Strengths and opportunities for improvement in surgical education in Ukraine: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 has significantly impacted the country's healthcare system including surgical education. To assess the current state and identify the strengths and opportunities for the improvement of Ukraine's surgical education system during the peri-war period, this study is one of the first to explore the state of surgical education across Ukraine in peri-war, providing essential insights for current and postwar healthcare reconstruction. METHODS: This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 24 Ukrainian surgical residents, surgeons, and program leadership from various regions. The study focused on clinical training, didactics, mentorship, autonomy, resident evaluation, the impact of war, and gender disparities in surgical education. Data analysis was conducted using a rapid qualitative analysis technique. RESULTS: Interviews revealed strengths in surgical education such as adaptability to war conditions and international collaborations. However, opportunities for improvement were identified including a lack of structured clinical and didactic experiences, limited autonomy and access to simulators, gender discrimination, and war-time challenges. These issues highlight a need for more comprehensive training and support systems for surgical trainees in Ukraine. CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the resilience and adaptability of Ukrainian surgical education in the face of war while also emphasizing the need for significant improvements. It calls for implementing structured training programs, enhanced mentorship, and attention to gender equality. These findings are crucial for improving surgical education in Ukraine and can be used as an example for other lower-middle-income countries, especially in conflict settings.

Enhancing trauma care in Ukraine amid conflict: A successful implementation of the modified advanced trauma life support course in an active war zone.

BACKGROUND: Following the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine's healthcare system suffered extensive damage, with over 1000 medical facilities destroyed, exacerbating the trauma care crisis. The absence of standardized trauma training left Ukrainian healthcare providers ill-equipped to manage the surge in trauma cases amid conflict. To bridge this gap, we implemented advanced trauma life support (ATLS) courses in Ukraine amid active warfare, aiming to enhance trauma care expertise among healthcare professionals. METHODS: A consortium, including the International Medical Corps, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and others, responded to a request from the Ukrainian Ministry of Health. The ATLS curriculum, translated into Ukrainian, guided the training, with US-based instructors sent to Ukraine for teaching. Despite logistical challenges, such as missile attacks and curfews, the courses ran in multiple Ukrainian cities over 3 months. Course effectiveness was evaluated through pre- and post-course knowledge tests, self-efficacy surveys, and satisfaction assessments. RESULTS: Ten ATLS courses trained 213 Ukrainian healthcare providers across five deployments. Significant improvements in knowledge scores (p < 0.05) and enhanced self-reported confidence in trauma management were observed. Notably, no casualties were reported among instructors or students, highlighting program safety despite security challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates successful ATLS course implementation in an active war zone, filling a critical gap in trauma education in Ukraine. Despite challenges, the program significantly enhanced participants' trauma care knowledge and confidence. Collaboration between international and local partners was pivotal. This model can serve as a valuable framework for trauma education globally, improving outcomes in conflict zones and resource-limited settings.

Long-Term Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Colorectal Cancer Screening in Its Targeted Population.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer screening continuously decreased its mortality and incidence. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act extended Medicaid eligibility to low-income and childless adults. Some states elected to adopt Medicaid at different times while others chose not to. Past studies on the effects of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening showed equivocal results based on short-term data following expansion. AIMS: To examine the long-term impact of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening among its targeted population at its decade mark. METHODS: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were extracted for childless adults below 138% federal poverty level in states with different Medicaid expansion statuses from 2012 to 2020. States were stratified into very early expansion states, early expansion states, late expansion states, and non-expansion states. Colorectal cancer screening prevalence was determined for eligible respondents. Difference-in-differences analyses were used to examine the effect of Medicaid expansion on colorectal cancer screening in states with different expansion statuses. RESULTS: Colorectal cancer screening prevalence in very early, early, late, and non-expansion states all increased during the study period (40.45% vs. 48.14%, 47.52% vs 61.06%, 46.06% vs 58.92%, and 43.44% vs 56.70%). Difference-in-differences analysis showed significantly increased CRC screening prevalence in very early expansion states during 2016 compared to non-expansion states (Crude difference-in-differences + 16.45%, p = 0.02, Adjusted difference-in-differences + 15.9%, p = 0.03). No statistical significance was observed among other years and groups. CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal cancer screening increased between 2012 and 2020 in all states regardless of expansion status. However, Medicaid expansion is not associated with long-term increased colorectal cancer screening prevalence.

