Access to robotic surgical systems reduces open surgery rates, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Higher social vulnerability correlates with increased open surgery rates: 18.3% in low-vulnerability vs. 32.7% in high-vulnerability areas. Areas without robotic systems have significantly higher open surgery rates: 42.9 vs. 19.4 per 100 procedures. Consider availability of robotic systems when assessing patient options […]
Category: Perspectives, Opinions and Curiosities
Title: Enhancing Surgical Culture Through Faculty Engagement
Surgeon belonging is crucial for improving engagement and retention in academic settings. Institutional alignment with personal values fosters connection and engagement. Recognition of contributions boosts professional identity and inclusion. Enhancing relationships can mitigate social isolation and strengthen community. Departments should prioritize equitable recognition and relational support. Journal Article by Szczygiel LA, Niba V (…) Barret […]
Postoperative Sleep Disruptions Vary by Surgical Risk
High-risk surgeries significantly impact sleep quality, essential for recovery. High-risk procedures showed reduced REM and deep sleep lasting through day 7 (deep sleep: -18.7 minutes; REM: -12.4 minutes; p < 0.001). Acute reductions in total sleep were also noted (-19.4 minutes; p = 0.004). Complications increased with less total sleep; each 10-minute drop raised odds […]
More Female Residents Could Mean More Female Applicants in Surgery
Increasing female representation in surgery can enhance mentorship and attract more women to the field. Higher percentages of female residents correlate with more female applicants (r = 0.943, p < 0.0001). The strongest correlation was seen in urology (r = 1.0, p < 0.0001), followed by general surgery (r = 0.944, p = 0.016). Prioritizing […]
New Machine Learning Model Enhances Open Surgery Skill Assessment
Surgeons can now assess open surgical skills more accurately with a novel machine learning model. Achieved an 80.1% mean F1 score, surpassing previous assessment methods. Novice classification accuracy reached 90.1%, while proficient levels scored 86.3%. Consider using this model for objective skill evaluation in training to ensure higher surgical quality and patient safety. The model […]
Sustainable Choices Slash Costs in Colorectal Surgery
Shifting to reusable instruments in colorectal surgeries can save money and help the environment. Total savings across 65 laparoscopic resections: £14,239.03. Reusable harmonic devices offered savings of £24.7k-£28.5k and were cost-effective across various scenarios. Prioritize reusable textiles, which consistently outperformed disposables. Reusable ports showed no cost savings and should be evaluated against current pricing before […]
End-of-Life Care: Surgeons’ Role in Improving Patient Experience
Providers recognize significant gaps in end-of-life care for critically ill patients, impacting decision-making and outcomes. Poor symptom management contributes to pain and loss of dignity. Nonbeneficial treatments prolong suffering and do not align with patient values. Early and clear communication with patients and families is vital to set realistic expectations and reduce unnecessary interventions. Training […]
Wearable Acupoint Stimulation Beats Metoclopramide for PONV
A novel wearable device significantly outperforms metoclopramide in managing moderate to severe postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The TEAS group achieved a 2-hour remission rate of 77.6% vs. 55.2% for controls (p < 0.001). 24-hour relapse rates were 12.2% for TEAS compared to 56.3% for metoclopramide (p < 0.001). This suggests wearable TEAS could enhance […]
Reducing Water Waste at OR Scrub Sinks
Surgeons are wasting an estimated 337,596 liters of water annually during surgical scrubs, representing 34.2% of total usage. The median water wasted per wet scrub at timer-controlled sinks is 10 liters. Wet scrubs are performed in 25.9% of cases by attending surgeons and OR staff. Optimizing scrub practices could lead to significant water conservation without […]
Predicting Opioid Needs After Surgery
Machine learning can help personalize opioid-sparing strategies for outpatient surgeries. In a study of 223 patients, 42% required opioids, using a median of 4 doses post-surgery. The machine learning model identified key risk factors like active cancer and age, achieving an AUC of 0.674, with 70% sensitivity and 68% specificity. Adoption of this model could […]