Attitudes of Canadian medical students towards surgical training and perceived barriers to surgical careers: a multicentre survey.

Background: Medical student interest in surgical specialties continues to decline. This study aims to characterize attitudes of Canadian medical students towards surgical training and perceived barriers to surgical careers. Methods: An anonymous survey was custom designed and distributed to medical students at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary. Survey questions characterized student interest in surgical specialties, barriers to pursuing surgery, and influence of surgical education opportunities on career interest. Results: Survey engagement was 26.7% in 2015 and 24.2% in 2021. General surgery had the highest rate of interest in both survey years (2015: 38.3%, 2021: 39.2%). The most frequently reported barrier was worry about the stress that surgical careers can put on personal relationships (2015: 70.9%, 2021: 73.8%, p= 0.50). Female respondents were significantly more likely to cite gender discrimination as a deterrent to surgical careers (F: 52.0%, M: 5.8%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite substantial interest, perception of work-life imbalance was the primary reported barrier to surgical careers. Further, female medical students' awareness of gender discrimination in surgery highlights the need for continued efforts to promote gender inclusivity within surgical disciplines to support early career women interested in surgery.

Contexte: L'intérêt des étudiants en médecine canadiens pour les spécialités chirurgicales est en diminution constante. Cette étude vise à caractériser leurs attitudes à l'égard de la formation en chirurgie et les obstacles qu'ils perçoivent à la poursuite d'une carrière dans cette discipline. Méthodes: Un sondage anonyme conçu sur mesure a été distribué aux étudiants en médecine de l'Université de l'Alberta et de l'Université de Calgary. Les questions de l'enquête portaient sur leur intérêt pour les spécialités chirurgicales, sur ce qui les empêche de les choisir comme voie de carrière et sur l'influence des possibilités de formation en chirurgie sur leur intérêt à suivre une carrière dans ces spécialités. Résultats: Le taux de participation à l'enquête était de 26,7 % en 2015 et de 24,2 % en 2021. La spécialité qui a recueilli le taux d'intérêt le plus élevé était la chirurgie générale, et ce pour les deux années d'enquête (2015 : 38,3 %, 2021 : 39,2 %). L'obstacle le plus fréquemment cité était la difficile conciliation entre la vie personnelle et les exigences des carrières chirurgicales (2015 : 70,9 %, 2021 : 73,8 %, p = 0,50). Les femmes interrogées étaient significativement plus susceptibles de citer la discrimination fondée sur le sexe comme frein au choix d'une carrière chirurgicale (F : 52,0 %, M : 5,8 %, p < 0,001). Conclusions: Malgré un intérêt considérable, la perception d'un déséquilibre entre la vie professionnelle et la vie personnelle est le principal obstacle déclaré au choix d'une carrière dans le domaine de la chirurgie. De plus, la discrimination sexuelle perçue par les étudiantes dans la discipline souligne le besoin d'efforts soutenus pour promouvoir l'inclusivité des sexes dans les spécialités chirurgicales afin de soutenir les femmes en début de carrière qui s'intéressent à la chirurgie.

Duodenal-jejunal bypass liners are superior to optimal medical management in ameliorating metabolic dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates metabolic and anthropometric outcomes of duodenal-jejunal bypass liners (DJBLs) compared to optimal medical management for the treatment of obesity and its associated metabolic complications. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted. Studies were reviewed and data were extracted following the PRISMA guidelines. The primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) change at device explant with secondary outcomes including body mass index (BMI), weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and adverse events. Twenty-eight studies met inclusion criteria evaluating a total of 1229 patients undergoing DJBL treatment. When compared to medical management, DJBLs provided superior reductions in HbA1c (mean difference, MD -0.96%; 95% CI -1.43, -0.49; p < 0.0001), FPG (MD -1.76 mmol/L; 95% CI -2.80, -0.72; p = 0.0009), BMI (MD -2.80 kg/m2 ; 95% CI -4.18, -1.41; p < 0.0001), and weight (MD -5.45 kg; 95% CI -9.80, -1.09, p = 0.01). Post-explant data reveals a gradual return to baseline status. Incidence of early device explant was 20.2%. Complications were resolved conservatively or with device explant without long-term morbidity or mortality. We conclude that DJBLs provide significant metabolic and anthropometric improvements for patients with obesity. Uncertainty about the extent to which improvements are maintained after device removal may limit the use of DJBLs as a standalone treatment for obesity and associated metabolic complications.

Characteristics and outcomes for patients undergoing revisional bariatric surgery due to persistent obesity: a retrospective cohort study of 10,589 patients.

BACKGROUND: Revisional bariatric surgery in an option for patients who experience weight regain or inadequate weight loss after primary elective bariatric procedures. However, there is conflicting data on safety outcomes of revisional procedures. We aim to characterize patient demographics, procedure type, and safety outcomes for those undergoing revisional compared to initial bariatric interventions to guide management of these patients. METHODS: The 2020 Metabolic and Bariatric Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) registry was analyzed, comparing primary elective to revisional bariatric procedures for inadequate weight loss. Bivariate analysis was performed to determine between group differences. Multivariable logistic regression determined factors associated with serious complications or mortality. RESULTS: We evaluated 158,424 patients, including 10,589 (6.7%) revisional procedures. Patients undergoing revisional procedures were more like to be female (85.5% revisional vs. 81.0% initial; p < 0.001), had lower body mass index (43.6 ± 7.8 kg/m2 revisional vs. 45.2 ± 7.8 kg/m2 initial; p < 0.001), and less metabolic comorbidities than patients undergoing primary bariatric surgery. The most common revisional procedures were Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (48.4%) and sleeve gastrectomy (32.5%). Revisional procedures had longer operative duration compared to primary procedures. Patients undergoing revisional procedures were more likely to experience readmission to hospital (4.8% revisional vs. 2.9% initial; p < 0.001) and require reoperation (2.4% revisional vs. 1.0% initial; p < 0.001) within 30 days of the procedure. Revisional procedures were independently associated with increased serious complications (OR 1.49, CI 1.36-1.64, p < 0.001) but were not a significant predictor of 30-day mortality (OR 0.74, CI 0.36-1.50, p = 0.409). CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to primary bariatric surgery, patients undergoing revisional procedures have less metabolic comorbidities. Revisional procedures have worse perioperative outcomes and are independently associated with serious complications. These data help to contextualize outcomes for patients undergoing revisional bariatric procedures and to inform decision making in these patients.

