The impact of the robotic platform on assistant variability in complex gastrointestinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Nissen fundoplication is considered an advanced minimally invasive procedure whether performed laparoscopically or robotically. In laparoscopic surgery, it is evident that assistant skill level impacts operative times. However, the robotic platform allows improved surgeon autonomy. We aimed to determine the impact of assistant training level on operative times in robotic Nissen fundoplication (RNF) and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF). METHODS: A prospectively maintained Nissen database (2011-2016) from a single academic institution was utilized to collect patient characteristics, operative times, length of stay, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, readmission rate, and assistant training level. Assistants were either postgraduate year-3 surgery residents defined as junior-level assistants or a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) fellow defined as senior-level assistants. RESULTS: There were 105 patients included in our analyses. When comparing postgraduate year-3 residents to MIS fellows performing LNF, the median operative time was significantly decreased when senior-level assistants were present in the LNF group, 85 (75-103) versus 129 (74-269) min, P = 0.02. In comparison, median operative times in the RNF group were independent of the assistant's level of training, 154 (71-300) versus 158 (101-215) min, P = 0.34. There were no significant differences in outcomes between the junior- and senior-level assistant cohorts for estimated blood loss, length of stay, postoperative complications, and 30-d readmission rates in either the LNF or RNF group. CONCLUSIONS: Assistant training level impacted operative time for LNF but not RNF. These differences are most likely attributed to increased autonomy of the operating surgeon afforded by the robotic platform reducing assistant variability.

Recurrent intussusception in a gastric bypass patient with incidental Meckel's diverticulum: A case report.

Most cases of intussusception in adults are secondary to a pathologic condition that serves as a lead point. Intussusception has been reported in the bariatric literature, typically due to intussusception of the jejunojejunostomy. However, other causes of intussusception should be considered, including a Meckel's diverticulum (MD). Simple diverticulectomy or segmental resection is the preferred treatment since the malignancy rate is low. We present an interesting case of a patient with past surgical history of open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass who presented with intussusception. Intraoperatively, an MD was encountered and treated with diverticulectomy. 4 months later, she re-presented with recurrent intussusception and was subsequently taken back to the operating room for revision of her jejunojejunostomy. The postoperative course was uncomplicated.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Co-morbidity Profiles and Intermediate-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is effective at achieving sustained weight loss and improving the control and resolution of obesity-related co-morbidities. Most studies that have demonstrated co-morbidity resolution in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) only follow patients for the short term (less than 1 year) or follow a relatively small cohort (<100 patients) for the intermediate or long term (more than 5 years). We report our experience following a large cohort of morbidly obese patients who underwent LSG with intermediate-term follow-up. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 435 consecutive patients who underwent LSG from January 2004 to November 2013. Co-morbidities investigated included diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and hyperlipidemia (HL). A co-morbidity was determined to be resolved if the patient was no longer taking any medication to treat that specific co-morbidity. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 26 ± 25 months (range = 1-112). Mean postoperative total weight loss (%TWL) at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months were 23.6, 29.9, 29.5, 25.2, 26.7, 25.4, and 24.3 %, respectively. The incidence of all three co-morbidities was found to be significantly lower at the last patient follow-up. The resolution rates for DM, HTN, and HL were 59, 31, and 50 %, respectively. In patients who continued to have co-morbidities, the mean numbers of medications for DM (1.2 ± 0.7 vs. 0.5 ± 0.7, p < 0.0001), HTN (1.8 ± 1.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2, p < 0.0001), and HL (0.9 ± 0.7 vs. 0.6 ± 0.6, p < 0.0001) postoperatively were all significantly less. CONCLUSIONS: LSG is effective at achieving significant and sustained weight loss, improvement in co-morbidity profiles, and a reduction in poly-pharmacy for these conditions over intermediate-term follow-up.

Quality Improvement-Focused Departmental Grand Rounds Reports: A Strategy to Engage General Surgery Residents.

Background Many institutions are seeking ways to enhance their surgical trainees' quality improvement (QI) skills. Objective To educate trainees about the importance of lifelong performance improvement, chief residents at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine are members of a multidisciplinary QI team tasked with improving surgical outcomes. We describe the process and the results of this effort. Methods Our analysis used 2 data sources to assess complication rates: the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and ECOMP, our own internal complication database. Chief residents met with a multidisciplinary QI team to review complication rates from both data sources. Chief residents performed a case-by-case analysis of complications and a literature search in areas requiring improvement. Based on this information, chief residents met with the multidisciplinary team to select interventions for implementation, and delivered QI-focused grand rounds summarizing the QI process and new interventions. Results Since 2009, chief residents have presented 16 QI-focused grand rounds. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and surgical site infections (SSIs) were the most frequently discussed. Interventions to improve UTIs and SSIs were introduced to the department of surgery through these reports in 2011 and 2012. During this time we saw improvement in outcomes as measured by NSQIP odds ratio. Conclusions Departmental grand rounds are a suitable forum to review NSQIP data and our internal, resident-collected data as a means to engage chief residents in QI improvement, and can serve as a model for other institutions to engage surgery residents in QI projects.