Risk of Lobular Neoplasia Upgrade with Synchronous Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and classic lobular carcinoma in situ encompass a spectrum of proliferative lesions known as lobular neoplasia (LN). When imaging-concordant and found in isolation on core needle biopsy (CNB), LN infrequently upgrades to carcinoma on surgical excision, and routine excision is not indicated. Upgrade rates in the setting of synchronous carcinoma are not well studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with radiology-pathology concordant synchronous LN and separately biopsied ipsilateral (n = 35) or contralateral (n = 15) carcinoma who underwent excision between 2010 and 2021 were retrospectively identified. Frequency of upgrade, to either invasive or in situ carcinoma, was quantified, and factors associated with upgrade were assessed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The median age was 55 (range 33-74) years. The upgrade rate of LN was 6% and not significantly different between ipsilateral (2.9%) and contralateral (13.3%) carcinoma (p = 0.15). All upgraded LN lesions were ALH on CNB and detected as non-mass enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). No additional disease was demonstrated after excision at the site of the original LN CNB in 22.9% (8 out of 35) of ipsilateral and 13.3% (2 out of 15) of contralateral patients. Upgrade was not associated with family history, menopausal status, imaging modality used to detect LN, or extent of LN on CNB (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate a low upgrade rate (6%) in our study cohort of LN with synchronous ipsilateral or contralateral carcinoma, which suggests that not all LN mandates excision with synchronous carcinoma. Larger, multi-institution studies are needed to validate these findings.

When cardiomyopathy, cancer, and COVID-19 collide: A case report.

Malignancy has historically prohibited solid organ transplant; however, patients with effectively treated, favorable-risk cancers should not necessarily be eliminated as transplant candidates. These cases require careful review by a multidisciplinary team. Here, we report the case of a woman with end-stage heart failure undergoing heart transplant evaluation during the COVID pandemic who was found to have early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Given her favorable cancer-related prognosis, a multidisciplinary committee recommended lumpectomy, accelerated partial breast irradiation, and adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy for definitive treatment to allow for consideration of orthotopic heart transplant.

Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis, Version 3.2018, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

The NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis have been developed to facilitate clinical decision making. This manuscript discusses the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with suspected breast cancer due to either abnormal imaging and/or physical findings. For breast cancer screening recommendations, please see the full guidelines on NCCN.org.

Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: A Population-Based Retrospective Analysis from 2005 to 2012 in the National Cancer Data Base.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) has been shown to reduce the risk of second breast cancer events in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). There is no population-level evaluation of AET use in DCIS patients after standardized reporting of estrogen receptor (ER) status in cancer registries in 2004. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with DCIS in the National Cancer Data Base between 2005 and 2012. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics as well as temporal trends associated with receipt of AET were evaluated by generalized linear regression. RESULTS: Among 206,255 DCIS patients, 36.5% received AET. Fewer than half of ER-positive patients (n = 62,146, 46.4%) received AET, with a modest but significant increase over time (43.6% in 2005 to 47.5% in 2012; unadjusted p trend <0.001). AET decreased among ER-negative patients (8.9-6.5%, p trend <0.001) over the same time period. On multivariate analysis, younger (<40 years) and older (≥70 years) women were less likely to receive AET than 50- to 59-year-old women (<40 years: relative risk 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.82-0.89; ≥70 years: relative risk 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.77-0.81). ER-positive status conferred a 6.15-fold higher likelihood of receiving AET compared to ER-negative status (95% confidence interval 5.81-6.50). Women who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with adjuvant radiotherapy were most likely to receive AET. CONCLUSIONS: Receipt of AET is relatively low in the group of women most likely to benefit from its use, namely ER-positive patients who underwent BCS. Significant variation exists with respect to patient, tumor, site, and treatment factors. More tolerable drugs or clearer guideline recommendations may increase use.

Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma In Situ: Radiologic-Pathologic Features and Clinical Management.

