Robotic high-intensity theater (HIT) lists enhance efficiency and safety for benign gynecological surgery compared to standard NHS operating lists. Mean operative time was significantly shorter for HIT at 72.5 minutes versus 129.3 minutes for standard lists. Complication rates remained low and comparable: 13% for HIT vs. 29% for standard. Surgeons can consider implementing HIT to […]

Older patients face varying recovery trajectories after major surgery, affecting their independence long-term. Five recovery patterns identified: routine (11.7%), slow (56.4%), protracted (6.9%), chronically dependent (21.9%), and loss of independence (3.1%). Key risk factors for independence loss include older age, high comorbidity score, urgent surgeries, frailty, and major complications. This model aids in selecting patients […]

A targeted opioid stewardship initiative significantly reduces opioid prescriptions at discharge for elective surgeries, improving patient safety. Median discharge prescription size dropped from 5 oxycodone pills to 0, a 67.1% reduction, saving over 24,000 pills. Successful in 14 out of 15 procedures, with the median post-implementation prescription being zero for 10 of them. This program […]

Higher surgeon volume leads to better outcomes in breast-conserving surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and colon cancer surgery. Higher-volume surgeons saw a significant reduction in reinterventions, complications, and mortality rates across all three procedures. Outcomes were even better for surgeons working in high-volume hospitals. A focus on both surgeon and hospital volume is essential for optimizing patient […]

A new structured surgical handover system significantly improves patient outcomes and safety in emergency general surgery. After implementing the SIPS handover, vital signs improved significantly at 12 hours (21.5% vs 16.8%) and 24 hours (26.8% vs 20.0%). Staff-reported safety events dropped from 19.7% to 4.6% after the intervention. Enhancing handover quality without extending meeting time […]

30-60% of surgeons report burnout, with significant risks of anxiety and depression. Major stressors include long hours and insufficient support. Individual strategies like mindfulness help but aren’t enough; organizational changes are necessary for effective resilience. Fostering surgeon well-being can enhance patient outcomes and reduce workforce attrition. Systemic barriers, like stigma, hinder help-seeking behaviors. Systematic Review […]

A systematic review confirms that simulation training significantly boosts robotic surgical proficiency for trainees. Simulation improves performance metrics like gears (SMD 1.22) and OSATS (SMD 1.08). Task completion times improve (SMD -0.95), along with reduced error rates (SMD -1.03). Integration of expert feedback and defined proficiency standards accelerates learning. Notable performance plateaus occur after 15 […]

Preoperative medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) reduces complications in surgical patients with OUD. Among 917,754 surgical patients, 1.6% had OUD; of these, 27.6% were using medication for OUD preoperatively. Patients with OUD had significantly higher rates of postoperative opioid use (42.2% vs. 8.2%), ED visits (21.7% vs. 6.9%), and readmissions (6.6% vs. 2.2%) compared […]

A quarterly cadaver-based training program enhances open surgical skills in residents, vital for addressing trauma surgery gaps. Residents showed significant improvement in complex abdominal and vascular procedures over three years. Chief residents achieved performance parity with attending surgeons in 33 trauma procedures. This approach helps ensure future surgeons are adequately prepared for open surgical challenges. […]