Endocrine Surgical Procedures During COVID-19: Patient Prioritization and Time to Surgery.

BACKGROUND: We tracked endocrine surgery patients with treatment delays due to COVID-19 to investigate the relationship between physician assigned priority scoring (PAPS), the Medically Necessary, Time Sensitive (MeNTS) scoring system and delay to surgery. MATERIAL & METHODS: Patients scheduled for endocrine surgery or clinically evaluated during COVID-19-related elective surgery hold at our institution (2/26/20-5/1/20) were prospectively enrolled. PAPS was assigned based on categories of high, moderate, or low risk, consistent with the American College of Surgeons' priority system. MeNTS scores were calculated. The primary outcome was delay to surgery. Descriptive statistics were performed, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated for PAPS and MeNTS. RESULTS: Of 146 patients included, 68% (n = 100) were female; the median age was 60 years (IQR:43,67). Mean delay to surgery was significantly shorter (P = 0.01) in patients with high PAPS (35 d), compared with moderate (61 d) and low (79 d) PAPS groups. MeNTS scores were provided for 105 patients and were analyzed by diagnosis. Patients with benign thyroid disease (n = 17) had a significantly higher MeNTS score than patients with thyroid disease which was malignant/suspicious for malignancy (n = 44) patients (51.5 versus 47.6, P = 0.034). Higher PAPS correlated well with a delay to surgery of <30 d (AUC: 0.72). MeNTS score did not correlate well with delay to surgery <30 d (AUC: 0.52). CONCLUSION: PAPS better predicted delay to surgery than MeNTS scores. PAPS may incorporate more complex components of clinical decision-making which are not captured in the MeNTS score.

Outcome Squares Integrating Efficacy and Safety, as Applied to Functioning Pituitary Adenoma Surgery.

CONTEXT: Transsphenoidal surgery is standard care in the treatment of hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas. Current clinician-reported surgical outcome measures are one-dimensional, typically focusing primarily on complete or partial resection, and secondarily on complication rates. However, outcomes are best reflected by the delicate balance of efficacy and complications at patient level. OBJECTIVE: This study proposes a novel way to classify and report outcomes, integrating efficacy and safety at the patient level. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all pure endoscopic transsphenoidal surgical procedures for acromegaly, Cushing's disease, and prolactinoma between 2010 and 2018 in a single tertiary referral center. We present our results in a classic (remission and complications separate) and in a novel outcome square integrating both outcomes, focusing on intended and adverse effects (long-term complications). This resulted in 4 outcome groups, ranging from good to poor. We use this approach to present these outcomes for several subgroups. RESULTS: A total of 198 surgical procedures were included (44 reoperations). Remission was achieved in 127 operations (64%). Good outcome was observed after 121 (61%), and poor outcome after 6 (3%) operations. When intended effect of surgery was applied (instead of remission), good outcome as intended was achieved after 148 of 198 surgeries (75%) and poor outcome after 4 (2%). CONCLUSION: Quality of a surgical intervention can be presented in 4 simple categories, integrating both efficacy and safety with flexibility to adapt to the individualized situation at patient, disease, and surgical strategy and to the outcome of interest.

New endocrine fellowship programs do not decrease the endocrine surgery experience of residents in co-located general surgery programs.

BACKGROUND: New pediatric and vascular surgical fellowship programs decrease resident operative experience in those subspecialties in co-located general surgery programs.After 2 decades of increases, the mean number of endocrine surgery cases performed by general surgery residents nationally has decreased since 2010 to 2011. We hypothesized that new endocrine surgery fellowship programs lead to a decrease in the number of endocrine surgery cases performed by co-located general surgery residents and may be a contributing factor in the recent national decline in endocrine surgery cases performed by general surgery residents. METHODS: Endocrine surgery fellowship programs associated with a single, Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-accredited general surgery program that have completed training of 1 fellow by the 2014-2015 academic year were identified. Endocrine surgery cases performed by general surgery residents who completed co-located general surgery programs from 2002 to 2003 through 2017 to 2018 were recorded. Descriptive statistics are shown as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical significance was calculated using the Mann-Whitney U Test. RESULTS: In the 13 general surgery programs with 5 years of case log data after the matriculation of the first fellow, the mean number of total endocrine surgery cases/resident increased from 47 ± 23 in year 0 to 57 ± 25 in year 5 (z-score = 2.53; P < .05). CONCLUSION: New endocrine surgery fellowship programs do not decrease the endocrine surgery cases performed by general surgery residents and have not contributed to the national decline in endocrine surgery cases by general surgery residents.