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS) is an unusual variant of LCIS for which optimal management remains unclear. METHODS: We conducted a 15-year (2000-2014) retrospective chart review of the radiologic, pathologic, clinical management, and recurrence rates of patients with PLCIS on diagnostic biopsy. Fifty-one patients were found to have PLCIS either alone or with concomitant breast cancer. Of these, 23 were found to have pure PLCIS on diagnostic biopsy. Rates of upstaging after local excision, positive or close margins, mastectomy, and recurrence associated with pure pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ were examined. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients who underwent surgical excision following diagnostic biopsy, 33.3 % (7/21) were found to have invasive carcinoma, and 19 % (4/23) were found to have ductal carcinoma in situ. Extensive or multifocal PLCIS was present in 47.6 % (10/21) of patients, corresponding to at least one PLCIS-positive or close margin in 71.4 % (15/21). In total, there were 11 local re-excisions in nine patients, and 12 mastectomies. No ipsilateral breast cancer events have occurred, including in those with positive or close surgical margins (mean follow-up 4.1 years). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with isolated PLCIS on diagnostic biopsy are at high risk of upgrading to invasive cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ at diagnostic excision. PLCIS often is extensive, with high rates of positive or close surgical resection margins. If negative PLCIS margins are pursued, rates of successful breast conservation are low. In light of this and low recurrence rates, caution should be exercised in aggressively treating PLCIS with excision to clear margins.

Association of Residency Applicants' Hobbies and Subsequent Technical Proficiency Ratings as General Surgery Chief Residents: A Multi-Institutional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether participation in certain hobbies (e.g., participation in sports, playing musical instruments, or other hobbies requiring fine motor skills), preresidency, are associated with higher technical skills ratings at the time of residency graduation. DESIGN: Faculty members from 14 general surgery residency programs scored individual graduates from 2017 to 2020 on their technical skills using a 5-point Likert scale. Hobbies for these residents were collected from their Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) data. A single reviewer classified each ERAS hobby into predefined categories including musical instruments, sports requiring hand-eye coordination, team sports, and activities necessitating hand-eye coordination. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for the relationship between each category of hobby-as well as the total number of hobbies in each category-and the outcome of surgical faculty ratings of residents' technical surgical skills during their last year of residency. A proportional odds model including the above predictive variables was also fit to the data. SETTING: Fourteen general surgery residency programs. PARTICIPANTS: General surgery residency graduates from 14 different programs from 2017 to 2020. RESULTS: There were 296 residents across 14 institutions. The average ranking of residents' technical skills was 3.24 (SD 1.1). A total of 40% of residents played sports involving hand-eye coordination, 31% played team sports, 28% participated in nonsport hobbies that require eye-hand coordination, and 20% played musical instruments. Correlation coefficients were not statistically significant for any of the categories. In the proportional odds model, none of the variables were associated with statistically significant increased odds of a higher technical skills rating. CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between general surgery chief residents' technical skills as rated by faculty, and self-reported pre-residency hobbies on the ERAS application. These findings suggest such hobbies prior to residency are unlikely to predict future technical skills prowess.

Lobular in-situ neoplasia on breast core needle biopsy: imaging indication and pathologic extent can identify which patients require excisional biopsy.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of lobular in-situ neoplasia (LN) identified by core needle biopsy (CNB) is currently variable. Our institution has routinely excised LN on CNB since 2003, allowing for an unbiased assessment of upgrade rates. METHODS: Cases of LN on CNB, including atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and lobular carcinoma-in-situ (LCIS), were identified in our pathology database. CNBs with concurrent pleomorphic LCIS, ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS), and invasive carcinoma were excluded. Imaging indication/modality, biopsy indication, and radiologic concordance were determined. Pathology review included scoring total foci of LN in each CNB. Upgrade rates to invasive carcinoma or DCIS at excision were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 106 cases of LN (73 ALH and 33 LCIS) on CNB were identified. Thirty patients had concurrent atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) and 76 had LN alone; 93 (88%) of the patients had available surgical follow-up (25 LN + ADH and 68 LN alone). The upgrade rate at excision was 16% (4 of 25) for LN + ADH and 4.4% (3 of 68) for LN alone. Patients with LN alone and discordant imaging, imaging for high-risk indications, or extensive LCIS (>4 foci) accounted for all the upgrades. Normal-risk patients who underwent biopsy to assess calcifications found by routine mammographic screening with LN alone did not result in upgrade. CONCLUSIONS: Women with a CNB diagnosis of LN for calcifications found on routine, normal-risk mammographic screening have a negligible risk of upgrade and may not require excisional biopsy. However, excisional biopsy should be offered to women undergoing imaging for other indications or with >4 foci of LN on CNB.

