Pediatric Surgery Simulation-Based Training for the General Surgery Resident.

BACKGROUND: Surgical simulation-based training (SBT) can increase resident confidence and improve performance. SBT in pediatric surgery is in its infancy and often geared toward training pediatric surgery fellows. Since case volume for various pediatric surgery-specific procedures can be low based on the rarity of the pathology involved and the level of care provided by the institution, our aim was to create a pediatric surgery simulation-based curriculum for general surgery residents to address this need. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an institutional needs assessment consisting of 4 pediatric surgeons' and 28 general surgery residents' confidence in resident ability to independently perform pediatric surgery-specific tasks and procedures using a Likert-scaled survey. These included the placement of a silastic silo for gastroschisis, a percutaneous drain for perforated necrotizing enterocolitis, and completion of a laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for pyloric stenosis. Models simulating these pathologies and curriculum for performing each procedure were generated. RESULTS: We successfully created a model and SBT curriculum to teach general surgery residents how to place a silastic silo for patients with gastroschisis, a percutaneous drain for patients with perforated necrotizing enterocolitis, and how to complete a laparoscopic pyloromyotomy for patients with pyloric stenosis. These were deemed high fidelity models based on a survey of our pediatric surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: We created a pediatric surgery SBT curriculum for general surgery residents, which can be used to supplement learning of various high-acuity, low-occurrence procedures. Assessment of residents and validation of scores is underway.

The effect of tobacco use on outcomes of laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repairs: a review of the NSQIP dataset.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking is a known risk factor for complications after major surgical procedures. The full effect of tobacco use on these complications has not been studied over large populations for ventral hernia repairs. This effect is more important as the preoperative conditioning, and optimization of patients is adopted. We sought to use the prospectively collected ACS-NSQIP dataset to evaluate respiratory and infectious complications for patients undergoing both laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repairs. METHODS: The ACS-NSQIP dataset was queried for patients who underwent open or laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs, by primary procedure CPT codes, between years 2009-2012. Smoking use was registered as defined by the ACS-NSQIP, as both a current smoker (within the prior 12 months) or as a history of smoking (having ever smoked). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate postoperative complications for 30-day morbidity and mortality by smoking status while adjusting for preoperative risk factors. RESULTS: The majority of cases were open, 82 %, compared to laparoscopic 18 %. Sex was evenly distributed with 58 % female and 42 % male; however, there was a difference in the distribution of current smokers (p = 0.03). On analysis there were significantly more respiratory complications (p = 0.0003) and infectious complications (p < 0.0001). When controlling for sex, age, and type of surgery, using logistic regression, there were associations between smoking in the prior 12 months and respiratory complications, including pneumonia (p < 0.0001), and re-intubation (p < 0.0001). Similar associations were seen on logistic regression if a patient ever smoked; including pneumonia (p < 0.0001), re-intubation (p < 0.0001), and failure to wean (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Smoking tobacco, both current and historical use, leads to an increase in both respiratory and infectious complications. As more centers try to preoperatively condition patients for elective hernia repairs, it is important to note that patients may never return to the baseline outcomes of patients who never smoked.

The effect of tobacco use on outcomes of laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repairs: a review of the NSQIP dataset.

BACKGROUND: As the effort to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality continues, the search for modifiable patient risk factors to reduce complications is ongoing. Tobacco use is associated with impaired wound healing, but its effect on inguinal hernia repair has not been studied in a large population. An ACS-NSQIP dataset was used to evaluate the effect of tobacco use on outcomes of inguinal hernia repairs. METHODS: The ACS-NSQIP dataset was queried for patients who underwent open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs, by primary procedure CPT codes, between years 2009-2012. Tobacco use was registered, as defined by the ACS-NSQIP, in two ways: current smoking (within the past 12 months), or history of smoking (having ever smoked). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate outcome variables for 30-day morbidity by type of smoking status, while adjusting for preoperative risk factors. RESULTS: During the study period, 90,162 patients underwent inguinal hernia repair. 76 % of the cases were open compared to 24 % laparoscopic. The population was overwhelmingly male, 91 %, compared to 9 % female. The average age of patients was 42.5 years. Of the available data (69 % of patients), 38.5 % had a history of smoking. 18 % had smoked within the 12 months prior to surgery (current smokers). Their average number of pack years was 27.2 (SD 24.0) compared to 4.5 pack years (SD 14.7) for those who had not smoked 12 months prior to surgery (historical smokers). Using Fisher's exact test, having ever smoked was found to be significantly associated with pneumonia (p = 0.0008) and return to the operating room (p = 0.010). This relationship held when preoperative variables were controlled for using logistic regression (pneumonia, p = 0.002; return to the operating room, p = 0.002). When preoperative variables were controlled for and logistic regression was performed for current smokers, there was also a significant association with pneumonia (p = 0.005) and return to the operating room (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Current smoking status is a modifiable risk of patients undergoing laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repair. Failure to quit smoking prior to surgical repair is associated with complications like pneumonia and return to the operating room.