The ups and downs of general surgery resident experience in endocrine surgery: Analysis of 30 years of ACGME graduate case logs.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine trends in the experience of general surgery residents with endocrine surgery cases. METHODS: American Association of Endocrine Surgeons national general surgery case logs from 1989 through 2019 were reviewed. The numbers of individuals completing residency and the mean and median number of endocrine surgery cases by type and by level of operating resident surgeon were abstracted from annual data and analyzed. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were performed modeling endocrine surgery cases over time and stratified by procedure type and resident level. RESULTS: The number of individuals completing general surgery residency each year increased from 981 to 1,219 (P < .001). The average total number of endocrine surgery cases performed increased from 17 to 33.2 (P < .001) but has declined since its peak at 36.9 in 2010 to 2011 (P = .014). Thyroid operations increased from 11.4 to 19.8 (P < .001) but peaked at 23.5 in 2010 to 2011 and have since declined (P < .001). Parathyroid operations more than doubled from 4.2 to 9.7 (P < .001). Adrenal operations increased from 1 to 2.2 (P < .001) and pancreatic endocrine operations increased from 0.2 to 1.5 (P < .001). Surgeon Chief endocrine surgery cases peaked at 14.4 in 2003 to 2004 but have since declined by 22.2% (P < .001). Surgeon Junior endocrine surgery cases increased overall (P < .001) but peaked at 22.8 in 2011 to 2012. There was increasing heterogeneity over time in trainee experience (P < .001). CONCLUSION: After having increased for 2 decades, the number of endocrine surgery cases performed by general surgery residents is currently in decline. Possible contributing factors include growth in the number of general surgery residents, variable and narrowed case mix, and encroachment by other learners.

Volume, outcomes, and quality standards in thyroid surgery: an evidence-based analysis-European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES) positional statement.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous efforts in surgical speciality aim to improve outcome. Therefore, correlation of volume and outcome, developing subspecialization, and identification of reliable parameters to identify and measure quality in surgery gain increasing attention in the surgical community as well as in public health care systems, and by health care providers. The need to investigate these correlations in the area of endocrine surgery was identified by ESES, and thyroid surgery was chosen for this analysis of the prevalent literature with regard to outcome and volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search that is detailed below about correlation between volume and outcome in thyroid surgery was performed and assessed from an evidence-based perspective. Following presentation and live data discussion, a revised final positional statement was presented and consented by the ESES assembly. RESULTS: There is a lack of prospective randomized controlled studies for all items representing quality parameters of thyroid surgery using uniform definitions. Therefore, evidence levels are low and recommendation grades are based mainly on expert and peer evaluation of the prevalent data. CONCLUSION: In thyroid surgery a volume and outcome relationship exists with respect to the prevalence of complications. Besides volume, cumulative experience is expected to improve outcomes. In accordance with global data, a case load of < 25 thyroidectomies per surgeon per year appears to identify a low-volume surgeon, while > 50 thyroidectomies per surgeon per year identify a high-volume surgeon. A center with a case load of > 100 thyroidectomies per year is considered high-volume. Thyroid cancer and autoimmune thyroid disease predict an increased risk of surgical morbidity and should be operated by high-volume surgeons. Oncological results of thyroid cancer surgery are significantly better when performed by high-volume surgeons.

Patterns of Surgically Treated Thyroid Disease: A Two Years Review at St. Paul Hospital Millennium medical Collage, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid disease is a common disorder of the endocrine system worldwide. It is a common problem in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the burden and the pattern of thyroid disease in St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients' medical records over a two-year period, January 2013-december 2014, was done. OR log books, and individual patient medical records was used for the review. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20. RESULTS: A total of 2201 general surgical operations were done in a two-year period. Of these, 250(11%) were for thyroid surgery. Records of 222(88.8%) patients were found and used for analysis. Females accounted for 91.4% with F: M ratio of 10.7:1. The common mode of presentations were anterior neck swelling (91.4%) and toxic (29.7%) and pressure symptoms(19.4%). The common physical findings identified were multi nodular goiter (57.2%), diffuse goiter (23.9%) and solitary nodule (5.8%). FNAC showed that Nodular colloid goiter was common diagnosis (68.5%). Neoplasms accounted for 15.9% of the diagnosis; of this follicular neoplasm make (54%) and papillary cancer (20%). Functionally, hyperthyroid goiter 28.8% and euthyroid goiters (64 %). Transient hypocalcaemia (3.2%) and hoarseness of voice (1.8%) were the commonest complications. There was no postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Hyperthyroidism and neoplasms make significant proportions of the patients. Follicular neoplasm is the commonest tumor. Morbidity and mortality rates are comparable to the literature.

