Malpractice allegations against vascular surgeons: Prevalence, risk factors, and impact on surgeon wellness.

OBJECTIVE: The contemporary medicolegal environment has been linked to procedure overuse, health care variation, and higher costs. For physicians accused of malpractice, there is also a personal toll. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for involvement in medical malpractice lawsuits among United States vascular surgeons, and to examine the association between these allegations with surgeon wellness. METHODS: In 2018, the Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS) Wellness Task Force conducted a confidential survey of active members using a validated burnout assessment (Maslach Burnout Index) embedded into a questionnaire. This survey included questions related to medical errors and malpractice litigation. De-identified demographic, personal, and practice-related characteristics were assessed in respondents who reported malpractice allegations in the preceding 2 years, then compared with those without recent medicolegal litigation. Risk factors for malpractice allegations were identified (χ2, Kruskal-Wallis tests), and the association between malpractice allegations with wellness was examined. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to identify independent risk factors for malpractice accusations. RESULTS: Of 2905 active SVS members, 871 responses from practicing vascular surgeons were analyzed. A total of 161 (18.5%) were named in a malpractice lawsuit within 2 years. Malpractice allegations were significantly associated with surgeon burnout (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.15; P = .041), but not with self-reported depression or suicidal ideation. The nature of malpractice claims included procedural errors (23.1%), failure to treat (18.8%), and error/delay in diagnosis (16.9%). Twenty percent of claims were settled prior to trial, and 19% were dismissed. Defendant vascular surgeons reported a "fair" resolution in 26.4% of closed cases. By unadjusted analysis, factors significantly associated with recent malpractice claims included mean age (51.7 ± 10.0 vs 49.3 ± 11.2 years; P = .0044) and mean years in practice (18.0 ± 10.7 vs 15.2 ± 11.8; P = .0007). Multivariate analysis revealed independent variables associated with malpractice allegations, including on-call frequency (P = .0178), recent medical errors (P = .0189), and male surgeons (P = .045). CONCLUSIONS: Malpractice allegations are common for vascular surgeons and are significantly associated with surgeon burnout. Nearly 20% of survey respondents reported being named in a lawsuit within the preceding 2 years. Our findings underscore the need for SVS initiatives to provide counseling and peer support for vascular surgeons facing litigation.

Prevalence and risk factors for burnout in U.S. vascular surgery trainees.

OBJECTIVE: Burnout and suicidality are known risks for vascular surgeons above other surgical subspecialties, with surgical trainees at risk for exposure to factors that increase burnout. This study aimed to inform initiatives to improve wellness by assessing the prevalence of hazards in vascular training (mistreatment, duty-hour violations) and the rates of wellness outcomes (burnout, thoughts of attrition/specialty change/suicide). We hypothesized that mistreatment and duty-hour violations would predispose trainees to increased burnout. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of residents and fellows enrolled in accredited United States vascular surgery training programs using a voluntary, confidential survey administered during the 2020 Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination. The primary outcome assessed was burnout symptoms reported on a weekly basis or more frequently. The rates of wellness outcomes were measured. The association of mistreatment and duty hours with the primary outcome was modeled with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 475 residents and fellows who were enrolled in one of 120 vascular surgery training programs completed the survey (84.2% response rate). Of 408 trainees completing burnout survey items, 182 (44.6%) reported symptoms of burnout. Fewer trainees reported thoughts of attrition (n = 42 [10.0%], specialty change (n = 35 [8.4%]), or suicide (n = 22 [4.9%]). Mistreatment was reported by 191 vascular trainees (47.3%) and was more common in female trainees (n = 63 [48.5%] reporting monthly or more frequently) compared with male trainees (n = 51 [18.6%]; P < .001). Duty-hour violations were also more commonly reported by female trainees (n = 31 [21.4%] reporting 3+ months in violation) compared with male trainees (n = 50 [16.2%]; P = .002). After controlling for race/ethnicity, postgraduate year, program type, and geography, female trainees were less likely to report burnout (odds ratio [OR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-0.86). Trainees experiencing mistreatment monthly or more were three times more likely to report burnout (OR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.78-5.39). Frequency of duty-hour violations also increased the odds of reporting burnout (1-2 months in violation: OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.17-3.73; 3+ months in violation: OR, 3.95; 95% CI, 2.24-6.97). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-half of vascular surgery trainees reported symptoms of burnout, which was associated with frequency of mistreatment and duty-hour violations. Interventions to improve well-being in vascular surgery must be tailored to the local training environment to address trainee experiences that contribute to burnout.

