Comparison of Medical Research Abstracts Written by Surgical Trainees and Senior Surgeons or Generated by Large Language Models.

Importance: Artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated academia, especially OpenAI Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT), a large language model. However, little has been reported on its use in medical research. Objective: To assess a chatbot's capability to generate and grade medical research abstracts. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cross-sectional study, ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4.0 (referred to as chatbot 1 and chatbot 2) were coached to generate 10 abstracts by providing background literature, prompts, analyzed data for each topic, and 10 previously presented, unassociated abstracts to serve as models. The study was conducted between August 2023 and February 2024 (including data analysis). Exposure: Abstract versions utilizing the same topic and data were written by a surgical trainee or a senior physician or generated by chatbot 1 and chatbot 2 for comparison. The 10 training abstracts were written by 8 surgical residents or fellows, edited by the same senior surgeon, at a high-volume hospital in the Southeastern US with an emphasis on outcomes-based research. Abstract comparison was then based on 10 abstracts written by 5 surgical trainees within the first 6 months of their research year, edited by the same senior author. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measurements were the abstract grades using 10- and 20-point scales and ranks (first to fourth). Abstract versions by chatbot 1, chatbot 2, junior residents, and the senior author were compared and judged by blinded surgeon-reviewers as well as both chatbot models. Five academic attending surgeons from Denmark, the UK, and the US, with extensive experience in surgical organizations, research, and abstract evaluation served as reviewers. Results: Surgeon-reviewers were unable to differentiate between abstract versions. Each reviewer ranked an AI-generated version first at least once. Abstracts demonstrated no difference in their median (IQR) 10-point scores (resident, 7.0 [6.0-8.0]; senior author, 7.0 [6.0-8.0]; chatbot 1, 7.0 [6.0-8.0]; chatbot 2, 7.0 [6.0-8.0]; P = .61), 20-point scores (resident, 14.0 [12.0-7.0]; senior author, 15.0 [13.0-17.0]; chatbot 1, 14.0 [12.0-16.0]; chatbot 2, 14.0 [13.0-16.0]; P = .50), or rank (resident, 3.0 [1.0-4.0]; senior author, 2.0 [1.0-4.0]; chatbot 1, 3.0 [2.0-4.0]; chatbot 2, 2.0 [1.0-3.0]; P = .14). The abstract grades given by chatbot 1 were comparable to the surgeon-reviewers' grades. However, chatbot 2 graded more favorably than the surgeon-reviewers and chatbot 1. Median (IQR) chatbot 2-reviewer grades were higher than surgeon-reviewer grades of all 4 abstract versions (resident, 14.0 [12.0-17.0] vs 16.9 [16.0-17.5]; P = .02; senior author, 15.0 [13.0-17.0] vs 17.0 [16.5-18.0]; P = .03; chatbot 1, 14.0 [12.0-16.0] vs 17.8 [17.5-18.5]; P = .002; chatbot 2, 14.0 [13.0-16.0] vs 16.8 [14.5-18.0]; P = .04). When comparing the grades of the 2 chatbots, chatbot 2 gave higher median (IQR) grades for abstracts than chatbot 1 (resident, 14.0 [13.0-15.0] vs 16.9 [16.0-17.5]; P = .003; senior author, 13.5 [13.0-15.5] vs 17.0 [16.5-18.0]; P = .004; chatbot 1, 14.5 [13.0-15.0] vs 17.8 [17.5-18.5]; P = .003; chatbot 2, 14.0 [13.0-15.0] vs 16.8 [14.5-18.0]; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, trained chatbots generated convincing medical abstracts, undifferentiable from resident or senior author drafts. Chatbot 1 graded abstracts similarly to surgeon-reviewers, while chatbot 2 was less stringent. These findings may assist surgeon-scientists in successfully implementing AI in medical research.

