Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer after Cholecystectomy in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies evaluating whether recent cholecystectomy is associated with a pancreas cancer diagnosis are limited. We aimed to examine if cholecystectomy was performed more frequently in the year prior to cancer diagnosis than would be expected in a similar non-cancer population. METHODS: SEER-Medicare linked files were used to identify patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cancer diagnoses were considered to be "timely" if within 2 months of cholecystectomy or "delayed" if 2-12 months after cholecystectomy. Clinical factors and survival outcomes were compared using chi-square and Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: Rate of cholecystectomy in the year prior to diagnosis of cancer was 1.9% for the cancer group, compared to .4% in the non-cancer group (OR = 4.7, 95% CI 4.4-5.1). Differences in the cancer vs non-cancer cohorts at the time of cholecystectomy included a higher age (74 vs 70, P < .0001), more males (49.9% vs 41.7%, P < .0001), and more frequent open technique (21.0% vs 9.4%, P < .0001). Acute pancreatitis was nearly twice as common in the cancer cohort (19.1%) vs the non-cancer cohort (10.7%), P < .0001. There were no differences between patients who had a timely diagnosis after cholecystectomy compared to a delayed diagnosis with regard to age, gender, comorbidity index, race, or rural/urban designation. The rates of localized disease and subsequent resection were also similar between the delayed and timely groups. Overall unadjusted survival was no different between timely and delayed diagnoses, P = .96. DISCUSSION: Elderly patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma are more likely to have had a recent cholecystectomy compared to those without.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Operative Experience Among General Surgery Residents: A Multi-Institutional Study from the US ROPE Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between race/ethnicity and case volume among graduating surgical residents. BACKGROUND: Racial/ethnic minority individuals face barriers to entry and advancement in surgery; however, no large-scale investigations of the operative experience of racial/ethnic minority residents have been performed. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective analysis of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs of categorical general surgery residents at 20 programs in the US Resident OPerative Experience Consortium database was performed. All residents graduating between 2010 and 2020 were included. The total, surgeon chief, surgeon junior, and teaching assistant case volumes were compared between racial/ethnic groups. RESULTS: The cohort included 1343 residents. There were 211 (15.7%) Asian, 65 (4.8%) Black, 73 (5.4%) Hispanic, 71 (5.3%) "Other" (Native American or Multiple Race), and 923 (68.7%) White residents. On adjusted analysis, Black residents performed 76 fewer total cases (95% CI, -109 to -43, P <0.001) and 69 fewer surgeon junior cases (-98 to -40, P <0.001) than White residents. Comparing adjusted total case volume by graduation year, both Black residents and White residents performed more cases over time; however, there was no difference in the rates of annual increase (10 versus 12 cases per year increase, respectively, P =0.769). Thus, differences in total case volume persisted over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-institutional study, Black residents graduated with lower case volume than non-minority residents throughout the previous decade. Reduced operative learning opportunities may negatively impact professional advancement. Systemic interventions are needed to promote equitable operative experience and positive culture change.

Combined pre-operative risk score predicts pancreatic leak after pancreatic resection.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a major complication following pancreatectomy and is currently difficult to predict pre-operatively. This study aims to validate pre-operative risk factors and develop a novel combined score for the prediction of POPF in the pre-operative setting. METHODS: Data were collected from 2016 to 2021 for radiologic main pancreatic duct diameter (MPD), body mass index (BMI), physical status classified by American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), polypharmacy, mean platelet ratio (MPR), comorbidity-polypharmacy score (CPS), and a novel Combined Pancreatic Leak Prediction Score (CPLPS) (derived from MPD diameter, BMI, and CPS) were obtained from pre-operative data and analyzed for their independent association with POPF occurrence. RESULTS: In total, 166 patients who underwent pancreatectomy with pancreatic leak (Grade A, B, and C) occurring in 51(30.7%) of patients. Pre-operative radiologic MPD diameter < 4 mm (p < 0.001), < 5 mm (p < 0.001), < 6 mm (p = 0.001), BMI ≥ 25 (p = 0.009), and ≥ 30 (p = 0.017) were independently associated with the occurrence of pancreatic leak. CPLPS was also predictive of pancreatic leak following pancreatectomy on univariate (p = 0.005) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: MPD and BMI were independent risk factors predictive for the development of pancreatic leak. CPLPS, was an independent predictor of pancreatic leak following pancreatectomy and could be used to help guide surgical decision making and patient counseling.