Enhancing Intraoperative Cholangiography Interpretation Skills: A Perceptual Learning Approach for Surgical Residents.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a commonly performed surgery with risk of serious complications. Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) can mitigate these risks by clarifying the anatomy of the biliary tree and detecting common bile duct injuries. However, mastering IOC interpretation is largely through experience, and studies have shown that even expert surgeons often struggle with this skill. Since no formal curriculum exists for surgical residents to learn IOC interpretation, we developed a perceptual learning (PL)-based training module aimed at improving surgical residents' IOC interpretation skills. DESIGN: Surgical residents were assessed on their ability to identify IOC characteristics and provide clinical recommendations using an online training module based on PL principles. This research had 2 phases. The first phase involved pre/post assessments of residents trained via the online IOC interpretation module, measuring their IOC image recognition and clinical management accuracy (percentage of correct responses), response time and confidence. During the second phase, we explored the impact of combining simulator-based IOC training with the online interpretation module on same measures as used in the first phase (accuracy, response time, and confidence). SETTING: The study was conducted at Rush University Medical College in Chicago. The participants consisted of surgical residents from each postgraduate year (PGY). Residents participated in this study during their scheduled monthly rotation through Rush's surgical simulation center. RESULTS: Total 23 surgical residents participated in the first phase. A majority (95.7%) found the module helpful. Residents significantly increased confidence levels in various aspects of IOC interpretation, such as identifying complete IOCs and detecting abnormal findings. Their accuracy in making clinical management decisions significantly improved from pretraining (mean accuracy 68.1 +/- 17.3%) to post-training (mean accuracy 82.3 +/- 10.4%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, their response time per question decreased significantly from 25 +/- 12 seconds to 17 +/- 12 seconds (p < 0.001). In the second phase, we combined procedural simulator training with the online interpretation module. The 20, first year residents participated and 88% found the training helpful. The training group exhibited significant confidence improvements compared to the control group in various aspects of IOC interpretation with observed nonsignificant accuracy improvements related to clinical management questions. Both groups demonstrated reduced response times, with the training group showing a more substantial, though nonsignificant, reduction. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a PL-based training module for improving aspects of surgical residents' IOC interpretation skills. The module, found helpful by a majority of participants, led to significant enhancements in clinical management accuracy, confidence levels, and decreased response time. Incorporating simulator-based training further reinforced these improvements, highlighting the potential of our approach to address the lack of formal curriculum for IOC interpretation in surgical education.

Ursodiol Prescriptions Following Bariatric Surgery: National Prescribing Trends and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery is a risk factor for gallstone development. Numerous studies have shown that ursodiol after surgery decreases rates of gallstone formation and cholecystitis. Real-world prescribing practices are unknown. This study aimed to examine prescription patterns for ursodiol and reassess its impact on gallstone disease using a large administrative database. METHODS: The Mariner database (PearlDiver, Inc.) was queried using Current Procedural Terminology codes for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between 2011 and 2020. Only patients with International Classification of Disease codes for obesity were included. Patients with pre-operative gallstone disease were excluded. The primary outcome was gallstone disease within 1 year, which was compared between patients who did and did not receive an ursodiol prescription. Prescription patterns were also analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-five thousand five hundred patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Twenty-eight thousand seventy-five (7.7%) patients were prescribed ursodiol. There was a statistically significant difference in development of gallstones (p < 0.001), development of cholecystitis (p = .049), and undergoing cholecystectomy (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant decrease in the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for the development of gallstones (aOR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.89), development of cholecystitis (aOR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.91), and undergoing cholecystectomy (aOR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.81). CONCLUSION: Ursodiol significantly decreases the odds of development of gallstones, cholecystitis, or cholecystectomy within 1 year following bariatric surgery. These trends hold true when analyzing RYGB and SG separately. Despite the benefit of ursodiol, only 10% of patients received an ursodiol prescription postoperatively in 2020.

