Blue Ribbon Committee II: Report of the Subcommittee on Faculty Development and Educational Support.

The American College of Surgeons, American Board of Surgery, and the American Surgical Association have created a Blue Ribbon Committee II to evaluate the current status of surgical education in the United States. As part of this endeavor, a subcommittee was formed to address issues pertinent to development of surgical faculty as teachers. This entailed multiple discussions among a group of experienced surgical educators, a review of the literature, and a delphi analysis of possible suggested improvements for faculty educational support, resulting in a final set of recommendations for improvement for future surgical faculty development. These recommendations include a task force to establish a validated system of compensation for faculty teaching, a task force to determine an accurate assessment of the value of surgical trainees to health systems, a review by the Surgical Residency Review Committee and the Association of Program Directors in Surgery of minimal faculty resources for program accreditation in the area of teaching learners, collaborative efforts across surgical specialties for the definition of a national curriculum for faculty, and development of a tool for evaluation of faculty teaching performance.

Socioeconomic Factors and Intensive Care Unit-Related Cognitive Impairment.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify socioeconomic and clinical risk factors for post-intensive care unit (ICU)-related long-term cognitive impairment (LTCI). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: After delirium during ICU stay, LTCI has been increasingly recognized, but without attention to socioeconomic factors. METHODS: We enrolled a prospective, multicenter cohort of ICU survivors with shock or respiratory failure from surgical and medical ICUs across 5 civilian and Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals from 2010 to 2016. Our primary outcome was LTCI at 3- and 12 months post-hospital discharge defined by the Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Symptoms (RBANS) global score. Covariates adjusted using multivariable linear regression included age, sex, race, AHRQ socioeconomic index, Charlson comorbidity, Framingham stroke risk, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, duration of coma, delirium, hypoxemia, sepsis, education level, hospital type, insurance status, discharge disposition, and ICU drug exposures. RESULTS: Of 1040 patients, 71% experienced delirium, and 47% and 41% of survivors had RBANS scores >1 standard deviation below normal at 3- and 12 months, respectively. Adjusted analysis indicated that delirium, non-White race, lower education, and civilian hospitals (as opposed to VA), were associated with at least a half standard deviation lower RBANS scores at 3- and 12 months (P ≤ 0.03). Sex, AHRQ socioeconomic index, insurance status, and discharge disposition were not associated with RBANS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic and clinical risk factors, such as race, education, hospital type, and delirium duration, were linked to worse PICS ICU-related, LTCI. Further efforts may focus on improved identification of higher-risk groups to promote survivorship through emerging improvements in cognitive rehabilitation.

Heller myotomy versus Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication for achalasia: long-term symptomatic follow-up of a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Our prior randomized controlled trial of Heller myotomy alone versus Heller plus Dor fundoplication for achalasia from 2000 to 2004 demonstrated comparable postoperative resolution of dysphagia but less gastroesophageal reflux after Heller plus Dor. Patient-reported outcomes are needed to determine whether the findings are sustained long-term. METHODS: We actively engaged participants from the prior randomized cohort, making up to six contact attempts per person using telephone, mail, and electronic messaging. We collected patient-reported measures of dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux using the Dysphagia Score and the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) instrument. Patient-reported re-interventions for dysphagia were verified by obtaining longitudinal medical records. RESULTS: Among living participants, 27/41 (66%) were contacted and all completed the follow-up study at a mean of 11.8 years postoperatively. Median Dysphagia Scores and GERD-HRQL scores were slightly worse for Heller than Heller plus Dor but were not statistically different (6 vs 3, p = 0.08 for dysphagia, 15 vs 13, p = 0.25 for reflux). Five patients in the Heller group and 6 in Heller plus Dor underwent re-intervention for dysphagia with most occurring more than five years postoperatively. One patient in each group underwent redo Heller myotomy and subsequent esophagectomy. Nearly all patients (96%) would undergo operation again. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term patient-reported outcomes after Heller alone and Heller plus Dor for achalasia are comparable, providing support for either procedure.

