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BACKGROUND Major airway surgery can pose a complex problem to perioperative central airway management. Adjuncts to advanced ventilation strategies have included cardiopulmonary bypass, veno-arterial, or veno-venous extracorporeal life support. We performed a systematic review to assess the existing evidence utilizing these strategies. METHODS An electronic search was conducted to identify studies written in English reporting the use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) during central airway surgery. Thirty-six articles consisting of 78 patients were selected and patient-level data were analyzed. RESULTS Median patient age was 47 [IQR: 34-53] and 59.0% (46/78) were male. Indications for surgery included central airway or mediastinal cancer in 57.7% (45/78), lesion or injury in 15.4% (12/78), and stenosis in 12.8% (10/78). Support was initiated pre-operatively in 9.9% (7/71) and at the time of induction in 55.3% (42/76). It was most commonly used at the time of tracheal resection/repair [93.2% (68/73)], intubation of the tracheal stump [94.4% (68/72)], and re-anastomosis [94.2% (65/69)]; 13.7% (10/73) patients were supported post-operatively. The most commonly performed surgery was tracheal repair or resection in 70.3% (52/74). Median hospital stay was 12 [8, 25] days and in-hospital mortality was 7.9% (6/76). There was no significant difference in survival between the three groups (p = .54). CONCLUSIONS Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation offers versatility in timing, surgical approach, and ECLS runtime that makes it a viable addition to the surgical armamentarium for treating complex central airway pathologies.

Background Virtually all patients with medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can receive stereotactic body radiation therapy. However, the percentage of such patients in whom sublobar resection is technically feasible is unknown. This discrepancy can confound clinical trial eligibility and designs comparing stereotactic body radiation therapy vs. sublobar resection. Methods A total of 137 patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy for lung lesions (3/2013-11/2017) underwent retrospective review. Diagnostic CT chest and PET/CT images, stereotactic body radiation therapy dates, and demographic data were collected on 100 of 137 patients. Two experienced board-certified thoracic surgeons independently reviewed anonymized patients' pre-stereotactic body radiation therapy diagnostic imaging and completed a custom survey about the technical feasibility of sublobar resection for each patient. Interrater agreement was measured using Cohen's kappa coefficient by bootstrap methodology. Summary statistics were performed for baseline demographics and tumor characteristics. Results Of the 100 patients, 57% were female, with median age of 75 years (range, 52-95 years) and Karnofsky Performance Status of 80 (range, 40-100). Most patients (61%) had Stage IA1, T1a tumors. For interrater agreement analysis, one patient was removed from each cohort due to inability to locate tumor on images, leaving 98 patients analyzed. Comparing Surgeon #1 vs. Surgeon #2, 64 (65.3%) vs. 69 (70.3%) of tumors were thought eligible for sublobar resection, respectively (κ=0.414). Conclusions Stereotactic body radiation therapy for stage I NSCLC is applicable to more tumors than sublobar resection, with ~30-35% of stereotactic body radiation therapy patients unable to undergo sublobar resection assessed by pretreatment diagnostic imaging based on technical grounds. This study illustrates that clinical trials comparing stereotactic body radiation therapy vs. sublobar resection are limited to only a subpopulation of patients with stage I NSCLC.

Background Preventing postoperative 30-day readmissions requires an investment in patient care. The use of postdischarge telehealth visits to prevent potential adverse events or hospital visits has been shown in previous studies. Purpose We aim to determine the impact of postoperative telehealth visits (PTV) on reducing emergency department visits (EDV) and readmissions within 30 days postdischarge (30DR). Methods All elective thoracic surgery patients opted-in or opted-out of PTV. Postoperative telehealth visits assessed patients' overall health status and addressed patient concerns. Patients were also seen at their postoperative clinic follow-up. Emergency department visits and 30DR were recorded. Results Three hundred fourty-one patients were included-295 and 46 patients opted-in and opted-out of PTV. Opting-out of PTV, being discharged with chest tubes or drains, and the inability to perform activities of daily living at their postoperative follow-up were associated with increased EDV (OR = 8.7, 5.3, 6.3; p ≤ .05) and 30DR (OR = 5.1, 6.3, 7.1; p ≤ .05). Conclusion Postoperative telehealth visits were able to reduce EDV and 30DR in our study, although further studies establishing the range of interventions that can be feasibly provided remotely should be performed to identify limitations of these PTV. Implications Telehealth could be used postoperatively to reduce EDV and 30DR, improving quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare delivery to patients.