Colonoscopy Needs for Implementation of a Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Ukraine.

BACKGROUND: In Ukraine, there is no established colorectal cancer screening program. We aimed to project the number of screening colonoscopies needed for implementation of various CRC screening strategies in Ukraine. METHODS: We modified a previously developed Markov microsimulation model to reflect the natural history of adenoma and CRC progression among average-risk 50-74-year-olds. We simulated colonoscopies needed for the following screening strategies: no screening, fecal occult blood test yearly, FOBT yearly with flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, FS every 5 years, fecal immunohistochemistry test (FIT) yearly, or colonoscopy every 10 years. Assuming 80% screening adherence, we estimated colonoscopies required at 1 and 5 years depending on the implementation rate. In one-way sensitivity analyses, we varied implementation rate, screening adherence, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: Assuming an 80% screening adherence and complete implementation (100%), besides a no screening strategy, the fewest screening colonoscopies are needed with an FOBT program, requiring on average 6,600 and 26,800 colonoscopies per 100,000 persons at 1 and 5 years post-implementation, respectively. The most screening colonoscopies are required with a colonoscopy program, requiring on average 76,600 and 101,000 colonoscopies per 100,000 persons at 1 and 5 years post-implementation, respectively. In sensitivity analyses, the biggest driver of number of colonoscopies needed was screening adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The number of colonoscopies needed and therefore the potential strain on the healthcare system vary substantially by screening test. These findings can provide valuable information for stakeholders on equipment needs when implementing a national screening program in Ukraine.

Global Health 101.

Global health is an evolving field that has been broadly defined as the promotion of health for all through transnational collaboration and research. It centers on the concepts of equity and collaboration. The focus of global health has recently undergone a major shift toward emphasizing the importance of a systems-based approach to healthcare delivery, which considers not only the target disease but also the many contextual factors, influencing the ability to deliver care equitably to a population to reduce the burden of any particular disease. Thus, an important global health delivery framework has been established to outline this inter- and multi-disciplinary systems-based to address major global health issues and improve health for all globally. The practice of global health, whether in research or in active intervention, necessitates guiding principles to ensure ethical conduct in the transnational partnerships and efforts to advance the field. With the introduction of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, there has been a major shift in response to epidemiologic transition to focus on reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, which disproportionately impact low-to-middle income countries. This is true for colorectal cancer, with care challenged by significant gaps in screening, early detection, and referral systems.

Access denied: The relationship between patient insurance status and access to high-volume hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Underinsured patients face significant barriers in accessing high-quality care. Evidence of whether access to high-volume surgical care is mediated by disparities in health insurance coverage remains wanting. METHODS: The authors used the National Cancer Data Base to identify all adult patients who had a confirmed diagnosis of breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer during 2004 through 2016. The odds of receiving surgical care at a high-volume hospital were estimated according to the type of insurance using multivariable logistic regression analyses for each malignancy. Then, the interactions between study period and insurance status were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 1,279,738 patients were included in the study. Of these, patients with breast cancer who were insured by Medicare (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; P < .001), Medicaid (OR, 0.55; P < .001), or uninsured (OR, 0.50; P < .001); patients with prostate cancer who were insured by Medicare (OR, 0.87; P = .003), Medicaid (OR, 0.58; P = .001), or uninsured (OR, 0.36; P < .001); and patients with lung cancer who were insured by Medicare (OR, 0.84; P = .020), Medicaid (OR, 0.74; P = .001), or uninsured (OR, 0.48; P < .001) were less likely to receive surgical care at high-volume hospitals compared with patients who had private insurance. For patients with colorectal cancer, the effect of insurance differed by study period, and improved since 2011. For those on Medicaid, the odds of receiving care at a high-volume hospital were 0.51 during 2004 through 2007 and 0.99 during 2014 through 2016 (P for interaction = .001); for uninsured patients, the odds were 0.45 during 2004 through 2007 and 1.19 during 2014 through 2016 (P for interaction < .001) compared with patients who had private insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Uninsured, Medicare-insured, and Medicaid-insured patients are less likely to receive surgical care at high-volume hospitals. For uninsured and Medicaid-insured patients with colorectal cancer, the odds of receiving care at high-volume hospitals have improved since implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