Anxiety and Depression Scores in Patients Subjected to Arterial Revascularization for Critical Limb Ischemia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the changes in anxiety and depression scores in 138 patients with critical limb ischemia (rest pain or gangrene) who had no previous psychiatric history, at 30 days and 6 months after surgical revascularization. METHODS: Patients were submitted to a questionnaire-based evaluation using the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories before surgery (no more than three days before surgery) ("Pre-Op"), 30 days after surgical revascularization ("Early PO") and at least 6 months after surgical revascularization ("Late PO"). The cut-off scores for depression were (1) < 10, no depression or minimal depression; (2) 10‒18, mild to moderate depression; (3) 19‒29, moderate to severe depression; and (4) 30‒63, severe depression. The cut-off scores for anxiety were (1) < 8, no anxiety or minimal anxiety; (2) 8‒15, mild anxiety; (3) 16‒25, moderate anxiety; and (4) 26‒63, severe anxiety. RESULTS: No perioperative mortality was observed 30 days after surgical revascularization. Thirty-nine (28.2%) patients underwent major (above-ankle) amputation within 30 days. Mean anxiety and depression scores, respectively, declined from 12.48 ± 9.74 (mean ± SD) and 16.92 ± 12.48 preoperatively to 4.89 ± 7.04 and 6.52 ± 9.36 postoperatively (P<0.001, both). Anxiety and depression scores were not significantly affected by preoperative comorbidities (systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, and smoking), affected arterial territory (aortoiliac, femoropopliteal, or infrapopliteal), or surgical technique (open surgery vs endovascular therapy). Only patients undergoing amputation within 30 days showed no improvement in depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with critical limb ischemia have a high incidence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, which improve considerably after successful surgical revascularization. Major amputation was associated with a lack of improvement in depression scores. A formal psychiatric evaluation may be beneficial in patients who show no improvement in depressive symptoms.

Two-year Outcome of Quality of Life and Health Status for the Elderly with Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia.

PURPOSE: In elderly patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), there is little scientific understanding of the long-term changes of quality of life (QoL) and health status (HS) after treatment. The primary goal of this study was to provide long-term QoL and HS results for elderly CLTI patients after therapy. Treatments consisted of endovascular revascularization, surgical revascularization, or conservative treatment. Furthermore, the aim of this study was to identify the distinctive trajectories of QoL and HS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CLTI patients aged ≥70 years were included in a prospective observational cohort study with a two-year follow-up. The WHOQOL-BREF was used to asses QoL. The 12-Item Short Form Health Survey was used to measure HS. The QoL and HS scores were compared to the scores in the general elderly Dutch population. Latent class trajectory analysis was used. RESULTS: A total of 195 patients were included in this study. After two years, in all treatment groups patients showed significantly higher physical QoL score compared to baseline and there was no significant difference with the corresponding values in the elderly Dutch population. In the latent class trajectory analysis, there were no overlapping risk factors for poorer QoL or HS. CONCLUSION: This study shows that QoL levels in surviving elderly CLTI patients in the long-term do not differ from the corresponding values for elderly in the general population. There were no disparities in sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics associated with poorer QoL and HS. This study was carried out to encourage further analysis of the influence of biopsychosocial characteristics on QoL and HS in elderly CLTI patients.

Strength of public preferences for endovascular or open aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated public preferences for the treatment processes for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in order to allow them to be incorporated into a cost-effectiveness analysis. METHODS: This was a telephone survey using a trade-off method in UK resident adults (aged at least 18 years) with no previous diagnosis of a vascular condition. RESULTS: Some 167 of 209 participants (79·9 per cent) stated that they would prefer endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), 40 (19·1 per cent) preferred open surgery and two (1·0 per cent) stated no preference. Participants preferred EVAR because of the less invasive nature of the intervention and quicker recovery. Participants preferring open surgery cited reasons such as having a single follow-up appointment, and a procedure that felt more permanent. When participants were asked to make a sacrifice in order to have their preferred treatment, 122 (58·4 per cent) favoured EVAR, 18 (8·6 per cent) favoured open surgery and 69 (33·0 per cent) had no preference. Those preferring EVAR were willing to give up a mean of 0·135 expected quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) to have EVAR, compared with a willingness to give up 0·033 expected QALYs among those preferring open repair. CONCLUSION: These results indicate a clear preference for EVAR over open surgery for aortic aneurysm.

