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Background: Answering calls in the literature, we developed and introduced an evidence-based tool for surgeons facing errors in the operating room: the STOPS framework (stop, talk to you team, obtain help, plan, succeed). The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of presenting this psychological tool on resident coping in the operating room and the related outcome of burnout while examining sex differences., Methods: In a natural experiment, general surgery residents were invited to attend 2 separate educational conferences regarding coping with errors in the operating room. Three months later, all residents were asked to fill out a survey assessing their coping in the operating room, level of burnout, and demographics. We assessed the impact of the educational intervention by comparing those who attended the coping conferences with those who did not attend., Results: Thirty-five residents responded to the survey (65% response rate, 54% female respondents, 49% junior residents). Our hypothesized moderated mediation model was supported. Sex was found to moderate the impact of the STOPS framework-female residents who attended the coping educational conference reported higher coping self-efficacy, whereas attendance had no statistically significant impact on male levels of coping self-efficacy. In turn, higher coping self-efficacy was associated with lower levels of burnout., Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is evidence of efficacy in this instruction-female residents presented this material report higher levels of coping in the operating room compared to those who did not receive the framework. Further, increase in coping ability was associated with reduced levels of burnout for both genders., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The effect of previous abdominal surgery (PAS) in laparoscopic surgery is well known and significantly adds to longer hospital length of stay (LOS), postoperative ileus, and inadvertent enterotomies. However, little evidence exists in patients with PAS undergoing robotic-assisted (RA) rectal surgery., Methods: All patients undergoing RA surgery for rectal cancer were reviewed. Patients with PAS were divided into minor and major PAS groups, defined as surgery involving >1 quadrant. The primary outcome was the risk of conversion to open surgery., Results: A total of 750 patients were included, 531 in the no-PAS (NPAS) group, 31 in the major PAS group, and 188 in the minor PAS group. Patients in the major PAS group had significantly longer hospital LOS (P < .001) and lower adherence to enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs; P = .004). The conversion rates to open surgery were similar: 3.4% in the NPAS group, 5.9% in the minor PAS group, and 9.7% in the major PAS group (P = .113). Estimated blood loss (EBL; P = .961), operative times (OTs; P = .062), complication rates (P = .162), 30-day readmission (P = .691), and 30-day mortality (P = .494) were similar. Of note, 53 patients underwent lysis of adhesions (LOA). On multivariate analysis, EBL >500 mL and LOA significantly influenced conversion to open surgery. EBL >500 mL, age >65 years, conversion to open surgery, and prolonged OT were risk factors for prolonged LOS, whereas adherence to ERPs was a protector., Conclusion: PAS did not seem to affect the outcomes in RA rectal surgery. Given this finding, the robotic approach may ultimately provide patients with PAS with similar risk to patients without PAS., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Up to 20% of patients with ileal pouch will develop pouch failure, ultimately requiring surgical reintervention. As a result of the complexity of reoperative pouch surgery, minimally invasive approaches were rarely utilized. In this series, we present the outcomes of the patients who underwent robotic-assisted pouch revision or excision to assess its feasibility and short-term results., Methods: All the patients affected by inflammatory bowel diseases and familial adenomatous polyposis who underwent robotic reoperative surgery of an existing ileal pouch were included., Results: Twenty-two patients were included; 54.6% were female. The average age at reoperation was 51 ± 16 years, with a mean body mass index of 26.1 ± 5.6 kg/m 2 . Fourteen (63.7%) had a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis at reoperation, and seven (31.8%) had Crohn's disease. The mean time to pouch reoperation was 12.8 ± 11.8 years. Seventeen (77.3%) patients underwent pouch excision, and five (22.7%) had pouch revision surgery. The mean operative time was 372 ± 131 min, and the estimated blood loss was 199 ± 196.7 ml. The conversion rate was 9.1%, the 30-day morbidity rate was 27.3% (with only one complication reaching Clavien-Dindo grade IIIB), and the mean length of stay was 5.8 ± 3.9 days. The readmission rate was 18.2%, the reoperation rate was 4.6%, and mortality was nihil. All patients in the pouch revisional group are stoma-free., Conclusion: Robotic reoperative pouch surgery in highly selected patients is technically feasible with acceptable outcomes., (© 2024. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: Although laparoscopic Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) has become the gold standard in restorative proctocolectomy, surgical techniques have experienced minimal changes. In contrast, substantial shifts in perioperative care, marked by the enhanced recovery program (ERP), modifications in steroid use, and a shift to a 3-staged approach, have taken center stage., Methods: Data extracted from our prospective IPAA database focused on the first 100 laparoscopic IPAA cases (historic group) and the latest 100 cases (modern group), aiming to measure the effect of these evolutions on postoperative outcomes., Results: The historic IPAA group had more 2-staged procedures (92% proctocolectomy), whereas the modern group had a higher number of 3-staged procedures (86% proctectomy) (P < .001). Compared with patients in the modern group, patients in the historic group were more likely to be on steroids (5% vs 67%, respectively; P < .001) or immunomodulators (0% vs 31%, respectively; P < .001) at surgery. Compared with the historic group, the modern group had a shorter operative time (335.5 ± 78.4 vs 233.8 ± 81.6, respectively; P < .001) and length of stay (LOS; 5.4 ± 3.1 vs 4.2 ± 1.6 days, respectively; P < .001). Compared with the modern group, the historic group exhibited a higher 30-day morbidity rate (20% vs 33%, respectively; P = .04) and an elevated 30-day readmission rate (9% vs 