Background Decreased patient functional status is associated with higher rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The Vizient program recently implemented a debility risk model to identify patients with impaired functional status. We examined the relationship between this novel model and inpatient postsurgical outcomes in a large urban tertiary care center. Methods The Vizient database was accessed to compare surgical outcomes between patients coded with debility and patients without debility between January 2017 and December 2018. Data for each surgical specialty were obtained, and a chi-squared analysis was used to detect differences in readmission rates, mortality, and postoperative complications (defined by Vizient). These complications include pneumonia, postoperative infection, anesthesia complications, and shock. Results We found patients with debility have a higher mortality rate (3%) than patients without debility (2%) across all surgical specialties ( P = .0103). Patients with debility have a higher 30-day readmission rate (16%) than those without debility (8%) across all specialties ( P < .0001). Patients with debility had a higher rate of inpatient complications for neurosurgery (12.11% vs. 8%, P = .008), trauma surgery (11.9% vs. 6%, P =.025), general surgery (17.67% vs. 7%, P = .013), and cardiac surgery (47.06% vs. 18%, P =.0025). Conclusions Our study supports the use of the Vizient debility code to predict postsurgical outcomes and risk stratify patients. By extension, functional status assessments in preoperative evaluation of patients remain important. Further, studies can build upon this data to measure the impact of preoperative, outpatient debility assessments in surgical patients.

Treatment guidelines for stage I–III esophageal cancer indicate that management should include surgery in appropriate patients. Variations in utilization of surgery may contribute to racial differences observed in survival. We sought to identify factors associated with racial disparities in surgical resection of esophageal cancer and evaluate associated survival differences. Patients diagnosed with stage I–III esophageal cancer from 2004 to 2015 were identified using the National Cancer Database. Matched patient cohorts were created to reduce confounding. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with receipt of surgery. Multi-level modeling was performed to control for random effects of individual hospitals on surgical utilization. A total of 60,041 patients were included (4402 black; 55,639 white). After 1:1 matching, there were 5858 patients evenly distributed across race. For all stages, significantly fewer black than white patients received surgery. Black race independently conferred lower likelihood of receiving surgery in single-level multivariable analysis (OR (95% CI); stage I, 0.67 (0.48–0.94); stage II, 0.76 (0.60–0.96); stage III, 0.62 (0.50–0.76)) and after controlling for hospital random effects. Hospital-level random effects accounted for one third of the unexplained variance in receipt of surgery. Risk-adjusted 1-, 3-, and 5-year mortality was higher for patients who did not undergo surgery. Black patients with esophageal cancer are at higher risk of mortality compared to white patients. This increased risk may be influenced by decreased likelihood of receiving surgical intervention for resectable disease, in part because of between-hospital differences. Improving access to surgical care may improve disparities in esophageal cancer survival.