Exploring the Influence of Gender on Surgical Clerkship Grades and Test Scores: A Single Institution, Multisite Comparison.

OBJECTIVE: General surgery remains a male-dominated specialty. Women constitute 54% of medical students at the University of Washington, but only 3.4% of full professors within the Department of Surgery. Many believe surgical attrition and "the leaky pipeline" starts during medical school clerkships, but the exact deterrents remain undefined. This study examined the impact of gender on grading during the third-year surgical clerkship. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of confidential final clerkship grades, examination scores and subjective clerkship grades was conducted. These were compared by gender, time period, and type of clerkship site. Chi-square analyses were performed. SETTING: Clerkship sites across multiple academic (n = 6) and nonacademic (n = 14) locations. PARTICIPANTS: All third-year medical students undergoing a core surgical clerkship over 2 time periods-2007 to 2010 (period 1) and 2016 to 2019 (period 2)-were included. RESULTS: There were 539 medical students in period 1 and 792 in period 2. The percentage of women was stable over time (52.0% vs 54.2%, p = 0.43). Final clerkship grades of Honors increased significantly from period 1 to 2 (22.3% vs 44.3%, p < 0.0001) and was similarly distributed by gender (women: 21.4% vs 48.0%, p < 0.0001; men 23.2% vs 39.9%, p < 0.0001). Honors on examinations remained stable over time and did not differ by gender. Women earned more final clerkship honors than men at academic sites in period 2 (48.4% vs 30.9%, p < 0.001). This finding was not identified in period 1, nor at nonacademic sites. CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in surgical clerkship honors over the past decade, independent of gender. Women attained more clinical and final clerkship honors than men and similar exam grades as time progressed, suggesting that gender bias in the subjective grading of women at this institution does not directly contribute to the loss of talented women as they progress from medical student to faculty within the department, with said gender imbalance not related to clerkship evaluations.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical student education: Implementation and outcome of a virtual general surgery curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical schools were forced to adapt clinical curricula. The University of Washington School of Medicine created a hybrid in person and virtual general surgery clerkship. METHODS: The third year general surgery clerkship was modified to a 4-week in person and 2-week virtual clerkship to accommodate the same number of learners in less time. All students completed a survey to assess the impact of the virtual clerkship. RESULTS: The students preferred faculty lectures over national modules in the virtual clerkship. 58.6% indicated they would prefer the virtual component before the in-person experience. There was no change from previous years in final grades or clerkship exam scores after this hybrid curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: If the need for a virtual general surgery curriculum arises again in the future, learners value this experience at the beginning of the clerkship and prefer faculty lectures over national modules.

Characteristics Associated With Outstanding General Surgery Residency Graduate Performance, as Rated by Surgical Educators.

