Open retromuscular keyhole compared with Sugarbaker mesh for parastomal hernia repair: Early results of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Open parastomal hernia repair can be performed using retromuscular synthetic mesh in a keyhole or Sugarbaker configuration. Relative morbidity and durability are unknown. Here, we present perioperative outcomes of a randomized controlled trial comparing these techniques, including 30-day patient-reported outcomes, reoperations, and wound complications in ≤90 days. METHODS: This single-center randomized clinical trial compared open parastomal hernia repair with retromuscular medium-weight polypropylene mesh in the keyhole and Sugarbaker configuration for permanent stomas between April 2019 and April 2022. Adult patients with parastomal hernias requiring open repair with sufficient bowel length for either technique were included. Patient-reported outcomes were collected at 30 days; 90-day outcomes included initial hospital length of stay, readmission, wound morbidity, reoperation, and mesh- or stoma-related complications. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were randomized (75 keyhole and 75 Sugarbaker). There were no differences in length of stay, readmission, reoperation, recurrence, or wound complications. Twenty-four patients (16%) required procedural intervention for wound morbidity. Ten patients (6.7%) required abdominal reoperation in ≤90 days, 7 (4.7%) for wound morbidity, including 3 partial mesh excisions (1 keyhole compared with 2 Sugarbaker; P = 1). Four mesh-related stoma complications requiring reoperations occurred, including stoma necrosis (n = 1), bowel obstruction (n = 1), parastomal recurrence (n = 1), and mucocutaneous separation (n = 1), all in the Sugarbaker arm (P = .12). Patient-reported outcomes were similar between groups at 30 days. CONCLUSION: Open parastomal hernia repair with retromuscular mesh in the keyhole and Sugarbaker configurations had similar perioperative outcomes. Patients will be followed to determine long-term relative durability, which is critical to understanding each approach's risk-benefit ratio.

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity Data Sets (Global Physical Activity Data Set Catalogue) That Include Markers of Cardiometabolic Health: Systematic Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease accounts for 17.9 million deaths globally each year. Many research study data sets have been collected to answer questions regarding the relationship between cardiometabolic health and accelerometer-measured physical activity. This scoping review aimed to map the available data sets that have collected accelerometer-measured physical activity and cardiometabolic health markers. These data were then used to inform the development of a publicly available resource, the Global Physical Activity Data set (GPAD) catalogue. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to systematically identify data sets that have measured physical activity using accelerometers and cardiometabolic health markers using either an observational or interventional study design. METHODS: Databases, trial registries, and gray literature (inception until February 2021; updated search from February 2021 to September 2022) were systematically searched to identify studies that analyzed data sets of physical activity and cardiometabolic health outcomes. To be eligible for inclusion, data sets must have measured physical activity using an accelerometric device in adults aged ≥18 years; a sample size >400 participants (unless recruited participants in a low- and middle-income country where a sample size threshold was reduced to 100); used an observational, longitudinal, or trial-based study design; and collected at least 1 cardiometabolic health marker (unless only body mass was measured). Two reviewers screened the search results to identify eligible studies, and from these, the unique names of each data set were recorded, and characteristics about each data set were extracted from several sources. RESULTS: A total of 17,391 study reports were identified, and after screening, 319 were eligible, with 122 unique data sets in these study reports meeting the review inclusion criteria. Data sets were found in 49 countries across 5 continents, with the most developed in Europe (n=53) and the least in Africa and Oceania (n=4 and n=3, respectively). The most common accelerometric brand and device wear location was Actigraph and the waist, respectively. Height and body mass were the most frequently measured cardiometabolic health markers in the data sets (119/122, 97.5% data sets), followed by blood pressure (82/122, 67.2% data sets). The number of participants in the included data sets ranged from 103,712 to 120. Once the review processes had been completed, the GPAD catalogue was developed to house all the identified data sets. CONCLUSIONS: This review identified and mapped the contents of data sets from around the world that have collected potentially harmonizable accelerometer-measured physical activity and cardiometabolic health markers. The GPAD catalogue is a web-based open-source resource developed from the results of this review, which aims to facilitate the harmonization of data sets to produce evidence that will reduce the burden of disease from physical inactivity.