Purpose: Our institution's hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery service (HPBS) has demonstrated low rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We sought to determine whether the HPBS's regimented multimodal VTE prophylaxis pathway, which includes the use of mechanical prophylaxis, pharmacological prophylaxis, and ambulation, plays a role in achieving low VTE rates. Methods: We compared pancreatic surgeries in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) participant user file with our institution's data from 2011 to 2016 using univariate, multivariate, and matching statistics. Results: Among 36,435 NSQIP operations, 850 (2.3%) underwent surgery by the HPBS. The HPBS achieved lower VTE rates than the national cohort (2.0% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.018). Upon multivariate analysis, having an operation performed by the HPBS independently conferred lower odds of VTE incidence in the matched cohort (odds ratio = 0.530, p = 0.041). Conclusions: We identified an independent correlation between the HPBS and decreased VTE incidence, which we believe to be due to strict adherence to and team participation in a high risk VTE prophylaxis pathway, including inpatient pharmacological prophylaxis, thromboembolic deterrent stockings, sequential compression devices, and mandatory ambulation.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is linked to reimbursements and publicly reported metrics. Some hospitals discourage venous duplex ultrasound (VDUS) screening in asymptomatic trauma patients because they often find higher rates of DVT. We aim to evaluate the association between lower extremity (LE) VDUS screening and pulmonary embolism (PE) in trauma patients. Trauma patients admitted to an urban Level-1 trauma center between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. We characterized the association of asymptomatic LE VDUSs with PE, upper extremity DVT, proximal LE DVT, and distal LE DVT by univariate and multivariable logistic regression controlling for confounders. Of the 3959 trauma patients included in our study—after adjusting for covariates related to patient demographics, injury, and procedures—there was a significantly lower likelihood of PE in screened patients (odds ratio (OR) = 0.02, P < 0.001) and a higher rate of distal LE DVT (OR 11.1, P = 0.004). Screening was not associated with higher rates of proximal LE DVTafter adjustment for covariates (OR = 1.8, P = 0.193). PE was associated with patient transfer status, pelvis fracture, and spinal procedures in unscreened patients. After adjusting for covariates, we have shown that LE VDUS asymptomatic screening is associated with lower rates of PE in trauma patients and not associated with higher rates of proximal LE DVT. Our detailed institutional review of a large cohort of trauma patients over five years provides support for ongoing asymptomatic screening and better characterizes venous thromboembolism outcomes than similarly sized purely administrative data reviews. As a retrospective cohort study with a large sample size, no loss to follow-up, and a population with low heterogeneity, this study should be considered as level III evidence for care management.

Dr. Orvar Swenson is best remembered for developing the Swenson pull-through, a technique he developed to treat Hirschsprung's disease. After graduating from Harvard Medical School and beginning his residency at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Dr. Swenson observed that patients with Hirschsprung's disease and toxic megacolon resumed normal bowel function after placement of transverse colostomies. His observation led to studying the patency of his patients’ colons using barium enema contrast studies. At the collapsed portion of the colon, he performed rectal biopsies leading to the discovery that the cause of Hirschsprung's disease is that the collapsed portion of the colon lacks the Auerbach plexus. The Swenson pull-through removes this aganglionic portion of the colon and cures the patient. His career grew from there as he traveled to academic institutions teaching his technique. He is remembered fondly for his contributions to pediatric surgery through the restructuring of pediatric surgery departments, pediatric surgery research, and writing and editing multiple volumes of Pediatric Surgery, the standard textbook for pediatric surgeons. He died peacefully in 2012 at the age of 103 years.

Objective Enhanced recovery pathways reduce length of stay and costs following lung resection. However, many fear that early discharge may lead to increased hospital readmissions. In this study, we aimed to determine whether early discharge was associated with increased readmission following anatomic lung resection. Methods Using the lung resection database approved by our institutional review board, we identified all patients undergoing minimally invasive lobectomy and segmentectomy between January 2010 and March 2017 at our institution, where an enhanced recovery pathway is well established. Thirty-day readmissions were compared between patients with short- and average length of stay, defined as 1 to 2 days and 3 to 5 days, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis of patients matched by propensity scores was performed to determine odds of 30-day readmission for each group. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results A total of 296 patients met inclusion criteria. Unadjusted analysis revealed a 3-fold increased rate of readmission in the group with average length of stay (9%, n = 12) versus the group with short length of stay (3%, n = 5; P < 0.01). At baseline, patients with average length of stay had increased rates of preoperative chemotherapy (13%, n = 18 vs. 4%, n = 6; P < 0.01) and radiation (12%, n = 16 vs. 3%, n = 5). Patients with average length of stay also had higher rates of lobectomy (95%, n = 127 vs. 86%, n = 140; P = 0.02) and postoperative complications (31%, n = 41 vs. 4%, n = 7; P < 0.01). On multivariable analysis, patients with average length of stay had a 2.3-fold greater odds of readmission, which was not statistically significant (OR = 2.33; 95% CI, 0.60 to 9.02; P = 0.22). Conclusions Early discharge following minimally invasive anatomic lung resection does not increase the risk of hospital readmission in patients treated within an enhanced recovery pathway.