A Multi-institutional Study of Peritoneal Recurrence Following Resection of Low-grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dissemination of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs), sometimes referred to as pseudomyxoma peritonei, can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the natural history of localized (non-disseminated) LAMNs. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the risk of peritoneal recurrence in patients with localized LAMNs. METHODS: We performed a multi-institutional retrospective review of patients with pathologically confirmed localized LAMNs. Baseline characteristics, pathology, and follow-up data were collected. The primary endpoint was the rate of peritoneal recurrence. RESULTS: We identified 217 patients with localized LAMNs. Median age was 59 years (11-95) and 131 (60%) patients were female. Surgical management included appendectomy for 124 (57.1%) patients, appendectomy with partial cecectomy for 26 (12.0%) patients, and colectomy for 67 (30.9%) patients. Pathology revealed perforation in 46 patients (37.7% of 122 patients with perforation status mentioned in the report), extra-appendiceal acellular mucin (EAM) in 49 (22.6%) patients, and extra-appendiceal neoplastic cells (EAC) in 13 (6.0%) patients. Median follow-up was 51.1 months (0-271). Seven (3.2%) patients developed a peritoneal recurrence, with a median time to recurrence of 14.4 months (2.5-47.0). Seven (15.2%) patients with histologic evidence of perforation had recurrence, versus no patients (0%) without perforation (p < 0.001); five (10.2%) patients with EAM versus two (1.2%) patients without EAM (p = 0.007), and one (7.7%) patient with EAC versus six (2.9%) patients without EAC (p = 0.355) had recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-institutional study represents the largest reported series of patients with localized LAMNs. In the absence of perforation or extra-appendiceal mucin or cells, recurrence was extremely rare; however, patients with any of these pathologic findings require careful follow-up.

The Association Between Sex and Survival for Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is rising, despite the introduction of a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common etiology of anal SCC. The rate of anal SCC is higher among women and sex-based survival differences may exist. We aimed to examine the association between sex and survival for stage I-IV anal SCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with stage I-IV anal SCC from 2004-2016. Outcomes were assessed utilizing log rank tests, Kaplan-Meier statistics, and Cox proportional-hazard modeling. Subgroup analyses by disease stage and by HPV status were performed. Outcomes of interest were median, 1-, and 5-year survival by sex. RESULTS: There were 31,185 patients with stage I-IV anal SCC. 10,714 (34.3%) were male and 20,471 (65.6%) were female. 1- and 5- year survival was 90.2% (95% CI 89.8 - 90.7) and 67.7% (95% CI 66.9 - 68.5) for females compared to 85.8% (95% CI 85.1 - 86.5) and 55.9% (95% CI 54.7 - 57.0) for males. In subgroup analysis, females demonstrated improved unadjusted and adjusted survival for all stages of disease. Female sex was an independent predictor of improved survival (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.65 - 0.71, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate better overall survival for females compared to males for stage I-IV anal SCC. It is not clear why women have a survival advantage over men, though exposure to prominent risk factors may play a role. High-risk men may warrant routine screening for anal cancer.

Workplace absenteeism amongst patients undergoing open vs. robotic radical prostatectomy, hysterectomy, and partial colectomy.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding the widespread uptake of robotic surgery across several surgical disciplines. While it has been shown to confer clinical benefits such as decreased blood loss and shorter hospital stays, some argue that the benefits of this technology do not outweigh its high cost. We performed a retrospective insurance-based analysis to investigate how undergoing robotic surgery, compared to open surgery, may impact the time in which an employed individual returns to work after undergoing major surgery. METHODS: We identified a cohort of US adults with employer-sponsored insurance using claims data from the MarketScan database who underwent either open or robotic radical prostatectomy, hysterectomy/myomectomy, and partial colectomy from 2012 to 2016. We performed multiple regression models incorporating propensity scores to assess the effect of robotic vs. open surgery on the number of absent days from work, adjusting for demographic characteristics and baseline absenteeism. RESULTS: In a cohort of 1157 individuals with employer-sponsored insurance, those undergoing open surgery, compared to robotic surgery, had 9.9 more absent workdays for radical prostatectomy (95%CI 5.0 to 14.7, p < 0.001), 25.3 for hysterectomy/myomectomy (95%CI 11.0-39.6, p < 0.001), and 29.8 for partial colectomy (95%CI 14.8-44.8, p < 0.001) CONCLUSION: For the three major procedures studied, robotic surgery was associated with fewer missed days from work compared to open surgery. This information helps payers, patients, and providers better understand some of the indirect benefits of robotic surgery relative to its cost.

