Association of social determinants of health-related diagnosis codes with postoperative outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The association of an individual's social determinants of health-related problems with surgical outcomes has not been well-characterized. The objective of this study was to determine whether documentation of social determinants of a health-related diagnosis code (Z code) is associated with postoperative outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included surgical cases from a single institution's national surgical quality improvement program (NSQIP) clinical registry from October 2015 to December 2021. The primary predictor of interest was documentation of a Z code for social determinants of health-related problems. The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative morbidity. Secondary outcomes included postoperative length of stay, disposition, and 30-day postoperative mortality, reoperation, and readmission. Multivariable regression models were fit to evaluate the association between the documentation of a Z code and outcomes. RESULTS: Of 10,739 surgical cases, 348 patients (3.2%) had a documented social determinants of health-related Z code. In multivariable analysis, documentation of a Z code was associated with increased odds of morbidity (20.7% vs. 9.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-2.53), length of stay (median, 3 vs. 1 day; incidence rate ratio, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.33-1.67), odds of disposition to a location other than home (11.3% vs. 3.9%; aOR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.89-4.33), and odds of readmission (15.3% vs. 6.1%; aOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.45-2.73). CONCLUSIONS: Social determinants of health-related problems evaluated using Z codes were associated with worse postoperative outcomes. Improved documentation of social determinants of health-related problems among surgical patients may facilitate improved risk stratification, perioperative planning, and clinical outcomes.

Methods of measurement for pneumothorax in pediatric patients: a systematic review.

Accurate measurement of pneumothorax (PTX) size is necessary to guide clinical decision making; however, there is no consensus as to which method should be used in pediatric patients. This systematic review seeks to identify and evaluate the methods used to measure PTX size with CXR in pediatric patients. A systematic review of the literature through 2021 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was conducted using the following databases: Ovid/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar. Original research articles that included pediatric patients (< 18 years old) and outlined the PTX measurement method were included. 45 studies were identified and grouped by method (Kircher and Swartzel, Rhea, Light, Collins, Other) and societal guideline used. The most used method was Collins (n = 16; 35.6%). Only four (8.9%) studies compared validated methods. All found the Collins method to be accurate. Seven (15.6%) studies used a standard classification guideline and 3 (6.7%) compared guidelines and found significant disagreement between them. Pediatric-specific measurement guidelines for PTX are needed to establish consistency and uniformity in both research and clinical practice. Until there is a better method, the Collins method is preferred.

National Comparison of Burnout for a Cohort of Surgical and Nonsurgical Female Trainees.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown that female physician trainees have an increased risk of burnout. We describe the current state of surgical and nonsurgical female trainee well-being and examine differences between surgical and nonsurgical specialties. METHODS: Survey responses were received from 1017 female identifying trainees from 26 graduate medical education institutions across the United States. These survey responses included demographic data and well-being measures. Specifically, burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum test, Fisher's exact test, and Pearson's Chi-squared test data with significance defined as a P < 0.05. This survey was reported in line with strengthening the reporting of cohort studies in surgery criteria. RESULTS: Nine-hundred ninety-nine participants completed the demographic and well-being section of the surveys and were included in analysis. Demographic data between the surgical versus nonsurgical group were similar, aside from surgeons being slightly older. Burnout was prevalent among all surveyed trainees with 63% scoring positive. Trainees also scored high in imposter syndrome and moral injury with low levels of self-compassion, although respondents also reported themselves flourishing. Surgical trainees scored higher than nonsurgical trainees in the personal accomplishment domain of burnout (P < 0.048). There was no difference between surgical and nonsurgical trainees in measures of the emotional exhaustion or depersonalization domains of burnout, or in impostor syndrome, self-compassion, moral injury, or flourishing. CONCLUSIONS: While personal accomplishment was noted to be higher in surgical trainees as compared to nonsurgical trainees, overall rates of burnout are high among both groups. Targeted interventions for well-being, such as coaching, can help decrease the levels of burnout experienced by female physician trainees and do not need to be specialty specific.

Surgeon Understanding and Perceptions of Social Determinants of Health.