Importance: Characteristics of outstanding graduating surgical residents are currently undefined. Identifying these qualities may be important in guiding resident selection and resident education. Objective: To determine characteristics that are most strongly associated with being rated as an outstanding graduating surgical resident. Design, Setting, and Participants: The multi-institutional study had 3 phases. First, an expert panel developed a list of characteristics embodied by top graduating surgical residents. Second, groups of faculty from 14 US general-surgery residency programs ranked 2017 through 2020 graduates into quartiles of overall performance. Third, faculty evaluated their graduates on each characteristic using a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using Spearman rank-order correlation to identify which individual characteristics were associated with overall graduate performance. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) ordinal regression was performed to select a parsimonious model to predict the outcome of overall performance rating from individual characteristic scores. Main Outcome and Measures: Surgical educators' rankings of general surgery residency graduates' overall performance. Results: Fifty faculty from 14 US residency programs with a median of 13 (range, 5-30) years of surgical education experience evaluated 297 general surgery residency graduates. Surgical educators identified 21 characteristics that they believed outstanding graduating surgical residents possessed. Two hundred ninety-seven surgical residency graduates were evaluated. Higher scores in every characteristic correlated with better overall performance. Characteristics most strongly associated with higher overall performance scores were surgical judgment (r = 0.728; P < .001), leadership (r = 0.726; P < .001), postoperative clinical skills (r = 0.715; P < .001), and preoperative clinical skills (r = 0.707; P < .001). The remainder of the characteristics were moderately associated with overall performance. The LASSO regression model identified 3 characteristics from which overall resident performance could be accurately predicted without measuring other qualities: surgical judgment (odds ratio [OR] per 1 level of 5-level Likert scale OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03-1.51), leadership (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06-1.48), and medical knowledge (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.33). Conclusions and Relevance: All individual characteristics identified by surgical educators as being qualities of outstanding graduating surgical residents were positively associated with overall graduate performance. Surgical judgment and leadership skills had the strongest individual associations. Assessment of only 3 qualities (surgical judgment, leadership, and medical knowledge) were required to predict overall resident performance ratings. These findings highlight the importance of developing specific surgical judgment and leadership skills curricula and assessments during surgical residency.

Factors Associated With General Surgery Residents' Operative Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: The suspension of elective operations in March 2020 to prepare for the COVID-19 surge posed significant challenges to resident education. To mitigate the potential negative effects of COVID-19 on surgical education, it is important to quantify how the pandemic influenced resident operative volume. Objective: To examine the association of the pandemic with general surgical residents' operative experience by postgraduate year (PGY) and case type and to evaluate if certain institutional characteristics were associated with a greater decline in surgical volume. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective review included residents' operative logs from 3 consecutive academic years (2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020) from 16 general surgery programs. Data collected included total major cases, case type, and PGY. Faculty completed a survey about program demographics and COVID-19 response. Data on race were not collected. Operative volumes from March to June 2020 were compared with the same period during 2018 and 2019. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test adjusted for within-program correlations. Main Outcome and Measures: Total major cases performed by each resident during the first 4 months of the pandemic. Results: A total of 1368 case logs were analyzed. There was a 33.5% reduction in total major cases performed in March to June 2020 compared with 2018 and 2019 (45.0 [95% CI, 36.1-53.9] vs 67.7 [95% CI, 62.0-72.2]; P < .001), which significantly affected every PGY. All case types were significantly reduced in 2020 except liver, pancreas, small intestine, and trauma cases. There was a 10.2% reduction in operative volume during the 2019-2020 academic year compared with the 2 previous years (192.3 [95% CI, 178.5-206.1] vs 213.8 [95% CI, 203.6-223.9]; P < .001). Level 1 trauma centers (49.5 vs 68.5; 27.7%) had a significantly lower reduction in case volume than non-level 1 trauma centers (33.9 vs 63.0; 46%) (P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study of operative logs of general surgery residents in 16 US programs from 2017 to 2020, the first 4 months of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant reduction in operative experience, which affected every PGY and most case types. Level 1 trauma centers were less affected than non-level 1 centers. If this trend continues, the effect on surgical training may be even more detrimental.

A multi-institutional study assessing general surgery faculty teaching evaluations.

