Severity of acute kidney injury is associated with decreased survival after fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs frequently in complex aortic surgery and has been implicated in perioperative and long-term survival. This study sought to characterize the relationship between AKI severity and mortality after fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (F/B-EVAR). METHODS: Consecutive patients enrolled by the US Aortic Research Consortium in 10, prospective, nonrandomized, physician-sponsored investigational device exemption studies evaluating F/B-EVAR, between 2005 and 2023, were included in this study. Perioperative AKI during hospitalization was defined by and staged using the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Determinants of AKI were evaluated with backward stepwise mixed effects multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Survival was analyzed with conditionally adjusted survival curves and backward stepwise mixed effects Cox proportional hazards modelling. RESULTS: In the study period, 2413 patients with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 74 years (IQR, 69-79 years) underwent F/B-EVAR. The median follow-up duration was 2.2 years (IQR, 0.7-3.7 years). The median baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine were 68 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR, 53-84 mL/min/1.73 m2) and 1.1 mg/dL (IQR, 0.9-1.3 mg/dL), respectively. Stratification of AKI identified 316 patients (13%) with stage 1 injury, 42 (2%) with stage 2 injury, and 74 (3%) with stage 3 injury. Renal replacement therapy was initiated during the index hospitalization in 36 patients (1.5% of cohort, 49% of stage 3 injuries). Thirty-day major adverse events were associated with AKI severity (all P ≤ .0001). Multivariable predictors of AKI severity included baseline eGFR (proportional odds ratio, 0.9 per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.85-0.95 per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2]; P < .0001), baseline serum hematocrit (0.58 per 10% [95% CI, 0.48-0.71 per 10%]; P < .0001), renal artery technical failure during aneurysm repair (3 [95% CI,1.61-5.72]; P = .0006), and total operating time (1.05 per 10 minutes [95% CI, 1.04-1.07 per 10 minutes]; P < .0001). One-year unadjusted survivals for AKI severity strata were 91% (95% CI, 90%-92%) for no injury, 80% (95% CI, 76%-85%) for stage 1 injury, 72% (95% CI, 59-87%) for stage 2 injury, and 46% (95% CI, 35-59%) for stage 3 injury (P<.0001). Multivariable determinants of survival included AKI severity (stage 1, hazard ratio [HR], 1.6 [95% CI, 1.3-2]); stage 2, HR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.4-3.4]); stage 3 HR, 4 [95% CI, 2.9-5.5]; P < .0001), decreased eGFR (HR, 1.1 [95% CI, 0.9-1.3]; P = .4), patient age (HR, 1.6 per 10 years [95% CI, 1.4-1.8 per 10 years]; P < .0001), baseline chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.3-1.8]; P < .0001), baseline congestive heart failure (HR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.6-2.1]; P < .0001), postoperative paraplegia (HR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.1-4]; P = .02), and procedural technical success (HR, 0.6 [95% CI, 0.4-0.8]; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: AKI, as defined by the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria, occurred in 18% of patients after F/B-EVAR. Greater severity of AKI after F/B-EVAR was associated with decreased postoperative survival. The predictors of AKI severity identified in these analyses suggest a role for improved preoperative risk mitigation and staging of interventions in complex aortic repair.

Characterization and management of type II and complex endoleaks after fenestrated/branched endovascular aneurysm repair.