Development of a Mobile Health Snacktivity App to Promote Physical Activity in Inactive Adults (SnackApp): Intervention Mapping and User Testing Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the unequivocal evidence demonstrating the benefits of being physically active, many people do not meet the recommended guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. This can be changed with the development and implementation of innovative interventions. The use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies has been suggested as a mechanism to offer people innovative health behavior change interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to outline the systematic, theory-driven processes and user testing applied to the development of a smartphone-based physical activity app (SnackApp) to promote participation in a novel physical activity intervention called Snacktivity. The acceptability of the app was explored and reported. METHODS: Intervention mapping involves a 6-step process, the first 4 of which were presented in this study. These steps were used to develop the SnackApp for use within the Snacktivity intervention. The first step involved a needs assessment, which included composing an expert planning group, patient and public involvement group, and gathering the views of the public on Snacktivity and the public perception of the use of wearable technology to support Snacktivity. This first step aimed to determine the overall purpose of the Snacktivity intervention. Steps 2 to 4 involved determining the intervention objectives, the behavior change theory and techniques on which the intervention is based, and the development of the intervention resources (ie, SnackApp). After the completion of steps 1 to 3 of the intervention mapping process, the SnackApp was developed and linked to a commercial physical activity tracker (Fitbit Versa Lite) for the automated capture of physical activity. SnackApp includes provisions for goal setting, activity planning, and social support. Stage 4 involved users (inactive adults, N=15) testing the SnackApp for 28 days. App engagement (mobile app use analytics) was analyzed to determine app use and to inform the further development of SnackApp. RESULTS: Over the study period (step 4), participants engaged with SnackApp an average of 77 (SD 80) times. On average, participants used the SnackApp for 12.6 (SD 47) minutes per week, with most of the time spent on the SnackApp dashboard and engaging, on average, 14 (SD 12.1) times, lasting 7 to 8 minutes per week. Overall, male participants used the SnackApp more than female participants did. The app rating score was 3.5 (SD 0.6) out of 5, suggesting that SnackApp was rated as fair to good. CONCLUSIONS: This study outlines and reports data regarding the development of an innovative mHealth app using a systematic, theory-driven framework. This approach can guide the development of future mHealth programs. User testing of the SnackApp suggested that physically inactive adults will engage with the SnackApp, indicating its applicability of use in the Snacktivity physical activity intervention.

Long-term Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Transversus Abdominis Release With Permanent Synthetic Mesh: A Single Center Analysis of 1203 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to report long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes of transversus abdominis release (TAR) with permanent synthetic mesh performed in a high-volume abdominal wall reconstruction practice. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Despite increasing utilization of TAR in abdominal wall reconstruction, long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes remain uncertain. METHODS: Prospectively collected registry data from the Cleveland Clinic Center for Abdominal Core Health were analyzed retrospectively. Patients undergoing elective, open VHR with TAR and permanent synthetic mesh implantation between August 2014 and March 2020 with 30-day clinical and ≥1 year clinical or patient-reported outcome follow-up were included. Outcomes included composite hernia recurrence, characterized by patient-reported bulges and recurrent hernias noted on physical exam or imaging, as well as hernia-specific quality of life and pain. RESULTS: A total of 1203 patients were included. Median age was 60 years [interquartile range (IQR): 52-67], median body mass index was 32 kg/m 2 (IQR: 28-36), median hernia width was 15 cm (IQR: 12-19), and 57% of hernias were recurrent. Fascial reapproximation was achieved in 92%. At a median follow-up of 2 years (IQR: 1-4), the overall composite hernia recurrence rate was 26%, with sensitivity analysis yielding best-case and worst-case estimates of 5% and 28%, respectively. Patients experienced improved hernia-specific quality of life and pain regardless of recurrence outcome; however, those who did not recur experienced more substantial improvement. CONCLUSIONS: TAR with permanent synthetic mesh remains a valuable, versatile technique; however, surgeon and patient expectations should be tempered regarding long-term durability. Despite a high rate of recurrence, patients experience measurable improvements in quality of life.

