The rate for the use of hand-assisted laparoscopic methods is directly proportional to body mass index.

BACKGROUND: Hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) colorectal resection remains controversial. Critics believe HAL methods lead to decreased use of laparoscopically assisted (LA) methods. Proponents believe selective HAL use increases minimally invasive surgery (MIS) use rates. This study assessed general and body mass index (BMI)-specific HAL and LA colorectal resection use by surgeons who embraced both methods. METHODS: This study retrospectively investigated 1,122 patients who underwent colorectal resection during an 8-year period. Surgical method, type of colorectal resection, BMI, comorbidities, incision length, and short-term outcomes were collected. RESULTS: The surgical methods included LA (60 %), HAL (25 %), and open (OP 15 %) procedures. The HAL group mean BMI was higher than that of the LA group (P < 0.0001), and the HAL use rate varied directly with BMI. The HAL technique was used for 48 % of the rectal, 36 % of the sigmoid, and 4 % of the right colorectal resections. The incision length was directly proportional to BMI for all the methods. Although the HAL incision lengths were significantly longer than the LA incision lengths for a BMI lower than 40 kg/m(2), there was no difference when the BMI was 40 kg/m(2) or higher. The comorbidities were greater in the HAL group than in the LA sigmoid colorectal resection group (P = 0.001). The mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was similar for the HAL and LA patients but longer for the open surgery patients (P < 0.0001 vs HAL group). The major complications, reoperations, and 30-day mortality rates were low and comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The HAL methods were used primarily for sigmoid and rectal colorectal resections and for higher BMI patients with more comorbidities. The mean incision length difference between the HAL and LA methods was 3.9 cm, but neither the LOS nor the major postoperative complications differed significantly. Selective use of HAL together with LA methods led to a MIS use rate of 85 % and facilitated MIS for high BMI patients. Together, the methods are complementary and may increase the number of minimally invasive surgeries performed.

Is there a role for a strict incision length criterion for determining conversions during laparoscopic colorectal resection?

PURPOSE: There's no consensus about what defines a conversion for laparoscopic-assisted colorectal resection (LACR). This study's goal was to assess the utility of a strict incision length (IL) definition of conversion (incision > 7 cm) and compare it with results obtained when the surgeon determined (SD) if a LACR had been successfully completed. METHODS: The demographic and perioperative data for 580 elective LACRs were reviewed. The short-term outcomes for each conversion definition were determined and compared. RESULTS: Conversion rates were 22% using the IL definition and 16% via the SD method. Both methods detected significant differences between completed and converted groups regarding the following: incision size, hospital stay, time to flatus, bowel movement, and regular diet as well as rate of wound infection and ileus. The IL method alone detected significant differences in the rate of pulmonary complications and BMI between the completed and converted groups. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 methods yielded similar results for most parameters. The IL method better separated the patients in regard to 2 parameters. This method is objective and easy to apply; however, it may discriminate against obese patients whose extraction incisions are often longer. A conversion definition that considers BMI and IL is needed.

Communication Skills Training for General Surgery Residents.

BACKGROUND: Although good communication skills are essential for surgeons, there is no formal communication training during general surgery residency. OBJECTIVES: To implement a communication skills training program based on evidence-based teaching methods in general surgery residency. DESIGN: We developed a 2-hour communication skills training program for general surgery residents, consisting of a small group skill practice session using role play with simulated patients along with real-time feedback from facilitators and observing peer residents. A board-certified palliative care physician and a board-certified surgeon facilitated each session. Outcome measures were self-assessment of preparedness with the session immediately before and after the session and 2 months after the session, resident satisfaction, and self-report frequency of skill practice. Results were compared between junior residents (postgraduate year 1-3) and senior residents (postgraduate year 4-5). SETTING: Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, a tertiary care, urban academic center with a 5-year General Surgery Residency program. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one out of 39 (79.4%) general surgery residents (20 junior and 11 senior) were trained over a 9-month period. All participants completed the immediate pre- and post-session surveys, and twenty residents (64.5%) completed the 2-month postsession follow-up survey. RESULTS: Overall, self-assessment of preparedness for specific communication challenges improved significantly for 7 of 11 tasks. At baseline, senior residents felt significantly more prepared than junior residents in all 11 tasks. Junior residents' self-assessment of preparedness improved significantly in 10 of 11 tasks. Overall satisfaction with the session was very high (mean 4.74 on a 5-point scale). Residents reported high frequency of self-directed skill practice in the 2-month follow-up survey. CONCLUSIONS: This 2-hour communication skills practice session for general surgery residents was feasible, and it improved resident self-assessment of preparedness in communication and augmented self-directed skill practice.