Measuring Impact of Simulation-Based Informed Consent Training on Surgical Intern's Long-Term Confidence.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the outcome of a training program on long-term confidence of interns and attending physicians. DESIGN: In this prospective cohort study, general surgery interns underwent a training program on informed consent that involved didactics, standardized patient encounters, and supplemental procedure specific guides at the start of the academic year. At the end of the academic year, we surveyed interns from the classes of 2020 (trained) and 2019 (untrained) about their experience and confidence in obtaining an informed consent. Further, we queried attending physicians on their experience and confidence in the interns at the end of each academic year. SETTING: Single academic general surgery residency program based at 2 urban tertiary hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: General surgery interns including unmatched preliminary residents and categorical interns from general surgery, interventional radiology, and urology. RESULTS: Twenty-four incoming interns participated in the training program. Intern confidence discussing operation benefits improved from a median score of 4 to 5 (p = 0.03), and total confidence improved from a median score of 15 to 17.5 (p = 0.08). There was no difference in median total confidence scores (15 vs. 17.5; p = 0.21) between classes. Attending physicians had similar median total confidence scores following intervention (10 vs. 11; p = 0.87). Intern satisfaction was 80% with the didactic session, and 90% with standardized patient encounters. Twenty percent of learners used the supplemental procedure specific guides. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an intern targeted program on informed consent that incorporated didactics and standardized patient encounters was viewed as useful and may contribute to long-term improvements in confidence.

Variation in bariatric surgery utilization by state from 2010 to 2019: analysis of the PearlDiver Mariner database.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity and its associated complications, but it remains underutilized. The degree to which bariatric surgery utilization varies by state is unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to quantify variation in bariatric surgery utilization across U.S. states. SETTING: United States. METHODS: Patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass and patients with body mass index (BMI) >40 or BMI >35 with comorbidities between 2010 and 2019 were identified with Current Procedural Terminology, International Classification of Diseases-9 and -10 codes using the PearlDiver Mariner insurance claims database. Patients living in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 99,173 bariatric surgery patients were identified out of 1,789,457 patients eligible for bariatric surgery between 2010 and 2019 (5.5%). Bariatric surgery patients were more likely to be female (78.8% versus 65.6%) and have commercial insurance (81.4% versus 69.6%) compared with eligible patients who did not undergo bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery utilization varied widely between states, from 10.4% in New Jersey to 2.1% in Vermont. The Northeast region had the highest rates at 7.95%, and the Midwest had the lowest at 4.47%. The proportion of bariatric surgeries that were sleeve gastrectomies also varied from <30% in Alaska, North Dakota, and Rhode Island to >80% in New Jersey, Nevada, and Mississippi. CONCLUSION: There is significant variation in bariatric surgery utilization between states, with almost a 5-fold difference between the states with the highest and lowest utilization.

Percutaneous peritoneal drain placement: A pilot study of pediatric surgery simulation-based training for general surgery residents.

INTRODUCTION: General surgery residents often feel unprepared to perform pediatric surgery procedures since case volume and experience may be low. Previously, we successfully implemented a simulation-based training (SBT) module for placement of a silastic silo for gastroschisis. Therefore, we designed a single institution pilot study to assess whether SBT for placement of a percutaneous peritoneal drain for perforated necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was feasible and lead to skill acquisition and increased confidence. METHODS: Our newly created NEC module within our pediatric surgery SBT curriculum for general surgery residents was used. Residents completed two simulation sessions three months apart with confidence testing before and after each session. Skill acquisition and performance were assessed using a standardized case scenario and procedure checklist. Changes in residents' confidence and performance were determined using Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests. RESULTS: Nine post-graduate-year three general surgery residents completed this curriculum. Following completion, residents reported improved confidence completing each step of the procedure initially (p = 0.005) and at 3 months (p = 0.008) with improved technical scores (p = 0.011). The number of residents deemed proficient significantly improved (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Implementation of SBT module for perforated NEC was feasible and improved residents' confidence and proficiency completing the procedure.

Silo placement in gastroschisis: A pilot study of simulation-based training for general surgery residents.

INTRODUCTION: General surgery residents often feel unprepared for rotations on pediatric surgical services as case volume and experience performing pediatric procedures may be inadequate for high acuity, low volume procedures. We designed a single institution pilot study to assess whether simulation-based training (SBT) for placement of a silastic silo for gastroschisis was feasible and lead to skill acquisition, retention and increased resident confidence. METHODS: We used our newly created gastroschisis module within our pediatric surgery SBT curriculum for general surgery residents. Residents completed two simulation sessions three months apart, completed confidence testing before and after each session, and were assessed using a standardized case scenario and procedure checklist. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests evaluated changes in residents' confidence and performance. RESULTS: Ten post-graduate-year three general surgery residents completed this curriculum. Residents reported improved confidence completing each step of the procedure initially (p=0.008) and at 3 months (p=0.005). They had improved technical scores across all steps of the procedure (p=0.005). The number of residents deemed proficient significantly improved (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the feasibility of assessing the technical skills of general surgery residents performing a simulated placement of a silastic silo for gastroschisis. Residents' confidence and proficiency improved over the three-month period. STUDY TYPE: Prospective LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Do One, Do One, Teach One: Altering the Dogma Using Simulation-Based Training to Maximize Efficiency of Surgical Resident Education.

