Multimodal prehabilitation may enhance baseline immune function in patients before abdominal cancer surgery, but its effect on postoperative immune outcomes appears limited. In a study of 130 patients (102 prehabilitation, 28 control), prehabilitation reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased IL-10 levels. No significant immune function differences were noted on postoperative day 1 between groups. This suggests […]

Surgeons must prioritize mental health after adverse events to improve practice and patient care. Up to 96% of surgical staff feel emotional distress post-error, with guilt (53-89%) and anxiety (45-88%) prevalent. Disclosure rates for surgical errors range from 17% to 62%, hindered by fear of litigation and unclear protocols. Enhancing organizational strategies for disclosure and […]

Rectus sheath catheters provide effective pain management after open surgery while reducing complications and costs compared to thoracic epidural analgesia. No significant difference in postoperative pain or opioid use between rectus sheath catheters and epidurals. Rectus sheath catheters cut hypotension risk by 60% (risk ratio 0.40) and can save $500 to $6,632 per case. These […]

Surgeons report high levels of professional flourishing, impacting well-being and burnout strategies. 30% of surveyed surgeons scored an average of 7.98 on a 10-point flourishing scale. Financial stability (8.57) and sense of purpose (8.50) were top-rated; social connections lagged (7.41). Surgeons working fewer hours and viewing their role as a calling showed significant flourishing increases. […]

Surgeons’ inconsistent sleep timing significantly impacts patient safety, with notable implications for surgical outcomes. Social jet lag of 2 hours or more increases the risk of major adverse events by 36% compared to less than 1 hour. Nearly 20% of surgeries (1410 out of 7117) led to major complications. Surgeons who manage their sleep better […]

Tumor board documentation is inconsistent, impacting cancer patient care. Only 51.7% of cases had adequate documentation, significantly varying by cancer type (5.5% for breast vs. 97.0% for colorectal). Among documented cases, 44.7% of notes were unstructured, lacking important details like attendees’ specialties (29.3%) and clinical trial eligibility (15.8%). Improving documentation standards could enhance the quality […]

Private equity ownership in rural hospitals correlates with increased surgical risks that could impact patient care. 30-day mortality rose by 1.1 percentage points (p=0.04). Postoperative complications increased by 2.5 percentage points (p=0.03). Serious complications up by 1.5 percentage points (p=0.02). Surgeons should consider these findings when selecting facilities for patients, as the quality of surgical […]

Psychosocial support during gastrointestinal cancer surgery can significantly improve patient outcomes. 56.3% of studies showed improved quality of life after interventions. 75% reported reduced anxiety levels, while 66.7% noted decreased depression. Incorporating these interventions may enhance overall surgical recovery and patient satisfaction. Varied modalities include education, behavioral training, and emotional support, emphasizing the need for […]

There’s a growing need for surgeons to engage with qualitative studies to understand patient experiences better. This article offers clear guidelines on crafting qualitative articles for surgical journals, focusing on effective communication and methodological rigor. Surgeons can leverage these insights to improve patient care and address complex health issues more comprehensively. By increasing the representation […]

Women remain underrepresented in general surgery residency leadership, limiting equity in surgical practice. In 363 programs, only 33.4% of leaders are women, with men dominating all leadership roles except assistant professors. Men have more years of practice and higher scholarly output, though this difference disappears when accounting for career length. Improving promotion paths and leadership […]