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Standardized letters of recommendation (SLOR) are hypothesized to decrease bias and provide consistent domains for evaluation. However, their ability to differentiate among applicants is unknown. The utilization and functionality of SLOR and the impact of SLOR domain rating on matching for colon and rectal surgery (CRS) residency applicants have yet to be assessed.Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were employed. Applicants were categorized into 3 groups; Top-tier(TT): applicants rated 100% Excellent/Very Good; Mid-Tier(MT) applicants rated 80-99% Excellent/Very Good; and Non-Top Tier(NTT) applicants rated80% Excellent/Very Good.University of Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.SLORs submitted to a single colorectal surgery residency in 2019 were analyzed RESULTS: A total of 101 applicants were included, 54 (53.5%) of the applicants were male. 75 (74.2%) applicants who applied to our residency matched into a CRS residency, compared to the national rate of 66%. Of the 101 applicants with SLOR, 54 (53.5%) were categorized as TT, 26 (25.7%) as MT, and 21(20.8%) as NTT. The univariable analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference in research experience (p=0.029) and match status (p=0.01) between applicant tiers. There were no statistically significant differences between applicant-tier and demographics, foreign medical graduates (FMG), H-indices, ABSITE scores, type of residency, preliminary year, completing an unaccredited CRS, and applicants with an additional degree. On multivariable analysis age (OR=0.65; CI=0.48-0.87) and FMG applicants (OR=0.05; CI=0.01-0.44) were inversely associated with successfully matching. Compared to TT applicants, MT (OR=0.07; CI=0.01-0.57) and NTT (OR=0.04; CI=0.01-0.34) applicants were inversely associated with a successful match. Individuals who completed research prior to residency but after medical school was associated with successfully matching (p=0.009).The presence of MT and NTT ratings is associated with failure to match and may represent an area of concern for CRS programs rather than a tool to discern differences between candidates.

Little is known about the long-term functional outcomes of restorative proctocolectomy.The aim of this study was to examine ileoanal pouch outcomes 20 and 30 years postoperatively.This is a retrospective case series.This study was conducted at a tertiary care referral center.Patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy between 1980 and 1994 were identified. Those with ≥20 years of in-person follow-up were included.Pouch function, pouchitis, anal stricture, and pouch failure rates were analyzed.A total of 203 patients had ≥20 years of follow-up. Of those, 71 had ≥30 years of follow-up. Initial diagnoses included ulcerative colitis (83%), indeterminate colitis (9%), familial adenomatous polyposis (4%), and Crohn's disease (3%). Twenty-one percent of those with ulcerative or indeterminate colitis later transitioned to Crohn's disease. Mean daily stool frequency was 7 (IQR 6-8), 38% experienced seepage, 31% had anal stenosis, 47% experienced pouchitis, and 18% had pouch failure. Over time, stool frequency increased in 41% of patients, stayed the same in 43%, and decreased in 16%. Patients older than 50 years at the time of construction had more daily bowel movements (median 8 vs 6; p = 0.02) and more seepage (77% vs 35%; p = 0.005) than those younger than 50 years. Patients with Crohn's disease had higher stool frequency (median 8 vs 6; p0.001) and higher rates of anal stenosis (44% vs 26%; p = 0.02), pouchitis (70% vs 40%; p0.001), and pouch failure (38% vs 12%; p0.001) compared to non-Crohn's patients. Patients with ≥30 years of follow-up had similar function as those with 20-30 years of follow-up.This was a retrospective, single-institution study. Only 35% of pouches created during the study period had20 years of follow-up.Most patients maintain reasonably good function and retain their pouches after 20 years. Over time, stool frequency and seepage increase. Older age and Crohn's disease are associated with worse outcomes. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B801.ANTECEDENTES:se sabe poco sobre los resultados funcionales a largo plazo de la proctocolectomía restauradora.OBJETIVO:El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar los resultados del reservorio ileoanal 20 y 30 años después de la operación.DISEÑO:Serie de casos retrospectiva.ENTORNO CLÍNICO:Centro de referencia de atención terciariaPACIENTES:Se identificaron pacientes que se sometieron a proctocolectomía restauradora entre 1980 y 1994. Se incluyeron aquellos con ≥20 años de seguimiento en persona.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE VALORACIÓN:Se analizaron la función, inflamación, tasas de falla del reservorio y estenosis anal.RESULTADOS:Un total de 203 pacientes tuvieron ≥20 años de seguimiento. De ellos, 71 tenían ≥30 años de seguimiento. Los diagnósticos iniciales incluyeron colitis ulcerosa (83%), colitis indeterminada (9%), poliposis adenomatosa familiar (4%) y enfermedad de Crohn (3%). El 21% de las personas con colitis ulcerosa o indeterminada pasaron posteriormente a la enfermedad de Crohn. La frecuencia promedio de las deposiciones diarias fue de 7 (rango intercuartil 6-8), el 38% experimentó filtración, el 31% tuvo estenosis anal, el 47% experimentó pouchitis y el 18% tuvo falla del reservorio. Con el tiempo, la frecuencia de las deposiciones aumentó en el 41% de los pacientes, se mantuvo igual en el 43% y disminuyó en el 16%. Los pacientes mayores de 50 años en el momento de la construcción tenían más evacuaciones intestinales diarias (media 8 vs 6, p = 0,02) y más filtraciones (77% vs 35%, p = 0,005) que los menores de 50 años. Los pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn tenían mayor frecuencia de deposiciones (media 8 vs 6, p0,001) y tasas más altas de estenosis anal (44% vs 26%, p = 0,02), inflamacion (70% vs 40%, p0,001) y falla del reservorio (38% frente a 12%, p0,001) en comparación con pacientes que tenian enfermedad de Crohn. Los pacientes con ≥30 años de seguimiento tuvieron una función similar a aquellos con 20-30 años de seguimiento.LIMITACIONES:Este fue un estudio retrospectivo de una sola institución. Solo el 35% de los reservorios creados durante el período de estudio tuvieron más de 20 años de seguimiento.CONCLUSIONES:La mayoría de los pacientes mantienen una función razonablemente buena y conservan el reservorio después de 20 años. Con el tiempo, la frecuencia de las deposiciones y la filtración aumentan. La vejez y la enfermedad de Crohn se asocian con peores resultados. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B801. (Traducción - Dr. Ingrid Melo).