Characteristics and outcomes of transoral robotic surgery with free-flap reconstruction for oropharyngeal cancer: a systematic review.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) approach for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer allows for reduced patient morbidity, amongst other advantages over the traditional lip-splitting mandibulotomy method. Free-flap reconstruction is commonly utilized in head and neck cancer surgeries; however, safety and outcomes of this technique in TORS procedures have not been well studied. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TORS with free-flap reconstruction (TORS-FFR) for oropharyngeal cancer. A systematic search of Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL and PubMed databases was completed. Following PRISMA guidelines, case series/reports, retrospective and prospective cohort studies were included. Primary outcomes measured were deaths and complication rates associated with TORS-FFR for oropharyngeal cancers. Secondary outcomes included functional swallowing and airway outcomes, operative time and length of hospital stay. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria comprising a total of 132 patients. The mean patient age was 58.4 years. The most frequent complication was infection (8.9%) followed by flap wound dehiscence (4.2%). The average total operative time was 710 min (n = 48), while average length of hospital stay was 13.5 days (n = 48). Reconstructions were most commonly fashioned from radial forearm free flaps (RFFF), with anterolateral thigh flaps (ALT) representing the second most common free-flap subtype. TORS-FFR procedures for oropharyngeal cancer are safe, with low serious complication rates. This surgical approach may be associated with decreased length of hospital stay; however, further studies are required to better characterize post-operative outcomes.Level of evidence 1a.

Laryngeal Plasmacytosis Responsive to Inhaled Budesonide.

Mucous membrane plasmacytosis (MMP) is rare condition characterized by diffuse plasma cell infiltration of upper aero-digestive tract mucosa. It results in epithelial hyperplasia that has a classic papillary appearance. We describe a case of MMP primarily affect laryngeal and oropharyngeal mucosa resulting in progressive airway obstruction. We highlight airway management and histopathology. The patient had near complete clinical response with inhaled budesonide, which has not yet been described as a treatment option in the literature. Laryngoscope, 133:70-72, 2023.

Structural Studies of Macromolecules in Solution using Small Angle X-Ray Scattering.

Protein-protein interactions involving proteins with multiple globular domains present technical challenges for determining how such complexes form and how the domains are oriented/positioned. Here, a protocol with the potential for elucidating which specific domains mediate interactions in multicomponent system through ab initio modeling is described. A method for calculating solution structures of macromolecules and their assemblies is provided that involves integrating data from small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), chromatography, and atomic resolution structures together in a hybrid approach. A specific example is that of the complex of full-length nidogen-1, which assembles extracellular matrix proteins and forms an extended, curved nanostructure. One of its globular domains attaches to laminin γ-1, which structures the basement membrane. This provides a basis for determining accurate structures of flexible multidomain protein complexes and is enabled by synchrotron sources coupled with automation robotics and size exclusion chromatography systems. This combination allows rapid analysis in which multiple oligomeric states are separated just prior to SAXS data collection. The analysis yields information on the radius of gyration, particle dimension, molecular shape and interdomain pairing. The protocol for generating 3D models of complexes by fitting high-resolution structures of the component proteins is also given.

Amyloid ß (1-40) Toxicity Depends on the Molecular Contact between Phenylalanine 19 and Leucine 34.

The formation of the hydrophobic contact between phenylalanine 19 (F19) and leucine 34 (L34) of amyloid ß (1-40) (Aß(1-40)) is known to be an important step in the fibrillation of Aß(1-40) peptides. Mutations of this putatively early molecular contact were shown to strongly influence the toxicity of Aß(1-40) ( Das et al. ( 2015 ) ACS Chem. Neurosci. 6 , 1290 - 1295 ). Any mutation of residue F19 completely abolished the toxicity of Aß(1-40), suggesting that a proper F19-L34 contact is crucial also for the formation of transient oligomers. In this work, we investigate a series of isomeric substitutions of L34, namely, d-leucine, isoleucine, and valine, to study further details of this molecular contact. These replacements represent very minor alterations in the Aß(1-40) structure posing the question how these alterations challenge the fibrillation kinetics, structure, dynamics, and toxicity of the Aß(1-40) aggregates. Our work involves kinetic studies using thioflavin T, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction for the analysis of the fibril morphology, and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments for local structure and molecular dynamics investigations. Combined with cell toxicity assays of the mutated Aß(1-40) peptides, the physicochemical and biological importance of the early folding contact between F19 and L34 in Aß(1-40) is underlined. This implies that the F19-L34 contact influences a broad range of different processes including the initiation of fibrillation, oligomer stability, fibril elongation, local fibril structure, and dynamics and cellular toxicity. These processes do not only cover a broad range of diverse mechanisms, but also proved to be highly sensitive to minor modulations of this crucial contact. Furthermore, our work shows that the contact is not simply mediated by general hydrophobic interactions, but also depends on stereospecific mechanisms.