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Background: Residency programs are required to incorporate simulation into their training program. Ideally, simulation provides a safe environment for a trainee to be exposed to both common and challenging clinical scenarios. The purpose of this review is to detail the current state of the most commonly used laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic surgery simulation programs in general surgery residency education, including resources required for successful implementation and benchmarks for evaluation. Materials and methods: Members of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Resident and Fellow Task Force (RAFT) Committee performed a literature review using PubMed and training websites. Information regarding the components of the most commonly used laparoscopic, endoscopic, and/or robotic simulation curriculum, including both formal and informal benchmarks for evaluating training competence, were collected. Results: Laparoscopic simulation revolves around the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS). Proficiency-based as well as virtual simulation have been utilized for FLS training curricula. Challenges include less direct translation to the technical complexities that can arise in laparoscopic surgery. Endoscopic simulation focuses on the Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery. There are virtual reality simulation platforms that can be used for skills assessment and training. Challenges include simulator types and access, as well as structured mentoring and feedback. Robotic simulation training curricula have not been standardized. Simulation includes one primary technology, which can be prohibitive based on cost and requirements for onboarding. Conclusions: While surgical simulation seems to be a fundamental and integrated part of surgical training, it requires a significant number of resources, which can be daunting for residency training programs. Regardless of the barriers outlined, the need for surgical simulation in laparoscopy, endoscopy, and robotics at surgical education training programs is clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The lack of consensus on equity measurement and its incorporation into quality-assessment programs at the hospital and system levels may be a barrier to addressing disparities in surgical care. This study aimed to identify population-level and within-hospital differences in the quality of surgical care provision. STUDY DESIGN: The analysis included 657 NSQIP participating hospitals with more than 4 million patients (2014 to 2018). Multilevel random slope, random intercept modeling was used to examine for population-level and in-hospital disparities. Disparities in surgical care by Area Deprivation Index (ADI), race, and ethnicity were analyzed for 5 measures: all-case inpatient mortality, all-case urgent readmission, all-case postoperative surgical site infection, colectomy mortality, and spine surgery complications. RESULTS: Population-level disparities were identified across all measures by ADI, 2 measures for Black race (all-case readmissions and spine surgery complications), and none for Hispanic ethnicity. Disparities remained significant in the adjusted models. Before risk adjustment, in all measures examined, within-hospital disparities were detected in: 25.8% to 99.8% of hospitals for ADI, 0% to 6.1% of hospitals for Black race, and 0% to 0.8% of hospitals for Hispanic ethnicity. After risk adjustment, in all measures examined, less than 1.1% of hospitals demonstrated disparities by ADI, race, or ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: After risk adjustment, very few hospitals demonstrated significant disparities in care. Disparities were more frequently detected by ADI than by race and ethnicity. The lack of substantial inhospital disparities may be due to the use of postoperative metrics, small sample sizes, the risk adjustment methodology, and healthcare segregation. Further work should examine surgical access and healthcare segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that primarily affect adults, with pediatric cases constituting only 0.5–2.7% of the total. Pediatric GISTs present unique clinical, genetic, and pathological features that distinguish them from adult cases. This literature review aims to elucidate these differences, emphasizing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We discuss the resistance of pediatric GISTs to conventional chemotherapy and highlight the importance of surgical intervention, especially in emergency situations involving intra-abdominal bleeding. The review also explores the molecular characteristics of pediatric GISTs, including rare mutations such as quadruple-negative wild-type GIST with an FGF3 gene gain mutation. To illustrate these points, we conclude with a case from our clinic involving a 15-year-old female with multiple CD117-positive gastric GISTs and a quadruple-negative wild-type genetic profile who required urgent surgical intervention following a failed tumor embolization. This case underscores the critical need for early diagnosis and individualized therapeutic strategies combining oncologic and surgical care to improve outcomes in pediatric GIST patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biliary obstruction before liver resection is a known risk factor for post-operative complications. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of persistent hyperbilirubinemia following preoperative biliary drainage before liver resection. Methods: The ACS-NSQIP (2016–2021) database was used to extract patients with cholangiocarcinoma who underwent anatomic liver resection with preoperative biliary drainage comparing those with persistent hyperbilirubinemia (> 1.2 mg/dL) to those with resolution. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared with bivariate analysis. Multivariable modeling evaluated factors including persistent hyperbilirubinemia to evaluate their independent effect on serious complications, liver failure, and mortality. Results: We evaluated 463 patients with 217 (46.9%) having hyperbilirubinemia (HB) despite biliary stenting. Bivariate analysis demonstrated that patients with HB had a higher rate of serious complications than those with non-HB (80.7% vs 70.3%; P = 0.010) including bile leak (40.9% vs 31.8%; P = 0.045), liver failure (26.7% vs 17.9%; P = 0.022), and bleeding (48.4% vs 36.6%; P = 0.010). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that persistent HB was independently associated with serious complications (OR 1.88, P = 0.020) and mortality (OR 2.39, P = 0.049) but not post-operative liver failure (OR 1.65, P = 0.082). Conclusions: Failed preoperative biliary decompression is a predictive factor for post-operative complications and mortality in patients undergoing hepatectomy and may be useful for preoperative risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has long recognized and championed increasing diversity within the surgical workplace. SAGES initiated the Fundamentals of Leadership Development (FLD) Curriculum to address these needs and to provide surgeon leaders with the necessary tools and skills to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in surgical practice. In 2019, the American College of Surgeons issued a request for anti-racism initiatives which lead to the partnering of the two societies. The primary goal of FLD was to create the first surgeon-focused leadership curriculum dedicated to DEI. The rationale/development of this curriculum and its evaluation/feedback methods are detailed in this White Paper. Methods: The FLD curriculum was developed by a multidisciplinary task force that included surgeons, education experts, and diversity consultants. The curriculum development followed the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) instructional design model and utilized a problem-based learning approach. Competencies were identified, and specific learning objectives and assessments were developed. The implementation of the curriculum was designed to be completed in short intervals (virtual and in-person). Post-course surveys used the Kirkpatrick's model to evaluate the curriculum and provide valuable feedback. Results: The curriculum consisted of interactive online modules, an online discussion forum, and small group interactive sessions focused in three key areas: (1) increasing pipeline of underrepresented individuals in surgical leadership, (2) healthcare equity, and (3) conflict negotiation. By focusing on positive action items and utilizing a problem-solving approach, the curriculum aimed to provide a framework for surgical leaders to make meaningful changes in their institutions and organizations. Conclusion: The FLD curriculum is a novel leadership curriculum that provided surgeon leaders with the knowledge and tools to improve diversity in three areas: pipeline improvement, healthcare equity, and conflict negotiation. Future directions include using pilot course feedback to enhance curricular effectiveness and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: National polling data indicate that Americans support the right of transgender persons to undergo gender-affirming surgery (GAS). It remains unknown whether public perceptions of GAS differ depending on patient subpopulations, anatomical site, or insurance coverage and whether the public widely believes that transgender people will regret GAS. Methods: We built a Qualtrics™ survey derived from an online validated 2017 Ipsos survey and distributed it to American adults through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Associations of demographic characteristics with perception of GAS were determined using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Respondents (n=312) were predominantly non-Hispanic White (69.2%), held a bachelor's degree (64.7%), and reported an annual income of $25,000 to $74,999 (64.4%). Approximately half of respondents identified as socially liberal (50.3%); 34.0% as socially conservative; and 15.7% as neither. Respondents supported a right to GAS independent of anatomy and insurance. Support for transgender children (62%) was less than for adult transgender men (84%) and women (83%). Despite supporting a right to GAS, respondents agreed that transgender adults (67%) and children (74%) would regret GAS. Education was the strongest predictor of support for GAS rights. Socially conservative respondents were significantly more likely than nonideological or liberal respondents to believe that transgender people would regret GAS. Conclusion: This large online sample of American adults with diverse ideologies demonstrated support for GAS independent of anatomical site and insurance. Support of GAS for transgender children is robust, although lower than support for adults. Despite broad support, most