Effects of Liver Pathology on Sleeve Gastrectomy Outcomes.

Introduction: Sleeve gastrectomy engenders weight loss and improves comorbidities at 1 year postoperatively. A relationship has not been established between liver pathology and diabetic outcomes and weight loss following a sleeve gastrectomy. This study evaluates the association between liver pathology and both diabetic remission and weight loss in morbidly obese veterans. Methods: A prospective database of all patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy with simultaneous liver biopsy at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center was analyzed from 2018 through 2020. The database included patient demographics, liver biopsy pathology, laboratory values, and antihyperglycemic medications. Patient outcomes at 12 months postoperatively were analyzed specifically for diabetic resolution and weight loss. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for categorical comparisons, and one-way analysis of variance test and two-tailed t-test were used for continuous variable comparisons. Multivariate linear regression models were created to assess the association between liver pathology and changes in body mass index (BMI) and diabetic status. A two-sided P-value of 0.05 indicated significance. Results: Of the 77 patients included in the study, 70.1% of patients achieved diabetic remission at 12 months. After condensing steatosis and fibrosis scores into low- and high-grade categories, patients with no hepatic disease had significantly lower BMI at 12 months postoperatively than patients with low- or high-grade hepatic disease (29.2 ± 3.6 kg/m2 versus 35.1 ± 4.0 kg/m2 versus 34.5 ± 3.7 kg/m2, respectively, P = .009). On multivariate linear regression model, low-grade overall hepatic disease (ß = 3.1 ± 1.5; P = .043) and preoperative oral glycemic medications (ß = 2.4 ± 1.0; P = .026) were associated with a significantly increased 12-month BMI. Also, Black or African American race compared with White race was associated with a significant decrease in postoperative BMI (ß = -1.9 ± 0.8; P = .023). Conclusions: Regardless of preexisting liver disease, most diabetic patients who undergo sleeve gastrectomy experience diabetic remission at 12 months postoperatively. Additionally, patients with no underlying liver disease lose more weight than those with low- or high-grade liver disease.

Increased body mass index predicts prolonged survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Higher body mass index (BMI) may have a protective effect on survival in patients with head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of BMI on overall survival (OS) in veterans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: A cohort of 702 patients diagnosed with HNSCC between 1995 and 2019 were identified at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and 342 patients were included for analysis. Records were queried for clinical-demographic data, BMI, and outcomes. RESULTS: HNSCC patients categorized as overweight or obese at time of diagnosis had a lower 3-year risk of death (p = 0.033) and improved OS (p < 0.001) compared to patients who were underweight or normal weight. The majority of locoregional recurrences occurred in patients with low or normal pretreatment BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Higher BMI at diagnosis may have a protective effect on OS in veterans with HNSCC.

Cholecystectomy Outcomes in the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2006-2017).

Background: Cholecystectomy trends and outcomes have been reported extensively in the private sector. Despite being one of the most common procedures performed in the United States, there is a paucity of reports on the trends and outcomes of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in the veteran population. Materials and Methods: Veterans who underwent laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy from 2006 to 2017 were identified using current procedural terminology codes from the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) database. Multivariable analyses were used to compare laparoscopic and open outcomes. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and length of stay (LOS). Results: In the VASQIP database, 53,901 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 8011 patients underwent open cholecystectomy during the study period. The laparoscopic approach increased from 82.0% (2006-2008) to 91.9% (2015-2017). Postoperatively, the open group had a significantly higher morbidity rate (15.4% versus 3.8%, P < .001). The 30-day mortality rate and mean LOS were also significantly higher in the open cholecystectomy group (P < .001). Earlier year of operation, diabetes diagnosis, and open approach significantly increased the likelihood of postoperative morbidity (P < .05). Conclusions: Similar to the private sector, minimally invasive cholecystectomy in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has increased over the last two decades. Diabetes was present in a significant percentage of the veteran population and was a predictor of all postoperative complications. Finally, the clinical outcomes in the VHA are comparable with those documented in the private sector.