INTRODUCTION: Social determinants of health impact surgical outcomes. Characterization of surgeon understanding of social determinants of health is necessary prior to implementation of interventions to address patient needs. The study objective was to explore understanding, perceived importance, and practices regarding social determinants of health among surgeons. METHODS: Surgical residents and attending surgeons at a single academic medical center completed surveys regarding social determinants of health. We conducted semi-structured interviews to further explore understanding and perceived importance. A conceptual framework from the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Determinants of Health informed the thematic analysis. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 47.9% (n = 69, 44 residents [63.8%], 25 attendings [36.2%]). Respondents primarily reported good (n = 29, 42.0%) understanding of social determinants of health and perceived this understanding to be very important (n = 42, 60.9%). Documentation occurred seldom (n = 35, 50.7%), and referrals occurred seldom (n = 26, 37.7%) or never (n = 20, 29.0%). Residents reported a higher rate of prior training than attendings (95.5% versus 56.0%, P < 0.001). Ten interviews were conducted (six residents, four attendings). Residents demonstrated greater understanding of socioeconomic positions and hierarchies shaped by structural mechanisms than attendings. Both residents and attendings demonstrated understanding of intermediary determinants of health status and linked social determinants to impacting patients' health and well-being. Specific knowledge gaps were identified regarding underlying structural mechanisms including the social, economic, and political context that influence an individual's socioeconomic position. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported understanding and importance of social determinants of health among surgeons were high. Interviews revealed gaps in understanding that may contribute to limited practices.

Online Well-Being Group Coaching Program for Women Physician Trainees: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Physician burnout disproportionately affects women physicians and begins in training. Professional coaching may improve well-being, but generalizable evidence is lacking. Objective: To assess the generalizability of a coaching program (Better Together Physician Coaching) in a national sample of women physician trainees. Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomized clinical trial involving trainees in 26 graduate medical education institutions in 19 states was conducted between September 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. Eligible participants included physician trainees at included sites who self-identified as a woman (ie, self-reported their gender identity as woman, including those who reported woman if multiple genders were reported). Intervention: A 4-month, web-based, group coaching program. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were change in burnout (measured using subscales for emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal achievement from the Maslach Burnout Inventory). Secondary outcomes included changes in impostor syndrome, moral injury, self-compassion, and flourishing, which were assessed using standardized measures. A linear mixed model analysis was performed on an intent-to-treat basis. A sensitivity analysis was performed to account for the missing outcomes. Results: Among the 1017 women trainees in the study (mean [SD] age, 30.8 [4.0] years; 540 White participants [53.1%]; 186 surgical trainees [18.6%]), 502 were randomized to the intervention group and 515 were randomized to the control group. Emotional exhaustion decreased by an estimated mean (SE) -3.81 (0.73) points in the intervention group compared with a mean (SE) increase of 0.32 (0.57) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], -4.13 [0.92] points; 95% CI, -5.94 to -2.32 points; P < .001). Depersonalization decreased by a mean (SE) of -1.66 (0.42) points in the intervention group compared with a mean (SE) increase of 0.20 (0.32) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], -1.87 [0.53] points; 95%CI, -2.91 to -0.82 points; P < .001). Impostor syndrome decreased by a mean (SE) of -1.43 (0.14) points in the intervention group compared with -0.15 (0.11) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], -1.28 (0.18) points; 95% CI -1.63 to -0.93 points; P < .001). Moral injury decreased by a mean (SE) of -5.60 (0.92) points in the intervention group compared with -0.92 (0.71) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], -4.68 [1.16] points; 95% CI, -6.95 to -2.41 points; P < .001). Self-compassion increased by a mean (SE) of 5.27 (0.47) points in the intervention group and by 1.36 (0.36) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], 3.91 [0.60] points; 95% CI, 2.73 to 5.08 points; P < .001). Flourishing improved by a mean (SE) of 0.48 (0.09) points in the intervention group vs 0.09 (0.07) points in the control group (absolute difference [SE], 0.38 [0.11] points; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.60 points; P < .001). The sensitivity analysis found similar findings. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this randomized clinical trial suggest that web-based professional group-coaching can improve outcomes of well-being and mitigate symptoms of burnout for women physician trainees. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05222685.

Interplay between ESR1/PIK3CA codon variants, oncogenic pathway alterations and clinical phenotype in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC): comprehensive circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis.