Objective To identify strategies and barriers to career progression in early-career colorectal surgeons. Design Qualitative research study performed via semi-structured interviews with early-career, board-certified colon, and rectal surgeons. Responses were analyzed, coded, and categorized to understand strategies towards career progression, perceived barriers to career progression, beliefs about case mix, and referral patterns. Setting Interviews conducted in person and via telephone across the United States and Canada. Participants Early-career board-certified colorectal surgeons Results Twenty-two board-certified colorectal surgeons currently employed in 14 states and 1 foreign country were interviewed. Fourty-five percent were female. Their current practice environment was described as academic (77%), private practice (18%), or military (5%). Seventy-seven percent of surgeons were satisfied with their career progression. Seventy-two percent were satisfied with the case volume. Seventy-two percent were satisfied with their case mix. When asked about strategies for career progression, surgeons made 77 comments focused on three main themes: optimization of their job search, optimization of relationships while on the job, and efforts to augment individual achievement. When asked about barriers to career advancement, surgeons most frequently commented on a lack of time and a lack of mentors. When asked about case mix, 63% of surgeons felt that they had no control over it. They were evenly divided between believing that a broad case mix or a niche specialized case mix was more instrumental for career progression. Conclusions Early-career colorectal surgeons were mostly satisfied with their career progression, volume, and case mix. In discussing their careers, many have developed a number of strategies focused on growth as an individual as well as relationship building. They also identified a number of barriers including lack of time and lack of mentorship. Early-career surgeons may be able to utilize these strategies and anticipate barriers prior to starting their first job, leading to greater likelihood of career satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE Colorectal surgery (CRS) training has seen many changes over the years. This study sought to identify aspects of CRS residency curriculum that were most valued by recent graduates and what changes could be made to improve training. DESIGN Semistructured interviews were performed with board-certified colorectal surgeons 2 to 7years removed from their CRS residency. Interview responses were qualitatively analyzed and converted to coded, categorizable data. Subjects were recruited via a snowball sampling method. SETTING Interviews were conducted in person and via telephone with surgeons in a variety of practices across the United States and Canada. Analysis was performed by a team at Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA, an academic, tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS Board certified colorectal surgeons 2 to 7years removed from CRS residency. RESULTS Twenty surgeons from 11 different CRS residencies were interviewed. At the time of the interview, surgeons were employed in 13 states and 1 foreign country. When asked what aspects of their CRS residency were of value, surgeons produced 74 comments emphasizing: volume of cases (65% of subjects), variety of cases (55%), development of technical skills (40%), management of specific diseases (35%), faculty (30%), mentorship (30%), and practice management (15%). With regard to technical skills, surgeons cited pelvic surgery (40%) and minimally invasive techniques (45%) as the exposures that helped them become successful. When discussing what could be added to training, subjects made 54 comments identifying: more robotic exposure (35%), more anorectal disease (30%), more pelvic floor exposure (25%), and practice management/billing (35%) as items to incorporate. Sixty five percent of subjects believed that “nothing” should be eliminated from their training. CONCLUSIONS Young colon and rectal surgeons valued their training highly and strongly declined to eliminate any substantial part of the existing curriculum. They also expressed a strong desire to add more elements to the CRS residency including further robotic training, more anorectal, more pelvic floor, and further training in practice management.