INTRODUCTION: Endoleaks are more common after fenestrated/branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F/B-EVAR) than infrarenal EVAR secondary to the length of aortic coverage and number of component junctions. Although reports have focused on type I and III endoleaks, less is known regarding type II endoleaks after F/B-EVAR. We hypothesized that type II endoleaks would be common and often complex (associated with additional endoleak types), given the potential for multiple inflow and outflow sources. We sought to describe the incidence and complexity of type II endoleaks after F/B-EVAR. METHODS: F/B-EVAR data prospectively collected at a single institution in an investigational device exemption clinical trial (G130210) were retrospectively analyzed (2014-2021). Endoleaks were characterized by type, time to detection, and management. Primary endoleaks were defined as those present on completion imaging or at first postoperative imaging, and secondary were those on subsequent imaging. Recurrent endoleaks were those that developed after a successfully resolved endoleak. Reinterventions were considered for type I or III endoleaks or any endoleak associated with sac growth >5 mm. Technical success defined as the absence of flow in the aneurysm sac at procedure conclusion and methods of intervention were captured. RESULTS: Among 335 consecutive F/B-EVARs (mean ± standard deviation follow-up: 2.5 ± 1.5 years), 125 patients (37%) experienced 166 endoleaks (81 primary, 72 secondary, and 13 recurrent). Of these 125 patients, 50 (40% of patients) underwent 71 interventions for 60 endoleaks. Type II endoleaks were the most frequent (n = 100, 60%), with 20 identified during the index procedure, 12 (60%) of which resolved before 30-day follow-up. Of the 100 type II endoleaks, 20 (20%; 12 primary, 5 secondary, and 3 recurrent) were associated with sac growth; 15 (75%) of those with associated sac growth underwent intervention. At intervention, 6 (40%) were reclassified as complex, with a concomitant type I or type III endoleak. Initial technical success for endoleak treatment was 96% (68 of 71). There were 13 recurrences, all of which were associated with complex endoleaks. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of the patients who underwent F/B-EVAR experienced an endoleak. The majority were classified as type II, with nearly a fifth associated with sac expansion. Interventions for a type II endoleak frequently led to reclassification as complex, with a concomitant type I or III endoleak not appreciated on computed tomography angiography and/or duplex. Further study is needed to determine if the primary treatment goal for complex aneurysm repair is sac stability or sac regression, as this would inform both the importance of properly classifying endoleaks noninvasively and the intervention threshold for managing type II endoleaks.

Initial single-center experience using Fiber Optic RealShape guidance in complex endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we have described the technical success using Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) endovascular guidance and its effects on the overall procedural time and radiation usage during complex endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). METHODS: Fenestrated and branched EVARs performed at a single center from 2017 to 2022 were prospectively studied. FORS-guided procedures were matched retrospectively 1:3 to non-FORS-guided procedures by the incorporated target arteries and body mass index. Technical success was defined as successful target vessel cannulation using FORS for the entirety of navigation (wire insertion to exchange for a stiff wire). The predictors of technical success were evaluated via logistic regression. The procedural times and radiation doses were compared between the matched cohorts using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: A total of 21 FORS-guided procedures were matched to 61 non-FORS-guided procedures. A total of 95 FORS cannulations were attempted (87 for the visceral target artery and 8 for the bifurcate gate). Technical success was achieved in 81 cannulations (85%); 15 (16%) were completed without the use of live fluoroscopy. The univariate predictors of FORS technical success included <50% target artery stenosis, <50% target artery calcification, and the target vessel attempted (P < .05 for each). FORS failures were attributed to device material properties in six cases, device failure in two cases, and the wire/catheter combination in six. The use of FORS guidance was associated with shorter median procedural and fluoroscopy times and a lower dose area product and air kerma (P ≤ .0001 for each). CONCLUSIONS: The results from our initial experience with FORS during complex EVAR, including our learning curve, has shown promise, with acceptable technical success and reductions in procedural times and radiation usage.

Small bowel obstruction managed without hospital admission: A safe way to reduce both cost and time in the hospital?

BACKGROUND: Small bowel obstruction management has evolved to incorporate the Gastrografin challenge. We expanded its use to the emergency department observation unit, potentially avoiding hospital admission for highly select small bowel obstruction patients. We hypothesized that the emergency department observation unit small bowel obstruction protocol would reduce admissions, costs, and the total time spent in the hospital without compromising outcomes. METHODS: We reviewed patients who presented with small bowel obstruction from January 2015 to December 2018. Patients deemed to require urgent surgical intervention were admitted directly and excluded. The emergency department observation unit small bowel obstruction guidelines were introduced in November 2016. Patients were divided into pre and postintervention groups based on this date. The postintervention group was further subclassified to examine the emergency department observation unit patients. Cost analysis for each patient was performed looking at number of charges, direct costs, indirect cost, and total costs during their admission. RESULTS: In total, 125 patients were included (mean age 69 ± 14.3 years). The preintervention group (n = 62) and postintervention group (n = 63) had no significant difference in demographics. The postintervention group had a 51% (36.7 hours, P < .001) reduction in median duration of stay and a total cost reduction of 49% (P < .001). The emergency department observation unit subgroup (n = 46) median length of stay was 23.6 hours. The readmission rate was 16% preintervention compared to 8% in the postintervention group (P = .18). CONCLUSION: Management of highly selected small bowel obstruction patients with the emergency department observation unit small bowel obstruction protocol was associated with decreased length of stay and total cost, without an increase in complications, surgical intervention, or readmissions.