21%, respectively; P = .02). Preoperative steroids use increased complications (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; P = .01), whereas 3-staged IPAA reduced complications (OR, 0.3; P = .03). ERP was identified as a factor that predicted shorter stays., Conclusion: Although ERP effectively reduced the LOS in IPAA surgery, it failed to reduce complications. Conversely, adopting a 3-staged IPAA approach proved beneficial in reducing morbidity, whereas preoperative steroid use increased complications., (Copyright © 2024 Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Excise taxes on unhealthy products like sugary drinks and tobacco can reduce purchases of these products. However, little research has investigated whether messages at the point of purchase, such as enhanced price tags, can increase the effects of taxes by heightening psychological reactions. This study aimed to examine whether including messages about taxes on price tags could amplify the benefits of excise taxes on unhealthy products., Methods: In 2022, an online study recruited 1,013 U.S. parents to view seven price tag messages (e.g., "includes a 19% sugary drink tax") and a control (i.e., standard price tag with the tax included in the price) displayed in random order alongside sugary drinks. Participants were randomly assigned to view a caution-symbol icon or no icon on price tags. Analyses were conducted in 2023., Results: All seven messages discouraged parents from buying sugary drinks for their children compared to control (average differential effects [ADEs] ranged from 0.28 to 0.48, all p<0.001). All messages led to greater attention to the price tag (ADEs ranged from 0.24 to 0.41, all p<0.001) and greater consideration of the cost of sugary drinks (ADEs ranged from 0.31 to 0.50, all p<0.001). Icons elicited higher cost consideration than text-only price tags (ADE=0.15, p<0.010), but not discouragement (p=0.061) or attention (p=0.079)., Conclusions: Messaging on price tags could make excise taxes more effective. Policymakers should consider requiring messaging on price tags when implementing taxes., (Copyright © 2023 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Surgical educators and researchers have well-considered a breadth of topics related to surgery. However, there is one concept that is notably absent in this corpus: surgical wisdom. In this perspective, we draw on work from Aristotle and psychology research to introduce the concept of phronesis, which we believe is useful for understanding surgical wisdom. We further illustrate how this concept can be a useful tool for surgical educators through the discussion of four distinct functions of phronesis, and illustrating the ability of these functions to help learners cultivate knowledge at important decision points, or inflection points, in surgical training and a surgical career., (Copyright © 2023 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Rationale: Recent research has called for further resident training in coping with errors and adverse events in the operating room. To the best of our knowledge, there currently exists no evidence-based curriculum or training on this topic., Materials and Methods: Synthesizing three prior studies on how experienced surgeons react to errors and adverse events, we developed the STOPS framework for handling surgical errors and adverse events (Stop, Talk to your team, Obtain help, Plan, Succeed). This material was presented to residents in two teaching sessions., Results and Conclusion: In this paper, we describe the presentation of, and the uniformly positive resident reaction to, the STOPS framework: an empirically based psychological tool for surgeons who experience operative errors or adverse events., (Copyright © 2023 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Intraoperative errors are inevitable, and how surgeons respond impacts patient outcomes. Although previous research has queried surgeons on their responses to errors, no research to our knowledge has considered how surgeons respond to operative errors from a contemporary first-hand source: the operating room staff. This study evaluated how surgeons react to intraoperative errors and the effectiveness of employed strategies as witnessed by operating room staff., Methods: A survey was distributed to operating room staff at 4 academic hospitals. Items included multiple-choice and open-ended questions assessing surgeon behaviors observed after intraoperative error. Participants reported the perceived effectiveness of the surgeon's actions., Results: Of 294 respondents, 234 (79.6%) reported being in the operating room when an error or adverse event occurred. Strategies positively associated with effective surgeon coping included the surgeon telling the team about the event and announcing a plan. Themes emerged regarding the importance of the surgeon remaining calm, communicating, and not blaming others for the error. Evidence of poor coping also emerged: "Yelling, feet stomping and throwing objects onto the field. [The surgeon] cannot articulate needs well because of anger.", Conclusion: These data from operating room staff corroborates previous research presenting a framework for effective coping while shedding light on new, often poor, behaviors that have not emerged in prior research. Surgical trainees will benefit from the now-enhanced empirical foundation on which coping curricula and interventions can be built., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Background: Studies report higher burnout in women faculty surgeons compared to men. However, few studies have examined underlying mechanisms for these gendered differences. Gendered differences in microaggression experiences may explain part of the relationship between gender and burnout. We aimed to investigate the relationship between gender, gendered microaggressions, and burnout and test the hypothesis that microaggressions contribute to the relationship between gender and burnout., Methods: In this 2021 study, a survey was distributed to surgical faculty at 7 institutions. Variables included gender identity, race, average hours worked recently, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, and a modified Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale to assess gendered microaggressions. To assess the relationship between surgical faculty gender and burnout, and if this relationship could be explained by microaggressions, a mediation model was tested., Results: A total of 109 participants (40% female) completed the survey and were included in analysis. The hypothesized indirect effect