Factors associated with general surgery residents' decisions regarding fellowship and subspecialty stratified by burnout and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Although most surgery residents pursue fellowships, data regarding those decisions are limited. This study describes associations with interest in fellowship and specific subspecialties. METHODS: Anonymous surveys were distributed to 607 surgery residents at 19 US programs. Subspecialties were stratified by levels of burnout and quality of life using data from recent studies. RESULTS: 407 (67%) residents responded. 372 (91.4%) planned to pursue fellowship. Fellowship interest was lower among residents who attended independent or small programs, were married, or had children. Residents who received AOA honors or were married were less likely to choose high burnout subspecialties (trauma/vascular). Residents with children were less likely to choose low quality of life subspecialties (trauma/transplant/cardiothoracic). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery residents' interest in fellowship and specific subspecialties are associated with program type and size, AOA status, marital status, and having children. Variability in burnout and quality of life between subspecialties may affect residents' decisions.

Does prior abdominal surgery influence conversion rates and outcomes of laparoscopic right colectomy in patients with neoplasia?

PURPOSE: The study investigated the impact of prior abdominal surgery on conversions and outcomes of laparoscopic right colectomy. METHODS: A consecutive series of 414 patients with cancer or adenomas who underwent a laparoscopic right colectomy from March 1996 to November 2006 were studied for surgical conversions and outcomes. Conversion was defined as an incision length > 7 cm. RESULTS: Patients with prior abdominal surgery (n = 191) were compared with patients with no prior abdominal surgery (n = 223), and showed no significant differences in age, ASA classification, length of stay, operative time, blood loss, harvested nodes, tumor size, and specimen length. Significantly more wound infections occurred in the prior abdominal surgery group (22 vs.12, P = 0.023). Body mass index > 30 showed a three-fold increased risk of conversion. Fifteen percent of the no prior abdominal surgery patients and 17 percent of the prior abdominal surgery patients were converted (P > 0.05). Conversion was associated with a longer mean length of stay (8.8 days) relative to laparoscopically completed cases (6.3 days) regardless of prior abdominal surgery history (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic right colectomy for neoplasia was not associated with a higher conversion rate or morbidity in patients with prior abdominal surgery. Prior abdominal surgery is not a contraindication to laparoscopic right colectomy.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic vs. laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare short-term outcomes after hand-assisted laparoscopic vs. straight laparoscopic colorectal surgery. METHODS: Eleven surgeons at five centers participated in a prospective, randomized trial of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic sigmoid/left colectomy and total colectomy. The study was powered to detect a 30-minute reduction in operative time between hand-assisted laparoscopic and straight laparoscopic groups. RESULTS: There were 47 hand-assisted patients (33 sigmoid/left colectomy, 14 total colectomy) and 48 straight laparoscopic patients (33 sigmoid/left colectomy, 15 total colectomy). There were no differences in the patient age, sex, body mass index, previous surgery, diagnosis, and procedures performed between the hand-assisted and straight laparoscopic groups. Resident participation in the procedures was similar for all groups. The mean operative time (in minutes) was significantly less in the hand-assisted laparoscopic group for both the sigmoid colectomy (175 +/- 58 vs. 208 +/- 55; P = 0.021) and total colectomy groups (time to colectomy completion, 127 +/- 31 vs. 184 +/- 72; P = 0.015). There were no apparent differences in the time to return of bowel function, tolerance of diet, length of stay, postoperative pain scores, or narcotic usage between the hand-assisted laparoscopic and straight laparoscopic groups. There was one (2 percent) conversion in the hand-assisted laparoscopic group and six (12.5 percent) in the straight laparoscopic group (P = 0.11). Complications were similar in both groups (hand-assisted, 21 percent vs. straight laparoscopic, 19 percent; P = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective, randomized study, hand-assisted laparoscopic colorectal surgery resulted in significantly shorter operative times while maintaining similar clinical outcomes as straight laparoscopic techniques for patients undergoing left-sided colectomy and total abdominal colectomy.

Association of General Surgery Resident Remediation and Program Director Attitudes With Resident Attrition.