laypersons believe that transgender people would regret GAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The SAGES Guidelines Committee creates evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Due to existing health disparities, recommendations made in these guidelines may have different impacts on different populations. The updates to our standard operating procedure described herein will allow us to produce well-designed guidelines that take these disparities into account and potentially reduce health inequities. Methods: This paper outlines updates to the SAGES Guidelines Committee Standard Operating Procedure in order to incorporate issues of heath equity into our guideline development process with the goal of minimizing downstream health disparities. Results: SAGES has developed an evidence-based, standardized approach to consider issues of health equity throughout the guideline development process to allow physicians to better counsel patients and make research recommendations to better address disparities. Conclusion: Societies that promote guidelines within their organization must make an intentional effort to prevent the widening of health disparities as a result of their recommendations. The updates to the Guidelines Committee Standard Operating Procedure will hopefully lead to increased attention to these disparities and provide specific recommendations to reduce them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the late 19th century, the legal status of the anatomical specimen was only slowly evolving into its modern form. Not yet regulated by legislation, specimens were subject to rampant commodification and were exhibited, collected, bought, and sold, internationally as well as locally. This article considers the status of anatomical preparations at a moment when medical school curricula were fast becoming standardised, surgical techniques increasingly refined, and methods for preserving the body perfected. Focusing on foetal remains, I explore how the use of anatomical specimens mediated between the well-established, if still controversial, practice of dissection and an increasing emphasis on the visual as a privileged mode of constructing the biomedical body. Through close analysis of specimens in British and American collections, I trace the shifting meanings, value, and significance attributed to anatomical preparations in this era. Linking foetal specimens to the medicalisation of pregnancy, contemporary discoveries in embryology, and growing debate around abortion, I argue that the emerging concept of foetal personhood challenged and inflected how specimens were understood, highlighting their hybrid nature as both potential human subjects and objects of knowledge. Through this encounter with death, I argue, viewers were invited to comprehend and articulate new notions of ‘life’ itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical team members in perioperative environments experience high physical demands. Interventions such as exoskeletons, external wearable devices that support users, have the potential to reduce these work-related physical demands. However, barriers such as workplace environment and task compatibility may limit exoskeleton implementation. This study gathered the perspectives of 33 surgical team members: 12 surgeons, four surgical residents, seven operating room (OR) nurses, seven surgical technicians (STs), two central processing technicians (CPTs), and one infection control nurse to understand their workplace compatibility. Team members were introduced to passive exoskeletons via demonstrations, after which surgical staff (OR nurses, STs, and CPTs) were led through a simulated workflow walkthrough where they completed tasks representative of their workday. Five themes emerged from the interviews (workflow, user needs, hindrances, motivation for intervention, and acceptance) with unique subthemes for each population. Overall, exoskeletons were largely compatible with the duties and workflow of surgical team members. The goal of this study was to identify exoskeleton compatibility across various surgical team members through a thematic analysis of interviews and a simulated workflow walkthrough. Results revealed five unique themes (workflow, user needs, hinderances, motivation for intervention, acceptance) and that exoskeletons were largely compatible with daily duties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended before invasive dental procedures to prevent endocarditis in those at high risk, but supporting data are sparse. We therefore investigated any association between invasive dental procedures and endocarditis, and any antibiotic prophylaxis effect on endocarditis incidence. Subjects and Methods: Cohort and case‐crossover studies were performed on 1,678,190 Medicaid patients with linked medical, dental, and prescription data. Results: The cohort study identified increased endocarditis incidence within 30 days of invasive dental procedures in those at high risk, particularly after extractions (OR 14.17, 95% CI 5.40–52.11, p < 0.0001) or oral surgery (OR 29.98, 95% CI 9.62–119.34, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced endocarditis incidence following invasive dental procedures (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06–0.53, p < 0.0001). Case‐crossover analysis confirmed the association between invasive dental procedures and endocarditis in those at high risk, particularly following extractions (OR 3.74, 95% CI 2.65–5.27, p < 0.005) and oral surgery (OR 10.66, 95% CI 5.18–21.92, p < 0.0001). The number of invasive procedures, extractions, or surgical procedures needing antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent one endocarditis case was 244, 143 and 71, respectively. Conclusions: Invasive dental procedures (particularly extractions and oral surgery) were significantly associated with endocarditis in high‐risk individuals, but AP significantly reduced endocarditis incidence following these procedures, thereby supporting current guideline recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2020, the American College of Surgeons recommended postponing elective procedures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We used Medicare claims to analyze changes in surgical and interventional procedure volumes from 2016 to 2021. We studied 37 common surgical and interventional procedures using 5% Medicare claims files from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2021. Procedures were classified according to American College of Surgeons guidelines as low, intermediate, or high acuity, and counts were analyzed per calendar year quarter (Q1–Q4), with stratification by sex and race/ethnicity. We observed 1,840,577 procedures and identified two periods of marked decline. In Q2 2020, overall procedure counts decreased by 32.2%, with larger declines in low (41.1%) and intermediate (30.8%) acuity procedures. High acuity procedures declined the least (18.2%). Overall volumes increased afterward but never returned to baseline. Another marked decline occurred in Q4 2021, with all acuity levels having declined to a similar extent (40.1%, 44.2%, and 46.9% for low, intermediate, and high acuity, respectively). High and intermediate acuity procedures declined more in Q4 2021 than Q2 2020 (P = 0.002). Similar patterns were observed across sex and race/ethnicity strata. Two major procedural volume declines occurred between 2020 and 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. High acuity (life or limb threatening) procedures were least affected in the first decline (Q2 2020) but not spared in second decline (Q4 2021). Future efforts should prioritize preserving high-acuity access during times of stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The American Board of Surgery has endorsed competency-based education as vital to the assessment of surgical training. From 2018 to 2020, a national pilot study was conducted at 28 general surgery programs to evaluate feasibility of implementing entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for 5 common general surgical conditions. ACGME core competency Milestones were also rated for each resident by program clinical competency committees. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of general surgery EPAs compared with Milestones. STUDY DESIGN: Prospectively collected, de-identified EPA Pilot Study data were analyzed. EPAs studied were EPA-1 (gallbladder), EPA-2 (inguinal hernia), EPA-3 (right lower quadrant pain), EPA-4 (trauma), and EPA-5 (consult). Variables abstracted included levels of EPA entrustment (1 to 5) and corresponding ACGME Milestone subcompetency ratings (1 to 5) for the same study cycle. Spearman's correlations were used to evaluate the relationship between summative EPA scores and corresponding Milestone ratings. RESULTS: A total of 493 unique residents received a summative entrustment decision. EPA summative entrustment scores had moderate-to-strong positive correlation with mapped Milestone subcompetencies, with median rho value of 0.703. Among operation-focused EPAs, median rho values were similar between EPA-1 (0.688) and EPA-2 (0.661), but higher for EPA-3 (0.833). EPA-4 showed a strong positive correlation with diagnosis and communication competencies (0.724), whereas EPA-5, mapped to the most Milestone subcompetencies, had the lowest median rho value (0.455). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-to-strong positive correlation was noted between EPAs and patient care, medical knowledge, and communication Milestones. These findings support the validity of EPAs in general surgery and suggest that EPA assessments can be used to inform Milestone ratings by clinical competency committees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to review the data supporting current endoscopic surgical techniques for the spine and the potential challenges and future of the field. The origins of endoscopic spine surgery can be traced back many decades, with many important innovations throughout its development. It can be applied to all levels of the spine, with many robust trials supporting its clinical outcomes. Continued clinical research is needed to explore its expanding indications. Although the limitations of starting an endoscopic program can be justified by its cost effectiveness and positive societal impact, challenges facing its widespread adoption are still present. As more residency and fellowship programs include endoscopy as part of their spine training, it will become more prevalent in hospitals in the United States. Technological advancements in spine surgery will further propel and enhance endoscopic techniques as they become an integral part of a spine surgeon's repertoire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endoscopy is a major part of surgical training. