Many cancer survivors are at risk of developing a second primary cancer (SPC), which affects their prognosis. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 million cancer patients to explore correlations between SPCs and first primary cancers (FPCs). The analysis revealed specific associations between certain FPCs and the development of SPCs in different […]
Category: Perspectives, Opinions and Curiosities
Increase in demand for surgical procedures for cancer care in low- and middle-income countries
Over 5 billion people worldwide lack access to basic surgical procedures, and it is projected that the number of surgical procedures needed for cancer care will rise by 5 million between 2018 and 2040. The greatest surge in demand is expected in low- and middle-income countries. The article highlights the progress made in surgical cancer […]
Older Adults Experience Significant Impact on Their Quality of Life and Psychosocial Well-being Following Major Elective Surgery
Older adults undergoing major elective surgery experience significant impact on their valued life activities and psychosocial well-being due to postoperative symptoms, according to a qualitative study. Participants felt unprepared for the intensity and duration of these symptoms and expressed a need for additional support and education on symptom management. The most frequently mentioned symptoms included […]
Factors distinguishing higher-performing hospitals in implementing enhanced recovery pathways
Implementing enhanced recovery pathways in hospitals varies widely. This qualitative study analyzed interviews with perioperative leaders, clinicians, and staff from eight US hospitals to identify factors that distinguished hospitals with greater success in implementing these pathways. The study found that information-sharing practices, planning, engaging, positive knowledge and beliefs among clinicians, and strong leadership support were […]
Surgical Care in the Criminal Justice Health Care System: Comparable Mortality and Readmission Rates, but Higher Morbidity in Incarcerated Patients
Patients who are incarcerated within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) receive similar rates of mortality and readmission compared to the general nonincarcerated population when undergoing surgical procedures. However, incarcerated patients have significantly higher rates of morbidity. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand the factors contributing to perioperative morbidity and […]
Crafting Surgical Leadership: A Comprehensive Toolkit for Integrated Strategic Plans
Developing an integrated strategic plan in surgical leadership requires a variety of tools. The most common tool is a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, which evaluates internal and external factors. Various additional tools, such as the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental analysis, mission-objective-strategy-tactics analysis, blue ocean strategy, scenario planning, Ansoff matrix, Porter’s […]
A Review of Cognitive Support Systems in the Operating Room: Improved Surgical Performance and Reduced Workload
Implementing cognitive support technologies (CSTs) in the operating room has been found to enhance surgical performance compared to traditional methods. Findings from 37 studies demonstrated decreased error rates and increased efficiency with the use of CSTs. Most CSTs achieved over 90% accuracy in identifying anatomical markers with minimal error margins. Additionally, there was a general […]
Ernest Amory Codman’s End Result System: A Century-Old Contribution to Surgical Quality
Ernest Amory Codman’s end result system, aimed at achieving “perfection” in surgery by analyzing and improving cases that fell short, was initially rejected by his colleagues. Codman’s revolutionary idea laid the foundation for the quality movement in healthcare, including patient safety and the value equation. Despite facing ostracization and financial difficulties, Codman’s contributions were later […]
The National Resident Matching Program: Increasing Congestion and the Need for Reform
A comprehensive study examined trends in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) from 2007-2008 to 2022-2023, focusing on competitive surgical specialties. The mean number of applicants to surgical specialties has increased by 47.99%, while the mean number of total ranked positions per applicant increased by 88.07%. The top 5 most competitive specialties experienced a 57.66% […]
Robocalls Reduce No-Show Rates in Surgical Clinics
Automated reminder calls (robocalls) were introduced in surgical clinics to reduce appointment no-show rates. A study conducted in a safety-net hospital analyzed data from two surgical clinics before and after the implementation of robocalls. The results showed that robocalls significantly decreased the no-show rates, providing an effective tool for enhancing appointment attendance. Furthermore, the study […]