ANTECEDENTES: Este estudio evaluó las preferencias de la opinion pública en relación a las opciones de tratamiento para la reparación del aneurisma de aorta abdominal, con el objetivo de que dichas preferencias se puedan incorporar en un análisis de coste-efectividad. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una encuesta telefónica utilizando el método trade-off (solución de intercambio) en adultos residentes en el Reino Unido (mayores de 18 años) sin diagnóstico previo de enfermedad vascular. RESULTADOS: Un total de 167 (79,9%) de 209 participantes declararon que preferirían la reparación endovascular del aneurisma (endovascular aneurysm repair, EVAR), 40 (19,1%) prefirieron cirugía abierta y dos (1,0%) no tenían preferencia. Los participantes prefirieron el EVAR debido a la naturaleza menos invasiva de la intervención y a tiempos de recuperación más rápidos. Los participantes que preferían la cirugía abierta mencionaron como razones tener una única visita de seguimiento y consideraron que se trataba de un procedimiento más permanente. Cuando se pidió a los participantes que para recibir su tratamiento preferido hicieran un intercambio, 122 (58,4%) se decantaron por la EVAR, 18 (8,6%) por la cirugía abierta y 69 (33%) no tuvieron preferencia. Los que prefirieron EVAR estaban dispuestos a renunciar a una media de 0,135 años de vida ajustados por calidad (QALYs) esperados con tal de recibir una EVAR en comparación con la renuncia de 0,033 QALYs esperada entre quienes preferían la reparación abierta. CONCLUSIÓN: Estos resultados indican una clara preferencia por la EVAR sobre la cirugía abierta, lo que está en desacuerdo con la reciente recomendación de NICE de que la EVAR no debe recomendarse como una opción de tratamiento. Los hallazgos sugieren que se debe prestar mayor atención a las características del proceso de tratamiento. Al no incorporar explícitamente tales preferencias en el proceso de toma de decisiones, NICE corre el riesgo de recomendar opciones de tratamiento que son contrarias a las preferencias de la población del Reino Unido.

Important differences between quality of life and health status in elderly patients suffering from critical limb ischemia.

INTRODUCTION: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients are often of advanced age with reduced health status (HS) and quality of life (QoL) at baseline. Physical health is considered as the most affected domain due to reduced mobility and ischemic pain. QoL and HS are often used interchangeably in the current literature. HS refers to objectively perceived physical, psychological, and social functioning and in assessing QoL, change is measured subjectively and can only be determined by the individual since it concerns patients' evaluation of their functioning. It is important to distinguish between QoL and HS, especially in the concept of shared decision-making when the opinion of the patient is key. Goal of this study was to examine and compare QoL and HS in elderly CLI patients in relation to the used therapy, with a special interest in conservatively treated patients. METHODS: Patients suffering from CLI and ≥70 years old were included in a prospective study with a follow-up period of 1 year. Patients were divided into three groups; endovascular revascularization, surgical revascularization, and conservative therapy. The WHOQoL-Bref was used to determine QoL, and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey was used to evaluate HS at baseline, 5-7 days, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. RESULTS: Physical QoL of endovascularly and surgically treated patients showed immediate significant improvement during follow-up in contrast to delayed increased physical HS at 6 weeks and 6 months (P<0.001). Conservatively treated patients showed significantly improved physical QoL at 6 and 12 months (P=0.02) in contrast to no significant improvement in physical HS. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that QoL and HS are indeed not identical concepts and that differentiating between these two concepts could influence the choice of treatment in elderly CLI patients. Discriminating between QoL and HS is, therefore, of major importance for clinical practice, especially to achieve shared decision-making.