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has set standards regarding the minimum volume of endoscopy cases required for graduation. However, there is paucity of high-quality data on the number of cases that most surgical graduates perform. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of operative case logs of all general surgery residents graduating from ACGME-accredited programs from 2010 to 2023. Data on mean number of endoscopy cases, including mean in each subcategory, were retrieved. Mann–Kendall trend test was used to investigate trends in endoscopy experience. Results: Between 2010 and 2023, the mean overall endoscopy procedures per resident remained stable, with 129.5 in 2010 and 132.1 in 2023 (t = 0.429; p-value = 0.037). The majority of these cases were performed as surgeon junior (76.6% in 2010; 80.9% in 2023), while the remaining cases were logged as surgeon chief. The most substantial contribution to the overall volume was from flexible colonoscopy (mean: 64.1 in 2010 and 67.2 in 2023). The volume for colonoscopy remained fairly stable (t = 0.429; p-value = 0.036). This was followed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (mean: 35.3 in 2010 and 35.5 in 2023), which saw a significant increase in volume (t = 0.890; p-value ≤ 0.001). There was a significant increase in the number of overall upper endoscopic procedures (t = 0.791; p-value ≤ 0.001), while lower endoscopic procedures did not change significantly (t = 0.319; p-value = 0.125). The procedural volume for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, sigmoidoscopy, cystoscopy/ureteroscopy, laryngoscopy, and bronchoscopy decreased significantly (p-value < 0.05 for all). Conclusion: The overall endoscopy volume for general surgery residents has largely remained stable, with a minor increase in esophagogastroduodenoscopy and no change in colonoscopy. Future research should investigate whether simulation-based exercises can bridge the gap between procedural volume and learning curve requirements for endoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Colorectal cancer is a common cancer diagnosis, with many patients suffering from metastatic disease. Unfortunately, the prognosis for these patients remains grim, but there is a cohort in whom surgery remains a viable option, with the potential for a cure. The management of this cohort of patients is complex and requires the guidance of a dedicated hepatobiliary surgeon. There also remains a deep interplay between perioperative and operative decisions, which ultimately need tailoring to each individual patient. In this review, we aim to define these key perioperative and operative considerations in the contemporary management of colorectal liver metastasis. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second most common cause of cancer-related death. Approximately 20–30% of patients will develop hepatic metastasis in the form of synchronous or metachronous disease. The treatment of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) has evolved into a multidisciplinary approach, with chemotherapy and a variety of locoregional treatments, such as ablation and portal vein embolization, playing a crucial role. However, resection remains a core tenet of management, serving as the gold standard for a curative-intent therapy. As such, the input of a dedicated hepatobiliary surgeon is paramount for appropriate patient selection and choice of surgical approach, as significant advances in the field have made management decisions extremely nuanced and complex. We herein aim to review the contemporary surgical management of colorectal liver metastasis with respect to both perioperative and operative considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the adoption of electric scooters has been accompanied by a surge of scooter-related injuries in the US, raising concerns for their severity and associated healthcare costs. This study aimed to assess temporal trends and outcomes of scooter-related hospital admissions compared with bicycle-related hospitalizations. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study using the 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample for patients younger than 65 years who were hospitalized after bicycle- and scooter-related injuries. The Trauma Mortality Prediction Model was used to quantify injury severity. The primary outcomes of interest were temporal trends of micromobility injuries. In-hospital mortality, rates of long bone fracture, traumatic brain injury, paralysis, length of stay, hospitalization costs, and nonhome discharge were secondarily assessed. RESULTS: Among 92,815 patients included in the study, 6,125 (6.6%) had scooter-related injuries. Compared with patients with bicycle-related injuries, patients with scooter-related injuries were more commonly younger than 18 years (26.7% vs 16.4%, p < 0.001) and frequently underwent major operations (55.8% vs 48.1%, p < 0.001). After risk adjustment, scooterrelated injuries were associated with greater risks of long bone fracture (adjusted odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.70) and paralysis (adjusted odds ratio 2.06, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.69) compared with bicycle-related injuries. Additionally, patients with bicycle- or scooter-related injuries had comparable index hospitalization durations of stay and costs. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and severity of scooter-related injuries have significantly increased in the US, thereby attributing to a substantial cost burden on the healthcare system. Multidisciplinary efforts to inform safety policies and enact targeted interventions are warranted to reduce scooter-related injuries. (J Am Coll Surg 2024;238:254-260. © 2024 by the American College of Surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about changes in gastrointestinal symptoms compatible with disorders of gut‐brain interaction (DGBI) with increasing age at the population level. The objective of this study was to describe the patterns of DGBI in individuals 65 years of age and above and contrasting them with those of younger adults. Methods: A community sample of 6300 individuals ages 18 and older in the US, UK, and Canada completed an online survey. Quota‐based sampling was used to ensure equal proportion of sex and age groups (40% aged 18–39, 40% aged 40–64, 20% aged 65+) across countries, and to control education distributions. The survey included the Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire for DGBI, demographic questions, questionnaires measuring overall somatic symptom severity and quality of life, and questions on healthcare utilization, medications, and surgical history. Results: We included 5926 individuals in our analyses; 4700 were 18–64 years of age and 1226 were ages 65+. Symptoms compatible with at least one DGBI were less prevalent in participants ages 65+ vs. ages 18–64 years (34.1% vs. 41.3%, p < 0.0001). For symptoms compatible with upper GI DGBI, lower prevalence for most disorders was noted in the 65+ group. For lower GI DGBI, a different pattern was seen. Prevalence was lower in ages 65+ for irritable bowel syndrome and anorectal pain, but no differences from younger participants for the disorders defined by abnormal bowel habits (constipation and/or diarrhea) were seen. Fecal incontinence was the only DGBI that was more common in ages 65+. Having a DGBI was associated with reduced quality of life, more severe non‐GI somatic symptoms, and increased healthcare seeking, both in younger and older participants. Conclusion: Symptoms compatible with DGBI are common, but most of these decrease in older adults at the population level, with the exception of fecal incontinence which increases. This pattern needs to be taken into account when planning GI health care for the growing population of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Out-of-pocket (OOP) costs can be substantial financial burdens for patients and may even cause patients to delay or forgo necessary medical procedures. Although overall healthcare costs are rising in the United States, recent trends in patient OOP costs for foot and ankle orthopaedic surgical procedures have not been reported. Fully understanding patient OOP costs for common orthopaedic surgical procedures, such as those performed on the foot and ankle, might help patients and professionals make informed decisions regarding treatment options and demonstrate to policymakers the growing unaffordability of these procedures. Questions/purposes (1) How do OOP costs for common outpatient foot and ankle surgical procedures for commercially insured patients compare between elective and trauma surgical procedures? (2) How do these OOP costs compare between patients enrolled in various insurance plan types? (3) How do these OOP costs compare between surgical procedures performed in hospital-based outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs)? (4) How have these OOP costs changed over time? Methods This was a retrospective, comparative study drawn from a large, longitudinally maintained database. Data on adult patients who underwent elective or trauma outpatient foot or ankle surgical procedures between 2010 and 2020 were extracted using the MarketScan Database, which contains well-delineated cost variables for all patient claims, which are particularly advantageous for assessing OOP costs. Of the 1,031,279 patient encounters initially identified, 41% (427,879) met the inclusion criteria. Demographic, procedural, and financial data were recorded. The median patient age was 50 years (IQR 39 to 57); 65% were women, and more than half of patients were enrolled in preferred provider organization insurance plans. Approximately 75% of surgical procedures were classified as elective (rather than trauma), and 69% of procedures were performed in hospital-based outpatient departments (rather than ASCs). The primary outcome was OOP costs incurred by the patient, which were defined as the sum of the deductible, coinsurance, and copayment paid for each episode of care. Monetary data were adjusted to 2020 USD. A general linear regression, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test were used for analysis, as appropriate. Alpha was set at 0.05. Results For foot and ankle indications, trauma surgical procedures generated higher median OOP costs than elective procedures (USD 942 [IQR USD 150 to 2052] versus USD 568 [IQR USD 51 to 1426], difference of medians USD 374; p < 0.001). Of the insurance plans studied, high-deductible health plans had the highest median OOP costs. OOP costs were lower for procedures performed in ASCs than in hospital-based outpatient departments (USD 645 [IQR USD 114 to 1447] versus USD 681 [IQR USD 64 to 1683], difference of medians USD 36; p < 0.001). This trend was driven by higher coinsurance for hospital-based outpatient departments than