BACKGROUND: although being central for the biology and druggability of hormone-receptor positive, HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC), ESR1 and PIK3CA mutations are simplistically dichotomized as mutated or wild type in current clinical practice. METHODS: The study analyzed a multi-institutional cohort comprising 703 patients with luminal-like MBC characterized for circulating tumor DNA through next generation sequencing (NGS). Pathway classification was defined based on previous work (i.e., RTK, RAS, RAF, MEK, NRF2, ER, WNT, MYC, P53, cell cycle, notch, PI3K). Single nucleotide variations (SNVs) were annotated for their oncogenicity through OncoKB. Only pathogenic variants were included in the models. Associations among clinical characteristics, pathway classification, and ESR1/PIK3CA codon variants were explored. RESULTS: The results showed a differential pattern of associations for ESR1 and PIK3CA codon variants in terms of co-occurring pathway alterations patterns of metastatic dissemination, and prognosis. ESR1 537 was associated with SNVs in the ER and RAF pathways, CNVs in the MYC pathway and bone metastases, while ESR1 538 with SNVs in the cell cycle pathway and liver metastases. PIK3CA 1047 and 542 were associated with CNVs in the PI3K pathway and with bone metastases. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated how ESR1 and PIK3CA codon variants, together with alterations in specific oncogenic pathways, can differentially impact the biology and clinical phenotype of luminal-like MBC. As novel endocrine therapy agents such as selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDS) and PI3K inhibitors are being developed, these results highlight the pivotal role of ctDNA NGS to describe tumor evolution and optimize clinical decision making.

Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Reducing the Environmental Impact of the Operating Room.

INTRODUCTION: The operating room (OR) is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions both nationally and globally. Successful implementation of quality improvement initiatives requires understanding of key stakeholders' perspectives of the issues at hand. Our aim was to explore surgical, anesthesia, and OR staff member perspectives on barriers and facilitators to reducing OR waste. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Identified stakeholders from a single academic medical center were interviewed to identify important barriers and facilitators to reducing surgical waste. Two team members with qualitative research experience used deductive logic guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework of behavior change to identify themes within transcripts. RESULTS: Nineteen participants including surgeons (n = 3, 15.8%), surgical residents (n = 5, 26.3%), an anesthesiologist (n = 1, 5.3%), anesthesia residents (n = 2, 10.5%), nurse anesthetists (n = 2, 10.5%), nurses (n = 5, 26.3%), and a surgical technologist (n = 1, 5.3%) were interviewed. Twelve of the 14 themes within the Theoretical Domains Framework were discovered in transcripts. Barriers within these themes included lack of resources to pursue environmental sustainability in the OR and the necessity of maintaining sterility for patient safety. Facilitators included emphasizing surgeon leadership within the OR to reduce unused supplies and spreading awareness of the environmental and economic impact of surgical waste. CONCLUSIONS: Interviewed stakeholders were able to identify areas where improvements around surgical waste reduction and management could be made at the institution by describing barriers and facilitators to sustainability-driven interventions. Future surgical waste reduction initiatives at this institution will be guided by these important perspectives.

Dynamic Glycoprotein Hyposialylation Promotes Chemotherapy Evasion and Metastatic Seeding of Quiescent Circulating Tumor Cell Clusters in Breast Cancer.

Most circulating tumor cells (CTC) are detected as single cells, whereas a small proportion of CTCs in multicellular clusters with stemness properties possess 20- to 100-times higher metastatic propensity than the single cells. Here we report that CTC dynamics in both singles and clusters in response to therapies predict overall survival for breast cancer. Chemotherapy-evasive CTC clusters are relatively quiescent with a specific loss of ST6GAL1-catalyzed α2,6-sialylation in glycoproteins. Dynamic hyposialylation in CTCs or deficiency of ST6GAL1 promotes cluster formation for metastatic seeding and enables cellular quiescence to evade paclitaxel treatment in breast cancer. Glycoproteomic analysis reveals newly identified protein substrates of ST6GAL1, such as adhesion or stemness markers PODXL, ICAM1, ECE1, ALCAM1, CD97, and CD44, contributing to CTC clustering (aggregation) and metastatic seeding. As a proof of concept, neutralizing antibodies against one newly identified contributor, PODXL, inhibit CTC cluster formation and lung metastasis associated with paclitaxel treatment for triple-negative breast cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: This study discovers that dynamic loss of terminal sialylation in glycoproteins of CTC clusters contributes to the fate of cellular dormancy, advantageous evasion to chemotherapy, and enhanced metastatic seeding. It identifies PODXL as a glycoprotein substrate of ST6GAL1 and a candidate target to counter chemoevasion-associated metastasis of quiescent tumor cells. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 1949.