Type D Personality and Health-Related Quality of Life in Vascular Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the association of type D personality and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and assessed the stability of type D personality in vascular surgery patients during the year after surgery. METHOD: In a prospective cohort study between 2008 and 2014, 294 patients were assessed with validated questionnaires preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Associations between type D personality, depression, and HRQoL were analyzed by generalized estimating equation models. Type D personality was analyzed in its standard dichotomous form as well as continuous (z) scores of its two components, negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI), and their interaction term. RESULTS: Prevalence of type D personality varied between 18% and 25%. However, only 9% of the complete responders were classified as type D personality at all four assessments, whereas one third changed between type D classifications. Continuous scores showed greater stability over time. Dichotomized type D personality measured over time was significantly associated with impaired HRQoL, but this was not the case if measured once at baseline, like in general use. The continuous NA score and depression were also significantly associated with impaired HRQoL over time. CONCLUSION: Type D personality was not a stable trait over time. Preoperative assessment of type D personality did not predict improvement in HRQoL after vascular surgery. However, the study revealed associations between the NA component of type D personality, depression, and lower HRQoL. This indicates that measures of overall negative affect should be taken into account when assessing HRQoL patient-reported outcomes in vascular surgery patients.

Capturing the experience of the hospital-stay journey from admission to discharge using diaries completed by patients in their own words: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To capture and better understand patients' experience during their healthcare journey from hospital admission to discharge, and to identify patient suggestions for improvement. DESIGN: Prospective, exploratory, qualitative study. Patients were asked to complete an unstructured written diary expressed in their own words, recording negative and positive experiences or anything else they considered noteworthy. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Patients undergoing vascular surgery in a metropolitan hospital. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Complete diary transcripts underwent a general inductive thematic analysis, and opportunities to improve the experience of care were identified and collated. RESULTS: We recruited 113 patients in order to collect 80 completed diaries from 78 participants (a participant response rate of 69%), recording patients' experiences of their hospital-stay journey. Participating patients were a median (range) age of 69 (21-99) years and diaries contained a median (range) of 197 (26-1672) words each. Study participants with a tertiary education wrote more in their diaries than those without-a median (range) of 353.5 (48-1672) vs 163 (26-1599) words, respectively (Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.001). Three primary and eight secondary themes emerged from analysis of diary transcripts-primary themes being: (1) communication as central to care; (2) importance of feeling cared for and (3) environmental factors shaping experiences. In the great majority, participants reported positive experiences on the hospital ward. However, a set of 12 patient suggestions for improvement were identified, the majority of which could be addressed with little cost but result in substantial improvements in patient experience. Half of the 12 suggestions for improvement fell into primary theme 1, concerning opportunities to improve communication between healthcare providers and patients. CONCLUSIONS: Unstructured diaries completed in a patient's own words appear to be an effective and simple approach to capture the hospital-stay experience from the patient's own perspective, and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension VISION (venous intervention versus shunting in IIH for optic nerve disc swelling) trial: patient perspective questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Headaches, visual problems and tinnitus are symptoms of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) which resolve with reduction of CSF pressure. Impaired cranial venous outflow has been implicated in the pathogenesis and there is evidence of good treatment results in IIH using venous sinus stenting. We are currently initiating a multi-centre randomised controlled trial, the VISION study (Venous Intervention versus Shunting in IIH for Optic Disc Swelling) comparing radiological (venous sinus stenting) to surgical intervention (CSF shunting). As part of the preparations for VISION we made a basic questionnaire available to members of the website IIH UK ( www.iih.org.uk ). METHODS: 10-point questionnaire pertaining to IIH diagnosis, symptoms and management using www.surveymonkey.com . RESULTS: 250 questionnaires were returned. 95.6% of respondents were female, mostly ≤40 years of age. 70% were diagnosed in the last 5 years, but only 35% were diagnosed less than a year after onset of symptoms. 59.4% of patients had not undergone any radiological/surgical intervention, 34.9% had had CSF diversion, 3.6% venous stenting and 2.0% had stent plus shunt. 16.8% indicated their lives were most affected by tinnitus and 18.1% by visual problems, but 49.6% said they were most affected by their headaches. 81% of patients indicated they would be happy to participate in a randomised trial comparing the two treatment options of venous stenting and CSF shunting. CONCLUSION: IIH patients want to be actively involved in their treatment and are favourably disposed towards clinical research. Variation exists in treatment modalities offered. There are individual differences regarding impact of symptoms.