for ASCs (USD 391 [IQR USD 0 to 1136] versus USD 337 [IQR USD 0 to 797], difference of medians USD 54; p < 0.001). The median OOP costs for common outpatient foot and ankle surgical procedures increased by 102%, from USD 450 in 2010 to USD 907 in 2020. Conclusion Rapidly increasing OOP costs of common foot and ankle orthopaedic surgical procedures warrant a thorough investigation of potential cost-saving strategies and initiatives to enhance healthcare affordability for patients. In particular, measures should be taken to reduce underuse of necessary care for patients enrolled in highdeductible health plans, such as shorter-term deductible timespans and placing additional regulations on the implementation of these plans. Moreover, policymakers and physicians could consider finding ways to increase the proportion of procedures performed at ASCs for procedure types that have been shown to be equally safe and effective as in hospital-based outpatient departments. Future studies should extend this analysis to publicly insured patients and further investigate the health and financial effects of highdeductible health plans and ASCs, respectively. Level of Evidence Level III, economic and decision analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: International guidelines recommend preoperative multidisciplinary team (MDT) assessment for high-risk surgical patients. Preoperative MDT meetings can help to improve surgical care, but there is little evidence on whether they improve patient outcomes. Methods: This paper aims to share our experience of MDT meetings for high-risk surgical patients to underline their added value to the current standard of care. An observational study of a retrospective cohort of preoperative high-risk MDT meetings of a tertiary referral hospital between January 2015 and December 2020. For 249 patients the outcomes preoperative data, MDT decisions, and patient outcomes were collected from electronic health records. Main results: A total of 249 patients were discussed at high-risk MDT meetings. Most of the patients (97%) were assessed as having an American Society of Anesthesiology score ≥ 3, and 219 (88%) had a European Society of Cardiology and European Society of Anaesthesiology risk score of intermediate or high. After MDT assessment, 154 (62%) were directly approved for surgery, and 39 (16%) were considered ineligible for surgery. The remaining 56 (23%) patients underwent additional assessments before reconsideration at a high-risk MDT meeting. The main reason for patients being discussed at the high-risk MDT meeting was to assess the risk-benefit ratio of surgery. Ultimately, 184 (74%) patients underwent surgery. Of the operated patients, 122 (66%) did not have a major complication in the postoperative period, and 149 patients (81%) were alive after one year. Conclusions: This cohort study shows the vulnerability and complexity of high-risk patients but also shows that the use of an MDT assessment contributes too improved peri- and postoperative treatment strategies in high-risk patients. Most patients underwent surgery after careful risk assessment and, if deemed necessary, preoperative and perioperative treatment optimization to reduce their risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Industry payments to physicians represent a potential conflict of interest (COI) and can influence the study conclusions. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the COIs reported in major surgical journals. STUDY DESIGN: Studies with at least one American author published between 2016 and 2021 that discussed observational and intervention studies assessing robotic surgery were included in the analysis. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Open Payments database was used to collect the industry payments. A COI is defined as receiving funding from a robotics company while publishing research directly related to the company's products. A COI statement was defined as disclosed (or accurate) if the disclosure statement for the study in question acknowledged funding from the robotics companies. A COI was defined as undisclosed (or inaccurate) if the disclosure statement for the study in question did not acknowledge funding from the robotics companies. RESULTS: A total of 314 studies and 1978 authors were analyzed. Only 13.6% of the studies had accurate COI statements, whereas the majority (86.4%) had inaccurate COI disclosures. Additionally, 48.9% of the authors who received funding of $10,000 to $100,000 failed to report this amount in their disclosures, and 18% of the authors who received funding of $100,000 or more did not report it in their disclosures. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant discordance between the self-reported COI in gastrointestinal and abdominal wall surgeries. This study calls for continued efforts to improve the definitions of what constitutes a relevant COI and encourages a standardized reporting process. It is imperative for investigators to make accurate disclosure statements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Surgery is the primary treatment for chordoma. However, residual or recurrent chordoma presents a significant problem for clinicians. The aim of this work is to highlight the current treatment landscape for chordoma, with a particular focus on active and completed clinical trials. Future research efforts will need to address knowledge gaps including natural history studies on this disease. This systematic review aims to characterize ongoing clinical trials and therapeutic treatment options for chordoma, a rare notochordal remnant tumor that primarily affects the cranial base, mobile spine, and sacrum. While radical surgical resection remains the cornerstone for chordoma management, unique technical challenges posed by its proximity to critical neurovascular structures confer a tendency towards disease recurrence which often requires additional treatment modalities. In an attempt to better understand the current treatment landscape, a systematic review was designed to identify clinical trials directed at chordoma. A total of 108 chordoma trials were identified from four clinical trial databases; fifty-one trials were included in the final analysis, of which only 14 were designated as completed (27.5%). Aggregate data suggests most chordoma interventions are repurposed from other neoplasms that share common molecular pathways, with a recent emphasis on combination therapeutics within and across drug classes. Naturally, the publication and dissemination of clinical trial results remain a concern (n = 4, 28.6%), highlighting the need for enhanced reporting and transparency measures. Active clinical trial efforts are quite promising, with a renewed focus on novel biotherapeutic targets and deciphering the natural history, as well as survivorship of this complex disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: During laparoscopic surgery, Carbondioxide pneumoperitoneum is created resulting in hypercarbia which has complex effects on various systems of our body. Cholecystectomy, appendectomy, colectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and hysterectomy are some of the most common surgical procedures done using laparoscopic surgery each year in the United States. Laparoscopic surgery has a low overall mortality rate, 0.3% to 1.8%, however it's usual practise to evaluate the risk of perioperative cardiovascular events during preoperative consultation. Aims: To assess the effects of pneumoperitoneum on arterial and end tidal carbondioxide pressure gradient during laparoscopic surgery in adults. Materials and Methods: The present study was an Observational study. This Study was conducted from February 2021-March 2023 at Dept. of anesthesiologist. Total 60 patients were included in this study. Results: Our study demonstrates that the intra-abdominal pressure of 12 mmHg maintained for laparoscopic surgery induces hemodynamic changes characterized by increase in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance. Conclusion: We have shown that abdominal carbon dioxide insufflation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy or appendicectomy generates increases in ETCO2 and PaCO 2 that are considerably larger than preinsufflation values but still within physiological range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether a custom laryngectomy tube can improve airway symptoms in total laryngectomy patients with atypical anatomy who are unable to use commercial laryngectomy tubes. Furthermore, to exemplify the power of customizable 3D printed medical devices when combined with the expanded access pathway through the FDA. Methods: A custom-fabricated laryngectomy tube, manufactured at in-house clinical engineering labs, was utilized for each patient following typical laryngectomy tube protocols. All participants had previously undergone a total laryngectomy. Patients were selected based on critical airway obstruction posing potentially life-threatening scenarios while using commercially available laryngectomy tubes. Results: For all patients involved, there were no further airway obstruction complications or events, and they reported a subjective, significant improvement in comfort after placement of the custom laryngectomy tube. Conclusion: Custom laryngectomy tubes can provide patients with atypical anatomy relief from airway obstructions and improve comfort when commercial options fail to address the anatomic restriction. The process used to develop custom laryngectomy tubes may be relevant for other diseases and patients with atypical anatomies through the expanded access pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are limited data comparing the beach-chair (BC) versus lateral decubitus (LD) position for arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization. Purpose: To identify predictors of instability recurrence and revision after anterior shoulder stabilization and evaluate surgical position and glenoid bone loss as independent predictors of recurrence and revision at short- and midterm follow-ups. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A consecutive series of 641 arthroscopic anterior stabilization procedures were performed from 2005 to 2019. All shoulders were evaluated for glenohumeral bone loss on magnetic resonance imaging. The primary outcomes of interest were recurrence and revision. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationships of outcomes with age, position, glenoid bone loss group, and track. Results: A total of 641 shoulders with a mean age of 22.3 years (SD, 4.45 years) underwent stabilization and were followed for a mean of 6 years. The overall 1-year recurrent instability rate was 3.3% (21/641) and the revision rate was 2.8% (18/641). At 1 year, recurrence was observed in 2.3% (11/487) and 6.5% (10/154) of BC and LD shoulders, respectively. The 5-year recurrence and revision rates were 15.7% (60/383) and 12.8% (49/383), respectively. At 5 years, recurrence was observed in 16.4% (48/293) and 13.3% (12/90) of BC and LD shoulders, respectively. Multivariable modeling demonstrated that surgical position was not associated with a risk of recurrence after 1 year (odds ratio [OR] for LD vs BC, 1.39; P =.56) and 5 years (OR for LD vs BC, 1.32; P =.43), although younger age at index surgery was associated with a higher risk of instability recurrence (OR, 1.73 per SD [4.1 years] decrease in age; P <.03). After 1 and 5 years, surgical position results were similar in a separate multivariable logistic regression model of revision surgery as the dependent variable, when adjusted for age, surgical position, bone loss group, and track. At 5 years, younger age was an independent risk factor for revision: OR 1.68 per SD (4.1 years) decrease in age (P <.05). Conclusion: Among fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, there was no difference in rates of recurrence and revision surgery after performing arthroscopic anterior stabilization in either the BC or the LD position at 1- and 5-year follow-ups. In multivariable analysis, younger age, but not surgical position, was an independent risk factor for recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the association of Parkinson disease (PD) and postoperative delirium following common surgical procedures. We performed a retrospective database analysis of the National Inpatient Sample. We used a matched sample of patients with and without PD who underwent any of ten common surgical procedures in the US, 2005-2014. Primary outcome measure was postoperative delirium for patients with and without PD. Secondary measures included disposition, length of stay, and hospital costs. There were 3,235,866 patients receiving any of the ten most common operative procedures, 2005-2014. There were 35,743 patients with and without PD matched based on age, sex, elective admission status, Charlson Comorbidity index, and presence of dementia. Median age was 77 y (interquartile range 72-82), median Charlson Comorbidity index was 1 (standard deviation 0-2), 46.6% were female, and 46.8% were admitted electively. The three most common operative procedures were hip arthroplasty (28.5%), knee arthroplasty (16.1%), and percutaneous coronary angioplasty (14.9%). Postoperative delirium was present in 1519 patients with PD compared to 828 matched patients without PD (4.2% versus 2.3%; P < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio of postoperative delirium for PD compared to the matched cohort without PD was 1.88 (95% confidence interval 1.73-2.05). Those undergoing spinal fusion (adjusted odds ratio 2.99, 95% confidence interval 2.06-4.38) had the greatest odds of delirium. For patients with PD, adjusted length of stay, adjusted hospital costs, and adjusted odds of postacute care facility discharge were greater compared to the matched cohort without PD. Patients with PD are more likely to develop postoperative delirium and have a more complicated postoperative course with longer length of stay and greater hospitalization costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To 1) determine the types and frequency of complications within 3 months following ultrasound‐guided surgical procedures, and 2) identify any patient demographics, co‐morbidities, or procedural characteristics that were associated with an increased risk of complications. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at six Sports Medicine clinics across the United States. The Clavien‐Dindo classification was used to categorize procedural complications on a 5‐point scale from 1, representing any deviation in post‐procedure care without requiring pharmacological or invasive treatment to 5, representing death. Generalized Estimating Equations for binomial outcomes with a logit link were used to estimate the overall and procedure‐specific 3‐month complication rates. Results: Among 1902 patients, 8.1% (n = 154) had diabetes and 6.3% (n = 119) were current smokers. The analysis included 2,369 procedures, which were performed in either the upper extremity (44.1%, n = 1045) or lower extremity (55.2%, n = 1308) regions. The most common procedure was ultrasound‐guided tenotomy (69.9%, n = 1655). Additional procedures included, trigger finger release (13.1%, n = 310), tendon scraping (8.0%, n = 189), carpal tunnel release (5.4%, n = 128), soft tissue release (2.1%, n = 50), and compartment fasciotomy (1.6%, n = 37). Overall, there was a complication rate of 1.2% (n = 29 complications; 95% CI: 0.8–1.7%). Individual procedures had complication rates that ranged from 0 to 2.7%. There were 13 Grade I complications in 13 patients, 12 Grade II complications in 10 patients, 4 Grade III complications in 4 patients, and 0 Grade IV or V complications. No associations between complication risk and any patient demographics (age, sex, BMI), co‐morbidities (diabetes, smoker), or procedure characteristics (type, region) were identified. Conclusion: This retrospective review provides an evidence‐based estimate supporting the low level of risk associated with ultrasound‐guided surgical procedures for patients from a variety of geographical settings who are seeking care at private and academic‐affiliated clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Ultrasound guidance has become standard of care in hospital medicine for invasive bedside procedures, especially central venous catheter placement. Despite ultrasound-guided bedside procedures having a high degree of success, only a few hospitalists perform them. This is because these are usually performed by radiologists or in the setting of trainee-run procedure teams. We sought to determine the impact of a non-trainee driven , hospitalist-run procedure service relative to time from consult to procedure. Methods: The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital (UAB), Department of Hospital Medicine, trained 8 non-trainee hospitalist physicians (from existing staff) to implement the ultrasound-guided procedure service. This study examines consult to procedure completion time since the implementation of the procedure service (2014 to 2020). Univariate analyses are used to analyze pre-implementation (2012-2014), pilot (2014-2016), and post-implementation data (2016-2018 initial, and 2018-2020 sustained). Results: Results suggest a 50% reduction in time from consult to procedure completion when compared with the period before implementation of the nontrainee hospitalist procedure service. Conclusions: A hospitalist procedure service, which does not include trainees, results in less time lag from consult to procedure completion time, which could increase patient satisfaction and improve throughput. As such, this study has wide generalizability to community hospitals and other nonacademic medical centers that may not have trainees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Impostor syndrome is an internalized sense of incompetence and not belonging. We examined associations between impostor syndrome and holding leadership positions in medicine. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to US physicians from June 2021 to December 2021 through medical schools and professional organizations. Differences were tested with the chi-square test and i-test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with holding leadership positions and experiencing impostor syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 2,183 attending and retired physicians were included in the analytic cohort; 1,471 (67.4%) were in leadership roles and 712 (32.6%) were not. After adjustment, male physicians were more likely than women to hold leadership positions (odds ratio 1.4; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.69; p < 0.001). Non-US citizens (permanent resident or visa holder) were less likely to hold leadership positions than US citizens (odds ratio 0.3; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.55; p < 0.001). Having a leadership position was associated with lower odds of impostor syndrome (odds ratio 0.54; 95% CI 0.43 to 0.68; p < 0.001). Female surgeons were more likely to report impostor syndrome compared to male surgeons (90.0% vs 67.7%; p < 0.001), an association that persisted even when female surgeons held leadership roles. Similar trends were appreciated for female and male nonsurgeons. Impostor syndrome rates did not differ by race and ethnicity, including among those underrepresented in medicine, even after adjustment for gender and leadership role. CONCLUSIONS: Female physicians were more likely to experience impostor syndrome than men, regardless of specialty or leadership role. Although several identity-based gaps persist in leadership, impostor syndrome among racially minoritized groups may not be a significant contributor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, over 63,000 pancreas transplant procedures have been performed worldwide, with only approximately 8% of all pancreas transplants having been a pancreas transplant alone. Our study aimed to quantify outcomes following pancreas transplant alone in the United States from 2001 to 2020, with an emphasis on graft and patient survival. Methods and materials: We performed a retrospective registry analysis utilizing the OPTN/UNOS database for pancreas transplants alone performed in the United States from January 2001 to May 2020 to assess transplant outcomes. The study population was divided into two subgroups: patients receiving a pancreas transplant between 2000 and 2009 and those receiving a pancreas transplant between 2010 and 2020. Results: 3008 allograft recipients were included in the study. 1679 (54.87%) transplants were done from January 2000 to the end of 2009. 1381 (45.13%) transplants were done from 2010 to May 2020. Although the BMI and recipient sex comparison indicate a statistically significant difference, the differences are not clinically significant. The overall 5-year allograft survival rate was 52.17% in the 2000–2009 group, which increased to 58.82% in pancreas transplants alone from 2010 to 2020 (P = 0.02). The overall 5-year patient survival rate was 74.52% in the 2000–2009 group, which increased to 74.92% in pancreas transplants alone from 2010 to 2020 (P = 0.81). Conclusion: With all the progress in terms of surgical techniques, organ allocation and preservation, and immunosuppressive regimens, the pancreas transplant alone allograft survival has been improving over the years, although it has been still being underutilized around the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Americans who reside in health professional shortage areas currently have less than half of the needed physician workforce. While the shortage designation has been associated with poor outcomes for chronic medical conditions, far less is known about outcomes after high‐risk surgical procedures. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of Medicare beneficiaries living in health professional shortage areas and nonshortage areas who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass graft, esophagectomy, liver resection, pancreatectomy, or rectal resection between 2014 and 2018. Risk‐adjusted multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether rates of postoperative complications and 30‐day mortality differed between patient cohorts. Beneficiary and hospital ZIP codes were used to quantify travel time to obtain care. Findings: Compared with patients living in nonshortage areas, patients living in health professional shortage areas traveled longer (median 60.0 vs 28.0 minutes, P<.001). There were no differences in risk‐adjusted rates of complications (28.5% vs 28.6%, OR = 1.00, 95% CI 1.00‐1.00, P =.59) and small differences in rates of 30‐day mortality (4.2% vs 4.4%, OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.95‐0.95, P<.001) between beneficiaries living in shortage areas versus those not in shortage areas, respectively. Conclusions: Patients living in health professional shortage area undergoing high‐risk surgery traveled more than 2 times longer for their care to obtain similar outcomes. While reassuring for clinical outcomes, additional efforts may be needed to mitigate the travel burden experienced by shortage area patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a literature gap regarding facial feminization surgery (FFS) access and coverage. Our goal is to compile information from previous studies and assess the current policy landscape for these surgeries in the US. We also explored why some policies do not cover them, identify states with better coverage, and determine the most covered procedures. PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus were searched for studies that reviewed policies on FFS coverage. Studies on surgical techniques or other gender-affirming surgeries (GASs) that did not involve FFS were excluded. Seven studies were included for analysis. In 2014, the Department of Human Health Services (HHS) lifted the transgender exclusion policy, leading to an increase in policies regarding GASs for both private and state insurance. However, there are differences in medical necessity requirements among policies, which may not align with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) criteria. States that prohibit exclusion tend to offer better coverage for FFS. These states are mainly located in the western and northeast regions, whereas states in the southern and middle east regions have less coverage. Among the procedures, chondrolaryngoplasty is the most covered, while facial and cervical rhytidectomy are the least covered. To enhance transgender care, it is crucial to reach a consensus on how to offer coverage for facial feminization surgery. However, there is a lack of adequate research on this topic, and there is a need for resources and tools to assess the results of FFS procedures. One significant constraint of this study is that it does not provide a systematic review of the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis are two of the most common cutaneous lesions identified in the dermatology clinic. There is established evidence suggesting that topical treatments play a significant role in treating early forms of superficial BCC while also lowering the economic burden of healthcare by alleviating the need for unnecessary biopsies. Considering the expected continued rise in prevalence of BCC and AK in the coming years, topical therapies can decrease the cost of treatment, limit in-office procedures, and lessen the risks associated with surgery, including infection and scarring. Skin cancer is an overarching label used to classify a variety of cutaneous malignancies. Surgical excision procedures are the commonly used treatments for these lesions; however, the choice to perform operative intervention may be influenced by other factors. Established research and literature suggest that topical treatments limit the need for surgical intervention and its commonly associated adverse effects, including infection and scarring. In addition, the growing indications for the usage of topical therapies in BCC treatment, as well as their increased availability and therapeutic options, allow for their greater applicability in the dermatology clinic. Certain topical therapies have been highlighted in research, especially those targeting basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and actinic keratosis (AK). There is also a clear correlation between cost and treatment outcomes, considering BCC's ever-growing prevalence and the proportion of excised lesions being reported as malignant. This review will discuss BCC and AK lesion criteria that result in the most successful outcomes using topical treatments, then highlight the various topical treatment options, and finally address their clinical significance moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Surgical patients with perioperative coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection experience higher rates of adverse events than those without COVID-19, which may lead to imprecision in hospital-level quality assessment. Our objectives were to quantify differences in COVID-19--associated adverse events in a large national sample and examine distortions in surgical quality benchmarking if COVID-19 status is not considered. STUDY DESIGN: Data included 793,280 patient records from the American College of Surgeons NSQIP from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Models predicting 30-day mortality, morbidity, pneumonia, and ventilator dependency greater than 48 hours, and unplanned intubation were constructed. Risk adjustment variables were selected for these models from standard NSQIP predictors and perioperative COVID-19 status. RESULTS: A total of 5,878 (0.66%) had preoperative COVID-19, and 5,215 (0.58%) had postoperative COVID-19. COVID-19 rates demonstrated some consistency across hospitals (median preoperative 0.84%, interquartile range 0.14% to 0.84%; median postoperative 0.50%, interquartile range 0.24% to 0.78%). Postoperative COVID-19 was always associated with increased adverse events. For postoperative COVID-19 among all cases, there was nearly a 6-fold increase in mortality (1.07% to 6.37%) and15-fold increase in pneumonia (0.92% to 13.57%), excluding the diagnosis of COVID-19 itself. The effects of preoperative COVID-19 were less consistent. Inclusion of COVID-19 in risk-adjustment models had minimal effects on surgical quality assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative COVID-19 was associated with a dramatic increase in adverse events. However, quality benchmarking was minimally affected. This may be the result of low overall COVID- 19 rates or balance in rates established across hospitals during the 1-year observational period. There remains limited evidence for restructuring ACS NSQIP risk-adjustment for the time-limited effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the false equivalence created in statistical analysis for blood resourcing to U.S. military surgical teams deployed in the field. Topics discussed include the vital importance of time in survival from hemorrhage, the challenges of battlefield planning, and the need for comprehensive data-driven planning based on historical evidence and critical literature review.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases (NELM) are a major source of morbidity and mortality in neuroendocrine tumor patients and can be treated with hepatic debulking surgery (HDS). This study aims to identify variables associated with postoperative morbidity in NELM HDS. STUDY DESIGN: This analysis uses the American College of Surgeons NSQIP targeted hepatectomy-specific Participant User File from 2014 to 2020. Surgeries were grouped by number of hepatic resections performed (1 to 5, 6 to 10, greater than 10). Multivariable logistic regression and matching were used to identify prognostic factors of morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 1,163 patients were included. A total of 1,011 (87%) had 1 to 5 hepatic resections, 101 (8.7%) had 6 to 10 resections, and 51 (4.4%) had greater than 10 resections. The overall complication rate was 35%, and surgical and medical complications reached 30% and 13%, respectively. Mortality occurred in 11 patients (0.9%). Significantly higher rates of any (34% vs 35% vs 53%, p = 0.021) and surgical complications (29% vs 28% vs 49%, p = 0.007) were noted for those undergoing greater than 10 resections (1 to 5 resections, 6 to 10, greater than 10). “Bleeding requiring transfusion” (p < 0.0001) occurred more frequently in the greater than 10 resection group. On multivariable logistic regression, greater than 10 resections were an independent risk factor for any (odds ratio [OR] 2.53, p = 0.002; OR 2.52, p =. 0013) and surgical (OR 2.53, p = 0.003; OR 2.88, p = 0.005) complications compared with 1 to 5 resections and 6 to 10 resections, respectively. Medical complications (OR 2.34, p = 0.020) and length of stay greater than 5 days (OR 1.98, p = 0.032) were also increased with greater than 10 vs 1 to 5 resections. CONCLUSIONS: As reported by NSQIP, NELM HDS were performed safely with low mortality. However, more hepatic resections, especially greater than 10, were associated with increased postoperative morbidity and length of stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine maternal and neonatal outcomes following a combined surgical and interventional radiology (IR) approach to managing PAS, and the risks associated with this technique. Methods and Materials: Retrospective cohort study of all cases of PAS in a tertiary maternity centre between January 2001 and July 2020. Women who underwent caesarean hysterectomy for histologically confirmed PAS with a staged surgical and IR approach were compared with those who underwent caesarean hysterectomy without IR. Maternal, neonatal outcomes, surgical and radiological complications were assessed. Results: Forty‐six women were included in the study, and 30/46 (65.2%) underwent the staged surgical and IR approach. Women in the staged group had less overall blood loss (1794 mL vs 3713 mL; P < 0.001), less requirement for blood transfusion (40% vs 75%; P < 0.001), and a lower mean volume of packed red cells transfused (2.5 vs 6.1 units). Anaesthetic and operative times were longer for the staged group (468 vs 189 min: 272 vs 141 min P < 0.001), respectively. There were no differences in rates of neonatal or maternal complications between the two groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a staged procedure combining surgery and IR for PAS results in a considerable reduction in blood loss, need for transfusion, and units of packed red cells transfused compared with surgery alone. The staged procedure required significantly longer anaesthetic and operative times; however, there were no differences in maternal and neonatal morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite being one of the most commonly performed operations in the US, there is a paucity of data on practice patterns and resultant long-term outcomes of groin hernia repair. In this context, we performed a contemporary assessment of operative approach with 5 year follow-up to inform care for the 800000 persons undergoing groin hernia repair annually. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing elective groin hernia repair in a 20% representative Medicare sample from 2010–17. Surgical approach [minimally invasive (MIS) vs open] was defined using appropriate CPT codes. The primary outcome was operative recurrence at up to 5 years following surgery. We estimated the overall risk of operative recurrence using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Among 118119 patients, the majority (76.4%) underwent an open repair. Compared to patients who underwent MIS repair, patients in the open surgery cohort were older (mean age 72.7 vs 71.0, p < 0.001), more often female (14.4 vs 10.9%, p < 0.001), less often white (86.9 vs 87.7%, p < 0.001), and had a higher prevalence of nearly all measured comorbidities Patients in the open cohort had a lower incidence of operative recurrence at 1-year (1.0 vs 1.5%, p < 0.001), 3-years, (2.5 vs 3.5%, p < 0.001), and 5-years (3.7 vs 4.7%, p < 0.001). In the Cox proportional hazards model, we found that patients who underwent an open groin hernia repair were significantly less likely to experience operative recurrence (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79–0.93). Conclusions: In this study, we found that open groin hernia repair was associated with a lower risk of operative recurrence over time. While this may be related to patient comorbidity and age at the index operation, future work should focus on the impact of surgeon volume on outcomes in the modern era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As outlined in Estelle v Gamble (1976), the 8th Amendment to the US Constitution requires that states provide adequate care for people who are incarcerated--but what constitutes "acceptable" care under professional guidelines is frequently at odds with the standard of care used by clinicians outside of carceral facilities. Outright denial of standard care runs afoul of the Constitutional prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. As the evidence base that undergirds standards of care in transgender health has evolved, people who are incarcerated have sued to expand access to mental health and general health care, including hormonal and surgical interventions. Carceral institutions must transition from lay administrative to licensed professional oversight of patient-centered, gender-affirming care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tension that exists between the medical and legal professions regarding expert evidence is longstanding. In this article, we will examine some of the issues regarding expert evidence particularly as it relates to matters involving surgeons. Many of the current aspects of the Australian uniform evidence law in relation to expert testimony were based on the Federal Rules of Evidence promulgated in the United States in 1975. We will discuss some of the problems of expert evidence in surgical matters, particularly in New South Wales, and offer some thoughts on how the so-called Daubert trilogy could form a basis on which to re-examine the concept of an "expert". Our analysis offers suggestions for further improvements to the process of adducing expert evidence in claims involving surgical matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Cosmetic facial surgical procedures have become increasingly popular. Previous studies have shown an association between Internet searches for and volume of these procedures being performed. There is a paucity of data on the correlation between Google Trends search volumes and actual number of facial plastic surgery procedures performed. Methods Google Trends, a tool that collects and analyzes the results from Google, was used to identify the average search volumes of popular facial plastic surgery procedures between 2004 and 2020. The identified search terms were correlated with the actual number of facial plastic surgery procedures done as reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. A Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was completed to determine correlation between the two variables. Results There were very weak to moderate correlations between relative search volume (RSV), the ratio of a query's search volume to the sum of the total search volume over a given time period, of procedures with the number of procedures performed in the same or following year. Of the six terms (blepharoplasty, cheek implant, neck lift, mentoplasty, rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy) evaluated, correlation of RSV and number of procedures completed in the same year and the following year showed very weak to moderate correlations. The associated searches for the terms were related to specifics of a procedure including cost, before and after photos, different terms for a given procedure, or other related procedures. Conclusion This study showed that RSV for common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures did not significantly correlate with the number of procedures performed annually in the United States. More research is needed to further understand the use of Google Trends in gauging patient interest in a procedure and understanding what patients seek to learn about a procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Financial toxicity describes the harmful effect of individual treatment costs and fiscal burdens that have a compounding negative impact on outcomes in surgery. While this phenomenon has been widely studied in surgical oncology, the purpose of this study was to perform a novel exploration of the impact of financial toxicity in emergency general surgery (EGS) patients throughout the US. STUDY DESIGN: The Nationwide Readmissions Database for January and February 2018 was queried for all EGS patients aged 18 to 65 years. One-to-one propensity matching was performed with and without risk for financial toxicity. The primary outcome was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were venous thromboembolism (VTE), prolonged length of stay (LOS), and readmission within 30 days. RESULTS: There were 24,154 EGS patients propensity matched. The mortality rate was 0.2% (n = 39), and the rate of VTE was 0.5% (n = 113). With financial toxicity, there was no statistically significant difference for mortality (p = 0.08) or VTE (p = 0.30). The rate of prolonged LOS was 6.2% (n = 824), and the risk was increased with financial toxicity (risk ratio 1.24 [1.12 to 1.37]; p < 0.001). The readmission rate was 7.0% (n = 926), and the risk with financial toxicity was increased (risk ratio 1.21 [1.10 to 1.33]; p < 0.001). The mean count of comorbidities per patient per admission during readmission within 1 year with financial toxicity was 2.1 ± 1.9 versus 1.8 ± 1.7 without (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite little difference in the rate of mortality or VTE, EGS patients at risk for financial toxicity have an increased risk of readmission and longer LOS. Fewer comorbidities were identified at index admission than during readmission in patients at risk for financial toxicity. Future studies aimed at reducing this compounding effect of financial toxicity and identifying missed comorbidities have the potential to improve EGS outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: To overcome persistent gender disparities in academic surgery, it is critical to examine the earliest phase of surgical training. This national study sought to assess whether gender disparities also existed among surgical interns, as a proxy for medical school research experience in both quantity and quality. STUDY DESIGN: Using the 2021 to 2022 public information of 1,493 US-graduated categorical general surgery interns, a bibliometric evaluation was conducted to assess medical school research experience. Multivariable linear regressions with response log-transformed were performed to evaluate the impact of intern gender on (1) total number of peer-reviewed publications, (2) total impact factor (TIF), and (3) adjusted TIF based on authorship placement (aTIF). Back-transformed estimates were presented. RESULTS: Of these interns, 52.3% were female. Significant differences were observed in TIF (male 6.4 vs female 5.3, p = 0.029), aTIF (male 10.8 vs female 8.7, p = 0.035), gender concordance with senior authors (male 79.9% vs female 34.1%, p < 0.001), Hirsch index (male 21.0 vs female 18.0, p = 0.026), and the geographic region of their medical schools (p = 0.036). Multivariable linear regressions revealed that female interns were associated with lower TIF (0.858, p = 0.033) and aTIF (0.851, p = 0.044). Due to a significant gender-by-region interaction, adjusted pairwise comparisons showed that male interns in the Northeast had approximately 70% higher TIF (1.708, p = 0.003) and aTIF (1.697, p = 0.013) than female interns in the South. CONCLUSIONS: Gender disparities existed in the quality of research experience in the earliest phase of surgical training. These timely results call for additional interventions by the stakeholders of graduate medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest observed determinant of cost to produce an uncomplicated outpatient hysterectomy for benign indications in the United States is approach, but cost is determined primarily by unexplained differences among surgeons. OBJECTIVE: To identify surgeon-level variation in cost to produce an outpatient hysterectomy for benign indications in the United States. METHODS: A sample of patients undergoing outpatient hysterectomy in October 2015 to December 2021, excluding those with a diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy, was obtained from the Vizient Clinical Database. The primary outcome was total direct hysterectomy cost, which is a modeled cost to produce care. Patient, hospital, and surgeon covariates were analyzed with mixed-effects regression, which included surgeon-level random effects to capture unobserved differences influencing cost variation. RESULTS: The final sample included 264,717 cases performed by 5,153 surgeons. The median total direct cost of hysterectomy was $4,705 (interquartile range $3,522–6,234). Cost was highest for robotic hysterectomy ($5,412) and lowest for vaginal hysterectomy ($4,147). After all variables were included in the regression model, approach was the