A Christmas themed physical activity intervention to increase participation in physical activity during Advent: pilot randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the recruitment, retention, and preliminary effects of a Christmas themed physical activity intervention designed to increase participation in physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviour in inactive adults. DESIGN: Pilot randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Recruitment from social medial platforms, workplaces, and community groups in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: 107 inactive adults (who did not meet the UK guidelines for physical activity) aged 18-75 years. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention consisted of an email sent to participants each day of Advent (1-24 December 2021), which contained a Christmas themed physical activity idea to be completed that day. Each physical activity idea was presented in three intensity formats, including Easy Elf (light intensity), Moderate Mrs Claus (moderate intensity), and Strenuous Santa (vigorous intensity). The comparator group received a leaflet about healthy living on the 1 December. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were randomly assigned (2:1) to either the intervention or control and were masked to group allocation before randomisation. Primary outcomes were recruitment rate, retention, and weekly minutes of participation in self-reported moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity by use of the exercise vital signs questionnaire. Primary analysis compared change in minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity from baseline to weeks one, two, and three during the Active Advent intervention. Secondary outcomes were participation in muscle strengthening based physical activity (days per week), accelerometer measured moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, light intensity physical activity, total physical activity, and sedentary time (minutes per day), and enjoyment of and adherence to the intervention. RESULTS: 323 individuals expressed interest in participating in the trial and 107 were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=71) or the comparator (n=36) group. The recruitment target (n=105) was reached within 19 days of starting recruitment. 23 (21%) of 107 participants were lost to follow-up. On average, the groups reported participation in similar minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity in weeks one and two. At week three, the adjusted mean difference between groups was 20.6 minutes of participation in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per week (95% confidence interval -29.7 to 70.9) in favour of the intervention group. Accelerometer data showed that the intervention group spent fewer minutes sedentary per day than comparators (mean difference -58.6 (-113.5 to -3.8)). Overall, 42 (70%) of 60 participants in the intervention group reported that they liked the intervention and 41 (69%) of 59 reported that they completed the Active Advent intervention ideas each day. CONCLUSIONS: The public were interested to participate in a Christmas themed physical activity intervention during Advent, which might increase physical activity and reduce time sedentary. Enjoyment of, and adherence to the intervention shows the potential benefit that Christmas themed physical activity campaigns/initiatives might have for improving public health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN12415556.

Robotic vs Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair with Intraperitoneal Mesh: 1-Year Exploratory Outcomes of the PROVE-IT Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic and robotic ventral hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh have been demonstrated previously to have comparable 30-day outcomes in the PROVE-IT randomized clinical trial. Here we report our 1-year follow-up of enrolled patients to examine exploratory outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: All patients enrolled in a previously published, registry-based, randomized trial investigating laparoscopic vs robotic ventral hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh were reviewed. Several exploratory secondary outcomes were assessed: pain intensity (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS 3a]), hernia-specific quality of life (Hernia-Specific Quality of Life Survey [HerQLes]), composite hernia recurrence, and reoperations. RESULTS: A total of 95% (71 of 75) follow-up was achieved: 33 laparoscopic repairs and 38 robotic repairs. Median follow-up time was 12 months [interquartile range 10 to 12 months]. Following regression analysis adjusting for baseline scores, there was no difference in postoperative pain intensity at 1 year (p = 0.94). However, HerQLes scores increased by 12.0 more points following robotic repairs compared to laparoscopic counterparts (95% CI 1.3 to 22.7, p = 0.03). Composite hernia recurrence was 6% (2 of 33) for the laparoscopic cohort and 24% (9 of 38) for the robotic group (p = 0.04). There was no difference in rates of reoperation (p = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Our exploratory analyses have identified potential differences in quality of life and recurrence, favoring the robotic and laparoscopic approaches, respectively. These findings warrant further study with larger patient cohorts to verify their potential significance.

