Search

Introduction There is limited data correlating preoperative mobility limitations with clinical outcomes in bariatric patients. This study uses propensity score matching (PSM) to compare 30-day outcomes between patients with preoperative limited mobility (LM) versus patients without (non-LM). Methods Using the 2016-2018 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database, patients undergoing primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass were identified. Two cohorts were defined using preoperative LM status. To adjust for confounders, 1:1 PSM was performed using 25 preoperative characteristics, and balance was assessed with standardized mean difference. Preoperative patient demographics and postoperative 30-day outcomes were compared in both matched and unmatched cohorts. Results 453,146 patients were identified, of which 6942 (1.47%) were LM and 464,555 were non-LM. 1:1 PSM matched 6624 LM to 6624 non-LM patients with good balance for all covariates. LM had higher rates of unplanned intubation (0.4% vs 0.7%, P < .01), unplanned admission to ICU (1.4% vs 2.5%, P < .01), readmissions (4.1% vs 4.9%, P = .036), unplanned reoperation (1.5% vs 2.0%, P = .02), and 30-day mortality (0.2% vs 0.5%, P = .02). Complications including acute renal failure, intra/postoperative myocardial infarction, venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism were not significantly different between the matched groups. Conclusion After adjusting for confounders, patients with preoperative limited mobility have higher rates of intubation, ICU admission, reoperation, readmission, and mortality. Prudent pre-operative candidate selection, counseling, and risk mitigation strategies are needed when a patient with limited mobility status is being considered for bariatric surgery.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is common in patients with obesity. Liver biopsy (LB) can be routinely or selectively performed during bariatric surgery to identify patients with NASH.Patients undergoing bariatric surgery between 2016 and 2020 at our institution were identified. Chart review identified patients undergoing concurrent LB. LB results were compared between patients undergoing routine LB and selective LB. Patient demographics and postoperative outcomes were compared between those who received LB and those who did not (non-LB). In the LB cohort, preoperative characteristics of patients with NASH were compared to those without NASH, and multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of NASH.Two thousand three hundred ninety-three patients were identified, of which 400 (16.7%) had liver biopsies (LB) and 1,993 (83.3%) did not (non-LB). Three hundred thirty LB were performed routinely, and 70 were selective. Compared to selective LB, routine LB identified significantly higher rates of steatosis (83.6% vs. 4.5%, p 0.01), periportal inflammation (67.0% vs. 3.2%, p 0.01), fibrosis (65.8% vs. 2.1%, p 0.01), and NASH (10.9% vs. 1.5%, p 0.01). There were no differences in postoperative complications, blood transfusions, readmissions, or reoperations between LB and non-LB. On multivariable regression, highest BMI 40 (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.43-5.67) and insulin-dependent diabetes (OR 4.83, 95% CI 1.70-13.69) were associated with a higher odds of NASH, while Black race was associated with lower odds (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.09-0.65).Routine liver biopsies during bariatric surgery identify higher rates of advanced NAFLD compared to selective biopsies, and can be safely performed without an increased risk of postoperative complications.

Background Incorporation of quality improvement (QI) training is essential to meet the milestones set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. However, there is no standardized curriculum. Objective We aimed to create a QI curriculum through the integration of didactics and team-based learning via the completion of resident-led QI projects. Methods An institutional review board–approved QI curriculum consisting of four interactive workshops was developed. The workshops introduced the various components of QI, with a focus on Plan-Do-Study-Act. Anonymous and voluntary precurriculum and postcurriculum surveys were administered during the study period in 2018. Results Fifty surgical residents participated in the curriculum, and four QI projects were completed, with 23 residents completing both precurriculum and postcurriculum surveys. Following the curriculum, residents were more confident in their ability to design a QI project (5.7 ± 2.6 versus 7.1 ± 1.9, P = 0.02), write a problem statement (6.7 ± 2.5 versus 7.8 ± 1.1, P = 0.04), and write an aim statement (6.7 ± 2.6 versus 7.8 ± 1.2, P = 0.04). Residents also improved in perceived ability to lead a QI project (5.6 ± 2.9 versus 6.9 ± 1.9, P = 0.05), knowing the steps to complete a QI project (6.0 ± 2.8 versus 7.4 ± 1.7, P = 0.04), and familiarity with QI terminology (5.6 ± 2.6 versus 7.0 ± 1.9, P = 0.03). Conclusions We found that the curriculum was a success and was well received. In addition, there was an improvement in perceived competency and confidence surrounding some of the steps necessary to complete a QI endeavor.