of gender on burnout (M = 2.70/5, SD = 0.81), through gender-based microaggressions (M = 1.7/5, SD = 1.9), was significant, B = -0.25, SE B = 0.09, confidence interval (-0.44 to -0.09): women surgeons reported higher levels of gendered microaggressions, which predicted higher levels of burnout. The overall model was significant (R 2  = .16, F[6,102] = 3.33, P < .01). Race, specialty, hours worked, and years of experience were all not significant in the model., Conclusion: Gendered microaggressions mediate the relationship between gender and burnout, providing a potential mechanism for the higher rates of burnout in women surgeons evident in prior research. These multi-institutional data provide a focus for targeted initiatives that could decrease both burnout rates and the impact of gender bias on surgical faculty., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals changed visitation policy to limit the infection spread. We aimed to evaluate the impact of evolving visitation policy on short-term surgical outcomes., Methods: All adult patients who underwent colorectal surgery between January 1 st , 2020, and May 12 th , 2020, at our institution were included. Patients were divided into: before implementing the no visitor allowed policy (VA) or no visitor allowed policy (NVA) groups, based on the hospital admission date.. The primary outcomes were 30-day readmission rate and length of stay (LOS)., Results: A total of 439 patients were included. Of them, 128 (29.2%) patients had surgery during the NVA policy, and 311 (70.8%) patients underwent surgery during VA policy. Patients who had surgery during the NVA policy were more likely to have emergency surgery and a longer operation time. However, the other baseline characteristics, surgical approach, underlying disease, extent of resection, and the need for intraoperative blood transfusion were comparable between the two groups. There was no difference between both groups regarding the 30-day readmission rate (10.3% vs. 7.8% in the NVA group; P>0.05) and median LOS (4 days vs. 3 days in the NVA group; P>0.05)., Conclusions: Restricting inpatient visitors for patients undergoing colorectal surgery was not associated with increased postoperative complications and readmission rates. LOS was similar between the two groups. This strategy can be safely implemented in cases of crisis. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Objective: To investigate the steps faculty surgeons take upon experiencing intraoperative error and synthesize these actions to offer a framework for coping with errors., Background: While intraoperative errors are inevitable, formal training in error recovery is insufficient and there are no established curricula that teach surgeons how to deal with the intraoperative error. This is problematic because insufficient error recovery is detrimental to both patient outcomes and surgeon psychological well-being., Methods: We conducted a thematic analysis. One-hour in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with faculty surgeons from 3 hospitals. Surgeons described recent experiences with intraoperative error. Interviews were transcribed and coded. Analysis allowed for development of themes regarding responses to errors and coping strategies., Results: Twenty-seven surgeons (30% female) participated. Upon completion of the analysis, themes emerged in 3 distinct areas: (1) Exigency, or a need for training surgical learners how to cope with intraoperative errors, (2) Learning, or how faculty surgeons themselves learned to cope with intraoperative errors, and (3) Responses, or how surgeons now handle intraoperative errors. The latter category was organized into the STOPS framework: Intraoperative errors could produce STOPS: Stop, Talk to your Team, Obtain Help, Plan, Succeed., Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides both novel insight into how surgeons cope with intraoperative errors and a framework that may be of great use to trainees and faculty alike., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Although the overall adoption of minimally invasive surgery in the nonemergent management of ulcerative colitis is established, little is known about its utilization in emergency settings., Objective: The goal of this study was to assess rates of urgent and emergent surgery over time in the era of emerging biologic therapies and to highlight the current practice in the United States regarding the utilization of minimally invasive surgery for urgent and emergent indications for ulcerative colitis., Design: This was a retrospective analysis study., Settings: Data were collected from the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program database., Patients: All adult patients who underwent emergent or urgent colectomy for ulcerative colitis were included., Main Outcome Measures: Rates of emergency operations over time and utilization trends of minimally invasive surgery in urgent and emergent settings were assessed. Unadjusted and adjusted overall, surgical, and medical 30-day complication rates were compared between open and minimally invasive surgery., Results: A total of 2219 patients were identified. Of those, 1515 patients (68.3%) underwent surgery in an urgent setting and 704 (31.7%) as an emergency. Emergent cases decreased over time (21% in 2006 to 8% in 2018; p < 0.0001). However, the rate of urgent surgeries has not significantly changed (42% in 2011 to 46% in 2018; p = 0.44). Minimally invasive surgery was offered to 70% of patients in the urgent group (1058/1515) and 22.6% of emergent indications (159/704). Overall, minimally invasive surgery was increasingly utilized over the study period in urgent (38% in 2011 to 71% in 2018; p < 0.0001) and emergent (0% in 2005 to 42% in 2018; p < 0.0001) groups. Compared to minimally invasive surgery, open surgery was associated with a higher risk of surgical, septic, and overall complications, and prolonged hospitalization., Limitations: This study was limited by its retrospective nature of the analysis., Conclusion: Based on a nationwide analysis from the United States, minimally invasive surgery has been increasingly and safely implemented for emergent and urgent indications for ulcerative colitis. Although the sum of emergent and urgent cases remained the same over the study period, emergency cases decreased significantly over the study period, which may be related to improved medical treatment options and a collaborative, specialized team approach. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B847 ., Ciruga De Urgencia Y Emergencia Para La Colitis Ulcerosa En Los Estados Unidos En La Era Mnimamente Invasiva Y De Terapia Biolgica: ANTECEDENTES:Si bien se ha establecido la adopción generalizada de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva en el tratamiento electivo de la colitis ulcerosa, se sabe poco sobre su utilización en situaciones de emergencia.OBJETIVO:Evaluar las tasas de cirugía de urgencia a lo largo del tiempo en la era de las terapias biológicas emergentes y destacar la práctica actual en los Estados Unidos con respecto a la utilización de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva para las indicaciones de urgencia y emergencia de la colitis ulcerosa.DISEÑO:Análisis retrospectivo.AJUSTES:Base de datos del Programa Nacional de Mejoramiento de la Calidad del Colegio Americano de Cirujanos.PACIENTES:Todos los pacientes adultos que se sometieron a colectomía de emergencia o urgencia por colitis ulcerosa.MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Se evaluaron las tasas de operaciones de emergencia a lo largo del tiempo y las tendencias de utilización de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva en entornos de urgencia y emergencia. Se compararon las tasas de complicaciones generales, quirúrgicas y médicas de 30 días no ajustadas y ajustadas entre la cirugía abierta y la mínimamente invasiva.RESULTADOS:Se identificaron un total de 2.219 pacientes. De ellos, 1.515 pacientes (68,3%) fueron intervenidos de urgencia y 704 (31,7%) de emergencia. Los casos emergentes disminuyeron con el tiempo (21% en 2006 a 8% en 2018; p <0,0001). Sin embargo, la tasa de cirugías urgentes no ha cambiado significativamente (42% en 2011 a 46% en 2018, p = 0,44). Se ofreció cirugía mínimamente invasiva al 70% de los pacientes del grupo urgente (1.058 / 1.515) y al 22,6% de las emergencias (159/704). En general, la cirugía mínimamente invasiva se utilizó cada vez más durante el período de estudio en grupos urgentes (38% en 2011 a 71% en 2018; p <0,0001) y emergentes (0% en 2005 a 42% en 2018; p <0,0001). En comparación con la cirugía mínimamente invasiva, la cirugía abierta se asoció con un mayor riesgo de complicaciones generales, quirúrgicas, sépticas y hospitalización prolongada.LIMITACIONES:Carácter retrospectivo del análisis.CONCLUSIÓNES:Basado en un análisis nacional de los Estados Unidos, la cirugía mínimamente invasiva se ha implementado de manera creciente y segura para las indicaciones emergentes y urgentes de la colitis ulcerosa. Si bien la suma de casos emergentes y urgentes permaneció igual durante el período de estudio, los casos de emergencia disminuyeron significativamente, lo que puede estar relacionado con mejores opciones de tratamiento médico y un enfoque de equipo colaborativo y especializado. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B847 . (Traducción-Dr. Felipe Bellolio )., (Copyright © The ASCRS 2021.)

To date, there is no cohort in the literature focusing on the impact of the type of anastomosis in robotic ileocolonic resections for Crohn's Disease (CD). We aimed to compare short-term postoperative outcomes of robotic ileocolic resection for CD between patients who had intracorporeal (ICA) or extracorporeal anastomosis (ECA). We retrospectively included all consecutive robotic ileocolonic resections for CD at our institution between 2014 and 2020. We compared baseline, perioperative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes between ICA and ECA. The analysis included 89 patients: 71% underwent ICA and 29% ECA. Groups were similar in age, sex, body mass index, smoking, CD duration, Montreal classification, surgical history, and previous CD medical treatments. Return to bowel function was achieved sooner in the ICA group (ICA 1.6 ± 0.7 day, ECA 2.1 ± 0.8 days; p = 0.026) despite longer operative time (ICA 235 ± 79 min, ECA 172 ± 51 min; p < 0.001), but no statistical difference was found regarding ileus rate and length of stay. Overall, 30-day postoperative complication rate was 23.6% (ICA 22.2%, ECA 26.9%; p = 0.635). There were no abdominal septic complications, anastomotic leaks, or severe postoperative complications. In conclusion, robotic ileocolic resection for CD shows acceptable 30 days outcomes for both ICA and ECA. ICA was associated with a faster return to bowel function without impact on the length of stay or 30-day complications. Further studies are needed to confirm the benefits of ICA in the setting of ileocolic resections for CD., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: We aimed to determine a safe zone of intraoperative fluid management associated with the lowest postoperative complication rates without increased acute kidney injury (AKi) risk for elective colorectal surgery patients., Background: To date, standard practice within institutions, let alone national expectations related to fluid administration, are limited. This fact has perpetuated a quality gap., Methods: Elective colorectal surgeries between 2018 and 2020 were included. Unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) for postoperative ileus, prolonged LOS, and AKi were plotted against the rate of intraoperative RL infusion (mL/ kg/h) and total intraoperative volume. Binary logistic regression analysis, including fluid volumes as a confounder, was used to identify risk factors for postoperative complications., Results: A total of 2900 patients were identified. Of them, 503 (17.3%) patients had ileus, 772 (26.6%) patients had prolonged LOS, and 240 (8.3%) patients had AKI. The intraoperative fluid resuscitation rate (mg/kg/h) was less impactful on postoperative ileus, LOS, and AKI than the total amount of intraoperative fluid. A total fluid administration range between 300 mL and 2.7 L was associated with the lowest complication rate. Total intraoperative RL ≥2.7 L was independently associated with a higher risk of ileus (adjusted OR 1.465; 95% confidence interval 1.154-1.858) and prolonged LOS (adjusted OR 1.300; 95% confidence interval 1.047-1.613), but not AKI. Intraoperative RL ≤300 mL was not associated with an increased risk of AKI., Conclusion: Total intraoperative RL ≥2.7 L was independently associated with postoperative ileus and prolonged LOS in elective colorectal surgery patients. A new potential standard for intraoperative fluids will require anesthesia case planning (complexity and duration) to ensure total fluid volume meets this new opportunity to improve care., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Prior to 2015 residents in our Accreditation Council for Graduation Medical Education (ACGME) colon and rectal surgery training program were in charge of managing, with faculty oversight, the outpatient anorectal clinic at our institution. Starting in 2015 advanced practice providers (APPs) working in the division assumed management of the clinic. The effect of APPs on ACGME resident index diagnostic case volumes has not been explored. Herein we examine ACGME case log graduate statistics to determine if the inclusion of APPs into our anorectal clinic practice has negatively affected resident index diagnostic anorectal case volumes., Design: ACGME year-end program reports were obtained for the years 2011 to 2019. Program anorectal diagnostic index volumes were recorded and compared to division volumes. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) tests were conducted to assess whether the number of cases per year (for each respective case type) prior to the introduction of APPs into the anorectal clinic (2011-2014) differed from the number of cases per year with the APP clinic in place (2015-2018). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant., Setting: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (quaternary referral center)., Participants: Colon and rectal surgery resident year-end ACGME reports (2011-2019)., Results: ANOVAs revealed a marginally significant (p = 0.007) downtrend for hemorrhoid diagnostic codes, and a significant uptrend (p = 0.000) for fistula cases. Controlling for overall division volume, ANCOVA only reveled significance for fistula cases (p = 0.004) with the involvement of APPs., Conclusions: At our institution we found the inclusion of APPs into our anorectal clinic practice did not negatively affect colon and rectal surgery resident ACGME index diagnostic anorectal case volumes. Inclusion of APPs into a multidisciplinary practice can promote resident education by allowing trainees to pursue other educational opportunities without hindering ACGME index case volumes., Competing Interests: Declarations of Interest None for all authors., (Copyright © 2021 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: In the midst of a pandemic, residency interviews transitioned to a virtual format for the first time. Little is known about the effect this will have on the match process. The study aim is to evaluate resident application processes and perceived outcomes., Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to 142 colon and rectal surgery residency applicants (95% of total)., Results: A total of 77 applicants responded to the survey (54% response rate). Applicants reported high levels of satisfaction with virtual interviews but less comfort. Utilizing the mute button and using notes in a different way from face-to-face interviews were significantly associated with applicant confidence that they ranked the right program highest. A majority of applicants (73%) would recommend virtual interviews next year even if COVID-19 is not a factor., Conclusion: While applicants appear generally satisfied with virtual interviews, they also reported less comfort. Applicant confidence was predicted by utilizing the unique technological affordances offered by the virtual platform., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the processes and outcomes of 2021 colon and rectal surgery match season: one of the first National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) match to conduct uniformly virtual interviews for all programs and candidates due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since this if the first-year interviews were held entirely virtual for a (NRMP) match season, we sought to determine: (1) How did program directors (PDs) in this year's fellowship conduct their virtual interviews? (2) Were any of these conduct decisions associated with the PD satisfaction with the resulting match? (3) What is the PDs opinion of how interviews should occur next year if COVID-19 is not a factor?, Design and Setting: The authors sent an anonymous survey to the PDs of all programs participating in the 2021 colon and rectal surgery residency match directly following match day 2020., Participants: Forty-one colon and rectal residency PDs (70% response rate) responded to the survey (78% Male) representing a range of experience (M = 7.61, SD = 5.66, years as PD at current institution), and program type (77.5% Academic, 7.5% Independent Academic Medical Center, 15% Nonacademic)., Results: While programs utilized several different platforms, conducted various forms of training for their faculty, and provided applicants with different types of information, interview day(s) across the specialty are reported to have proceeded smoothly. PDs as a whole were very satisfied with their match results this year (M = 4.65, SD = .66), and this satisfaction was not impacted by virtual interview decisions or processes. However, only 55% of PDs agree or strongly agree that next year's interviews should be virtual regardless of COVID-19, a judgement solely influenced by the opinion of other program faculty on virtual interviews, regardless of satisfaction with match or comfort with technology., Conclusion: While PDs report high satisfaction with virtual interview processes and outcomes, there is less agreement that colon and rectal surgery residency interviews should move to a solely virtual platform., Competing Interests: DECLARATION OF COMPETING INTEREST None., (Copyright © 2021 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

There is limited data about the safety of colorectal surgery after immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). We aimed to share our experience about postoperative outcomes of colorectal surgery for patients treated with ICI. Overall, 31 patients were identified, 22 (71%) underwent elective and nine (29%) underwent emergent/urgent surgery. The 30-day Clavien Dindo class ≥ III complication rates were 27.3% (n = 6) for elective and 55.5% (n = 5) for emergent/urgent cases. Four patients underwent emergency surgery for immune-related colonic perforation and developed postoperative septic shock; two died. Considering patients' comorbidities, cancer stage, and surgical complexity, elective colorectal surgery after ICI seems relatively safe. However, emergent/urgent colorectal surgery was associated with high postoperative morbidity. Indeed, colonic perforation in the setting of ICI treatment has a significant risk of postoperative mortality. Therefore, for patients on ICI with any acute abdominal symptoms, surgical consult should be involved, and colon perforation should be ruled out., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest This research did not receive external funding. Authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.)

