During a pilot study, surgeons and advanced practice providers utilized a template for goals of care discussions in the preoperative setting for gynecologic surgical oncology patients. The template improved documentation of topics of discussion, patient values, and advance care planning. Despite positive perceptions, implementation barriers were identified, highlighting the need for iterative revisions to enhance […]
Category: Perspectives, Opinions and Curiosities
Correlation between emotional intelligence and burnout in general surgery residents
Researchers found that higher emotional intelligence scores were associated with lower levels of burnout in general surgery residents. However, participation in patient-centered resident conferences did not significantly impact emotional intelligence or burnout levels. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between emotional intelligence and burnout in surgical residents. Journal Article by Standage H, […]
Robotic 8-mm Trocar Fascial Wounds: Patient Comorbidities Influence Complications, Not Trocar Position
Results show a low rate of 8-mm trocar site hernia (0.31%) and a slightly higher rate of wound infection (4.68%) and haematoma (6.87%). Trocar-related complications were linked to patient comorbidities, not trocar position. Findings suggest no need for 8-mm fascial wound closure, emphasizing the importance of managing patient metabolic state and perioperative therapy to reduce […]
Higher 28-Day Mortality and Respiratory Complications in Oncology Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, oncology patients had a higher hazard of 28-day mortality, with a 4.35 adjusted hazard ratio. They also experienced higher odds of respiratory complications (OR 5.35) and pulmonary infections (OR 1.53), although the adjusted incidence of other infections was lower. This study highlights the significant impact of the pandemic on postoperative outcomes […]
Robotic-assisted abdominopelvic surgery: Meta-analysis finds lower complications and shorter hospital stays
Robotic surgery showed similar overall complications to laparoscopic surgery, better than open surgery, with fewer open conversions and shorter hospital stays. Longer operative times were noted for robotic surgery but were offset by benefits for experienced robotic surgeons in reducing complications and open conversions. These findings suggest that robotic surgery may improve outcomes in terms […]
Addressing Disparities in Access to Surgical Devices through Global Regulations
Researchers found significant disparities in access to quality surgical equipment and supplies worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Regulatory disparities and complexities in device lifecycle management pose challenges in effective regulation, distribution, and waste management. Improved communication and harmonization of manufacture and disposal regulations are necessary to address these disparities and ensure appropriate responses […]
Personalized Postoperative Opioid Prescribing: Enhancing Efficacy Through In-Hospital Consumption Data
In this study, rule-based guidelines derived from in-hospital opioid consumption were compared to standard guidelines for postoperative opioid prescribing. Results showed that the rule-based guidelines, tailored to individual patient consumption, outperformed other approaches and were more effective in aligning prescribed opioids with actual post-discharge consumption. This suggests that utilizing in-hospital consumption data to guide opioid […]
Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index predicts postoperative infectious complications in older adults after emergency gastrointestinal surgery
The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) was found to be a predictor of postoperative infectious complications in older adults after emergency gastrointestinal surgery. Low GNRI was associated with higher age, serum C-reactive protein levels, and sarcopenia proportion, as well as longer hospital stays. GNRI also had a positive correlation with skeletal mass index, suggesting its […]
Using Risk-Adjusted Cumulative Sum to Monitor Surgeon, Divisional, and Institutional Outcomes after Colorectal Operations
Researchers demonstrated the feasibility of using risk-adjusted cumulative sum to monitor outcomes after colorectal operations and identify performance variations. This method accurately tracked surgeon-specific outcomes, adjusting for patient-level risk factors. Outliers in performance were promptly identified at the surgeon, divisional, and institutional levels, contributing to quality assurance, root-cause analysis, and incentivization. Journal Article by Blackburn […]
Malnutrition and Decreased Phase Angle Predict Postoperative Complications in Oncologic Abdominal Surgery
Preoperative malnutrition and decreased phase angle (< -0.5) on postoperative day 1 were independent predictors of postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing major oncologic upper-GI surgery. Patients with malnutrition had a higher complication rate, and a decline in phase angle was associated with a 13% increase in complication risk. Further investigation is needed to determine if […]