Risk Factors for Preoperative Anxiety and Depression in Patients Scheduled for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative emotional disorders of patients underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is an emerging area of study, and preoperative mental distress of those patients remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and identify the risk factors of preoperative anxiety and depression in patients scheduled for AAA repair. METHODS: A total of 189 patients who underwent elective AAA repair between 2015 and 2016 were included in this study. These patients were preoperatively evaluated by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Demographics and anxiety and depression scores of the patients were documented. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent risk factors of preoperative anxiety and depression. RESULTS: A total of 150 AAA patients were included in final analysis. Of these 150 patients, 44 patients (29.3%) had borderline anxiety or clinical anxiety, and 42 patients (28.0%) were found to have borderline or clinical depression. Female (odds ratio [OR]: 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-7.26), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grade 3/4 (OR: 4.34, 95% CI: 1.13-16.68), higher education (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.02-2.04), and abdominal or back pain (OR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.20-7.87) were identified as significant independent risk factors of abnormal HADS-anxiety in overall patients; and higher level of education (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.16-3.01) was predictive of anxiety in patients planned for endovascular aortic repair. Besides, higher body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.33) and abdominal or back pain (OR: 3.93, 95% CI: 1.70-9.11) were predictive of abnormal preoperative HADS-depression in overall patients. CONCLUSION: As for patients scheduled for AAA repair, female, higher ASA, higher level of education, and symptom may be independent risk factors for preoperative anxiety, and symptom and higher BMI may predict preoperative depression.

Surgical management for venous leg ulcers: The role of hope, investment and agency.

A recent systematic review suggests that minimally invasive venous surgery for the treatment of leg ulcers may have a greater impact on quality of life than traditional approaches. A total of 11 participants who had previously undergone surgical management for leg ulcers took part in semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences. Using thematic analysis, three themes were identified: 'Living in Flux', 'Perceptions of Chronicity' and 'Expectations'. Surgical treatment may not only improve patients' quality of life due to treatment of the condition but also by opening up a sense of hope, investment and agency not associated with traditional treatment approaches.

Understanding Patient Acceptance of Risk with Treatment Options for Intermittent Claudication.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent claudication has a major impact on the quality of life and functional ability of the patient. However, when treating these patients, management is largely influenced by vascular surgeons' perceptions of risk. There is little information available regarding the level of risk that patients perceive to be acceptable, when considering complications of treatment. This study investigates patients' acceptance of risk associated with current management options for intermittent claudication and explores factors associated with greater risk acceptance. METHODS: Patients with confirmed intermittent claudication presenting to vascular clinic and supervised exercise classes were surveyed in a single-center prospective study. A standard gamble-type method was used to measure patients' acceptance of risk associated with medical treatment, angioplasty, and surgical bypass. Level of risk acceptance was correlated to patient factors. RESULTS: Fifty patients were surveyed; 74% were male, median age was 68 years (interquartile range [IQR] 59-74), maximal walking distance was 100 m (IQR 70-200), and ankle-brachial pressure index was 0.65 (IQR 0.60-0.78). Median risk acceptance for treatment failure was 70% for medical treatment, 50% for angioplasty, and 40% for surgical bypass. Median risk acceptance for major amputation and death was 0% for all 3 management options. Claudicants with maximal walking distance <100 m accepted higher risk of treatment failure (P = 0.0005 for medical treatment, P = 0.0038 for angioplasty), and death with medical treatment (P = 0.0009). There was no significance between claudication distance and risk acceptance of major amputation with any treatment modality or death with angioplasty or surgical bypass. There was no significant correlation among level of risk acceptance and age, gender, or diabetic status. CONCLUSIONS: Claudicants are prepared to accept significant risk of treatment failure, in order to gain benefit, but regardless of claudication distance, patients have low acceptance of the risk of amputation or death. Patient acceptance of risk should be considered when planning management.