Outcomes of Sleeve Gastrectomy at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Introduction: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity while improving comorbid conditions and decreasing mortality rates. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the predictive factors associated with the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) at a single Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of LSG performed at a VAMC from 2013 to 2019. Veterans were followed for 12 months postoperatively. The primary outcomes of interest were excess weight loss (EWL) and total weight loss (TWL) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months along with resolution of comorbidities. Independent predictors included: demographics, pre- and postoperative findings, geographic distance from VAMC, and per-capita salary of the veteran's residence. Results: A total of 128 patients, including 50 males, completed 12 months' follow-up after LSG. There were no mortalities, transfusions, or conversions to open surgery. The mean length of stay was 2.3 days. At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, EWL was 27.2%, 33.7%, 35.9%, and 36.6%, respectively; TWL was 12.3%, 15.3%, 16.3%, and 16.7%, respectively. Postoperative hemoglobin A1c and oral hyperglycemic medication usage significantly decreased. High-density lipoprotein levels significantly increased. At 6 months' follow-up, preoperative body mass index (BMI; odds ratio [OR] = 0.7 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.6-0.9]) and age (OR = 0.9 [95% CI 0.8-1.0]) were significant predictors of 50% EWL and EWL broadly (P = .002). Conclusion: Similar to the private sector, LSG is a safe and effective tool for morbid obesity with clinical and serological improvements. For Veterans, increasing BMI and age may portend less weight loss but does not affect resolution of some comorbidities.

Gender and compensation among surgical specialties in the Veterans Health Administration.

BACKGROUND: A gender pay gap has been reported across many professions, including medicine. METHODS: Surgeons employed at complex Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) nationwide in 2016 were identified. Data on salary, gender, years since medical school graduation, professorship status, h-index, and geographic location were collected. RESULTS: Of 1993 surgeons nationwide, 23% were female. On average, female surgeons had significantly lower salaries compared to male surgeons ($268,429 ± 41,339 versus $287,717 ± 45,379, respectively; p < 0.001). Among each surgical specialty, there were no significant differences in salary on univariate analysis. Women were underrepresented in higher paying specialties and more heavily represented in lower paying specialties. On multivariate analysis, gender (p < 0.001), time since medical school graduation (p < 0.001), surgical specialty (p = 0.031), h-index (p < 0.001), and geographic location (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of salary. CONCLUSION: Female gender significantly predicted lower salary among VAMC surgeons, however within each surgical specialty, there was no significant gender pay gap. SENTENCE SUMMARY: Independent predictors of salary included gender, surgical specialty, experience, h-index, and geographic location. Although female surgeons had lower overall salaries compared to male surgeons in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), there were no significant gender differences in salary among each surgical specialty. Pay transparency, unique to the VHA, along with the use of rational and objective criteria to establish and adjust salaries, may play a role in reducing the gender pay gap among VHA surgeons.

Compensation of Otolaryngologists in the Veterans Health Administration: Is There a Gender Gap?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine if gender pay disparity exists amongst otolaryngologists employed by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). STUDY DESIGN: cross-sectional analysis. METHODS: Board-certified otolaryngologists employed at all complex Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) in 2016 were identified. Salaries were collated using the Enterprise Human Resources Integration-Statistical Data Mart dataset. Additional variables, including gender, years since medical school graduation, professorship status, h-index, and geographic location were collected. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed where salary was the primary outcome of interest and gender was accounted for as an independent predictor while controlling for professional characteristics, geographic location, and seniority. RESULTS: Sixty-nine VHA surgical programs with an operative designation of "complex" were identified. Two hundred sixty board-certified otolaryngologists, including 197 (75.8%) men and 63 (24.2%) women, were identified. Salary data were available on 210 of these otolaryngologists. In 2016, the mean salary for male and female otolaryngologists was not significantly different ($266,707 ± $31,624 vs. $264,674 ± $27,027, P = .918) nor were salaries in early career ($243,979 ± $31,749 vs. $254,625 ± $24,558, respectively; P = .416). On multivariate linear regression analysis, number of years since graduation (P = .009) and h-index (P = .049) were independent predictors of salary, but gender, geographic location, and faculty rank were not. CONCLUSIONS: Although the gender pay gap persists in many areas of medicine and surgery, otolaryngologists employed at complex VAMCs do not experience gender pay disparity. The use of specific and objective criteria to establish and adjust salaries can reduce and potentially eliminate gender pay disparity. These findings may help to guide institutional policies in other practice environments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. Laryngoscope, 129:113-118, 2019.