IMPORTANCE: Previous studies of resident attrition have variably included preliminary residents and likely overestimated categorical resident attrition. Whether program director attitudes affect attrition has been unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether program director attitudes are associated with resident attrition and to measure the categorical resident attrition rate. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This multicenter study surveyed 21 US program directors in general surgery about their opinions regarding resident education and attrition. Data on total resident complement, demographic information, and annual attrition were collected from the program directors for the study period of July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015. The general surgery programs were chosen on the basis of their geographic location, previous collaboration with some coauthors, prior work in surgical education and research, or a program director willing to participate. Only categorical surgical residents were included in the study; thus, program directors were specifically instructed to exclude any preliminary residents in their responses. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Five-year attrition rates (2010-2011 to 2014-2015 academic years) as well as first-time pass rates on the General Surgery Qualifying Examination and General Surgery Certifying Examination of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) were collected. High- and low-attrition programs were compared. RESULTS: The 21 programs represented different geographic locations and 12 university-based, 3 university-affiliated, and 6 independent program types. Programs had a median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of 30 (20-48) categorical residents, and few of those residents were women (median [IQR], 12 [5-17]). Overall, 85 of 966 residents (8.8%) left training during the study period: 15 (17.6%) left after postgraduate year 1, 34 (40.0%) after postgraduate year 2, and 36 (42.4%) after postgraduate year 3 or later. Forty-four residents (51.8%) left general surgery for another surgical discipline, 21 (24.7%) transferred to a different surgery program, and 18 (21.2%) exited graduate medical education altogether. Each program had an annual attrition rate ranging from 0.73% to 6.0% (median [IQR], 2.5% [1.5%-3.4%]). Low-attrition programs were more likely than high-attrition programs to use resident remediation (21.0% vs 6.8%; P < .001). Median (IQR) Qualifying Examination pass rates (93% [90%-98%] vs 92% [86%-100%]; P = .92) and Certifying Examination pass rates (83% [68%-84%] vs 81% [71%-86%]; P = .47) were similar. Program directors at high-attrition programs were more likely than their counterparts at low-attrition programs to agree with this statement: "I feel that it is my responsibility as a program director to redirect residents who should not be surgeons." CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The overall 5-year attrition rate of 8.8% was significantly lower than previously reported. Program directors at low-attrition programs were more likely to use resident remediation. Variations in attrition may be explained by program director attitudes, although larger studies are needed to further define program factors affecting attrition.

Zinc Deficiency With Dermatitis in a Parenteral Nutrition-Dependent Patient Due to National Shortage of Trace Minerals.

The shortages of intravenous drugs remains critical, with sterile injectables accounting for 80% of the approximately 300 shortages. The impact is being felt in patients dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN), and severe deficiencies are becoming more commonplace. We report here a man who developed severe zinc deficiency, manifesting as a painful desquamative rash, due to an inability to obtain multi-trace element additives for his PN.

Diverticular abscess presenting as an incarcerated inguinal hernia.

Acute diverticulitis may present with an abscess that is usually pericolonic or pelvic and can be treated with urgent surgery or percutaneous drainage. We present a case of a diverticular abscess presenting as a left inguinal hernia. This is analogous to an Amyand's hernia in which an inflamed appendix is found in a right inguinal hernia. The patient presented was managed with open drainage of the hernia and subsequent laparoscopic sigmoid resection in the same hospitalization.

Contemporary indications for and early outcomes of abdominoperineal resection.

The purpose of this study was to review and characterize the indications and early outcomes of abdominoperineal resection (APR) when used in a colorectal practice in an academic setting. Data was collected from the charts of all patients undergoing APR in a retrospective manner. Data collected included demographic information and details regarding the clinical presentation. Operative factors, information regarding the postoperative course, and morbidity and mortality were evaluated. Forty-four patients were treated with an APR in this practice between the years 1992 and 2004. The indications for operation were primary rectal cancer (n = 31), recurrent rectal cancer (n = 6), intractable Crohn disease (n = 3), anal melanoma (n = 1), cloacogenic cancer (n = 1), squamous cell cancer (n = 1), and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 1). Complications in the first 60 days affected 14 patients (32%). The most common complication was intra-abdominal/pelvic abscess formation occurring in 6 of these 14 patients (43%). Additional complications in the first 60 days included rectus flap necrosis, perineal wound evisceration, prolonged ileus, and urinary retention. There was no surgical mortality. Long-term complications occurred in 7 patients (16%), with parastomal hernia being the most common (43%). Although relatively infrequently used, APR will continue to play a role for selected patients in the future. Despite the significant morbidity associated with this surgery, APR may provide beneficial treatment for select cases of low rectal cancer, end-stage inflammatory bowel disease, and anal malignancies.