In a previous study of smoking cessation in veterans with lung cancer, we noted as an incidental finding that current smokers were much younger than former smokers at diagnosis. To confirm and extend this observation, we analyzed the association of smoking status with age at diagnosis and survival of lung cancer patients. The Jefferson Cancer Registry collects information on all cancer patients registered at this hospital. Information on smoking status has been recorded since 1995. We determined age at diagnosis and survival of current and former smokers with lung cancer. 5111 lung cancer cases were identified in the registry from 1995 to 2011 inclusive. Smoking status was recorded in 4687 cases (91.7%). Of these, 1859 (39.7%) were current, 2423 (51.7%) were former, and 405 (8.6%) were never smokers. There was a 6-year difference in median age at lung cancer diagnosis between the current (63 years) and former smokers (69 years) (P

Background Commonly used cardiovascular risk calculators do not provide risk estimation of stroke, a major postoperative complication with high morbidity and mortality. We developed and validated an accurate cardiovascular risk prediction tool for stroke, major cardiac complications (myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest), and mortality after non‐cardiac surgery. Methods and Results This retrospective cohort study included 1 165 750 surgical patients over a 4‐year period (2007–2010) from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database. A predictive model was developed with the following preoperative conditions: age, history of coronary artery disease, history of stroke, emergency surgery, preoperative serum sodium (≤130 mEq/L, >146 mEq/L), creatinine >1.8 mg/dL, hematocrit ≤27%, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class, and type of surgery. The model was trained using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2007 to 2009 (n=809 880) and tested using data from 2010 (n=355 870). Risk models were developed using multivariate logistic regression. The outcomes were postoperative 30‐day stroke, major cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, or stroke), and 30‐day mortality. Major cardiac complications occurred in 0.66% (n=5332) of patients (myocardial infarction, 0.28%; cardiac arrest, 0.41%), postoperative stroke in 0.25% (n=2005); 30‐day mortality was 1.66% (n=13 484). The risk prediction model had high predictive accuracy with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for stroke (training cohort=0.869, validation cohort=0.876), major cardiovascular events (training cohort=0.871, validation cohort=0.868), and 30‐day mortality (training cohort=0.922, validation cohort=0.925). Surgery types, history of stroke, and coronary artery disease are significant risk factors for stroke and major cardiac complications. Conclusions Postoperative stroke, major cardiac complications, and 30‐day mortality can be predicted with high accuracy using this web‐based predictive model.

Background: Acute kidney injury after surgery is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a risk prediction tool for the occurrence of postoperative acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy (AKI-Dialysis). Methods: This retrospective cohort study had 2,299,502 surgical patients over 2015-2017 from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database (ACS-NSQIP). Eleven predictors were selected for the predictive model: age, history of congestive heart failure, diabetes, ascites, emergency surgery, hypertension requiring medication, preoperative serum creatinine, hematocrit, sodium, preoperative sepsis, and surgery type. The predictive model was trained using 2015-2016 data (n=1,487,724) and further tested using 2017 data (n=811,778). A risk model was developed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: AKI-Dialysis occurred in 0.3% (n=6,853) of patients. The unadjusted 30-day postoperative mortality rate associated with AKI-Dialysis was 37.5%. The AKI risk prediction model had high AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, training cohort: 0.89, test cohort: 0.90) for postoperative AKI-Dialysis. Conclusions: This model provides a clinically useful bedside predictive tool for postoperative acute kidney injury requiring dialysis.

Background and objectivesAcute kidney injury after surgery is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a risk prediction tool for the occurrence of postoperative acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy.Design, setting, participants, measurementsThis retrospective cohort study had 2,299,502 surgical patients over 2015-2017 from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database (ACS-NSQIP). Eleven predictors were selected for the predictive model: age, history of congestive heart failure, diabetes, ascites, emergency surgery, preoperative serum creatinine, hematocrit, sodium, preoperative sepsis, preoperative acute renal failure and surgery type. The predictive model was trained using 2015-2016 data (n=1,487,724) and further tested using 2017 data (n=811,778). A risk model was developed using multivariate logistic regression and machine learning methods.Main outcomesThe primary outcome was postoperative 30-day acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy(AKI-D)ResultsThe unadjusted 30-day postoperative mortality rate associated with AKI-D was 37.5%. The renal risk prediction model had high AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, training cohort: 0.89, test cohort: 0.90) for postoperative AKI-D.ConclusionsThis model provides a clinically useful bedside predictive tool for postoperative acute kidney injury requiring dialysis.