Evaluation of Pain Management after Surgery: An Observational Study.

Background and Objectives: Choosing a pain management strategy is essential for improving recovery after surgery. Effective pain management reduces the stress response, facilitates mobilization, and improves the quality of the postoperative period. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of pain management in patients after surgery. Materials and Methods: The study included 216 patients operated on in the following surgical wards: the Department of Cardiosurgery and the Department of General and Endocrine Surgery. Patients were hospitalized on average for 6 ± 4.5 days. Patients were randomly selected for the study using a questionnaire technique with a numerical rating scale. Results: Immediately after surgery, pre-emptive analgesia, multimodal analgesia, and analgosedation were used significantly more frequently than other methods (p < 0.001). In the subsequent postoperative days, the method of administering drugs on demand was used most often. Patients with confirmed complications during postoperative wound healing required significantly more frequent use of drugs from Steps 2 and 3 of the World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder compared with patients without complications. Conclusion: The mode of patient admission for surgery significantly affected the level of pain perception. Different pain management methods were used and not every method was effective.

A model for a career in a specialty of general surgery: One surgeon's opinion.

BACKGROUND: The integration of general and endocrine surgery was studied as a potential career model for fellowship trained general surgeons. METHODS: Case logs collected from 1991-2016 and academic milestones were examined for a single general surgeon with a focused interest in endocrine surgery. Operations were categorized using CPT codes and the 2017 ACGME "Major Case Categories" and there frequencies were determined. RESULTS: 10,324 operations were performed on 8209 patients. 412.9 ± 84.9 operations were performed yearly including 279.3 ± 42.7 general and 133.7 ± 65.5 endocrine operations. A high-volume endocrine surgery practice and a rank of tenured professor were achieved by years 11 and 13, respectively. At year 25, the frequency of endocrine operations exceeded general surgery operations. CONCLUSION: Maintaining a foundation in broad-based general surgery with a specialty focus is a sustainable career model. Residents and fellows can use the model to help plan their careers with realistic expectations.

Hemodynamic instability during surgery for pheochromocytoma: comparing the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approach in a multicenter analysis of 341 patients.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative hemodynamic instability is a major challenge during adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. Typically, pheochromocytoma is performed laparoscopically either through the retroperitoneal or transperitoneal approach. We aimed to determine if the operative approach affects intraoperative hemodynamic instability during surgery for pheochromocytoma in a large multicenter multicenter cohort. METHODS: Retrospective, multicenter analysis of consecutive patients with pheochromocytoma who underwent total unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy without conversion were included. Statistical analysis was performed using established intraoperative criteria for intraoperative hemodynamic instability: 1) systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg; 2) systolic blood pressure > 200 mm Hg; 3) mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg; 4) systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg + mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg; and 5) systolic blood pressure >200 mm Hg + mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg; and 6) intravenous vasopressor + vasodilator. RESULTS: In total, 341 patients met the inclusion criteria, 101 (29.6%) underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy and 240 (70.4%) transperitoneal adrenalectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that retroperitoneal adrenalectomy carries greater risk for mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg (odds ratio 6.255, confidence interval 1.134-34.235, P = .035) compared with transperitoneal adrenalectomy. Overall and cardiovascular morbidity rates were comparable between the 2 approaches. The medical center was a significant independent influencing factor for all 6 intraoperative hemodynamic instability definitions. CONCLUSION: Variability in institutional management of pheochromocytoma intraoperatively has significant impact on all 6 intraoperative hemodynamic instability definitions. Standardization of anesthesia should be considered to reduce this variability.

Sustained Growth of a University-Based Endocrine Surgery Program Over 10 Years.