A predictive model for patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Due to the rarity of median arcuate ligament (MAL) syndrome, patient selection for surgery remains difficult. This study provides a predictive model to optimize patient selection and predict outcomes following a MAL release. METHODS: Prospective data from patients undergoing a MAL release included demographics, radiologic studies, and SF-36 questionnaires. Successful postoperative changes in SF-36 was defined as an improvement > 10% in the total SF-36 score. A logistic regression model was used to develop a clinically applicable table to predict surgical outcomes. Celiac artery (CA) blood flow velocities were compared pre- and postoperatively and Pearson correlations were examined between velocities and SF-36 score changes. RESULTS: 42 patients underwent a laparoscopic MAL release with a mean follow-up of 28.5 ± 18.8 months. Postoperatively, all eight SF-36 scales improved significantly. The logistic regression model for predicting surgical benefit was significant (p = 0.0244) with a strong association between predictors and outcome (R2 = 0.36). Age and baseline CA expiratory velocity were significant predictors of improvement and predicted clinical improvement. There were significant differences between pre- and postoperative CA velocities. Postoperatively, the bodily pain scale showed the most significant increase (64%, p < 0.0001). A table was developed using age and preoperative CA expiratory velocities to predict clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic MAL produces significant symptom improvement, particularly in bodily pain. This is one of the first studies that uses preoperative data to predict symptom improvement following a MAL release. Age and baseline CA expiratory velocity can be used to guide postoperative expectations in patients with MAL syndrome.

Laparoscopic bilateral cortical-sparing adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.

INTRODUCTION: Since laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma was reported in 1992, the laparoscopic technique has largely replaced the open approach [4]. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the laparoscopic approach is associated with decreased blood loss, shorter hospitalization, faster recovery, and lower cost [1]. Conversion rates are reported at less than 5.5 %, yet concern still exists that intraoperative hypertensive crisis may be more severe with laparoscopy due to increased intraabdominal pressure [3]. Bilateral pheochromocytomas are common in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) or von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Total adrenalectomy commits the patient to lifelong steroid hormone replacement and the risk of Addisonian crisis after bilateral adrenalectomy [5]; [8]. The risk of malignant pheochromocytomas in patients with or without MEN 2 or VHL is low. The current literature supports cortical-sparing adrenalectomy in patients with bilateral pheochromocytomas [2, 7, 10]. This video presents a patient with bilateral pheochromocytomas who underwent bilateral laparoscopic cortical-sparing adrenalectomies. METHODS: A 40-year-old female presented to her primary care physician with a history of a hypertensive crisis that required an emergent cesarean section. Her workup revealed elevated urinary metanephrines, and a CT scan showed a left adrenal lesion measuring 3.9 cm and a right adrenal lesion measuring 2.7 cm. After undergoing alpha blockade, she was consented for bilateral partial adrenalectomies. A left partial adrenalectomy was performed first using four ports. The ports were then closed and the patient was repositioned in a left lateral decubitus position for a subsequent right partial adrenalectomy. RESULTS: The patient had an uncomplicated hospital course and was discharged home on postoperative day 4. She returned for follow-up at 2 weeks and 1 month and had returned to her normal activities. Testing for MEN and von Hippel-Lindau was both negative. Her electrolyte and cortisol levels normalized, and she was weaned off her postoperative steroids by week five. At 1-year follow-up, she remains off steroids and no longer requires anti-hypertensive medications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the gold standard for removal of benign lesions of the adrenal gland. Bilateral pheochromocytomas are more common in the presence of hereditary conditions such as MEN and von Hippel-Lindau and should be ruled out [8, 10]. The risk of Addisonian crisis and lifelong steroid replacement should prompt cortical preservation with bilateral disease [9]. Laparoscopic bilateral partial adrenalectomies should be considered in patients with bilateral pheochromocytomas [6]. Finally, all patients undergoing pheochromocytoma excision require lifelong follow-up to monitor for recurrence.