampling, surgical technique and duration, complications, blood loss, transfusion requirement, chest tube duration, length of hospital stay, 30-day readmission, and mortality rate were examined. The percentage of patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy and their outcomes were then compared among three chronologic cohorts., Results: Three hundred sixty-four patients underwent pulmonary lobectomy (239 open; 99 thoracoscopic; 26 thoracoscopic converted to open). Baseline characteristics, staging, pathologic diagnosis, and anatomic resections were similar in the early, middle, and late cohorts. The percentage of thoracoscopic lobectomies increased from 16% to 49%, whereas open lobectomy decreased from 81% to 42% (p < 0.0001). The complication rate remained constant with the exception of air leaks lasting more than 7 days (9% versus 10% versus 2%; p = 0.02). Hospital length of stay (6 versus 5 versus 4 days; p < 0.0001) and chest tube duration (4 versus 3 versus 3 days; p < 0.0001) decreased and operative duration increased as more thoracoscopic lobectomies were performed. Blood loss, transfusion requirement, 30-day readmission, and 1-year survival were not significantly different among chronologic cohorts., Conclusions: Established thoracic surgeons can safely incorporate thoracoscopic lobectomy with no increase in morbidity or mortality.

Background: Since 1999, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has published two risk models that can be used to adjust the results of valve surgery combined with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The most recent was developed from data for patients who had surgery between 1994 and 1997 using operative mortality as the only endpoint. Furthermore, this model did not specifically consider mitral valve repair plus CABG, an increasingly common procedure. Consistent with STS policy of periodically updating and improving its risk models, new models for valve surgery combined with CABG have been developed. These models specifically address both perioperative morbidity and mitral valve repair, and they are based on contemporary data., Methods: The final study population consisted of 101,661 procedures, including aortic valve replacement (AVR) plus CABG, mitral valve replacement (MVR) plus CABG, or mitral valve repair (MVRepair) plus CABG between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2006. Model outcomes included operative mortality, stroke, deep sternal wound infection, reoperation, prolonged ventilation, renal failure, composite major morbidity or mortality, prolonged postoperative length of stay, and short postoperative length of stay. Candidate variables were screened for frequency of missing data, and imputation techniques were used where appropriate. Stepwise variable selection was employed, supplemented by advice from an expert panel of cardiac surgeons and biostatisticians. Several variables were forced into models to insure face validity (eg, atrial fibrillation for the permanent stroke model, sex for all models). Based on preliminary analyses of the data, a single model was employed for valve plus CABG, with indicator variables for the specific type of procedure. Interaction terms were included to allow for differential impact of predictor variables depending on procedure type. After validating the model in the 40% validation sample, the development and validation samples were then combined, and the final model coefficients were estimated using the overall 100% combined sample. The final logistic regression model was estimated using generalized estimating equations to account for clustering of patients within institutions., Results: The c-index for mortality prediction for the overall valve plus CABG population was 0.75. Morbidity model c-indices for specific complications (permanent stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation > 24 hours, deep sternal wound infection, reoperation for any reason, major morbidity or mortality composite, and prolonged postoperative length of stay) for the overall group of valve plus CABG procedures ranged from 0.622 to 0.724, and calibration was excellent., Conclusions: New STS risk models have been developed for heart valve surgery combined with CABG. These are the first valve plus CABG models that also include risk prediction for individual major morbidities, composite major morbidity or mortality, and short and prolonged length of stay.

Background: Adjustment for case-mix is essential when using observational data to compare surgical techniques or providers. That is most often accomplished through the use of risk models that account for preoperative patient factors that may impact outcomes. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) uses such risk models to create risk-adjusted performance reports for participants in the STS National Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (NCD). Although risk models were initially developed for coronary artery bypass surgery, similar models have now been developed for use with heart valve surgery, particularly as the proportion of such procedures has increased. The last published STS model for isolated valve surgery was based on data from 1994 to 1997 and did not include patients undergoing mitral valve repair. STS has developed new valve surgery models using contemporary data that include both valve repair as well as replacement. Expanding upon existing valve models, the new STS models include several nonfatal complications in addition to mortality., Methods: Using STS data from 2002 to 2006, isolated valve surgery risk models were developed for operative mortality, permanent stroke, renal failure, prolonged ventilation (> 24 hours), deep sternal wound infection, reoperation for any reason, a major morbidity or mortality composite endpoint, prolonged postoperative length of stay, and short postoperative length of stay. The study population consisted of adult patients who underwent one of three types of valve surgery: isolated aortic valve replacement (n = 67,292), isolated mitral valve replacement (n = 21,229), or isolated mitral valve repair (n = 21,238). The population was divided into a 60% development sample and a 40% validation sample. After an initial empirical investigation, the three surgery groups were combined into a single logistic regression model with numerous interactions to allow the covariate effects to differ across these groups. Variables were selected based on a combination of automated stepwise selection and expert panel review., Results: Unadjusted operative mortality (in-hospital regardless of timing, and 30-day regardless of venue) for all isolated valve procedures was 3.4%, and unadjusted in-hospital morbidity rates ranged from 0.3% for deep sternal wound infection to 11.8% for prolonged ventilation. The number of predictors in each model ranged from 10 covariates in the sternal infection model to 24 covariates in the composite mortality plus morbidity model. Discrimination as measured by the c-index ranged from 0.639 for reoperation to 0.799 for mortality. When patients in the validation sample were grouped into 10 categories based on deciles of predicted risk, the average absolute difference between observed versus predicted events within these groups ranged from 0.06% for deep sternal wound infection to 1.06% for prolonged postoperative stay., Conclusions: The new STS risk models for valve surgery include mitral valve repair as well as multiple endpoints other than mortality. Model coefficients are provided and an online risk calculator is publicly available from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons website.