BackgroundVTE is a serious postoperative complication after surgery with resultant higher morbidity and mortality. Despite years of experience with current risk models, rates continue to be high and more information is needed on individual patient risk in the prophylaxis era.Research QuestionsCan we assess the individualized risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) for broad categories of surgery?MethodsThis study was performed using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) Database. Patient data (n=2,875,190) from 2015-2017 were used for study analysis. Eight predictors were selected for the model: age, preoperative platelet count≥450 (×109/L), disseminated cancer, corticosteroid use, serum albumin ≤2.5 g/dL, preoperative sepsis, hospital length of stay and surgery type. The second model included 7 predictors without hospital length of stay. A predictive model was trained using ACS-NSQIP data from 2015-2016 (n=1,859,227) and tested using data from 2017 (n= 1,015,963). Primary outcomes are postoperative 30-day VTE, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE).ResultsVTE occurred in 23,249 patients (0.81%) and 49.9% of VTE occurred after discharge from index hospitalization. The risk prediction model had high AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) for postoperative VTE of 0.78 (training cohort) and 0.78 (test cohort).InterpretationThis clinical prediction model is a validated, practical and easy-to-use tool to identify surgical patients at the highest risk of postoperative VTE and provide an individualized assessment of risk based on clinical factors and type of surgery. This prediction model may be used as a tool to assess individualized risk of postoperative VTE and promote broader discussion and awareness of the VTE risk during the perioperative period.

Treatment guidelines for stage I-III esophageal cancer indicate that management should include surgery in appropriate patients. Variations in utilization of surgery may contribute to racial differences observed in survival. We sought to identify factors associated with racial disparities in surgical resection of esophageal cancer and evaluate associated survival differences.Patients diagnosed with stage I-III esophageal cancer from 2004 to 2015 were identified using the National Cancer Database. Matched patient cohorts were created to reduce confounding. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with receipt of surgery. Multi-level modeling was performed to control for random effects of individual hospitals on surgical utilization.A total of 60,041 patients were included (4402 black; 55,639 white). After 1:1 matching, there were 5858 patients evenly distributed across race. For all stages, significantly fewer black than white patients received surgery. Black race independently conferred lower likelihood of receiving surgery in single-level multivariable analysis (OR (95% CI); stage I, 0.67 (0.48-0.94); stage II, 0.76 (0.60-0.96); stage III, 0.62 (0.50-0.76)) and after controlling for hospital random effects. Hospital-level random effects accounted for one third of the unexplained variance in receipt of surgery. Risk-adjusted 1-, 3-, and 5-year mortality was higher for patients who did not undergo surgery.Black patients with esophageal cancer are at higher risk of mortality compared to white patients. This increased risk may be influenced by decreased likelihood of receiving surgical intervention for resectable disease, in part because of between-hospital differences. Improving access to surgical care may improve disparities in esophageal cancer survival.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is linked to reimbursements and publicly reported metrics. Some hospitals discourage venous duplex ultrasound (VDUS) screening in asymptomatic trauma patients because they often find higher rates of DVT. We aim to evaluate the association between lower extremity (LE) VDUS screening and pulmonary embolism (PE) in trauma patients. Trauma patients admitted to an urban Level-1 trauma center between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. We characterized the association of asymptomatic LE VDUSs with PE, upper extremity DVT, proximal LE DVT, and distal LE DVT by univariate and multivariable logistic regression controlling for confounders. Of the 3959 trauma patients included in our study-after adjusting for covariates related to patient demographics, injury, and procedures-there was a significantly lower likelihood of PE in screened patients (odds ratio (OR) = 0.02

René Gerónimo Favaloro prided himself on being a “simple country doctor.” Born in La Plata, Argentina, Dr. Favaloro had an interest in Argentina's sociopolitical and healthcare systems beginning at a young age. He began his medical education at La Universidad Nacional de La Plata, graduating in 1949 with plans to continue his medical education in the field of surgery; however, in 1950, Dr. Favaloro temporarily resigned from his position as a surgeon to work as a country doctor in a small province of La Pampa, Argentina. It was during this time that Dr. Favaloro became acutely aware of the overwhelmingly poor state of the healthcare system in Argentina. In 1962, Dr. Favaloro redirected his focus back to his surgical interests and moved to the United States to work at the Cleveland Clinic, where he discovered the use of the saphenous vein graft for revascularization of the coronary arteries. Despite a productive medical career in the United States, Dr. Favaloro eventually brought his work back to Argentina, where his heart had always remained. Throughout the incredible milestones of his life, Dr. René Gerónimo Favaloro consistently remained a humble, gracious, and simple country doctor.