Multi-institutional review of adverse events associated with irreversible electroporation in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Irreversible electroporation is a novel approach for treating locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, this ablative technique is not without risk and has the potential to precipitate adverse events. The aim of this study was to delineate risk factors that increase this risk, as well as to elucidate the risk profile associated with irreversible electroporation in the setting of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A review of our prospective multi-institutional database from December 2015 to March 2022 of patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent irreversible electroporation was analyzed for adverse events. These were then compared with a control population of patients undergoing pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: Adverse events occurred in 51 patients of the 201 patients treated with irreversible electroporation compared with 78 of the 200 patients treated with pancreatectomy. The irreversible electroporation group had a significantly greater incidence of postoperative ascites in stage 3C patients. The most common complications in the irreversible electroporation group were infectious (n = 13), gastrointestinal bleed (n = 11), and ascites (n = 7). Multivariate analysis demonstrated increased risk of severe (grade ≥3) adverse events in the irreversible electroporation cohort who received high dose, neoadjuvant radiation (hazard ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-5.4), irreversible electroporation electrodes bracketing the superior mesenteric artery, superior mesenteric vein, and portal venous vein (hazard ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.4), and who had a bile duct stent in place for >6 months (hazard ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-5.6). There were similar rates of 90-day mortality in both groups, irreversible electroporation 2.4% vs pancreatectomy 2.8%. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a 25% rate of adverse events associated with irreversible electroporation in locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which was significantly less (P = .004) than the 39% rate of adverse events associated with pancreatectomy in early-stage disease. Certain unique adverse events in the irreversible electroporation group have been established and should be understood in the care of these patients.

A multi-institutional study from the US ROPE consortium examining factors associated with endocrine surgery exposure for general surgery residents.

BACKGROUND: Prior analyses of general surgery resident case logs have indicated a decline in the number of endocrine procedures performed during residency. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to the endocrine operative experience of general surgery residents and compare those who matched in endocrine surgery fellowship with those who did not. METHODS: We analyzed the case log data of graduates from 18 general surgery residency programs in the US Resident Operative Experience Consortium over an 11-year period. RESULTS: Of the 1,240 residents we included, 17 (1%) matched into endocrine surgery fellowships. Those who matched treated more total endocrine cases, including more thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal cases, than those who did not (81 vs 37, respectively, P < .01). Program-level factors associated with increased endocrine volume included endocrine-specific rotations (+10, confidence interval 8-12, P < .01), endocrine-trained faculty (+8, confidence interval 7-10, P < .01), and program co-location with otolaryngology residency (+5, confidence interval 2 -8, P < .01) or endocrine surgery fellowship (+4, confidence interval 2-6, P < .01). Factors associated with decreased endocrine volume included bottom 50th percentile in National Institute of Health funding (-10, confidence interval -12 to -8, P < .01) and endocrine-focused otolaryngologists (-3, confidence interval -4 to -1, P < .01). CONCLUSION: Several characteristics are associated with a robust endocrine experience and pursuit of an endocrine surgery fellowship. Modifiable factors include optimizing the recruitment of dedicated endocrine surgeons and the inclusion of endocrine surgery rotations in general surgery residency.