Horseshoe fistula is a challenging benign anorectal condition to treat. The aim of this study was to assess the utilization and success of different definitive fistula repair techniques in the treatment of horseshoe fistula.This was a retrospective case series which included all patients who were treated for horseshoe fistula from 2006 to 2019 at a single, tertiary care center and whom had at least one follow-up visit. Patients were excluded if 18 years of age or carried a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Patients were assessed for fistula recurrence and incontinence.Sixty-eight patients were identified. On average, they were 47 years old, 63% male, and 18% current smokers. Seventy-nine percent required seton during their treatment course. Of the 8 first attempts at fistula repair, the types of repair included flap (15%), LIFT (35%), fistulotomy (31%), plug (12%), and fistulotomy and immediate reconstruction (1%). Recurrence for these procedures was as follows: flap 30%, LIFT 21%, fistulotomy 14%, plug 88%, and fistulotomy and immediate reconstruction 0%. Twelve patients who recurred underwent 17 additional procedures to attempt to cure their fistula. Overall, of those who underwent any attempt at definitive repair, 82% of patients were cured of their fistula, 12% had a chronic seton, and 6% had a chronic fistula. Thirteen percent of those who were cured had incontinence. The mean follow-up time was 1.1 years. Patients required a median of 3 procedures (range 1-11).Horseshoe fistula remains a complex anorectal condition. Successful repair can be performed in 80% of patients. However, repair can often require multiple surgical procedures.

Benign conditions for left/sigmoid colectomy are most frequently complications from diverticular disease. Operations for diverticula disease are often associated with a dense inflammatory adhesions which has given some surgeons pause in the adoption of laparoscopic approaches for this indication. However, many studies have shown that both uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis can be approached with minimally invasive methods. In comparison to open surgery, laparoscopic sigmoid/left colectomy has a decreased length of stay and conversion rate that ranges from 6% to 20%. This chapter details the indications, operative approach, and data behind laparoscopic left and sigmoid colectomy for patients with benign disease.

For patients who undergo ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA), pelvic sepsis is the leading cause of pouch failure. In order to treat pouch abscess effectively, it is important to identify whether the abscess is associated with a pouch leak. If there is an associated leak, it is important to ascertain where anatomically the pouch is leaking: the tip of the J pouch, the body of the J pouch, or the ileal pouch anal anastomosis. There are two ways to treat pouch abscess other than exploration and washout: percutaneous drainage and trans-anastomotic drainage. This chapter seeks to identify which of these methodologies is superior in regards to abscess eradication, pouch function, and pouch loss. Overall, both modalities did have success in abscess eradication and prevention of pouch loss. About 80–90% of pouches were able to be preserved using either of these methodologies. For all clinically stable patients with pelvic abscess associated with IPAA, attempts should be made to treat the pelvic abscess and preserve the pouch regardless of treatment modality.