Barriers to Evidence-Based Colorectal Cancer Care in Ukraine.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in many low- to middle-income countries, including Ukraine. Ukraine reports high mortality rates in CRC patients. To identify potential areas for targeted interventions to improve CRC care in Ukraine, we investigated Ukrainian clinician perspectives on evidence-based CRC treatment guidelines. METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design was used. A survey was administered to attendees of a regional surgical conference. Semi-structured interviews were subsequently performed with practicing clinicians in Ukraine. Interviews were coded to identify prominent themes. RESULTS: Quantitative: 105 clinicians completed the survey. 76% of respondents reported using guidelines in daily practice. Lack of English proficiency was cited by 28.6% of respondents as a barrier to guideline use. Improved knowledge and additional financial resources were reported as factors that would be helpful in providing evidence-based care. QUANTITATIVE: 15 clinicians were interviewed. Two major themes were identified: limitations in access to the medical literature resources (language barriers and financial barriers), and sense of clinician initiative and willingness to learn despite hardships. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians in Ukraine have positive perspectives on utilization of evidence-based CRC treatment guidelines. However, they face major barriers in accessing resources needed to keep up-to-date on the current literature. Fortunately, there exists both willingness and initiative on the clinician level to pursue continuing education. Efforts should be made on the international society level to improve open-access and foreign language translation availability to support physicians in Ukraine and other low- to middle-income countries.

The Current Landscape of Staging and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in a Region of Ukraine: a Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: In Ukraine, the 1-year mortality for colorectal cancer is much higher than that seen in high-income countries. We investigated practice patterns of colorectal cancer treatment in a region of Ukraine to account for high mortality rates. METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. Data from patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer in Ivano-Frankivsk from 2011 to 2015 were collected via retrospective chart review, and descriptive statistics were calculated. Semi-structured interviews were performed with local practicing surgeons and oncologists until thematic saturation was reached. RESULTS: A total of 960 patients who underwent surgery were identified in the Ivano-Frankivsk region with colon (689) or rectal (271) cancer. 11.7% of patients underwent preoperative CT of the abdomen and pelvis, and only 1.7% underwent CT of the chest. 4.1% of patients underwent a complete preoperative colonoscopy, while 31.0% had incomplete colonoscopies. Postoperatively, 31.1% of patients with stage II colon cancer and 43.9% of patients with stage III colon cancer underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. For patients with stage II and III rectal cancers, 20.9% and 33.3% underwent chemotherapy, while 68.4% and 66.7% underwent radiation therapy, respectively. Fifteen physicians completed interviews. Two major themes emerged regarding physician perceptions on providing colorectal cancer care: lack of resources and systems level issues negatively impacting patient care. CONCLUSION: In this region in Ukraine, staging practices for colorectal malignancies are inconsistent and inadequate, and adjuvant treatments are varied. This is likely attributable to the lack of resources facing providers and the prohibitively high cost of care to patients.

Local versus Radical Excision of Early Distal Rectal Cancers: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Local excision (LE) has been proposed as an alternative to radical resection for early distal rectal cancer, for which the optimal oncologic treatment remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to compare the overall survival of rectal cancer patients with early distal tumors who underwent LE versus abdominoperineal resection (APR) using a large contemporary database. METHODS: The National Cancer Database (2004-2013) was used to identify patients with early T-stage rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent LE or APR. Patients were split into groups based on T stage and type of surgery (LE vs. APR). The primary outcome measure was overall survival. An adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the impact of treatment strategy on survival. RESULTS: Overall, there were 2084 patients with T1 tumors and 912 patients with T2 tumors. For patients with T1 disease, after adjusting for age, sex, income level, race, Charlson score, insurance payor, and tumor size, there was no significant difference in survival between the LE and APR groups (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-1.22; P = 0.49). For patients with T2 disease, after adjusting for age, Charlson score, and tumor size, there was no significant difference in survival between patients undergoing LE + chemoradiation therapy (CRT) and APR (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.84-1.45; P = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with early distal rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent LE had similar survival to patients who underwent APR. LE is an acceptable oncologic treatment strategy for patients with T1 rectal cancers, and LE with CRT is an acceptable oncologic treatment for patients with T2 distal rectal cancers.