Comparing Sugarbaker versus keyhole mesh technique for open retromuscular parastomal hernia repair: study protocol for a registry-based randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernia, common after stoma creation, negatively impacts patient quality of life. For patients with a permanent stoma, durable parastomal hernia repair remains a challenge, with few high-quality studies for guidance. An alternative to open retromuscular parastomal hernia repair with retromuscular "keyhole" mesh is the recent Sugarbaker modification. We aim to compare these two techniques in a head-to-head prospective study. METHODS: This is a registry-based randomized controlled trial designed to investigate whether the retromuscular Sugarbaker technique is superior to the retromuscular keyhole technique for parastomal hernia repair. The primary study endpoint is parastomal hernia recurrence at 2 years. Secondary endpoints include hospital length-of-stay, readmission, wound morbidity, mesh-related complications, re-operation, all 30-day morbidity, and patient-reported outcomes, including hernia-related quality of life, stoma-specific quality of life, pain, and decision regret. DISCUSSION: Based on the post hoc analysis of a recent randomized controlled trial, we hypothesize that the retromuscular Sugarbaker technique will reduce parastomal hernia recurrence by 20% at 2 years compared to the retromuscular keyhole mesh technique. The results of this study may provide evidence-based guidance for surgeons repairing parastomal hernias. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03972553. Registered on 3 June 2019.

Effectiveness of physical activity interventions delivered or prompted by health professionals in primary care settings: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of physical activity interventions delivered or prompted by primary care health professionals for increasing moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in adult patients. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. DATA SOURCES: Databases (Medline and Medline in progress, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Sports Medicine and Education Index, ASSIA, PEDro, Bibliomap, Science Citation Index, Conference Proceedings Citation Index), trial registries (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, TRoPHI), and grey literature (OpenGrey) sources were searched (from inception to September 2020). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Randomised controlled trials of aerobic based physical activity interventions delivered or prompted by health professionals in primary care with a usual care control group or another control group that did not involve physical activity. STUDY SELECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent reviewers screened the search results, extracted data from eligible trials and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (version 2). Inverse variance meta-analyses using random effects models examined the primary outcome of difference between the groups in MVPA (min/week) from baseline to final follow-up. The odds of meeting the guidelines for MVPA at follow-up were also analysed. RESULTS: 14 566 unique reports were identified and 46 randomised controlled trials with a range of follow-ups (3-60 months) were included in the meta-analysis (n=16 198 participants). Physical activity interventions delivered or prompted by health professionals in primary care increased MVPA by 14 min/week (95% confidence interval 4.2 to 24.6, P=0.006). Heterogeneity was substantial (I2=91%, P<0.001). Limiting analyses to trials that used a device to measure physical activity showed no significant group difference in MVPA (mean difference 4.1 min/week, 95% confidence interval -1.7 to 9.9, P=0.17; I2=56%, P=0.008). Trials that used self-report measures showed that intervention participants achieved 24 min/week more MVPA than controls (95% confidence interval 6.3 to 41.8, P=0.008; I2=72%, P<0.001). Additionally, interventions increased the odds of patients meeting guidelines for MVPA by 33% (95% confidence interval 1.17 to 1.50, P<0.001; I2=25%, P=0.11) versus controls. 14 of 46 studies were at high risk of bias but sensitivity analyses excluding these studies did not alter the results. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity interventions delivered or prompted by health professionals in primary care appear effective at increasing participation in self-reported MVPA. Such interventions should be considered for routine implementation to increase levels of physical activity and improve health outcomes in the population. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021209484.

A critical analysis of laparoscopic and open approaches to sporadic pancreatic insulinoma resection in the modern era.

BACKGROUND: A single center experience with sporadic pancreatic insulinoma was analyzed to develop an algorithm for modern surgical management. METHODS: Thirty-four patients undergoing surgery from 2001 to 2019 were reviewed. RESULTS: The majority underwent enucleation (10 laparoscopic, 15 open). Laparoscopy was performed in 22 patients with conversion to open in 11, mostly related to the proximity of the tumor to the pancreatic duct (n = 4). Tumors on the anterior and posterior surface of the pancreas in all anatomic locations were completed with laparoscopic enucleation. Overall, the clinically-relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) rate was 21%, with no difference between laparoscopic versus open enucleation (10% vs 20%, p = 0.50) or enucleation versus resection (16% vs 33%, p = 0.27). Laparoscopic enucleation had shorter median hospital length of stay (LOS) compared with open (4 vs 7 days, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic enucleation does not increase the CR-POPF risk and provides an advantage with a shorter hospital LOS in select patients. Tumor location and relationship to the pancreatic duct guide surgical decision-making. These findings highlight tumor-specific criteria that would benefit from a minimally invasive approach.