Cancer Survivorship: Defining the Incidence of Incisional Hernia After Resection for Intra-Abdominal Malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivorship focuses largely on improving quality of life. We aimed to determine the rate of ventral incisional hernia (VIH) formation after cancer resection, with implications for survivorship. METHODS: Patients without prior VIH who underwent abdominal malignancy resections at a tertiary center were followed up to 2 years. Patients with a viewable preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan and CT within 2 years postoperatively were included. Primary outcome was postoperative VIH on CT, reviewed by a panel of surgeons uninvolved with the original operation. Factors associated with VIH were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: 1847 CTs were reviewed among 491 patients (59 % men), with inter-rater reliability 0.85 for the panel. Mean age was 60 ± 12 years; mean follow-up time 13 ± 8 months. VIH occurred in 41 % and differed across diagnoses: urologic/gynecologic (30 %), colorectal (53 %), and all others (56 %) (p < 0.001). Factors associated with VIH (adjusting for stage, age, adjuvant therapy, smoking, and steroid use) included: incision location [flank (ref), midline, hazard ratio (HR) 6.89 (95 %CI 2.43-19.57); periumbilical, HR 6.24 (95 %CI 1.84-21.22); subcostal, HR 4.55 (95 %CI 1.51-13.70)], cancer type [urologic/gynecologic (ref), other {gastrointestinal, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, retroperitoneal, and others} HR 1.86 (95 %CI 1.26-2.73)], laparoscopic-assisted operation [laparoscopic (ref), HR 2.68 (95 %CI 1.44-4.98)], surgical site infection [HR 1.60 (95 %CI 1.08-2.37)], and body mass index [HR 1.06 (95 %CI 1.03-1.08)]. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of VIH after abdominal cancer operations is high. VIH may impact cancer survivorship with pain and need for additional operations. Further studies assessing the impact on QOL and prevention efforts are needed.

Insurance status influences emergent designation in surgical transfers.

BACKGROUND: There is a perception among surgeons that hospitals disproportionately transfer unfavorably insured patients for emergency surgical care. Emergency medical condition (EMC) designation mandates referral center acceptance of patients for whom transfer is requested. We sought to understand whether unfavorably insured patients are more likely to be designated as EMCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patient transfers from a large network of acute care facilities to emergency surgery services at a tertiary referral center from 2009-2013. Insurance was categorized as favorable (commercial or Medicare) or unfavorable (Medicaid or uninsured). The primary outcome, transfer designation as EMC or non-EMC, was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. A secondary analysis evaluated uninsured patients only. RESULTS: There were 1295 patient transfers in the study period. Twenty percent had unfavorable insurance. Favorably insured patients were older with fewer nonwhite, more comorbidities, greater illness severity, and more likely transferred for care continuity. More unfavorably insured patients were designated as EMCs (90% versus 84%, P < 0.01). In adjusted models, there was no association between unfavorable insurance and EMC transfer (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-2.69). Uninsured patients were more likely to be designated as EMCs (OR, 2.27; CI, 1.08-4.77). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that uninsured patients were more likely to be designated as EMCs suggests nonclinical variation that may be mitigated by clearer definitions and increased interfacility coordination to identify patients requiring transfer for EMCs.

Defining intraoperative hypothermia in ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative normothermia, a single measurement of core body temperature≥36°C, is an important quality metric outlined by the World Health Organization for the reduction of surgical site infections (SSIs). Hypothermia has been linked to SSI in colorectal and trauma patients, but the effect in ventral hernia repair (VHR) is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent VHR at a single institution between 2005 and 2012 were included. Temperature data were matched with National Surgical Quality Improvement Program SSI data. Novel definitions of hypothermia were explored: patient temperature nadir, percentage of time spent at the nadir, mean temperature, and time spent <36°C. Multivariable regression models were performed. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-three patients were included with temperature recorded every 8-15 min. Mean temperature nadir was 35.7°C (±1.3°C [standard deviation]) and was not associated with SSI (odds ratio [OR], 0.938; 95% confidence interval, 0.778-1.131). The percentage of readings spent at the nadir was 31% (±31%) and was not predictive of SSI (OR, 1.471; 95% CI, 0.983-2.203). As mean temperature increased, the risk of SSI increased (OR, 1.115; 95% CI, 0.559-2.225). Percentage of temperature readings<36°C was 29% (±38%) and was not associated with SSI (OR, 1.062; 95% CI, 0.628-1.796). In all models, body mass index, smoking, and length of surgery were predictive of SSI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate no association between temperature and SSI in VHR. Efforts to reduce SSI should focus on factors such as smoking cessation, weight loss, and length of surgery. Our study suggests that maintenance of perioperative normothermia may only decrease SSIs in certain at-risk populations.