Opioid Prescriptions After Hemorrhoidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoids cause more than 4 million ambulatory care visits in the United States annually, and hemorrhoidectomy is associated with significant postoperative pain. There are currently no evidence-based opioid-prescribing guidelines for hemorrhoidectomy patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate patterns of opioid prescribing and to identify factors associated with opioid refill after hemorrhoidectomy. DESIGN: This was a retrospective database review. SETTINGS: The study was conducted using the Department of Defense Military Health System Data Repository (2006-2014). PATIENTS: Opioid-naïve patients aged 18 to 64 years enrolled in TRICARE insurance who underwent surgical hemorrhoidectomy were included in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured patterns of opioid prescriptions and predictors of a second opioid prescription within 2 weeks of the end date for the first prescription after hemorrhoidectomy. RESULTS: A total of 6294 patients were included; 5536 (88.0%) filled an initial opioid prescription with a median 5-day supply, and 1820 (32.9%) required an opioid refill. The modeled risk of refill based on initial prescription supply ranged from a high of 39.2% risk with an initial prescription of 1-day supply to an early nadir (26.1% risk of refill) with an initial 10-day supply. A variety of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics influenced the likelihood of opioid refill, including black race (OR = 0.75 (95% CI, 0.62-0.89)), history of substance abuse (OR = 3.26 (95% CI, 1.37-7.34)), and length of index opioid prescription (4-6 d, OR = 0.83 (95% CI, 0.72-0.96) or ≥7 d, OR = 0.67 (95% CI, 0.57-0.78) vs 1-3 d). LIMITATIONS: Variables assessed were limited because of the use of claims-based data. CONCLUSIONS: There is wide variability in the length of prescription opioid use after hemorrhoidectomy. Approximately one third of patients require a second prescription in the immediate postoperative period. The optimal duration appears to be between a 5- and 10-day supply. Clinicians may be able to more efficiently discharge patients with adequate analgesia while minimizing the potential for excess supply. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B112. PRESCRIPCIÓN DE MÉDICAMENTOS OPIOIDES DESPUÉS DE HEMORROIDECTOMÍA: Las afecciones hemorroidarias ocasionan anualmente más de cuatro millones de consultas ambulatorias en los Estados Unidos. La hemorroidectomía esta asociada con dolor postoperatorio muy significativo. Actualmente no existen pautas claras para la prescripción de medicamentos opioides después de hemorroidectomía, basada en la evidencia.Investigar los patrones de prescripción de medicamentos opioides e identificar los factores asociados con la acumulación de dichos opioides después de una hemorroidectomía.Revisión retrospectiva de una base de datos.Almacén de datos del Sistema de Salud militar del Departamento de Defensa de los Estados Unidos de América (2006-2014).Todos aquellos sometidos a hemorroidectomía quirúrgica, sin tratamiento opiode previo, comprendiodos entre 18-64 años y beneficiarios de seguro TRICARE.Patrones de prescripción de recetas de opioides, predictores de una segunda receta de opioides dentro las dos semanas posteriores a la fecha de finalización de la primera receta después de la hemorroidectomía.6.294 pacientes fueron incluidos en el estudio. 5.536 (88,0%) completaron una receta inicial de opioides con un suministro promedio de cinco días, y 1.820 (32,9%) pacientes requirieron reabastecerse de opioides. El riesgo modelado de reabastecimiento de opiodes basado en el suministro de la prescripción inicial, varió desde un alto riesgo (39.2%) con una prescripción inicial de suministro por día, hasta un acmé temprano (26.1% de riesgo de reabastecimiento) con un suministro inicial de 10 días. Una gran variedad de características socio-demográficas y clínicas influyeron en la probabilidad del reabastecimeinto de los opioides, incluida la raza negra (OR 0.75, intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95% (0.62, 0.89)), los antecedentes de abuso de substancias (OR 3.26, IC del 95% (1.37, 7.34)) y la duración del índice de la prescripción de opioides (4-6 días (OR 0.83, IC 95% (0.72, 0.96)), o 7 días o más (OR 0.67, IC 95% (0.57, 0,78)) comparados a 1-3 días.Las variables analizadas fueron limitadas debido al uso de datos basados en reclamos.Existe una gran variabilidad en la duración del uso de opioides recetados después de hemorroidectomía. Aproximadamente un tercio de los pacientes requieren una segunda prescripción en el postoperatorio inmediato. La duración óptima parece estar entre un suministro de cinco y 10 días. Los médicos pueden dar de alta de manera más eficiente a los pacientes con analgesia adecuada y minimizar el potencial de exceso de suministro. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B112. (Traducción-Dr. Xavier Delgadillo).