Genetic Alterations Detected by Circulating Tumor DNA in HER2-Low Metastatic Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: About 50% of breast cancers are defined as HER2-low and may benefit from HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugates. While tissue sequencing has evaluated potential differences in genomic profiles for patients with HER2-low breast cancer, genetic alterations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have not been well described. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed 749 patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and ctDNA evaluation by Guardant360 from three academic medical centers. Tumors were classified as HER2-low, HER2-0 (IHC 0) or HER2-positive. Single-nucleotide variants, copy-number variants, and oncogenic pathways were compared across the spectrum of HER2 expression. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated by HER2 status and according to oncogenic pathways. RESULTS: Patients with HER2-low had higher rates of PIK3CA mutations [relative risk ratio (RRR), 1.57; P = 0.024] compared with HER2-0 MBC. There were no differences in ERBB2 alterations or oncogenic pathways between HER2-low and HER2-0 MBC. Patients with HER2-positive MBC had more ERBB2 alterations (RRR, 12.43; P = 0.002 for amplification; RRR, 3.22; P = 0.047 for mutations, in the hormone receptor-positive cohort), fewer ERS1 mutations (RRR, 0.458; P = 0.029), and fewer ER pathway alterations (RRR, 0.321; P < 0.001). There was no difference in OS for HER2-low and HER2-0 MBC [HR, 1.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79-1.29], while OS was improved in HER2-positive MBC (HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.21-0.49; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a higher rate of PIK3CA mutations, but no significant difference in ERBB2 alterations, oncogenic pathways, or prognosis, between patients with HER2-low and HER2-0 MBC. If validated, our findings support the conclusion that HER2-low MBC does not represent a unique biological subtype.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitors Beyond Progression in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Real-World Biomarker Analysis.

PURPOSE: As the continuation beyond progression (BP) of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) is becoming increasingly attractive for the treatment of patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC), the definition of resistance factors is crucial. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of CDK 4/6i BP and to explore potential genomic stratification factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a multi-institutional cohort of patients with HR-positive HER2-negative MBC characterized for circulating tumor DNA through next-generation sequencing before treatment start. Differences across subgroups were analyzed by chi-square test, and survival was tested by univariable and multivariable Cox regression. Further correction was applied by propensity score matching. RESULTS: Among the 214 patients previously exposed to CDK4/6i, 172 were treated with non-CDK4/6i-based treatment (non-CDK) and 42 with CDK4/6i BP. Multivariable analysis showed a significant impact of CDK4/6i BP, TP53 single-nucleotide variants, liver involvement, and treatment line on both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Propensity score matching confirmed the prognostic role of CDK4/6i BP both for PFS and OS. The favorable impact of CDK4/6i BP was consistent across all subgroups, and a differential benefit was suggested for ESR1-mutated patients. ESR1 and RB1 mutations were more represented in the CDK4/6i BP subgroup with respect to CDK4/6i upfront. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted a significant prognostic impact of the CDK4/6i BP strategy with a potential added benefit in patients with ESR1 mutations suggesting the need for an extensive biomarker characterization.

Operating Room Recycling: Opportunities to Reduce Carbon Emissions Without Increases in Cost.