Program Factors That Influence American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination Performance: A Multi-Institutional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of program strategies, such as program directors' (PD) attitudes about the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) and approach to ABSITE preparation, on residents' ABSITE performance. DESIGN: A 17-item questionnaire was sent to PDs at surgical residency programs. The questions were designed to elicit information regarding the educational curriculum, remediation protocols, and opinions relating to the ABSITE. Main outcome measure was categorical resident ABSITE percentile scores from the January 2014 examination. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test, analysis of variance, and linear regression as appropriate. SETTING: The study was carried out at general surgery residency programs across the country. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 15 general surgery residency PDs participated in the study. RESULTS: The PD response rate was 100%. All 460 resident ABSITE scores from the 15 programs were obtained. In total, 10 programs (67%) identified as university affiliated, 4 programs (27%) as independent academic, and 1 program (7%) as hybrid. The mean number of residents per program was 30.7 (range: 15-57). In total, 14 PDs (93%) indicated that an ABSITE review curriculum was in place and 13 PDs (87%) indicated they had a remediation protocol for residents with low ABSITE scores (with differing thresholds of <30th, <35th, and <40th percentile). The median overall ABSITE score for all residents was 61st percentile (interquartile range = 39.5). The mean ABSITE score for each program ranged from 39th to 75th percentile. Program factors associated with higher ABSITE scores included tracking resident reading throughout the year (median 63rd percentile with tracking vs 59th percentile without, p = 0.040) and the type of remediation (by PD: 77th percentile, by PD and faculty: 57th percentile, faculty only: 64th percentile, with Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP): 63rd percentile, outside review course: 43rd percentile; p < 0.001). Programs with a remediation protocol trended toward higher ABSITE scores compared with programs without remediation protocols (median 61st percentile vs 53rd percentile, p = 0.098). Factors not significantly associated with ABSITE performance included number of structured educational hours per week and frequency of ABSITE review sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Program factors appear to significantly influence ABSITE performance. Programs where the PD was actively involved in remediation mentorship and the tracking of resident reading achieved higher ABSITE percentile scores on the January 2014 examination. Counterintuitively, residents from programs with a lower ABSITE threshold for remediation performed better on the examination.

Reading Habits of General Surgery Residents and Association With American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination Performance.

IMPORTANCE: Few large-scale studies have quantified and characterized the study habits of surgery residents. However, studies have shown an association between American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores and subsequent success on the American Board of Surgery Qualifying and Certifying examinations. OBJECTIVES: To identify the quantity of studying, the approach taken when studying, the role that ABSITE preparation plays in resident reading, and factors associated with ABSITE performance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: An anonymous 39-item questionnaire including demographic information, past performance on standardized examinations, reading habits, and study sources during the time leading up to the 2014 ABSITE and opinions pertaining to the importance of the ABSITE was administered August 1, 2014, to August 25, 2014, to 371 surgery residents in 15 residency programs nationwide. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Scores from the 2014 ABSITE. RESULTS: A total of 273 residents (73.6%) responded to the survey. Seven respondents did not provide their January 2014 ABSITE score, leaving 266 for statistical analysis. Most respondents were male (162 of 266 [60.9%]), with a mean (SD) age of 29.8 (2.6) years. The median number of minutes spent studying per month was 240 (interquartile range, 120-600 minutes) for patient care or clinical duties and 120 for the ABSITE (interquartile range, 30-360 minutes). One hundred sixty-four of 266 respondents (61.7%) reported reading consistently throughout the year for patient care or clinical duties. With respect to ABSITE preparation, 72 of 266 residents (27.1%) reported reading consistently throughout the year, while 247 of 266 residents (92.9%) reported preparing between 1 and 8 weeks prior to the examination. Univariate analysis (with results reported as effect on median ABSITE percentile scores [95% CIs]) identified the following factors as positively correlated with ABSITE scores: prior United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) 1 and 2 scores (per 1-point increase: USMLE 1, 0.1 [0.02-0.14], P = .03; USMLE 2, 0.3 [0.19-0.44], P < .001), prior Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores (per 1-point increase, 1.2 [1.3-2.0]; P = .002), high opinion of ABSITE significance (P < .001), surgical textbook use (11 [6-16]; P = .02), daily studying (13 [4-23]; P = .02), and high satisfaction with study materials (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, USMLE 2 score (per 1-point increase, 0.4 [0.2-0.6]; P < .001), MCAT score (0.6 [0.2-1.0]; P = .003), opinion of ABSITE significance (9.2 [6.9-11.6]; P < .001), and having an equal focus on patient care and ABSITE preparation during study (6.1 [0.6-11.5]; P = .03) were identified as positive predictors of ABSITE performance. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Most residents reported reading consistently for patient care throughout the year. Daily studying and textbook use were associated with higher ABSITE scores on univariate analysis. Scores on the USMLE 2 and MCAT, as well as resident attitude regarding the importance of the ABSITE results, were independent predictors of ABSITE performance.