Neuralgia due to a peripheral nerve injury may result in chronic pain, requiring a therapeutic surgical neurectomy. Meanwhile, some neurectomies are performed prophylactically, such as during inguinal mesh removal. Outcomes and risks associated with neurectomies are largely unknown despite consensus panels recommending them.All patients who underwent neurectomy 2013-2020 were analyzed. Data collection included demographics, preoperative symptoms, and postoperative outcomes. Indications for neurectomy were categorized as "therapeutic" if the patient had preoperative neuralgia or "prophylactic" if neurectomy was deemed necessary intra-operatively.66 patients underwent 80 operations and a total of 122 neurectomies. On average, 1.5 neurectomies were performed per operation. Therapeutic neurectomies were performed in 42 (64%) patients and prophylactic in 34 (52%). The most commonly transected nerve was the ilioinguinal nerve. Average preoperative pain score was 5.8/10. On paired analysis, there was a significant reduction in pain after prophylactic neurectomy (2.5 points, p = 0.002) but not after therapeutic neurectomy. None of the nerves transected prophylactically had postoperative neuralgia, whereas 35% of the nerves transected therapeutically resulted in persistent or recurrent neuralgia (p 0.001). To treat this, 21% required only nerve blocks and 9% required ablation or reoperative neurectomy. Three patients had complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a severe complication; all three were diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome pre-operatively.We demonstrate that prophylactic neurectomy is largely safe. In contrast, a therapeutic neurectomy had a 35% risk of persistent or recurrent neuralgia, 9% required additional ablative or reoperative neurectomy. Three patients advanced from chronic pain syndrome to CRPS. We recommend the decision to perform a neurectomy be judicious and selective, especially in patients with known chronic pain syndrome. Prior to planning surgical neurectomy, other less invasive modalities should be exhausted and patients should be aware of its risks.

Preperitoneally placed mesh for inguinal hernia repair may require removal to address hernia recurrence, mesh reaction, meshoma, or other chronic pain. These are best approached either laparoscopically or robotically, but there is no consensus on which is the best approach for mesh removal nor are there any studies to evaluate and compare their outcomes.All patients who underwent inguinal mesh removal via laparoscopic and robotic approaches from 2011 to 2020 were analyzed. Data regarding demographics, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes were collected.Over 9 years, 62 patients underwent 24 laparoscopic and 50 robotic operations. Laparoscopic cases had a shorter operative time by a mean of 55 min (p = 0.02). There were no differences in intraoperative complications or postoperative outcomes between the two groups. Patients in both groups showed significant improvement after mesh removal (p = 0.02, p 0.01) within 2 weeks postoperatively and at long-term follow up (p 0.01, p 0.01).It is our experience that both laparoscopic and robotic approaches are viable options for removal of retroperitoneally placed inguinal mesh. Operative time with the laparoscopic approach was significantly shorter than the robotic approach. Patients on average had significant reduction in their preoperative pain, regardless of the approach. Minimally invasive mesh removal is a technically challenging operation, with risk of vascular and nerve injuries regardless of the approach. These findings demonstrate that both modalities are safe and effective with experienced surgeons.