Background: Prior work has identified intraoperative and postoperative coping strategies among surgeons and has demonstrated surgical errors to have a significant impact on patient outcomes and physicians. Little research has considered which coping strategies are most common among surgeons and if there exist coping strategy differences among sex or training level., Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to surgical faculty and trainees at 3 institutions. Variables included coping techniques after making an error in the operating room. Participants were asked to report the effectiveness of their overall coping strategy., Results: A total of 168 participants (56% male, 45% faculty) experienced an operative error and answered questions regarding coping strategies. The only coping strategy significantly associated with positive ratings of coping effectiveness was, upon error, taking a step back and taking time to think and act (r = 0.17; P = .024). There were differences between men and women in both intra and postoperative coping strategies. Men (mean = 3.69/5, standard error = .09) viewed their overall coping strategy as more effective than women (mean = 3.38/5, standard error = .09), t(158.86) = 2.47; P = .015., Conclusion: Although both male and female surgeons reported making errors in the operating room, differences exist in the strategies surgeons use to cope with these mistakes, and strategies differ in their ratings of effectiveness., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Here, we offer a step-by-step description of the technique for an Altemeier perineal rectosigmoidectomy, which is our institution's preferred perineal approach for patients with full-thickness rectal prolapse. This article is supplemented by a series of high-quality clinical images that are available in Figs S1-S11. The principles of this technique are to excise the rectal prolapse and improve structural support of the pelvic floor., (© 2021 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)

Utility of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II cancer remains a matter of debate. Clinical guidelines suggest adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II tumors with high-risk features, in particular T4 tumors. However, limited consensus exists regarding the importance of other high-risk features (lymphovascular or perineural invasion, microsatellite instability). Our study aimed to investigate the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage IIA (T3N0) colon cancer patients. Patients who underwent colectomy for stage IIA colon adenocarcinoma (2010-2015) were identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) and divided in two groups based on receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy vs observation. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to compare overall survival between the two groups. Subgroup analysis of patients with specific high-risk features LVI, PNI and MSI was performed. Among 46 688 surgical patients with stage IIA colon adenocarcinoma 5937 (12.7%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, while 40 751 (87.3%) were observed. Five-year IPTW-adjusted survival was higher in the adjuvant chemotherapy group (79.7% [95% CI 79.1, 80.2]) compared to the observation group (70.3% [95% CI 69.7, 70.9]). Patients with high-risk pathological features showed an estimated 5-year survival benefit of 11.3% (78.2% [95% CI 77.4, 79.1] vs 66.9% [95% CI 65.9, 67.8]) when treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. This NCDB analysis revealed a survival benefit for patients with stage IIA colon adenocarcinoma and high-risk features that were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy., (© 2020 Union for International Cancer Control.)

Background: This paper explores a method for assessing intraoperative performance by modeling how surgeons integrate skills and knowledge through discourse., Methods: Senior residents (N = 11) were recorded while performing a simulated laparoscopic ventral hernia (LVH) repair. Audio transcripts were coded for five discourse elements related to knowledge, skills, and operative independence. Epistemic network analysis was used to model the ordered integration of the five discourse elements., Results: Participants with poorer hernia repair outcomes had stronger connections between the discourse elements operative planning and asking for information or advice (Operative planning), while participants with better hernia repair outcomes had stronger connections between the discourse elements giving assistant instructions and identifying errors (Operative management): (p = .006; Cohen's d = 2.79)., Conclusion: Participants with better hernia repair outcomes engaged in more operative management communication during the simulated procedure. This ability to integrate multiple operative steps and verbally communicate them significantly correlated with better operative outcomes., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Traditional checklist metrics for surgical performance can miss key intraoperative decisions that impact procedural outcomes. Error-based assessments may help identify important metrics for evaluating operative performance and resident readiness for independent practice., Methods: This study utilized human factors error analysis and error management theory to investigate a previously collected video database of resident performance during a simulated laparoscopic ventral hernia (LVH) repair on a table-top simulator using standard laparoscopic tools and mesh. Errors were deconstructed and coded using a structured observation tool and video analysis software. Error detection events and error recovery events were categorized for each operative step of the ventral hernia repair., Results: Residents made a total of 314 errors (M = 15.7, SD = 4.96). There were more technical errors (63%) than cognitive errors (37%) and more commission errors (69%) than omission errors (30%). Almost half (47%) of all errors went completely undetected by the residents for the entire LVH repair. Of the errors that residents attempted to recover (n = 136), 86.0% were successfully recovered. Technical errors were four times more likely to be successfully recovered than cognitive errors (p = .020)., Conclusions: Our results revealed specific details regarding residents' error management strategies and provides validity evidence for the