BACKGROUND: Resident evaluation of faculty teaching is an important metric in general surgery training, however considerable variability in faculty teaching evaluation (FE) instruments exists. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-two general surgery programs provided their FE and program demographics. Three clinical education experts performed blinded assessment of FEs, assessing adherence 2018 ACGME common program standards and if the FE was meaningful. RESULTS: Number of questions per FE ranged from 1 to 29. The expert assessments demonstrated that no evaluation addressed all 5 ACGME standards. There were significant differences in the FEs effectiveness of assessing the 5 ACGME standards (p < 0.001), with teaching abilities and professionalism rated the highest and scholarly activities the lowest. CONCLUSION: There was wide variation between programs regarding FEs development and adhered to ACGME standards. Faculty evaluation tools consistently built around all suggested ACGME standards may allow for a more accurate and useful assessment of faculty teaching abilities to target professional development.

The Radiologist's Role in a Breast Multidisciplinary Tumor Board.

Breast multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) play an important role in determining treatment. This article serves as a guide for the radiologist participating in a breast MTB, as the information presented at MTB can significantly influence treatment plans and dictate future steps for further patient work-up. Multidisciplinary tumor board preparation involves a careful review of the patient's history while gathering all relevant imaging studies, and reinterpreting them when appropriate. Presented images should be carefully selected, annotated, and displayed clearly before providing final recommendations for localization and incompletely assessed findings. Anatomic staging factors from the AJCC Breast Cancer Staging System, such as tumor size and degree of suspected skin involvement, should be described. In addition, there are many other types of information that the treatment specialists want to know. The surgeon is interested in anatomic information that will help them decide whether breast conservation therapy is feasible or if local structures, such as the nipple, can be spared. The radiation oncologist may need to know whether accelerated partial breast irradiation is feasible or if postmastectomy radiation therapy is indicated. The medical oncologist is looking for factors that may provide an indication for neoadjuvant therapy and ensuring there is a reliable follow-up method for evaluating the response to treatment, such as comparative MRI. Additionally, all specialists need to know the extent of suspected nodal involvement. By clearly and comprehensively presenting this information to the rest of the MTB team, the radiologist provides a vital contribution that guides treatment and ensures adherence to clinical guidelines.

Investigating Association Between Sex and Faculty Teaching Evaluation in General Surgery Residency Programs: A Multi-Institutional Study.

BACKGROUND: In specialties with gender imbalance, such as general surgery, women faculty frequently receive lower teaching evaluation scores compared with men, which can affect academic advancement. STUDY DESIGN: We collected 1 year of anonymous resident-derived faculty teaching evaluations from 21 general surgery programs, along with resident, faculty, and department leadership gender complement. A composite evaluation score was calculated for each faculty. After accounting for within-program correlations, we compared male and female scores using the cluster-adjusted t-test to describe the respective mean differences with a 95% CI. Programs were divided into quartiles based on percent female faculty, female residents, and combined total females to detect associations between female representation and faculty teaching evaluation scores. RESULTS: The 21 programs yielded 20,187 teaching evaluations of 1,177 faculty. Women comprised 28% of the faculty, 47% of residents, 43% of program directors, and 19% of department chairs. Overall, women faculty had significantly higher evaluation scores than men (90.6% vs 89.5%, p < 0.05). Female gender was associated with higher teaching evaluation scores compared with male faculty in the lowest quartiles for all combinations of women representation. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-institutional analysis of general surgical resident evaluations of faculty identified that female gender was associated with higher evaluation scores than men (although the difference was small). This unanticipated finding might reflect the slowly changing gender balance within general surgery and attitudes towards female faculty in a traditionally male-dominated field. Contrary to our hypothesis, female gender was associated with higher faculty evaluation scores at programs with fewer women faculty and fewer women residents.

Influence of Student Loan Debt on General Surgery Resident Career and Lifestyle Decision-Making.