BACKGROUND: Endocrine surgery continues to mature as a subspecialty field. We describe the clinical performance of an academic endocrine surgery program (ESP) over its first 10 years. METHODS: We examined all endocrine procedures performed during the 10-year period (2006-2015) following the inception of the ESP. Institutional and state-level data on case volume, patient geographic origin, and hospital-side costs were obtained. RESULTS: Endocrine case volume increased by approximately ninefold over the study period (from 102 cases in 2006 to 919 cases in 2015). The rate of growth remained approximately linear, and was driven by geographic expansion of referral regions coupled with transitioning low- to moderate-acuity operations to venues outside of the main tertiary care hospital. Market share across the eight-county Southern California region grew by more than twofold over the study period. Increased utilization of outpatient surgery led to cost reductions, averaging 11.1% per case by 2015. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of an academic ESP can lead to sustained clinical growth and a fundamental shift in regional referral patterns. The nation's continued need for skilled high-volume endocrine surgeons represents opportunities for medical centers to institute their own dedicated endocrine surgery programs.

Mapping endocrine surgery: Workforce analysis from the last six decades.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the demographics of high-volume surgeons (HVS) for endocrine operations. METHODS: We characterized HVS by region, specialty, gender, teaching-affiliation, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) membership, and decade they entered practice. Providers were general surgeons (GS) and otolaryngologists (ENT); fellowship trained (FT) or not FT (NFT). RESULTS: We identified 395 HVS in 47 states entering practice between 1958 and 2011. Sixty-eight percent were GS, 35% were FT, and 35% were AAES members. GS, FT surgeons, and endocrine surgery FT surgeons (ES) performed more operations per surgeon. More FT surgeons were in Northeast, West (W), and Midwest than Southeast (SE) and Southwest (SW; P < .0001). More teaching surgeons and AAES members were in the Northeast and Midwest than SE, W, and SW (P < .0001). FT-GS increased over decades (P < .0001) but not FT-ENT (P = .3). Representation of ES, AAES members, and females increased over decades (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The workforce for endocrine operations displayed increased representation of GS, FT surgeons, and women, correlating with the profile of recent AAES fellowship graduates. More insight is needed to understand why most HVS were not AAES members. Regional disparities can guide the placement of endocrine surgeons into both academic and community practices, increasing trainee exposure and patient access to specialty care.

Postoperative burden of hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection.

OBJECTIVE Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common hospital-acquired infection. Previous reports on the incidence, risk factors, and impact of CDI on resources in the surgical population are limited. In this context, we study CDI across diverse surgical settings. METHODS We prospectively identified patients with laboratory-confirmed postoperative CDI after 40 different general, vascular, or gynecologic surgeries at 52 academic and community hospitals between July 2012 and September 2013. We used multivariable regression models to identify CDI risk factors and to determine the impact of CDI on resource utilization. RESULTS Of 35,363 patients, 179 (0.51%) developed postoperative CDI. The highest rates of CDI occurred after lower-extremity amputation (2.6%), followed by bowel resection or repair (0.9%) and gastric or esophageal operations (0.7%). Gynecologic and endocrine operations had the lowest rates (0.1% and 0%, respectively). By multivariable analyses, older age, chronic immunosuppression, hypoalbuminemia (≤3.5 g/dL), and preoperative sepsis were associated with CDI. Use of prophylactic antibiotics was not independently associated with CDI, neither was sex, body mass index (BMI), surgical priority, weight loss, or comorbid conditions. Three procedure groups had higher odds of postoperative CDI: lower-extremity amputations (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.5; P=.03), gastric or esophageal operations (aOR, 2.1; P=.04), and bowel resection or repair (aOR, 2; P=.04). Postoperative CDI was independently associated with increased length of stay (mean, 13.7 d vs 4.5 d), emergency department presentations (18.9 vs 9.1%) and readmissions (38.9% vs 7.2%, all P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Incidence of postoperative CDI varies by surgical procedure. Postoperative CDI is also associated with higher rates of extended length of stay, emergency room presentations, and readmissions, which places a potentially preventable burden on hospital resources.

