Surgical training; destination unknown?

Background A surgical fellowship allows both additional training as well as maintenance of surgical skills while searching for a steady job. As the presence of fellows usually does not results in a measurably higher productivity, fellowshipsmay be considered a form of disguised unemployment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the career flow of a surgical trainee to a staff position and to determine the number of surgeons working on temporary basis within the general surgery workforce in Flanders.Methods All surgeons graduated in Flanders between 2000 and 2022 were invited to fill out a web-based survey concerning their current and past employment. Reminders were sent out after 2 and 4 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 27.0 (IBM Inc., Chicago, IL, USA.)Results Response rate was 64% (292/457) with 76% of respondents currently working as surgeons, 14% (38) as fellows and 10% working outside the surgical domain. Eighty-two percent of current fellows graduated in 2019 or later. Thirty-one percent of surgeons graduated in 2019 are still working as fellows. For surgeons graduated in 2020, 2021 and 2022 this is 45%, 80% and 90% respectively. Compared to staff surgeons the number of additional training years (2,8 ± 1,0 vs 2,2 ± 1,3; p = 0,009). and the number of applications (6,6 ± 5 vs 3,3 ± 3; p < 0,001) is significantly higher for current fellowsConclusion This study shows that disguised unemployment is present in the general surgical community in Flanders. The status of "fellow" should be incorporated in calculations concerning future needs of the surgical workforce in order to prevent open unemployment.

Benefits and barriers to accreditation of HPB center and fellowship programs in Europe: a strength-weakness-opportunity-and-threats (SWOT) analysis by an E-AHPBA-ESSO-UEMS ad hoc working committee.

BACKGROUND: Training in HPB surgery lacks uniformity across regions covered by the E-AHPBA. Accreditation has been in place for centers and fellowship programs, but with low uptake. The decision whether to continue, change or cease such accreditation is being discussed. Thus, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted. METHODS: A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study among stakeholders in E-AHPBA, ESSO and UEMS under the E-AHPBA executive council was founded, ensuring representation by gender and geographic distribution. RESULTS: Responses were collected from across E-AHPBA regions, with response from 15 of 24 subchapters. The most frequent and recurring themes are presented in a SWOT matrix which allows for paired evaluations of factors deemed to be helpful (Strengths and Opportunities), those that are harmful (Weaknesses and Threats). CONCLUSION: This study identified both helpful and harmful effects to an accreditation process of HPB centers or HPB fellowship training across the E-AHPBA membership region. Formal accreditation of centers is not within the scope, nor jurisdiction nor financial capacity for E-AHPBA in the current situation. A strong interest in formal HPB training should be capitalized into E-AHPBA strategic planning towards a structured accreditation system for HPB fellowship programs or HPB training tracks.

ENGINE-An EHS Project for Future Guidelines.

Clinical guidelines are evidence-based recommendations developed by healthcare organizations or expert panels to assist healthcare providers and patients in making appropriate and reliable decisions regarding specific health conditions, aiming to enhance the quality of healthcare by promoting best practices, reducing variations in care, and at the same time, allowing tailored clinical decision-making. European Hernia Society (EHS) guidelines aim to provide surgeons a reliable set of answers to their pertinent clinical questions and a tool to base their activity as experts in the management of abdominal wall defects. The traditional approach to guideline production is based on gathering key opinion leader in a particular field, to address a number of key questions, appraising papers, presenting evidence and produce final recommendations based on the literature and consensus. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method offers a transparent and structured process for developing and presenting evidence summaries and for carrying out the steps involved in developing recommendations. Its main strength lies in guiding complex judgments that balance the need for simplicity with the requirement for complete and transparent consideration of all important issues. EHS guidelines are of overall good quality but the application of GRADE method, began with EHS guidelines on open abdomen, and the increasing adherence to the process, has greatly improved the reliability of our guidelines. Currently, the need to application of this methodology and the creation of stable and dedicated group of researchers interested in following GRADE in the production of guidelines has been outlined in the literature. Considering that the production of clinical guidelines is a complex process, this paper aim to highlights the primary features of guideline production, GRADE methodology, the challenges associated with their adoption in the field of hernia surgery and the project of the EHS to establish a stable guidelines committee to provide technical and methodological support in update of previously published guideline or the creation of new ones.