Interval Sentinel Lymph Nodes With the Use of Routine Lymphoscintigraphy in Extremity Melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoscintigraphy (LS) helps identify drainage to interval (epitrochlear or popliteal) lymph node basins for extremity melanomas. This study evaluated how often routine LS evaluation identified an interval sentinel lymph node (SLN) and how often that node was found to have metastasis. METHODS: A single institution, retrospective study identified patients with an extremity melanoma who underwent routine LS and SLN biopsy over a 25-y period. Comparisons of factors associated with the identification of interval node drainage and tumor status were made. RESULTS: In 634 patients reviewed, 5.7% of patients drained to an interval SLN. Of those biopsied, 29.2% were positive for micrometastases. Among patients with biopsies of both the traditional and interval nodal basins, nearly 20% had positive interval nodes with negative SLNs in the traditional basin. Sex, age, thickness, ulceration, and the presence of mitotic figures were not predictive of identifying an interval node on LS, nor for having disease in an interval node. Anatomic location of the primary melanoma was the only identifiable risk factor, as no interval nodes were identified in melanomas of the thigh or upper arm (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Distal extremity melanomas have a moderate risk of mapping to an interval SLN. Routine LS should be considered in these patients, especially as these may be the only tumor-positive nodes. However, primary extremity melanomas proximal to the epitrochlear or popliteal nodal basins do not map to interval nodes, and improved savings and workflow could be realized by selectively omitting routine LS in such patients.

Optimal Dosing and Patient Selection for Electrochemotherapy in Solid Abdominal Organ and Bone Tumors.

The primary aim of this study was to analyze studies that use electrochemotherapy (ECT) in "deep-seated" tumors in solid organs (liver, kidney, bone metastasis, pancreas, and abdomen) and understand the similarities between patient selection, oncologic selection, and use of new procedures and technology across the organ systems to assess response rates. A literature search was conducted using the term "Electrochemotherapy" in the title field using publications from 2017 to 2023. After factoring in inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 studies were analyzed and graded based on quality in full. The authors determined key patient and oncologic selection characteristics and ECT technology employed across organ systems that yielded overall responses, complete responses, and partial responses of the treated tumor. It was determined that key selection factors included: the ability to be administered bleomycin, life expectancy greater than three months, unrespectability of the lesion being treated, and a later stage, more advanced cancer. Regarding oncologic selection, all patient cohorts had received chemotherapy or surgery previously but had disease recurrence, making ECT the only option for further treatment. Lastly, in terms of the use of technology, the authors found that studies with better response rates used the ClinporatorTM and updated procedural guidelines by SOP. Thus, by considering patient, oncologic, and technology selection, ECT can be further improved in treating lesions in solid organs.

Predictive Ability of Comorbidity Indices for Surgical Morbidity and Mortality: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several contemporary risk stratification tools are now being used since the development of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) in 1987. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the utility of commonly used co-morbidity indices in predicting surgical outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive review was performed to identify studies reporting an association between a pre-operative co-morbidity measurement and an outcome (30-day/in-hospital morbidity/mortality, 90-day morbidity/mortality, and severe complications). Meta-analysis was performed on the pooled data. RESULTS: A total of 111 included studies were included with a total cohort size 25,011,834 patients. The studies reporting the 5-item Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5) demonstrated a statistical association with an increase in the odds of in-hospital/30-day mortality (OR:1.97,95%CI: 1.55-2.49, p < 0.01). The pooled CCI results demonstrated an increase in the odds for in-hospital/30-day mortality (OR:1.44,95%CI: 1.27-1.64, p < 0.01). Pooled results for co-morbidity indices utilizing a scale-based continuous predictor were significantly associated with an increase in the odds of in-hospital/30-day morbidity (OR:1.32, 95% CI: 1.20-1.46, p < 0.01). On pooled analysis, the categorical results showed a higher odd for in-hospital/30-day morbidity (OR:1.74,95% CI: 1.50-2.02, p < 0.01). The mFI-5 was significantly associated with severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III) (OR:3.31,95% CI:1.13-9.67, p < 0.04). Pooled results for CCI showed a positive trend toward severe complications but were not significant. CONCLUSION: The contemporary frailty-based index, mFI-5, outperformed the CCI in predicting short-term mortality and severe complications post-surgically. Risk stratification instruments that include a measure of frailty may be more predictive of surgical outcomes compared to traditional indices like the CCI.

