A systematic review compared the effectiveness of mechanical prophylaxis devices in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) during and after surgery. The study included 14 articles and found that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) was superior to graduated compression stockings (GCS) when used alone. Additionally, a combination of IPC and GCS showed greater efficacy compared to GCS alone, […]

Researchers utilized the OR Black Box, a surgical data capture system, to evaluate surgical safety checklist performance across 7 North American academic medical centers. Their analysis of 7,243 surgical procedures revealed that most included a time-out (98.4%) and 62.3% included a debrief. These procedures often involved a majority of OR staff, with team introductions leading […]

The study delves into work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) among pregnant surgeons, an understudied area. Surveying 53 pregnant surgeons, it revealed that almost all of them (94.7%) experienced an exacerbation of WRMD symptoms due to workplace activities. Over 13% had to take unplanned time off work. Strikingly, beyond 24 weeks of pregnancy, a majority continued surgeries, […]

Understanding why patients might not fully engage in pre-surgery prehabilitation programs is vital. In a study connected to the “Perioperative Optimization with Enhanced Recovery” (POWER) trial, barriers and motivators to prehabilitation adherence were examined. While common barriers included health issues and lack of motivation, these didn’t significantly affect exercise adherence. However, higher barriers to healthy […]

This study highlights the importance of financial stability for surgical leaders. It outlines key strategies employed over six years to increase revenue and manage expenses. By expanding faculty, advocating for more resources, and seeking external funding, the department raised revenue by 66%. While expenses also grew by 74%, leaders can potentially offset these by optimizing […]

In a study involving 40 medical students new to surgical robotics, researchers compared two training methods: remote training via a multi-channel video system and traditional one-on-one guidance. The remote training group scored higher in specific exercises on a robotic simulator, suggesting its effectiveness for skill acquisition. Notably, the remote trainers reported less fatigue than their […]

A Scoping Review unpacked the underexplored realm of Second Victim Syndrome (SVS) in surgeons. SVS, affecting 50% of healthcare providers, often leads to enduring emotional turmoil, impacting personal lives and professional practices. The review emphasized that surgeons, due to their high-stress profession, also grapple with SVS. The study examined SVS’s prevalence, its psychological, physical, and […]

A study involving 20 institutions and over 1,300 general surgery residents found that those with the lowest logged case volume were more likely to be female, identify as underrepresented in medicine, and pursue fellowships. Additionally, they were more likely to have graduated from low-volume programs and institutions with lower National Institutes of Health funding. Understanding […]

A comprehensive study involving over a million operations performed by 14,399 surgeons reveals a concerning trend: early career surgeons, especially those in their first year of practice, have higher mortality and severe complication rates compared to their peers in their 15th year of practice. This research underscores the need for additional support and training for […]

In resource-challenged areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, a shortage of surgeons limits access to vital surgical care. To address this, a systematic review explored surgical task shifting and task sharing where non-surgeon clinicians (NSCs) perform specific surgical procedures. The study analyzed 31 relevant studies and found that NSCs are increasingly involved in surgeries such as hernia […]