Fiber Optic RealShape technology in endovascular surgery.

Fiber Optic RealShape technology is a new endovascular guidance system that aims to simplify endovascular procedures by improving wire, catheter, and device visualization, while reducing reliance on ionizing radiation. Developed by Philips, the system uses light refracted through optical fibers to generate real-time renderings of wires and catheters in three-dimensional space. Currently, devices with embedded Fiber Optic RealShape technology are being studied in human patients undergoing endovascular procedures. Early findings demonstrate the technology to be safe and effective in offsetting procedural complexity. Research and development to improve rendering accuracy and expand the selection of available Fiber Optic RealShape-enabled endovascular devices continues.

Reduced Opioid Prescription Practices and Duration of Stay after TAP Block for Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether TAP blocks performed at the time of appendectomy resulted in reduced total oral morphine equivalent (OME) prescribed and fewer 30-day opioid prescription (OP) refills. STUDY DESIGN: Single institution review of historical data (2010-2016) was performed. Adults (≥ 18 years) that underwent appendectomy for appendicitis with uniform disease severity (AAST EGS grades I, II) were included. Opioid tolerance was defined as any preoperative OP ordered 1-3 months prior to appendectomy or < 1 month unrelated to appendicitis; opioid naïve patients were without OP. Intraoperative TAP blocks (admixture of liposomal/regular bupivacaine) were performed at surgeon discretion. Risk factors for discharge prescription > 200 OME were assessed using logistic regression and quantified using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULT: There were 960 patients with uniform appendicitis severity. During appendectomy, 145 (15%) patients received TAP blocks. There were 46 patients that were opioid tolerant (5%) and the majority of the cohort received discharge OP (n = 914, 95%) with a median prescription OME volume of 225 [150-300]. Only 76 patients required 30-day opioid prescription refill. On regression, factors associated with a discharge prescription > 200 OME included ≥ 65 years of age (OR 0.64 (95%CI 0.41-0.98)) and no TAP block (OR 1.7 (95%CI 1.2-2.5)) but not preoperative opioid utilization. CONCLUSIONS: TAP blocks in low-grade appendicitis were associated with reduced OME prescribed, hospital duration of stay, and fewer refills without impacting operative time or total hospital costs.

Disease Severity and Cost in Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) severity has been associated with important clinical outcomes. However, the impact of ASBO severity on hospitalization cost is unknown. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) developed an Emergency General Surgery (EGS) disease severity grading system for ASBO. We stratified patients' ASBO severity and captured hospitalization costs hypothesizing that increased disease severity would correlate with greater costs. METHODS: This was a single-center study of hospitalized adult patients with SBO during 2015-2017. Clinical data and estimated total cost (direct + indirect) were abstracted. AAST EGS grades (I-IV) stratified disease severity. Costs were normalized to the median grade I cost. Univariate and multivariate analyses evaluated the relationship between normalized cost and AAST EGS grade, length of hospital and ICU stay, operative time, and Charlson comorbidity index. RESULTS: There were 214 patients; 119 (56%) were female. AAST EGS grades included: I (62%, n = 132), II (23%, n = 49), III (7%, n = 16), and IV (8%, n = 17). Relative to grade I, median normalized cost increased by 1.4-fold for grade II, 1.6-fold for grade III, and 4.3-fold for grade IV disease. No considerable differences in patient comorbidity between grades were observed. Pair-wise comparisons demonstrated that grade I disease cost less than higher grades (corrected p < 0.001). Non-operative management was associated with lower normalized cost compared to operative management (1.1 vs. 4.5, p < 0.0001). In patients who failed non-operative management, normalized cost was increased 7.2-fold. Collectively, the AAST EGS grade correlated well with cost (Spearman's p = 0.7, p < 0.0001). After adjustment for covariates, AAST EGS grade maintained a persistent relationship with cost. CONCLUSION: Increasing ASBO severity is independently associated with greater costs. Efforts to identify and mitigate costs associated with this burdensome disease are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, economic/decision.