Surrogate Perception of Disability after Hospitalization for Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: The Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) is a measure of recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Public surveys rate some GOSE states as worse than death. Direct family experience caring for patients with TBI may impact views of post-TBI disability. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a national cross-sectional computer-adaptive survey of surrogates of TBI dependents incurring injury more than 1 year earlier. Using a standard gamble approach in randomized order, surrogates evaluated preferences for post-TBI GOSE states from GOSE 2 (bedridden, unaware) to GOSE 8 (good recovery). We calculated median (interquartile range [IQR]) health utilities for each post-TBI state, ranging from -1 to 1, with 0 as reference (death = GOSE 1), and assessed sociodemographic associations using proportional odds logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Of 515 eligible surrogates, 298 (58%) completed scenarios. Surrogates were median aged 46 (IQR 35 to 60), 54% married, with Santa Clara strength of faith 14 (10 to 18). TBI dependents had a median GOSE5 (3 to 7). Median (IQR) health utility ratings for GOSE 2, GOSE 3, and GOSE 4 were -0.06 (-0.50 to -0.01), -0.01 (-0.30 to 0.45), and 0.30 (-0.01 to 0.80), rated worse than death by 91%, 65%, and 40%, respectively. Surrogates rated GOSE 4 (daily partial help) worse than the general population. Married surrogates rated GOSE 4 higher (p < 0.01). Higher strength of faith was associated with higher utility scores across GOSE states (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: In this index study of surrogate perceptions about disability after TBI, poor neurologic outcomes-vegetative, needing all-day or partial daily assistance-were perceived as worse than death by at least 1 in 3 surrogates. Surrogate perceptions differed from the unexposed public. Long-term perceptions about post-TBI disability may inform earlier, tailored shared decision-making after neurotrauma.

Disease-based mortality after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: utility of the enterprise data warehouse.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) remains a mainstay of enteral access. Thirty-day mortality for PEG has ranged from 16 to 43 %. This study aims to discern patient groups that demonstrate limited survival after PEG placement. The Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) concept allows an efficient means of integrating administrative, clinical, and quality-of-life data. On the basis of this concept, we developed the Vanderbilt Procedural Outcomes Database (VPOD) and analyzed these data for evaluation of post-PEG mortality over time. METHODS: Patients were identified using the VPOD from 2008 to 2010 and followed for 1 year after the procedure. Patients were categorized according to common clinical groups for PEG placement: stroke/CNS tumors, neuromuscular disorders, head and neck cancers, other malignancies, trauma, cerebral palsy, gastroparesis, or other indications for PEG. All-cause mortality at 30, 60, 90, 180, and 360 days was determined by linking VPOD information with the Social Security Death Index. Chi-square analysis was used to determine significance across groups. RESULTS: Nine hundred fifty-three patients underwent PEG placement during the study period. Mortality over time (30-, 60-, 90-, 180-, and 360-day mortality) was greatest for patients with malignancies other than head and neck cancer (29, 45, 57, 66, and 72 %) and least for cerebral palsy or patients with gastroparesis (7 % at all time points). Patients with neuromuscular disorders had a similar mortality curve as head and neck cancer patients. Stroke/CNS tumor patients and patients with other indications had the second highest mortality, while trauma patients had low mortality. CONCLUSIONS: PEG mortality was much higher in patients with malignancies other than head and neck cancer compared to previously published rates. PEG should be used with great caution in this and other high-risk patient groups. This study demonstrates the power of an EDW-based database to evaluate large numbers of patients with clinically meaningful results.