Increased efficiency of endocrine procedures performed in an ambulatory operating room.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid and parathyroid procedures historically have been viewed as inpatient procedures. Because of the advancements in surgical techniques, these procedures were transferred from the inpatient operating room (OR) to the outpatient OR at a single academic institution approximately 7 y ago. The goal of this study was to determine whether this change has decreased turnover times and maximized OR utilization. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 707 patients undergoing thyroid (34%) and parathyroid (66%) procedures by a single surgeon at our academic institution between 2005 and 2008. Inpatient and outpatient groups were compared using Student t-test, chi-square test, or the Kruskal-Wallis test where appropriate. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine how patient and hospital factors influenced turnover times. RESULTS: Turnover times were significantly lower in the outpatient OR (mean 18 ± 0.7 min) when compared with the inpatient OR (mean 36 ± 1.4 min) (P < 0.001). When compared by type of procedure, all turnover times remained significantly lower in the outpatient OR. Patients in both ORs were similar in age, gender, and comorbidities. However, inpatients had a higher mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score (2.30 versus 2.13, P < 0.001) and were more likely to have an operative indication of cancer (23.1% versus 9.2%, P < 0.001). Using multiple regression, the inpatient OR remained highly significantly associated with higher turnover times when controlling for these small differences (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Endocrine procedures performed in the outpatient OR have significantly faster turnover times leading to cost savings and greater OR utilization for hospitals.

Practice patterns and job satisfaction in fellowship-trained endocrine surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Debates about the difficult job market for young endocrine surgeons are ongoing. This study aimed to analyze the practice patterns and work-related satisfaction levels of recently trained endocrine surgeons. METHODS: An anonymous survey was utilized. Participants were divided into 3 groups: "Young" (<3 years in practice), "middle" (3-5 years), and "older" (>5 years). RESULTS: Fifty-six of 78 surgeons (72%) responded to the survey. Time in practice ranged from 1 to 9 years (mean, 3.9 ± 0.28). Forty-five (80%) described their practice as academic. Participants performed 244.1 ± 17.8 operations within the last year; 75.4 ± 3.3% were endocrine cases. More surgeons in the "young" group have academic practices (92%) and joined established endocrine surgery groups (54%) versus older surgeons (67% and 42%; P = .05). Of surgeons in the "young" group, 4% started their own practice versus 33% in the "older" group (P = .04). Level of satisfaction with financial compensation (3.2 on a 4-point scale versus 2.9) and lifestyle (3.6 vs 3.1) was also higher in the younger group (P = .009). CONCLUSION: Despite widespread speculation about scarcity of academic jobs after fellowship, recently trained endocrine surgeons are more likely to practice in academic settings and join established endocrine surgery practices when compared with older surgeons. Overall satisfaction level is higher among recently trained surgeons.

[Management of goiters]. / Prise en charge thérapeutique des goitres.

Simple goiter is defined as an enlarged thyroid without dysfunction, thyroiditis or cancer. Complications of the goiter appear only at stage of plurinodulaire goiter. Homogeneous simple goiters of young subjects resolve with thyroid hormone administration. Many simple multinodular goiters of adults can benefit from simple monitoring. Total thyroidectomy is recommended for goiters that become symptomatic, unsightly, accompanied by lowering of TSH concentration, or containing suspicious nodules. Radioactive iodine constitutes an alternative to surgery for voluminous, compressive, hyperfunctionnal goiters, especially in older people.

Initial therapy with either thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy without radioactive iodine remnant ablation is associated with very low rates of structural disease recurrence in properly selected patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the risk of structural disease recurrence in a cohort of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer selected for treatment with either thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy without radioactive iodine remnant ablation (RRA). DESIGN: Retrospective review. PATIENTS: A total of 289 patients were selected for either thyroid lobectomy (n = 72) or total thyroidectomy (n = 217) without RRA and followed with modern disease detection tools in a tertiary referral centre. Most patients had papillary thyroid cancer (89%) without clinically evident lymph node metastases (91%). However, 55% (156/289) of patients had primary tumours that were >1 cm and 10% (28/289) had minor extrathyroidal extension. MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was detection of recurrent/persistent structural disease. RESULTS: After a 5-year median follow-up, structural disease recurrence was detected in 2·3% (5/217) of patients treated with total thyroidectomy without RRA, and in 4·2% (3/72) of patients treated with thyroid lobectomy. Size of the primary tumour, the presence of cervical lymph node metastases and American Thyroid Association risk category were all statistically significant predictors of recurrence. Changes in serum thyroglobulin were not helpful in identifying the presence of persistent/recurrent structural disease. Importantly, 88% (7/8) of the patients that had recurrent disease were rendered clinically disease free with additional therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Initial risk stratification is able to identify a cohort of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer with a very low risk of structural disease recurrence following treatment with either thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy without RRA. Our data strongly support a selective approach to the initial management of thyroid cancer.