Injury patterns and mechanisms related to refrigerator and freezer utilization in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Refrigerators and freezers (R/F) are a common household item and injury patterns associated with these appliances are not well characterized. We aimed to characterize the injury patterns, mechanisms, and affected body parts in patients treated in the emergency departments nationally, hypothesizing that injury patterns would differ by age group. METHODS: A retrospective review of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for all patients injured using R/F during 2010-2016 was performed. Patient narrative was reviewed for injury mechanism. Comparative and multivariable analyses were performed with effects reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: During the study period (January 1, 2010-December 31, 2016) there were 6913 R/F related injuries. The study cohort was predominantly male 3734 (55%) and the median [IQR] age was 38 [22-56] years. The annual frequency of R/F related injuries was stable between years. The most common injury mechanism was falling while using R/F (31%) followed up injuries sustained while moving the appliance (25%). Teenaged patients more frequently struck the appliance compared to adults (39% vs 14%, p < 0.001). On regression, pediatric and elderly patients, mechanical fall mechanism, and cranial injury were risk factors independently associated with the need for hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Falls in proximity to R/F were the most common injuries sustained and teenagers were more likely to strike/punch the appliance. Injury prevention efforts should support ongoing efforts of fall risk reduction for elderly populations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective.

Performance of current claims-based approaches to identify aortic dissection hospitalizations.

OBJECTIVE: To describe index visits for acute aortic dissection (AD) to an academic center and validate the prevailing claims-based methodology to identify and stratify them. METHODS: Inpatient hospitalizations at a single center assigned an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis code for AD from January 2005 to September 2015 were identified. Diagnoses were verified by review of medical records and imaging studies. All visits were secondarily stratified with the algorithm based on ICD-9 codes. Sensitivity and specificity analyses were conducted to evaluate the ability of the algorithm to correctly identify acute AD by Stanford class and treatment modality (type A open repair [TAOR], type B open repair [TBOR], thoracic endovascular repair [TEVAR], medical management [MM]). RESULTS: In the study interval, there were 1245 visits coded for AD attributed to 968 unique patients. Chart review verification demonstrated that the majority of visits were for AD (79%; n = 981), of which 32% (n = 310) were for an index acute AD event. The true distribution of acute AD visit classifications was TAOR (46.1%; n = 143), TBOR (5.2%; n = 16), TEVAR (7.7%; n = 24), and MM (39.4%; n = 122). The algorithm, which used ICD-9 codes, identified 631 acute visits and stratified them as TAOR (27.1%; n = 171), TBOR (4.1%; n = 26), TEVAR (4.9%; n = 31), and MM (63.9%; n = 403). Analyses demonstrated high specificities, but generally low sensitivities of the algorithm (TAOR: sensitivity, 58%, specificity, 92%; TBOR: sensitivity, 13%, specificity, 98%; TEVAR: sensitivity, 17%, specificity, 98%; MM: sensitivity, 73%, specificity, 72%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalent claims-based strategy to identify hospitalizations with acute AD is specific, but lacks sensitivity. Caution should be exercised when studying AD with ICD-9 codes and improvements to existing claims-based methodologies are necessary to support future study of acute AD.

Transversus abdominis plane blocks with liposomal bupivacaine after open major hepatectomy is associated with reduced early patient-reported pain scores and opioid administration.

