The impact of active smoking on outcomes of minimally invasive paraesophageal hernia repair (PEHR) was assessed in this cohort study. There was no significant difference in rates of death or serious morbidity (DSM) or hernia recurrence between smokers and non-smokers. However, on further analysis using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, smoking status […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
Increased Use of Z Codes in Ambulatory Surgery Reveals Socioeconomic Needs
Researchers analyzed data from 41,827 ambulatory surgery encounters from 2016 to 2019 and found a 16.1% increase in the use of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, tenth revision (ICD-10) Z codes. The most commonly documented health determinants were multiparity or unwanted pregnancy, homelessness, and incarceration. The study suggests that rates of […]
Gender Disparities in Academic Leadership and Professional Rank in Surgery
The study found that there is a significant gender disparity in academic leadership positions among surgeons, despite women holding more advanced non-doctoral degrees. Female surgeons were more likely to have advanced degrees than their male counterparts, but they were less likely to hold the rank of professor and more likely to hold the rank of […]
Effect of Procedural Volume on Adverse Outcomes in Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
A nationwide population-based study investigated the influence of procedural volume on the outcome of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric cancer or adenoma. The study included 88,687 patients who underwent 94,246 procedures between November 2011 and December 2017. The results showed that high- and medium-volume centers had a significantly lower risk of adverse outcomes […]
Superior vertical resectability of underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) compared to cold snare polypectomy (CSP) for small duodenal tumors.
Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) demonstrated higher rates of vertical resectability compared to cold snare polypectomy (CSP) for small duodenal tumors. However, CSP had shorter procedure times and fewer bleeding events. UEMR should be chosen for lesions that cannot be definitively diagnosed as mucosal low-grade neoplasias. Journal Article by Miyazaki K, Nakayama A (…) Kato […]
Surgeon Perspectives on Aborted Cancer Surgeries
Surgeons commonly encounter aborted cancer surgeries, which occur due to unresectable or metastasized tumors. However, little is known about how to effectively manage the unique needs of these patients. A survey of 190 surgeons revealed that aborted cancer surgeries occur in approximately 7% of cases, with occult metastases and unresectability being the primary causes. While […]
Preoperative Frailty and Malnutrition Predict Adverse Outcomes in Surgical Oncology
Preoperative frailty and malnutrition in surgical oncology patients were found to be predictors of higher postoperative adverse events and worse survival in a blinded, prospective trial. Frail patients had a significantly higher likelihood of readmission within 30 and 90 days, as well as higher rates of unplanned intensive care unit admission and increased postoperative mortality. […]
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Diffuse Type Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Carcinoma
Multimodal therapy, specifically neoadjuvant chemotherapy, was associated with increased survival in patients with diffuse type gastric and gastroesophageal junction carcinoma, including signet ring cell carcinoma. All-cause mortality within 90 days postoperatively was lower after neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared to primary surgery. Additionally, mortality remained lower in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group even after 90 days post-surgery. These […]
Elevating Academic Excellence: A 13-Fold Surge in Research Funding and National Ranking in 7 Years
By committing to providing necessary resources for faculty recruitment and retention, as well as physical space and infrastructure for research activities, the department of surgery significantly expanded its academic footprint. Over a period of 7 years, research funding increased by 13-fold, leading to a rise in national ranking from 55th to 10th place in the […]
Frequent Surveillance Imaging for Low-Risk Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Yields Little and Incurs High Costs
This study assessed the utility and costs of surveillance imaging for low- and very low-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The researchers reviewed the surveillance strategy in 60 patients and found that frequent imaging studies were performed with little yield and at substantial cost. No recurrences were detected, and the mean number of surveillance images per patient […]