Carcinoembryonic antigen and albumin predict survival in patients with advanced colon and rectal cancer.

HYPOTHESIS: Patients with stage IV colon or rectal cancer at initial diagnosis have characteristics that will predict subsequent survival time. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Urban county teaching hospital providing tertiary care. PATIENTS: Patients who came to the study institution with stage IV colon or rectal cancer between 1991-1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survival duration (days) after diagnosis. RESULTS: One hundred five patients were identified, with a median survival of 225 days (interquartile range, 72-688 days). Univariate analysis identified carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and albumin (ALB) as possible predictors for survival. Classification and regression tree analysis, a form of binary recursive partitioning, was used to identify optimal cut points for CEA (275 ng/mL) and ALB (2.7 g/dL) levels. Based on the cut points, patients were stratified into the following groups: (1) low CEA, high ALB; (2) low CEA, low ALB; (3) high CEA, high ALB; and (4) high CEA, low ALB. The median survival times for the first group and the fourth group were 287 days (interquartile range, 150-851 days) and 39 days (interquartile range, 14-168 days), respectively. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed, and a statistically significant difference was identified across all strata (P =.004). Additionally, groups 1 and 4 demonstrated the largest overall survival difference (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stage IV colon and rectal cancer with a CEA level greater than or equal to 275 ng/mL and an ALB level less than 2.7 g/dL had a significantly shorter survival time. Conversely, patients with an ALB level greater than or equal to 2.7 g/dL and a CEA level less than 275 ng/mL had a longer survival time.

Safety and reliability of tattooing colorectal neoplasms prior to laparoscopic resection.

Accurate tumor localization is critical to performing minimally invasive colorectal resection. This study reviews the safety and reliability of tattooing colorectal neoplasms prior to laparoscopic resection. We retrospectively reviewed 50 consecutive patients with colorectal neoplasms who underwent endoscopic tattooing prior to laparoscopic resection. Data were obtained from medical charts, endoscopy records, and pathology reports. No complications related to endoscopy or tattooing were incurred. Five neoplasms (10%) were in the ascending colon, five (10%) were in the transverse colon, eight (16%) were in the descending colon, 23 (46%) were in the sigmoid colon, and nine (18%) were in the rectum. Tattoos were visualized intraoperatively and accurately localized the neoplasm in 44 patients (88%). Six patients (12%) did not have tattoos visualized laparoscopically and required intraoperative localization. On average, the pathology specimens in this series had a 15 cm proximal margin, a 12 cm distal margin, and 15 lymph nodes. In the context of laparoscopic colorectal resection, preoperative endoscopic tattooing is a safe and reliable method of tumor localization in most cases. Localizing colon and proximal rectal lesions with tattoos may be preferable to other localization techniques including intraoperative endoscopy.

An assessment of the severity of recurrent appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the clinical characteristics of patients who developed recurrent appendicitis after previous nonoperative management of perforated appendicitis. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed, and data from the recurrent and initial episode of appendicitis were collected. RESULTS: In all, 237 patients from 1989 to 2001 were managed nonoperatively for perforated appendicitis and 32 (14%) were readmitted for recurrent appendicitis. Median white blood cell count at recurrence was 9.5 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.6 to 13.2] versus 13.1 [IQR: 10.8 to 16.1] at initial presentation (P = 0.002). Maximum temperature was 98.6 degrees F [IQR: 98.2 to 100.5] at recurrence versus 100.3 degrees F [IQR: 99.5 to 101.5] (P = 0.008). Median time for intravenous antibiotics use was 3 [IQR: 3 to 7] days at recurrence versus 6 [IQR: 4 to 8] days initially (P = 0.01). Inpatient stay was also shorter; median length was 6 [IQR: 3 to 8] days compared with 7 [IQR: 5 to 9] days at initial presentation (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients managed nonoperatively for perforated appendicitis who later developed recurrent appendicitis exhibited a milder clinical course at recurrence. Elective interval appendectomy may be reserved until a recurrent episode.