BACKGROUND: Opioid overprescription can contribute to suboptimal patient outcomes. Surgeon-performed transversus abdominis plane blocks appear to be associated with pain reduction. We compared the analgesic efficacy of surgeon-performed transversus abdominis plane blocks for major hepatectomy with or without concurrent neuraxial analgesia. METHODS: We performed a single-institution review, assessing surgeon-performed transversus abdominis plane blocks for major hepatectomy during 2013-2016. The primary outcome was patient-reported pain (11-point numeric pain-rating scale) and the secondary outcome was opioid consumption. Independent factors predictive of pain control were identified using logistic regression and reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 232 patients with a mean (± SD) age of 56.5 (±13.9) years; 51.7% were female. Operative duration, incision type, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were similar between groups. The 24-hour pain score was decreased substantially in patients who received a transversus abdominis plane block compared with those who did not (3 [2-4] versus 5 [4-6], P = .001) and this decrease in pain sscore persisted at 48 hours (2 [1-2] versus 4 [4-5], P = .001). In patients who received a transversus abdominis plane block, there were decreasess in consumption of oral morphine equivalents at 24 hours (322 [± 18] versus 183 [± 15], P = .0001) and 48 hours (100 [± 11] versus 33 [± 9.4], P = .03) compared with those without transversus abdominis plane block respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients receiving a transversus abdominis plane block, early patient opioid consumption was decreased and utilization was predictive for improved pain control. Routine transversus abdominis plane block administration should be considered during major hepatectomy as a step toward curbing systematic reliance on opioids for pain management. A prospective study on the utility of transversus abdominis plane block in hepatectomy is warranted.

The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Emergency General Surgery Anatomic Severity Scoring System as a predictor of cost in appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The World Society for Emergency Surgery determined that for appendicitis managed with appendectomy, there is a paucity of evidence evaluating costs with respect to disease severity. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) disease severity grading system is valid and generalizable for appendicitis. We aimed to evaluate hospitalization costs incurred by patients with increasing disease severity as defined by the AAST. We hypothesized that increasing disease severity would be associated with greater cost. METHODS: Single-institution review of adults (≥ 18 years old) undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis during 2010-2016. Demographics, comorbidities, operative details, hospital stay, complications, and institutional cost data were collected. AAST grades were assigned by two independent reviewers based on operative findings. Total cost was ascertained from billing data and normalized to median grade I cost. Non-parametric linear regression was utilized to assess the association of several covariates and cost. RESULTS: Evaluated patients (n = 1187) had a median [interquartile range] age of 37 [26-55] and 45% (n = 542) were female. There were 747 (63%) patients with Grade I disease, 219 (19%) with Grade II, 126 (11%) with Grade III, 50 (4%) with Grade IV, and 45 (4%) with Grade V. The median normalized cost of hospitalization was 1 [0.9-1.2]. Increasing AAST grade was associated with increasing cost (ρ = 0.39; p < 0.0001). Length of stay exhibited the strongest association with cost (ρ = 0.5; p < 0.0001), followed by AAST grade (ρ = 0.39), Clavien-Dindo Index (ρ = 0.37; p < 0.0001), age-adjusted Charlson score (ρ = 0.31; p < 0.0001), and surgical wound classification (ρ = 0.3; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing anatomic severity, as defined by AAST grade, is associated with increasing cost of hospitalization and clinical outcomes. The AAST grade compares favorably to other predictors of cost. Future analyses evaluating appendicitis reimbursement stand to benefit from utilization of the AAST grade.

Association of postoperative organ space infection after intraoperative irrigation in appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of intraoperative irrigation on postoperative abscess rates compared to suction alone is unclear. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grading system provides distinct disease severity stratification to determine if prior analyses were biased by anatomic severity. We hypothesized that for increasing appendicitis severity, patients receiving (high, ≥2 L) intraoperative irrigation would have increased postoperative organ space infection (OSI) rate compared to (low, <2 L) irrigation. METHODS: Single-institution review of adults (>18 years) undergoing appendectomy for appendicitis during 2010-2016. Demographics, operative details, irrigation volumes, duration of stay, and complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) were collected. American Association for the Surgery of Trauma grades were assigned by two independent reviewers based on operative findings. Summary, univariate, and area under the receiver operating curve analyses were performed. RESULTS: Patients (n = 1187) were identified with a mean (SD) age of 41.6 (18.4) years (45% female). Operative approach included laparoscopy (n = 1122 [94.5%]), McBurney incision (n = 10 [0.8%]), midline laparotomy (n = 16 [1.3 %]), and laparoscopy converted to laparotomy (n = 39 [3.4%)]. The mean (SD) volume of intraoperative irrigation was 410 (1200) mL. Complication rate was 26.1%. Median volume of intraoperative irrigation in patients who developed postoperative OSI was 3 [0-4] compared to 0 [0-0] in those without infection (p < 0.0001). Area under the receiver operating curve analysis determined that 2 or more liters of irrigation was associated with postoperative OSI (c statistic: 0.83, 95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.89; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Irrigation is used for increasingly severe appendicitis with wide variation. Irrigation volumes of 2 L or greater are associated with postoperative OSI. Improving standardization of irrigation volume (<2 L) may prevent morbidity associated with this high-volume disease. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV.