Shared Decision-Making in General Surgery: Prospective Comparison of Telemedicine vs In-Person Visits.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated a shift toward virtual telemedicine appointments with surgeons. While this form of healthcare delivery has potential benefits for both patients and surgeons, the quality of these interactions remains largely unstudied. We hypothesize that telemedicine visits are associated with lower quality of shared decision-making. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a mixed-methods, prospective, observational cohort trial. All patients presenting for a first-time visit at general surgery clinics between May 2021 and June 2022 were included. Patients were categorized by type of visit: in-person vs telemedicine. The primary outcome was the level of shared decision-making as captured by top box scores of the CollaboRATE measure. Secondary outcomes included quality of shared decision-making as captured by the 9-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire and satisfaction with consultation survey. An adjusted analysis was performed accounting for potential confounders. A qualitative analysis of open-ended questions for both patients and practitioners was performed. RESULTS: During a 13-month study period, 387 patients were enrolled, of which 301 (77.8%) underwent in-person visits and 86 (22.2%) underwent telemedicine visits. The groups were similar in age, sex, employment, education, and generic quality-of-life scores. In an adjusted analysis, a visit type of telemedicine was not associated with either the CollaboRATE top box score (odds ratio 1.27; 95% CI 0.74 to 2.20) or 9-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire (ß -0.60; p = 0.76). Similarly, there was no difference in other outcomes. Themes from qualitative patient and surgeon responses included physical presence, time investment, appropriateness for visit purpose, technical difficulties, and communication quality. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, prospective study, there does not appear to be a difference in quality of shared decision making in patients undergoing in-person vs telemedicine appointments.

DNA Structure Design Is Improved Using an Artificially Expanded Alphabet of Base Pairs Including Loop and Mismatch Thermodynamic Parameters.

We show that in silico design of DNA secondary structures is improved by extending the base pairing alphabet beyond A-T and G-C to include the pair between 2-amino-8-(1'-ß-d-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo-[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-(8H)-4-one and 6-amino-3-(1'-ß-d-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-5-nitro-(1H)-pyridin-2-one, abbreviated as P and Z. To obtain the thermodynamic parameters needed to include P-Z pairs in the designs, we performed 47 optical melting experiments and combined the results with previous work to fit free energy and enthalpy nearest neighbor folding parameters for P-Z pairs and G-Z wobble pairs. We find G-Z pairs have stability comparable to that of A-T pairs and should therefore be included as base pairs in structure prediction and design algorithms. Additionally, we extrapolated the set of loop, terminal mismatch, and dangling end parameters to include the P and Z nucleotides. These parameters were incorporated into the RNAstructure software package for secondary structure prediction and analysis. Using the RNAstructure Design program, we solved 99 of the 100 design problems posed by Eterna using the ACGT alphabet or supplementing it with P-Z pairs. Extending the alphabet reduced the propensity of sequences to fold into off-target structures, as evaluated by the normalized ensemble defect (NED). The NED values were improved relative to those from the Eterna example solutions in 91 of 99 cases in which Eterna-player solutions were provided. P-Z-containing designs had average NED values of 0.040, significantly below the 0.074 of standard-DNA-only designs, and inclusion of the P-Z pairs decreased the time needed to converge on a design. This work provides a sample pipeline for inclusion of any expanded alphabet nucleotides into prediction and design workflows.

DNA Structure Design Is Improved Using an Artificially Expanded Alphabet of Base Pairs Including Loop and Mismatch Thermodynamic Parameters.