use of human factors error frameworks in surgical performance assessments. Practice in simulation-based learning environments may improve resident decision-making and error management opportunities by providing a structured experience where errors are explicitly characterized and used for training and feedback. Error management training may play a major role in equipping residents and junior faculty with the skills required for independent, high-quality operative performance., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Carla Pugh, Anne-Lise D’Angelo, Rebecca Ray, Jacob Greenberg, Caprice Greenberg, Douglas Wiegmann, Katherine Law and Elaine Cohen have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose. Funding for this study was provided through the US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity grant entitled “Psycho-Motor and Error Enabled Simulations: Modeling Vulnerable Skills in the Pre-Mastery Phase” W81XWH-13-1-008 and the National Institutes of Health grant #1F32EB017084-01 entitled “Automated Performance Assessment System: A New Era in Surgical Skills Assessment”. The funding source had no involvement in study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Low-fouling hydrogels with tunable degradation rates and biochemical environments have the potential to improve adoptive cell therapies for cancer immunotherapy and regenerative medicine. To this end, we developed in situ gelling hydrogels from low-fouling poly(carboxybetaine-co-maleimide) (pCBM) random copolymers and thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH). pCBM-HA hydrogel enzymatic degradation rates were tuned 5 fold by altering pCBM composition (4, 11, and 16 maleimide mol%) and 2.3 fold by HA-SH concentration (1-2 wt%). pCBM-HA gels were low-fouling towards bovine serum albumin (BSA; adsorbed ∼20 μg cm -2 ) and resisted fibroblast adhesion. To control pCBM-HA bioactivity, the cell adhesive peptide CGRGDS was immobilized on pCBM to promote fibroblast adhesion (39% decrease in circularity), which increased metabolic activity by ∼50%. pCBM-HA modified with CGRGDS enhanced the metabolic activity of encapsulated T cells by ∼21% compared to gels without HA, indicating their potential for immunotherapies. Low-fouling pCBM-HA hydrogels provide a vehicle with tunable degradation rates and biochemical environments for encapsulation applications in cell adoptive therapies.

Antibodies are a growing class of cancer immunotherapeutics that facilitate immune-cell-mediated killing of tumors. However, the efficacy and safety of immunotherapeutics are limited by transport barriers and poor tumor uptake, which lead to high systemic concentrations and potentially fatal side effects. To increase tumor antibody immunotherapeutic concentrations while decreasing systemic concentrations, local delivery vehicles for sustained antibody release are being developed. The focus of this review is to define the material properties required for implantable controlled antibody delivery and highlight the controlled-release strategies that are applicable to antibody immunotherapeutics., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: Residents engaging in dedicated research experiences may return to clinical training with less surgical skill. The study aims were 1) to evaluate faculty perceptions of residents skills decay during dedicated research fellowships, and 2) to compare faculty and resident perceptions of residents skills decay., Methods: Faculty and residents were surveyed on resident research practices and perceptions of resident skills decay., Results: Faculty thought residents returning from research demonstrate less technical skill (Median = 4; 5-point Likert scale, 1 = Strongly disagree, 5 = Strongly agree), demonstrate less confidence (Median = 4), and require more instruction (Median = 4). Both faculty and residents perceived the largest skill reduction in complex procedures, technical surgical skills, and knowledge of procedure steps (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: While dedicated research experiences provide valuable academic experience, there is a cost to clinical skills retention and confidence specifically in the areas of complex operative procedures and technical surgical skills., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Develop new performance evaluation standards for the clinical breast examination (CBE)., Summary Background Data: There are several, technical aspects of a proper CBE. Our recent work discovered a significant, linear relationship between palpation force and CBE accuracy. This article investigates the relationship between other technical aspects of the CBE and accuracy., Methods: This performance assessment study involved data collection from physicians (n = 553) attending 3 different clinical meetings between 2013 and 2014: American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Four, previously validated, sensor-enabled breast models were used for clinical skills assessment. Models A and B had solitary, superficial, 2 cm and 1 cm soft masses, respectively. Models C and D had solitary, deep, 2 cm hard and moderately firm masses, respectively. Finger movements (search technique) from 1137 CBE video recordings were independently classified by 2 observers. Final classifications were compared with CBE accuracy., Results: Accuracy rates were model A = 99.6%, model B = 89.7%, model C = 75%, and model D = 60%. Final classification categories for search technique included rubbing movement, vertical movement, piano fingers, and other. Interrater reliability was (k = 0.79). Rubbing movement was 4 times more likely to yield an accurate assessment (odds ratio 3.81, P < 0.001) compared with vertical movement and piano fingers. Piano fingers had the highest failure rate (36.5%). Regression analysis of search pattern, search technique, palpation force, examination time, and 6 demographic variables, revealed that search technique independently and significantly affected CBE accuracy (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Our results support measurement and classification of CBE techniques and provide the foundation for a new paradigm in teaching and assessing hands-on clinical skills. The newly described piano fingers palpation technique was noted to have unusually high failure rates. Medical educators should be aware of the potential differences in effectiveness for various CBE techniques.