Do not break up the surgical team! Familiarity and expertise affect operative time in complex surgery.

BACKGROUND: The effects of replacing a surgeon's familiar, experienced certified surgical assistant (CSA) on perioperative outcomes in complex surgery were investigated. METHODS: An interrupted time series of totally laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomies performed by a single surgeon was retrospectively studied. Segmented regression analysis estimated replacement effects on estimated blood loss (EBL) and operative time. RESULTS: The cohort was composed of the last 100 cases with the familiar CSA and the first 100 cases with the replacement CSA. Study groups were similar. Unadjusted segmented regression of operative time and EBL predicted replacement effects of 70 min (95%CI, 18-122; p = 0.008) and 114 cc (95%CI, -93-320; p = 0.3), respectively. Adjusted regression predicted replacement effects of 40 min (95%CI, 0.9-78; p = 0.04) and 27 cc (95%CI, -156-210; p = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: The replacement of a familiar, experienced CSA was associated with longer operative times. Despite confinement to a single surgeon and procedure, these results suggest what all surgeons know: excellent help is priceless.

Surgery Website as a 24/7 Adjunct to a Surgical Curriculum.

OBJECTIVE: Successfully teaching duty hour restricted trainees demands engaging learning opportunities. Our surgical educational website and its associated assets were assessed to understand how such a resource was being used. DESIGN: Our website was accessible to all Mayo Clinic employees via the internal web network. Website access data from April 2015 through October 2016 were retrospectively collected using Piwik. SETTING: Academic, tertiary care referral center with a large general surgery training program. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 257 Mayo Clinic employees used the website. RESULTS: The website had 48,794 views from 6313 visits by 257 users who spent an average of 14 ± 11 minutes on the website. Our website houses 295 videos, 51 interactive modules, 14 educational documents, and 7 flashcard tutorials. The most popular content type was videos, with a total of 30,864 views. The most popular visiting time of the day was between 8 pm and 9 pm with 6358 views (13%), and Thursday was the most popular day with 17,907 views (37%).  A total of 78% of users accessed content beyond the homepage. Average visits peaked in relation to 2 components of our curriculum: a 240% increase one day before our biannual intern simulation assessments, and a 61% increase one day before our weekly conducted Friday simulation sessions. Interns who rotated on the service of the staff surgeon who actively endorses the website had 93% more actions per visit as compared to other users. The highest clicks were on the home banner for our weekly simulation session pre-emptive videos, followed by "groin anatomy," and "TEP hernia repair" videos. CONCLUSIONS: Our website acted as a "just-in-time" accessible portal to reliable surgical information. It supplemented the time sensitive educational needs of our learners by serving as a heavily used adjunct to 3 components of our surgical education curriculum: weekly simulation sessions, biannual assessments, and clinical rotations.