Intravascular ultrasound is a novel endovascular imaging technology that is useful as an imaging tool for diagnosis and treatment of arterial and venous pathologies. Intravascular ultrasound is particularly useful as a decision-making tool in the endovascular management of vascular pathologies. Recently the aorta has become increasingly amenable to endovascular technology, and with the advent of intravascular ultrasound detailed imaging, using intravascular ultrasound permits the diagnosis and endovascular management of various complex aortic pathologies affecting the abdominal and thoracic aorta. Various aortic pathologies including thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms, type B dissections, penetrating aortic ulcers, coarctation of the aorta, and many other aortic pathologies, which were once only amenable by open surgical repair are increasingly being managed with endoluminal technology. As experience develops with this technology, more complex aortic pathologies would become readily amenable to advanced endovascular interventions.

The European situation makes it not easy to establish uniform conditions for quality assurance in GTS. However, by setting up the necessary tools in the form of the European Board, the European Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Institute of Accreditation, and the European Registry, the two major scientific societies of Europe have prepared the necessary requirements for that quality assurance [6]. All these instruments and the application of the suggested mechanisms currently are still voluntary; nevertheless, it is important that regulations are defined within the concerned scientific societies and not imposed from an outside legal body. It lies in the interest and in the discretion the individual departments and surgeons to use and to comply with these existing possibilities to perform GTS at a uniform European quality level.

Background: There has been an increasing trend towards the mandatory reduction in work hours for physicians because of the fear that sleep-deprived (SD) surgeons are more prone to make mistakes. We hypothesized that sleep deprivation would not be associated with increased morbidity or mortality in cardiac operations., Methods: A retrospective review was done of all cases performed by all attending cardiac surgeons from January 1994 to April 2003. Complication rates of cases performed by SD surgeons were compared with cases done when the surgeons were not sleep-deprived (NSD). A surgeon was deemed sleep deprived if he or she performed a case the previous evening that started between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am, or ended between the hours of 11:00 pm and 7:30 am., Results: A total of 6,751 cases were recorded in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database over the 9-year period examined. Of these, 339 cases (5%) were performed by SD surgeons, and 6,412 (95%) cases were performed by NSD surgeons. Mortality rates for coronary artery bypass operations showed no significant differences (1.7% [SD = 4/223] vs 3.1% [NSD = 133/4206)] p = 0.34). Operative (p = 0.47), pulmonary (p = 0.60), renal (p = 0.93), neurologic (p = 0.11), and infectious (p = 0.87) complications of all cases also failed to show any statistically significant differences in any group. Perfusion times, cross-clamp times, and the use of blood products were also similar between groups., Conclusions: Sleep deprivation does not affect operative morbidity or mortality in cardiac surgical operations. These data do not support a need for work hour restrictions on surgeons.

The spinal cord has significant thoracic arterial watershed areas rendering it vulnerable to intraoperative ischemic damage, clearly mandating a need for postoperative neurologic monitoring. Mechanisms of hypoperfusion include aortic cross-clamping, rib retraction, intercostal artery interruption, and costovertebral junction bleeding. We report cases of primary lung cancer resection, resection of pulmonary metastasis adherent to the thoracic aorta, resection of cartilaginous tumor with chest wall invasion, and esophagomyotomy for achalasia-all complicated by postoperative paraplegia. We review spinal cord circulation, describe mechanisms and patterns of neurologic dysfunction of susceptible watershed areas, and outline roles of preoperative spinal angiography and intraoperative evoked potentials.