Data Accuracy and Predictors of High Ratings of Colon and Rectal Surgeons on an Online Physician Rating Website.

BACKGROUND: Online physician rating Web sites are used by over half of consumers to select doctors. No studies have examined physician rating Web sites for colon and rectal surgeons. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and rating patterns of colon and rectal surgeons on the largest physician rating Web site. DESIGN: Physician characteristics and ratings were collected from a randomly selected sample of 500 from 3043 Healthgrades "colon and rectal surgery specialists." Board certifications were verified with the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery Web sites. SETTINGS: Data acquisition was completed on July 18, 2018. PATIENTS: Patients were not directly studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was to assess the accuracy of Healthgrades in reporting American Board of Surgery and American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery certification. The secondary outcome was to identify factors associated with high star ratings. RESULTS: A total of 48 (9.6%) of the 500 sampled were incorrectly identified as practicing US surgeons and excluded from subsequent analysis. Healthgrades showed 80.1% agreement with verified board certifications for American Board of Surgery and 85.4% for American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. The mean star rating was 4.2 of 5.0 (SD = 0.9), and 77 (21.6%) had 5-star ratings. In a multivariable logistic model (p < 0.001), 5-star rating was associated with 1 to 9 years (OR = 2.76; p = 0.04) or >40 years in practice (OR = 3.35; p = 0.04) and fewer reviews (OR = 0.88; p < 0.001). There were no significant associations with surgeon sex, age, geographic region, or board certification. LIMITATIONS: Data were limited to a single physician rating Web site. CONCLUSIONS: In the modern age of healthcare consumerism, physician rating Web sites should be used with caution given inaccuracies. More accurate online resources are needed to inform patient decisions in the selection of specialized colon and rectal surgical care. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B91. PRECISIÓN DE DATOS Y PREDICTORES DE ALTAS CALIFICACIONES DE CIRUJANOS DE COLON Y RECTO EN UN SITIO WEB DE CALIFICACIÓN MÉDICA EN LÍNEA: Más de la mitad de los consumidores utilizan los sitios web de calificación de médicos en línea para seleccionar médicos. Ningún estudio ha examinado los sitios web de calificación de médicos para cirujanos de colon y recto.Evaluar la precisión y los patrones de calificación de los cirujanos de colon y recto en el sitio web más grande de calificación de médicos.Las características y calificaciones de los médicos se obtuvieron de una muestra seleccionada al azar de 500 de 3,043 "especialistas en cirugía de colon y recto" de Healthgrades. Las certificaciones del Consejo se verificaron en los sitios web del Consejo Americano de Cirugía y del Consejo Americano de Cirugía de Colon y Recto.La adquisición de datos se completó el 18 de julio de 2018.Los pacientes no fueron estudiados directamente.El resultado primario fue evaluar la precisión de Healthgrades al informar la certificación por el Consejo Americano de Cirugía y por el Consejo Americano de Cirugía de Colon y Recto. El resultado secundario fue identificar factores asociados con altas calificaciones en estrellas.Un total de 48 (9.6%) de la muestra de 500 fueron identificados incorrectamente como cirujanos practicantes de EE. UU. y excluidos del análisis subsecuente. Healthgrades mostró un 80.1% de concordancia con las certificaciones verificadas del Consejo Americano de Cirugía y el 85.4% con el Consejo Americano de Cirugía de Colon y Recto. La calificación promedio de estrellas fue 4.2 / 5 (SD 0.9), y 77 (21.6%) tuvieron calificaciones de 5 estrellas. En un modelo logístico multivariable (p <0.001), la calificación de 5 estrellas se asoció con 1-9 años (OR 2.76, p = 0.04) o más de 40 años en la práctica (OR 3.35, p = 0.04) y menos evaluaciones (OR 0.88, p <0.001). No hubo asociaciones significativas con el género, edad, región geográfica o certificación por los Consejos del cirujano.Los datos se limitaron a un solo sitio web de calificación de médicos.En la era moderna del consumismo en atención médica, los sitios web de calificación de los médicos deben usarse con precaución debido a imprecisiones. Se necesitan recursos en línea más precisos para que las decisiones de los pacientes sean informadas en la selección de atención quirúrgica especializada de colon y recto. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B91. (Traducción-Dr. Jorge Silva-Velazco).