The benefits of preoperative smoking cessation on abdominal wall reconstruction outcomes: An examination of abstinent versus never smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Active smoking is related to wound and respiratory complications following abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR), but no AWR studies directly compare outcomes of abstinent-smokers (AS), fulfilling four-weeks of smoking cessation, to non-smokers (NS). METHODS: Prospectively maintained institutional database was queried for all AWR between 2012 and 2019. AS and NS were included. Primary outcomes were wound and respiratory complications; secondary outcome was recurrence. Standard statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Evaluation included 1088 patients, 305 AS and 783 NS. AS had a lower BMI (31.3 vs 32.7 â€‹kg/m2; P â€‹= â€‹0.004) but increased ASA Class III (51.5% vs 34.5 â€‹%, P â€‹= â€‹0.009), COPD (8.9% vs 4.0 â€‹%, P â€‹= â€‹0.001), comorbidities (6.3 vs 4.7, P < 0.001), and wound class (Class III/IV: 25.3% vs 15.8 â€‹%, P â€‹= â€‹0.003). AS had increased defect size (229 vs 209.1 â€‹cm2; P â€‹= â€‹0.023), use of component separation (CST) (52.5% vs 43.8 â€‹%; P â€‹= â€‹0.010) and hospital stay (6.6 vs 6.2 days, P â€‹= â€‹0.015). Postoperative wound, mesh, and pulmonary infection, respiratory failure, and recurrence were similar. On multivariable regression, wound class and complications predicted recurrence. BMI, panniculectomy and CST predicted wound complications. BMI, CST, and wound class predicted respiratory complications. CONCLUSION: Despite greater patient and hernia complexity, smoking cessation appears to result in similar outcomes to never-smokers in this AWR population.

Cricopharyngomyotomy: Outcomes of flexible endoscopic management of small and medium sized Zenker's diverticulum.

BACKGROUND: Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) was historically treated with an open transcervical myotomy with diverticulectomy, but endoscopic approaches have gained popularity, though with little recent data. This study aimed to report flexible endoscopic cricopharyngomyotomy (FEC) outcomes, particularly in smaller diverticula. METHODS: Patients with ZD treated with FEC at a tertiary center were reviewed. Patients were grouped by diverticulum size: small (sZD)≤1.5 â€‹cm; medium (mZD) â€‹> â€‹1.5 â€‹cm. RESULTS: Of 30 patients, median age, BMI, sex, and comorbidities were similar between sZD (n â€‹= â€‹18) and mZD (n â€‹= â€‹12). Overall, 80.0 â€‹% had the procedure performed with a needle knife. Median number of clips for mucosotomy closure (5.0[5.0,6.0]vs.7.0[5.0,7.0]clips;p â€‹= â€‹0.051), operative time (59.5[51.0,75.0]vs.74.5[51.0,93.5]minutes;p â€‹= â€‹0.498), length-of-stay (1.0[1.0,1.0]vs.1.0[1.0,1.0]days;p â€‹= â€‹0.397), and follow-up (20.8[1.1,33.4]vs.15.6[5.4,50.4]months;p â€‹= â€‹0.641) were comparable. There were no postoperative leaks; incomplete myotomy occurred in one sZD, yielding a clinical success rate of 96.7 â€‹%. CONCLUSIONS: FEC has a high success rate for ZD and an advantage in small diverticula, difficult to treat with stapling or open technique.

The Influence of Disparities on Prostate Cancer at Diagnosis in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed noncutaneous malignancy and second leading-cause of cancer death in men, yet screening is decreasing. As PCa screening has become controversial, socioeconomic disparities in PCa diagnosis and outcomes widen. This study was designed to determine the current disparities influencing PCa diagnosis in Charlotte, NC. METHODS: The Levine Cancer Institute database was queried for patients with PCa, living in metropolitan Charlotte. Socioeconomic status (SES) was determined by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI); higher ADI indicated lower SES. Patients were compared by their National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk stratification. Artificial intelligence predictive models were trained and heatmaps were created, demonstrating the geographic and socioeconomic disparities in late-stage PCa. RESULTS: Of the 802 patients assessed, 202 (25.2%) with high-risk PCa at diagnosis were compared with 198 (24.7%) with low-risk PCa. High-risk PCa patients were older (69.8 ± 9.0 vs. 64.0 ± 7.9 years; p < 0.001) with lower SES (ADI block: 98.4 ± 20.9 vs. 92.1 ± 19.8; p = 0.004) and more commonly African-American (White: 66.2% vs. 78.3%, African-American: 31.3% vs. 20.7%; p = 0.009). On regression, ADI block was an independent predictor (odds ratio [OR] = 1.013, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.002-1.024; p = 0.024) of high-risk PCa at diagnosis, whereas race was not (OR = 1.312, 95% CI 0.782-2.201; p = 0.848). A separate regression demonstrated higher ADI (OR = 1.016, 95% CI 1.004-1.027; p = 0.006) and older age (OR = 1.083, 95% CI 1.054-1.114; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for high-risk PCa. Findings, depicted in heatmaps, demonstrated the geographic locations where men with PCa were predicted to have high-risk disease based on their age and SES. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status was more closely associated with high-risk PCa at diagnosis than race. Although, of any variable, age was most predictive. The heatmaps identified areas that would benefit from increased awareness, education, and screening to facilitate an earlier PCa diagnosis.