OBJECTIVE There is no standardized method of communication regarding the arrival of outside hospital (OSH) transfers at our institution. We utilized quality improvement methodologies to enhance sign-out, benefiting both resident workflow and patient care. DESIGN A dynamic census log of pending OSH transfers was created. Total number of OSH transfers (with or without prior notification), time to admission orders, and resident self-reported preparedness in receiving/triaging OSH admissions were measured before and after implementation of the census log tool. SETTING Quaternary referral hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. PARTICIPANTS The census log was made available to General Surgery residents on receiving surgical teams. After the data collection period, it was made available to all residents in the program. RESULTS A total of 93 patients were transferred to receiving surgical teams during our 13-week study period. Resident notification of the OSH transfer prior to patient's arrival increased from 44.7% pre- to 70.3% postimplementation of the tool (p = 0.03). When residents received prior notification of pending transfers, time to place admission orders decreased from 81.2 ± 79.9 minutes to 40.4 ± 36.8 minutes (p = 0.0029). Junior residents’ self-reported preparedness in admitting an OSH transfer did not significantly differ when they received prior notification versus when they did not. In contrast, senior residents’ self-reported higher levels of preparedness in the instances where they received prior notification of a pending transfer. CONCLUSIONS In light of the recent Clinical Learning Environment Review program set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, trainees are expected to engage in improvement processes as it relates to patient safety and transitions of care. The development and implementation of our tool demonstrate that quality improvement methodologies can be effectively applied to resident workflow challenges, improving both trainee education and patient care.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary colon cancer syndrome that involves multiple extracolonic organs, including the thyroid. Several studies have estimated the rate of thyroid cancer in FAP to occur at five times the rate of the general population, but no current consensus defines screening for thyroid cancer in this cohort. This study seeks to define the features of benign and malignant thyroid disease in FAP patients, to compare thyroid cancer cases found through screening with those found incidentally, and to propose disease surveillance recommendations.Prospective screening for early thyroid cancer detection with thyroid ultrasound (US) was performed on FAP patients at the time of annual colonoscopy since November 2008. Clinical and US data were reviewed to characterize the observed thyroid nodules. Nonscreening-detected cases (NSD) were found through review of the colon cancer registry database.Eighteen NSD were found, compared with 15 screening-detected (SD) cases, out of 205 total patients screened (Mage=42 years; 55% female). The mean tumor size was larger in the NSD group than the SD group (p=0.04), and they tended to demonstrate more positive lymph nodes and more complications than the SD group. In the screened cohort, at least one thyroid nodule was detected in 106 (51.7%) patients, with 90% of these seen on initial exam. A total of 40/106 (37.7%) patients required fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a dominant nodule (Msize=14 mm), and 28/40 (70%) of these were performed at the first US visit. Suspicious US features were present in 16/40 (40%) patients, including five sub-centimeter nodules. Cytology and/or nodule US was abnormal in 15/205 screened patients, leading to surgery and revealing 14 papillary and one medullary thyroid cancer.Given the age and sex distribution of the screened cohort, this study reveals a higher-than-expected prevalence of both benign and malignant thyroid disease in the FAP population. Additionally, SD cases seemed to consist of smaller-sized cancers that required less radical therapy compared to NSD cases. Since it was found that the initial US in the screening program accounted for the majority of detected nodules (90%) and biopsies (70%), baseline and subsequent thyroid US surveillance is recommended in all FAP patients.

Background Cervical hematoma can be a potentially fatal complication after thyroidectomy, but its risk factors and timing remain poorly understood. Methods We conducted a retrospective, case-control study identifying 207 patients from 15 institutions in 3 countries who developed a hematoma requiring return to the operating room (OR) after thyroidectomy. Results Forty-seven percent of hematoma patients returned to the OR within 6 hours and 79% within 24 hours of their thyroidectomy. On univariate analysis, hematoma patients were older, more likely to be male, smokers, on active antiplatelet/anticoagulation medications, have Graves' disease, a bilateral thyroidectomy, a drain placed, a concurrent parathyroidectomy, and benign pathology. Hematoma patients also had more blood loss, larger thyroids, lower temperatures, and higher blood pressures postoperatively. On multivariate analysis, independent associations with hematoma were use of a drain (odds ratio, 2.79), Graves' disease (odds ratio, 2.43), benign pathology (odds ratio, 2.22), antiplatelet/anticoagulation medications (odds ratio, 2.12), use of a hemostatic agent (odds ratio, 1.97), and increased thyroid mass (odds ratio, 1.01). Conclusion A significant number of patients with a postoperative hematoma present >6 hours after thyroidectomy. Hematoma is associated with patients who have a drain or hemostatic agent, have Graves' disease, are actively using antiplatelet/anticoagulation medications or have large thyroids. Surgeons should consider these factors when individualizing patient disposition after thyroidectomy.