World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII) both presented physicians with challenges unseen before in history. New inventions such as the machine gun and poisonous gas in WWI and the massive aircraft battles in WWII required physicians and surgeons to adapt and innovate to provide the best care and preventative measures for service members. One physician, Malcolm Cummings Grow, distinguished himself as an innovator, a researcher, and a leader. His contributions to the field of military medicine, flight surgery, and medical administration led to countless lives being saved during the two World Wars and laid the groundwork for many different combat protective equipment still in use today.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) cause significant patient morbidity and increase costs. This work prospectively examines our institutional effort to reduce SSIs through a resident-driven quality initiative.A general surgery resident-championed, evidenced-based care bundle for patients undergoing colorectal surgery at a single academic institution was developed using attending mentorship. National Surgical Quality Improvement Program definitions for SSIs were used. Data were collected prospectively and bundle compliance was monitored using a checklist. The primary outcome compared SSIs before and after implementation.In the 2 years preceding standardization, 489 colorectal surgery cases were performed. SSIs occurred in 68 patients (13.9% SSI rate). Following implementation of the bundle, 212 cases were performed with 10 SSIs (4.7% SSI rate, P.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found a decrease in superficial and overall SSIs (odds ratio .17, 95% confidence interval .05 to .59; odds ratio .31, 95% confidence interval .14 to .68).These data demonstrate that resident-driven initiatives to improve quality of care can be a swift and effective way to enact change. We observed significantly decreased SSIs with a renewed focus on evidence-based, standardized patient care.

The life and work of Dr. Lyon Henry Appleby, M.D., portrays the essence of a devoted clinician committed to scholarly excellence. Born in Deseronto, Ontario, in 1895 and passing in 1970, Dr. Appleby influenced all areas of general surgery, most notably popularizing a procedure that bears his name today. After a tour in World War I, he quickly proved himself to be a dedicated clinician with roots in academia, which translated into excellence within the Department of Surgery at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada. He served in various leadership roles including Chair of the Department of Surgery, President of the International College of Surgeons, and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. The Appleby procedure, or en bloc removal of the celiac axis, at the time of gastrectomy, is the technical focus of this paper, although reference is made to Appleby's extensive contributions to historical medicine.

9051 Background: Patients (pts) with resectable stage IB (≥4cm)-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) derive modest overall survival benefit with neoadjuvant or postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant therapy can speed the discovery of promising regimens by using pathologic response as a surrogate for OS. Major pathologic response (MPR), defined as < 10% viable tumor, was strongly associated with improved OS. PD-(L)1 checkpoint inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy are standard of care in advanced NSCLC. We hypothesize that the addition of N to neoadjuvant CP or CG will increase the MPR rate compared to historical controls. Methods: This is an investigator-initiated trial for pts with newly diagnosed AJCC 8th stage IB (≥4cm)-IIIA squamous or non-squamous EGFR/ALK WT NSCLC with a plan to have surgery. Pts receive 3 courses of N 360mg IV q 3w added to C 75mg/m2 IV q 3w plus P 500 mg/m2 IV q 3wks or G 1250mg/m2 IV d1, d8 with surgery 3 wks after the last dose. The primary objective is MPR. To estimate pathologic response, the resected pathology specimens are cut >1 section/cm. Using the Aperio Digital scanning system©, slides were imaged, and then annotated by at least 2 pathologists for viable tumor vs. treatment effect with respective areas then automatically calculated and percentage of viable tumor calculated. Our primary endpoint will be reached if 10/34 (29%) planned pts have at least an MPR. Results: From 6/2018-8/2019, 13 pts were enrolled all of whom had surgery. Median age was 69 (49-80), 38% women, 31% nonsquamous, 54% stage IIIA, and 77% PD-L1 positive (≥1%, SP263). Pre-surgical grade 3 toxicity occurred in 2/13 pts, one of whom was changed to carboplatin for courses 2 and 3. Grade 3 toxicities were neutropenia (2/13), anemia (1/13), and renal (1/13). One pt. developed hypothyroidism 4 mos after surgery. One pt died 6 weeks after surgery from complications unrelated to study drugs. Our primary endpoint was met; 11/13 (85%), had at least an MPR with 6/13 (46%) and 5/13 (38%) having an MPR and pCR respectively. Radiologic response rate was 46% (PR 5, CR 1). Pts with either PD-L1+ or PD-L1- had MPRs. With a median follow-up of 10 months there are no recurrences. Conclusions: The combination of nivolumab added to platinum doublets was well tolerated. The primary endpoint of MPR in at least 10/34 pts was surpassed with MPR or pCR in 11/13 pts post-surgery. MPR was seen independent of PD-L1 score. Exploratory outcomes assessing markers of immune bias in tumor tissue and plasma are in process. Clinical trial information: NCT03366766.

Hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects morbidity and mortality and increases health care costs. Poor adherence to recommended prophylaxis may be a potential cause of ongoing events. This study aims to identify institutional adherence rates and barriers to optimal VTE prophylaxis. The authors performed patient and nurse interviews and a concurrent review of clinical documentation, utilizing a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant tool, on a convenience sample of hospitalized patients. Adherence and agreement between different assessment modalities were calculated. Seventy-six patients consented for participation. Nurse documented adherence was 66% (29/44), 44% (27/61), and 89% (50/56) for mechanical, ambulatory, and chemoprophylactic prophylaxis, respectively. Patient report and nurse documentation showed moderate agreement for mechanical and no agreement for ambulatory adherence (κ = 0.51 and 0.07, respectively). Concurrent review using a cloud-based tool can provide robust, timely, and relevant information on adherence to recommended VTE prophylaxis. Iterative concurrent reviews can guide efforts to improve adherence and reduce rates of hospital-acquired VTE.

Miscommunications during patient handoff can lead to harm. The I-PASS bundle has been shown to improve safety outcomes. Although effective training reliably improves verbal handoffs, research has demonstrated a lack of effect on written handoffs. The objective was to compare written handoff before and after integration of a standardized electronic health record (EHR) tool. Interns at a large urban academic medical center underwent I-PASS handoff training. The EHR handoff tool was then revised to prompt the I-PASS components. Handoff documents were obtained before and after the intervention. More handoffs included Illness Severity (33% to 59%, P < .001) and Action List (65% to 83%, P = .005) after the intervention. There was no change in handoffs with miscommunications (12.5% to 10%, P = .566) or omissions (8% to 11%, P = .447). Handoffs including tangential or unrelated information decreased (20% to 4%, P = .001). A written handoff tool can reinforce the effect of training and increase adherence to I-PASS.

Background Recommendations of the Joint Commission discourage the use of surgical skull caps in favor of bouffant or helmet headwear; however, data supporting such recommendations are limited and have been questioned in recent studies, as well as by our departmental and hospital leadership. At the end of December 2015, surgical caps were removed from our institution with the theoretic goal of decreasing surgical site infections. We aimed to assess the impact of this intervention on surgical site infection occurrence at our institution. Methods Using our institutional American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program General and Vascular procedure-targeted data, we identified patients undergoing any surgical procedure classified as clean or clean-contaminated during a 12-month period before and after implementation of the surgical headwear policy. Patients without complete 30-day follow-up were excluded. Cases with active infection at the time of operation were excluded. Vascular surgery operations were excluded because of the implementation of a separate intervention to decrease surgical site infections during the study period. Patients were grouped according to timing of the operation in relation to the policy change (12 months before or after). Descriptive statistics focused on proportions and adjusted logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of alternative headwear use with any type of surgical site infection. Models were adjusted for potential confounders that included demographics and clinical characteristics (age, sex, race or ethnicity, obesity, diabetes, steroid use, smoking status, cancer, urgency of the operation, and wound classification). Results A total of 1,901 patients underwent 1,950 procedures during the study period, with 767 (40%) before and 1,183 (60%) after the headwear policy measure was adopted. The most common procedures overall were colectomy (18%), pancreatectomy (13.5%), and ventral hernia repair (8.9%). The overall rate of any surgical site infection was 5.4%, with no difference before and after policy implementation (5.3% versus 5.5%; P = .81). Multivariate analysis controlling for age, sex, race or ethnicity, obesity, diabetes, smoking status, steroid use, cancer diagnosis, and type of wound classification showed no association between implementation of this new policy and surgical site infections occurrence (odds ratio 1.12 [95% confidence interval 0.73–1.71]; P = .59). Conclusion In our institution, the strict implementation of bouffant or helmet headwear, with removal of skull caps from the operating room, was not associated with decreased surgical site infections for clean and clean-contaminated cases. Further evidence is required to assess the validity of this headwear guideline of the Joint Commission and support nationwide implementation of this policy.