Preoperative Calcium and Parathyroid Hormone Values Are Poor Predictors of Gland Volume and Multigland Disease in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Review of 2000 Consecutive Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) values are believed to have a linear relationship in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and correlate with parathyroid gland size, with higher values predicting single-gland disease. In this modern series, these preoperative values were correlated with operative findings to determine their utility in predicting the gland involvement at parathyroid exploration. METHODS: Two thousand consecutive patients who underwent initial surgery for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism from 2000 to 2014 were reviewed. All patients underwent a 4-gland exploration. Relationships between preoperative calcium and PTH values with the total gland volume of each patient were examined and stratified using the number of involved glands: single adenoma (SA), double adenoma (DA), and hyperplasia (H). RESULTS: There were 1274 (64%) SA, 359 (18%) DA, and 367 (18%) H cases. There was a poor correlation between preoperative calcium and PTH values (R = 0.37) and both poorly correlated with the total gland volume (R < 0.40). Similarly, subgroup analysis using the number of involved glands showed poor correlation. The mean total gland volume was similar among all subgroups (SA = 1.28 cm3, DA = 1.43 cm3, and H = 1.27 cm3; P = .52), implying that individual glands were smaller in multigland disease. SA was found in 271 (53%) of patients with calcium levels of ≤10.5 mg/dL and 122 (78%) with levels of ≥12 mg/dL (P < .001). CONCLUSION: This is the largest series correlating preoperative calcium and PTH values with operative findings of gland size and number of diseased glands. Although a lower calcium value predicts somewhat more multigland disease, the overall poor correlation should make the parathyroid surgeon aware that gland size and multigland disease cannot be predicted by preoperative laboratory testing.

The Efficacy of Liposomal Bupivacaine on Postoperative Pain Following Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine on postoperative opioid requirement and pain following abdominal wall reconstruction. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Despite the widespread use of liposomal bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block, there is inadequate evidence demonstrating its efficacy in open abdominal wall reconstruction. We hypothesized that liposomal bupivacaine plane block would result in decreased opioid requirements compared with placebo in the first 72 hours after surgery. METHODS: This was a single-center double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective study conducted between July 2018 and November 2019. Adult patients (at least 18 yrs of age) undergoing open, elective, ventral hernia repairs with mesh placed in the retromuscular position were enrolled. Patients were randomized to surgeon-performed transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine, simple bupivacaine, or normal saline (placebo). The main outcome was opioid requirements in the first 72 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes included total inpatient opioid use, pain scores determined using a 100 mm visual analog scale, length of hospital stay, and patientreported quality of life. RESULTS: Of the 164 patients who were included in the analysis, 57 patients received liposomal bupivacaine, 55 patients received simple bupivacaine, and 52 received placebo. There were no differences in the total opioid used in the first 72 hours after surgery as measured by morphine milligram equivalents when liposomal bupivacaine was compared with simple bupivacaine and placebo (325 ± 225 vs 350 ± 284 vs 310 ± 272, respectively, P = 0.725). Similarly, there were no differences in total inpatient opioid use, pain scores, length of stay, and patient-reported quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: There are no apparent clinical benefits to using liposomal bupivacaine transversus abdominis plane block when compared with simple bupivacaine and placebo for open abdominal wall reconstruction.

Clinical Significance of Postoperative Antibiotic Treatment for Positive Islet Cultures After Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Islet cultures are routinely performed in total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT), and the need for empiric antibiotic treatment based on culture results is unknown. We evaluated the effect of postoperative antibiotic treatment for positive islet cultures on clinical infection. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients undergoing TPIAT were reviewed. Prophylactic perioperative ceftriaxone and metronidazole were administered, and transplanted islet preparations included ciprofloxacin. Postoperative antibiotics were not routinely given for positive cultures unless a clinical infection was suspected. The primary end point was 30-day infectious complications. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (65%) had a positive culture. Overall, 39 patients (87%) had organisms susceptible to our perioperative antibiotic regimen. There was no difference in the infectious complication rate between those with positive compared with negative cultures (16% vs 29%, P = 0.17). Patients with a positive culture had similar 30-day postoperative infectious complication rates whether receiving postoperative antibiotics (n = 7) or not (14% vs 16%, P = 0.91). Only 1 patient had a correlation of clinical and islet cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Beyond prophylactic antibiotics, empiric antibiotic treatment for a positive culture is not warranted and provides a rationale for the abandonment of routine cultures in TPIAT.