Diverticulitis: truly minimally invasive management.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment of patients with acute diverticulitis in the inpatient setting using minimal intervention. This was a retrospective study of 75 patients admitted over a 3-year period with acute diverticulitis as evidenced by computed tomography (CT) and clinical scenario. Of the patients enrolled, 24 (32%) had abscesses identified on their initial CT scan. An additional four patients had abscesses noted on a subsequent CT scan obtained because of lack of complete improvement with medical management, thus raising the total number of abscesses to 28 (37%). Of the patients with abscesses, 10 (36%) underwent drainage using a CT-guided percutaneous or ultrasound-guided transrectal approach an average of 6 days after admission. Of the 75 patients, five (7%) required operative intervention during the initial hospitalization for failure of medical management, two (40%) of whom had abscesses on presentation. The overall median length of hospitalization was 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 4-9) days, and 18 patients (24%) had recurrences during the study period. Our conservative approach to percutaneous and surgical intervention resulted in relatively low percutaneous drainage, a low operative rate, and a reasonable length of hospitalization and recurrence rate.

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy: a review of our early experience.

Treatment of hemorrhoids may safely be accomplished by using a circular stapler instead of the conventional open procedure for large symptomatic hemorrhoids. Our purpose was to assess the safety and early post-op results of this new surgical technique as it was introduced into clinical practice. Medical records from 62 patients treated by circumferential mucosectomy/stapled hemorrhoidectomy were obtained from 6 surgeons. Preoperative factors assessed included demographics, comorbidities, prior anorectal surgery, hemorrhoid grade, and the indications for surgery. Operative factors examined included operating time, use of perioperative antibiotics, and oversewing of the suture line. Postoperative factors included complications and date of last follow-up. Sixty-two patients underwent this operation, and complications were reported in six patients (10%). There was one death unrelated to the hemorrhoid surgery. Postoperative pain, defined as requiring pain control with intravenous medication, hospital admission, or an emergency department visit, occurred in two patients. Two patients reported postoperative bleeding. One patient experienced bleeding the first evening, and the second patient had bleeding 1 week postoperatively. The first patient was admitted overnight and required no blood transfusion or further intervention. The second patient was subsequently found to have a bleeding diverticulum. One patient experienced urinary retention that resolved with conservative management. Postoperative follow-up was available for over 90 per cent of the patients at a median of 4 weeks postoperatively. No additional complications were discovered at follow-up. This data suggests that stapled hemorrhoidectomy is a safe and effective approach to hemorrhoidal disease. Our findings indicate an acceptable complication rate among a group of surgeons beginning to integrate this modality into clinical practice.

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare and potentially fatal complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy that often presents with abdominal pain, anemia, hemobilia, and liver function elevations. The authors report a case of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm diagnosed by abdominal computed topography in a 54-year-old man who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy the previous month. Definitive treatment was angiography with embolization.

High incidence of technical errors involving the EEA circular stapler: a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: The use of stapling devices is now widespread in colorectal resections. However, the incidence and clinical consequence of technical error involving the circular stapler are still poorly characterized. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the operative reports and Web-based charts for all colon and rectal resections performed at our institution that used a circular stapler. Technical error was defined as any deviation from the normal technical performance of the circular stapler, including, but not limited to, surgeon misfiring, incomplete anastomosis (inadequate donuts or staple line defects), and primary device failure. The unpaired t- and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis; p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 349 colorectal resections performed and 67 (19%) featured a technical error. Thirty-two resections (9%) included an anastomotic error. The control group (n = 282) and the error group (n = 67) were comparable with regard to leaks, reoperation, suture line strictures, and hospital stay. The malfunction group had higher incidences of proximal diversions (34% versus 16%; p = 0.0003), ileus (24% versus 8%; p = 0.002), gastrointestinal bleeding (4% versus 0.4%; p = 0.023), and transfusion requirements (13% versus 4%; p = 0.004). Although proximal diversions in the error cohorts were also less likely to be planned (p < 0.001), reversal rates were similar in both groups (p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of technical error involving the circular stapler is considerable. Technical error was found to be associated with a significantly higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, transfusions, and unplanned proximal diversions.