Pelvic floor disorders as they relate to the colorectal surgeon focus primarily on fecal incontinence and obstructive defecation. Both disorders incorporate the use of a variety of pelvic floor diagnostic tests including anal manometry, balloon expulsion testing, electromyography (EMG), anal endosonography, defecography, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing. Patients with fecal incontinence are trialed on medical therapy including bulking agents, anti-diarrheals, and biofeedback. If those measures prove ineffective, the patient should undergo anal manometry, anal endosonography, and defecography to rule out potentially surgically ameliorated fecal incontinence. If these tests prove unrevealing, a trial of sacral nerve stimulation is suggested. For complaints of constipation, the patient should undergo fiber supplementation. If this is unsuccessful and medical etiologies of constipation are ruled out, the patient should undergo anal manometry, balloon expulsion testing, EMG, and defecography to assess for dyssynergia and obstructive defecation. These diagnostic tests can elucidate potentially surgical fixes for obstructive defecation and will identify patients who will benefit from biofeedback.

Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) testing is a standard recommendation for the evaluation of fecal incontinence. Its role in guiding therapy for fecal incontinence has been previously questioned. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between PNTML testing and anorectal dysfunction. This was a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively from patients who presented to a pelvic floor disorder center from 2007 to 2015. The relationship between PNTML (normal versus delayed) and anorectal manometry, fecal incontinence severity, and fecal incontinence-related quality of life scores was assessed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Two hundred sixty-nine patients underwent PNTML testing, and 91.1% were female (N = 245) (median age 62.2 years). Normal PNTML was seen in 234 (87.0%) patients. Among 268 patients who underwent anorectal manometry, delayed PNTML was only significantly associated with median maximum anal squeeze pressure (P = 0.04). Delayed PNTML was not associated with a decrease in median fecal incontinence severity or fecal incontinence-related quality of life scores (N = 99). PNTML was only associated with median maximum anal squeeze pressure, and it was not associated with patient-reported severity of symptoms of fecal incontinence, changes in quality of life attributable to fecal incontinence, median mean resting anal pressure, or median maximum resting anal pressure. PNTML testing may not be relevant to current therapeutic algorithms for fecal incontinence and its routine use should be questioned.

General surgery residents are increasingly pursuing sub-specialty training in colorectal (CR) surgery. However, the majority of operations performed by CR surgeons are also performed by general surgeons. This study aimed to assess in-hospital mortality stratified by CR training status after adjusting for surgeon and hospital volume. The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative system database was used to identify all patients who underwent colectomy/proctectomy from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2014, in the state of New York. Operations performed by board-certified CR surgeons were identified. The relationships between CR board certification and in-hospital mortality, in-hospital complications, length of stay, and ostomy were assessed using multivariate regression models. Two hundred seventy thousand six hundred eighty-four patients underwent colectomy/proctectomy over the study period. Seventy-two thousand two hundred seventy-nine (26.7%) of operations were performed by CR surgeons. Without adjusting for hospital and surgeon volume, in-hospital mortality was lower for those undergoing colectomy/proctectomy by a CR surgeon (OR 0.49, CI 0.44–0.54, p = 0.001). After controlling for hospital and surgeon volume, the odds of inpatient mortality after colectomy/proctectomy for those operated on by CR surgeons weakened to 0.76 (CI 0.68–0.86, p = 0.001). Hospital and surgeon volume accounted for 53% of the reduction in in-hospital mortality when CR surgeons performed colectomy/proctectomy. Patients who underwent surgery by a CR surgeon had a shorter inpatient stay (0.8 days, p = 0.001) and a decreased chance of colostomy (OR 0.86, CI 0.78–0.95, p

Background In 2009, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) established objective performance goals (OPGs) for critical limb ischemia (CLI) based on data from previous, randomized, controlled trials of lower-extremity bypass (LEB). These OPG sought to establish a benchmark of outcomes to which one could compare future endovascular therapy. However, the cohort used to develop the OPG excluded all patients who required prosthetic conduit and those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), possibly limiting the generalizability of these results and the subsequent guidelines. The goal of this study was to determine if the SVS OPG are applicable to the current population of patients undergoing LEB. Methods All patients who underwent infrainguinal LEB for CLI from January 2010 to December 2013 were identified in a prospectively maintained database. Patients were stratified into OPG eligible and ineligible (non-OPG) groups based on their demographic and operative characteristics. OPG eligible patients were further stratified into high risk and average risk. Outcomes included 30-day major adverse limb events (MALEs), 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), 1-year survival, and 1-year freedom from amputation. Results A total of 89 individual patients were identified. Only 43 (48%) patients met OPG inclusion criteria and 46 (52%) were not OPG eligible (non-OPG). The 30-day MALE was 8.7% (13.0% non-OPG vs. 7.0% OPG, P = 0.34). The 30-day MACE was 11.2% (13.0% non-OPG vs. 9.3% OPG, P = 0.58). One-year survival was 80.3% ± 4.5% (71.2% non-OPG vs. 90.0% OPG, P = 0.21). One-year freedom from amputation was 71.7% ± 5.5% (58.8% non-OPG vs. 84.0% OPG, P = 0.03). Conclusions The SVS OPG for LEB are likely not generalizable to current practice as 51% of patients would have been excluded from the SVS cohort because of ESRD and prosthetic conduit. Most SVS OPG (30-day MALE, 1-year survival, and 1-year limb salvage) were attainable in patients who met SVS OPG inclusion criteria; but for the patients who are not OPG eligible, new benchmarks are needed.