Registry-Based Trainee Assessments: Leveraging a Quality Collaborative for Surgical Education.

INTRODUCTION: We present our experience developing and embedding a registry-based module for resident feedback. METHODS: At our institution, entering operative data into the institutional quality collaborative registry is standard practice. In February 2019, a surgical education module was embedded into the registry to capture procedure-specific resident operative assessments. Faculty engagement with the sugical education module was assessed during its first year in existence (February 2019-February 2020). RESULTS: In total, 1074 of 1269 (85%) operative assessments were completed by 27 faculty via the surgical education registry module. Median faculty engagement rate with the module following resident-assisted procedures was 91% [IQR 76%-100%]. Residents received a median of 7 operative assessments [IQR 2-19] over the study period. CONCLUSION: By embedding a surgical education module into an existing surgical quality collaborative registry, procedure-specific operative assessments can be routinely captured.

Can Hernia Sac to Abdominal Cavity Volume Ratio Predict Fascial Closure Rate for Large Ventral Hernia? Reliability of the Tanaka Score.

BACKGROUND: The hernia sac to abdominal cavity volume ratio (VR) on abdominal CT was described previously as a way to predict which hernias would be less likely to achieve fascial closure. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of the previously described cutoff ratio in predicting fascial closure in a cohort of patients with large ventral hernias. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective, open incisional hernia repair of 18 cm or larger width at a single center were identified. The primary end point of interest was fascial closure for all patients. Secondary outcomes included operative details and abdominal wall-specific quality-of-life metrics. We used VR as a comparison variable and calculated the test characteristics (ie, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values). RESULTS: A total of 438 patients were included, of which 337 (77%) had complete fascial closure and 101 (23%) had incomplete fascial closure. The VR cutoff of 25% had a sensitivity of 76% (95% CI, 71% to 80%), specificity of 64% (95% CI, 54% to 74%), positive predictive value of 88% (95% CI, 83% to 91%), and negative predictive value of 45% (95% CI, 36% to 53%). The incomplete fascial closure group had significantly lower quality of life scores at 1 year (83.3 vs 52.5; p = 0.001), 2 years (85 vs 33.3; p = 0.003), and 3 years (86.7 vs 63.3; p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the VR cutoff of 25% was sensitive for predicting complete fascial closure for patients with ratios below this threshold. Although there is a higher likelihood of incomplete fascial closure when VR is ≥ 25%, this end point cannot be predicted reliably. Additional studies should be done to study this ratio in conjunction with other hernia-related variables to better predict this important surgical end point.

Short- and long-term surgical outcomes of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation: A comparative analysis of surgical technique and intraoperative heparin dosing to optimize outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT) is an uncommon surgical procedure with unique perioperative management. We evaluated the short- and long-term morbidity and mortality of TP-IAT to optimize surgical technique and heparin dosing during islet autotransplantation. METHODS: Eighty patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing TP-IAT were reviewed. Primary outcome was to evaluate morbidity and mortality based on operative technique: classic (resection of antrum) vs pylorus-preserving. Secondary outcome was to evaluate the effect of heparin dosing (<60 vs ≥ 60 units/kg) during islet autotransplantation on postoperative hemorrhage and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) rates. RESULTS: There was no 90-day mortality, and median length of stay was 9 days. All patients underwent an open operation with 53 (66%) pylorus-preserving resections. The 30-day morbidity rate was 39%, with no difference between operative technique (p = 0.82). The median dose was different for each heparin group (<60: 52 units/kg vs ≥ 60: 66 units/kg, p < 0.0001). No difference was observed in postoperative hemorrhage rates between heparin groups (<60: 9% vs ≥ 60: 9%, p = 0.97), with no known incidence of PVT. Median follow-up was 36 months (IQR, 14-71). Morbidity >30 days after TP-IAT was 43% with a higher rate in the pylorus-preserving group (55% vs 15%, p < 0.0001), mainly attributed to marginal ulcer formation (15% vs 0%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A classic TP-IAT technique should be universally adopted to achieve optimal outcomes, particularly to prevent the formation of marginal ulcers. When considering PVT versus postoperative hemorrhage risk, a lower heparin dose nearing 50 units/kg is optimal. These findings highlight potential areas for future improvement.