Effect of Rehearsal Modality on Knowledge Retention in Surgical Trainees: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The operating room is an exciting learning environment. With growing curriculum limitations and increasing complexity of care, existing education opportunities need to be optimized. Rehearsal has benefits for surgeon performance in the operating room, but its role for enhancing operative learning remains unclear. This pilot study aimed to differentiate the effects of physical rehearsal (PR) and cognitive rehearsal (CR) modalities on surgical trainee technical knowledge retention. DESIGN: Participants took part in a 2-day (sequential Fridays), instructed operative workshop performing midline laparotomy, splenectomy, left nephrectomy, and hand-sewn, side-to-side small bowel anastomosis (SBA). Participants were randomized to 10 minutes of either a (PR; n = 5) or (CR; n = 5) activity each day before operating. PR consisted of practicing SBA on a felt bowel model. CR entailed viewing narrated operative footage detailing the steps of SBA. Participants' technical knowledge of all procedures was assessed at 1 and 12 weeks postworkshop using a 31-question test. SETTING: Animal operative suites at an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10 general surgery postgraduate year 1 interns participated in the workshop; all completed the study. Participants had similar levels of operative exposure at the time of study participation. RESULTS: At 1-week postworkshop, mean assessment scores for CR were higher than PR (Mean ± Standard Deviation) (CR = 24.7 ± 1.6 vs. PR = 21.8 ± 1.7, p = 0.02). After 12 weeks, there was no difference in mean scores (CR = 23.3 ± 2 vs. PR = 21.7 ± 1.8, p = 0.22). Knowledge decay for the 12-week period was similar between groups (CR = -1.4 ± 1.6 vs. PR = -0.1 ± 2.4, p = 0.36). Study participants performed better on SBA-related questions than unrelated questions (laparotomy, splenectomy, and nephrectomy) at 1-week (related = 81.5% ± 11.3 vs. unrelated = 71.9% ± 6.6, p = 0.03) and 12 weeks (related = 81% ± 13.1 vs. unrelated = 68.6% ± 8.8, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This pilot data suggests the modality of the rehearsal activity may not significantly effect surgical learners' technical knowledge retention. Participants did score higher on questions related to the rehearsal topic, indicating a potential supplementary role for rehearsal activities.

Do You See What I See? How We Use Video as an Adjunct to General Surgery Resident Education.

OBJECTIVE: Preparation of learners for surgical operations varies by institution, surgeon staff, and the trainees themselves. Often the operative environment is overwhelming for surgical trainees and the educational experience is substandard due to inadequate preparation. We sought to develop a simple, quick, and interactive tool that might assess each individual trainee's knowledge baseline before participating in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). DESIGN: A 4-minute video with 5 separate muted clips from laparoscopic procedures (splenectomy, gastric band removal, cholecystectomy, adrenalectomy, and inguinal hernia repair) was created and shown to medical students (MS), general surgery residents, and staff surgeons. Participants were asked to watch the video and commentate (provide facts) on the operation, body region, instruments, anatomy, pathology, and surgical technique. Comments were scored using a 100-point grading scale (100 facts agreed upon by 8 surgical staff and trainees) with points deducted for incorrect answers. All participants were video recorded. Performance was scored by 2 separate raters. SETTING: An academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: MS = 10, interns (n = 8), postgraduate year 2 residents (PGY)2s (n = 11), PGY3s (n = 10), PGY4s (n = 9), PGY5s (n = 7), and general surgery staff surgeons (n = 5). RESULTS: Scores ranged from -5 to 76 total facts offered during the 4-minute video examination. MS scored the lowest (mean, range; 5, -5 to 8); interns were better (17, 4-29), followed by PGY2s (31, 21-34), PGY3s (33, 10-44), PGY4s (44, 19-47), PGY5s (48, 28-49), and staff (48, 17-76), p < 0.001. Rater concordance was 0.98-measured using a concordance correlation coefficient (95% CI: 0.96-0.99). Only 2 of 8 interns acknowledged the critical view during the laparoscopic cholecystectomy video clip vs 10 of 11 PGY2 residents (p < 0.003). Of 8 interns, 7 misperceived the spleen as the liver in the splenectomy clip vs 2 of 7 chief residents (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Not surprisingly, more experienced surgeons were able to relay a larger number of laparoscopic facts during a 4-minute video clip of 5 MIS operations than inexperienced trainees. However, even tenured staff surgeons relayed very few facts on procedures they were unfamiliar with. The potential differentiating capabilities of such a quick and inexpensive effort has pushed us to generate better online learning tools (operative modules) and hands-on simulation resources for our learners. We aim to repeat this and other studies to see if our learners are better prepared for video assessment and ultimately, MIS operations.