BACKGROUND: The healthcare industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Within the hospital, operating rooms are responsible for the largest proportion of emissions due to high resource utilization and waste generation. Our aim was to generate estimates of greenhouse gas emissions avoided and cost implications following implementation of a recycling program across operating rooms at our freestanding children's hospital. METHODS: Data were collected from three commonly performed pediatric surgical procedures: circumcision, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, and laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. Five cases of each procedure were observed. Recyclable paper and plastic waste was weighed. Emission equivalencies were determined using the Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. Institutional cost of waste disposal was $66.25 United States Dollars (USD)/ton for recyclable waste and $67.00 USD/ton for solid waste. RESULTS: The proportion of recyclable waste ranged from 23.3% for circumcision to 29.5% for laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. The amount of waste redirected from landfill to a recycling stream could result in annual avoidance of 58,500 to 91,500 kg carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, or 6583 to 10,296 gallons of gasoline. Establishing a recycling program would not require additional cost and could lead to modest cost savings (range $15 to 24 USD/year). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of recycling into operating rooms has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without increased cost. Clinicians and hospital administrators should consider operating room recycling programs as they work towards improved environmental stewardship. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level VI - evidence form a single descriptive or qualitative study.

Disparities in Utilization of Same-Day Discharge Following Appendectomy in Children.

INTRODUCTION: Disparities in the delivery of pediatric surgical care exist for racial and ethnic minority groups. Utilization of same-day discharge (SDD) following appendectomy for acute, uncomplicated appendicitis is increasing; however, rates among diverse populations have not been explored to evaluate equitable care delivery and healthcare utilization. Our objective was to determine whether race and ethnicity are associated with rates of SDD and postdischarge healthcare utilization. We hypothesized that racial and ethnic minority groups would have lower rates of SDD. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used data from the 2015-2019 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric clinical registry and included children who underwent appendectomy. Patients with complicated appendicitis were excluded. Primary exposure was racial or ethnic group. The primary outcome was SDD, and secondary outcomes included postdischarge emergency department visits and hospital readmissions. RESULTS: Of 37,579 simple appendicitis patients, SDD after appendectomy occurred in 10,012 (26.6%). On multivariable analysis, Black or African American race was associated with lower likelihood of SDD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:0.79-0.92; P < 0.0001). Hispanic ethnicity was associated with higher likelihood of SDD (aOR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.12-1.25; P < 0.0001). Likelihood of postoperative emergency department visits was higher in Black or African American patients (aOR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.14-1.62; P < 0.001) and Hispanic patients (aOR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.12-1.58; P < 0.0001). Hospital readmission rates were similar across groups. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of SDD following appendectomy vary among racial and ethnic groups. Interventions to achieve equitable healthcare delivery including SDD after appendectomy are needed.

Laser Ablation of Pilonidal Sinus Disease: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal disease is classically treated with wide local excision, although a number of minimally invasive approaches are currently under investigation. We aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of laser ablation of pilonidal sinus disease. IMPACT OF INNOVATION: Laser ablation provides a minimally invasive means of obliterating pilonidal sinus tracts without a need for excessive tract dilation. Laser ablation can be performed more than once on the same patient if necessary. TECHNOLOGY MATERIALS AND METHODS: This technique uses the NeoV V1470 Diode Laser (neoLaser Ltd, Caesarea, Israel) with a 2-mm probe. We performed laser ablation in adults and pediatric patients. PRELIMINARY RESULTS: We performed 27 laser ablation procedures in 25 patients, with a median operative time of 30 minutes. Eighty percent of patients reported either no pain or mild pain at the 2-week postoperative visit. The median time to return to work or school was 3 days. Eighty-eight percent of patients reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure at their most recent follow-up (median, 6 mo). Eighty-two percent of patients were healed at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Laser ablation of pilonidal disease is safe and feasible. Patients experienced short recovery time and reported low levels of pain and high levels of satisfaction.

Prophylactic antireflux procedures are not necessary in neurologically impaired children undergoing gastrostomy placement.

PURPOSE: Fundoplication is frequently used in children with neurologic impairment even in the absence of reflux due to concerns for future gastric feeding intolerance, but supporting data are lacking. We aimed to determine the incidence of secondary antireflux procedures (fundoplication or gastrojejunostomy (GJ)) post gastrostomy tube (GT) placement in children with and without neurologic impairment. METHODS: Children under 18 undergoing a GT placement without fundoplication between 2010 and 2020 were identified utilizing the PearlDiver Mariner national patient claims database. Children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or a degenerative neurologic disease were identified and compared to children without these diagnoses. The incidence of delayed fundoplication or conversion to GJ were compared utilizing Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 14,965 children underwent GT placement, of which 3712 (24.8%) had a diagnosis of neurologic impairment. The rate of concomitant fundoplication was significantly higher among children with a diagnosis of neurologic impairment as compared to those without (9.3% vs 6.4%, p < 0.001). While children with neurologic impairment had a significantly higher rate of fundoplication or GJ conversion at 5 years compared to children without (12.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 11.4%-13.8%] vs 8.6% [95% CI 8.0%-9.2%], p < 0.001), the overall incidence remained low. CONCLUSION: Although children with neurologic impairment have a higher rate of requiring an antireflux procedure or GJ conversion than other children, the overall rate remains less than 15%. Fundoplication should not be utilized in children without clinical reflux on the basis of neurologic impairment alone.