Biliary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: Biliary tract cancers comprise a heterogeneous collection of malignancies usually described as cholangiocarcinoma of the intra- or extrahepatic bile duct, including perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer. METHODS: A review of pertinent parts of the ESSO core curriculum for the UEMS diploma targets (Fellowships exam, EBSQ), based on updated and available guidelines for diagnosis, surgical treatment and oncological management of cholangiocarcinoma. RESULTS: Following the outline from the ESSO core curriculum we present the epidemiology and risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma, as well as the rationale for the current diagnosis, staging, (neo-)adjuvant treatment, surgical management, and short- and long-term outcomes. The available guidelines and consensus reports (i.e. NCCN, BGS and ESMO guidelines) are referred to. Recognition of biliary tract cancers as separate entities of the intrahepatic biliary ducts, the perihilar and distal bile duct as well as the gallbladder is important for proper management, as they each provide distinct clinical, molecular and treatment profiles to consider. CONCLUSION: Core competencies in knowledge to the diagnosis, management and outcomes of biliary tract cancers are presented.

A Comparison of Preoperative Predictive Scoring Systems for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula after Pancreaticoduodenectomy Based on a Single-Center Analysis.

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with major postoperative morbidity and mortality. Several scoring systems have been described to stratify patients into risk groups according to the risk of POPF. The aim of this study was to compare scoring systems in patients who underwent a PD. Methods: A total of 196 patients undergoing PD from July 2019 to June 2022 were identified from a prospectively maintained database of the University Hospital Ghent. After performing a literature search, four validated, solely preoperative risk scores and the intraoperative Fistula Risk Score (FRS) were included in our analysis. Furthermore, we eliminated the variable blood loss (BL) from the FRS and created an additional score. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for all risk factors, followed by a ROC analysis for the six scoring systems. Results: All scores showed strong prognostic stratification for developing POPF (p < 0.001). FRS showed the best predictive accuracy in general (AUC 0.862). FRS without BL presented the best prognostic value of the scores that included solely preoperative variables (AUC 0.783). Soft pancreatic texture, male gender, and diameter of the Wirsung duct were independent prognostic factors on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Although all predictive scoring systems stratify patients accurately by risk of POPF, preoperative risk stratification could improve clinical decision-making and implement preventive strategies for high-risk patients. Therefore, the preoperative use of the FRS without BL is a potential alternative.

Evolution in liver trauma management: a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: Liver trauma is common and can be treated non-operatively, through radiological embolisation, or surgically. Non-operative management (NOM) is preferred when possible, but specific criteria remain unclear. This retrospective study at a level I trauma centre assessed the evolution and outcomes of liver injury management over more than 20 years. METHODS: Data from January 1996 to June 2020 were analysed for liver trauma cases. Variables were evaluated, including the type of injury, diagnostic modalities, liver injury grade, transfer from other hospitals, treatment type, and length of hospital stay. Outcomes were assessed using soft (hospitalisation time and intensive care unit stay) and hard (mortality) endpoints. RESULTS: In total 406 patients were analysed, of which 375 (92.4%) had a blunt and 31 (7.6%) a penetrating liver trauma. Approximately one-third (31.2%) were hemodynamically unstable, although 78.8% had low-grade liver lesions. The initial treatment was non-operative in 72.9% of the patients (68.5% conservative, 4.4% interventional radiology). Blunt trauma was treated by surgery in 23.2% of the patients, while 74.2% in case of penetrating trauma. Overall mortality was 11.1% including death caused by associated lesions. The 24-h mortality was 5.7%. Indication for surgical treatment was determined by hemodynamic instability, high grade liver lesion, penetrating trauma, and associated lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Although the role of surgery in liver trauma management has strongly diminished over recent decades, hemodynamically unstable patients, high-grade lesions, penetrating trauma, and severe associated lesions are the main indications for surgery. In other situations, NOM by full conservative therapy or radiological embolisation seems effective.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Hemihepatectomy: The ORANGE II PLUS Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes after laparoscopic versus open major liver resection (hemihepatectomy) mainly for primary or metastatic cancer. The primary outcome measure was time to functional recovery. Secondary outcomes included morbidity, quality of life (QoL), and for those with cancer, resection margin status and time to adjuvant systemic therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized controlled, patient-blinded, superiority trial on adult patients undergoing hemihepatectomy. Patients were recruited from 16 hospitals in Europe between November 2013 and December 2018. RESULTS: Of the 352 randomly assigned patients, 332 patients (94.3%) underwent surgery (laparoscopic, n = 166 and open, n = 166) and comprised the analysis population. The median time to functional recovery was 4 days (IQR, 3-5; range, 1-30) for laparoscopic hemihepatectomy versus 5 days (IQR, 4-6; range, 1-33) for open hemihepatectomy (difference, -17.5% [96% CI, -25.6 to -8.4]; P < .001). There was no difference in major complications (laparoscopic 24/166 [14.5%] v open 28/166 [16.9%]; odds ratio [OR], 0.84; P = .58). Regarding QoL, both global health status (difference, 3.2 points; P < .001) and body image (difference, 0.9 points; P < .001) scored significantly higher in the laparoscopic group. For the 281 (84.6%) patients with cancer, R0 resection margin status was similar (laparoscopic 106 [77.9%] v open 122 patients [84.1%], OR, 0.60; P = .14) with a shorter time to adjuvant systemic therapy in the laparoscopic group (46.5 days v 62.8 days, hazard ratio, 2.20; P = .009). CONCLUSION: Among patients undergoing hemihepatectomy, the laparoscopic approach resulted in a shorter time to functional recovery compared with open surgery. In addition, it was associated with a better QoL, and in patients with cancer, a shorter time to adjuvant systemic therapy with no adverse impact on cancer outcomes observed.