Infection reporting in patients undergoing irreversible electroporation of locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative bile cultures (IOBCs) taken during pancreatic surgery are commonly performed and there has been limited evidence that a positive IOBC could aid in perioperative adverse event (AE) management. Therefore, this study aims to describe infection management in patients undergoing irreversible electroporation (IRE). METHODS: An Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved prospective database was utilized from 8/2016 to 6/2022, with 127 pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients included. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients that underwent IRE also had a simultaneous positive IOBC and the remaining 99 patients that underwent IRE had negative IOBC. A total of 11(39%) of the patients with a positive IOBC had AE's, and 38 (38%) of the patients with negative IOBC had AE's. Both groups had similar rates of AEs leading to new hospitalization and prolonged hospitalizations. Overall, there was no correlation between a positive IOBC and a patient developing an AE. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide insights that improve the infectious management of patients undergoing IRE.

Irreversible electroporation augments ß-glucan induced trained innate immunity for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a challenging diagnosis that is yet to benefit from the advancements in immuno-oncologic treatments. Irreversible electroporation (IRE), a non-thermal method of tumor ablation, is used in treatment of select patients with locally-advanced unresectable PC and has potentiated the effect of certain immunotherapies. Yeast-derived particulate ß-glucan induces trained innate immunity and successfully reduces murine PC tumor burden. This study tests the hypothesis that IRE may augment ß-glucan induced trained immunity in the treatment of PC. METHODS: ß-Glucan-trained pancreatic myeloid cells were evaluated ex vivo for trained responses and antitumor function after exposure to ablated and unablated tumor-conditioned media. ß-Glucan and IRE combination therapy was tested in an orthotopic murine PC model in wild-type and Rag-/- mice. Tumor immune phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. Effect of oral ß-glucan in the murine pancreas was evaluated and used in combination with IRE to treat PC. The peripheral blood of patients with PC taking oral ß-glucan after IRE was evaluated by mass cytometry. RESULTS: IRE-ablated tumor cells elicited a potent trained response ex vivo and augmented antitumor functionality. In vivo, ß-glucan in combination with IRE reduced local and distant tumor burden prolonging survival in a murine orthotopic PC model. This combination augmented immune cell infiltration to the PC tumor microenvironment and potentiated the trained response from tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells. The antitumor effect of this dual therapy occurred independent of the adaptive immune response. Further, orally administered ß-glucan was identified as an alternative route to induce trained immunity in the murine pancreas and prolonged PC survival in combination with IRE. ß-Glucan in vitro treatment also induced trained immunity in peripheral blood monocytes obtained from patients with treatment-naïve PC. Finally, orally administered ß-glucan was found to significantly alter the innate cell landscape within the peripheral blood of five patients with stage III locally-advanced PC who had undergone IRE. CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight a relevant and novel application of trained immunity within the setting of surgical ablation that may stand to benefit patients with PC.

Patient Selection and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Microwave Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic microwave ablation (MWA) of hepatocellular carcinoma is underutilized and predictors of survival in this setting are not well characterized. METHODS: The prognostic value of clinicopathologic variables was evaluated on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by univariate and multivariate analyses. The aim of this study was to evaluate a preferred laparoscopic MWA approach in HCC patients that are not candidates for percutaneous ablation and further classify clinicopathologic factors that may predict survival outcomes following operative MWA in the setting of primary HCC. RESULTS: 184 patients with HCC (median age 66, (33-86), 70% male) underwent laparoscopic MWA (N = 162, 88% laparoscopic) compared to 12% undergoing open MWA (N = 22). Median PFS was 29.3 months (0.2-170) and OS was 44.2 months (2.8-170). Ablation success was confirmed in 100% of patients. Ablation recurrence occurred in 3% (6/184), and local/hepatic recurrence occurred in 34%, at a median time of 19 months (9-18). Distant progression was noted in 8%. Median follow up was 34.1 months (6.4-170). Procedure-related complications were recorded in six (9%) patients with one 90-day mortality. Further, >1 lesion, AFP levels ≥ 80 ng/mL, and an "invader" on pre-operative radiology were associated with increased risk of progression (>1 lesion HR 2.92, 95% CI 1.06 -7.99, p = 0.04, AFP ≥ 80 ng/mL HR 4.16, 95% CI 1.71-10.15, p = 0.002, Invader HR 3.16, 95% CI 1.91-9.15, p = 0.002 ) and mortality (>1 lesion HR 3.62, 95% CI 1.21-10.81, p = 0.02], AFP ≥ 80 ng/mL HR 2.87, 95% CI 1.12-7.35, p = 0.01, Invader HR 3.32, 95% CI 1.21-9.81, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative lesion number, AFP ≥ 80 ng/mL, and an aggressive imaging characteristic (Invader) independently predict PFS and OS following laparoscopic operative MWA.