BACKGROUND: The average medical school debt in 2011 was $170,000, and by 2017 it increased to $190,000. High debt burden has been shown to affect career choices for residents in primary care specialties; however, it has not been well studied among surgical residents. The purpose of this multi-institutional study was to assess the amount of debt among general surgery residents and its effects on their career and lifestyle decisions. STUDY DESIGN: Surveys were distributed to 607 categorical general surgery residents at 19 different residency programs. Degree of debt was assessed and responses compared. RESULTS: Overall, 427 (70.3%) residents completed the survey, 317 (74.2%) of whom reported having student loan debt. Of those with debt, 262 (82.6%) believed that repaying debt was a significant financial burden in residency, 248 (78.3%) thought it would remain a burden after residency, 210 (66.2%) believed their debt would influence their future job choice, and 225 (71%) thought their debt would delay their ability to buy a home. Debt did not affect decisions to get married or have children. There were 109 (25.6%) residents with no debt, 131 (30.8%) with <$200,000, 103 (24.2%) with $200,000 to $300,000, and 83 (19.5%) with >$300,000. Residents with high debt were less likely to feel financially secure now (p < 0.0001) and when thinking about their future (p < 0.0001). They also had higher minimum starting salary goals (p = 0.002) and were less likely to have had assistance paying for their education (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical residents believe their debt is a significant financial burden. Furthermore, high debt significantly influences their financial security, practice location, and salary goals.

Career Goals, Salary Expectations, and Salary Negotiation Among Male and Female General Surgery Residents.

Importance: In general surgery, women earn less money and hold fewer leadership positions compared with their male counterparts. Objective: To assess whether differences exist between the perspectives of male and female general surgery residents on future career goals, salary expectations, and salary negotiation that may contribute to disparity later in their careers. Design, Setting, and Participants: This study was based on an anonymous and voluntary survey sent to 19 US general surgery programs. A total of 606 categorical residents at general surgery programs across the United States received the survey. Data were collected from August through September 2017 and analyzed from September through December 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Comparison of responses between men and women to detect any differences in career goals, salary expectation, and perspectives toward salary negotiation at a resident level. Results: A total of 427 residents (70.3%) responded, and 407 responses (230 male [58.5%]; mean age, 30.0 years [95% CI, 29.8-30.4 years]) were complete. When asked about salary expectation, female residents had lower expectations compared with men in minimum starting salary ($249 502 [95% CI, $236 815-$262 190] vs $267 700 [95% CI, $258 964-$276 437]; P = .003) and in ideal starting salary ($334 709 [95% CI, $318 431-$350 987] vs $364 663 [95% CI, $351 612-$377 715]; P < .001). Women also had less favorable opinions about salary negotiation. They were less likely to believe they had the tools to negotiate (33 of 177 [18.6%] vs 73 of 230 [31.7%]; P = .03) and were less likely to pursue other job offers as an aid in negotiating a higher salary (124 of 177 [70.1%] vs 190 of 230 [82.6%]; P = .01). Female residents were also less likely to be married (61 of 177 [34.5%] vs 116 of 230 [50.4%]; P = .001), were less likely to have children (25 of 177 [14.1%] vs 57 of 230 [24.8%]; P = .008), and believed they would have more responsibility at home than their significant other (77 of 177 [43.5%] vs 35 of 230 [15.2%]; P < .001). Men and women anticipated working the same number of hours, expected to retire at the same age, and had similar interest in holding leadership positions, having academic careers, and pursuing research. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found no difference in overall career goals between male and female residents; however, female residents' salary expectations were lower, and they viewed salary negotiation less favorably. Given the current gender disparities in salary and leadership within surgery, strategies are needed to help remedy this inequity.

Real-time Visualization of Breast Carcinoma in Pathology Specimens From Patients Receiving Fluorescent Tumor-Marking Agent Tozuleristide.