In 2009, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) established objective performance goals (OPG) for lower extremity bypass (LEB) in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) based on pooled data from previously performed prospective studies in an effort to provide a benchmark and historical control for future trials. However, patients with a prosthetic conduit and end-stage renal disease were excluded from this cohort. In contemporary practice, many patients do not meet the criteria for SVS OPG inclusion, making generalization of the SVS OPG difficult. The goal of this study was to establish safety and efficacy measures for patients who were excluded from the original SVS OPG analysis.All patients who underwent LEB for CLI in the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) from 2003 to 2013 were identified. Patients were stratified into OPG-eligible and non-OPG-eligible cohorts. Outcomes included 30-day major adverse limb events, 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events, 1-year survival, and 1-year freedom from amputation. The SVS OPG methodology was used to create new performance goals for the non-OPG-eligible patients.We identified 3609 patients: 2360 OPG (65%) vs 1249 non-OPG (35%), and overall results were stratified as a function of OPG status. The 30-day major adverse limb event rate was 5.0% (5.5% non-OPG vs 4.4% OPG; P = .34), and the 30-day major adverse cardiovascular event rate was 7.3% (9.2% non-OPG vs 6.2% OPG; P = .001). At 1 year, survival was 84% (75.9% non-OPG vs 88.3% OPG; P.001), and freedom from amputation was 86.9% (80.9% non-OPG vs 90.1% OPG; P.001).The SVS OPG were attainable in New England for the population of patients who would have met SVS OPG study cohort inclusion criteria. However, 35% of the patients who underwent LEB for CLI in the last 10 years fell outside of these criteria by having end-stage renal disease or requiring a prosthetic conduit. We therefore suggest new benchmarks for these high-risk populations.

Background Although present-generation endografts have expanded the indications for endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair, arterial anatomy frequently dictates the use of a combination of commercially available endografts and components for successful aneurysm repair. This study sought to determine whether there was an increase in endoleak or secondary intervention rates in individuals treated with composite endografts compared with noncomposite, or standard, endografts. Methods From 1999 to 2009, 421 endovascular abdominal aneurysm repairs were performed at a single institution. A total of 384 patients met criteria for inclusion, with at least one follow-up imaging study. Patients were then identified as having had a composite endograft, defined as any combination of two or more different commercially available endograft or stent components, versus a standard endograft. Primary outcomes measured were freedom from endoleak and secondary intervention. Results During the study period, 60 composite endograftings and 324 standard endograftings were performed. The groups were well matched for demographics, including age, gender, comorbidities, emergent need for procedure, and 30-day mortality (1.64% vs. 1.54%, nonsignificant). Median follow-up was 16.3 months (range, 19 days to 8.5 years) and 10.2 months (range, 4 days to 8.7 years) for composite and standard endografts, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in either endoleak or secondary intervention rates. Median time to endoleak detection was 2.0 months (range, 2 days to 3.9 years) for composite endografts and 2.8 months (range, 2 days to 6.9 years) for standard endografts. Median time to secondary intervention was 7.0 months (range, 4 days to 6.9 years) for composite endografts and 6.7 months (range, 1 day to 6.7 years) for standard endografts. Conclusions Composite endografts, namely, the combination of different commercially available endografts or stents used for the treatment of aortic aneurysms, are not associated with increased mortality, endoleak, or secondary intervention rates compared with noncomposite endografts.