Environmental Impact and Cost Savings of Operating Room Quality Improvement Initiatives: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Operating rooms are major contributors to a hospital's carbon footprint due to the large volumes of resources consumed and waste produced. The objective of this study was to identify quality improvement initiatives that aimed to reduce the environmental impact of the operating room while decreasing costs. STUDY DESIGN: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar and included broad terms for "operating room," "costs," and "environment" or "sustainability." The "triple bottom line" framework, which considers the environmental, financial, and social impacts of interventions to guide decision making, was used to inform data extraction. The studies were then categorized using the 5 "Rs" of sustainability-refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle-and the impacts were discussed using the triple bottom line framework. RESULTS: A total of 23 unique quality improvement initiatives describing 28 interventions were included. Interventions were categorized as "refuse" (n = 11; 39.3%), "reduce" (n = 8; 28.6%), "reuse" (n = 3; 10.7%), and "recycle" (n = 6; 21.4%). While methods of measuring environmental impact and cost savings varied greatly among studies, potential annual cost savings ranged from $873 (intervention: education on diverting recyclable materials from sharps containers; environmental impact: 11.4 kg sharps waste diverted per month) to $694,141 (intervention: education to reduce regulated medical waste; environmental impact: 30% reduction in regulated medical waste). CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement initiatives that reduce both cost and environmental impact have been successfully implemented across a variety of centers both nationally and globally. Surgeons, healthcare practitioners, and administrators interested in environmental stewardship and working toward a culture of sustainability may consider similar interventions in their institutions.

A Phase II Single-arm Study of Palbociclib in Patients With HER2-positive Breast Cancer With Brain Metastases and Analysis of ctDNA in Patients With Active Brain Metastases.

INTRODUCTION: Palbociclib is highly efficacious and well tolerated in hormone-receptor positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (BC) but its activity for HER2+ BC with brain metastases (BM) is unknown. METHODS: In a single-arm phase II study we evaluated palbociclib with trastuzumab for patients with HER2+ MBC and BM. The primary endpoint was BM response rate. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) was evaluated at baseline, and in a subset of patients at cycle 3 and progression. We also retrospectively identified additional patients with metastatic BC, active BM, and a ctDNA assessment prior to therapy for BM. RESULTS: Twelve patients with HER2+ MBC were enrolled, 4 with HR+ and 8 with HR- disease. No responses were seen. Best response was stable disease for 6 patients and progressive disease for 6 patients. The median PFS was 2.2 months, interquartile range (IQR) was 1.56 to 3.63 months. The median OS was 13.1 months and IQR was 9.4 to 23.8 months The CNS was the primary site of progression for all patients. The median variant allele fraction (VAF) of the dominant variant in each patient was 0.18% (interquartile range [IQR] 0.12%-0.47%) with a median number of somatic alterations of 1. We additionally evaluated ctDNA results from 26 patients with BC and active BM, among whom the median VAF was 11.8% (IQR 3.9%-27.3%) with a median number of alterations was 6 (IQR 4-9). Notably, progressive systemic disease was significantly less frequent in the trial cohort compared with additional retrospectively identified patients (8% vs. 81%). CONCLUSION: Palbociclib did not demonstrate activity in HER2+ MBC with BM. Patients with progressive BM but stable, responding, or absent systemic disease have low VAF and number of alterations detected by ctDNA analysis from blood.

An Infant with COVID-19-Associated Intussusception.