Background: The study aimed to validate an error checklist for simulated laparoscopic ventral hernia (LVH) repair procedures. We hypothesize that residents' errors can be assessed with a structured checklist and the results will correlate significantly with procedural outcomes., Methods: Senior residents' (N = 7) performance on a LVH simulator were video-recorded and analyzed using a human error checklist. Junior residents (N = 38) performed two steps of the same simulated LVH procedure. Performance was evaluated using the error checklist and repair quality scores., Results: There were no significant differences between senior and junior residents' checklist errors (p > 0.1). Junior residents' errors correlated with hernia repair quality (p = 0.05)., Conclusions: The newly developed assessment tool showed significant correlations between performance errors, critical events, and hernia repair quality. These results provide validity evidence for the use of errors in performance assessments., Summary: This study validated an error checklist for simulated laparoscopic ventral hernia (LVH) repair procedures. The checklist was designed based on errors committed by chief surgery residents during LVH repairs. In a separate data collection, junior residents were evaluated using the checklist. Hernia repair quality was also assessed. Errors significantly correlated with hernia repair quality (p = 0.05)., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study sought to compare general surgery research residents' survey information regarding self-efficacy ratings to their observed performance during a simulated small bowel repair. Their observed performance ratings were based on their leadership skills in directing their assistant., Methods: Participants were given 15 min to perform a bowel repair using bovine intestines with standardized injuries. Operative assistants were assigned to help assist with the repair. Before the procedure, participants were asked to rate their expected skills decay, task difficulty, and confidence in addressing the small bowel injury. Interactions were coded to identify the number of instructions given by the participants to the assistant during the repair. Statistical analyses assessed the relationship between the number of directional instructions and participants' perceptions self-efficacy measures. Directional instructions were defined as any dialog by the participant who guided the assistant to perform an action., Results: Thirty-six residents (58.3% female) participated in the study. Participants who rated lower levels of decay in their intraoperative decision-making and small bowel repair skills were noted to use their assistant more by giving more instructions. Similarly, a higher number of instructions correlated with lower perceived difficulty in selecting the correct suture, suture pattern, and completing the entire surgical task., Conclusions: General surgery research residents' intraoperative leadership skills showed significant correlations to their perceptions of skill decay and task difficulty during a bowel repair. Evaluating resident's directional instructions may provide an additional individualized intraoperative assessment metric. Further evaluation relating to operative performance outcomes is warranted., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The study aim was to determine whether residents' error management strategies changed across 2 simulated laparoscopic ventral hernia (LVH) repair procedures after receiving feedback on their initial performance. We hypothesize that error detection and recovery strategies would improve during the second procedure without hands-on practice., Design: Retrospective review of participant procedural performances of simulated laparoscopic ventral herniorrhaphy. A total of 3 investigators reviewed procedure videos to identify surgical errors. Errors were deconstructed. Error management events were noted, including error identification and recovery., Setting: Residents performed the simulated LVH procedures during a course on advanced laparoscopy. Participants had 30 minutes to complete a LVH procedure. After verbal and simulator feedback, residents returned 24 hours later to perform a different, more difficult simulated LVH repair., Participants: Senior (N = 7; postgraduate year 4-5) residents in attendance at the course participated in this study., Results: In the first LVH procedure, residents committed 121 errors (M = 17.14, standard deviation = 4.38). Although the number of errors increased to 146 (M = 20.86, standard deviation = 6.15) during the second procedure, residents progressed further in the second procedure. There was no significant difference in the number of errors committed for both procedures, but errors shifted to the late stage of the second procedure. Residents changed the error types that they attempted to recover (χ 2 5 =24.96, p<0.001). For the second procedure, recovery attempts increased for action and procedure errors, but decreased for strategy errors. Residents also recovered the most errors in the late stage of the second procedure (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Residents' error management strategies changed between procedures following verbal feedback on their initial performance and feedback from the simulator. Errors and recovery attempts shifted to later steps during the second procedure. This may reflect residents' error management success in the earlier stages, which allowed further progression in the second simulation. Incorporating error recognition and management opportunities into surgical training could help track residents' learning curve and provide detailed, structured feedback on technical and decision-making skills., (Copyright © 2016 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The study investigates the relationship between motor coordination errors and total errors using a human factors framework. We hypothesize motor coordination errors will correlate with total errors and provide validity evidence for error tolerance as a performance metric., Methods: Residents' laparoscopic skills were evaluated during a simulated laparoscopic ventral hernia repair for motor coordination errors when grasping for intra-abdominal mesh or suture. Tolerance was defined as repeated, failed attempts to correct an error and the time required to recover., Results: Residents (N = 20) committed an average of 15.45 (standard deviation [SD] = 4.61) errors and 1.70 (SD = 2.25) motor coordination errors during mesh placement. Total errors correlated with motor coordination errors (r[18] = .572, P = .008). On average, residents required 5.09 recovery attempts for 1 motor coordination error (SD = 3.15). Recovery approaches correlated to total error load (r[13] = .592, P = .02)., Conclusions: Residents' motor coordination errors and recovery approaches predict total error load. Error tolerance proved to be a valid assessment metric relating to overall performance., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)