Safety and performance of a synthetic sealant patch aimed to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy (SHIELDS) - Prospective international multicenter phase II study.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas (CR-POPF) in distal pancreatectomy (DP) ranges up to 25%. None of the available sealants significantly reduce CR-POPF. A new biodegradable sealant patch was able to reduce POPF and to achieve bleeding control in a preclinical porcine DP model. The aim of this first-in-human study was to assess the safety and performance of the sealant patch. METHODS: In this multicenter, single-arm study, 40 patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy were prospectively enrolled from 8 centers. Following surgical resection, the transection plane was closed according to the standard of care and manually covered with the sealant patch. As primary endpoint the incidence of CR-POPF up to 30-days postoperatively was evaluated. The secondary endpoints included the assessment of complications and device usability. RESULTS: Among 40 patients after distal pancreatectomy, CR-POPF occurred in 7 (17.5%) up to postoperative day 30. No type C POPF was observed. There was no intraoperative bleeding observed after patch application. CONCLUSION: The results of this international phase II study demonstrate promising results of a new sealant patch regarding the rate of CR-POPF. Randomized studies are now needed to confirm the superiority of the current patch as compared to the best current practice.

Protocol for an independent patient data meta-analysis of prophylactic mesh placement for incisional hernia prevention after abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery: a collaborative European Hernia Society project (I-PREVENT-AAA).

INTRODUCTION: Incisional hernia (IH) is a prevalent and potentially dangerous complication of abdominal surgery, especially in high-risk groups. Mesh reinforcement of the abdominal wall has been studied as a potential intervention to prevent IHs. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that prophylactic mesh reinforcement after abdominal surgery, in general, is effective and safe. In patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), prophylactic mesh reinforcement after open repair has not yet been recommended in official guidelines, because of relatively small sample sizes in individual trials. Furthermore, the identification of subgroups that benefit most from prophylactic mesh placement requires larger patient numbers. Our primary aim is to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of the use of a prophylactic mesh after open AAA surgery to prevent IH by performing an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA). Secondary aims include the evaluation of postoperative complications, pain and quality of life, and the identification of potential subgroups that benefit most from prophylactic mesh reinforcement. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a systematic review to identify RCTs that study prophylactic mesh placement after open AAA surgery. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE Ovid, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection and Google Scholar will be searched from the date of inception onwards. RCTs must directly compare primary sutured closure with mesh closure in adult patients who undergo open AAA surgery. Lead authors of eligible studies will be asked to share individual participant data (IPD). The risk of bias (ROB) for each included study will be assessed using the Cochrane ROB tool. An IPDMA will be performed to evaluate the efficacy, with the IH rate as the primary outcome. Any signs of heterogeneity will be evaluated by Forest plots. Time-to-event analyses are performed using Cox regression analysis to evaluate risk factors. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No new data will be collected in this study. We will adhere to institutional, national and international regulations regarding the secure and confidential sharing of IPD, addressing ethics as indicated. We will disseminate findings via international conferences, open-source publications in peer-reviewed journals and summaries posted online. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022347881.