Evaluation of Qualitative Outcomes after Surgical Intervention on Patients Affected by Arteriovenous Malformations.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous malformations are abnormal tangles of blood vessels that cause irregular connections between arteries and veins. Rupture of arteriovenous malformations represents a frequent complication associated with a neurological impairment and physical disability. METHODS: We investigated the relationship among coping dimensions and overall quality of life (QoL), and health status after surgical intervention in 20 patients affected by arteriovenous malformations. Each patient was administered a battery of self-report questionnaires (Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire, Brief COPE Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety). RESULTS: We found that surgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations affected subjective well-being and emotional aspects. Coping ability influenced the QoL and the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms. We found a significant correlation between depression and humor (r = -.47, P = .03) and between QoL and self-distraction (r = -.48, P = .03) and humor (r = .44, P = .05). In particular, humor was a significant predictor of mental health and physical health. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of anxiety and depression was the cause of deterioration of QoL, even if psychological resources used to deal with the disease significantly modified the subjective perception of well-being. The evaluation of the impact of cerebrovascular disease on QoL should be a basis for planning and evaluating therapeutic and psychological rehabilitative interventions.

Patient Experiences of Life Years After Severe Civilian Lower Extremity Trauma With Vascular Injury.

OBJECTIVE: Severe lower limb trauma with arterial injury is often devastating for the individual. Many studies describe how to manage these injuries when they occur. Short-term functional outcome is quite well described, but the patients are often young, and their suffering is physical, mental, and social from a lifelong perspective. The aim of this study was to report patient experiences of their lives several years after their accidents, and to explore mechanisms of how to improve management. METHOD: The Swedvasc registry was searched for participants from 1987 to 2011, living in the region of Uppsala, Sweden. Some amputated participants were added from the Walking Rehabilitation Center. There were five reconstructed patients with an intact limb, and three with amputations. In depth interviews were conducted and systematically analyzed, using A Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method. RESULTS: Eight patients participated, five with reconstructed and three with amputated limbs. Life affecting functional impairments were described by all patients. The patients undergoing amputation had received more structured follow up and support through the Walking Rehabilitation Center. The satisfaction with the cosmetic result was poorer than expected. All patients had developed strategies of how to cope with their impairments and stated they now lived "normal lives." CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial physical, psychological, and cosmetic impairments years after severe lower limb trauma, the participants described life as "normal" and mainly satisfactory. Transition to the new situation could have been facilitated by more frequent and continuous follow up after discharge from hospital, in particular among the non-amputated patients who tend to be lost to follow up. Findings also indicate that family members have to be acknowledged, strengthened, and supported.

Quality of Life in Patients Suffering from Critical Limb Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Various treatment options exist for patients suffering from critical limb ischemia (CLI). These options consist of endovascular procedures, surgical revascularization, primary amputation, or conservative therapy. The effect of the treatment is traditionally focused on outcomes, such as primary patency and limb salvage, though quality of life (QoL) is considered an important additional primary end point in a more patient-oriented healthcare system. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the best clinical decision making possible, to increase QoL in CLI patients. METHODS: This review is based on a systematic electronic literature search using the PubMed and EMBASE databases. Articles evaluating QoL in patients with CLI were selected for further analysis. Only prospective studies, written in English, describing QoL and health status (HS) after endovascular or surgical revascularization, amputation or conservative therapy were considered for inclusion. Treatment results were divided into short-term (≤3-month follow-up) and long-term results (≥1-year follow-up) to achieve a clear view of the QoL in patients suffering for CLI patients. RESULTS: Twenty-five articles describing HS in patients suffering from CLI were included. It was found that while most of these articles reported HS of patients, rarely did they report on QoL. As a result, it is difficult to determine the best treatment to increase HS as studies that focus on the comparison of treatment modalities are lacking. All 4 treatment modalities can raise HS in the short and the long terms; however, endovascular and surgical revascularization seem to positively effect HS the most. QoL results are lacking in both the short and long terms. CONCLUSIONS: All treatment methods included in the study resulted in an increase in patients' HS in both short and long terms. More comparative studies with inclusion of all different treatments of CLI are needed to assist in clinical decision making and perform tailored interventions for the individual patient. QoL and HS are confusingly used in current international literature with abundant HS research. To take patients individual opinions more into account, focus on QoL research is needed to designate the superior treatment in patients suffering from CLI.

Surgical management of postpartum haemorrhage: survey of French obstetricians.