BACKGROUND: Graduating surgery residents often feel unprepared to practice autonomously in the current era of surgical training. We implemented an integrated simulation curriculum to improve residents' autonomy and increase their confidence to practice independently. In this study, we chose a laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) as our pilot operation to test proof of concept and on which we would construct our integrated curriculum. STUDY DESIGN: The curriculum included a web-based cognitive component, inanimate model simulation session with follow-up at 2 weeks and 6 months, and self-confidence questionnaires. Faculty rated each resident's procedure-specific skill by using a modified Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) criteria and a task-specific checklist. RESULTS: Thirteen junior residents, 7 senior residents, and 7 faculty surgeons completed the curriculum. Four junior residents (31%) achieved proficiency at their first session, 10 (77%) after the second session (p = 0.031), and 6 (67%) at 6 months (p ≥ 0.99). Three residents regressed and did not maintain proficiency after the second assessment. Performance (GOALS) scores improved (p = 0.0313) at week 2 and were maintained at 6 months (p = 0.5625). Required faculty direction decreased (p = 0.004), and resident confidence in completing the procedure independently improved (p < 0.004) over the 6-month curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing procedure-specific and global laparoscopic skills through a simulation-based curriculum is feasible and can be used to augment resident training. Our curriculum demonstrated improvement in proficiency and self-confidence while performing an LVHR. Additional study is needed to examine the optimal way to integrate procedure-specific simulation models into training programs.

Magnetic Liver Retraction: an Incision-Less Approach for Less Invasive Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: In bariatric surgery, retraction of the liver is essential to ensure appropriate visualization of the surgical field. Many devices are currently employed for this purpose. Generally, these devices require constant use of a port, or an additional incision. Magnetic technology provides a novel solution, by allowing liver retraction during bariatric procedures that do not require a dedicated port nor an extra incision. METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent magnetic-assisted liver retraction during primary or revisional laparoscopic bariatric surgery at the Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery between October 2016 and August 2017. RESULTS: The 73 cases were comprised of 29 primary sleeve gastrectomies, 24 gastric bypasses, 10 duodenal switches, 3 gastric band removals, and 7 revisions. All cases were completed laparoscopically. Mean pre-operative BMI was 43.6 kg/m2 (range 18.3-67.7 kg/m2). Mean operative times for primary cases were similar to published averages. Two patients experienced minor 30-day morbidities, neither of which were attributed to the device and did not require further interventions. There were no 30-day mortalities. Surgeons described subjective overall surgical exposure as adequate and device utilization as technically simple even for the large livers. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic-assisted retraction is a novel approach that allows a safe, reproducible, incision-less technique for unconstrained, port-less intra-abdominal mobilization. The device successfully permitted optimal liver retraction during laparoscopic bariatric surgery, enhancing surgical exposure while decreasing the number of abdominal incisions.

Predicting aggressive behavior in nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

PURPOSE: The biologic potential of nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) is highly variable and difficult to predict before resection. This study was conducted to identify clinical and pathologic factors associated with malignant behavior and death in patients diagnosed with PNETs. METHODS: We used International Classification of Diseases 9th edition codes to identify patients who underwent pancreatectomy for PNETs from 1998 to 2011 in the databases of 4 institutions. Functioning PNETs were excluded. Multivariate regression Cox proportional models were constructed to identify clinical and pathologic factors associated with distant metastasis and survival. RESULTS: The study included 128 patients-57 females and 71 males. The age (mean ± standard deviation) was 55 ± 14 years. The body mass index was 28 ± 5 kg/m(2). Eighty-nine (70%) patients presented with symptoms, and 39 (30%) had tumors discovered incidentally. The tumor size was 3.3 ± 2 cm with 56 (44%) of the tumors measuring ≤2 cm. Seventy-three (57%) patients had grade 1 histology tumors, 37 (29%) had grade 2, and 18 (14%) had grade 3. Peripancreatic lymph node involvement was present in 31 patients (24%), absent in 75 (59%), and unknown in 22 (17%). Distant metastasis occurred in 18 patients (14%). There were 12 deaths, including 1 perioperative, 8 disease related, and 3 of unknown cause. With a median follow-up of 33 months, the overall 5-year survival was 75%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified age >55 (hazard ratio [HR], 5.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64-20.58), grade 3 histology (HR, 6.08; 95% CI, 1.32-30.2), and distant metastasis (HR, 8.79; 95% CI, 2.67-28.9) as risk factors associated with death (P < .05). Gender, race, body mass index, clinical symptoms, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, and tumor size were not related to metastasis or survival (P > .05). Three patients with tumors ≤2 cm developed distant metastasis resulting in 2 disease-related deaths. CONCLUSION: Age >55 years, grade 3 histology, and distant metastasis predict a greater risk of death from nonfunctioning PNETs. Resection or short-term surveillance should be considered regardless of tumor size.