Minimally invasive robot-assisted and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in a pan-European registry a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend monitoring the use and outcome of minimally invasive pancreatic surgery (MIPS). However, data from prospective international audits on minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) are lacking. This study examined the use and outcome of robot-assisted (RDP) and laparoscopic (LDP) distal pancreatectomy in the E-MIPS registry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Post-hoc analysis in a prospective audit on MIPS, including consecutive patients undergoing MIDP in 83 centers from 19 European countries (01-01-2019/31-12-2021). Primary outcomes included intraoperative events (grade 1: excessive blood loss, grade 2: conversion/change in operation, grade 3: intraoperative death), major morbidity, and in-hospital/30-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analyses identified high-risk groups for intraoperative events. RDP and LDP were compared in the total cohort and high-risk groups. RESULTS: Overall, 1672 patients undergoing MIDP were included; 606 (36.2%) RDP and 1066 (63.8%) LDP. The annual use of RDP increased from 30.5% to 42.6% ( P <0.001). RDP was associated with fewer grade 2 intraoperative events compared with LDP (9.6% vs. 16.8%, P <0.001), with longer operating time (238 vs. 201 min, P <0.001). No significant differences were observed between RDP and LDP regarding major morbidity (23.4% vs. 25.9%, P =0.264) and in-hospital/30-day mortality (0.3% vs. 0.8%, P =0.344). Three high-risk groups were identified; BMI greater than 25 kg/m 2 , previous abdominal surgery, and vascular involvement. In each group, RDP was associated with fewer conversions and longer operative times. CONCLUSION: This European registry-based study demonstrated favorable outcomes for MIDP, with mortality rates below 1%. LDP remains the predominant approach, whereas the use of RDP is increasing. RDP was associated with fewer conversions and longer operative time, including in high-risk subgroups. Future randomized trials should confirm these findings and assess cost differences.

Bariatric surgery post-liver transplantation: A Belgian nationwide study.

Weight gain poses a rising concern post-liver transplantation (LT), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease might impair graft health. The timing is crucial when considering bariatric surgery (BS) in a population with liver disease or transplantation. BS can be considered for post-LT weight gain, although the evidence is limited and the long-term outcome still uncertain. We conducted a national retrospective analysis in 5 Belgian transplant centers and included 25 patients with an LT followed by a bariatric procedure. A total of 187 LT patients without BS were included for comparison. Clinical, biochemical, and outcome data were retrospectively retrieved. In our nationwide cohort, 25 patients had undergone BS post-LT, at a median 3.5 years after LT. Twenty-one (84.0%) patients received a sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Patients were predominantly male (72.0%), with a lower age at time of transplantation compared with the non-BS population (54.5 vs. 60.6, p <0.001). Weight loss was significant and sustained, with a decrease in body mass index from 41.0±4.5 pre-BS to 32.6±5.8 1-3 years post-BS ( p <0.001) and 31.1±5.8 3-5 years post-BS ( p <0.001). Three pre-BS (12.0%) patients presented with recurrent and one (4.0%) de novo metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease after LT, with 100% resolution post-BS ( p =0.016). Notable reductions were observed in alanine transaminase levels (40.5±28.5 U/L to 27.1±25.1 U/L post-BS, p =0.05) and HbA1c levels (6.9±1.6 to 6.0±1.4 post-BS, p <0.001). Three patients were re-transplanted, and eight patients died, of which five (20.0%) due to a nonhepatic malignancy and one (4.0%) due to liver failure. SG is the favored BS post-LT and has proven to be safe and feasible in a post-LT setting with favorable metabolic consequences. SG post-LT is a valid treatment for de novo and recurrent metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease post-LT. Although we report on the largest cohort to date, there is still a need for larger cohorts to examine the effect of BS on patient and graft survival.