René Gerónimo Favaloro prided himself on being a "simple country doctor." Born in La Plata, Argentina, Dr. Favaloro had an interest in Argentina's sociopolitical and healthcare systems beginning at a young age. He began his medical education at La Universidad Nacional de La Plata, graduating in 1949 with plans to continue his medical education in the field of surgery; however, in 1950, Dr. Favaloro temporarily resigned from his position as a surgeon to work as a country doctor in a small province of La Pampa, Argentina. It was during this time that Dr. Favaloro became acutely aware of the overwhelmingly poor state of the healthcare system in Argentina. In 1962, Dr. Favaloro redirected his focus back to his surgical interests and moved to the United States to work at the Cleveland Clinic, where he discovered the use of the saphenous vein graft for revascularization of the coronary arteries. Despite a productive medical career in the United States, Dr. Favaloro eventually brought his work back to Argentina, where his heart had always remained. Throughout the incredible milestones of his life, Dr. René Gerónimo Favaloro consistently remained a humble, gracious, and simple country doctor.

This historical vignette describes the professional career of Gerald J. Marks, the founder of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and the International Federation of Societies of Endoscopic Surgeons. Dr. Marks is also the founding Associate Editor of Surgical Endoscopy, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017. Dr. Marks is a renowned colorectal surgeon, an accomplished watercolor artist, and a fascinating personality.

Treatment of congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) is generally surgical resection; however, there is controversy regarding the optimal timing of surgical intervention, especially in asymptomatic patients.Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric Participant Use Files from 2012 to 2015, children who underwent lung resection for CPAMs were identified. Outcomes in children who underwent lung resection during the neonatal period were compared with those who underwent resection beyond the neonatal period, but during the first year of life (non-neonates).A total of 541 patients (20.7% neonates and 79.3% non-neonates) were identified. Neonates had higher rates of preoperative comorbidities and worse postoperative outcomes when compared with non-neonates (morbidity 19.6% vs 5.4%, p0.0001). On multivariable regression analysis, the presence of preoperative symptoms (defined as oxygen dependence or ventilatory support) was independently associated with increased morbidity (odds ratio 3.91 [range 1.6 to 9.57], p = 0.003). In a subgroup analysis of asymptomatic neonates compared with asymptomatic non-neonates, there was no difference in overall morbidity (7.4% vs 4.4%, p = 0.33).These data suggest that lung resection for CPAMs in the neonatal period in asymptomatic children are not associated with increased 30-day morbidity. The presence of preoperative symptoms was independently associated with increased morbidity in a multivariable regression model. More data are needed to better understand the long-term outcomes and better define the optimal timing of surgery in this patient population.

William Arbuthnot Lane contributed to the advancement of many fields of orthopedics, otolaryngology, and general surgery. He is credited for his "no-touch technique" and the invention of long-handled instruments, some of which are still in use today, to minimize tissue handling. He is most well known for his hypothesis that slowing of gastric contents could cause a variety of ailments and this became known as Lane's disease. Although his surgical treatment of Lane's disease is now defunct, it advanced the surgical technique in colorectal surgery. It seems likely that some of Lane's "autointoxication" patients would be classified today as patients with colonic inertia, diverticulitis, colonic volvulus, and megacolon or, which are all treated with colectomy. Lane was a pioneer in multiple fields and a true general surgeon. He advanced colorectal surgery immensely and propelled the field of surgery into a new era.