Utilization of a quality reporting system to increase faculty participation in resident operative assessment.

BACKGROUND: A quality collaborative across our hospital system was initiated to track surgical outcomes. We sought to determine whether incorporating a resident operative performance assessment into this quality collaborative would increase the quantity and quality of these assessments and impact relevant milestones. METHODS: A resident operative assessment was added to a quality reporting system required to be completed by faculty at the completion of 2 operations. Three milestones directly related to operative performance were analyzed-Patient Care 3, Medical Knowledge 2, and Interpersonal and Communication Skills 3. Residents were divided in 2 groups: quality collaborative (≥10 operative assessments) and no quality collaborative (<10 operative assessments). Milestones from Spring 2019 and Fall 2019 were analyzed. RESULTS: Faculty participation was 86% with 407 assessments completed from February to October 2019. A difference in the rate of change in resident performance for Patient Care 3 (+0.95 vs +0.55; P = .04) and Interpersonal and Communication Skills 3 (+1.05 vs +0.52; P = .02) was observed for those residents in the quality collaborative group (n = 20) compared with baseline data. CONCLUSION: Addition of an operative assessment to a mandatory quality collaborative increases faculty participation and impacts resident milestone determination. These findings highlight opportunities to find innovative and efficient methods to improve faculty engagement.

Registry-Based Randomized Controlled Trials: A New Paradigm for Surgical Research.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard to establish evidence for surgical practice but can be hindered by high costs, complexity, and time requirements. Recently, observational registries have been leveraged as platforms for clinical trials to address these limitations, though few registry-based surgical RCTs have been conducted. Here, we present our group's approach to surgical registry-based RCTs and early results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To facilitate these trials, we focused on registry integration into surgeons' workflows, routine collection of patient-reported outcomes at clinic visits, and pragmatic trial design featuring broad inclusion criteria and standard of care follow-up. These features maximize generalizability and facilitate follow-up by minimizing visits and tests outside of normal practice. RESULTS: Since 2017, our group has completed enrollment in 4 registry-based RCTs with another 5 trials ongoing. Of these, 4 trials have been multicenter. Over 1000 patients have been enrolled in these studies, with follow-up rates of 90% or greater. Most of these trials are on track to complete enrollment in approximately 2 y from their start date. Beyond salary support, resource utilization is low. None of our trials has been terminated due to lack of resources or futility. CONCLUSIONS: Registry-based RCTs allow for efficient conduct of pragmatic surgical trials. Thoughtful study design, registry integration into surgeons' routines, and a team culture embracing research are paramount. We believe registry-based trials are the future of affordable, high-level, prospective surgical research.

Patient-reported opioid use after open abdominal wall reconstruction: How low can we go?

BACKGROUND: Little data exist to inform discharge opioid prescribing for patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative, patient-reported opioid use after abdominal wall reconstruction. We hypothesized that the majority of patients undergoing open abdominal wall reconstruction would require between 16 and 30 opioid tablets after discharge. METHODS: Postoperative, patient-reported opioid use was collected prospectively for all patients undergoing elective, open abdominal wall reconstruction at a single high-volume center. All opioid medications were converted to an equivalent number of 5 mg oxycodone tablets. The primary outcome was the total number of opioid tablets taken within 30 days of hospital discharge after abdominal wall reconstruction. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were included. Median hernia width was 15 cm (interquartile range 12-19), 42% were recurrences, and all underwent transversus abdominis release. At the 30-day follow-up visit, 24% reported no postdischarge opioid use, and 76% reported taking 15 tablets or fewer. Of the 23 patients who used no opioids on the day before discharge, 16 (70%) reported taking no opioids after discharge. CONCLUSION: Most patients reported taking fewer opioid tablets than prescribed and fewer than our hypothesis within 30 days of abdominal wall reconstruction. Opioid use on the day before discharge may allow for prognostication of outpatient opioid requirements to prevent overprescribing.