We show that in silico design of DNA secondary structures is improved by extending the base pairing alphabet beyond A-T and G-C to include the pair between 2-amino-8-(1'-ß-D-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo-[1,2- a ]-1,3,5-triazin-(8 H )-4-one and 6-amino-3-(1'-ß-D-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl)-5-nitro-(1 H )-pyridin-2-one, simply P and Z. To obtain the thermodynamic parameters needed to include P-Z pairs in the designs, we performed 47 optical melting experiments and combined the results with previous work to fit a new set of free energy and enthalpy nearest neighbor folding parameters for P-Z pairs and G-Z wobble pairs. We find that G-Z pairs have stability comparable to A-T pairs and therefore should be considered quantitatively by structure prediction and design algorithms. Additionally, we extrapolated the set of loop, terminal mismatch, and dangling end parameters to include P and Z nucleotides. These parameters were incorporated into the RNAstructure software package for secondary structure prediction and analysis. Using the RNAstructure Design program, we solved 99 of the 100 design problems posed by Eterna using the ACGT alphabet or supplementing with P-Z pairs. Extending the alphabet reduced the propensity of sequences to fold into off-target structures, as evaluated by the normalized ensemble defect (NED). The NED values were improved relative to those from the Eterna example solutions in 91 of 99 cases where Eterna-player solutions were provided. P-Z-containing designs had average NED values of 0.040, significantly below the 0.074 of standard-DNA-only designs, and inclusion of the P-Z pairs decreased the time needed to converge on a design. This work provides a sample pipeline for inclusion of any expanded alphabet nucleotides into prediction and design workflows.

Predicting complicated choledocholithiasis.

INTRODUCTION: Management of choledocholithiasis and its complications is variable and often requires transfer to a specialty facility. This study links patient-specific characteristics with the outcome measure of complicated choledocholithiasis to identify high-risk patients who may require expedited treatment or transfer to a higher level of care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with a discharge diagnosis of choledocholithiasis (CDL) were identified from the 2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Patient characteristics were identified associated with the primary outcome measure of complicated choledocholithiasis (cCDL), defined as acute pancreatitis or cholangitis during the admission for CDL. Predictors of mortality were also evaluated. Analysis was performed using complex-sample univariate and adjusted analyses. RESULTS: We identified 123,990 discharges with a diagnosis of CDL. The overall incidence of CDL was 314 per 100,000 NIS discharges. Forty-one percent of CDL discharges were for cCDL (acute pancreatitis 31%, cholangitis 12%). Risk factors for cCDL included age (risk increased 0.8% per year), male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.2), alcohol abuse (OR 1.5, CI 1.3-1.8), diabetes (OR 1.1, CI 1.0-1.2), hypertension (OR 1.1, CI 1.0-1.2), obesity (OR 1.2, CI 1.1-1.3), nonelective admission (OR 2.3, CI 2.0-2.6), and Asian/Pacific Islander race/ethnicity (OR 1.2, CI 1.0-1.5). Patients with cCDL had increased odds of mortality (OR 1.5, CI 1.2-2.0). CONCLUSIONS: Increased age, nonelective admission, and specific comorbid conditions are associated with cCDL, which has increased mortality. These factors can be used to identify patients needing timely access to treatment or transfer to a higher level of care.

New paradigm for macromolecular crystallography experiments at SSRL: automated crystal screening and remote data collection.

Complete automation of the macromolecular crystallography experiment has been achieved at SSRL through the combination of robust mechanized experimental hardware and a flexible control system with an intuitive user interface. These highly reliable systems have enabled crystallography experiments to be carried out from the researchers' home institutions and other remote locations while retaining complete control over even the most challenging systems. A breakthrough component of the system, the Stanford Auto-Mounter (SAM), has enabled the efficient mounting of cryocooled samples without human intervention. Taking advantage of this automation, researchers have successfully screened more than 200 000 samples to select the crystals with the best diffraction quality for data collection as well as to determine optimal crystallization and cryocooling conditions. These systems, which have been deployed on all SSRL macromolecular crystallography beamlines and several beamlines worldwide, are used by more than 80 research groups in remote locations, establishing a new paradigm for macromolecular crystallography experimentation.