Intussusception is the most common cause of bowel obstruction in infants four to ten months old and is commonly idiopathic or attributed to lymphoid hyperplasia. Our patient was a 7-month-old male who presented with two weeks of intermittent abdominal pain associated with crying, fist clenching and grimacing. Ultrasound demonstrated an ileocolic intussusception in the right abdomen. Symptoms resolved after contrast enemas, and he was discharged home. He re-presented similarly the next day and was found to be COVID-19 positive. Computed tomography scan demonstrated a left upper quadrant ileal-ileal intussusception. His symptoms spontaneously resolved, and he was discharged home. This suggests that COVID-19 may be a cause of intussusception in infants, and infants presenting with intussusception should be screened for this virus. Additionally, recurrence may happen days later at different intestinal locations. Caregiver education upon discharge is key to monitor for recurrence and need to return.

A shortened course of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate is the preferred antibiotic treatment after surgery for perforated appendicitis in children.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Despite evidence supporting short course outpatient antibiotic treatment following appendectomy for perforated appendicitis, evidence of real-world implementation and consensus for antibiotic choice is lacking. We therefore aimed to compare outpatient antibiotic treatment regimens in a national cohort. METHODS: We identified children who underwent surgery for perforated appendicitis between 2010 and 2018 using the PearlDiver database and compared 45-day disease-specific readmission between children who received shortened (5-8 days) versus prolonged (10-14 day) total antibiotic courses (inpatient intravenous and/or oral) completed with outpatient Amoxicillin/Clavulanate versus Ciprofloxacin/Metronidazole, and compared antibiotic type (5-14 days) to each other. RESULTS: 4916 children were identified, 2001 (90.0%) treated with Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (5-14 days), 381 (19.0%) with shortened (5-8 days), 1464 (73.2%) with prolonged (10-14 days) courses. 222 (10.0%) were treated with Ciprofloxacin/Metronidazole, 44 (19.8%) with shortened, 174 (78.4%) with prolonged courses. Freedom from readmission was not different between prolonged and shortened course whether they received Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.54, 95%CI 0.95-2.5) or Ciprofloxacin/Metronidazole (AHR 3.49, 95%CI 0.45-27.3). Antibiotic type did not affect readmission rate (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate versus Ciprofloxacin/Metronidazole, AHR 1.21, 95%CI 0.71-2.05). CONCLUSION: Prolonged antibiotic regimens are routinely prescribed despite evidence suggesting shorter courses and antibiotic choice are not associated with greater treatment failure. As it is better tolerated, we recommend a shortened course of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate for oral management of perforated appendicitis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Postoperative Respiratory Complications in SARS-CoV-2 Positive Pediatric Patients Across 20 United States Hospitals: A Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Data examining rates of postoperative complications among SARS-CoV-2 positive children are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive status on postoperative respiratory outcomes for children. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included SARS-CoV-2 positive pediatric patients across 20 hospitals who underwent general anesthesia from March to October 2020. The primary outcome was frequency of postoperative respiratory complications, including: high-flow nasal cannula/non invasive ventilation, reintubation, pneumonia, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), and 30-day respiratory-related readmissions or emergency department (ED) visits. Univariate analyses were used to evaluate associations between patient and procedure characteristics and stratified analyses by symptoms were performed examining incidence of complications. RESULTS: Of 266 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, 163 (61.7%) were male, and the median age was 10 years (interquartile range 4-14). The majority of procedures were emergent or urgent (n = 214, 80.5%). The most common procedures were appendectomies (n = 78, 29.3%) and fracture repairs (n = 40,15.0%). 13 patients (4.9%) had preoperative symptoms including cough or dyspnea. 26 patients (9.8%) had postoperative respiratory complications, including 15 requiring high-flow oxygen, 8 with pneumonia, 4 requiring non invasive ventilation, 3 respiratory ED visits, and 2 respiratory readmissions. Respiratory complications were more common among symptomatic patients than asymptomatic patients (30.8% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.01). Higher ASA class and comorbidities were also associated with postoperative respiratory complications. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative respiratory complications are less common in asymptomatic versus symptomatic SARS-COV-2 positive children. Relaxation of COVID-19-related restrictions for time-sensitive, non urgent procedures in selected asymptomatic patients may be reasonably considered. Additionally, further research is needed to evaluate the costs and benefits of routine testing for asymptomatic patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Iii, Respiratory complications.