strongest of the observed predictors, but 60.5% of the variance in costs was attributable to unexplained surgeon-level differences, implying a difference in costs between the 10th and 90th percentiles of surgeons of $4,063. CONCLUSION: The largest observed determinant of cost to produce an outpatient hysterectomy for benign indications in the United States is approach, but differences in cost are attributable primarily to unexplained differences among surgeons. Standardization of surgical approach and technique and surgeon awareness of surgical supply costs could address these unexplained cost variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical experiences offer valuable insight into how medical power can operate to subjugate bodies and subvert wills, revealing the patriarchal nature of institutional medical practice. Such revelations can inform anthropological understandings of power, resistance, and refusal at the intersection of gender and large bureaucratic structures, such as the medical industrial complex. This article explores the subversion of maternal will in the context of cesarean birth and practices around vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) as a form of resistance and refusal of biomedical power. Cesarean sections are the most common major surgical procedure in the United States, with one in every three births delivered surgically. For many birthing people, cesarean delivery was neither desired nor expected. Through the birth story narratives of 25 predominantly white women who pursued VBAC, this article proposes the concept of maternal vanishing to describe the process by which birthing people are disempowered during birth. I argue that women who pursued VBAC were engaged in an attempt to reconstitute themselves in subsequent births through a series of tactics that, in some ways, replicate hegemonic notions of neoliberal subjectivity and medical consumerism at the same they resist and refuse them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: No consensus currently exists on immobilization protocols following shoulder surgery. The aim of this study was to identify patterns and types of sling used by surgeons from the United States and Europe for a variety of shoulder surgical procedures and further to identify factors associated with the variations. Four-hundred and ninety-nine surgeons with a median 15 years of experience responded, with 54.7% from the United States and 45.3% from Europe. United States surgeons reported higher abduction pillow sling use than European surgeons, whereas European surgeons reported more simple sling utilization. Increasing experience was negatively correlated with sling duration, meaning more experienced respondents tended to recommend shorter durations of sling use. Considerable variation exists in the immobilization patterns after a variety of shoulder surgical procedures advocated by surgeons with apparent influence from both geographic location and years of clinical experience. Future work is required to establish the most clinically beneficial protocols for immobilization following shoulder surgery. Background: There is currently no consensus on immobilization protocols following shoulder surgery. The aim of this study was to establish patterns and types of sling use for various surgical procedures in the United States (US) and Europe, and to identify factors associated with the variations. Methods: An online survey was sent to all members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) and European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and Elbow (ESSSE). The survey gathered member data, including practice location and years in practice. It also obtained preferences for the type and duration of sling use after the following surgical procedures: arthroscopic Bankart repair, Latarjet, arthroscopic superior/posterosuperior rotator cuff repair (ARCR) of tears <3 cm and >3 cm, anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse TSA (rTSA), and isolated biceps tenodesis (BT). Relationships between physician location and sling type for each procedure were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests and post-hoc tests using Bonferroni-adjusted p-values. Relationships looking at years in practice and sling duration preferred were analyzed using Spearman's correlation tests. Results: In total, 499 surgeons with a median of 15 years of experience (IQR = 9–25) responded, with 54.7% from the US and 45.3% from Europe. US respondents reported higher abduction pillow sling use than European respondents for the following: Bankart repair (62% vs. 15%, p < 0.0001), Latarjet (53% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), ARCR < 3 cm (80% vs. 42%, p < 0.001) and >3 cm (84% vs. 61%, p < 0.001), aTSA (50% vs. 21%, p < 0.001) and rTSA with subscapularis repair (61% vs. 22%, p < 0.001) and without subscapularis repair (57% vs. 17%, p < 0.001), and isolated BT (18% vs. 7%, p = 0.006). European respondents reported higher simple sling use than US respondents for the following: Bankart repair (74% vs. 31%, p < 0.001), Latarjet (78% vs. 44%, p < 0.001), ARCR < 3 cm (50% vs. 17%, p < 0.001) and >3 cm (34% vs. 13%, p < 0.001), and aTSA (69% vs. 41%, p < 0.001) and rTSA with subscapularis repair (70% vs. 35%, p < 0.001) and without subscapularis repair (73% vs. 39%, p < 0.001). Increasing years of experience demonstrated a negative correlation with the duration of sling use after Bankart repair (r = −0.20, p < 0.001), Latarjet (r = −0.25, p < 0.001), ARCR < 3 cm (r = −0.14, p = 0.014) and >3 cm (r = −0.20, p < 0.002), and aTSA (r = −0.37, p < 0.001), and rTSA with subscapularis repair (r = −0.10, p = 0.049) and without subscapularis repair (r = −0.19, p = 0.022. Thus, the more experienced surgeons tended to recommend shorter durations of post-operative sling use. US surgeons reported longer post-operative sling durations for Bankart repair (4.8 vs. 4.1 weeks, p < 0.001), Latarjet (4.6 vs. 3.6 weeks, p < 0.001), ARCR < 3 cm (5.2 vs. 4.5 weeks p < 0.001) and >3 cm (5.9 vs. 5.1 weeks, p < 0.001), aTSA (4.9 vs. 4.3 weeks, p < 0.001), rTSR without subscapularis repair (4.0 vs. 3.6 weeks, p = 0.031), and isolated BT (3.7 vs. 3.3 weeks, p = 0.012) than Europe respondents. No significant differences between regions within the US and Europe were demonstrated. Conclusions: There is considerable variation in the immobilization advocated by surgeons, with geographic location and years of clinical experience influencing patterns of sling use. Future work is required to establish the most clinically beneficial protocols for immobilization following shoulder surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to review the objectives of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Operative Standards with a specific focus on Standard 5.5, which pertains to curative intent wide local excision of primary cutaneous melanoma lesions. We review the details and rationale of the standard itself, including its requirement to include specific elements and responses in synoptic format in operative reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons NSQIP surgical risk calculator provides an estimation of 30-day postoperative adverse outcomes. It is useful in the identification of high-risk patients needing clinical optimization and supports the informed consent process. The purpose of this study is to validate its predictive value in the Italian emergency setting. STUDY DESIGN: Six Italian institutions were included. Inclusion diagnoses were acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, gastrointestinal perforation or obstruction. Areas under the receiving operating characteristic curves, Brier score, Hosmer-Lemeshow index, and observed-to-expected event ratio were measured to assess both discrimination and calibration. Effect of the Surgeon Adjustment Score on calibration was then tested. A patient's personal risk ratio was obtained, and a cutoff was chosen to predict mortality with a high negative predicted value. RESULTS: A total of 2,749 emergency procedures were considered for the analysis. The areas under the receiving operating characteristic curve were 0.932 for death (0.921 to 0.941, p < 0.0001; Brier 0.041) and 0.918 for discharge to nursing or rehabilitation facility (0.907 to 0.929, p < 0.0001; 0.070). Discrimination was also strong (area under the receiving operating characteristic curve >0.8) for renal failure, cardiac complication, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, serious complication, and any complication. Brier score was informative (<0.25) for all the presented variables. The observed-to-expected event ratios were 1.0 for death and 0.8 for discharge to facility. For almost all other variables, there was a general risk underestimation, but the use of the Surgeon Adjustment Score permitted a better calibration of the model. A risk ratio >3.00 predicted the onset of death with sensitivity = 86%, specificity = 77%, and negative predicted value = 99%. CONCLUSIONS: The American College of Surgeons NSQIP surgical risk calculator has proved to be a reliable predictor of adverse postoperative outcomes also in Italian emergency settings, with particular regard to mortality. We therefore recommend the use of the surgical risk calculator in the multidisciplinary care of patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. The American College of Surgeons NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator was not validated in emergency surgery outside the US. External validation on 2,749 emergency procedures was performed at 6 Italian institutions. The analysis showed that the calculator is a reliable predictor of adverse postoperative outcomes, particularly mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What ethically justifies the provision of invasive and irreversible treatments to minors? In this commentary, I examine this question in response to Moti Gorin's article "What Is the Aim of Pediatric 'Gender‐Affirming' Care?," which critiques autonomy‐based arguments for justification of gender‐affirming care in minors. Minors generally lack sufficient autonomy to make significant medical decisions or major life decisions. For this reason, parents are generally their decision‐makers, working with medical professionals to choose treatments that serve the best interests of the minor. Medical care in minors is justified by beneficence, not autonomy, and this should be no different for gender‐affirming care. This severely undermines autonomy‐based arguments for provision of gender‐affirming care to minors. Given the lack of conclusive evidence for benefit, the nature of the treatment, and the fact that gender dysphoria in minors resolves spontaneously in most cases, there is presently insufficient justification for provision of such care to minors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]