Acquired jejunoileal diverticulosis and its complications: a review of the literature.

Jejunoileal diverticulosis is a rare entity. Jejunoileal diverticulosis is not a disease that surgeons see often in clinical practice; however, it should remain on the differential diagnosis for any patient with an acute abdomen or gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin. It can present with a wide range of clinical scenarios and when patients experience chronic symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, bacterial overgrowth, or malabsorption, medical therapy is successful in most patients. However, when patients present with acute symptoms of bleeding, inflammation, perforation, or obstruction, surgical resection and primary anastomosis is often the treatment of choice. If patients are asymptomatic, they are better left alone, even when discovered incidentally in the operating room. In closing, the possibility of a patient having jejunal diverticular disease should be suspected whenever the symptoms of obscure abdominal pain, anemia, dilated jejunal loops on abdominal radiographs, a history of colonic diverticuli, and a history of acute appendicitis.

Management of colonoscopic perforations: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Perforation during colonoscopy is a rare but well recognized complication with significant morbidity and mortality. We aim to systematically review the currently available literature concerning care and outcomes of colonic perforation. An algorithm is created to guide the practitioner in management of this challenging clinical scenario. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review of the literature based on PRISMA-P guidelines was performed. We evaluate 31 articles focusing on findings over the past 10 years. CONCLUSION: Colonoscopic perforation is a rare event and published management techniques are marked by their heterogeneity. Reliable conclusions are limited by the nature of the data available - mainly single institution, retrospective studies. Consensus conclusions include a higher rate of perforation from therapeutic colonoscopy when compared to diagnostic colonoscopy and the sigmoid as the most common site of perforation. Mortality appears driven by pre-existing conditions. Treatment must be tailored according to the patient's comorbidities and clinical status as well as the specific conditions during the colonoscopy that led to the perforation.

Relief of dysphagia after laparoscopic Heller myotomy improves long-term quality of life.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Quality of life (QoL) is getting more attention in the medical literature. Treatment outcomes are now gauged by their effect on the QoL along with their direct effect on the diseases they are targeting. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of residual dysphagia on QoL after laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia. METHODS: QoL was evaluated using the short-form-36 (SF-36) and postoperative dysphagia was assessed using a dysphagia score. The score (range 0-10) was calculated by combining the frequency of dysphagia (0=never, 1 = < 1 day/wk, 2 = 1 day/wk, 3 = 2-3 days/wk, 4 = 4-6 days/wk, 5=daily) with the severity (0=none, 1=very mild, 2=mild, 3=moderate, 4=moderately severe, 5=severe). Patients were classified in the Nonresponder group when their dysphagia score was in the upper quartile. RESULTS: Questionnaires were mailed to 110 patients. The overall response rate was 91% with 100 patients (54 female) returning the questionnaires. The average follow-up was 3.3 years. There was a significative inverse correlation between dysphagia score and mental component (P = 0.0001) and total SF-36 (P = 0.001) scores. According to their postoperative dysphagia scores, 77 patients were assigned to the Responder Group and 23 patients to the Nonresponder Group. The two groups were similar in terms of age, gender, rate of fundoplication, and length of follow-up. Mental component and total SF-36 scores were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the Responder group. Successful relief of dysphagia after Heller myotomy was associated with health-related quality of life scores that were 13 higher in Vitality (P < 0.05), 11 points higher in mental health (P < 0.05), and 12 points higher in General Health (P < 0.05). Overall patient satisfaction with surgical outcome was 92%, with only eight patients not satisfied with the surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy offers excellent long-term relief of achalasia-related symptoms, namely dysphagia, and this was projected on a significant improvement in quality of life and patient satisfaction.

Resection of benign duodenal neoplasms.

