The modern surgeon and competency assessment: are the workplace-based assessments evidence-based?

INTRODUCTION: The assessment of higher surgical training has changed in the last decade or two, with a greater emphasis on work-based assessments (WBAs) to prove competency. The aim of this study was to determine the evidence underpinning the use and number of WBAs in surgical training. METHODS: In July 2013, a systematic electronic literature review was undertaken using PubMed (Medline), Embase, Google Scholar and the Cochrane library. RESULTS: A total of 27 studies met the inclusion criteria of which 25 were observational studies and only five assessed WBAs in a surgical setting. Validity and feasibility in surgical training were assessed in two studies, respectively, with the results suggesting that WBAs maybe neither feasible nor valid in surgical training. The number required to achieve reliability in surgical training was demonstrated to be three in two separate studies. The evidence for the reliability, feasibility and validity of WBAs in other non-surgical fields was conflicting. CONCLUSION: There is a paucity of evidence supporting the use of WBAs as a tool to determine competency in surgical training, and as such, they should only have a limited role in training until more evidence is available. There appears to be no justification or evidence underpinning the use of a specific number of WBAs to determine surgical competency.

The safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery for obese, wheelchair bound patients.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of bariatric surgery performed in order to improve mobility in patients with severe mobility limitations. METHODS: Patients with severe mobility impairment (wheelchair bound) who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgery to improve their mobility were included in this study. Patients were identified between July 2009 and October 2011 using an electronic prospective bariatric database. Mobility was assessed by questionnaire during clinic follow-up appointments. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (11 female, 4 male) with a mean age of 48 years (range: 26-71 years) and a mean body mass index of 46 kg/m(2) (range: 33-54 kg/m(2)) were included. Seven patients (47%) underwent LAGB and eight (53%) LRYGB. The aetiologies of mobility impairment included advanced osteoarthritis (n=6), spinal conditions (n=4), severe bilateral leg oedema and ulceration (n=2), advanced rheumatoid arthritis (n=2) and traumatic paraplegia (n=1). The mean length of hospital stay was 3.8 days. There was no mortality. One patient was lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 14 patients, the mean excess weight loss percentage at a mean of 18.5 months postoperatively was 48% (68% for LRYGB, 20 months; 29% for LAGB, 17 months). Ten patients reported improved mobility. Reduced pain, improved independence and ability to transfer were most commonly cited. Four patients reported no improvement in mobility (three LAGB patients, one LRYGB patient). CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery can safely improve mobility and quality of life in obese patients with severe mobility impairment. Our paper supports the idea that severe mobility impairment should be considered an indication for bariatric surgery in selected patients. LRYGB demonstrated better weight loss and mobility improvement than LAGB. Larger studies are required to establish robust selection criteria for surgery in this group.

Comparison of weight loss achieved after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding between Afro-Caribbean, Caucasian and South Asian adult female patients in a London bariatric centre.

INTRODUCTION: It has been shown that following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures, Afro-Caribbeans achieve poorer weight loss compared with Caucasians. The reasons for this are multifactorial. However, studies have been based on mainly female patients from the US and none to date have been from the UK. Furthermore, South Asians have not previously been compared. The aim of this study was to compare excess weight loss percentage (%EWL) outcomes up to five years following LAGB in Afro-Caribbean, Caucasian and South Asian females in a London-based teaching hospital. METHODS: An analysis was carried out of prospectively collected data of female patients aged ≥16 years of Afro-Caribbean, Caucasian or South Asian origin who underwent LAGB between October 2000 and December 2011. Data included demographics, co-morbidities and anthropometrics. RESULTS: Overall, 596 females underwent LAGB; 316 Caucasians (53.0%), 64 Afro-Caribbeans (10.8%) and 27 South Asians (4.5%) formed the majority of those who disclosed ethnicities. Age and initial body mass index (BMI) were comparable between Afro-Caribbeans and Caucasians (mean BMI: 47.3kg/m²[standard deviation [SD]: 7.5kg/m², range: 37.0-78.3kg/m²] vs 45.8kg/m²[SD: 7.1kg/m², range: 24.7-79.8kg/m²], p=0.225). A non-significant trend suggested less %EWL in Afro-Caribbeans than in Caucasians at 6 months, and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years (21.4% vs 24.4%, p=0.26; 27.4% vs 31.3%, p=0.27; 33.0% vs 36.8%, p=0.15; 39.0% vs 45.8%, p=0.14; 34.2% vs 45.3%, p=0.16; 37.1% vs 47.6%, p=0.67). South Asians and Caucasians had a similar age and preoperative BMI (mean BMI: 43.6kg/m² [range: 32.5-59.1kg/m²] vs 45.8kg/m² [range: 24.7-79.8kg/m²], p=0.08). The %EWL was greatest at three and four years among South Asians although numbers were small (n=4 and n=3 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A non-significant trend suggests poorer weight loss outcomes in Afro-Caribbeans compared with Caucasians in our cohort. Discussion of realistic weight loss outcomes as well as enhanced follow-up and dietary modifications are required for Afro-Caribbean patients. Low numbers prevent definitive conclusions regarding South Asians. Multicentre studies across England are required to better define any differences between ethnicities.

Fatal haemorrhage from varicose veins: is the correct advice being given?

A case report is presented illustrating the occasional sinister nature of varicose veins, revealing the need for assessment of haemorrhage risk of the patient and appropriate advice.