CONTEXT.­: Resection of breast carcinoma with adequate margins reduces the risk of local recurrence and reoperation. Tozuleristide (BLZ-100) is an investigational peptide-fluorophore agent that may aid in intraoperative tumor detection and margin assessment. In this study, fluorescence imaging was conducted ex vivo on gross breast pathology specimens. OBJECTIVES.­: To determine the potential of tozuleristide to detect breast carcinoma in fresh pathology specimens and the feasibility of fluorescence-guided intraoperative pathology assessment of surgical margins. DESIGN.­: Twenty-three patients received an intravenous bolus dose of 6 or 12 mg of tozuleristide at least 1 hour before surgery. Fifteen lumpectomy and 12 mastectomy specimens were evaluated for fluorescence by the site's clinical pathology staff using the SIRIS, an investigational near-infrared imaging device. The breast tissue was then processed per usual procedures. Fluorescent patterns were correlated with the corresponding hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections. Clinical pathology reports were used to correlate fluorescent signal to grade, histotype, prognostic marker status, and margin measurements. RESULTS.­: Tozuleristide fluorescence was readily observed in invasive and in situ breast carcinoma specimens. Most invasive carcinomas were bright and focal, whereas in situ lesions demonstrated a less intense, more diffuse pattern. Tozuleristide was detected in ductal and lobular carcinomas with a similar fluorescent pattern. Fluorescence was detected in high- and low-grade lesions, and molecular marker/hormone receptor status did not affect signal. Fluorescence could be used to identify the relationship of carcinoma to margins intraoperatively. CONCLUSIONS.­: Tumor targeting with tozuleristide allowed visual real-time distinction between pathologically confirmed breast carcinoma and normal tissue.

Factors associated with general surgery residents' decisions regarding fellowship and subspecialty stratified by burnout and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Although most surgery residents pursue fellowships, data regarding those decisions are limited. This study describes associations with interest in fellowship and specific subspecialties. METHODS: Anonymous surveys were distributed to 607 surgery residents at 19 US programs. Subspecialties were stratified by levels of burnout and quality of life using data from recent studies. RESULTS: 407 (67%) residents responded. 372 (91.4%) planned to pursue fellowship. Fellowship interest was lower among residents who attended independent or small programs, were married, or had children. Residents who received AOA honors or were married were less likely to choose high burnout subspecialties (trauma/vascular). Residents with children were less likely to choose low quality of life subspecialties (trauma/transplant/cardiothoracic). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery residents' interest in fellowship and specific subspecialties are associated with program type and size, AOA status, marital status, and having children. Variability in burnout and quality of life between subspecialties may affect residents' decisions.

Intraoperative loss of core biopsy clips: clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the occurrence of intraoperative loss of metallic marking clips placed during image-guided biopsy and to hypothesize the likely mechanism of this clinical problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2003 through December 2004, patients presenting for preoperative mammographic localization and operative excision of biopsy site marking clips were identified. Age, method of image-guided biopsy, number of excised specimens, and tissue diagnosis were determined. Specimen radiographs were used to identify cases of suspected intraoperative clip loss. Clips absent on specimen radiographs and postoperative mammograms were defined as lost intraoperatively. Biopsy site marking clips, surgical clips, and suction device apertures were measured. RESULTS: In 78 surgical procedures performed during the study period, three (3.8%) of the patients experienced clip loss. Specimen radiographs confirmed the absence of clips in all submitted tissues. A median of four (range, three to five) separate biopsy specimens were excised among these three cases. A healing biopsy site from the stereotactic biopsy preceding the clip placement procedure was confirmed in all cases. Absence of the metallic clip was confirmed on postoperative mammograms. The apertures of two types of suction device were four and two times those of the biopsy clips. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative loss of metallic clips placed at the conclusion of image-guided breast biopsy is unusual but can occur during subsequent surgical excision. Repeated inability to locate the clip on specimen radiographs after accurate preoperative localization should raise the suspicion that the target clip has been lost, not missed, during surgery, likely because of inadvertent removal of the clip with the suction device.