Disparities in the Operative Experience Between Female and Male General Surgery Residents: A Multi-institutional Study From the US ROPE Consortium.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in resident operative experience between male and female general surgery residents. BACKGROUND: Despite increasing female representation in surgery, sex and gender disparities in residency experience continue to exist. The operative volume of male and female general surgery residents has not been compared on a multi-institutional level. METHODS: Demographic characteristics and case logs were obtained for categorical general surgery graduates between 2010 and 2020 from the US Resident OPerative Experience Consortium database. Univariable, multivariable, and linear regression analyses were performed to compare differences in operative experience between male and female residents. RESULTS: There were 1343 graduates from 20 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs, and 476 (35%) were females. There were no differences in age, race/ethnicity, or proportion pursuing fellowship between groups. Female graduates were less likely to be high-volume residents (27% vs 36%, P < 0.01). On univariable analysis, female graduates performed fewer total cases than male graduates (1140 vs 1177, P < 0.01), largely due to a diminished surgeon junior experience (829 vs 863, P < 0.01). On adjusted multivariable analysis, female sex was negatively associated with being a high-volume resident (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.98, P = 0.03). Over the 11-year study period, the annual total number of cases increased significantly for both groups, but female graduates (+16 cases/year) outpaced male graduates (+13 cases/year, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Female general surgery graduates performed significantly fewer cases than male graduates. Reassuringly, this gap in operative experience may be narrowing. Further interventions are warranted to promote equitable training opportunities that support and engage female residents.

A meta-analysis and systematic review of the comparison of laparoscopic ablation to percutaneous ablation for hepatic malignancies.

BACKGROUND: The optimal access for thermal ablation of the liver has not been evaluated in the literature for the laparoscopic versus percutaneous techniques. The aim of this manuscript was to determine the optimal ablation technique and patient selection for hepatic malignancies by comparing the efficacy and recurrence-free survival of laparoscopic and percutaneous thermal ablation. METHODS: A detailed literature search was made in PubMed, Web of Science, Google scholar, and EMBASE for related research publications. The data were extracted and assessed by two reviewers independently. Analysis of pooled data was performed, and Odds Ratio (OR) or Hazard Ratio (HR) with corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated and summarized respectively. RESULTS: A total of 10 articles were included with 1916 ablation patients. Laparoscopic ablation success (Median 100%) was found to be higher than percutaneous ablation success (median 89.4%) (p = ns). There was a higher percentage of both local and non-local hepatic recurrence in the patients treated with percutaneous ablation versus laparoscopic ablation. Meta-analysis indicated no difference in the adjusted hazard rate of recurrence by procedure type (p = 0.94). Laparoscopic ablation had a higher percentage of complications compared to percutaneous ablation (median lap 14.5% vs. perc 3.3%). CONCLUSIONS: While laparoscopic and percutaneous ablation are both effective interventions for hepatic malignancies, laparoscopic ablation was found to have improved ablation success and less local and non-local hepatic recurrence compared to percutaneous ablation.