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Referrals.

Background: Health disparities are pervasive in surgical care. Particularly racial and socioeconomic inequalities have been demonstrated in emergency general surgery outcomes, but less so in elective abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). The goal of this study was to evaluate the disparities in referrals to a tertiary hernia center. Methods: A prospectively maintained hernia database was queried for patients who underwent open ventral hernia (OVHR) or minimally invasive surgical (MISR) repair from 2011 to 2022 with complete insurance and address information. Patients were divided by home address into in-state (IS) and out-of-state (OOS) referrals as well as by operative technique. Demographic data and outcomes were compared. Standard and inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results: Of 554 patients, most were IS (59.0%); 334 underwent OVHR, and 220 underwent MISR. IS patients were more likely to undergo MISR (OVHR: 45.6% vs. 81.5%, laparoscopic: 38.2% vs. 14.1%, robotic: 16.2% vs. 4.4%; p < 0.001) when compared to OOS referrals. Of OVHR patients, 44.6% were IS and 55.4% were OOS. Patients' average age and BMI, sex, ASA score, and insurance payer were similar between IS and OOS groups. IS patients were more often Black (White: 77.9% vs. 93.5%, Black: 16.8% vs. 4.3%; p < 0.001). IS patients had more smokers (12.1% vs. 3.2%; p = 0.001), fewer recurrent hernias (45.0% vs. 69.7%; p < 0.001), and smaller defects (155.7 ± 142.2 vs. 256.4 ± 202.9 cm2; p < 0.001). Wound class, mesh type, and rate of fascial closure were similar, but IS patients underwent fewer panniculectomies (13.4% vs. 34.1%; p < 0.001), component separations (26.2% vs. 51.4%; p < 0.001), received smaller mesh (744.2 ± 495.6 vs. 975.7 ± 442.3 cm2; p < 0.001), and had shorter length-of-stay (4.8 ± 2.0 vs. 7.0 ± 5.5 days; p < 0.001). There was no difference in wound breakdown, seroma requiring intervention, hematoma, mesh infection, or recurrence; however, IS patients had decreased wound infections (2.0% vs. 8.6%; p = 0.009), overall wound complications (11.4% vs. 21.1%; p = 0.016), readmissions (2.7% vs. 13.0%; p = 0.001), and reoperations (3.4% vs. 11.4%; p = 0.007). Of MISR patients, 80.9% were IS and 19.1% were OOS. In contrast to OVHR, MISR IS and OOS patients had similar demographics, preoperative characteristics, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes. Conclusion: Although there were no differences in referred patients for MISR, this study demonstrates the racial disparities that exist among our IS and OOS complex, open AWR patients. Awareness of these disparities can help clinicians work towards equitable access to care and equal referrals to tertiary hernia centers.

Open repair of flank and lumbar hernias: 142 consecutive repairs at a high-volume hernia center.