Primary small bowel neoplasms (PSBN) are uncommon, accounting for less than 15 per cent of all gastrointestinal tumors. Benign duodenal neoplasms (BDN) are rare, comprising only 10 to 20 per cent of all PSBN. The treatment is generally surgical resection ranging from local excision to pancreaticoduodenectomy depending on size, location, and number of lesions. Patients undergoing surgical treatment for BDN at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from July 1984 to April 2006, were identified and reviewed retrospectively. Medical records were examined for demographics, operative details, results, and complications. Twenty-six patients were identified of which 56 per cent were male and the mean age was 56 +/- 14 years. Lesions were found throughout the duodenum, but the majority (62%) were ampullary. Nearly 75 per cent were adenomas, including over half with dysplasia. Operative interventions and complication rates were: duodenal resection with primary anastomosis (n=3, 0%), local excision (n=6, 50%), ampullary resection (n=10, 30%), and pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=7, 86%). There were no reoperations or mortalities. Mean followup was 14 months. BDN are an increasingly common problem in an era of frequent use of upper endoscopy. The surgical management of these lesions must be tailored to their size, number, location, and malignant potential. A wide variety of surgical procedures can be performed with acceptable morbidity.

Does Management of True Aneurysms of Peripancreatic Arteries Require Repair of Associated Celiac Artery Stenosis?

BACKGROUND: True aneurysms of the gastroduodenal (GDA) and pancreaticoduodenal (PDA) arteries have been attributed to increased collateral flow due to tandem celiac artery stenosis or occlusion. Although GDA and PDA aneurysm exclusion is recommended because of the high reported risk of rupture, it remains uncertain whether simultaneous celiac artery reconstruction is necessary to preserve end-organ flow. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted from 1996 to 2015 with true aneurysms of the GDA or PDA. RESULTS: Twenty patients with true aneurysms of the PDA (n = 16) or GDA (n = 4) were identified. Mean age was 61.5 years (range 35 to 85 years) and 11 (55%) were women. Nine (45%) presented with rupture, 8 (40%) presented with pain, and 3 (15%) were asymptomatic. All 9 patients who presented with rupture had contained retroperitoneal hematomas, and none experienced rebleeding. Fifteen (75%) patients had an associated celiac artery >60% stenosis or occlusion, and 2 (10%) had both celiac and superior mesenteric artery stenoses. Thirteen (65%) patients underwent successful endovascular coiling, only 1 of which had a prophylactic celiac artery bypass. Three (15%) patients underwent open aneurysm exclusion and celiac bypass, and 4 (20%) others were observed. There were no aneurysm-related deaths in this series, and none of the patients who underwent coiling without celiac revascularization had hepatic ischemia or other mesenteric morbidity develop during a median follow-up of 6 months (maximum 200 months). CONCLUSIONS: Gastroduodenal artery and PDA aneurysms present most commonly with pain or bleeding, and all should be considered for repair, regardless of size. Aneurysm exclusion is safely and effectively achieved with endovascular coiling. Although associated celiac artery stenosis is found in the majority of cases, celiac revascularization might not be necessary.

Identifying Futile Interfacility Surgical Transfers.

Surgeons perceive that some surgical transfers are futile, but the incidence and risk factors of futile transfer are not quantified. Identifying futile interfacility transfers could save cost and undue burdens to patients and families. We sought to describe the incidence and factors associated with futile transfers. We conducted a retrospective cohort study from 2009 to 2013 including patients transferred to a tertiary referral center for general or vascular surgical care. Futile transfers were defined as resulting in death or hospice discharge within 72 hours of transfer without operative, endoscopic, or radiologic intervention. One per cent of patient transfers were futile (27/1696). Characteristics of futile transfers included older age, higher comorbidity burden and illness severity, vascular surgery admission, Medicare insurance, and surgeon documentation of end-stage disease as a factor in initial decision-making. Among futile transfers, 82 per cent were designated as do not resuscitate (vs 9% of nonfutile, P < 0.01), and 59 per cent received a palliative care consult (vs 7%, P < 0.01). A small but salient proportion of transferred patients undergo deliberate care de-escalation and early death or hospice discharge without intervention. Efforts to identify such patients before transfer through improved communication between referring and accepting surgeons may mitigate burdens of transfer and facilitate more comfortable deaths in patients' local communities.