A meta-analysis and systematic review of intraoperative bile cultures association with postoperative complications in pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to evaluate the association between intraoperative bile cultures and postoperative complications of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: A detailed literature search was performed from January 2015 to July 2022 in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EMBASE for related research publications. The data were extracted, screened, and graded independently. An analysis of pooled data was performed, and a risk ratio with corresponding confidence intervals was calculated and summarized. RESULTS: A total of 8 articles were included with 1,778 pancreaticoduodenectomy patients who had an intraoperative bile culture performed. A systematic review demonstrated that some of the most common organisms isolated in a positive intraoperative bile culture were Enterococcus species, Klebsiella species, and E. coli. Four studies also showed that specific microorganisms were associated with specific postoperative complications (surgical site infection and intra-abdominal abscess). The postoperative complications that were evaluated for an association with a positive intraoperative bile culture were surgical site infections (risk ratio = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [1.47-3.69], P < .01), delayed gastric emptying (risk ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [0.63-2.38], P = n.s.), 90-day mortality (risk ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval [0.01-52.76], P = n.s.), postoperative pancreatic hemorrhage (risk ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval [0.33-8.74], P = n.s.), intra-abdominal abscess (risk ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval [0.38-7.56], P = n.s.), and postoperative pancreatic fistula (risk ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [0.72-1.32], P = n.s.). CONCLUSION: The cumulative data suggest that a positive intraoperative bile culture has no association with predicting the postoperative complications of delayed gastric emptying, 90-day mortality, postoperative pancreatic hemorrhage, intra-abdominal abscess, or postoperative pancreatic fistula. However, the data also suggest that a positive intraoperative bile culture was associated with a patient developing a surgical site infection.

Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy Is Associated with Superior Survival Compared to Open Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has not been associated with a long-term survival advantage compared to open esophagectomy (OE). We investigated survival differences between MIE, including laparoscopic and robotic, and OE. METHODS: Patients undergoing esophagectomy from 2010 to 2014 with T1-4N0-3M0, adenocarcinoma or squamous cell histology, in middle or lower esophagus were queried from the National Cancer Database and stratified into groups based on their surgical procedure: robotic, laparoscopic, or OE. Propensity matching (1:1) was done between robotic and laparoscopic to produce an MIE group. The MIE group was matched to OE yielding a 1:1:2 matching of robotic:laparoscopic:OE. Postoperative outcomes and survival (Kaplan-Meier) were compared between groups. RESULTS: Prior to matching, 7,163 patients met inclusion criteria and a greater portion underwent OE (67.7%) than MIE (laparoscopic 24.9% and robotic 7.4%). Matching yielded similar groups (robotic = 527, laparoscopic = 527, and OE =1054). Compared to OE, MIE patients had a significantly greater number of nodes sampled and trended toward increased R0 resections (96.1% vs 94.3%, P = .053). OE was associated with a longer median postoperative stay (10 vs 9 days, P = .001). Mortality at 30 and 90 days was similar. However, postoperative survival for MIE was significantly greater than OE (P < .001). No survival difference existed between robotic and laparoscopic (P = .723). CONCLUSIONS: MIE is associated with increased number of nodes examined and a shorter postoperative length of stay. After propensity matching, patients undergoing MIE had better long but not short-term survival than OE. This benefit seems to be independent of the use of robotic technology.

Continuous manual agitation significantly improves temperature distribution during closed hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Results of a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: Debate persists regarding the need for shaking during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Studies assessing the thermal behaviors of the perfusate throughout the abdomen during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy are limited. METHODS: A closed hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy technique was performed in an institutional International Animal Care and Use Committee approved porcine model targeting a 41°C outflow temperature. Continuous temperature monitoring was conducted. Abdominal shaking was performed for 60 second intervals and temperatures were allowed to equilibrate without shaking between intervals. Temperature distributions and changes due to shaking were evaluated. These findings were validated against human subjects' data. RESULTS: The experimental procedure was conducted in 2 different animals and with 6 total shaking intervals assessed. Without shaking, temperatures were highly variable ranging between 38.0 to 42.2°C. Shaking the abdomen reduced the mean range of temperatures across all locations observed from 3.9°C to 0.8°C (P < .01). The locations of the most divergent temperatures varied based on perfusion cannula position. The point of minimum temperature heterogeneity was achieved in 28.3 (19.1-37.5) seconds. After shaking stopped, heterogeneity equal to the baseline measurements was seen on average within 25.7 (13.3-38.0) seconds. The outflow catheter differed from the system mean temperature by 1.4°C and from the coldest-reading probe by 2.8°C and outperformed the inflow catheter for all time points. With shaking these were significantly reduced to 0.4°C (P < .01) and 0.6°C (P < .01). The patient data mirrored that of the pig data. CONCLUSION: Shaking significantly reduces temperature variability within the abdomen during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and significantly improves the ability of the outflow catheter to estimate internal temperatures.