BACKGROUND: Flank and lumbar hernias (FLH) are challenging to repair. This study aimed to establish a reproducible management strategy and analyze elective flank and lumbar repair (FLHR) outcomes from a single institution. METHODS: A prospective analysis using a hernia-specific database was performed examining patients undergoing open FLHR between 2004 and 2021. Variables included patient demographics and operative characteristics. RESULTS: Of 142 patients, 106 presented with flank hernias, and 36 with lumbar hernias. Patients, primarily ASA Class 2 or 3, exhibited a mean age of 57.0 â€‹± â€‹13.4 years and BMI of 30.2 â€‹± â€‹5.7 â€‹kg/m2. Repairs predominantly utilized synthetic mesh in the preperitoneal space (95.1 â€‹%). After 29.9 â€‹± â€‹13.1 months follow-up, wound infections occurred in 8.3 â€‹%; hernia recurrence was 3.5 â€‹%. At 6 months postoperatively, 21.2 â€‹% of patients reported chronic pain with two-thirds of these individuals having preoperative pain. CONCLUSIONS: Open preperitoneal FLHR provides a durable repair with low complication and hernia recurrence rates over 2.5 years of follow-up.

The Utilization of Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair (LVHR) in Incarcerated and Strangulated Cases: A National Trend in Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Early after its adoption, minimally invasive surgery had limited usefulness in emergent cases. However, with improvements in equipment, techniques, and skills, laparoscopy in complex and emergency operations expanded substantially. This study aimed to examine the trend of laparoscopy in incarcerated or strangulated ventral hernia repair (VHR) over time. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried for laparoscopic repair of incarcerated and strangulated hernias (LIS-VHR) and compared over 2 time periods, 2014-2016 and 2017-2019. RESULTS: The utilization of laparoscopy in all incarcerated or strangulated VHR increased over time (2014-2016: 39.9% (n = 14 075) vs 2017-2019: 46.3% (n = 18 369), P < .001). Though likely not clinically significant, demographics and comorbidities statistically differed between groups (female: 51.7% vs 50.0%, P = .003; age 54.5 ± 13.7 vs 55.4 ± 13.8 years, P < .001; BMI 34.9 ± 8.0 vs 34.6 ± 7.8 kg/m2, P < .001). Patients from 2017 to 2019 were less comorbid (18.9% vs 16.8% smokers, P < .001; 18.2% vs 17.3% diabetic, P = .036; 4.6% vs 4.1% COPD, P = .021) but had higher ASA classification (III: 43.3% vs 45.7%; IV: 2.5% vs 2.7%, P < .001). Hernia types (primary, incisional, recurrent) were similar in each group. Operative time (89.7 ± 59.3 vs 97.4 ± 63.4 min, P < .001) became longer but length-of-stay (1.4 ± 3.3 vs 1.1 ± 2.6 days, P < .001) decreased. There was no statistical difference in surgical complications, medical complications, reoperation, or readmission rates between periods. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic VHR has become a routine method for treating incarcerated and strangulated hernias, and its utilization continues to increase over time. Clinical outcomes have remained the same while hospital stays have decreased.

Factors Associated With Respiratory Failure After Open Ventral Hernia Repair: An Evaluation of the NSQIP Database.

An analysis of ACS-NSQIP open ventral hernia repair (OVHR) data (2017-2019) was performed. Respiratory failure (RF) occurred in 643 patients (1%) and not in 63,213 (99%) (nRF). Respiratory failure patients were older (63.7 vs 57 years, P < .001) and more comorbid: insulin-dependent diabetes (14.7% vs 5.8%, P < .001), COPD (19.4% vs 5.2%, P < .001), BMI (36.0 vs 32.8, P < .001), and current tobacco use (24.9% vs 17.6%, P < .001). Respiratory failure patients had greater ASA scores (ASA 3: 63.3% vs 47.8%, P < .001), bowel resection (8.2% vs 1.3%, P < .001), component separation (20.1% vs 9.0%, P < .001), operative times (178.4 vs 98.8 minutes, P < .001), complications (deep wound infections 3.6% vs 1.0%, organ space infections 13.2% vs 1.0%, wound dehiscence 3.1% vs 0.6%, acute renal failure 11.7% vs 0.1%), and hospital stay (13.7 vs 2.3 days), with fewer home discharges (44.3% vs 96.4%) (all P < .001). Respiratory failure patients had higher mortality compared to nRF (20.2% vs 0.1%, P < .001). Respiratory failure after OVHR is rare but correlates closely with significant wound, systemic, and social complications. Preoperative management of risk factors would be appropriate in high-risk patients.