The aim of our study was to assess the theoretical and practical knowledge of French obstetricians about the surgical management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Our study is a national anonymous self-administered survey. A total of 363 obstetricians responded to this questionnaire between December 2013 and April 2014. Questionnaire sent through email to all French obstetricians who are members of either of two federations of hospital-based obstetricians. Answers were collected until the end of June 2014. The main outcome measure was obstetricians' level of mastery of each surgical technique. The results were analysed descriptively (proportions). Only the 286 questionnaires fully completed were analysed; the complete response rate was 23% (286/1246). In all, 33% (95/286) of the responding obstetricians reported that they had not mastered sufficiently or even at all the technique for bilateral ligation of the uterine arteries, 37% (105/286) for uterine compression suture, 62% (178/286) for ligation of the internal iliac arteries, and 47% (134/286) for emergency peripartum hysterectomy. In all, 18% (52/286) of respondents stated that they had not mastered any of these techniques. Our study shows that a worrisome number of French obstetricians reported insufficient mastery of the surgical techniques for PPH management.

A Randomized Control Trial Exploring the Effect of Mental Rehearsal and Cognitive Visualization on Microsurgery Skills.

Background Many factors are known to influence the performance of surgeons within the operating theater, including tiredness, previous experience, and stress levels. The effects of mental rehearsal and cognitive visualization on microsurgical skills have not been assessed. Methods Thirty-six subjects recruited from the Northwick Park Microsurgery Skills Course were randomized into three groups; (1) a control group (C) with no mental rehearsal script, (2) a visual anastomosis group (VA), with a detailed rat anastomosis script, and (3) a visual relaxation (VR) group with a relaxation script, unrelated to the anastomosis. Participants ran through relevant scripts from day 2 to 5 and were assessed through recorded arterial rat anastomosis, scored using the structured assessment of microsurgery skills. Results Results were analyzed by double-blinded assessors. No statistical significance was found on Monday and Tuesday (first day post intervention), p = 0.326 (VA vs. C) and p = 0.283 (VR vs. C). A statistically significant difference was noted at the end of day 4; p < 0.001 (VA vs. VR) and p = 0.001 (VA vs. C). Further analysis demonstrated that domains within the global rating scoring system showed statistical significance for (1) dexterity: VA versus VR, p = 0.001, (2) visuospatial skills: VA versus VR, p = 0.001, and VA versus C, p = 0.002, and (3) operative flow: VA versus VR, p = 0.044, and VA versus C, p = 0.026. Conclusion The benefits of cognitive visualization and mental rehearsal in microsurgery may result in fewer complications from errors and thus lead to enhanced patient safety and better operative outcomes.

Presurgical Psychological and Neuroendocrine Predictors of Psychiatric Morbidity After Major Vascular Surgery: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVES: Major life stressors, including major surgeries, are often followed by psychiatric symptoms and disorders. Prior retrospective work found abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is followed by increased psychiatric morbidity, which may adversely influence physical and functional recovery. Identifying risk factors before surgery, such as dysregulation in stress response systems, might be useful in improving preventative intervention. METHODS: Two hundred sixteen patients receiving open AAA or aortofemoral bypass surgeries, endovascular AAA repair, or nonsurgical AAA treatment were recruited from two vascular surgery services. Psychiatric symptoms and salivary cortisol measures (waking, 4 PM, and 11 PM, before and after low-dose dexamethasone) were obtained at intake and 3- and 9-month follow-ups. RESULTS: After open surgeries, 18% of patients had new psychiatric disorders, compared with 4% of patients receiving endovascular AAA repair or nonsurgical treatment (odds ratio = 6.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.6-22.1, p = .007). Having a history of major depression predicted the onset of new disorders in surgical patients. Presurgical cortisol levels were associated with both baseline (r = 0.23, p < .05) and 9-month (r = 0.32, p < .01) psychiatric symptoms (cortisol B = 1.0, standard error = 0.48, p < .05, in repeated-measures mixed model). CONCLUSIONS: Open AAA repair surgery is prospectively linked to the development of psychiatric morbidity, and history of depression elevates risk. Cortisol measures before surgery are associated with current and future psychological functioning, suggesting potential neurobiological mechanisms that may contribute to vulnerability. These results can help identify surgical patients at risk and point to potential targets for risk reduction interventions.