Impact of margin accentuation with intraoperative irreversible electroporation on local recurrence in resected pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rates of local recurrence and margin positivity in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer after pancreatectomy with or without irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation. METHODS: Prospective data for preoperative stages IIB (borderline resectable) and III were evaluated, with 75 patients undergoing pancreatectomy with irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation compared to 71 patients who underwent pancreatectomy alone from March 2010 to November 2020. RESULTS: Both irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation and pancreatectomy-alone groups were similar for body mass index, Charleston comorbidity index, and sex. The irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation group had significantly greater preoperative stage III (irreversible electroporation 83% vs pancreatectomy alone 51%; P = .0001), with similar tumor location (head 64% vs 72%) and tumor size (median 2.9 vs 2.8). Neoadjuvant/induction chemotherapy and prior radiation therapy was similar in both groups (irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation 89% vs 72%). Surgical therapy included a greater percentage of pancreaticoduodenectomy in the pancreatectomy-alone group. Despite greater stage and greater percentage of margin positivity (irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation 27% vs 20%; P = not significant), rates of local recurrence were similar. The mean disease-free interval for local recurrence from time of diagnosis was similar (irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation 15.8 vs 16.5 pancreatectomy alone; P = not significant) and time of treatment (irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation 9.4 vs 10.5 months; P = not significant). Overall survival was improved with the irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation group, with a mean of 34.2 months versus 27.9 months in the pancreatectomy-alone group. CONCLUSION: Irreversible electroporation with margin accentuation is safe and effective in stages IIB and III pancreatic adenocarcinomas that are technically resectable. Despite higher margin positivity rates, the time to local recurrence and the effects of recurrence were the same in the pancreatectomy-alone group.

A multi-institutional study from the US ROPE Consortium examining factors associated with directly entering practice upon residency graduation.

BACKGROUND: There is concern regarding the competency of today's general surgery graduates as a large proportion defer independent practice in favor of additional fellowship training. Little is known about the graduates who directly enter general surgery practice and if their operative experiences during residency differ from graduates who pursue fellowship. METHODS: Nineteen Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited general surgery programs from the US Resident OPerative Experience Consortium were included. Demographics, career choice, and case logs from graduates between 2010 to 2020 were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 1,264 general surgery residents who graduated over the 11-year period. A total of 248 (19.6%) went directly into practice and 1,016 (80.4%) pursued fellowship. Graduates directly entering practice were more likely to be a high-volume resident (43.1% vs 30.5%, P < .01) and graduate from a high-volume program (49.2% vs 33.0%, P < .01). Direct-to-practice graduates performed 53 more cases compared with fellowship-bound graduates (1,203 vs 1,150, P < .01). On multivariable analysis, entering directly into practice was positively associated with total surgeon chief case volume (odds ratio = 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.84, P < .01) and graduating from a US medical school (odds ratio = 2.54, 95% confidence interval 1.45-4.44, P < .01) while negatively associated with completing a dedicated research experience (odds ratio = 0.31, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.45, P < .01). CONCLUSION: This is the first multi-institutional study exploring resident operative experience and career choice. These data suggest residents who desire immediate practice can tailor their experience with less research time and increased operative volume. These data may be helpful for programs when designing their experience for residents with different career goals.