Gender Differences in Surgeon Burnout and Barriers to Career Satisfaction: A Qualitative Exploration.

BACKGROUND: Physician burnout is a highly prevalent issue in the surgical community. Burnout is associated with poor career satisfaction; female gender, and younger age place surgeons at higher risk for burnout. Here, we examined drivers behind burnout and career dissatisfaction in female and junior surgical faculty, with specific attention paid to gender-based differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants included full-time surgery faculty members at a single academic surgery center. Both male and female faculty members were included, at ranks ranging from instructor to associate professor. Semistructured interviews were conducted by a faculty member at the institution until thematic saturation was reached. Field notes were compiled from each interview, and these data were coded thematically. RESULTS: Fourteen female faculty and nine male faculty members were interviewed. For both female and male faculty, lack of control with work life was a significant theme contributing to burnout. Positive factors contributing to career satisfaction for both genders included enjoyment of patient care and teaching, teamwork and collegiality, and leadership support. For female faculty, the major theme of gender bias in the workplace as a risk factor for burnout was prominent. Male faculty struggled more than their female counterparts with guilt over complications and second victim syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Gender differences driving career dissatisfaction and burnout exist between female and male surgical faculty. Acknowledging these differences when designing efforts to address physician wellness and decrease burnout is critical.

Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC in an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program: A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have historically been associated with high morbidity given the physiologic insult of an extensive operation. Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) pathways have been successful in improving postoperative outcomes for many procedures but have not been well studied in these cases. We examined the feasibility and effect of ERAS pathway implementation for patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis who underwent CRS/HIPEC between October 2015 to September 2018 were identified. Patient characteristics, disease pathology, and perioperative outcome data were obtained. Primary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-d readmissions, renal dysfunction, and complications. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients who were included, 11 (35.5%) patients underwent CRS/HIPEC prior to the implementation of the ERAS pathway, and 20 (64.5%) patients underwent CRS/HIPEC according to the ERAS guidelines. There were no significant differences in the baseline clinical or pathologic characteristics between groups. There was a significant decrease in LOS with ERAS pathway management from 9 d to 6 d (P = 0.002). No patients from either cohort experienced acute kidney injury. There was no significant difference in 30-d readmission rates or complications. CONCLUSIONS: In this feasibility study, ERAS pathway utilization significantly decreased postoperative LOS for patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC, without evidence of increased complications or readmissions. ERAS programs should be considered for integration into future CRS/HIPEC protocols.