Machine learning improves prediction of postoperative outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Machine learning (ML) approaches have become increasingly popular in predicting surgical outcomes. However, it is unknown whether they are superior to traditional statistical methods such as logistic regression (LR). This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the performance of ML vs LR models in predicting postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. METHODS: A systematic search of Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed through December 2022. The primary outcome was the discriminatory performance of ML vs LR models as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). A meta-analysis was then performed using a random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 62 LR models and 143 ML models were included across 38 studies. On average, the best-performing ML models had a significantly higher AUC than the LR models (ΔAUC, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.04-0.09; P < .001). Similarly, on average, the best-performing ML models had a significantly higher logit (AUC) than the LR models (Δlogit [AUC], 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23-0.58; P < .001). Approximately half of studies (44%) were found to have a low risk of bias. Upon a subset analysis of only low-risk studies, the difference in logit (AUC) remained significant (ML vs LR, Δlogit [AUC], 0.40; 95% CI, 0.14-0.66; P = .009). CONCLUSION: We found a significant improvement in discriminatory ability when using ML over LR algorithms in predicting postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing GI surgery. Subsequent efforts should establish standardized protocols for both developing and reporting studies using ML models and explore the practical implementation of these models.

Intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile ducts: a comparative study of a rare disease in Europe and Nagoya, Japan.

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile ducts (IPNB) is a rare disease in Western countries. The aim of this study was to compare tumor characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes between Western and Eastern patients who underwent surgical resection for IPNB. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective series of patients with IPNB undergoing surgery between January 2010 and December 2020 was gathered under the auspices of the European-African Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (E-AHPBA), and at Nagoya University Hospital, Japan. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients (51% male; median age 66 years) from 28 E-AHPBA centers were compared to 91 patients (64% male; median age 71 years) from Nagoya. Patients in Europe had more multiple lesions (23% vs 2%, P < .001), less invasive carcinoma (42% vs 85%, P < .001), and more intrahepatic tumors (52% vs 24%, P < .001) than in Nagoya. Patients in Europe experienced less 90-day grade >3 Clavien-Dindo complications (33% vs 68%, P < .001), but higher 90-day mortality rate (7.0% vs 0%, P = .03). R0 resections (81% vs 82%) were similar. Overall survival, excluding 90-day postoperative deaths, was similar in both regions. DISCUSSION: Despite performing more extensive resections, the low perioperative mortality rate observed in Nagoya was probably influenced by a combination of patient-, tumor-, and surgery-related factors.

Recent outcomes of liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome: A study of the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) and affiliated centers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) has improved over the last decades. The main aim was to evaluate the contemporary post-liver transplant (post-LT) outcomes in Europe. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Data from all patients who underwent transplantation from 1976 to 2020 was obtained from the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR). Patients < 16 years, with secondary BCS or HCC were excluded. Patient survival (PS) and graft survival (GS) before and after 2000 were compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified predictors of PS and GS after 2000. Supplemental data was requested from all ELTR-affiliated centers and received from 44. In all, 808 patients underwent transplantation between 2000 and 2020. One-, 5- and 10-year PS was 84%, 77%, and 68%, and GS was 79%, 70%, and 62%, respectively. Both significantly improved compared to outcomes before 2000 ( p < 0.001). Median follow-up was 50 months and retransplantation rate was 12%. Recipient age (aHR:1.04,95%CI:1.02-1.06) and MELD score (aHR:1.04,95%CI:1.01-1.06), especially above 30, were associated with worse PS, while male sex had better outcomes (aHR:0.63,95%CI:0.41-0.96). Donor age was associated with worse PS (aHR:1.01,95%CI:1.00-1.03) and GS (aHR:1.02,95%CI:1.01-1.03). In 353 patients (44%) with supplemental data, 33% had myeloproliferative neoplasm, 20% underwent TIPS pre-LT, and 85% used anticoagulation post-LT. Post-LT anticoagulation was associated with improved PS (aHR:0.29,95%CI:0.16-0.54) and GS (aHR:0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.81). Hepatic artery thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) occurred in 9% and 7%, while recurrent BCS was rare (3%). CONCLUSIONS: LT for BCS results in excellent patient- and graft-survival. Older recipient or donor age and higher MELD are associated with poorer outcomes, while long-term anticoagulation improves both patient and graft outcomes.