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Background: Among hospital staff, little is known concerning barriers to recycling and perception of waste in the operating room (OR), despite continued improvement in recycling programs. This study sought to identify barriers to OR recycling and implement a recycling improvement educational program., Methods: A survey was administered within Mayo Clinic at four campuses. Based on survey results, a recycling improvement program was devised and implemented at a surgery center in Paradise Valley, Arizona. A cost-savings analysis was performed thereafter., Results: Of 524 participants, 56.7% reported being unclear which OR items are recyclable, and 47.7% thought the greatest barrier to recycling was lack of knowledge. After implementation of the recycling educational program, cost savings of 10.3% (p = 0.004) were achieved in sharps waste disposal when compared to the previous year at the surgery center., Conclusions: Addressing barriers to recycling in the OR can significantly reduce waste and save valuable healthcare dollars., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy is important in the treatment of advanced breast cancer., Methods: Postoperative complications in neoadjuvant patients were analyzed., Results: One hundred forty patients underwent 148 breast cancer surgeries after neoadjuvant therapy: 28% breast-conserving therapy procedures, 36% mastectomies, 28% mastectomies with immediate reconstruction, and 8% mastectomies with delayed reconstruction. Forty-seven patients (34%) suffered 59 complications: 18% of those undergoing breast-conserving therapy, 30% of those undergoing mastectomy, 44% of those undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, and 67% of those undergoing mastectomy with delayed reconstruction. Major complications occurred in 18% of patients. Skin loss occurred in 6% of patients. One patient had partial nipple necrosis. Three patients suffered implant loss. One patient had deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap loss. Eleven hematomas and 5 infectious complications required reoperation., Conclusions: Surgery after neoadjuvant therapy is safe, but careful counseling is warranted given that 18% of patients experienced major complications. Complications rates are higher with reconstruction, but feared complications of skin, nipple, implant, or flap loss were infrequent., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)