A study shows opioid agreements don’t improve disposal or safety practices post-surgery. Among 450 patients, 143 (32%) had leftover opioids; only 13 (9.1%) disposed of them. Patients with agreements were less likely to dispose of leftover opioids (6.7% vs. 12%). Surgeons should consider alternative strategies for managing leftover opioids as agreements alone are ineffective. Journal […]

Gastric point-of-care ultrasound (G-POCUS) can improve postoperative assessments for gastrointestinal surgery patients. 92% of G-POCUS assessments were conclusive, mostly prompted by signs of gastrointestinal distress. Nurses reported high acceptability and confidence when using G-POCUS. Patients experienced no change in pain or comfort during the procedure, indicating it’s well tolerated. 46% of patients had fluid content […]

In nondiabetic patients undergoing major abdominopelvic surgery, prophylactic glucose-insulin-potassium infusion was feasible and improved perioperative glucose control without severe hypoglycemia. In this pilot trial, 103 patients were randomized; 97% completed treatment, with no severe hypoglycemic episodes. Euglycemia occurred in 42% with prophylactic insulin versus 27% with placebo. Hyperglycemia occurred in 37% versus 48%, and treatment […]

Cognitive overload in novice surgeons significantly impacts performance during surgical tasks. Subjective cognitive load rose sharply with task complexity (p<0.00001), while performance dropped (p<0.00001). Neural activation increased in key brain areas as cognitive load escalated, indicating differing responses for those who maintained performance versus those who declined. Awareness of these dynamics can guide training approaches […]

Nasogastric (NG) tubes may not be necessary for every gastrointestinal surgery, impacting patient comfort and outcomes. NG tubes are critical for decompression in uncomplicated small-bowel obstructions. Evidence suggests routine placement after elective GI surgery can be minimized, improving recovery. Surgeons should assess individual patient needs to optimize NG tube use and enhance surgical outcomes. Consider […]

Patients with non-English primary languages experience better surgical outcomes at language-serving hospitals compared to non-language-serving ones. Readmission rates were 2.6% at language-serving hospitals versus 5.7% at non-language-serving hospitals (p < 0.001). Patients at language-serving hospitals had a 56% lower chance of readmission (adjusted odds ratio: 0.44). Understanding these differences can guide surgical practices and improve […]

Surgical oncology fellowships need to evolve to meet the actual career paths of graduates. Current selection favors research, but most trainees intend to focus on clinical practice. Only a small percentage of fellows achieve long-term research productivity despite extensive dedicated research time. Adapting fellowships to include clinically intensive tracks could better prepare surgeons for today’s […]

Robotic training varies significantly among general surgery, gynecology, and urology residents, affecting their confidence and preparedness. Current general surgery residents report 89.5% satisfaction and 27.8% confidence in training, compared to 37.5% satisfaction and 75% confidence in gynecology. Urology residents have 76.7 bedside cases and 195.4 console cases per resident, vastly outpacing general surgery (2.2 bedside, […]

Osteopathic surgeons are critical for rural access but their numbers are dwindling. 18.3% of DO surgeons vs. 9.7% of MD surgeons practice in rural areas. DO surgeons have twice the odds of working in rural communities compared to their MD counterparts (OR 2.05). The trend shows worrying declines in rural practice among newer surgeons, with […]

Poor ergonomics in the OR can lead to injuries for surgical staff, affecting patient outcomes and workforce sustainability. 100% of surgeons and 98% of anesthesiologists report muscle or joint problems, indicating a critical need for change. Physical hazards like clutter and tripping risks contribute to staff discomfort and potential surgical errors. Effective solutions require better […]