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities After Surgical Resection for Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: There are various racial, socioeconomic, and tumor-specific factors that can impact rectal cancer outcomes. The current systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effect socioeconomic and racial variables on overall survival of rectal cancer patients after surgical resection. METHODS: A literature search was performed via electronic databases according to Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. All studies were evaluated by three authors and validated for data extraction. Predictive variables and survival profiles (1-, 5-, and 10-y survival and overall survival) reported by the studies were recorded for the systematic review. Hazard ratios, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were extracted for meta-analysis. Forest plots were used to interpret the results. The primary outcome was the effect size of the predictive variables on overall survival after surgical resection. RESULTS: Of the 265 articles collected, 22 met inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies were used for the systematic review, and 17 studies were considered for meta-analysis. Overall, 662,053 subjects with rectal cancer were studied (439,766 with race reported), of which 344,193 (78.3%) were White and 60,283 (13.7%) were Black. The median survival was 56.8% for White patients and 47.9% for Black patients. Meta-analysis revealed that race, socioeconomic variables (education level, income level, and insurance status), and facility characteristics (type and volume) were significantly associated with overall survival in rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Racial and socioeconomic disparities are present in outcomes for rectal cancer patients undergoing surgical resection. It is important to consider these disparities in the management of patients with rectal cancer to minimize any consequent disparities in surgical outcomes.

The Distribution of Colorectal Surgeons in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is a mainstay of colorectal cancer treatment, and prior studies have shown improved outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer by colorectal surgical specialists compared with nonspecialized surgeons. Here, we examine the geographic distribution of colorectal surgeons in the United States and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics of the served population. METHODS: The Area Health Resource File from 2017 to 2018 was used to identify the number and location of colorectal surgeons practicing throughout the United States and sociodemographic characteristics at the county and hospital referral region (HRR) level. The main outcomes of interest were the density of colorectal surgeons per 100,000 population and associations with sociodemographic characteristics at the county and HRR level based on multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, regions with higher proportion of nonwhite individuals and college-educated individuals had significantly more colorectal surgeons per 100,000 population, whereas regions with higher proportions of uninsured individuals had significantly fewer colorectal surgeons per 100,000 population at both the county and HRR levels. CONCLUSIONS: Geographic and sociodemographic variability exists in the distribution of colorectal surgeons in the United States. Such variability may be contributing to disparities in access to specialized colorectal care.

Sociodemographic predictors of surgery refusal in patients with stage I-III colon cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Over 104 000 cases of colon cancer are estimated to be diagnosed in 2020. Surgical resection is a critical part of colon cancer treatment and adequate resection impacts prognosis. However, some patients refuse potentially curative surgery. We aimed to identify the rate and predictors of surgery refusal among patients with colon cancer. METHODS: The National Cancer Database (2004-2015) was queried for patients diagnosed with stage I-III colonic adenocarcinoma. Sociodemographic factors, clinical features, and treatment facility characteristics were collected. Patients who underwent surgery with curative intent were compared to those who refused surgery. Multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with surgery refusal. Adjusted survival analysis was performed on propensity-matched cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 151 020 patients were included and 1071 (0.71%) refused surgery. In multivariable analysis older age, Black race, higher Charlson comorbidity score, Medicaid, Medicare, or lack of insurance were predictive of refusing surgery. After propensity matching, there was a significant difference in 5-year survival for patients who refused surgery vs those who underwent surgery (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There are racial and socioeconomic disparities in the refusal of surgery for colon cancer. Further studies are needed to better understand the drivers behind differences in refusing curative surgery for colon cancer.

Treatment of stage I-III rectal cancer: Who is refusing surgery?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Surgical resection is a cornerstone in the management of patients with rectal cancer. Patients may refuse surgical treatment for several reasons although the rate of refusal is currently unknown. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was utilized to identify patients with stage I-III rectal cancer. Patients who refused surgical resection were compared to patients who underwent curative resection. RESULTS: A total of 509 (2.6%) patients with stage I and 2082 (3.5%) patients with stage II/III rectal cancer refused surgery. In multivariable analysis for stage I disease, older age, Black race, and Medicaid/no insurance were independent predictors of surgery refusal. Patients were less likely to refuse surgery if they had a higher income or lived further distances from the treatment facility. In multivariable analysis for stage II/III disease, older age, Black race, insurance other than private, and rural county were independent predictors of surgery refusal. Patients were less likely to refuse surgery if they had higher Charlson comorbidity scores, lived further distances from the treatment facility, or underwent chemoradiation. There was a significant decrease in survival for patients refusing surgery compared to patients undergoing recommended surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A small proportion of patients refuse surgery for rectal cancer, and this treatment decision significantly affects survival.